From drive-in church to videostreaming: Churches changing Easter services

Easter church services will look a little different this holiday weekend as most congregations have moved to worship together online.

Pastor Brian Tysdal at Strasbourg Alliance Church is taking a different approach, with a drive-in church service in the parking lot.

He joined Saskatchewan Afternoon with David Kirton to explain how it has worked over the past several Sundays. He leads the service with music from a truck while the congregation keeps a safe distance in the isolation of their vehicles.

“We are very mindful of all of the Sask. Health regulations and we are certainly practising the appropriate distancing. We make sure that we encourage no walk-ups, it’s only people in vehicles and they keep their distance as well,” Tysdal said.

He leads the music and worship with a guitar and a sound system, sometimes joined by his wife and son on the platform. People roll down their windows halfway and are encouraged to respond by honking horns to have a little bit of fun and interaction.

“It’s surprising, especially the very first one that we did. There was a number of people that made note of how much they really need to connect in a safe kind of way but the connecting was just super important to them, so it made an impact and it’s making an impact,” Tysdal said.

The Good Friday service will be held via videostream, but the Easter Sunday service is planned for the parking lot — although Tysdal hopes the weather forecast improves.

Regina churches to stream Easter services online

The Archdiocese of Regina has taken direction from the Vatican for local priests to celebrate certain special masses on behalf of their congregations during the period of isolation to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Deacon Eric Gurash said several cathedrals have started broadcasting masses through online videostreaming services.

Resurrection Parish has been set up to do that for seniors’ care homes for a long time and still holds daily mass service that way. Prior to the pandemic, Gurash said 35 to 50 people would watch and now some of the video feeds have been viewed by thousands of people.

Masses for Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday will be broadcast on livestream video on YouTube with Archbishop Don Bolen presiding at Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Various denominations of Christian churches have moved regular Sunday services and Easter services to various online streaming services.

Christ Lutheran Church in Regina made a fast switch to online services through Facebook Live.

“We’ve had amazingly positive feedback. Our congregational members are just thrilled that we’re offering this, that they’re still able to worship,” assistant pastor Lynn Robertson said.

“Some are particularly appreciating that they can worship in the comfort of their home in their recliners with their cup of coffee,” Robertson added with a laugh.

She has also noticed the church has expanded its reach to people who have old connections to the congregation and have moved away.

Reverend Joy Cowan at Heritage United Church said the church has also transitioned to Facebook Live, which can be accessed and shared with people who don’t have accounts on the social media site.

“I try to make our services interactive even though it’s a livestream so it really is just one way. When people post comments or hearts, I’m able to imagine them saying Amen with me,” Cowan said, noting it has been neat to reach people who live in other cities as well.

She said some in the congregation are very nervous about trying anything online, which is why she is trying to layer the approach by sending regular letters and email to members who don’t wish to try a videostreaming service. That way, they still have the opportunity to get reflections on scripture.

Harvest City Church in Regina is livestreaming a city-wide Good Friday service in partnership with 12 other churches featuring a multi-church band and virtual communion. They’re encouraging people to partake with bread and juice at home.

Parliament Community Church Mennonite Brethren has been livestreaming its services on video and hosting youth groups by Zoom. On Easter Sunday, the service will also feature pre-recorded music from several members.

Pastor Bill Danyluk at Hillsdale Baptist Church said the church members are working hard to hold virtual video services online with the same sense of what they would do if they were able to meet in person.

“We’re grateful for the technology and use the technology,” he said, “but whether it’s technology or a building, the church is not a building and if we didn’t have the technology we would find some other way of being together in an acceptable way.”