Odgren installed as bishop

WALKER — The Rev. Amy Odgren was recently installed as bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at a service at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker.

She is the fourth bishop of the synod and succeeds Bishop Thomas Aitken who is retiring after serving two six-year terms. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton presided and preached. Other participants included The Rev. Matt McWaters, pastor of Hope Lutheran, ELCA Bishops Aitken, Regina Hassanally and Laurie Skow-Anderson, and the retired Rev. Craig Loya, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota.

Odgren previously served as assistant to the bishop and director of Evangelical Mission for the Northeastern Minnesota Synod. Ordained in 2001, she is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary, one of seven ELCA seminaries, and she completed a bachelor of arts in education and psychology at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Odgren also served as assistant to the bishop and director of evangelical mission for the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, and as pastor of Spirit Lutheran and First Lutheran, Eau Claire, and Bridge of Life Lutheran, Holmen, all in Wisconsin.

Concerning her role as bishop, Odgren stated in a news release, “I see our principal challenge as engaging this culture as evangelists who share the gospel of Jesus in ways that will make a difference in the world. I think a bishop needs to listen extensively, pray often, and be bold to move the vision of the kingdom forward. And through this all, I trust in God’s resurrecting grace that keeps working and setting us free to love and serve.”

First Lutheran Church news

On Sunday, Nov. 1, at 9 a.m., First Lutheran Church, 424 S. Eighth St., Brainerd, will celebrate All Saints Sunday with worship 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.

Pastor Loren Anderson-Bauer, interim, will deliver the message. Holy Communion will be served. Tune the radio dial to 97.7FM.

Those planning to attend should enter the parking lot via South Eighth 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.

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

Bethlehem Lutheran Church activities

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 418 Eighth Ave. NE, Brainerd, will celebrate All Saints Sunday with a drive-in service with communion 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. Begin entering 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 belcnet.net . 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 facebook.com/bethlehem.brainerd . The service will be put on belcnet.net after its completion for later viewing.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church events

BAXTER — Lord of Life Lutheran, 6190 Fairview Road, Baxter, will have a Halloween Mask Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

The families of the community are invited to come to the parking lot of Lord of Life and help create a Halloween parade route for the kids. The parade will go through the parking lot and the backyard of the church. Kids are invited to wear their costumes and masks. Adults, wear masks and a costume if you want and cheer on the kids as they show off their costumes and have a little fun. A small bag of goodies will be given to each at the end of this safe Halloween event.

Due to recent weather challenges, there will be no more parking lot worship services at Lord of Life this season. Online worship service will be 9 a.m. beginning Sunday, livestreamed on the YouTube channel LordofLifeBaxter.

Affirmation of Baptism for 10th grade confirmation students will take place during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. All in-building seating is reserved for confirmand families so the church is at capacity for that service. This service will also be livestreamed on the YouTube channel. These changes refer only to the Nov. 1 Sunday worship schedule. Watch next week’s Church News for the updated worship service schedule for the remainder of November at Lord of Life.

South Long Lake Church to host Bosserman

Pastor Mark Bosserman will be preaching Sunday at South Long Lake Church, 13152 Smart Road, Brainerd.

Community Children’s Christmas Shop Day planned

Due to COVID-19, personal shopping for children sixth grade and under inside Pine River United Methodist Church will not be available this year. It will be drive-by pickup only. Each gift is $1 and wrapped. Order forms (prepayment required) will be available on the Pine River United Methodist Church website at https://bit.ly/35C2yw7 and on the Pine River United Methodist Church Facebook page.

Order forms may be returned by mail no later than Nov. 13, to PRUMC, P.O. Box 110, Pine River, MN 56474 or dropped at the church 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 or Nov. 12. People may also pick up order forms during those days and times.

Orders will be filled by church members, and families may pick up Christmas bags 2-7 p.m. Dec. 4 or 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 5.

Orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis; if the gift supply runs out and the order cannot be filled, the family will be notified.

To serve as many families in the community as possible, we suggest limiting gifts to 40 per family.

Halloween drive-thru planned

BAXTER — Christ Lutheran Church, 13815 Cherrywood Drive, Baxter, will host a Halloween Drive-Thru 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

This week at Trinity

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1420 S. Sixth St., Brainerd, will have two indoor worship services 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, and 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

Holy Communion will be served at both services. The Sunday services are broadcast live on KVBR 1340, 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.

The 10th annual veteran dinner for church members with reservations will be 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28. The event will feature the Row of Flags presentation as guests drive through to pick up a meal and a special certificate recognizing their service to God and country. There will be no indoor dinner or program.

Trinity will host its 2nd annual trunk or treat event 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in the church parking lot. Limited treats along with a bag lunch will be given out by approximately 30 cars. It will be a safe family event open to anyone in the community.

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 per state regulations along with social distancing. Enter at door 2.

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

Drive-thru touch-free Halloween Event at Prince of Peace

BAXTER — Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 6311 Mildred Road, Baxter, will host a drive-thru, touch-free Halloween event 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The event will feature fun candy stations, providing sweet treats to children in safe, drive-thru style.

The Outreach Board at Prince of Peace noted each driver will receive a single plastic bag for candy as they enter the church’s parking lot, with all candy going into the driver’s bag. After driving through, the driver can distribute the candy, as appropriate, to the children in attendance. This will help keep the event moving efficiently, touch-free and in accordance with CDC guidelines.

More information can be found at princeofpeacelutheran.church .

Sponsors of this community event include Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Thrivent Financial, Walmart, Cub Foods, Target, Menards, SuperOne Foods and Costco.