Newsletter May 2026
“What’s Next”
As we are getting close to finishing our preaching series on spiritual gifts I pray that you have been encouraged in your walk with the Lord. During this time, it has been very encouraging to see the fruit of God’s work in our churches. The body of the Christ is the “Bride of Christ,” and it is where God brings people together, using their gifts to the glory of God. As we finish this area of emphasis in our preaching and teaching the question that comes to mind is what next? What does God have for you as an individual, your family and in the lives of our churches?
The first thing that God has brought to my mind is to take time in God’s Word, time in prayer, in conversation with others, to understand what your primary “grace gift,” might be. I know that we may find it uncomfortable talking about things like this, but understand, its ok. Having said that, I believe that God uses time in the Word, time in prayer, and especially other believers to help us with this understanding. Spiritual gifts, given by God, are often noticed by those around us. I think it would be good to ask each other questions to help in this discovery. I also think that it would be good to encourage others that you observe and tell them what you see in their lives as far as what spiritual gift they may have. We are to “encourage each other all the more as we see the day (of Christ’s return) coming near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
The second encouragement that God bring us is then to “exercise” the spiritual gift/s that God has given to us. In the gift list in Romans 12 Paul writes, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” (v. 6) The Bible continually encourages us to stewardship and growth. We have been given much and with that comes a responsibility to share what God has given to us with others. In exercising our gifts we are serving those around us and ultimately giving tremendous worth and thanks to the God that created us. If someone gives you a useful tool to make and create, fix or repair something, using that tool is necessary. When we don’t “exercise,” our spiritual gifts we with withhold blessing others and also don’t experience the fullness of what a new life in Christ offers. Ultimately, others miss out and we miss out on the blessings that God longs to bring to individuals and to the church.
As we seek to understand and exercise our spiritual gift/s let’s be encouraged that the purpose and result would be to both build up the body of Christ and glorify God. The gift list noted in Ephesians 4 speak of the purpose of the gifts noted here, they are to “build up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12) Humility and understanding that all that we have are gifts from God is paramount in this discussion. Spiritual gifts are not to bring glory, notoriety or attention to us, but to point people to Jesus. I Peter 4:10 is a great summary of God’s work and purpose for the gifts that we have been given, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Let’s discover and use our spiritual gift to the glory and honor of God in order to see people brought to faith in Christ and to see His kingdom built up and grow! What is next for you?
Serving Together, Pastor Mark Johnson
Preaching Rotation& Worship Texts
Preaching Rotation and Texts…
May 3 (Confirmation Sunday)
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) Confirmation
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) “The Spiritual Gift of Mercy”
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) Confirmation
May 10
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) “The Spiritual Gift of Mercy”
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) “The Spiritual Gift of Giving”
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) “The Spiritual Gift of Mercy”
May 17
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Jacob Zacha) “The Spiritual Gift of Hospitality”
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) Selected Text
10:30 a.m. ZS (Jacob Zacha) “The Spiritual Gift of Hospitality”
May 24
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) Select Text
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Cliff Fegert) “The Spiritual Gift of Hospitality”
10:30 a.m. ZS (Mark) Select Text
May 31
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Jacob Zacha) “The Spiritual Gift of Giving”
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) Selected Text
10:30 a.m. ZS (Jacob Zacha) “The Spiritual Gift of Giving”
Communion…
Zion-Sarpsborg May 10
Tordenskjold May 10
Kvam May 17
Church Cleaning Days: Kvam May 2 @ 8:00a.m.
Tord. May2 @ 8:00a.m
Z/S May 2 @ 8:a.m.
NATIONAL Day of Prayer
Thursday May 7th at 7:00 a.m.
Zion/Sarp. Church
Breakfast – Serving Swedish Pancakes
From 6:30 until 9:00a.m.
Prayer Service at 7:00a.m.
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Let’s Continue to Pray!
We are very thankful for all of our first and second year Confirmation students. We ask that you would continue to encourage and pray for our students. Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Confirming their faith this year are Annabelle Evavold, Aiden Fronning, and Brock Lanoue (Tordenskjold), Ava Formo, Rylie Norword and Amber Schmitz (Zion Sarp.)
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A special thank you to all who helped with our Sunday School year! God has blessed us with a great group of students, teacher, and all who help in any way. This is such an important ministry in the life of our churches!
AFLC Annual Conference
Our AFLC Annual Conference will be held June 10-13, 2026 at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. The theme is “Sure Hope” (Philippians 1:6). For more information, or to register, go to www.aflc.org
Baccalaureate Services:
Underwood - May10th @ 5:30 at Zion/Sarp.
Fergus Falls- May 17th @ 7:00p.m.(High School)
Ashby – May 20th @ 7:00p.m. (HighSchool)
Honoring our Graduates-
May 17th at Z/S. Worship Services the following seniors will be presented with a quilt:
Hannah Johnson, Clara Mark, Isaac Van Horn, Ayden Behrens and Chloe Finkelson.
Congratulations!
Church Library
We are very thankful to have resources available at each of our churches for you. Many volunteers over the years have put time and effort into making good resources available. Please be sure to us them.
Bible StudyOpportunities
Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study
Each week at 6:45 a.m. at Underwood Quik-Stop. We are currently studying “Spiritual Gifts.”
Kvam Ladies Prayer Group
Meeting each Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at the Rock in Dalton. For more information contact Deanna Mounts 218-770-9304.
Young Adults Bible Studies
LIFT (Living in Fellowship and Truth). Meeting each Monday.
Guys at Bethel Lutheran in Fergus Falls at 6:30 p.m.
Gals at the Zacha’s each Monday at 5:30p.m.
For more information contact Jacob Zacha 219-452-8369.
Zion-Sarpsborg Ladies Bible Study
Meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg. May 7th , business meeting and Bible Study.
Mothers with Young Children
Meeting every other Thursday at various homes. Next meeting is March 5th at 1:30 p.m. Currently studying the book of Hebrews, using N.T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guide. For more information contact Chris Fegert:
(cmfegert@gmail.com) or text 218-671-1708.
MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAMS- – Please pray for Pr. Mark as he speaks at the Ashby Memorial Day Service. May 25, 2026 10:a.m. Ashby High School. March to Veteran’s Memorial Park, Free Lunch to follow at the American Legion.
May 25th 10:00a.m. Memorial Day Program at Underwood High School.
Church Softball…
It is hard to believe that church softball is just around the corner. This has been a great time of fellowship a great opportunity to build and strengthen relationships. If you are interested in playing please reach out to Peter Johnson, Pastor Mark or Pastor Dan. Games are set to begin the week of May 18th.
Happy Mother’s Day!