Church news

BAXTER - Christmas is arriving early in Baxter, as a local church prepares to serve as a collection point for Operation Christmas Child. Soon, with the help of Baxter volunteers, the sites will be brimming with festively wrapped shoe boxes full of gifts. Through Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project, Baxter residents are packing shoe box gifts for children in more than 100 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty. From Baxter, the shoe box gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary - sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds - to reach suffering children around the world.

"Operation Christmas Child gives you the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of children around the world affected by devastating disasters," said Donette Lair, Operation Christmas Child drop-off site coordinator. "Packing a shoe box with special, thoughtful gifts for a needy child is very meaningful. Catch the vision and get involved with Operation Christmas Child this year."

Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to "follow your box" to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need.

To register shoe box gifts and find out what country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org.

The local collection site will be set up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 16-20 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21-23 at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, 6284 Fairview Road, Baxter.

Creation Care workshop

NISSWA - The Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota to hold a Creation Care workshop 5:15-8:30 p.m. Monday at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 5064 County Road 13, Sportland Corners, Nisswa. How do we relate to this masterpiece called earth? How can we honor God as creator and care for God's garden? The Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota (LCPPM) and the Creation Care Task Force of the NE MN Synod of the ELCA invite you to participate in an evening dedicated to caring for God's Creation. For more information call Carolyn Blanck at 963-7660.

Bazaar and cookie walk at Park United Methodist Church

Park United Methodist Church, 315 N. Sixth St., Brainerd, will have its annual bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14. For sale we will have hand made items, both clothing and decorations, home canned items, decorations for Christmas and Thanksgiving as well as some gently used items.

New this year will be a "cookie walk" where you will be able to pick out the kinds you want. There will also be a soup luncheon.

Danu concert

The Park United Methodist Seniors has a block of tickets for the Dec. 6 afternoon concert of the Irish ensemble Danu being performed at St. Ben's. Anyone interested in attending the concert needs to have their ticket confirmation to the group by Monday. Cost of the trip is $45 for adults and $30 for youth and covers the tickets for the concert, motor coach and gratuity. Contact 829-4339 for more information and for reservations.

The bus will load at the front of Park UMC at 11:45 a.m. to noon for the 2 p.m. performance, returning to the church about 6 p.m.

Danu is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles, hailing from historic County Waterford and performing before standing room only audiences throughout the world. Their high energy performances, on traditional Celtic instruments, are a mix of ancient Irish music mixed with some new repertoire.

Taste of Christmas

DEERWOOD - A Taste of Christmas is coming to the Mustard Seed of Deerwood Nov. 20-21. The store will be decorated from top to bottom for the season with lots of Christmas items and gifts to purchase. The Mustard Seed will also host Salem's annual Christmas bake sale with wonderful baked goods including lefse for this two-day event. There will be live lefse making demonstrations by local lefse experts.

The Mustard Seed of Deerwood is an outreach program of Salem Lutheran Church and all profits are used to support our neighbors in need in our local communities through Salem WEST. During these difficult economic times, the services we provide have been requested in record amounts. Please join us for your Christmas shopping and Christmas treats knowing all proceeds will benefit your community.

There will also be a collection taken of new, non-violent toys for the Crow Wing County Jail and Teen Challenge resident's children during these two days. Collection containers will be available throughout the store. The Mustard Seed is located at 23697 Forest Road (next to the Deerwood American Legion).

Brainerd Christian Women's Connection

The Brainerd Christian Women's Connection will have an autumn luncheon at 12:15 p.m. Thursday at Red Roof Inn, Brainerd. Lynn Sexton from Between Friends Yarn Shop in Brainerd will share with us the process for turning wool into finished yarn. She will also show us the latest in knitting products including yarns, kits and hand-knit items.

Speaker Sally Hjelle, a singer, will tell her story in both word and song of how she learned to "Accentuate the Positive and Eliminate the Negative." She will also provide other music. Free child care is available at a church located near the luncheon. To make reservations or request child care, call Sharon by Monday at 692-2282. Cost is $13.

