For Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck, the show must go on.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the church put on its 60th annual Live Nativity last weekend a scaled-back, socially distanced, drive-by performance complete with an all-ages cast, two donkeys, two sheep and a llama. We re really glad that we re able to still do it even with all the changes of the pandemic and still have that opportunity to give that message to the community in a positive manner, said the Rev. Tom Marcis, who has led the church for 31 years. Livestreaming enabled snowbird church members to tune in. Zion Lutheran is planning a larger Live Nativity for 2021.
Of all the holidays, Christmas can be the most difficult holiday for many to negotiate with all the expectations. Added to that equation is that Christmas will be different this year for many due to the pandemic. For those who have lost a family member or loved one, celebrating a holiday that is usually spent with loved ones is challenging, at best. Christmas is often only time of year that many see their loved ones, some wonât see their loved ones in person at all this year due to COVID restrictions.Â
While this is not the first year Emmanuel Lutheran Church â Lincolnton has held a Blue Christmas service, Pastor Michael Collins felt like it was needed this year. The service, which is available on the churchâs YouTube channel was done on Monday, the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year.Â
It started with a fever.
A day after returning from a northern Iowa pheasant hunting trip with eight lifelong friends in late October, Mark’s temperature spiked. A hunting buddy who’d been sniffling during the weekend woke up feverish earlier that morning, so Cori said their thoughts immediately turned to the possibility of COVID-19.
But Mark also received his flu vaccination that day, she said, and his appetite seemed on par.
“He was still ravenous that night. He was still digging in the fridge at 9 o’clock,” Cori said. “And you know, we didn’t think a lot of it.”
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Lord of Life Lutheran Church events
BAXTER Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 6190 Fairview Road, Baxter, will have a virtual Christmas Eve candlelight worship service noon Thursday, Dec. 24, on YouTube and will be available to view any time after the premiere. The link is
www.youtube.com/user/lordoflifebaxter. There will be no in-person Christmas Eve services due to COVID-19. Refer to
www.lolbaxter.org for additional Christmas activities.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church services
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 418 Eighth Ave. NE, Brainerd, a communion service will be livestreamed at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. Drive-in services with communion will be offered at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Arrive early, stay in the car and park in the designated area. Pastor Mark Skinner will be preaching at all three services. Prelude for all of the services will begin 15 minutes prior to the start time.
Bethlehem Church Hosts ‘A Light Shining In The Darkness: A Reflective Service Of Hope And Healing’ Via Zoom Monday - 7:22 am
Enter into a time of quiet at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, contact the church office at office@bethluth.com to receive the zoom link. Courtesy photo
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church News:
Each year Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 2390 North Road has offered a space for folks to enter into a time of quiet.
We create a space to honor that in this energetic, fast-paced, over-stimulating time of year, it is helpful for us to remember that not everyone is cheery for the Christmas holidays.