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...]
Pastor Devotions – Choosing the better way
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist There is a story about Jesus and his friends that is often not appreciated, particularly by those of us whose lives are full to overflowing with activities and responsibilities. Mary and Martha are friends of Jesus who often host Jesus and his disciples in their homes. On this day, Jesus is in Martha’s home and, as is … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – It’s all about the perspective
By Pastor Bridget Sheely Racine/Wykoff/Sumner Center UMC The word perspective has made its way into my mind space quit often lately. I have seen Facebook posts pop up out of nowhere pronouncing that maybe it’s time to clear my vision, news reports that cause me to get distracted from what is truly important, and now in my churches book study of “Revelation,” by Margaret … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – If we say we have no sin
By Pastor Michael Harman St. Johns Lutheran Church and School There is great Christian comfort in First John 1:8-9. “If we say we have no sin, then we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “If we say we have no SIN.” What is sin? Is it something … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – A type of Christ
Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Jonah is in many ways the prophet we love to despise. He’s not one of the great prophets like Elijah or Isaiah, whom we admire because of their miraculous deeds or because of their well-known writings. But neither is he one of the prophets like Zephaniah or Haggai about whom we know nothing except maybe that they, … [Read more...]