In Alle-Kiski Valley churches, coping with pandemic will be part of Easter sermon message

Alle-Kiski Valley churches will be filling its pews on Sunday after not being able to hold in-person Easter services last year.

Many churches had to resort to online streaming to deliver sermons during the 2020 Easter holiday.

This year, church members can be present for Sunday’s worship where many will hear sermons mentioning the pandemic.

The Rev. Greg Spencer, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Brackenridge, will be delivering a sermon titled “Opening Day,” which will reference baseball and other opening day events that everyone can look forward to attending in-person soon.

He also will be commenting on where faith comes in to help during these tough times.

The Rev. Jim Arter, pastor of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leechburg, will be making points associated with the hardships caused by covid.

Although there’s much talk about life going back to normal, Arter said there was no going back to normal after Jesus died.

“It’s not about things going back to the way they used to be,” he said. “It’s about new possibilities and new opportunities.”

The Rev. Brian Kilbert of Puckety Presbyterian Church in Lower Burrell is going to discuss Isaiah 52.

“It’s referring to the great Gospel of what God has done,” he said.

There also will be a special “year after covid video” that will be shown during the opening of the service.

As for St. Margaret Mary, a Catholic church in Lower Burrell, the Rev. Ken Zaccagnini plans a different approach: He will share a story from his Polish grandmother.

While each church will be holding services in person, they also will continue to offer the service online.