Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church When our Lord God instituted the Passover, He said, “I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD” (Exodus 12:12). The Exodus is not simply a temporal, … [Read more...]

By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish -  United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain,  Preston and Spring Valley  In a book entitled “Becoming a Whole Person in a Broken World,” author Ron Davis tells a story about a mother and daughter who, long ago, were caught in an earthquake in their native Armenia. The 36 story apartment building in which they … [Read more...]

By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston  (and Lenora)  Pictured here is a colorful butterfly depicted in stained glass on the front door of the Preston United Methodist Church.  The butterfly is a powerful symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It portrays the power of new life and that Jesus has … [Read more...]

By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches At the beginning of Holy Week, the church prepares to experience the stories of Jesus’ walk to the cross. These stories can be really uncomfortable to experience. For those of us with young children, we wonder how our kids might be scared by the stories, and ask really hard questions that we don’t … [Read more...]

By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches The dictionary defines “wondrous” as inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight.  When I think about the season of Lent, I can find wonder, but I do not find delight as I consider Jesus’ last days or weeks on earth.  Spoiler alert: Jesus dies!  but then he is resurrected! There is an American folk … [Read more...]

By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free What’s in a conjunction?  Do you remember School House Rock?  I know this dates me, but Conjunction – Junction what’s your function?  Maybe some of you can hear that little jingle in your head.  Oh the power of a catchy jingle, isn’t it incredible.  So, when Jesus came why wasn’t it grace or truth?  Many today are not … [Read more...]

By Pastor Stuart Weist First Baptist Church of Preston Many in our world today don’t believe in God because they say they cannot see him. They claim that if God would simply show himself or come down before them then they would believe. However, for those that follow Christ we already know the error in this line of thinking. Christ has come (Jn 1:14), did reveal himself as … [Read more...]

By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist For those in the mainline churches it is the season of Lent. A time of reflection and preparation for embracing and embodying the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Some will do this by fasting from something. Usually something pleasurable and notable. Which is a great way to center one’s focus on spirituality. … [Read more...]

By Pastor Bridget Sheely Racine/Wykoff/Sumner Center UMC Are you ready for an adventure? If you were asked today to drop everything, trust in the Lord and believe that He will guide you down a new path and take you on a journey that will change your life would you be willing to take that first step? As Jesus walked along the beach one ordinary day, he met some fishermen … [Read more...]

By Pastor Mark Geselle Valley Christian Center, Spring Valley Well the big game is over and what a game it was! I don’t know if your team won or not, but I was hoping for a different outcome. In talking with some friends its funny how you can start the game and not really care who wins, but as the game progresses you get drawn to one side or the other. That reminds me … [Read more...]