October Newsletter 2025

 People will give different answers to the question, “What are the most significant inventions ever?” A quick search on Google will give a list of inventions that changed the world as we know it, including the printing press, the steam engine, the wheel, and the ability to harness and generate electricity. The list on LiveScience’s website says (in order) the GPS, the smartphone, the wheel, the printing press, and penicillin. Steven Johnson wrote a book on inventions that helped make the modern world, including indoor lighting, time pieces, sanitation, and refrigeration. Steven makes the case in his book, “How We Got To Now” that these inventions are invaluable because they sparked inspiration for the invention of so many other commonplace objects in our world today. In my own opinion, one of the most interesting inventions in Mr. Johnson’s list is glass.

Glass is so common and unexciting that it’s easy to overlook on a list of “most important inventions.” Just think how often we utilize it. Windows are used in almost every construction project and most modes of transportation, but glass is used for more than just windows. People use glass for optical lenses in telescopes, microscopes, and eyeglasses. Internet cables that cross the ocean floor are made of glass. Glass is used in mirrors, mobile devises, gardening, storage containers, artwork, cups, decorations, cooktops, light bulbs, and in helping to capture natural energy. It’s incredible how foundational something so ordinary can be.

Likewise, it’s important that we understand how valued and loved we are by our Heavenly Father. I’m often astounded as I read the Old Testament how many people are mentioned very briefly, or aren’t mentioned at all. Accounts like Jonah, Joshua, David, Elisha, Moses, and Samson are highlighted in most Children’s Bibles and they’re fun stories to read – but how many more thousands over the generations were faithful and obedient to the Lord that aren’t mentioned at all? Elijah gets a brief reminder of this in the middle of his rant on Mount Sinai in 1 Kings 19. God pulls back the curtain a bit for Elijah to see that, despite his sense of being isolated in his ministry, no one knew about the several thousands who were serving God.

Our desire to seek the spotlight and our pursuit of legacy tends to sow a spirit of discontent in our own hearts for where God has placed us at the time. Many tend to focus on the breadth of their impact at the cost of forsaking the depth of our relationship with Jesus and our ministry to others. This is why Jesus tells His disciples to check their attitude and intention when they live out their faith. People pray in prominent places, fast, and act charitably for people to notice and they receive their reward in full. Jesus is making it clear that the true acts that have the greatest impact are the small things. The everyday events and actions that often go unnoticed are what changes the world for the better. No one throws a parade for small acts of compassion, but we rest assured that God sees – and that what He says is the only thing that matters overall.

                                                                                    Pastor Dan

Preaching Rotation

 October 5

9:00 a.m. – Tord. (Jacob Zacha) James 2:14-26

10:30 a.m. – Kvam (Pr. Dan)  James 2:1-13

10:30 a.m. – Zion-Sarps. (Jacob Zacha) James 2:14-26

October 12

9:00 a.m. – Tord. (Pr. Dan) James 3:1-12

10:30 a.m. – Kvam (Pr. Brian Davidson) James 3:13-18

10:30 a.m. – Zion-Sarps. (Pr. Dan) James 3:1-12

October 19 – Parish Worship, Fall Faith Focus

10:30 a.m. @ Zion-Sarpsborg, Daniel Keinanen

October 26

9:00 a.m. – Tord. (Cliff  Fegert) James 3:13-18

10:30 a.m. – Kvam (Pr. Dan) James 3:1-12

10:30 a.m. – Zion-Sarps. (Cliff  Fegert) James 3:13-18

                 Communion

October 12 – Tordenksjold & Zion-Sarpsborg

October 26 - Kvam

Ministerial Acts

Funerals

Samuel Isaac Johnson

Infant son of Isaac & Kelli Johnson

Zion-Sarpsborg – Sept. 9, 2025

Lillian Jacobson, age 93

Tordenskjold – Sept. 20, 2025

Loren Tellinghuisen, age 64

Tordenskjold – Sept. 26, 2025

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Fall Faith Focus

Everyone is welcome to take part in the Parish's Fall Faith Focus, with guest speaker Mr. Daniel Keinanen - founder of BeLED Family Ministry and Podcast. Our special meetings begin at the Parish worship service on Sunday, October 19 and will continue with evening meetings through October 21 - childcare will be provided for our evening sessions. Each evening, we'll enjoy a meal together before Daniel shares about family ministry. On Sunday, Daniel will share on the willingness of the church to make sacrifices in order to keep generations connected with each other. He will also share from Scripture about the basic components of how intergenerational ministry works. On Monday, Daniel will focus on keys for home discipleship and how parents can be better equipped to accomplish this task. We will wrap up our special meetings on Tuesday, focusing on how the church can move forward with intergenerational ministry opportunities.

Dalton Anchor will host our annual Silent Auction Bake Sale on October 19th during our Parish Worship Service and fellowship meal. Students are encouraged to bring no more than 2 different items to auction (for reference, a plate of cookies or a pan of bars count as one item). Bids may be placed before and after the worship service, with all funds raised going into the respective student accounts. If you're not able to make it to church that Sunday, items can be dropped off at Zion the Friday beforehand.

The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department is hosting a community picnic in Underwood on October 10th before the Underwood Football game. Different groups are involved with various parts of this event, and the Parish has been asked to help with games/entertainment. If the weather is good, we'll be there with our 9 Square setup - you're all welcome to stop by and enjoy some food and fellowship!

Bible Study Opportunities

Young Women’s Bible study each Monday at 5:30 p.m. Contact Brita Zacha at 218-587-0438 for more information and address.

Adult Bible study Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg.  Cliff Fegert will lead the study, answering questions posed by the Bible, as well las highlighting some basic skills for Bible interpretation.

The Kvam Prayer Group meets each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the church. 

Tordenskjold Women’s Bible study, Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. at the church.

Men’s study each Tuesday at 6:45 a.m. at the Quik Stop in Underwood.

Zion-Sarpsborg WMF/Bible study meets the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.

Annual Meetings

Zion-Sarpsborg – Nov. 16

Kvam – Nov. 23

Tordenskjold – Nov. 30

 Each meeting will be held following the

Sunday morning Worship. 

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Meatball Supper 

Bake Sale

Zion-Sarpsborg Church

November 8, 2025

4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Hosted by the Zion-Sarpsborg WMF

More details in next month’s newsletter

and upcoming bulletins.