Grace Community Church Defies Court Order; Holds Sunday Service

SUN VALLEY, CA — Grace Community Church continues to fight for the right to hold indoor worship during the coronavirus pandemic. The church operated as if it was business as usual once again on Sunday, with Pastor John MacArthur preaching to a packed house that hung on every word.

It appeared the megachurch had scored a victory this weekend, when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant granted them special permission to hold indoor worship if the congregation wore masks and observed social distancing. Late Saturday night, however, the California Court of Appeals overruled Chalfant's decision, issuing a temporary stay until complete arguments could be made at a September 4 hearing.

"Los Angeles County is pleased that the California Court of Appeal recognizes the vital importance of our Health Officer Orders in protecting the lives and health of our residents as we work to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus," the county said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with all religious institutions, including Grace Community Church, to make sure their congregants are protected and provided with accurate information about worshipping safely during this phase of the pandemic."

Pastor MacArthur spoke on the two rulings during his opening remarks at this past Sunday's service.

"It's hard to figure out what exactly the city is trying to do to us," Pastor MacArthur said. "But we know they don't want us to do exactly what we're doing right now. We're not meeting because we want to be rebellious, we're meeting because our Lord has demanded us to come together."

Pastor MacArthur said the church would have complied with the lower court order to wear masks and social distance during service "for a few weeks." Once the ruling was revoked, however, he considered it a blessing they were able to worship without any coronavirus restrictions.

"The good news is, you're here, you're not distancing, and you're not wearing masks," he said. "And it's also good news that you're not outside, because it's very hot out there. So the Lord knew we needed to be inside and unmasked."

City News Service and Kenan Draughorne contributed to this report.