By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) As many of you know, I like to walk on my land lovingly nicknamed “The Ponderosa.” I like to walk in the woods, down the road and out in the field. A few nights ago in the cool of the evening ... (somewhat cooler than the scorching heat of … [Read more...]
I Got a Ride Home with George and Martha Washington
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) It was a happy and fun night for the Cherry Grove 4th of July Cowboy Church Service. People thoroughly enjoyed the evening with upbeat music, good messages and friendly fellowship. In honor of the 250th birthday of the United States, … [Read more...]
FaceTime
By Mark Geselle Valley Christian Center My grandson Tate is 3 1/2 and is already a master at using his mom’s phone. My phone will go off quite regularly around 4 o’clock many afternoons while I’m at the office, showing his mom’s picture and that she’s FaceTiming me. I know it’s Tate, so I answer it and say, “Hi Tate! How are you doing?” He says, “Hi Bumpa” and goes on to … [Read more...]
On Taking a Walk in the Woods
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) Recently, public broadcasting has presented an insightful documentary on the life of Henry David Thoreau. Produced by Ken Burns and Don Henley, the program offers an informative picture of Thoreau as an author, naturalist and American … [Read more...]
Better Angels
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger I was 16 when our nation celebrated its Bicentennial, and now at 66 another milestone comes, this Semiquincentennial, 250th anniversary of these United States. A lot has happened in 50 years: home computers, cell phones, internet and AI…the Columbine school tragedy and subsequent … [Read more...]
How Do You Handle Adversity?
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He … [Read more...]
The Great Awakening
I enjoy going to the JEM Movie Theatre in Harmony. The people who run the theater are always so friendly, caring and welcoming ... and the popcorn is delicious! (Be sure to bring your own container to put it in for extra savings.) Recently, I enjoyed the film “A Great Awakening.” The film depicts the story of the history of the early days of the United States and features … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – “I Am the Bread of Life”
By Rev. Peter Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Our salvation comes to us through death. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), after all, and those wages must be paid. We confront this reality, this sting, every time someone we love dies. Every time. Death is painful because death separates us, at least for a time; God forbid it should be for eternity. But … [Read more...]
Grand Meadow Lutheran Church 150th Anniversary
Grand Meadow Lutheran Church is celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2026. We have various events planned in the coming months. We have some of our previous pastors returning to lead us in worship as noted with the dates included below. There will be various displays set up throughout the year to highlight some of the groups working in our church as well as some of the … [Read more...]
The Joy of the Lord is My Strength
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free This will be the fix we have been waiting for. It took 10 days to come, it was the third replacement part, and my wife had been numbering the days it was an official count down. I came in triumphant when it arrived; finally, the fix had come, with over assumed confidence I said should I not take up the load of laundry … [Read more...]