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...]

By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston “These days of dust. These days of despair. We can hear reality speak to us in a clear, ringing voice. So we approach. Carefully. Barely ready to hear the heard truths we long to be told about beautiful, terrible death.” -Kate Bowler, “Have a Beautiful Terrible Lent” This Wednesday, February 14, is the … [Read more...]

By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches I experienced the death of two dear pets of mine, both this past December. It was very sad for me. I love animals and I believe God put that sensitivity in me. I bet many of you can relate. A few years ago, the death of my little 16-year-old dog was a slow one at the end. I could tell she was waiting … [Read more...]

By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) When I was growing up, I loved visiting the family farm in the small Iowa village of Ticonic located about 35 miles from Sioux City. On this farm lived my two favorite uncles who were indeed “characters” in their own way. Their house and the neighboring … [Read more...]

By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches The Christmas season just barely ended ­­– the church season of Christmas ends January 5, and many churches are already in full swing planning for Lent, which is just around the corner this year. It feels like we’ve hardly had a moment to breathe between these two busy seasons! Often happens in life, … [Read more...]