"In the past two months, we have not been able to hold on-site gatherings to communicate and share with each other. However, we can still sing and praise. He lives, He lives, and He lives in our hearts." This was a message posted by the WeChat account of the Christian Jingling Church in Hongkou District on April 18 after Easter.
Due to the coronavirus epidemic prevention and control measures, churches all over Shanghai have gradually stopped in-person services since mid-March. From March 27 to April 1, Pudong and Puxi districts were in lockdown in turn. Daily increases of tens of thousands of asymptomatic cases and thousands of confirmed cases are drawing attention from the whole country and even the whole world.
In line with the epidemic prevention and control policies, Shanghai residents stay at home, hoping to achieve the dynamic clearing target as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to insufficient supplies, being unable to go out for a long time, the high number of positive cases and the difficulty of acquiring food and seeking medical treatment, the Shanghai government and all residents are under huge pressure. This Passion Week and Easter were destined to be unforgettable for the churches and believers in Shanghai under the first-level prevention and control state.
Following official guidance and policies, churches in Shanghai have been closed, but are continuing their pastoral ministries with limited online methods. During Passion Week, many churches launched Holy Week Meditations. On Good Friday, some churches hosted a Good Friday meditation service, leading the congregation to meditate on the Lord's Passion through audio live streaming. On Easter Sunday, all churches launched online Easter worship services.
Shanghai Christian Jingling Church in Hongkou District published an article titled "This Week" at the beginning of the Holy Week. "This is an unusual week. On the first day, we should have started this week's narrative with palm branches... In this week, we should commemorate His greatness, almightiness, sacrifice and eternal redemption", mentioned in the text, "We can't be together, but that doesn't mean we can forget this crucial moment." It advised the believers, "Arise, live up to His words. Awake, kneel and pray together... to show those around that He is still alive..."
Huxi Christian Church and Xinjing Christian Church in Changning District launched daily Passion Week meditations series to share on a variety of themes such as "Palm Sunday", "Holy Monday", "Holy Tuesday", etc. Believers could also click the link "read the original text" to listen to the audio recording which met the needs of different believers.
During the Easter service held by Huxi Christian Church, the leading pastor first prayed for the people living under the epidemic, asking God to remove their confusion, anxiety, and doubts, so that they would not fear and tremble at the pandemic. Instead, they could find hope in Jesus and attain peace and joy with prayers. At the same time, he also prayed for the front-line prevention and control personnel, volunteers, and all the families, asking the Lord to give everyone daily food. Although they were isolated at home, they could find peace through union with God. The pastor pointed out that no matter what the reality was, "the promise of Resurrection is still with us." The sermon theme was also "Peace Be with You".
On Easter Day, the pastor of Xinjing Christian Church delivered the sermon titled "The Last Supper", which was shared on "Feast of Grace", "Blessing of Life", and "Woe to Those Who Are at the Table" as taught in Luke 22:14-23. He pointed out the five meanings of the sacrament: thank God for the redemption, examine one’s own behavior, do not forget one’s identity as New Covenant member, become a new creation united with God, and watch and wait for the Lord’s returning.
Christ All Saints Church, located in Huangpu District, pushed an audio recording of Good Friday meditation titled "Are you there?" on Good Friday. The whole meditation was divided into three parts led by different pastors, including "Bitter Cup Series", "Bitter Road Series" and "Bitter Cross Series". On Easter Sunday, the pastor first announced that this day was the day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and greeted the congregation with "Happy Easter". Then, they preached on the theme "Jesus was really resurrected", and prayed for those Christian brothers and sisters who were experiencing depression and pain, asking that the power of Jesus’ resurrection would protect everyone, and blessed more people with peace, which would become a beautiful testimony.
The Lord's Grace Church in Pudong District also launched an online meditation on Good Friday titled "The Precious Cross". On Easter Sunday, the pastor preached on "Christ has resurrected".
