Churches find ways to celebrate Easter
By Kathy Thomson
Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter church services are too important to be stopped by a virus, and local pastors have plans to reach not only their own members but anyone willing to listen, to tell them how Christ’s death and resurrection purchased salvation for everyone willing to accept the free gift.
“Even though our churches aren’t meeting, it doesn’t mean our week can’t be special and sacred,” said local Presbyterian minister Andrew Ceder. “Take some time to reflect on Christ in the midst of the most special week in the history of the world.”
Available information about local church services during Holy Week are included below.
First Baptist Albany
First Baptist Church invited people across the city to “join” them in a Passover meal on Wednesday (yesterday) evening.
“We had a live video and talked about the significance of this Jewish festival and the connection with our Savior,” said pastor Jeff Turner. “Then we encouraged everyone to enjoy a meal with their family.”
Sunday services, including the one scheduled for this Easter Sunday morning, are broadcast live on the church’s Facebook page firstbaptistalbanytx at 10:45 a.m., and are also available afterwards for those who missed the live event.
Trinity Lutheran
“We are having Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services that will be posted on our website www.albanylutheran.com and emailed to members,” said pastor Tom Chandler. “All of the digital service videos have been posted to the website. We will have Easter ‘Breakfast to Go’ for our members.”
A limited number of chicken spaghetti meals are also still available for church members.
Members Brenda Piquet and her daughters Robin Balliew and Michelle Helle, along with Beverley Salters, prepared the meals.
“We typically have Potluck on the first Sunday of the month, so we thought this was a good alternative to keep that going,” said Balliew. “These meals can be frozen for when they may be needed later, or even delivered to someone we might know who could use an extra home-cooked meal during this time.”
MMPC
Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church posts its services at mmpcalbany.org and on its Facebook page.
A Good Friday service will be available on Friday, April 10 starting at 5:00 a.m. “for the early birds,” said Ceder.
MMPC’s Easter Sunday Celebration should be online by 8:00 a.m. on April 12.
First Christian
Weather permitting, First Christian Church will have a drive-in Easter worship service at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday morning.
“Cars can park in front of the church and across the streets by the Courthouse and the Icehouse,” said pastor Brad McBee. “Please leave a car length of space between each vehicle. John Caldwell is loaning us his sound system for the service.”
The service will include a flowering of the cross and communion.
“My daughters will do the flowering of the cross while we sing,” said the pastor. “We will go to each car to hand out communion. We’ll be wearing disposable gloves and distribute pre-made individual communion servings.”
McBee added that the service will also be available on Facebook live at the same time for those who need to stay home.
Friendship Baptist
Friendship Baptist’s Easter service will be shown live starting at 10:55 a.m. Sunday, April 12 on pastor Paul Johnston’s Facebook page paul.johnston.92775838.
A recording of the service can be listened to on the church’s Facebook page anytime after 12:00 noon on Easter.
Church of Christ
Albany Church of Christ members can watch their Easter service on the group’s Facebook page at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday.
United Methodist
First United Methodist Church is posting Sunday scripture readings and study material at albanyunitedmethodistchurch.com.
Trinity Covenant
Trinity Covenant will meet for Sunday morning service at 10:30 a.m.
“We have under 10 who meet for worship,” said pastor Douglas Stenberg.
He invited anyone who wants to get out to join them.
Moran First Baptist
There will be a drive-in style Resurrection Sunday Service and The Lord’s Supper in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Moran at 11:00 a.m. on Easter.
“Everyone is welcome to come and sit in your cars and listen to the message,” said parishioner Dora Cook Leonard.
Moran Apostolic
At 4:00 p.m. members of the Apostolic Gospel Church will drive through Moran praying for the community.
“Everyone is welcome to join in the prayer line,” said pastor Cynthia Tollett. “We will stop in front of Apostolic Church and sing. We will open the doors so we can be heard outside.”
Ministerial Alliance
Because of the need to maintain social distancing due to the coronavirus, the Albany Ministerial Alliance is not hosting any community-wide services this year.
