Christmas at Ashland

This Christmas, you are invited home.

Christmas isn't just about a baby born in Bethlehem; it's about God making a way home for us when we can't seem to find it ourselves.No matter how lost you feel or how far you've wandered, God's heart is seeking you out.  The story of Christmas is for everyone, including you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?
Ashland UMC is located at 2711 Ashland Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506.
When are your Christmas services?
We are offering 4 different worship experiences to fit your schedule and style preference. Our traditional service will be held on December 23 at 6 pm. We'll have two contemporary services on December 24 at 4 and 6 pm. And we'll have a special Lessons and Carols service at 11 pm on December 24. More information about each of these services can be found further down on this page!
What are the Christmas services like?
While each of our services differ slightly in style, they all will feature music, Communion, and the singing of Silent Night as we light candles together. Our traditional and contemporary services will feature a short message from our pastor, while our Lessons and Carols service is rooted more deeply in scripture reading. Descriptions and dates/times of each service style can be found further down on this page!
Do I need to be a member to participate in Communion?
We are a United Methodist Church, and that means our Communion table is open to anyone who feels led to participate. You do not need to be a member of Ashland or any other church!
What should I wear?
At Ashland, you are truly welcome to come as you are! Some people will come a little dressed up for the occasion, while others will wear their favorite Christmas shirt. Sometimes we even have families come in their matching Christmas pajamas! 
Is there childcare during your Christmas services?
We love having children join us in worship, because they truly understand that worship is meant to be a joyful experience. We will have nursery care available at our 6 pm December 23 service and our 4 & 6 pm services on December 24 for preschool age and under if you decide that is a better fit for your kids. 

Let's Worship and Celebrate Christmas Together!

We offer four different worship experiences to help you find the service that best fits your schedule and style of worship. All of our Christmas services feature communion and candle lighting. Can't join us in-person? We still want to connect with you. All of our Christmas services will be live-streamed here.

Christmas Eve Eve

December 23  |  6 pm

Got plans on Christmas Eve? No worries. We still want to make space for you to worship and celebrate the season. Our Christmas Eve Eve service is traditional in style and features a vocal ensemble with a string quartet.

Contemporary Christmas

December 24  |  4 & 6 pm

If contemporary worship is your style, then the 4 & 6 pm Christmas Eve services are for you! Our worship band will be leading us through some familiar songs with contemporary twists and maybe some songs you haven't heard yet. 

Lessons and Carols

December 24  |  11 pm

This special service on Christmas Eve alternates scripture and traditional hymns to tell the Christmas story from the creation/Fall of Man through the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah through the Nativity story. It features a vocal ensemble accompanied by our organ.

Special Christmas Offering

Serving our community is an important part of who we are at Ashland. This year, our Christmas offering is going to support two vital organizations in St. Joseph - Second Harvest Community Food Bank and Community Missions of St. Joseph. If you feel led to contribute to these important organizations, you can do so in one of three ways:

Give Online
Using our new Subsplash giving platform makes giving to our special Christmas offering quick and easy! Click here and select "Christmas" in the fund drop-down menu.

Give In Person
Your offering can also be placed in the manger at the front of the sanctuary during communion time in any of our Christmas worship services.

Mail A Check
If you would like to mail a check, you can send it to the office at 2711 Ashland Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506, and write "Christmas Offering" in the memo line.

Watch a Recent Message:

Lost and Found - November 30

Wrong Turns & Right Directions - December 6

Fellow Travelers - December 13

The Final Mile - December 21

We're glad you're here!

Ashland is a community made up of people from all different backgrounds and stages of faith. Every week we join together to discover how we can love God and love our neighbors better. We consider ourselves a mission-based church, because we believe as follower of Jesus, we are called to meet the needs of our community and beyond.  Whether it's worshipping on a Sunday morning, joining us for a midweek meal, or engaging in one of the many fun activities we offer, there is a place for you here!
Learn More!