Frisco Churchgoers Worship Where They Are

Churches throughout North Texas are temporarily suspending services to limit contact during the COVID-19 pandemic. But not coming together in groups isn’t keeping many faithful church members in Frisco from continuing to worship and stay connected with their congregations.

Some churches are providing services via YouTube, Facebook, or on their websites so that members can tune in and be uplifted. Others, like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, have authorized and are encouraging families to lead their own services at home.

For Aaron and Rachel Lewis, who are members of the Frisco 1^st congregation, church at home means sharing talks and messages with their four young daughters, ranging in age from 9 months old to 6 years old. Messages not only come from them as parents, but also from the girls who prepare and share talks and scripture stories with the family. They use online and published resources from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As to how church at home is going for them, Rachel says, “All things considered, I have felt more prepared than I expected in regard to holding church services at home. I, of course, miss my church community; however, because of the Church of Jesus Christ’s emphasis and curriculum on home-centered, church-supported learning as of 18 months ago, I have learned to teach my children the gospel of Jesus Christ with more confidence.” She also joked that, “Though the sermons are now given by our family members, the one thing that has not changed is the grumpy toddler that has to be taken out for having tantrums. So, it’s mostly business as usual for us!”

Rich and Andrea Woolley, members of the Frisco 4^th congregation, are finding the upside in worshipping at home. To make their worship time feel different than the rest of their week, they are dressing up in church clothes, singing hymns, and studying the scriptures together. As Andrea shared regarding their family-led services, “We dressed up and attended a new version of ‘church’. I felt more love and gratitude for my children and husband as we sang a song with the lyrics, ‘There is beauty all around, when there’s love at home.’ Those lyrics took on a deeper meaning for me this week. The world can be in chaos, but my home will be a refuge from the storm.”

On a recent Sunday, while these families were worshipping at home, Frisco Stake President Kris Katseanes sent out an email message to reach as many of the 3,100 members as possible within the stake (a stake is similar to a Catholic diocese). He shared, “We pray that you are all found well and at peace, remembering the Lord’s promise of ‘my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ John 14:27.”