As many of you know, I am not a good singer, but I love happy, joyful, uplifting music! One of my favorite composers is Scott Joplin who lived in the early 1900’s and wrote contemporary ragtime music of his era. Happy, upbeat, toe-tapping music – the kind of music that brings smiles! Some time ago, I ran across an old hymnal, a songbook from the early 1900s. I thumbed … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Family values
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger We usually consider the Bible very family oriented. God is our Father, and we are sisters and brothers in Christ’s family. The first of the Ten Commandments dealing with human relationships is “Honor your father and your mother.” Jesus welcomed children and defended marriage … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: God hears and knows
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches On the morning I wrote this, the thermometer read 4º when I got up. Brr! Something compelled me, though, so I put on several layers, covering all but my eyes, and headed out the door for my morning walk. It was cold, but as a true Minnesotan, I knew it could be worse! I walked west for a bit, then … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: A future with hope
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger “Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Six hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Jewish people in the Holy Land faced one of their darkest times. The northern … [Read more...]
There is one thing I can say…
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist The church I serve, Chatfield United Methodist, has been organizing a Soup Supper and Silent Auction for the Eagles Cancer Telethon for many, many years. Like many of the ministries we do, we do it with such passion and faithfulness because we have been touched by the problem we are trying to alleviate. Hunger, lack … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: When life gives you dingleberries…
By Pastor Bridget Sheely Racine/Sumner Center UMC, Stewartville UMC Children’s Mininstry Coordinator A few years back, when my two boys where young our family loaded up into our truck to go pick out our Christmas tree. As we cruised down the road with the Christmas music playing, our oldest was bouncing around in the back seat and doing what kids do, which ended with me … [Read more...]
Stone Church and St. Peter’s Cemetery Association raising funds through garage sale
Stone Church and St. Peter’s Cemetery Association are planning a fundraising garage sale to cover the expense of lawn care and surveying the grounds. All members of the cemeteries are invited to participate by donating items to sell and volunteering their time. Also, cash donations are welcome. Our goal is $12,000. The garage sale is planned for two days, Friday, September … [Read more...]
The “radical left” pastor
By Pastor David Stoeger I believe that all have human rights, including those who make the dangerous journey to this country in search of hope and a new life. Children have the right to not be separated from their parents at the border and not to be sent to unsanitary conditions with extremely limited resources. I believe the promise of America is for all people, not just … [Read more...]
Preston/Wykoff UMC to offer ‘Vital Conversations: Racism and the U.S. Church’
“The conversations we are having right now on race, race relations and racism is especially important,” said Pastor David Stoeger. “In largely Caucasian communities, we may feel that we are somewhat sheltered from the large movements in this country, yet if we are to love God and our neighbor most fully, we must have these conversations, including the conversation on how we may … [Read more...]
Scripture and meditation—Psalm 8 and Matthew 28:16-20
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield UMC We now enter the season after Pentecost. The long season in the church year where there are no high holy days. Where we dress the altar in green and it stays that way for a long time. The season is often called “ordinary time.” This is referring to the idea that we are in a time of simply living as ordinary human beings one day after … [Read more...]