Advent 2020: Hope in a Time of Chaos virtual event planned

LITTLE FALLS — The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls invite the public to attend an Advent

Day of Reflection entitled “Advent 2020: Hope in a Time of Chaos,” planned virtually through Zoom and YouTube from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5.

Presenter Sister Elise Saggau, OSF, has many years of experience in education and

Franciscan formation. She was editor of “The Cord,” an international Franciscan spiritual review and also served as assistant director of publications at the Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure, New York. Sister Elise now writes and gives talks, especially on Franciscan spirituality.

Registration is required to send the Zoom link/YouTube information. There is no cost for the event, but donations are accepted.

For more information or to register by Nov. 23, contact the Franciscan Life Center by emailing Christi Hartwell at chartwell@fslf.org or calling 320-632-0680.

The Franciscan Life Center is a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls.

First Lutheran Church news

On Sunday, Nov. 15, First Lutheran Church, 424 S. Eighth St., Brainerd, will have a worship service from 9:30-10:15 a.m. in the church parking lot which extends from the north side of Anderson Cleaners to Maple Street and from South Eighth Street to The Office Shop.

The Liturgical date is the 24th Sunday after Pentecost. Pastor Loren Anderson-Bauer, interim, will deliver the message. Holy communion will be served. Tune the radio to 97.7 FM.

Those planning to attend should enter the parking lot via South 8th Street and follow the directions of the parking attendants. In order for people in shorter vehicles to see, people with taller vehicles are asked to park in the back rows.

Sunday School will meet, via Zoom, at 11 a.m.

First Lutheran Worship services are also videotaped weekly and may be viewed at www.flcbrainerd.com .

This week at Trinity

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1420 S. Sixth St., will be having two indoor worship services at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, and 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.

Holy Communion will be served at both services. The Sunday services are broadcast live on KVBR 1340 and livestreamed on YouTube at 9 a.m. and posted on Facebook and on the Trinity website. The Education hour will be 9:45 a.m. There will be no coffee hour.

On Wednesday, the Confirmation workshop will be 6:45 p.m. for grades 6-8. The Trinity Bells will have rehearsal at 7:45 p.m.

The Men’s Bible Study will meet 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Gathering Area.

Reservations are requested for the indoor worship services by registering online at https://signup.com/go/rpyUXAY or by calling the office at 218-829-5147.

Masks are required as to state regulations along with social distancing. Enter at door 2.

Trinity’s Daily Devotional Time and can be viewed at any time on Facebook at trinitybrainerd. The weekly worship service is available at www.trinitybrainerd.org .

Bethlehem Lutheran Church events

On Sunday, Nov. 15, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 418 Eighth Ave. NE, Brainerd, will celebrate the 23rd week of Pentecost with a drive-in service at 8:45 a.m.

Pastor Mark Skinner will be preaching. Arrive early, stay in the car and park in the designated lot.

Sunday school will begin at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Enter the building (using the doors on the east side of the building) at 9:30 a.m. Every household will need an adult present. Masks will be worn and there will be social distancing.

The 10:30 a.m. service is now open to a limited number of people. Preregister at www.belcnet.net . Note that masks will be worn; there will be social distancing; there will be no group singing and the nursery and prayerground will be closed. This service will also be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/bethlehem.brainerd . The service will be put on www.belcnet.net after its completion for later viewing.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church activities

BAXTER — Lord of Life Lutheran, 6190 Fairview Road, Baxter, will continue to livestream the 9 a.m. worship service regardless of possible future COVID-related closings.

This service can be accessed through www.lolbaxter.org , the Lord of Life Baxter Facebook page, or the YouTube channel, LordofLifeBaxter.

The church will also gather for in-building worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays unless and until church closing becomes necessary. Also available is drive-up Communion on Sundays, 10:30-11 a.m., or by appointment by contacting one of the pastors at 218-829-9374.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church has responded to a specific request intended to create a small, tangible way for Baxter Elementary teachers and staff to feel appreciated. In response to this request, we've formed a new group called "Friends of Baxter Elementary." For more information and instructions on how to join this group, refer to www.lolbaxter.org . The church hopes to work in cooperation with other ELCA congregations in the Brainerd/Baxter area to seek coverage for every school in ISD 181.

Lord of Life Congregation helped to donate and pack bags of food to send home with kids as they left Forestview Middle School to transition to distance learning. Since this “packing of bags” depleted the shelves, more food is needed so kids can continue to have access to the pantry until they are able to return in person to their classrooms. See the website under the heading “Latest Announcements” for a list of kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare meal and snack suggestions and how to donate them.