By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston In the animated movie “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown struggles to feel the joy and hope expected of the season. He asks, “Does anyone really know what Christmas is all about?” Linus answers him by reciting Luke 2:10-11, and when Linus says, “Fear not,” he drops his ever-present security blanket. … [Read more...]

By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish -  St. Paul, Saetersdal and  St. Matthew’s, Granger Now we are truly in the Christmas Season … To many, “Christmas” began weeks ago – perhaps the day after Thanksgiving or when the first decorations and sales appeared in stores (back in August?).  And for some the holiday now ends, the music turns off and … [Read more...]

By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) I stood on my  front porch early this morning as the sun was creeping up over the horizon.  Wow!  What an incredible sight!  The rays of sunshine were glowing reddish orange as wispy clouds swirled in the sky.  Our God is an amazing painter … [Read more...]

By Rev. Peter Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church   “Which father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (St. Luke … [Read more...]

By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith  Churches (and Lenora)  In recent days winter has really come on with deep snow, arctic winds and subzero temperatures. I think we have all been kind of spoiled over the last few winters, with little snow and balmy weather, but this winter could be different. … [Read more...]

By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches My social media feeds in the month of November is often full of friends doing a “30 days of thankfulness challenge” where they post one thing they’re thankful for each day in November. Social media is already often a place where people show off a perfect-seeming version of their lives, and this focus … [Read more...]

By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Before the sun rose in the east, before the land began to stir before others were awake and before His day of ministering, traveling, and teaching began to dominate the minutes and moments Jesus woke and went to the mountain to pray.  What it must have been like to be one with the Father living in heaven and now … [Read more...]

By Rev. Anders Nelson Mabel-Henrytown Tri-Point Parish - Mabel First Lutheran Church, Scheie Lutheran Church and Henrytown Lutheran Church Body: In the mainline protestant tradition, the first Sunday in November is All Saints Sunday, the Sunday immediately following All Saints Day, the day in which we remember those who’ve died both in the immediately preceding year, as … [Read more...]

By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist We had an unusual All Saints Sunday at Chatfield UMC on November 2. While we always celebrate the saints who have gone before us and who now surround us a great cloud of witnesses; this Sunday we also baptized a newly named saint of God. As we lit the candles of remembrance for the saints we were honoring who are no … [Read more...]

By Pastor Bridget Sheely Co-Pastor of Prairieland Parish When life swallows you up with sadness, hurt, frustration or fear. When you begin to be led by the hand to the dark side of life.  Where do you go or how do you find your way back to peace?  Who do you turn to for help when you can’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders any longer? The fall season gifts … [Read more...]