After Easter, Shanghai Christian Jingling Church posted on WeChat "Let's Sing Together", a total of 12 hymns, inviting all Christians to sing together. "In the past two months, we have not been able to hold on-site gatherings to communicate and share with each other. However, we can still sing and praise. He lives, He lives, and He lives in our hearts." It was written at the end, "Let's sing together now. Meanwhile, of course, we look forward to meeting again."
On April 17, Easter Sunday, All Saints Church in Shanghai pushed the Easter sermon message on its WeChat account, titled "Jesus is really risen" with the scripture Luke 24:36-43. The pastor pointed out that Jesus had won new life for us through his own resurrection, which began at the moment we believed in God and became His children. Colossians 3:3, " For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
The Shanghai International Chapel, located on Hengshan Road, Xuhui District, remains closed due to the renovation project. Following the Passion Week meditations and Easter worship, it initiated online daily "watch" prayers for the pandemic to end as soon as possible.
During this unprecedented Easter, pastors in various districts in Shanghai carried out online pastoral care, and also led believers to participate in volunteer work with donations of anti-epidemic supplies.
"For Christians in Shanghai, Easter this year is different from the past. Due to the epidemic, all churches have suspended all activities. Instead, they participate in anti-epidemic efforts in different ways. God has entrusted to us this special mission that we continue to strengthen ourselves together with all Shanghai people,” said Rev. Geng Weizhong, chairman of the Shanghai Christian Council.
- Translated by Shuya Wang
“在近两个月的日子里，我们没能在线下相聚，没有一起交通，一同讲述。但是，我们依旧可以歌诗，可以赞美。祂活，祂活，祂活在我们心中。”这是4月18日，复活节后，上海虹口区景灵堂推送的一条消息。
是的，因为疫情防控，进入3月中旬以来，上海各地教堂陆续停止实地聚会，在3月27日至4月1日，浦东和浦西更是陆续封控，日增上万的无症状感染和上千名确诊病例更是牵动着全国乃至全世界的心。
为了疫情防控，人们足不出户，希望早日实现动态清零，而物资不足、长时间不能出门，居高不下的阳性病例以及各种抢菜难、就医难，上海从上到下承载着巨大压力。这个受难周和复活节，对于处于一级防控状态下的上海教会和信徒来说，注定是一个难忘的复活节。
为了疫情防控，上海各教堂均暂停线下聚会，但依然藉着有限的线上方式，对信徒进行牧养。受难周期间，不少教堂推出受难周默想系列，受难日当天，有教会举行受难日默想崇拜，用音频的方式在线带领会众一起默想主的受难。复活节当天，各堂均推送线上复活节崇拜。
虹口区景灵堂在受难周开始，以“这一周”为题发布文章，“这是不同寻常的一周，第一天我们本当拿着棕树枝开始这一周的叙事……在这一周里，我们应当纪念祂的伟大、全能、舍己和永恒的救赎”，文中提到，“我们没办法相聚在一起，但是不代表我们可以忘却这至关重要的时刻”，劝勉大家“起来，拿起祂的话语。醒起，一同屈膝诚心的祈求……向周围的人表明祂依旧活着……”
位于长宁区的沪西礼拜堂、新泾礼拜堂则每日推出受难周默想系列，按照“荣耀日”“权柄日”“训诲日”等围绕不同主题展开分享，信徒还可点击“阅读原文”收听音频版，满足了不同信徒的需要。
沪西礼拜堂复活节礼拜中，带领的牧者首先为疫情下的众人祷告，求主驱除众人内心的迷茫，焦躁，疑惑，疫情当中也不至于恐惧战兢，在主里面得到盼望，藉着仰望祷告，得到平安喜乐的心。同时也为疫情一线防控人员和志愿者祷告，为所有的家庭祷告，求主赐给大家日用的饮食，虽然在家中隔离，常常藉着与主联合得到平安，牧者指出，无论现实如何“复活的应许盼望依然与我们同在”。当天的证道主题也是“愿你们平安”。
