By Pastor Michael Harman St. Johns Lutheran Church and School There is great comfort in First John 3:1. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” ESV. God’s Word tells us we can’t earn His love. It’s given. A free gift. By His … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
I spent some time recently in a sisterhood. No, did not enter a convent or escape to a nunnery! I spoke at the Root River Conference Spring Gathering at the Chatfield Lutheran Church. The church is beautiful with a rose window. I found the expert on the church organization, Michelle, the administrative assistant. She found a small table that I needed for a demonstration … [Read more...]
I can’t deal with cards even with an automatic shuffler
Hasenpfeffer, euchre, hucklybuck, sheepshead and pepper. Are they personal injury attorneys? Nope. Card games. Hasenpfeffer (pfeffer) is also a rabbit stew. Hucklybuck is sometimes called hucklebuck. Euchre, shouldn’t be mistaken for Bob Uecker, the Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster who played the announcer Harry Doyle in the movie “Major League” and said things like, “Heywood … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – The importance of faith, worship, commitment and being involved: A time for renewal
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) United Methodist Churches Here is an old photograph from about 1890 of pioneer people standing in front of the historic Lenora Church. It must have been a church picnic, a holiday of some sort as the people came together for this photo. I am impressed with the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past How old is Black Hammer’s landmark lady?
Part two of a three-part series A local newspaper stated, “V. Valtinson returned to his home at Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Monday after a five weeks visit here with relatives and friends. Mr. Valtinson is one of the real pioneers of Black Hammer Township and can tell thrilling stories of the early days with the Indians. While here, Mr. Valtinson added a few stones to the stone … [Read more...]
Don’t even think about texting while bungee jumping
He hadn’t run amok. He’d bungeed amok. The historical society hosted a program on ghost towns. Most of the settlements had been tiny and failed because the railroad didn’t come their way, the people didn’t arrive as expected or the residents forgot where they’d put the village. Some of the names were Bancroft, Bath, Buckeye, Crayon Park, Dorwart, Knatvold, Lerdal and Sigsbee. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past The Stone Lady of Black Hammer – Who? Why? How many?
Part one of a two-part series It has long been a double distinction – the name and the landmark – for the Houston County hamlet of Black Hammer. That early landmark, ”The Stone Lady,” still looks down from a hill named Black Hammer, 1.3 miles south of the village with the same name. Early 1850s settler Knud Olson Bergo lived near a bluff in Minnesota that reminded him of a … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Hidden treasures
You never really know what a day will bring. I can make plans, but situations come about in which I need to reassess my “Do List” and make changes. Has that happened to you? Today I arose to do my daily reading. I read the Holy Bible. After my devotional time I read a couple of pages from some classic writer. Washington Irving is the author I have been reading lately. I … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – We overcome the world
Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church God promises that “whatever is born of God overcomes the world… And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5). This is a comforting word for us Christians in the midst of our current struggles and anxieties and fears. Or at least it should be. But we … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Sabbath and Holiness around us every day
By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches May is often one of the busiest months of the year, with ball games, graduations, family events, and preparing for summer gatherings. In the midst of a very busy season, it is extra important to think about taking time for Sabbath and rest. Often when we think about Sabbath we think it means needing to … [Read more...]