Fargo hotel becomes church for flood-weary

[March 30, 2009]  FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- A hotel in Fargo has become a church for many people whose own houses of worship have closed because of the threat of flooding from the swollen Red River.

Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church held its Sunday service at the Ramada Plaza, where worshippers gathered on folding chairs.

Pastor Vern Baardson told the weary congregation that he'd been on the sandbag line in bitterly cold weather himself.

He said they have all been there "and battled together."

Mandy Johnson came to Fargo for the service from her usual church across the Red River in Moorhead, Minn.

Johnson said the prayer service "will give us the extra strength to keep working."

[Associated Press; By JULIANA BARBASSA]

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