CHURCHES HOLDING FIRST IN-PERSON SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

Church leaders are taking steps to keep people safe, like setting up hand sanitizing stations and checking people's temperatures before they go inside.

Has around 90 cases.

For the first time in nearly two months -- churches across north alabama are starting to hold in-person services.

Waay 31's casey albritton joins us live in huntsville after she spoke to church leaders about precautions they are taking to keep the congregation safe.

Huntsville park baptist church held it's first in-person service this morning-- church leaders across north alabama are setting up hand sanitizing stations and checking people's temperatures before they go inside.

Brad sheats/ pastor "these last two months have been really challenging having to do all of that through social media and technology.

There's nothing like the family of god coming back together."

Milan dekich/ pastor "a lot of people are glad to see each other who haven't seen each other in a long time."

For pastors across north alabama -- it's been difficult not being able to physically see their congregation.

And while technology has kept them connected -- they say it just doesn't compare to worshiping together.

Milan dekich/ pastor "the church is a family and it's like you haven't seen your family for a month."

But church leaders were forced to make changes.

"we have an area designated for special social distancing if you just want to come in the door, sit down and leave."

Brad sheats/ pastor "we're taking people's temperatures when they come in and all of our ushers and greeters have masks on."

Brad sheats is a pastor at life church in hartselle-- his church is wiping down seats in between services and separating people as much as they can.

Brad sheats/ pastor "we have aisles where we aren't allowing people to sit to kind of spread them out."

Churchgoer grant mckelvey says he feels comfortable coming back to fairview church of god.

Grant mckelvey/ churchgoer "it's just so much more uplifting than it is at home."

Church leaders say they hope people use their own judgement to decide whether to attend an in-person service.

Grant mckelvey/ churchgoer "we're all assessing our risk."

Brad sheats/ pastor "some people have pre-existing conditions.

Some people may be more prone to an at-risk immune system.

You know yourself, you know your family."

Many church leaders tell me they do not require people to wear masks--but are