Photo by Clay Schuldt The Rev. Lonnie Carpenter led the faithful with a sermon and songs from the front entrance of the New Beginnings Church Sunday.

New Ulm Journal

NEW ULM — New Beginnings Church was empty Sunday, but the parking lot was full.

New Beginnings Church was able to restart in-person church services by holding a drive-in service. The faithful remained in their vehicles while the Rev. Lonnie Carpenter led them with a sermon and songs from the front entrance of the church.

The service may have been unorthodox but as the church band said, “where two or more of us gather, God will be there.”

Carpenter addressed the COVID-19 concerns in the service. He called the virus the unseen enemy and advised the congregation to take precautions to be safe, but also to remember to pray every day.

He said the pandemic was another way God is trying to teach the people. In response, the congregation honked their horns, which is the drive-in church version of “Amen!”

The church also handed out relief bags to all who attended. These bags included a small turkey ham, a loaf of bread and potatoes.

Carpenter said it was a small way to help people.