August Newsletter

As we approached VBS week at the Parish last month and were reviewing the material we’d be going through with the kids and leaders, I was struck by how simple the themes were for each of the day’s lessons. VBS tends to be geared more towards children, so it makes sense that they would be simple and straight-forward. At the same time, each of these lessons provides a gateway for deeper study and greater appreciation for those who are more mature in their relationship with Jesus. Good, simple lessons keep us grounded on the profound truth we find in God’s Word.

God is our Creator – In Genesis 1 and 2 and in John 1, we see and are reminded that God made and sustains the world. This includes the things we can see, the things we need special tools and instruments to observe, and even the things we don’t know about yet! He has even hidden Himself in His Creation so that those who earnestly and honestly seek Him will be able to find Him. What an awesome reminder for us to consider throughout the day: this all belongs to God, and I’m just a caretaker of what He’s given me.

God knows everything – in addition to God having made everything, the fact that He knows everything is easily overwhelming to consider. He knows how many leaves are on the trees outside your window, and He knows where your misplaced your car keys. The sheer volume of knowledge makes us consider why, out of everything else going on, He should give us a second look. Which leads us to the next lesson…

God is our Safe Place – as Creator, we believe and confess that God doesn’t make mistakes; everything He made is perfect. Which raises an interesting conversation in Christian apologetics: why does God allow suffering in the world? The full answer to that question could fill the front-page article of our Parish newsletter for several months, but it’s sufficient to say that He desires to be found in those circumstances as a source of strength and hope.

God is love – even greater still is the reminder that not only has God made everything and knows everything, and not only is He a refuge in times of trouble, but His love for us is unwavering. We do well to refresh ourselves with the reminder that God demonstrates His love for us by sending His Son to die on our behalf, making a way for us to have peace with Him (Romans 5:8) both in this life and in the life to come.

God is forever – as we grapple through difficulties and consequences that come from living in a sinful world, we also have incredible hope in Jesus Christ! God’s grand design for His people culminates in them being restored to Him eternally. In light of eternal life, there are many joys that await the people of God. But make no mistake: the greatest delight of heaven is dwelling in God’s presence. Then, we will see the ultimate fulfillment of  Psalm 115:18 – to praise the Lord forever.

                                                                                                Pastor Dan Hurner

 

Preaching Rotation & Worship Texts

 August 2

9:00 a.m           Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) Jer. 15:19-21,   Rom. 4:9-25, Matt. 7:12-14

9:00 a.m.          Kvam (Pr. Dan) I Chr. 29:10-13, Rom.  5:1-12, Luke 12:41-45

10:30 a.m.        Zion-Sarps.  (Pr. Mark) Jer. 15:19-21, Rom. 4:9-25, Matt. 7:12-14

August 9

9:00 a.m           Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) I Chr. 29:10-13,  Rom. 5:1-12, Luke 12:41-45

9:00 a.m.          Kvam (Pr. Mark) II Samuel 22:21-29, Rom. 6:1-23, Matt. 21:28-32

10:30 a.m.        Zio-Sarps. (Pr. Dan) I Chr. 29:10-13, Rom. 5:1-12, Luke 12:41-45

August 16

10:30 a.m.        Parish Picnic @ Zion-Sarpsorg (Jacob  Zacha)

 August 23

9:00 a.m           Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) II Samuel 22:21- 29, Rom. 6:1-23, Matt. 21:28-32

9:00 a.m.          Kvam (Pr. Dan) I Chr. 29:10-13, Rom. 5:1-12, Luke 12:41-45

10:30 a.m.        Zion-Sarps. (Pr. Mark) II Samuel 22:21- 29, Rom. 6:1-23, Matt. 21:28-32

 August 30

9:00 a.m           Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) Lev. 18:1-5, Rom.  7:7-25, Matt. 5:43-48

9:00 a.m.          Kvam (Pr. Mark) Jer. 17:13-14, Rom. 8:1- 17, John 5:1-14

10:30 a.m.        Zion-Sarps. (Pr. Dan) Lev. 18:1-5, Rom. 7:7-25, Matt. 5:43-48

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Communion

Zion-Sarpsborg - August 2

Tordenskjold - August 9

Kvam - August 9

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August Council Meetings

Aug. 10  Torden. Council @ 7 p.m. (Deacons at 6 p.m.)

Aug. 11 Kvam Council @ 7 p.m. (Deacons at 6 p.m.)

Aug.18  Zion-Sarpsborg Council @ 7 p.m. (Deacons at 6 p.m.)

