By Pastor Michael Harman St. Johns Lutheran Church and School Thank you. Thank who? You. To say thank you is to have gratitude or appreciation for something, but, all thanks is directed at some giver. For example, I’m thankful for my car. Really. But who am I thankful TO? Maybe the designers, those who dug and refined the metals, the workers who built it, the transport … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Thanksgiving and remembering
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches I like how Veterans Day is so close to Thanksgiving. It inspires me with great gratitude as a pastor and American that so many brave men and women have sacrificed time and energy for the sake of creating peace and justice. And, of course, many have paid the ultimate sacrifice… their very lives. May we … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Spending some time out in the woods reading Psalm 23
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Have you ever had one of those days when you find yourself running here and running there and and just having too many commitments and things that require your attention, along with other things that cause stress, pressure and anxiety? I had one of those … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Lord, to whom shall we go?
Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Whenever death openly invades our lives, it is a violently painful experience. Death is always present for us in this vale of tears, though we typically blind ourselves to his presence. Life here moves inevitably towards death, whether it is sudden and catastrophic or lingering and agonizing, and we are all of us … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Many-colored grace
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley Fall is a favorite time of year for me and for many. There is nothing that surpasses a cool fall evening followed by a warm fall day, low humidity, and the sight of brilliant multi-colored leaves against a bright blue sky. I look forward to going on … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Jesus is the light of the world
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Recently, Deanna and I took our 11-year-old grandson on a trip to Duluth. He had never seen Lake Superior before. We had a great time! The weather was perfect and there is so much to see and do on the North Shore of Lake Superior. We visited the … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Finding your worth in God
By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches Matthew 10:29-31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. I worked in an office setting for several years prior to … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – The case of the missing chocolate
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches I get excited about Halloween – not because of the decorations, because I find a lot of them kind of creepy-scary – but because of the candy! When I was younger and could burn it off easily, I used to buy a few bags for the trick-or-treaters and a bag just for me. I don’t do that anymore (I’m not … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – One
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free The air feels crisp as the nearing of fall begins to tease us with leaves changing, temperatures dropping, and pumpkins transforming. The world is filled with so much joy; children laughing, people gathering, weddings, babies, hope, and song. The world is also filled with sadness, unexpected death, tragedy, … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Finding comfort in Christ
By Pastor Stuart Weist First Baptist Church of Preston Where do you look for strength when your entire world is upside down? As a pastor I have counseled many on finding hope in the Lord. I have sat bedside with many people experiencing trials and held the hands of some as they passed. However, it is often much easier to comfort others than to comfort self. Recently, I … [Read more...]