Mother's Day at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Royal has a longstanding tradition that helps brighten the holiday by bringing a bit of spring into pews – hats.

Every Mother's Day the congregation's women, children and some men, don festive hats to the Mother's Day service. Whether the pews are filled with hats or the year brings a sparse showing, these hats brighten the day by bringing a freshness of spirit and joy to the service.

This year there were beach hats, work hats, traditional Mennonite hats and even hats worn during mission trips overseas. Each told a different story, and each was worn...