In this section of our guide, we will list online resources for ministries and places of worship in Sanford, Michigan.
These may include churches and religious programs in Sanford, regardless of the particular religion, denomination, or sect.
A recent survey suggests that the residents of Sanford are slightly more religious than those in the average Michigan locality and slightly less religious than those in the average American city, town, or village.
Of those who indicated an affiliation with a religion, the overwhelming majority were Christians. While the Protestants outnumbered the Catholics, the Roman Catholics were the predominant single denomination. The Catholics were followed by the Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Mormons, Baptists, and Episcopalians, although more than six percent indicated an affiliation with a Protestant or Anabaptist denomination that wasn't part of the survey, or with various non-denominational churches.
Other topics related to faith, religion, and spirituality in Sanford are also appropriate for this category. In some contexts, these terms can be used interchangeably, and often are, but they are individual words with unique definitions.
In the context of Christianity, faith suggests a strong belief, trust, and obedience to God. Ephesians 2:8-9 holds that faith is the means of salvation.
In another context, faith can be synonymous with religion, as in the Christian faith, the Islamic faith, and so on. Religion is a set of formalized beliefs and includes ritual, social, and ethical elements combined with a belief in an unseen world, and often a deity.
Spirituality is more complex, with various definitions. In general terms, spirituality involves a search for meaning in life, or a worldview, and does not require a belief in a deity. Since Christianity is the primary religion in Sanford, we will examine that context. In the context of Christianity, spirituality generally indicates the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian experience.
Recommended Resources
Cleft of the Rock Family Church
The congregation meets at its facilities on North West River Road in Sanford, Michigan. Directions, a map showing its location, telephone number, and office hours are published, along with Sunday and Wednesday service schedules, and a calendar of upcoming programs and activities. Also included are an introduction to the church for those who will be attending for the first time, an overview of its age-specific and community outreach programs, and an online application for making contributions.
https://crfc.tv/
Associated with the Churches of God, the congregation meets at its facilities on North Meridian Road in Sanford, Michigan. The address and a map showing the location of the church are published, along with contact data and an online contact form. Other resources include a statement of beliefs, weekly service schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, an overview of its ministries and activities, volunteer opportunities, and an application for making contributions to the church.
https://www.meridiancog.com/
Founded in 2013 with the merger of the parishes of St. Philip Neri in Coleman and St. Anne in Edenville, the Roman Catholic parish is located in Sanford, Michigan. The history of these parishes is told here, along with a church calendar, a church bulletin, a map, directions, and a parish registration form. Liturgy, Catholic education, sacraments, and ministry schedules are posted on the site, which includes service opportunities, councils, and administrative contacts.
https://www.ourladyofgracemi.org/
Sanford United Methodist Church
The UMC congregation meets at its facilities on North West River Road, just south of US-10, in Sanford, Michigan. Sunday worship schedules are posted on the site, and services may be attended in person or on Facebook Live. Recent worship videos may be viewed online. Serving opportunities are published, with schedules, volunteer openings, and other needs. Job openings are also posted, and the church address, a map showing its location, a telephone number, and an email address are included.
https://sanfordumc.com/
With its origins in 1892, the congregation was formed by the German Lutheran Emanuel Society of Sanford and was originally referred to as the Little Church in the Wildwood, for its wooded location. The church was formally organized in 1947. Affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the church's site includes a statement of beliefs, the history of the congregation, a calendar of events, and information about its spiritual growth programs, service opportunities, and groups.
http://stpaullutheransanford.net/
