Bethel Lutheran Church to postpone services

Bethel Lutheran Church will be postponing all services for the immediate future as suggested by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America guidelines.

Trinity Lutheran Church cancels services

Until further notice, there will be no services and church activities at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

This includes Sunday services, Wednesday night services and all youth and adult activities throughout the week.

The Trinity Children’s Center will be open as usual.

Pre-recorded services will be posted on the website and will air on KVBR 1340 on Sundays at 9 a.m.

The office will be open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For questions, call the office at 218-829-5147.

South Long Lake Church to cancel Sunday service

South Long Lake Church will not have a service Sunday, March 22.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church suspends services

PEQUOT LAKES — All services at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church are suspended through April 4. Those with questions may call 218-820-5077.

First Lutheran Church cancellations

Due to COVID-19 coronavirus, all church activities at First Lutheran Church, Brainerd, have been canceled until further notice.

The sermon by Interim Pastor Loren Anderson-Bauer, for Sunday, March 22, will be available on the church Facebook page and FLCBrainerd.com.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church services canceled

Bethlehem Lutheran Church has canceled all services with the exception of a weekly live streamed service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Visit www.facebook.com/bethlehem.brainerd to view the service.

Operation Sandwich is back up and running out of Bethlehem. For those in need of food immediately, message the church Facebook page or call Bridges of Hope. For those who want to donate, drop off items or monetary donations at the church office at 418 Eighth Ave. NE, Brainerd.

For questions, call the office at 218-829-3330, email office@belcnet.net or visit www.belcnet.net .

Lord of Life services canceled

In light of CDC and government recommendations regarding containing the spread of the coronavirus, Lord of Life is suspending all programming including Sunday and Wednesday worship. Check Facebook and the webpage for links to the Wednesday and Sunday services.

The building will be closed, but staff are available by phone at 218-828-9374, email office@lolbaxter.org or by appointment.

Area Catholic Masses suspended in the Duluth Diocese

In a directive Wednesday, March 18, the Rev. James B. Bissonette, diocesan administrator for the Diocese of Duluth, announced additional temporary measures to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

In the new directive, all public Masses are suspended through April 20, effective Friday, March 20. Priests may celebrate a private Mass without a congregation. In addition, the diocese has canceled all gatherings of more than 10 people and said even in smaller gatherings, those vulnerable or showing any signs of illness should stay home, and all present should practice good hygiene and “social distancing” policies such as remaining 6 feet apart.

The document also contains guidance for Holy Week liturgies, as well as questions regarding first Communions, confirmations and funerals.

Father Bissonette said confessions and office hours should continue to be made available on a regular basis, churches should be open for an extended period each day so people could come individually and pray, and reiterated guidance for keeping Sundays holy when Mass is not available. He said the clergy and faithful should continue to visit and care for the sick, including through providing the sacraments.

"I do not take these temporary measures lightly and I strongly encourage you, the Faithful and the Clergy, to do the same," Bissonette wrote. "Let us pray that I will be able to lift them soon, that we will remain safe and well as we stand with Mary at the foot of the Cross during this time of crisis, and that we will be able quickly to resume the public sharing of the Gospel and our Catholic faith."

He noted the measures could extend beyond April 20, or should conditions improve more rapidly than expected, they could be lifted at that time.

Cascade United Methodist Church services suspended

Out of sacrificial love for each other and the continued good health of our congregation and community, Cascade United Methodist Church in Deerwood has suspended services for the remainder of the month.