November 2025

Is there ever a time when it’s okay to be proud? C.S. Lewis speaks of pride as a vice which is easily noticed in others while simultaneously being hard to recognize within our own lives. “I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice…the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.” (Lewis, Mere Christianity, Ch. 8) Lewis identifies pride as the “utmost evil.” The act of being proud demands that you be the center of attention, but isn’t it obnoxious when someone takes away the spotlight you desired so much? Pride is what caused humanity to believe the lie whispered to us in Genesis 3: that maybe God doesn’t have our best interest in mind. Who else can know what’s best for us but we ourselves? Rejecting God’s will and commands for our own is why pride is the sin that leads to all others.

Is there ever a time when pride isn’t sinful? I believe there is. How are we to address moments of pride when our hard work is noticed and appreciated by others? What grandparent doesn’t beam with delight when their 4-year-old grandchild brings them a picture they drew just for them? What about when our friend makes a great play during a game? What about when our children make the right decision on their own, or are helpful without being asked? Simply saying, “I’m happy for you” doesn’t do justice to sum up our emotional state. We tend to be proud during moments of accomplishment.

So how does sin creep into the picture? Our hard work is rewarded with a personal sense of accomplishment, but we miss the mark when we fail to realize that God is the one who has given us the skills, patience, and ability to work. How did your children know what the right thing was to do? God was and is the one doing that work in their heart. Working hard and doing our best in all areas of life are acts of worship to God!

The issue lies in the moment when we fail to give God the credit. Pride causes us to neglect God as we become full of ourselves and our own accomplishments. But this is not how God designed us to be. Our proper place is to take the praise and prominence given us by man and to reflect it back to Him. God calls us to live in a way that honors Him and Jesus makes it clear that the only praise that is worthwhile comes from our Heavenly Father.

So by all means, celebrate a great win with your team! Embrace the sense of completion as the grain bin fills up with a good crop. Hang that picture on your fridge for all to see. Take a moment to savor the accomplishment at the end of a hard day of work. And be sure to give thanks to God for the great things He has done, is doing, and will continue to do.

Pastor Dan

Preaching Rotation

November 2

9:00 a.m. – Tord. (Pastor Dan) James 4:1-12

10:30 a.m. – Kvam (Jacob Zacha) James 4:13-17

10:30 a.m. – Zion/Sarps. (Pastor Dan) James 4:1-12

November 9

9:00 a.m. – Tord. (Jacob Zacha) James 4:13-17

10:30 a.m. – Kvam (Pastor Dan) James 4:1-12

10:30 a.m. – Zion/Sarp. (Jacob Zacha) James 4:13-17

November 16

9:00 a.m. Tord. (Randy Nelson) James 5:1-12

10:30a.m.Kvam (Pastor Dan) James 5:13-20

10:30 a.m. Zion/Sarp. (Randy Nelson) James 5:1-12

November 23

9:00 a.m. – Tord. (Pastor Dan) James5:13-20

10:30 a.m. – Kvam (Jason Holt) James 5:1-12

10:30 a.m. – Zion/Sarps. (Pastor Dan) James 5:13-20

November 30

9:00 a.m. – Tord. (Cliff Fegert) Matthew 24:37-44

10:30 a.m.- Kvam ( Pastor Dan) Matthew 24:37-44

10:30 a.m. Zion/Sarp. (Cliff Fegert) Matt. 24:37-44

Communion

November 2 -Zion-Sarpsborg

November 9- Tordenskjold

November 16- Kvam

December council meetings:

Dec. 8 - Kvam

Dec. 10 - Zion-Sarpsborg

Dec. 16 - Tordenskjold

Daltonfreelutheran.org

Don’t forget to check the parish website for things that

are happening in our churches. It is easy to navigate,

you can scan the QR code for more information events

and upcoming announcements.

Annual Meetings

We look forward once again to a time to come together for our annual meetings. This is a time to reflect on the last year of ministry as we also look to the future. Please pray for these meetings! A special thank you to those who have completed terms of service on our boards and committees across the Parish. Let's join together in prayer for those who will be elected and appointed to serve our churches in the upcoming year.
Nov. 16 - Zion-Sarpsborg

Nov. 23 - Kvam
Nov. 30 - Tordenskjold

Fall Faith Focus

We're grateful for a tremendous set of special meetings led by Mr. Daniel Keinanen. He has given us quite a bit to think through, pray about, and discuss concerning his topics on discipleship, mission, and intergenerational ministry.

Trunk or Treat

Zion-Sarpsborg will host our annual "Trunk-or-Treat" event on October 31st from 5-6:30pm. People are welcome to decorate their vehicles and be ready to hand out candy/goodies to trick-or-treaters in the parking lot! If the weather is poor, we will move the event into the fellowship hall.

Operation Christmas Child is underway across the Parish! You can find boxes, a packing list, and shipping labels are available in the entryway at each of our churches. Please return all boxes to your church by November 23rd along with $10 to help cover processing costs. Checks may be made to Zion-Sarpsborg.

Dalton Christmas Fest

Opening on Thanksgiving night on the Dalton Threshing Grounds. Special worship service starts at 6:30pm (Nov. 27th), followed by the tree lighting at 7pm. Gates open every night between November 27-January 1st from 5pm-10pm. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the Christmas light display. There is no admission charge.

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Advent Schedule

Believe it or not, Advent starts at the end of the month! Below is the Parish schedule for this special season of the year where we have the opportunity to celebrate God's gift in sending Jesus to earth for us.

December 3 - Tordenskjold @ 7pm
December 10 - Parish Christmas Party @ Zion, 6:15-8pm. Bring a plate of goodies to share Kvam is in charge of the meal, Zion/ Sarps.is in charge of the program, and Tordenskjold will oversee the decorations.

December 17 - Kvam @ 7pm

December 24 - Christmas Eve service @ Zion-Sarpsborg, 4:30pm, Christmas Eve service @ Tordenskjold, 10pm

December 25 - Christmas Day service @ Kvam, 10am

Advent Calendar
Be sure to check out this year's digital Advent Calendar from Pastor Dan! Each day includes a brief devotion and a link to a Christmas song as we come closer to Christmas.

Christmas Programs at both Tordenskjold and Zion will be on December 14th at 10:30am during the morning worship service. Kvam will move their worship time to 9am that Sunday.

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.

Change of Date for Z/S Bible Study for November is the 13th at 2:00p.m

Meatball Supper

Bake Sale

Breads, cookies, lefse, jams & jellies

Zion-Sarpsborg Church

November 8, 2025

4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Hosted by the Zion-Sarpsborg WMF

Menu

Meatballs &Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Vegetable, Bread,Pickles

Milk or Coffee

$12.00 Adults -$5.00 Under 12

Under 5yrs. Free.

TRUNK or TREAT

Zion-Sarpsborg will host our annual "Trunk-or-Treat" event on October 31st from 5-6:30pm. People are welcome to decorate their vehicles and be ready to hand out candy/goodies to trick-or-treaters in the parking lot! If the weather is poor, we will move the event into the fellowship hall.

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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