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LRPTA Community Service

Sunday, September 13

Please join us and come together as a community for the Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen’s Community Worship Service on Sunday, September 13th at 8:00 a.m. in Dalton.  Each year the Dalton Free Lutheran Parish and Our Savior’s Ten Mile Lake Lutheran church join together to hear God’s Word and worship as a community.  There will be no service in our churches that Sunday.

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Parish Picnic

On Sunday, August 16th let’s come together for our Outdoor Worship Service and picnic at Zion-Sarpsborg at 10:30 a.m.  We are excited to have Jacob Zacha preaching that Sunday and also members of the young adult ministry (LIFT…Living in Fellowship Together) sharing in the worship time.  This is also Alternate Transportation Sunday, with a traveling trophy awarded to the most creative way to get to church.  There will also be some fun kids games to take part in as well.  We will be sharing a fellowship pot luck dinner together as well. So if possible, please bring something to share.  Invite a friend or neighbor and let’s make this a great day of worship and fellowship together!

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Parish VBS

We had a great time together during VBS 2026.  God is at work and we praise God for the many students and youth and adult leaders that God has brought together.  About 75 students enjoyed time in God’s Word, hearing Bible stories, crafts and games, capped off with a program on Friday night!  We are thankful for the all the kids that took part playing ball down at the Dalton Ball Park as well.  A generous offering going to the ministry “They Need the Bible,” was also brought by the kids and adults to help with translating the Bible for people that don’t have a written copy the Scriptures.  A special thanks to Pr. Dan all of the wonderful youth and adult volunteers for all of their hard work on this important ministry to our parish and community! 

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Fall Parish Midweek Bible Study  

“Living as a Christian Today”

We are very excited to be hosting a Fall Parish Bible Study each Wednesday night at Zion-Sarpsborg in Dalton at 7 p.m. called “Living as a Christian Today.”  The study will run September 16th through November 25th.  We are very thankful to have Cliff Fegert 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.  Below is an overview and scope of the study prepared by Cliff: 

Overview: The US in the 2nd Quarter of the 21st Century is not only Post-Christian, it is increasingly hostile to Christianity, Biblically illiterate, even for professing Christians, and it is moving into a post literate society. Furthermore, nominally Christian Cults and heretical belief systems, such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarianism, and especially Islam are becoming increasingly viewed as viable alternatives to Orthodox Christianity. However, Jesus’ command to; “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV) has not been rescinded. It remains an obligation and should be a joyful task for all the faithful. But with all these complications, how do we go about fulfilling our mission? 

Description: This Mid-Week Bible Study will explore this formidable task. Using Peter’s magnificent treatise on Christian life in a non-Christian world, the Bible Study will tackle this head on. They will wrestle with topics such as;

·        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.

Each session will include an opening and closing prayer, an Old Testament and New Testament reading appropriate to the evening session, and look at a passage from 1 Peter. Classes will run from September 9th through November 25th. There may be 2-3 weeks that will have bye. They will run from 7:00-8:00. 10 minutes of opening devotions, 40 minutes of teaching, and 10 minutes for discussion/Question and Response.

Within this framework, Cliff and Jacob will strive to adapt each session to the needs of those who attend. It should be a lot of fun. We encourage everyone that can to attend!

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Young Adult Ministry Schedule

  • Monday – Young Adult Women’s Group: 5:30 p.m. at the Zacha home

  • Monday – Young Adult Men’s Group: 6:30 p.m. at Bethel Church in Fergus Falls

  • Thursday – Young Adult Men’s Group: 6:30 p.m. at the Buers’ home

For anyone interested in getting connected, the best way to reach us is:

  • Jacob Zacha: 218-452-8369

  • Brita Zacha: 218-517-0438

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Confirmation Parents Meeting

Wednesday, September 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Zion-Sarpsborg Church

We're preparing and looking forward to kicking off our school year ministries as a Parish! Pastor Mark and Pastor Dan will be hosting our annual parent's meeting regarding our confirmation ministry, discussing expectations and requirements for the upcoming year. Families will be able to pick up the confirmation material for the upcoming year. Pastor Dan will also share other details about upcoming ministries, events, and fundraisers for Anchor as we prepare for the 2027 FLY Convention next summer. Parents, please prioritize being at this meeting!

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Sunday Worship Times beginning Sept. 6

Kvam – 10:30 a.m.

Tordenskjold – 9:00 a.m.

     Zion-Sarpsborg – 10:30 a.m.