Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Herod was troubled at the news of the Christ Child’s birth, as were the religious leaders and all of Jerusalem. But the magi rejoiced and worshipped the Infant King, even as had the shepherds before them. God grant us the faith to join the magi and the shepherds! “For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep … [Read more...]

By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches I was driving home from a Christmas celebration one year late at night. At 11:58 p.m. on December 25 the radio station played a Christmas song. And the very next song, starting at 12:01 a.m. on December 26, returned to classic rock. For much of the world, Christmas ends at midnight on the 25th. But for … [Read more...]

By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches A common phrase, when one doesn’t understand what the person in front of them just said is, “Come again?”  In effect, you are asking them to repeat what they just said so that you might hear, and understand, the second time.  We just experienced the coming of the Christ Child, a joyous event for those … [Read more...]

By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free If your Christmas is different this year … the words caught my attention as I sat staring into the frost on the windowpane.   I don’t know why my heart grabbed hold of this song; music had been playing all day long.  Each tune a bliss filled sonnet of God’s great wonder, melodies saturated with the joy of the coming of … [Read more...]

By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist In my Christian tradition it is generally thought that singing Christmas hymns should wait until the day of Christmas Eve. Most of us in mainline Protestant churches fudge on that a little. We recognize that banning Christmas carols until Christmas Eve isn’t practical or even good practice. So in my congregational … [Read more...]

By Pastor Marke Geselle Valley Christian Center We just had a Workers Appreciation Banquet last Saturday evening for all those in our church who volunteer themselves, giving of their time and energy for the ministry of the church and community.  There are those who greet, usher, teach classes, make coffee, work in the kitchen. Some take care of babies in the nursery and … [Read more...]

By Pastor Kris  Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston  On Wednesday morning, November 6, leaves covered our lawn, and as I was walking out to the car my foot squished into the ground.  I realized I had stepped onto a “stinky dog nugget.” “Well,” I thought, “about half of our nation woke up today thinking things are a stinky mess.” Later, as I was walking … [Read more...]

By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish -  St. Paul, Saetersdal and  St. Matthew’s, Granger As I write, Election Day is a few days away; this will not be published until a week after.  In these contentious times, I simply pray all goes properly, and that we who are Christians behave well, now and in days to come, as citizens – not just US citizens, but citizens … [Read more...]