Most Churches to Spread Christ's Easter Message Virtually

Streaming services, virtual Easter egg hunts, and conversations with loved ones ordinarily held across the dinner tables that instead will rely on Zoom – these are just a few of the ways Americans will be celebrating Easter weekend in a very different manner this year.

For millions of Christians, the three-day span from Good Friday to Easter Sunday marks the holiest time of the year, covering the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As the late Rev. Billy Graham who remarked, "God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'"

With over 100,000 people having lost their lives to the coronavirus this year, and with strict social-distancing measures in place to impede the spread of the virus, this Easter will rely much more on technology than previous ones.

This became evident when Pope Francis delivered the Holy Thursday mass commemorating the institution of the Eucharist before an empty St. Peter’s Basilica, as reported by Vatican News. The event was live streamed to the world. 

On Good Friday, the Liturgy of the Passion with the Adoration of the Cross will occur at 6 p.m. ET in St. Peter's Basilica. The Pope's Easter Sunday message is being presented at 4:55 a.m. ET. If you are an early bird you can watch it on the Vatican YouTube channel, or you can view it later in the day.

Among the other major services being streamed at major churches (all times are Eastern):

• Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen's Lakewood Church will stream a Good Friday service at 8 p.m. ET, an "Easter Saturday" service at 8 p.m. ET, and two Easter Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. ET and noon ET. You can watch on Lakewood's YouTube channel.
• Evangelist Charles Stanley can be soon at 6 a.m. ET on Newsmax TV for his special Easter sermon. Newsmax TV is available in more than 70 million cable homes. Find Newsmax TV here.
• The Washington National Cathedral in the Nation's Capital will stream an Easter Sunday Holy Eucharist service beginning at 11:15 a.m. ET on Sunday. You can view the service on the cathedral's YouTube channel.
• Pastors David and Nicole Crank of Faith Church will present "Easter at Faith Church" online Sunday at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. ET.
• St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City will hold Easter mass at 10 a.m. ET. It can be viewed on the Cathedral's YouTube channel.
• Pastor Greg Laurie's Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, will stream live on Easter Sunday on its YouTube channel. Service times are 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 8 p.m. ET.
• Rev. Sam Rodriguez at NewSeasonWorship.org will hold Sunday services at noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. ET. For more information go to NewSeasonWorship.org.
• Purpose-Driven Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church has pre-recorded the Easter Service, which can be viewed anytime on the church website.
• Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress will deliver an Easter Sunday message on "3 Reasons the Resurrection Matters" on Sunday at 10:20 and noon ET, available at icampus.firstdallas.org.

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