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PAYNESVILLE — The walls of Salem Historical Church burst back to life Saturday evening as festive Christmas decorations and twinkling lights greeted the large congregation of churchgoers who came out to attend the annual Christmas program. The service has been a long tradition of the church.
The church in Zion Township north of Paynesville was closed to weekly worship services in 1968, but the addition of a pair of furnaces in 1997 meant the longtime Christmas services could once again be held as they had 30 years prior.
The service featured a series of hymns, special music by Patty Herzberg, the story of the birth of Jesus, and coffee, cider and cookies for the congregation to enjoy while celebrating the reason for the season.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
More Photo Galleries by Macy Moore on Wctrib.com from across west central Minnesota. For quick access, bookmark: wctrib.com/photo-galleries
Photos from a "Wait Until Dark" dress rehearsal at the Barn Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Single-digit temperatures couldn't deter the masses from voluntarily jumping into a frozen lake Saturday in the name of fundraising for Special Olympics at the annual Spicer WinterFest.
West central Minnesota residents woke to a winter wonderland outside Tuesday morning as blue skies and a layer of hoarfrost coated the countryside.
As part of the annual Spicer WinterFest activities, snowmobile enthusiasts gathered on the ice at Green Lake Saturday for a full day of racing action.
The Litchfield High School girls basketball program played host to Minnesaska on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
Benson welcomed United and Fergus Falls to Benson High School on the evening of Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, for a triangular wrestling meet.
Ring-necked pheasants dot Kandiyohi County countryside.
Local Christian organization Youth For Christ raised money through first-ever Lakes Area Paddle Battle Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.
Skaters from 16 various figure skating clubs converged at Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at the Willmar Civic Center for the 15th annual Lakes Area Classic.
Children gathered at the Willmar Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, to handcraft their very own roller coasters during STEMtastic Thursday.
Dozens of volunteers came together on the shore of Green Lake over the weekend to build the annual Spicer WinterFest ice castle.
People got a chance to work out in style Saturday morning at the Willmar Community Center with the help of a few dogs from Hawk Creek Animal Shelter during Pups, Butts and Guts.
A winter storm dropped more than a foot of snow on the Willmar area Jan. 4-5, leaving residents with massive drifts and piles to clear.
Here are the top sports moments captured in 2022 by Tribune staff photojournalist Macy Moore and sports reporters Joe Brown and Michael Lyne.
A summary of West Central Tribune photojournalist Macy Moore's favorite images from 2022.
Dozens of trumpeter swans seek refuge from harsh winter elements in a small patch of open water along the shore of Green Lake where the Middle Fork Crow River flows in.
Churchgoers come together to celebrate Christ's birth during a Christmas Eve church service Saturday evening at Hope Presbyterian Church in Spicer.
Annual Christmas light display continues at Robbins Island Regional Park through Dec. 31.
Strong winds in excess of 30 miles per hour cause blizzard conditions to residents days before Christmas.
A weather observer 5 miles north of Willmar reported 6.6 inches of snow fell Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Other totals reported to the weather service by mid-afternoon Thursday ranged from 4 to 5 inches in the vicinity of Willmar.
Hundreds of toys were available for community members to choose from during the first-ever toy swap at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Willmar.
Budger's, a popular restaurant owned and operated by Bill and Lorri Beasley in Maynard, will close at year’s end so the couple can retire.
Kandiyohi County residents awoke to a fresh blanket of white snow on the ground as the first significant snowstorm of the winter season moves through West Central Minnesota.
Willmar Senior High School's Cardinal Choir sings a variety of holiday numbers during annual All Service Club Holiday Luncheon.
Winter weather marks its return this week in west central Minnesota.
Annual Kandiyohi Santa Night spreads Christmas cheer to children and their families in Kandiyohi Saturday evening.
Cities and towns throughout West Central Minnesota shine bright with creative, colorful Christmas lights as the holiday season is now officially in full swing.
On Saturday, December 3, 2022, the Wildcats of New London-Spicer defeated Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 27-26 with just seconds remaining in regulation to win the state championship in school history.
The Wildcats of New London-Spicer won their second state football title in school history Saturday afternoon at US Bank Stadium after downing D-G-F 27-26 on Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Minneapolis.
In celebration of the upcoming Christmas holiday, folks gathered at the Willmar Community Center on Thursday, Dec. 1, to sing Christmas carols and share stories about why certain carols mean something to them during the Aging Wisely Holiday Show.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Submissions to the weekly Church Calendar published Saturdays should be emailed to news@wctrib.com by noon Wednesday.
Willmar businessman and philanthropist Bob Dols, who died Feb. 2, worked for decades to complete a four-lane Highway 23 from Willmar to Interstate 94. That project is nearing completion.
"If we are unwilling to admit that the racism exists in our power structures, people of color will continue to pay a deadly price."
Wildcats earn their season-best team score in a dominating fashion
The Cardinals fall against No. 14 Tigers, 49-38
The Otters slow down the Cardinals, 4-0
Submissions to the weekly Church Calendar published Saturdays should be emailed to news@wctrib.com by noon Wednesday.
Christianson PLLP has merged in DM Hoffbeck and will retain the current offices and staff of in Fairfax, Morgan and Redwood Falls.
"Church worship now competes with everything from professional sports to kids activities to household chores. ... we can either have a frank conversation about what church can be, or we can continue to watch the pews empty in cherished houses of worship across the country."
