FaithX to host morning prayer on Zoom for Gaithersburg, MD Church this Sunday (3/15) in online worship eXperiment

By Ken Howard

The coronavirus can close houses of worship but it can’t stop the people from worshiping together online.

This Sunday (March 15) and next (March 22), FaithX will be hosting the people Church of the Ascension, in Gaithersburg, Maryland for two worship services on Zoom video:

  • 9:00am – Morning Prayer (in English)
  • 10:00am – La Oración de la Mañana (en Español)

Each service will be 40-45 min long.

The worship team will include:

  • Rev. Javier Ocampo, rector, will service as worship leader.
  • Rev. Eugene Wright, deacon, will preach a homily.
  • Rev. Ken Howard, FaithX executive Director, will host on Zoom and assist Padre Javier.
  • Jesse Velasquez will also assist.
  • We are still working on lining up lay readers and determining whether we can provide music.

Joining us for online morning prayer on Zoom will be fairly easy. All you need is a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer equipped with a built in camera and microphone, or a smartphone with the Zoom app installed.

Instructions for Computer Users:

  1. Make sure your computer’s video camera is working and microphone is turned on and muted.
  2. About 5 minutes before the service is scheduled to start, click on this URL: https://zoom.us/j/6234372948
  3. Zoom will then automatically load itself, give you the opportunity to test your video camera and mike, then place you in a waiting room (a virtual narthex) until just before the service begins.
  4. Padre Javier will then welcome you to virtual Church of the Ascension and begin the service (and may have further instructions).

Instructions for Smartphone Users:

  1. Make sure you downloaded and installed the Zoom app (available from the Apple App Store or GooglePlay).
  2. About 5 minutes before the service is scheduled, open the Zoom app and enter this meeting number: 6234372948.
  3. The Zoom app will then place you in a waiting room (a virtual narthex) until just before the service begins.
  4. Padre Javier will then welcome you to virtual Church of the Ascension and begin the service (and may have further instructions).

Because of the limitations of Zoom, participation in the interactive service will be limited to the first 100 attendees. However, we will post a recording of both services on the Ascension website.

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And remember, the “X” in “FaithX” stands for “eXperimentation.”

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