PHOTOS: Praise and prayer amid coronavirus scare

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PHOTOS: Praise and prayer amid coronavirus scare

First United Methodist Church of Marietta senior minister the Rev. Julie Boone talks to her congregation through their livestream Sunday service on March 15, 2020. (Photo: STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC)

March 15, 2020 Austell: Bernadette Walker (left) and Deborah Johnson, along with other members, bump elbows as they arrive for worship service at Destiny World Church on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Austell. Pastor Wilbur Purvis III, whose sermon was on the coronavirus and how to keep cool in a crisis, said weâre not shaking hands today, we are doing elbow bumpsâ. The congregation took a special offering to adopt a local apartment complex to supply lunch to needy school children the next two weeks. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

First United Methodist Church of Marietta's the Rev. Brian Smith leads a children sermon through their lvestream Sunday service on March 15, 2020. (Photo: STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC)

March 15, 2020 Austell: Pastor Wilbur Purvis III (center) preaches on the coronavirus saying âdonât let coronavirus steal your praiseâ during worship service at Destiny World Church on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Austell. The congregation took a special offering to adopt a local apartment complex to supply lunch to needy school children the next two weeks. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

March 15, 2020 Austell: Several hundred members attend worship service while Pastor Wilbur Purvis III preaches on the coronavirus saying âdonât let coronavirus steal your praiseâ at Destiny World Church on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Austell. The congregation took a special offering to adopt a local apartment complex to supply lunch to needy school children the next two weeks. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

March 15, 2020 Austell: Minister of Music Candice Lewis (center) leads the choir in a version of Who Has the Final Say before Pastor Wilbur Purvis III preaches on the coronavirus saying âdonât let coronavirus steal your praiseâ during worship service at Destiny World Church on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Austell. The congregation took a special offering to adopt a local apartment complex to supply lunch to needy school children the next two weeks. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

March 15, 2020 Austell: Pastor Wilbur Purvis III (right) dedicates infant Michael Kirkland to the Lord while preaching on the coronavirus saying âdonât let coronavirus steal your praiseâ during worship service at Destiny World Church on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Austell. The congregation took a special offering to adopt a local apartment complex to supply lunch to needy school children the next two weeks. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

March 15, 2020 Austell: Pastor Wilbur Purvis III (right) dedicates infant Michael Kirkland to the Lord while preaching on the coronavirus saying âdonât let coronavirus steal your praiseâ during worship service at Destiny World Church on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Austell. The congregation took a special offering to adopt a local apartment complex to supply lunch to needy school children the next two weeks. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

First United Methodist Church of Marietta choir sings a song during their Livestream Sunday service on March 15, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

First United Methodist Church of Marietta Rev. Brian Smith leads a children sermon through their Livestream Sunday service on March 15, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

First United Methodist Church of Marietta Audio Visual Specialist Jimmy Kirkley monitors the churches' Livestream Sunday service on March 15, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Elizabeth Baptist Church Paster Graig L. Oliver Sr. (R) watches the e-service broadcast from his Atlanta church Sunday, March 15, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Pastor Jentezen Franklin began the livestreamed service at Free Chapel in Gainesville by reading the National Day of Prayer proclamation from President Donald Trump. The president watched the church service online Sunday, March 15, 2020. (Photo: Via Free Chapel's livestream on YouTube)

Pastor Jentezen Franklin led the livestreamed service at Free Chapel in Gainesville, which was in the spotlight for National Prayer Day on Sunday, March 15, 2020. While parishioners didn't attend due to coronavirus concerns, the worship team and choir joined Franklin. (Photo: Via Free Chapel's livestream on YouTube)

Pastor Jentezen Franklin at Free Chapel in Gainesville led the choir in performing songs during the livestreamed service on Sunday, March 15,2020. Lyrics were displayed by those watching the livestream, which apparently included President Donald Trump. (Photo: Via Free Chapel's livestream on YouTube)

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First United Methodist Church of Marietta senior minister the Rev. Julie Boone talks to her congregation through their livestream Sunday service on March 15, 2020. (Photo: STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC)

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