NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The biggest day in the Christian calendar is this weekend, yet churches across the country will be empty for Easter because of COVID-19.
Belmont United Methodist Church, like so many churches, are abiding by the state's Stay at Home order and not holding in-person services, but thanks to social media, worship is still happening.
They do Facebook Live streams of their Sunday services and each pastor has done a Facebook Live devotional during Holy Week. Easter Sunday, less than 10 people will be in the sanctuary to lead the service, but the congregation will have to wear their "Easter best" from their couch watching on a computer.
Rev. Paul Purdue, Belmont's Senior Pastor, says much of their online service will still feel the same and the parts that feel different bring with it, a lesson.
"You don’t pass through Good Friday, you don’t pass through Holy Week without being changed, right? And so my prayers would be we don’t pass through this difficult pandemic that we’re going through right now without experiencing some kind of transformation," said Purdue.
Purdue says this time of social isolation also gives us a powerful perspective.
"There are people every single Easter who are behind bars, or away from home serving in the Peace Corp or military and there are people that are experiencing these things constantly. This Easter we’re all doing that," Purdue said.
So will Easter feel different this year? No doubt. Will most churches find a way to worship together? No question.
"It’s different but there’s some beauty, even in the difference," said Purdue.
