One congregation came up with a simple solution to worship together from a distance.
After six Sabbaths of meeting by Zoom, the congregation of Lillehammer, Norway, longed for a more personal worship experience during lockdown. As with all other churches in Norway, the building was shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their simple solution was “drive-in” church. On Saturday, April 25, between 40 and 50 members pulled up in the church parking lot, pointing their cars toward a temporary platform constructed outside the building.
The platform was set up on a trailer. Flowers, green leaves, and white fabric tastefully decorated the railings. Leaders and keyboard pianists led song service—the words having been sent out to the congregation in advance. Members stayed in their cars but tuned their radios to 88.1 FM.
With technically knowledgeable people in the congregation, worship went forward without a hitch. Pastor Joachim Fosse shared both a children's story and a very relevant sermon on the fear of the uncertain and unknown.
Fosse was a little worried that only a few would show up for the service as not many had signed up via Facebook. He was delighted to see the members' desire to meet, albeit from their own vehicles. “This was a very positive experience in every way,” Fosse reported afterward.
After weeks in isolated worship, it was wonderful to see an alternative solution and opportunity emerge, encouraging members that they are not alone.
The original version of this article was posted on the Norwegian Union website.