Lord & Savior Lutheran members create a Living Cross of flowers on Easter Sunday

Like most churches in Illinois, Lord & Savior Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake has shifted to online services during the coronavirus pandemic and shelter in place order.

Although their livestreamed services on Facebook have been unsophisticated (broadcast with a simple webcam, or even with a cellphone on a tripod), they have been popular with the congregation's members - and even with some former members and friends in other states.

Pastor David Carlovsky said "people have told me that they appreciate that we're providing an entire service."

Some other congregations have limited their livestreaming to a spoken message, but Lord and Savior's livestream services also include the usual readings from Scripture, a sung psalm and hymns, and even pre-service music.

But the congregation's members still miss their opportunity for fellowship with each other, especially on Easter, when they normally enjoy a substantial breakfast in their fellowship hall between the sunrise 6 and the 9 a.m. services.

So, without violating any social distancing requirements, the congregation posted its usual "Living Cross" outside in the church's parking lot and invited members to stop by during the day, add a flower or two to the cross, and post a picture to the church's Facebook page.

Pastor Carlovsky said that "adding flowers to our Living Cross each Easter transforms this symbol of darkness, pain and death into a beautiful, new and living reminder of the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Despite earlier forecasts for rain throughout the day, the weather stayed mild and dry and a number of members drove to the church on Easter Sunday, took family photos, and posted them to Facebook.

The church is located at Route 14 and Ridgefield Road. For information, call Pastor Carlovsky, call (815) 444-6647.