Newsletter October 2026
I’d be curious to see the results of an informal survey taken among families in our community about which they think is the busiest month: May, October, or December? With confirmation, graduation, and open houses, May presents itself as a strong contender. With harvest, sports/activities, and seasonal parties, October isn’t exactly pulling any punches either. And with multiple holidays stacked so close together, along with concerts, programs, parties, and family get-togethers, it’s hard to not automatically think that December has got to be the victor in this matchup.
During these busy months lies the hope and expectation for us to be able to connect with and spend meaningful time with their loved ones. After all, if we can't make time for whom and what is important, then what's the point of us working ourselves to the point of exhaustion? A lot of the work that we face comes from our own desire to have time to connect with people, and I don't think we should miss the profound principle that's at play: if you want to be a part of a meaningful community, you have to work at and build that kind of community in the first place.
Do you want to live in a community where people know who you are as well as you know them? Do you want to have a good relationship with your next-door neighbors? Do you want to be surrounded by people who will love and support you and your family through difficult times? Do you want the opportunity to be able to relax and recreate? Then, by nature of what community is, you need to be connected within that community.
By nature, the same principle applies to spiritual life and wellness within the church. Scripture calls us to bear one another's burdens. Do not forsake gathering together. To rejoice and worship the Lord together. To desire for God's will to be done and to invest in what His Heavenly Kingdom looks like here on earth (as we pray in The Lord’s Prayer). This kind of community doesn't just happen automatically by itself. That's just not how the church works. It requires love, care, and compassion just as much as it requires sweat equity.
It's not healthy or biblical to consider the church as a place where you can simply come and only receive. I'm not saying that you have to come work and serve at church to receive God's grace and the assurance of salvation. What I am saying is that God has designed and appointed the Church to be the hands and feet of Christ; to demonstrate what His Kingdom looks like on this side of eternity. Do you want the fellowship within your local church to be meaningful and impactful – something that people want to prioritize being a part of? Then you must work to build that kind of community; it’s not a one-way street, but a reciprocal relationship where we are continually reminded of and apply Paul’s words to the Ephesians in Acts 20:35 as he quotes Jesus: that it’s far better to give than receive. Pastor Dan Hurner
Preaching Rotation and Texts….
October 4
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) “What Does the Bible Say about Rest?”
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) “What Does the Bible Say About Work?”
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) “What Does the Bible Say about Rest?”
October 11
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) “What Does the Bible Say About Work?”
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) “What Does the Bible Say about Rest?”
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) “What Does the Bible Say About Work?”
October 18 (Parish Service)
10:30 a.m (Pr. Mike Brandt)
October 25
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Jacob Z.) “What Does the Bible Say About Authority/Government?”
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark)
10:30 a.m. ZS (Jacob Z.) “What Does the Bible Say About Authority/Government?”
Communion…
October 4 Zion-Sarpsborg
October 11 Tordenskjold
October 11 Kvam
Council Meetings…
October 5 Zion-Sarpsborg@7:p.m.(Deacons at 6 p.m.)
October 6 Kvam @ 7 p.m. (Deacons at 6 p.m.)
October 13 Tordenskjold @ 7 p.m. (Deacons at 6 p.m.)
Annual Meetings
November 22 Tordenskjold (Tordenskjold Worship 10:30 a.m., Zion-Sarpsborg Worship 9:00)
November 22 Kvam
November 29 Zion-Sarpsborg
Fall Faith Focus October 18th-20 “New Creations in Christ” II Corinthians 5:14-21
We are excited for our Parish Fall Faith Focus 2026 October 18-20 at Zion-Sarpsborg in Dalton. Sunday, October 18th will kick off with Anchor serving breakfast, followed by our Parish Worship Service at 10:30. On Sunday Night we are bringing back the Wild Game Feed/Tasting at 5:30 p.m. followed by a program with students/leaders from Ashby that went on a wild game excursion last year. They will share pictures and stories from their hunt. Our guest speaker, Pastor Mike Brandt will also share. Then on Monday and Tuesday nights services will start at 7 p.m. We are excited to have pastor/evangelist Mike Brant as our speaker this fall. Below is part of Mike’s story to help you get to know him:
Michael and Colleen currently live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His wife of 36 years, Jeannie, was diagnosed with cancer in January 2005 and in May of that same year she went Home to be with the Lord. The Holy Spirit’s comfort and strength have sustained Pastor and his family. God has also met the loneliness of Michael’s heart by providing the gift of a new mate, Colleen Mae Nichols. Colleen’s husband of 32 years, Dale ‘Punk’ Nichols, was taken to be with the Lord through a massive heart attack in the fall of 2004. Michael and Colleen’s relationship has been a further evidence of the gracious provision of God. Together they have a combined family of 6 adult children, their mates, and 15 grandchildren.
