CORONAVIRUS: STRONGER TOGETHER
Churches Celebrate Easter Sunday With Drive-In Worship Services
Apr 12, 2020, 5:37 PM | Updated: 5:43 pm
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – Many Utahns found creative ways to gather and worship as communities dealt with the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In West Valley City, cars pulled up to the New Life Center United Pentecostal Church one by one, ready to be ushered into a parking spot for Easter Sunday services.
“I felt let’s do it because everybody was missing each other, said Pastor Eugene Guerrero. “We had our six feet apart, people stayed in their cars and we tried to make it like having a church service.”
Families put their cars in park and rolled down the windows at the church on a clear, cool Easter Sunday.
“It’s a wonderful day to celebrate especially on a resurrection Sunday,” said the pastor’s wife, Raquel Guerrero.
After several weeks of social distancing, Eugene Guerrero said this was the answer to bring everyone together.
From their front seat, members of the church honked to sing amen and raised their arms in worship.
At a time when connection is so desperately needed, churches are getting creative to share their message of hope. This is a drive-in service at @NewLifeUPC in West Valley City #HappyEaster #SocialDistancing #InThisTogether @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/l82UwjVh7m
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) April 12, 2020
“Pentecost is an experience, we are a Pentecostal church, and so when we come together, we love to raise our hands and worship the Lord,” Raquel Guerrero said. “I had never imagined that we would have service in the parking lot, but we can have service wherever we gather together as people.”
“The buildings are important but what’s more important is the spirit of God inside of us,” Eugene Guerrero said.
For families like the Haags, it was also an opportunity to get outside.
“At least (we get to) see each other,” said church member Jonathan Haag. “It’s kind of nice to just see faces and not just our own family.”
And remember, especially on this Easter Sunday, that we’re all in this together.
“I wish we could do it more, and I’m very grateful and thankful that they took the time to put this together for us,” said Heather Gutierrez.
New Life Service is one of several congregations of different denominations that held drive-in services on Easter. Another church was Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hyrum, Utah.
Emmanuel Baptist Church held Easter service from their cars and in the church parking lot. (Shaye Starks)
