In the face of restrictions on gathering, Moravians from around the world joined Moravian Church Without Walls for an online services on from March 15 through this week.
The first of these services was held March 15, with the Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, president of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference and the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler, bishop of the Moravian Unity. The first-time effort was well-received, with more than 250 people from around the globe participating in this impromptu service. For Rev. Miller’s meditation for the service, click here.
On March 22, members from Come & Worship, a Moravian Worship Ministry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, were led by Bishop Sam Gray and the Rev. Russ May in this service, available on Facebook.
On March 29, four pastors from the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania area — The Rev. Melissa Johnson (Advent Moravian), the Rev. Tammie Rinker (Westside Moravian), the Rev. Mandy Mastros (Lancaster Moravian) and the Rev. Jennika Borger (chaplain at Moravian College) teamed up to share the service for the Fifth Sunday in Lent.
March 29, 2020 MCWW Service from IBOC • Mike Riess on Vimeo.
For Palm Sunday (April 5), the Rev. David Guthrie, president of the Southern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference and the Rev. Dr. Nola Reed Knouse, PEC Member and Director of the Moravian Music Foundation led worship.
MCWW Online Worship Palm Sunday (April 5, 2020) from IBOC • Mike Riess on Vimeo.
On Easter, members of the three District Executive Boards from the Northern Province (Eastern, Western and Canadian) joined together to offer a moving Easter service. Music was provided by Becky Lepore (Central Moravian Church), Schoeneck Moravian Church, the Moravian Music Foundation and David and Christie Melby-Gibbons (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
On Easter, members of the three District Executive Boards from the Northern Province (Eastern, Western and Canadian) joined together to offer a moving Easter service. Music was provided by Becky Lepore (Central Moravian Church), Schoeneck Moravian Church, the Moravian Music Foundation and David and Christie Melby-Gibbons (Milwaukee, Wis.)
MCWW Easter Service 2020 from IBOC • Mike Riess on Vimeo.
Second Sunday of Easter, April 19, 2020
The Second Sunday of Easter service led by the Revs. Rebecca Craver, Trina Holmberg and Ian Edwards from Edmonton, Alberta and the Rev. Brian Dixon from Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Special music presented by Rachel Marie Schachter.
Third Sunday of Easter, April 26, 2020
For this service, MCWW partnered with Prince of Peace Moravian Church in Miami Gardens, Florida for a multilingual service led by the Rev. Dr. Dion Christopher. Portions of the service are in Spanish, Miskito and Surinamese as well as in English.
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020
This service was led by the co-founders of Moravian Church Without Walls, Justin Rabbach and the Rev. Dan Miller, and featured the Revs. Brian Dixon, Greg Behrend, Kurt Liebenow and Jason Andersen. This also includes a new song by Greg called “Beyond the Walls.”
Moravian Church Without Walls Service May 3, 2020 from IBOC • Mike Riess on Vimeo.
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 10, 2020
This service was led by bishops of the Moravian Church, including the Rt. Revs. Chris Giesler, Blair Couch, Douglas Kleintop, Kay Ward, Graham Rights and Paul Graf. Sermon by Bishop Rights, special music by Chris and Tina Giesler.
MCWW Worship Service May 10, 2020 from IBOC • Mike Riess on Vimeo.
Ascension Sunday/John Hus Moravian Church Youth Sunday May 24, 2020
The youth of John Hus Moravian Church in Brooklyn, NY lead the service for Sunday, May 24. Led by Brother Zion Decoteau, this service includes reflections of youth affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, special music and a sermon from the Rev. Dr. Michael Johnson.
Pentecost (Sunday, May 31) from Waconia (Minn.) Moravian Church
The Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman leads this meaningful service from Waconia, Minnesota. Her sermon, which begins at approx. 26:55, discusses racism and the events occurring in the Twin Cities area.
Sunday, June 7: A Moravian Music Sunday with the Moravian Music Foundation
The service for June 7, 2020 (originally scheduled for May 17) celebrates a Moravian Music Sunday with the staff of the Moravian Music Foundation. Led by the Rev. Dr. Nola Knouse, the service also featured Gwyn Michel, David Blum, Erik Salzwedel, Sarah Durham and Barbara Strauss, with music recorded at College Hill Moravian Church, the Southern Province MMF offices, Home Moravian Church and New Philadelphia Moravian Church.
Sunday, June 21, 2020
MCWW hosts Unity Moravian Church in Lewisville, N.C.
Sunday, June 28
MCWW visits Shepherd of the Prairie Moravian Church in Fargo, N.D.
Sunday, July 5
John Hus Sunday with Moravian Theological Seminary
Sunday, July 12
MCWW hosts Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, Minn.
Sunday, July 19
MCWW shares the service of Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C.
MCWW Service July 19, 2020 Trinity Moravian N.C.
Sunday, July 26, 2020
MCWW hosts the Moravian Board of World Mission for this week’s service.
Sunday, August 16, 2020
MCWW hosts Dover First Moravian Church from Dover, Ohio
MCWW Service: August 16, 2020 with Dover First Moravian Church
Sunday, August 30, 2020
With Watertown (Wisconsin) Moravian Chuch, led by the Rev. Kurt Liebenow
MCWW is working with provincial leadership, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Board of Cooperative Ministries and other agencies to establish ongoing online worship opportunities.
Many churches across the Northern and Southern Provinces found new ways to worship this Sunday, while those who had already been live streaming their services saw increased online participation. More information on local online worship opportunities is available here.
For more on the Moravian Church’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.