Guest speaker

Pastor Steven Kallinen, Menahga, will be the guest speaker at the 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday worship services at the Brainerd Laestadian Lutheran Church. A noon meal will be served in the church dining room.

South Long Lake Presbyterian Church to celebrate renovations

The church family at South Long Lake Presbyterian Church would like to invite all former attendees, ministers and friends to a dedication ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 15 to celebrate the recent renovations. The last major dedication was of the pews and pulpit in 1970.

The changes were made possible because of a contribution from the estate of Roy and Mildred Sargent. Pastor Dwight Johnson will be the special speaker for the occasion and a reception will follow the service.

For more information call 828-3097.

Rasouli to discuss civilian life in Iraq

Sami Rasouli will discuss the current state of civilian life in Iraq including the work of the Muslim Peacemaker Team from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Brainerd Public Library. Iraqi artwork will be displayed.

Spirit of Christmas bazaar

CROSBY - The Spirit of Christmas bazaar will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby. There will be fresh-baked rolls and coffee as well as unusual crafts and wearables, decorative items and baked goods for sale, including lefse and a krumkake demonstration. There will also be items available for personalizing and a silent auction, plus a children only shopping area. Pulled pork or turkey lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Child care will be available for a freewill donation. Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 600 Fourth St. SW in Crosby.

Moms In Touch International to host 'Arise! Cry Out!'

To celebrate 25 years of encouraging moms to pray for children and schools, Moms In Touch International is hosting a prayer event called "Arise! Cry Out!."

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14, Christian women from around the world will gather to fast and pray in more than 1,000 host sites throughout the world including Heritage Assembly of God Church in Baxter and Timberwood Church in Nisswa.

"Arise! Cry Out!" will be a time of prayer led via DVD by Moms In Touch International Founder/President Fern Nichols, Pastor Miles McPherson (founder of Miles Ahead Ministries and pastor of the Rock Church in San Diego) and the worship team Crimson Bridge.

For more information about Moms In Touch International and "Arise! Cry Out!" or to register, visit www.MomsInTouch.org. Those interested can also register in person on Nov. 14 at their respective church.

New Song Ministries/Crossroads Music Cafe

The New Song Ministries/Crossroads Music Cafe will sponsor The Journey North for praise and worship from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Thursday at Crossroads Music Cafe, 217 South Seventh St., Brainerd. For more information, call 829-0834.

Hunter's feast planned

WALKER - Community Church of Walker, UCC, will host a deer opener feast from 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 for adults; $6 for children 12 and under. Hunters who show their hunting license will save $2 off the ticket price. Tickets will be sold at the door.

St. Francis fall bazaar

The St. Francis annual fall bazaar will be 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at St. Francis in Brainerd. There will be crafts, a bake sale, a silent auction, Santa's attic, raffles and door prizes. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Adults: $5; children 10 and under, $3. Hot dogs and chips available for $3. Pie and coffee will be served all day for $3.

Zion Lutheran Church bazaar

LITTLE FALLS - Zion Lutheran Church, 411 Third Ave. NE, Little Falls, will have its bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. There will be a bakery, crafts and candy along with a soup luncheon serving from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost for the luncheon is $5.

Gregorian Rite Mass planned for Sunday

Father Eric Hastings from St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Duluth will pray the Gregorian Rite Mass T.L.M. of all times at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd.

LWR fair trade fair

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1420 South Sixth St., Brainerd, will host a fair trade fair at 9 a.m. Nov. 14.

St. Mary's Christmas bazaar

LITTLE FALLS - St. Mary's Parish in Little Falls will host its annual Christmas bazaar from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 14 and from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 15. Cash bingo will be played from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. There will be games, crafts, a cake walk, books, baked goods, candy, plants and produce.

A Sunday brunch will be served from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 15. Cost: $6, adults; $3 for children ages 4-12; and children under 4 are free.