Churches have traditionally been gathering places where congregants come together every week to receive inspired teachings, share prayer requests and enjoy fellowship with one other. Shared handshakes, hugs, prayer circles, Bible studies, communion, pews and potlucks are all part of church culture that has come to a sudden close in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Local churches have scrambled to accommodate new state and federal guidelines that have imposed social distancing and the physical closure of church buildings. But in recognition that the Church is its people — not its building — church life is proceeding through the Easter season, moving its messaging from the pulpit to the electronic platform.
As Hiram Christian Church Rev. Chris McCreight puts it on the church’s mass email to congregants, “our church calendar is coming into a new rhythm, as we are finding ways to be together while we are apart.”
Zoom teleconferencing and Facebook Live video streaming have become the access points for Sunday morning sermons and worship services throughout the region. Below you will find where/how to access Sunday morning services this coming Palm Sunday and throughout the month of April:
Catholic Communities of St. Ambrose in Garrettsville, St. Joseph in Mantua and the former St. Michael of Windham have a variety of online, television and radio broadcast options since Catholic Bishops of Ohio suspended all public celebrations of mass until further notice. Log onto the StAmbroseOnline.com website for a variety of links and air times from which to choose.
First Baptist Church of Garrettsville – Join 11am Sunday morning church services on the First Baptist Church of Garrettsville Facebook page, where Pastor David Grey will preach via live video stream.
Friendship Alliance Church of Mantua/Chagrin Falls is meeting every Sunday for worship, prayer and preaching at 11am through live video streaming on the Friendship Alliance Church Facebook page. Sunday school activities and lessons for children can also be found in separate video posts on the page.
Garrettsville United Methodist Church is meeting for Virtual Worship Service via live video stream on its Facebook page. You can access this event from 9:30-10:30am every Sunday until physical doors re-open. Services officiated by Rev. Richard Thewlis can also be accessed via zoom.com. After downloading the software, click on this link to Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/901031903 . Another option is to click on Join a Meeting and enter this Meeting ID: 901 031 903.
Hiram Christian Church – Log onto HiramChristianChurch.org and follow the prompts at the bottom of the home page by clicking on the Sunday Morning Worship @ 11am and Vespers Wednesday @ 7pm button.
Life Church Assembly of God in Garrettsville is gathering together on its Facebook page for live video streaming, where preaching will be delivered at 10:30am by Rick Frecka this Palm Sunday and by Mick Maschek on Easter Sunday. Worship music will follow.
Any neighborhood church among the Weekly Villager readership that would like its online or broadcast services included in upcoming We’re All Invited newspaper listings should email details to news@weeklyvillager.com.
Church support groups are meanwhile being strengthened through existing websites and Facebook pages while others, like the Hiram Community Care page on Facebook, represent new ways to bring the neighborhood together and care for one another through shared needs and resources.
As found in A Prayer During Times of Pandemic, “During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen.”
