The parking lot at Detroit Lakes' First Lutheran Church was packed full late on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 24. Though the church building itself remained closed to the public due to pandemic safety concerns, the parking lot and adjacent green space were filled with cars, vans, SUVs and trucks of all sizes — not to mention a camel, an ox, a donkey, and several sheep and goats.
Most of the time, these animals are permanent residents of Vergas' Trowbridge Creek Zoo, but on Christmas Eve, they could be found in a makeshift "manger" outside First Lutheran, taking part in a Live Nativity service. Church youth members Claire Schantzen and Bryson Udby portrayed Mary and Joseph, while Chris Udby and Nora Shantzen portrayed an adult shepherd and an angel, respectively.
"It was wonderful," said First Lutheran Pastor Lauryl Ivers. "On a freezing cold night, we had a packed parking lot."
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"It was really cold, but it was a lot of fun," she added. "It was just a joy to be together and celebrate Christmas in this way."
Inside the church building, First Lutheran's worship team performed live music in the sanctuary and its pastors delivered the sermon from the church's second story windows, so the congregation could wave to them from the parking lot (and vice versa).
For those unable to attend in person, the service (both indoor and outdoor components) was webcast live on the church's Facebook page, where it can still be viewed.
Later that evening, about 9 p.m., the congregation gathered once more in the First Lutheran parking lot for a "candlelight" Christmas eve service, where they were asked to bring their flashlights and cellphones to light up the night as saxophonist Rich Johnson played "Stille Nacht (Silent Night)."
"It was beautiful, really beautiful," Ivers said. "We got so many comments from people afterwards that with all the (pandemic-related) challenges, we could do something that would lift everyone's spirits and give us joy."