复活节当天，新泾礼拜堂的牧者以“最后的晚餐”为题，围绕路加福音22：14-23节从“恩典的宴席”“生命的祝谢”“同席的有祸了”三个方面展开分享，并指出圣餐的五重意义：感谢上帝的救赎；省察自己的行为；勿忘自己新约子民的身份；在主里合一，成为新造的人；预备警醒，等候主的再来。
位于黄浦区的诸圣堂则于受难日当天推送“你在场吗？”受难日默想，以音频方式推送。王翠芳牧师祷告、宣召，整场默想分为三个部分：“苦杯系列”“苦路系列”“苦架系列”。分别由不同的牧者带领。复活节当天，牧者首先宣布这一天是纪念耶稣基督复活的日子，问候大家“复活节快乐”，牧者以“耶稣真的复活了”为题证道，并为现在正在经历压抑和病痛的弟兄姐妹祷告，求主复活的大能覆庇在每一个人身上，并将数天的平安带给更多人，成为美好的见证。
浦东新区主恩堂亦推出线上受难日默想，主题是“宝贵十架”，复活节当天，牧者以“基督已复活”为题证道。
复活节后，景灵堂发布“我们一起歌唱吧”，一共有12首赞美诗，邀请大家一起歌诗。“在近两个月的日子里，我们没能在线下相聚，没有一起交通，一同讲述。但是，我们依旧可以歌诗，可以赞美。祂活，祂活，祂活在我们心中。”文末写到，“让我们一同歌唱，当然更期待一同相见”。
4月17日是复活节，当天上海诸圣堂推送了复活节证道信息，证道主题为“耶稣真的复活了”，证道经文是路加福音24章36到43节。牧者指出，耶稣借着他自己的复活，为我们赢得了新的生命，在我们信主并成为神儿女的那一刻就已经开始了。歌罗西书3章3节，“因为你们已经死了，你们的生命与基督一同藏在神里面。”
上海国际礼拜堂位于徐汇区衡山路，因教堂需要修建一直未恢复实地聚会，继受难周默想和复活节崇拜之后，每天发起“守望”祷告，为疫情早日止息线上祷告。
在这个特殊的复活节，上海各区基督教牧者开展线上牧养的同时，也带领信徒参与志愿者工作，并为抗疫工作捐赠物资。
“对于上海基督徒而言，今年的复活节不同以往，疫情防控的原因，所有教堂暂停一切的活动，取而代之的是以不同的方式参与抗疫活动，这是上帝赋予我们特别的使命——与全市人民同舟共济，自强不息”，上海市基督教教务委员会主席耿卫忠牧师如此说。
疫情下，上海多地教会举办受难周复活节线上崇拜
"In the past two months, we have not been able to hold on-site gatherings to communicate and share with each other. However, we can still sing and praise. He lives, He lives, and He lives in our hearts." This was a message posted by the WeChat account of the Christian Jingling Church in Hongkou District on April 18 after Easter.
Due to the coronavirus epidemic prevention and control measures, churches all over Shanghai have gradually stopped in-person services since mid-March. From March 27 to April 1, Pudong and Puxi districts were in lockdown in turn. Daily increases of tens of thousands of asymptomatic cases and thousands of confirmed cases are drawing attention from the whole country and even the whole world.
In line with the epidemic prevention and control policies, Shanghai residents stay at home, hoping to achieve the dynamic clearing target as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to insufficient supplies, being unable to go out for a long time, the high number of positive cases and the difficulty of acquiring food and seeking medical treatment, the Shanghai government and all residents are under huge pressure. This Passion Week and Easter were destined to be unforgettable for the churches and believers in Shanghai under the first-level prevention and control state.
Following official guidance and policies, churches in Shanghai have been closed, but are continuing their pastoral ministries with limited online methods. During Passion Week, many churches launched Holy Week Meditations. On Good Friday, some churches hosted a Good Friday meditation service, leading the congregation to meditate on the Lord's Passion through audio live streaming. On Easter Sunday, all churches launched online Easter worship services.
