March Calendar

March 2025

“Seasons”

As I write this piece the temperature this morning was -25 degrees. In recent days I have heard groans and sounds from our van that I haven’t heard before, but all in all this has been a good winter weather-wise. As many of you remember, last year we were spoiled with little snow and mild temperatures. Still, we look forward to spring, and then to summer, and then to fall and for some to winter. God created the seasons and God also brings us through different seasons of our lives for His honor and glory.

In the creation account God created seasons in nature, “And God said, ‘Let there be lights of the heavens to separate day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.’ And so it was.” (Genesis 1:14) In the area of the world that we live we get to experience the seasons God created, to the extremes. In the midst of winter we can sometimes experience changes of temperature up to 70 degrees or more. My favorite season of the year is the fall. There isn’t an artist that can paint the pictures of the colorful leaves against a dark blue sky. In our setting we can gaze upward and see the beauty of God’s creation at night in the moon and the vast array of stars that dot the universe. What we see is just a fraction of what God has created. Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” In the midst of all of the beauty and changing seasons we praise God that we are “created in the image of God,” and that we are the crown of God’s creation. God has put within us life, a soul/spirit that needs Jesus. He has created us to praise and worship Him with our lives as we grow older and change. It is His desire that we become more and more like Him!

As we consider God’s creative work in creating seasons in nature, let us be mindful that we too go through different season in our lives. “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war, ad a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

As each day passes God brings us through different circumstances and situations. What was my life before Jesus? How has God been at work in my life through the ups and downs that I have experienced? What season of life am I currently in and looking forward to? I am grateful for every season of life, marriage, children, vocational changes and I look forward to what is next. As many of you may have observed I am loving being a grandparent! As we grow and mature I want to make sure that I am doing what God has called me to do. I want to be ready as a Christian and a pastor. God calls us to keep, keeping on in our life and walk with Him, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)

Looking Forward in Faith,

Preaching Rotation

Worship Texts

Preaching Rotation and Texts….

March 2

9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 3:1-13

10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 3:1-13

10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) I Timothy 3:14-16

March 9

9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) I Timothy 3:14-16

10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) I Timothy 3:14-16

10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 3:1-13

March 16

9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 4:1-10

10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 4:1-10

10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) I Timothy 4:11-16

March 23

9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) I Timothy 4:11-16

10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) I Timothy 4:11-16

10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 4:1-10

March 30

9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 5:1-16

10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) I Timothy 5:1-16

10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) I Timothy 5:17-25

Communion

Zion-Sarpsborg March 2

Tordenskjold March 9

Kvam March 16

Lenten Services

The theme for this year’s Lenten services will be centered on the “Letters to the Seven Churches,” in Revelation. The Apostle John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned these letters to seven real churches in seven real cities. The letters are relevant for us today as the churches during John’s ministry faced similar challenges with victory only coming through the person of Jesus Christ. We will open our Lenten Services with our Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg with a meal served at 5:15 and then each Sunday night at 6 p.m., with a meal before the service.

March 5 Ash Wednesday (ZS) @ 6 p.m. Meal at 5:15

March 9 Kvam- 6:00 pm- Meal @5:15

March 16 Tord.- 6:00pm- Meal @5:15

March 23 Z/S- 6:00pm- Meal @5:15

March 30 Kvam- 6:00pm- Meal @5:15

April 6 Tord.- 6:00pm- Meal @5:15

Holy Week

April 13- 10:30 Z/S Palm Sun. Parish Worship

April 16- 6:00 Seder Meal/Teaching at Z/S

April 17-1:30 Z/S Maundy Thursday (Communion) April 18-7:00 Tord. Good Friday Communion

April 20 7:00a.m Kvam Easter Sunday Worship (Easter Breakfast)

April 20 9:30 Tordenskjold and Z/S Worship Services

Seder Meal and Teaching

Jesus shared a meal with His disciples now known as the Last Supper. He declared that He, “really wanted so much to celebrate this Seder with you before I die!” And although He said he would not eat it again, “until it is given its full meaning in the Kingdom of God,” He nevertheless urged, even commanded His disciples, “to do this, as often as you drink it, as a memorial to me.”

Today this remembrance is called Communion. It is one of only two sacraments within Lutheranism and in Luther’s Small Catechism he says this about the benefits of this meal;

“These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.”

But why in the world would this meal convey such power and wonder? Because this wasn’t simply an evening meal. It was the Passover Meal. A meal at the heart of YHWH’s Chosen People. This meal, when Jesus shared it, had already been celebrated continuously for nearly 1500 years. It commemorates YHWH’s deliverance of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Even today in observant Jewish homes this meal is celebrated to teach children of YHWH’s love and power and to remind adults that He will never abandon those who call upon His Name.

But the meal was and is much more than that, it is; “a prophetic picture of our own deliverance from our slavery to sin. It’s all about the Gospel.”[1] In the person of Jesus, that greater deliverance, forgiveness and salvation has come. Jesus’ death and

Resurrection brought eternal salvation, not just to Jews, but to all peoples throughout the world who confess His Name. This is what

we as followers of Jesus commemorate and celebrate throughout the Lent and Easter season…

This year, the Dalton Free Lutheran Parish will add to our celebration of Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection and our own release from slavery and entrance into the Promised Land by having our own Seder Celebration on Wednesday 16 April at Zion-Sarpsborg Church. We will have a full Seder Ceremony with an actual Passover meal. It will be as close as we can make it to Jesus’ Last Supper. (Although you don’t have to wear robes and we won’t recline at table (some of us couldn’t get down and some of those who do couldn’t get back up)). With the Ceremony and Meal it will be about 2 hours of communion and fellowship with each other as we praise and thank Jesus for all that He has done and is doing for us.

