Newsletter June 2026
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Traveling to new places tends to stretch a person's comfort level. Having that travel take the form of a mission trip adds an extra layer of education that is often takes the form of discomfort, service, flexibility, and contemplation. My two-week trip with They Need The Bible checked all of those boxes: Discomfort from adjusting to weather, service as we handed out water in the Nishinari community, flexibility as we adapted our itinerary, and contemplation in the commute between cities. Of the five major metropolitan areas we went to, I found not only that the culture was different, but that there was a greater spiritual lesson behind each location.
Tokyo, Japan – It's easy to feel cramped in the largest city in the world; even my hotel room was limited in space. With the cultural expectation of minding your own business and not talking on your commute, it's easy to feel isolated even when surrounded by hundreds of people. From the observation deck of the Tokyo Skytree, the maze of streets and buildings fade beyond the horizon. It's sobering to think that 1-2% of that many people know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. At the end of Jonah 4, God speaks to the fact that Nineveh is a great city full of tens of thousands of people. God not only knows every one of them, but desires to show them mercy and compassion. The same is true for us today.
Osaka, Japan – moving away from the capital allowed us to see a subtle shift in Japan’s culture. While cultural taboos and expectations still exist, Osaka has more of a laid-back feel as it's known for its comedy schools and restaurants. Stepping away from high traffic areas led us to see communities that were full of disconsolate people. These people dwell in shame as they have personally assessed that they’ve failed to achieve what their culture considers standard requirements. Amid dejection and hopelessness, Hagar recognizes that God is the one who sees her in her suffering and misery (Genesis 13:16) and we recognize that Christ calls us to serve “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
Hiroshima, Japan – cultural expectations were still observed, they were observed less strictly than in either Tokyo or Osaka. The trains were full of more quiet conversations and people seemed more relaxed as they went about their business. The people of this city are subjected to a special focus on the importance of peace, with schools requiring an educational visit to Peace Memorial Park. We met with Michael Creed, A pastor and church planter with the heart to meet people, proclaim the gospel, and see churches established in areas where there are none. When we asked what they do as a church to draw people in, Michael provided us with the quote of the trip: “We don’t really do any gimmicks. We just preach the Gospel.”
Yogyakarta, Indonesia – the people in Indonesia are friendly and are eager to get where they're going, even though there’s no perceived urgency. With the presence of Hinduism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity throughout the country, you may quickly become overwhelmed with how spiritual these people are. As we met with our team of translators, we were encouraged to see how God's word was at work in their hearts and that they are coming to a greater understanding of who Jesus is and what he came to do to bring us peace with God. As I heard them speak and share about what they learned as they worked through the gospel of Luke, I was reminded of Jesus’ statement in Mark 12:34 – “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Denpasar, Indonesia – while Japan is full of shrines and temples, Indonesia is saturated with statues. Rarely can you go a city block without seeing at least one home with a statue of Budha or one of the Hindu gods. Warnings about corruption, drug trafficking, and fraud made the prohibition of public evangelism even more potent. Nonetheless, we were once again reminded that God’s gift of grace extends to these people as well. Jesus’ teaching to the Samaritan woman (John 4) became profound considering the cultural integration of different religions. The day has come when no temples are required to worship God; true worshippers will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Pastor Dan Hurner
Preaching Rotation & Worship Texts
June 7
9:00 a.m Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) Ez. 18:30-32, I John 3:1-10, John 15:12-17
9:00 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) Jer. 9:23-24, Rom. 1:1-17, Luke 12:13-21
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) Ez. 18:30-32, I John 3:1-10, John 15:12-17
June 14
9:00 a.m Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) Jer. 9:23-24, Rom. 1:1-17, Luke 12:13-21
9:00 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) Is. 25:6-9, Rom. 1:18-25, Luke 14:25-35
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) Jer. 9:23-24, Rom. 1:1-17, Luke 12:13-21
June 21
9:00 a.m Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) Is. 25:6-9, Rom. 1:18-25, Luke 14:25-35
9:00 a.m. Kvam (Guest) Micah 7:18-20, Rom. 2:1-16, Luke 15:11-24
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) Is. 25:6-9, Rom. 1:18-25, Luke 14:25-35
June 28
9:00 a.m Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) Micah 7:18-20, Rom. 2:1-16, Luke 15:11-24
9:00 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) Is. 58:6-12, Rom. 2:17-29, Matt. 5:38-42
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) Micah 7:18-20, Rom. 2:1-16, Luke 15:11-24
Communion
ZS June 7
Tordenskjold June 14
Kvam June 21
Council Meetings
Tordenskjold June 9 @ 7 p.m. (Deacons 6 p.m.)
Kvam June 15 @ 7 p.m. (Deacons 6 p.m.)
Zion-Sarpsborg June 16 @ 7 p.m. (Deacons 6 p.m.)
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
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 Study Opportunities
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.
Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study
Each week at 6:45 a.m. at Underwood Quik-Stop. We are currently studying “Spiritual Gifts.”
Zion-Sarpsborg Ladies Bible Study
Meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg.
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.
Vacation Bible School
We're starting to gear up for Vacation Bible School this summer! Registration will open on the Parish website on June 1st and we'd love to see you and your friends come this year. Our kick-off party will be on Sunday evening on July 26, from 6-8pm at Zion. VBS will run from 6-8pm the following week (July 27-31) at Zion. We will also be hosting a softball clinic (pending on the weather and the conditions of Dalton's ball field) from 4-5:30pm.
A Special Thank You
A special thanks to our ladies groups for all that they do on behalf of our Parish. From Bible Study groups, quilting, the spring luncheon, the National Day of Pray breakfast, and all of the generosity and service that ministers to so many! It is appreciated by all!
Parish Softball
Our season is off to a great start and the team would invite you to come out and watch each Monday night at DeLagoon Park in Fergus Falls!
Dalton Steam School Chapel Service
On Sunday, June 28 at 8 a.m. Pastor Mark will be leading a chapel service as part of the Dalton Steam School held on the threshing grounds June 26-28. It would be a great encouragement to have some of you in attendance. Please pray for this outreach opportunity as well.