Michael graduated from the Association Free Lutheran Seminary. In 1969, he was licensed as a pastor and in 1972 he was ordained into the clergy roster of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota. He has served congregations in Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin and South Dakota. Pastor Brandt has also served on numerous local and national ministry boards.
In addition to these privileges, Pastor Brandt has traveled extensively as an evangelist, conducting crusades and seminars across the United States and in 5 foreign countries while serving churches and organizations such as The Gideons International, Christian School Associations, and World Vision. He and his daughter, Kayla Brandt, authored the book, “Sent and Received”. The book chronicles their family’s journey of faith during Jeannie’s battle with cancer. He is also the author and producer of the evangelism video and training manual, “Evangelism, the Heartbeat of Heaven.”
Sunday, October 18 Parish Service 10:30 a.m. (ZS) Breakfast 9:15 a.m.
Sunday, October 18 Wild Game Feed/Tasting 5:30 p.m. (Program 7 p.m.)
Monday, October 19 Evening Service 7 p.m. (ZS)
Tuesday, October 20 Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study 6:45 a.m.
Tuesday, October 20 Evening Service 7 p.m. (ZS)
Please be in prayer for these special services and please invite others!
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Bible Studies
Parish Women’s Bible Study continues at Tordenskjold Church each Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. The study is titled Better: A Study of Hebrews by Jen Wilkin which includes a personal study book and video teaching that shows how Christ is the substance of the truths in the Old Testament and that He alone established a better covenant as we run the race set before us. Join us for encouraging lessons, fellowship, and snacks on Tuesdays.
Thursday Night Women’ Bible Study…7:00p.m. at Zion/Sarp.
Z/S Bible Study/WMF… Women of Redemption 1st Thur. of the month @2:00p.m.
Kvam Ladies Prayer Group - Tuesday Morning at the Rock in Dalton at 10:00a.m.
Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study- Tuesday Mornings at 6:45 at Underwood Quick Stop “Ephesians”
Thursday Men’s Coffee and Prayer- Thursday Mornings at 10:00 a.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg
Fall Parish Midweek Bible Study…. “Living as a Christian Today”
The Fall Parish Bible Study called “Living as a Christian Today,” continues each Wednesday night at Zion-Sarpsborg in Dalton at 7 p.m. The study will continue through November 25th. We are very thankful to have Cliff Fegert and and Jacob Zacha sharing truths from God’s Word from I Peter and other Old and New Testament passages to encourage and challenge us with our role in sharing Jesus in a world that desperately needs a Savior. Here are some of the topics that will be covered:
What is Orthodox Christianity?
What are some of the more popular “Christian Alternative religions?”
General Witnessing Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures; Real-Life accounts of witnessing in the wild; Discussions in some detail on Mormonism, and JW, Brief looks at other popular cults and heresies, Focus on the challenges and opportunities of witnessing to Muslims.
Anchor News--
Oct. 3rd 4-8p.m. Movie at Pastor Dan’s
Oct. 4th 12-4 p.m. Thrift Store Shopping
Oct. 11th Corn Maze (weather permitting)
Oct .18th 9-10:15 a.m. Breakfast Fundraiser Z/S.
Fall Dinner and Bake Sale-
Saturday, November 7th 4:30-7:00p.m.
Zion/Sarpsborg will be serving a meatball dinner with real mashed potatoes, gravy, glazed carrots bread and choice of dessert. Take out available.
Cost is $12.00 for Adults, $5.00 for ages 6-12 and free for 5 and under.
Baked goods available for sale, including jams, jellies and homemade lefse. All are Welcome.