Bible Study Opportunities

Men’s Winter Bible Study…

Come and enjoy time in the Word of God together on Thursday’s at 1:30 p.m. @ Zion-Sarpsborg. This is great opportunity for time of fellowship, prayer and sharing in the Scriptures together. Studying I Timothy.

Tuesday Men’s Bible Study @6:45a.m

Underwood Café

We meet each week from 6:45a.m. – 7:45a.m. There is always room at the table. Studying I Timothy.

Young Men’s Small Group….

This group would love to grow, if there is anyone who would want to join. We would love to see you at 7:00 pm every Monday! My phone number is 218-452-8369, the address is at 635 ½ W Summit Ave. Fergus Falls MN. Jacob Zacha

Bible Study

Bible study for Moms with young children, meets twice/month on Thursdays at 1:30. If you are interested or want more information please text or call Chris Fegert at 218-671-1708 or email at cmfegert@gmail.com.

Kvam

Women’s Prayer Gathering

each Tuesday @10:00am.

Zion/ Sarp. Ladies Group

We will meet on March 6 @ 2:00p.m. for Bible Study and a short business meeting.

Esther: Daring Faith for Such a Time as This

Women’s Video Bible Study by Kelly Minter

Join us for this 7-session study on Daring Faith.

A beautiful Queen, her courageous cousin, a foreign land and a murderous adversary- the book of Esther has all the elements of an epic drama. The Story unfolds at a time when the people of God are split between nations with an uncertain future….. its pages give us a picture of a God whose hand is at work in every scene and circumstance.

Beginning Feb 25th –April 8th 2025.

Time -4:30 -5:45 p.m. Tordenskjold Church Basement

Come Early for Snacks and Beverages

The charge for the books will only be $10.00, thanks to the generosity of Tordenskjold Church, for providing extra funds for this.

To make certain enough books are ordered before we begin meeting please let us know as soon as possible if you like to reserve a book.

You may do so by calling Becky Houge, at 218-205-1293, or Judi Abramson at 218-205-0861.

Dedication –Habitat for Hamanity

125 Court ST. Dalton Mn.

March 23rd @5:00p.m.

Open House / refreshments served

All Are Welcome

Anchor News

Anchor will be serving the meals this Lenten

season each Sunday at 5:15p.m. A meal will be served on Ash Wednesday at 5:15 also.

March 2025

Mark Johnson, Senior Pastor Dalton Free Lutheran Parish

Dan Hurner, Pastor of Youth & Family Ministries Kvam,Tordenskjold & Zion-Sarpsborg Dalton MN. 218-589-8909

March 2nd,2025

9:00-Tord. Worship

10:15 Sunday School

10:30- Kvam Worship

9:30 Sunday School Z-S

10:30-Zion-Sarp.Worship/Holy

Communion

March 4th

6:45 am - Men's study @ Underwood Café

10:00am-Kvam Prayer Mtg.

March 5th

ASH WEDNESDAY

Meal at 5:15

Service at 6:00. Z/S

Confirmation after Services

March 6th

1:30p.m. Men’s Bible

Study @ Z/S

1:30 Mom’s Bible Study

2:00 p.m. Z/S Women’s

Bible Study

4:30 Tord. Women’s Bible Study

March 9th

9:00-Tordenskjold/Holy Communion

10:15 Sunday School

10:30 Kvam Worship

9:30 Sunday School Z-S

10:30-Zion-Sarp.Worship

6:00 Kvam Lent Serv. Meal @5:15

March11th

6:45 am - Men's study @ Underwood Café

10:00am -Kvam Prayer Mtg.

Match12th

6:00 p.m. Confirmation-

7:00p.m.Anchor

March 13th

1:30 p.m. Men’s Bible Study Z/S

4:30 Tordenskjold Women’s Bible Study

March 16th

9:00-Tord. Worship

10:15 Sunday School

10:30 Kvam Worship-Communion

9:30 Sunday SchoolZ-S

10:30 Zion/ Sarp. Worship

6:00 Tord. Lent Serv. Meal @5:15

March 18th

6:45 am - Men's study @ Underwood Café

10:00am-Kvam Prayer Mtg.

March19th

6:00 p.m. Confirmation-

7:00p.m.Anchor

March 20th

1:30 p.m. Men’s Bible Study Z/S

1:30 Mom’s Bible Study

4:30 Tordenskjold Women’s Bible Study

March 23

9:00 Tord. Worship 10:15 SS

10:30 Kvam Worship

9:30 S.S.-10:30 Worship- Z/S-

6:00 Z/S Lent Serv. 5:15 Meal

March 25

6:45am –Men’s Study 25

Underwood Café

10:00 Kvam Prayer Mtg.

March 26th

6 :00pm. Confirmation-

7:00p.m.Anchor

March27th 2

1:30 Men’s Study Z/S

4:30 Tord. Women’s Study

March 30th

9:00-Tord. Worship

10:15 Sunday School

10:30 Kvam Worship

9:30 Z\S Sunday School

10:30 Zion/ Sarp. Worship

6:00 Tord. Lent Serv. Meal @5;15