Quiet Christmas service of healing planned for Sunday

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 418 Eighth Ave. NE, Brainerd, will have a quiet Christmas service of healing for those who are struggling at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19.

Lord of Life offering service of grief and hope

BAXTER — Lord of Life Lutheran Church is offering a service of grief and hope at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22. This service, typically around the shortest day of the year, is a time to reflect on what we are grieving for and our hopes for the new year.

Lord of Life invites anyone who wishes to be with others during this time to come and join the congregation for this service.

First Lutheran Church news

First Lutheran Church, 424 S. Eighth St., Brainerd, will celebrate The Fourth Sunday of Advent with worship at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, in the sanctuary and online. Pastor Patty Bjorklund will preside. The Sunday school children will present the Christmas program entitled, “The Meaning of Christmas.” The Handbell Choir will share musical selections.

Masks are required.

A special service called The Longest Night will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21. It is a service for people who are experiencing pain, loss and for whom life will never be the same. It is a service to remind us we are not alone in our pain, even though everything outside our door may look the opposite.

Christmas Eve worship services will be 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 24.

First Congregational United Church of Christ events

Worship on Sundays is in-person and online at 10 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 415 Juniper St., Brainerd.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is Sunday, Dec. 19. Communion will be served and there will be a special offering for the UCC Missions Christmas Fund.

Celebrate Christmas Eve in person and on Facebook live at 4 p.m. Dec. 24 with music by Laura Raedeke.

This week at South Long Lake Church

South Long Lake Church,13152 Smart Road, Brainerd, will be presenting "Just A Little Christmas" with the kids sharing the story of the Nativity. The service starts at 9:30 a.m. and can also be viewed on Facebook.

Crosslake Lutheran Church events planned

CROSSLAKE — A Christmas Eve candlelight worship will be 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 24 at Crosslake Lutheran Church.

Both services will offer the proclamation of light and life coming into the world in the birth of our Savior. Now, more than ever we need to be connected with the original Christmas gift, Jesus.

A Service of Lessons and Carols will be 9:30 a.m. Dec. 26. On this day after Christmas Day the cooking is done and presents are opened. It is time to relax and reflect.

This week at Trinity

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1420 S. Sixth St., Brainerd, has scheduled two worship services for this week.

On Wednesday, Dec. 15, there will be an Advent worship service with Holy Communion at 6 p.m. with Pastor Bob Rusert preaching. The annual potato bar meal with 25 toppings will be served in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 5 p.m.

First Communion class will be 5:15 p.m. Sixth through eighth grade confirmation students will meet at 6:45 p.m. for Christmas caroling and ninth graders will meet at 7:45 p.m.

The second annual Little Town of Bethlehem live nativity service will be 6 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot with refreshments to follow the presentation.

On Sunday, there will be one worship service at 9 a.m. featuring the annual Christmas song service. Participating in the service will be Bishop Amy Odgren from the ELCA Northeastern Synod. The Sunday service will be broadcast at 9 a.m. KVBR 1340 Radio and the 8:15 a.m. service is livestreamed. Sermons are posted on Facebook.