Shanghai Christian Jingling Church in Hongkou District published an article titled "This Week" at the beginning of the Holy Week. "This is an unusual week. On the first day, we should have started this week's narrative with palm branches... In this week, we should commemorate His greatness, almightiness, sacrifice and eternal redemption", mentioned in the text, "We can't be together, but that doesn't mean we can forget this crucial moment." It advised the believers, "Arise, live up to His words. Awake, kneel and pray together... to show those around that He is still alive..."
Huxi Christian Church and Xinjing Christian Church in Changning District launched daily Passion Week meditations series to share on a variety of themes such as "Palm Sunday", "Holy Monday", "Holy Tuesday", etc. Believers could also click the link "read the original text" to listen to the audio recording which met the needs of different believers.
During the Easter service held by Huxi Christian Church, the leading pastor first prayed for the people living under the epidemic, asking God to remove their confusion, anxiety, and doubts, so that they would not fear and tremble at the pandemic. Instead, they could find hope in Jesus and attain peace and joy with prayers. At the same time, he also prayed for the front-line prevention and control personnel, volunteers, and all the families, asking the Lord to give everyone daily food. Although they were isolated at home, they could find peace through union with God. The pastor pointed out that no matter what the reality was, "the promise of Resurrection is still with us." The sermon theme was also "Peace Be with You".
On Easter Day, the pastor of Xinjing Christian Church delivered the sermon titled "The Last Supper", which was shared on "Feast of Grace", "Blessing of Life", and "Woe to Those Who Are at the Table" as taught in Luke 22:14-23. He pointed out the five meanings of the sacrament: thank God for the redemption, examine one’s own behavior, do not forget one’s identity as New Covenant member, become a new creation united with God, and watch and wait for the Lord’s returning.
Christ All Saints Church, located in Huangpu District, pushed an audio recording of Good Friday meditation titled "Are you there?" on Good Friday. The whole meditation was divided into three parts led by different pastors, including "Bitter Cup Series", "Bitter Road Series" and "Bitter Cross Series". On Easter Sunday, the pastor first announced that this day was the day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and greeted the congregation with "Happy Easter". Then, they preached on the theme "Jesus was really resurrected", and prayed for those Christian brothers and sisters who were experiencing depression and pain, asking that the power of Jesus’ resurrection would protect everyone, and blessed more people with peace, which would become a beautiful testimony.
The Lord's Grace Church in Pudong District also launched an online meditation on Good Friday titled "The Precious Cross". On Easter Sunday, the pastor preached on "Christ has resurrected".
After Easter, Shanghai Christian Jingling Church posted on WeChat "Let's Sing Together", a total of 12 hymns, inviting all Christians to sing together. "In the past two months, we have not been able to hold on-site gatherings to communicate and share with each other. However, we can still sing and praise. He lives, He lives, and He lives in our hearts." It was written at the end, "Let's sing together now. Meanwhile, of course, we look forward to meeting again."
On April 17, Easter Sunday, All Saints Church in Shanghai pushed the Easter sermon message on its WeChat account, titled "Jesus is really risen" with the scripture Luke 24:36-43. The pastor pointed out that Jesus had won new life for us through his own resurrection, which began at the moment we believed in God and became His children. Colossians 3:3, " For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
The Shanghai International Chapel, located on Hengshan Road, Xuhui District, remains closed due to the renovation project. Following the Passion Week meditations and Easter worship, it initiated online daily "watch" prayers for the pandemic to end as soon as possible.
During this unprecedented Easter, pastors in various districts in Shanghai carried out online pastoral care, and also led believers to participate in volunteer work with donations of anti-epidemic supplies.
"For Christians in Shanghai, Easter this year is different from the past. Due to the epidemic, all churches have suspended all activities. Instead, they participate in anti-epidemic efforts in different ways. God has entrusted to us this special mission that we continue to strengthen ourselves together with all Shanghai people,” said Rev. Geng Weizhong, chairman of the Shanghai Christian Council.
- Translated by Shuya Wang
Shanghai Churches Celebrate Easter Online Under Lockdown
