Photo by Jody Isaackson Members of the Hazel Run Lutheran Church are planning to celebrate their congregation’s 125th anniversary on Sept. 1 with their new intern pastor Cody Mills and his family. Pictured are some of the parishioners helping plan the event: Agnes Jorgenson, Joyce Vold and intern pastor Cody Mills, Hollis Weber, Kenneth Jorgenson, Lew Vold, Phillip Vold and Lyle Martin.

HAZEL RUN — Hazel Run Lutheran Church members will celebrate their church’s 125th anniversary with a new intern pastor on Oct. 1.

Members of the planning committee are busy updating the church history book, planning the catered roast beef dinner ($10 per plate) and spreading the word that former members and guests are welcome and request that they reply to Joyce Vold, Attn. 125th Celebration, 2218 440th St., Clarkfield, MN 56223 by Sept. 1 in order to place their reservations.

Past pastors will also be invited.

“While all church music and sermon messages are special, I will be working with the worship committee to make this service even more special,” the church’s new intern pastor Cody Mills said. “Holy Communion will be celebrated.”

The church was established in 1869. Its first location was in Hanley Falls, committee members said, but moved to Hazel Run in 1892.

Hazel Run Lutheran Church’s mission statement is important to its membership. It states “Hazel Run Lutheran strives to know and do the will of God from youth to old age by service, faithfulness, worship and sharing in the sacraments. We are called to be one body in Christ and so we reach out, by the Holy Spirit, to the community and the world.”

Committee members shared that they have partnered with just about every church in the area for a number years, but now, the church is running solo.

“Even in our transition (from ELCA to LCMC), we assisted Redwood Falls in becoming LCMC and a (now-closed) church in Canby,” parishioner Hollis Weber said. “We tried to help with pastoral supply in their need.”

Hazel Run Lutheran Church currently has 125 confirmed members on the roster with about 40 active members.

Part of the preparation for the anniversary is to get pictures of past pastors to put on display, Mills said.

“We will display some history books as well,” he said.

“We have copies of the 100th anniversary books to give away,” committee member Agnes Jorgenson said.

Two handcrafted churches are already on display in the narthex, one of the original church and one of the remodeled church with the extended narthex and entry. They were made by parishioner Lyle Martin.

One of the most recent remodeling projects for the church was adding an electronic lift to the interior. It was installed for the 100-year celebration in 1992.

Last year, the church did not offer Sunday school classes to school age children, but with the advent of the new intern pastor and his family, it will resume that practice this fall.

Mills will also start a Bible study on the topic: “Will the Real Jesus Christ please stand up,” which he said will deal with idolatry.

Mills and his family were welcomed into the Hazel Run community on June 4. Mills’ wife, Mia, home-schools their three children Eleanor, Elsie and Malancthon.

Since starting his duties he has had an active summer.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Mills said. “I’ve performed three weddings since I started. I can’t think of a better parish to be serving at right now.”

Mills said that the parishioners have done a great job on upkeep of the building and grounds. It shows pride in service, he said.

“Anyone I talk to from Hazel Run says it means a lot to them,” Mills said. “There’s a lot to be happy about.”

Mills is being mentored by the Rev. David Christensen of Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall.