By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches When I was young, the Lutheran church I attended performed a yearly passion play - a drama of Christ’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion. I participated as one of many children by singing, waving palms, and being in the crowd.  This play taught me a lot about Christ’s death and resurrection that we … [Read more...]

By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Like a young plant growing in dry ground, no form or majesty, no beauty, despised rejected a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, one from whom men hide their faces, despised, carried our sorrow, stricken, pierced, crushed, and wounded for our transgressions. And so it begins, our journey towards the cross. … [Read more...]

By Rev. Anders Nelson Mabel-Henrytown Tri-Point Parish - Mabel First Lutheran Church, Scheie Lutheran Church and Henrytown Lutheran Church This last Sunday, the scripture texts from the Revised Common Lectionary included a passage from the prophet Isaiah as the prophet was calling God’s people in the midst of exile into a better understanding of what it means to take up a … [Read more...]

By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist Hey mortal one, listen up!  That is one way to translate the familiar passage in Micah 6:8. Hey, human being, you who breath, open your ears and listen! In the 8th century before Jesus, when Micah and other prophets were writing, the problems in society looked very similar to any human century. Reading carefully, the … [Read more...]

By Pastor Bridget Sheely Co-Pastor of Prairieland Parish 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 Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith  Churches (and Lenora)  It was a glorious autumn morning.  It was early in the day.  I was greeted by a beautiful surprise.  As I drove down my driveway, I was greeted by a doe deer who stood next to the road.  I turned off the engine and let my pickup coast … [Read more...]

By Rev. Timothy Sandeno St. Johns Lutheran Church and School This past Sunday, many of our churches celebrated the Baptism of our Lord and read Matthew 3:13-17 during the service. Being nestled close to Epiphany on January 6, it is a beautiful revealing of who Jesus truly is as the Father’s voice booms from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with who I am well … [Read more...]

By Mark Geselle Valley Christian Center Well it’s that time of year again.  Christmas, New Year’s, the Vikings don’t make the play offs, flu season, and man, am I sick!  It’s been over a week and from what I hear, I only have a week or two more to go.  Ish!   Now of course, I’d rather not be sick, but I am.  Chances are you might be as well.  So, we deal with it, take our … [Read more...]

By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston In the animated movie “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown struggles to feel the joy and hope expected of the season. He asks, “Does anyone really know what Christmas is all about?” Linus answers him by reciting Luke 2:10-11, and when Linus says, “Fear not,” he drops his ever-present security blanket. … [Read more...]

By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish -  St. Paul, Saetersdal and  St. Matthew’s, Granger Now we are truly in the Christmas Season … To many, “Christmas” began weeks ago – perhaps the day after Thanksgiving or when the first decorations and sales appeared in stores (back in August?).  And for some the holiday now ends, the music turns off and … [Read more...]