On Sunday, for the first time in a long time, Carole Commons didn't attend church in person.

Instead, she settled on her couch with her laptop, a candle and Bible. She got online, pulled up an email from the Downey Avenue Christian Church and clicked on a link that opened to YouTube where she could watch a live broadcast of the church's Sunday service.

"It was different," she said. "Here I am in my pajamas, and I have my laptop in my lap."

Commons was one of many Hoosiers who worshiped from home on Sunday. Widespread fear of the transmission of COVID-19 has led some places of worship to cancel in-person services and host them online instead.

Religious organizations that held live services have instituted restrictions that limit or ban members from engaging in rituals or customs that require person-to-person contact.

Public health officials have encouraged people to engage in self-distancing to help control the virus's transmission.

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The novel coronavirus has sickened more than 2,900 people in the U.S., including 20 in Indiana, as of Sunday. According to John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, there have been more than 156,000 cases worldwide. The virus is responsible for more than 5,800 deaths globally.

Some local places of worships like the Downey Avenue Christian Church and the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana have formed panels that grappled with how to respond to the virus.

The Hindu Temple of Central Indiana established a COVID-19 Preparedness Team, a six-person panel that includes three doctors. Anita Gupta, vice chairwoman of the temple's board of trustees and one of the physicians on the team, said the temple on North German Church Road will remain open during normal hours.

Planned services and spontaneous worship take place at the temple. Gupta said daily services will be held without devotees in attendance, but they can be viewed online. Devotees 60 years of age and older or who have serious medical conditions are encouraged to stay home or not attend large group activities there.

Gupta said the temple has nearly 600 members, but with non-members included in foot traffic the temple can get as many as 2,000 visitors.

Out of an abundance of caution, devotees who do go to the temple are being asked to wash their hands with soap and water before entering. They're also being asked to limit their time inside to an “as needed” basis and bring hand sanitizer, though some will be available.

The administrative council of the Downey Avenue Christian Church formed a Coronavirus Response Team to coordinate the congregation's response to the pandemic.

"We had first looked at trying to modify our services to be as safe as possible with things like altering our communion practices or the way we receive offering," The Rev. Trey Flowers said. "It was clear by the middle of week as the news kept unfolding that we needed to do something more drastic."

Virtual service

On Sunday, Flowers and the Rev. Melody Merida preached a virtual service about finding "shalom," or peace, during uncertain times. The church, which Flowers says usually sees about 105 of its 250 members weekly, was empty except for the organist, the director of music, two elders and a volunteer helping with the live broadcast.

There was singing, scripture reading, the recitation of prayers and communion.

When Flowers and church elder Ron Zorn consumed a wafer and grape juice for communion, Commons, watching from her home, ate a Cheez-It cracker and drank water.

"A big part of my church experience is sitting next to friends or family and being able to shake hands with people — being able to hear the choir sing. It's much more than than just hearing the sermon and hearing prayers...," she said. "When things get back to normal and we start having church services in person then I will be going back to that."

Across the city, at Bethel Cathedral AME on Zionsville Road, the Rev. Carlos Perkins preached to a sanctuary that had about 70% of the church's typical Sunday attendance. About 30% of his church's regular congregants worshiped online via a live broadcast or a conference call, Perkins said.

Similarly to Downey Avenue Christian Church, Perkins preached a sermon about being certain in uncertain times.

"Given the reality of the pandemic that's happening around us, our faith is anchored in God," he said. "Our faith is secure in the word of God."

Over the last three weeks, the church has been sharing protocols and information from its denomination's health commission about COVID-19.

"We spent some time yesterday and early this morning making sure all of our surfaces were clean," Perkins said. "Our leaders came in early this morning to make sure our surfaces were clean and we're doing the same thing now after worship."

And though the church has canceled all meetings during the week, Perkins said it is the church's desire to hold services in-person next Sunday unless they are advised otherwise.

The Rev. Deitra Haith, who is a lifelong member of Bethel Cathedral AME, said the atmosphere of a church service enhances the worship experience.

"Even though times are bad, people still want that worship experience," she said, adding there were no handshakes or hugs for greetings.

"We just kind of high-fived the sky, elbow, fist-type of a thing, but not hugging or doing all that we normally do."

Virtual community

Some members of Central Indiana's Jewish have found a virtual community to observe Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, while self-distancing.

Amanda Messenger said her family typically observes Shabbat at home, but this past Friday the family's intimate observance took place online with other Hoosier families.

Brent Epstein sought and devised a way to be with members of his community. He and his wife, Tolly, spent the weekend hosting virtual Shabbat gatherings on Zoom, a video conferencing platform.

Epstein said he was inspired by the "Judaism Unbound" podcast which established a Facebook group where religious services and acts are livestreamed from temples and private homes.

"I just feel like we've lost control of so many things that we usually control. Let's retake control of what we can or create a new experience," Epstein said. "I didn't want to feel isolated by this social distancing because I really value my Jewish community, my friends and family."

Contact IndyStar reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com or call 317-617-2690. Follow her on Twitter: @allyburris.