In the throws of Holy Week and global uncertainty, religious leaders find themselves getting creative and adapting to virtual services taking to online platforms such as Facebook Live and Youtube to keep their congregations connected. We’ve gathered a short list of local faith-based organizations that are utilizing alternative methods per Governor Wolf’s recommendation issued last week.
“I know that we’re nearing several holidays, including major religious holidays like Easter and Passover,” Gov. Wolf said. “I am encouraging religious leaders hosting a holiday celebration to consider an alternative that does not bring people together in-person.
“As a person of faith, I understand how important it is to worship, and that congregating, whether for a service or seder dinner, can be at the very core of one’s faith. But I also understand how important it is to help neighbors, and the best way to help our neighbors right now is not by congregating. It’s by staying at home.”
This list was compiled with the help of citizens and our local faith community, it is not exhaustive of all options, and we encourage you to explore opportunities that may be available through your congregation of choice, as well.
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Spring Valley Church of God | Sunday at 11am and Midweek bible studies
LCBC | Multiple Services Friday- Sunday
The Place Church | Sunday on FB Live at 10:30am
Hopewell Church | Sundays at 10am with a message for kids too at 11am
The Real Church516 | Sunday at 10am and midweek bible study
Oheb Sholom | Friday service times vary, check website for changing details
Glad Tidings | Friday Service, Sunday and midweek study
Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church | Streamed live on Youtube
Zion Baptist Church | Sunday 1030am – Weekday bible study
Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church | Sunday 930am
Koinos Community Church | Sunday at 10am
Calvary BFC | Sunday at 930am
Reading City Church | Sunday 10am
CityReach Reading | Sunday 11am and weekday study
The Core Church | Sunday 1130am
Common Ground Recovery Community | Wednesday at 730pm
South 7th Street Christian Fellowship | Sunday 10am and weekday study
St. Francis de Sales | Live Thursday 7pm and Sunday
New Hope Baptist | Sunday at 11am
Sacred Heart Church Parish | Thursday at 5pm and Sunday
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Mertztown | Sunday 930am and weekday studies
Allentown Diocese | Schedule varied through Holy Week
Jehovah’s Witness Examiner | Online Bible Study – varied
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107 th Annual Easter Dawn Service – Sunday, April 12 th , 202..6:30a.m.
broadcast by WEEU-830 AM Radio (from unpublished location)
NOTE: Due to the CoronaVirus COVID-19 pandemic guidelines/restrictions, this
year’s Easter Dawn Service is provided in an alternate format and location,
without general public present.
List of participants (as of 04/02/2020)…limited to 10 or less persons due to above pandemic; therefore some are doubling up on participation tasks (listed as they appear in Bulletin):
- Ben Reber, A’hava Church, Reading – sounding the Shofar to start Worship and after Benediction
- Mike Reinert, WFMZ-TV, West Lawn United Methodist Church – Worship Leader, Message (Sermon)
- Brenda Daelhousen, First Baptist Church, Reading – Song Leader for hymns
- Rev. Dr. Michael E. Hall, Exton Baptist Community Church, – Invocation, Benediction
- & 6. Pastor Jose & Pastora Carol Pagan, Jesucristo Es El Rey, Reading – Easter Prayer & The Lord’s rayer, Scripture Reading
- Sarajean “SJ” Reinert, West Lawn United Methodist Church – post-Message vocal solo, self-accompanied on guitar
- Morning Praise music
- Gary Benjamin, Trustee of First Baptist Church, Reading – resource person
- John Engle, engineer with WEEU-830 AM Radio – operating the radio broadcast
2020 Easter Dawn Service Committee
Chairperson – Mike Reinert, WFMZ-TV, West Lawn United Methodist Church
Brenda Daelhousen, First Baptist Church, Reading
Michael Kaucher, Reading Berks Conference of Churches
Pamela Kaucher, Reading Berks Conference of Churches
Clark Renninger, First Baptist Church, Reading
Jean Smith, First Baptist Church, Reading
Pastor David Turley, First Baptist Church, Reading
Pastor Lee Wilder, St. James Chapel Church of God in Christ, Reading