ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando is getting back to some sense of normalcy, and that includes attending church.
The pews filled with people as music filled the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke Sunday morning. The service marked the first large gathering of church members since the Pulse Nightclub shooting last weekend.
"We want to be a part of the healing that we know is going on all around this community, in services like ours, in services that are different than ours," Reverend Dr. Reggie Kidd said.
As the community starts slowly going back to their daily routines, people tell News 6 they find comfort in knowing they are not alone.
"Being able to come together as a family, church family, community family, even all of Orlando has pulled together as a family and that's what families do in times of crisis," church member Rose Sapp said.
The message during the sermon was to love everyone, no matter their walks of life.
"There are people in pain and that's what people see and that's what people want to begin to heal," Sapp said.
Kidd added that even though many tears were shed this past week, love will win.
"We are called together to come and offer one another encouragement and hope that that evil does not have the last say. It is not the end of the story," Kidd said.
With every song and prayer, the church says it is standing in solidarity with the victims and the survivors, adding they feel their pain, their grief, and their will to be Orlando United.
"This week the phrase 'City Beautiful' has take on a whole new meaning. Yes it's Orlando Strong, yes it is Orlando United, but it's beauty of spirit and soul and character that's extraordinary and I love seeing that come out," Kidd said.
The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke is holding a special prayers service Sunday at 6 p.m.