By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Sunday morning when Fort Payne First Baptist Pastor Marshall Henderson enters his pulpit to deliver an Easter message, he will not be alone. He will be joined by his 221 member congregation.  

Church services are prohibited due to coronavirus that is sweeping across the world. The First Baptist Church of Fort Payne struggled with the fact that they would not gather together at church for a while.

“We see our place in life is to follow the two greatest commandments; to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves,“ stated Henderson. “For most of us, there is no closer neighbor than our church family. Our decision to suspend services was based on that. We are learning a new way to be a church”. 

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul describes the church as being people who are committed to doing whatever it takes to reach out and help others. This is exactly what the congregation has been doing since the church suspended services. They have reached out to check on each other and have delivered meals to those in need. 

The church began doing online and television services for worship gatherings and teachings each Sunday.  After one such service, someone mentioned how lonely Pastor Henderson looked preaching to himself. That is when an idea and plan was formed.  

Fort Payne First Baptist Minister of Music Roger Walworth and his wife Myla along with Cindy Lowe took the Church Directory to their local printing store (The Package Store).  The store gladly printed in color, each picture. The Walworths and Lowe then glued each picture to sticks. The trio then “filled the pews” by placing the pictures exactly where the members would sit each Sunday to surprise their pastor. 

It is hard to imagine not being together for Easter and I feel that this is an act of encouragement for me” stated Henderson. “We will be here together and in spirit as well.” 

On Easter Sunday, churches will be empty but so is the tomb.