OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - — In an effort to keep everyone safe, an Omaha church hosted its first drive-in service on the first day of Holy Week.
"To be able to be with people again in a familiar setting of this church, it's a joy," King of Kings Communications Director Josiah Wood said.
As social distancing is mostly keeping people a part, King of Kings Church in Southwest Omaha found a safe way to still bring parishioners together.
Instead of filling the pews, they took in Palm Sunday service from their cars.
"The church is a building but the church is also us," Lead Pastor Greg Griffith said.
Greeters directed visitors to the parking lot and told them where they could tune in to hear the sermon on the radio.
Many parked in front of the big screen inside the church parking lot as they listened.
Service was also streamed online for those who wanted to watch from home.
Pastor Griffith says it's a safe way for them to gather and pray.
"This is what God has designed us to do," Griffith said."So no matter what we believe, or where we've been or where we are, God has gathered us and designed us to be in relationship with each one another and then ultimately with him."
"It's a very uncertain time," Wood said. "There's a lot of room for anxiety and discouragement and loneliness but I'm feeling good because I know that my strength and my hope is in God."
Griffith says he believes the pandemic has taught people the value of community.
"So I think coming out of this we're going to see a much more grateful people, a much more loving community and an opportunity to embrace the things that really value and show who we are," he said. "People that just simply want to be loved and to love others."
Drive in services must follow DHHS guidelines of staying in your car with the windows up and no carpooling.
At King of Kings, offerings shifted online and they skipped communion.
It also marked spaces in the lot to help keep everyone at a safe distance from each other.
Their traditional worship may have changed, but one thing is for sure, it won't always be this way.
"This isn't going to last forever, but life's not going to go back to the way it was," Griffith said.
You can learn more about the church, and get details about their Easter service, here.
