About Our Parish
OKLEE LUTHERAN PARISH
A member of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), Oklee Lutheran Parish consists of two churches. Zion is located in the city of Oklee. Salem is located in the country, north of Oklee. Both churches are served by the same pastor. There is a Parish newsletter, a Parish Secretary, and cooperation in special events. While there is a Parish Board that makes decisions for the Parish, each church operates independently.
Our Faith
We believe all people are imperfect in need of God's love. We believe that God came to us in the form of Jesus Christ, God's son to bring us back in relationship with God. This was accomplished by Jesus pro-claiming God's love and his death and resurrection. Our reconciliation with God is a gift from God and not of our own doing. We are given faith, guidance and comfort through the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are called to spread that love to neighbors near and far.
Communion
Communion is the sharing of bread and wine as the body and blood of Jesus. We believe that Jesus is present with the bread and wine. Communion is Jesus forgiving and feeding us so all are welcome at his table. Communion is celebrated the first and second Sundays of the month and is considered a sacrament. It is distributed by kneeling at the altar rail with others as directed by ushers. After everyone is served, the pastor gives a blessing and dismissal. Children are welcome to come to the rail with their parents. Those under age 10 receive a blessing. Those who have received instruction on communion in 5th grade receive the communion. Grape juice instead of wine is an option.
Our Worship
We use an order of service that is very structured and traditional. The bulletin contains the order of service and an insert with the prayers and Biblical texts for the Sunday. The hymnal used is the red Evangelical Lutheran Worship published by Augsburg Fortress and contains the hymns and various liturgies. Other song books may occasionally be used. Don't worry! Those around you will be happy to help you follow along. Large print bulletins are also available.
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Our altars are graced with colored paraments appropriate to the season of the church calendar. More information on the paraments is available on our worship resources page.
Suppers during Lent
Salem & Zion alternate services during Lent. Each church serves a light supper before services.
OUR SYNOD
We are members of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), the Northwestern Minnesota Synod, and the Thief River Falls Conference. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod (NWMN) is the Region 3D synod of the ELCA and includes 21 counties in the northwest corner of Minnesota. It is headquartered at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. There are 8 conferences in this Region. The current presiding bishop of NW MN is William "Bill" Tesch who was elected in 2019.
The scent of Easter | Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton | Easter 2025
In her Easter message, Bishop Eaton recalls the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with a powerful, pungent substance used to offset the stench of death. But the substance also signified royalty. Eaton says we discover the promise of Easter in Mary’s act. “Instead of removing the stench of death, the substance anointed a royal king. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the usual cycle of life and death has been disrupted forever. Jesus' death and resurrection promises new life and brings us new life.”