BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WLVT) - Many Christians will worship in a new way for Easter Sunday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pastor Lynda Keefer is a co-lead pastor at Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She’s adapted to the COVID-19 crisis by streaming her sermons to her congregation via Facebook Live and on the church’s YouTube Channel.
''On Sunday morning we’re having our Easter celebration or our resurrection celebration at 10:30 a.m. and it will be live-streamed,'' said Keefer. ''I think it’s important that we continue to be the voice that says: God is good and he loves us. We’re going to get through this.''
Last Sunday, her church organized a drive-in prayer service at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s campus in the Poconos.
''Our contact at the hospital said that their health care workers really needed some encouragement,'' said Keefer. ''So, we got the word out to our people and said come on out, stay in your car and be prepared to blow your horn. We let them know that they are not alone and that we love them and we’re praying for them.''
Father Andy Gehringer, pastor of Holy Infancy Catholic Church in Bethlehem, has also started preaching on Facebook Live. Holy Infancy's services are being streamed in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
''We started to put the Masses online and I was really surprised at the response and how many people were interested in watching it,'' said Gehringer. ''I started the video by walking people into the church and I was amazed that people said that they liked seeing the inside of church, something they can’t do right now.''
The Diocese of Allentown is live-streaming Holy Week masses led by Bishop Alfred Schlert from the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena. The streams are available through AD-Today.com, on Service Electric on channels 50 and 550 and on the Diocese of Allentown YouTube channel.
Father Gehringer says parishioners who don’t have the internet have been watching televised services for years. He's been encouraging people to worship at home for Easter Sunday and for as long as coronavirus restrictions are in place.
''It’s very difficult during these holy times and sacred moments to not be with large groups of your family,'' said Gehringer, ''but please, stay with the people in your home. The only person I say to let into your house is Jesus.''
Keefer shared similar sentiments.
''Remember, we’re staying apart, so that we can come back together,'' said Keefer.
Check with your local church to find out if they offer virtual services. Click here to view a schedule of virtual and televised church services for Catholics offered by the Vatican. You can also visit Christian World Media's website to search for live-streamed services in your area.