VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - This is usually one of the busiest times of the year for churches, but Palm Sunday is going to look a little different this April.
Due to the coronavirus, Governor Ralph Northam limited gatherings to no more than 10 people. In March, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond also temporarily suspended all mass as a precautionary measure.
Now one Virginia Beach church is getting creative to make sure people still hear the Word of God. Rock Church International is holding a drive-in service.
People just pull their car into a space in the parking lot, dial into the same radio channel/frequency and the service happens right in their car. It's a way for parishioners to be close to God during one of the holiest times of the year, but doing so at a safe distance from one another.
"I think it's really important for encouragement. A lot of people are facing a lot of anxiety, maybe depression, despair, fear - and faith has overcome all of those things and I think it's very important for people to have that opportunity to gather," says Pastor John Blanchard.
The slogan is "Come as you are, stay in your car." Last Sunday Pastor Blanchard says they had over 200 cars and they are expecting more this Palm Sunday. The service starts at 10:30 a.m. and all are welcome.
The church is also looking ahead to Easter as well. They say next week, in partnership with Operation Blessing, they are giving away 500 bags of groceries.
It will be free to anyone, so they encourage anyone with a need to stop by.
