Complete in Him
Another year has passed. As I write this article I am listening to my dad and mom lead a Christmas morning service. The service is a Swedish tradition called Julotta. “Jul,” means Christmas and “otta,” means up early, so the service begins at 6 a.m. I am very thankful for their service to the Lord and example of what it is to live for Jesus. They continue to serve with in order to tell the message of salvation that brings, “complete joy.” It is my prayer as you reflect on the past year and look to a new year that we would continue to “complete the task” the task that God has privileged us to be a part of.
As Jesus ministered, loved, served and went to the cross for us, it was His desire for us to “remain in Him,” so that our joy may be made complete:
John 15:9-11 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
These words are of great encouragement to us today. People are searching for happiness and joy in so many things other than Jesus. No one, nothing, can satisfy and fill us other than Jesus. Jesus desires for us to experience all the fullness that God has to offer. Believing, trusting Him, living for Him to the glory of God!
As we consider joy in Jesus, know that that Jesus prays for us. As He was about to go the cross, sweating drops of blood, He also prayed for complete unity. Just as the Father, Holy Spirit and the Son are one, Jesus desired for believers to be one. The reason for this is so that the world might come to know and believe in Jesus and experience eternal life:
John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
The complete, full joy that comes from Jesus is also of great encouragement as we serve the Lord together as God calls us to “complete the task” that he has for us to do. Paul, in the last days of His ministry shared these words:
Acts 20:24-28 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
It as Paul’s desire to “complete the task,” that God had given him, namely to preach the Gospel. It was his desire to testify to God’s grace. He longed to preach the “whole will of God.” And lastly, he desired to shepherd the flock and to feed and fend for the people that God has placed under his care.
It is my prayer and desire to do the same in the ministry God has called me to. I desire to “finish the race” and to “complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given me.” Praise God for the joy that comes in knowing Jesus and the unity that He brings as we desire to serve Him together!
Running the Race Together in Christ,
Pastor Mark
Preaching Rotation & Worship Texts
January 5
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) II Thess. 1:1-12
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) II Thess. 1:1-12
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) II Thess. 2:1-16
January 12
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) II Thess. 2:1-16
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) II Thess. 2:1-16
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) II Thess. 1:1-12
January 19
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) II Thess. 3:1-5
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) II Thess. 3:1-5
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Dan) II Thess. 3:6-17
January 26
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) II Thess. 3:6-17
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) II Thess. 3:6-17
10:30 a.m. ZS (Pr. Mark) II Thess. 3:1-5
Communion
ZS January 5
Tord. January 12
Kvam January 19
February Council Meetings
Tordenskjold February 9th @12 p.m.
Kvam February 10th @ 7 p.m. (Deacons at 6 p.m.)
Zion-Sarpsborg February 11 @ 7 p.m. (Deacons at 6 p.m.)
New Members Class…January 12-19
If you are interested in become a member of one of our churches we are excited to offer a new member class on Sunday, January 12th and Sunday, January 19th at 6 p.m. at Zion-Sarpborg in Dalton. During this time we will share about the ministry and what we believe and confess as churches and get to know each other more and more. If you interested in membership and cannot attend please let us know and we can make other arrangements.
Lay Preaching Workshop…January 15th, 22nd , 29th at 7 p.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg
We are excited to offer further training and help for anyone who is interested in lay preaching. Even if you don’t intend to share and preach sometime, you are welcome to come and learn what goes into sermon preparation and delivery. If you have any question please contact Pr. Mark.
Anchor News
Anchor's midweek Bible study will resume normal Wednesday night ministries on January 8th.
Anchor is planning on going to Oak and Iron in Fergus Falls on February 1st for their Escape Rooms! Pastor Dan will be sharing more info in the days to come.
The requests have been heard! It's been a few years, but Anchor will be hosting a trip to back to Feed My Starving Children. This Christian organization has several warehouses in the Twin Cities where volunteers pack dehydrated meals for people all over the world. Our Youth Advisors will be looking for a day sometime this winter to go.
Bible Study Opportunities
Men’s Winter Bible Study…Thursday, January 9th at 1:30 p.m.
Come and enjoy time in the Word of God together on Thursday’s at 1:30 p.m. Our first meeting together will be at Pastor Mark’s office. This is great opportunity for time of fellowship, prayer and sharing in the Scriptures together.
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.
Kvam
Women’s Prayer Gathering
Each Tuesday @10:00am.
Zion/Sarp. Ladies Group
We will not be meeting in January; we will resume our Bible Study on Feb.6th at 2:00p.m
Ministerial Acts
Funerals
Sylvia H. Phillips, age 87
Zion/Sarpsborg – December 2, 2024
Jeffrey L. Berg, age64
Zion/Sarpsborg- December 17, 2024
Baptisms
Bennett D. Camp
Zion/Sarp. November 24, 2024
Parents –Derrick & Sabrina Camp
Henrik A. Johnson
Zion/Sarp. December 15, 2024
Parents- Peter & Chandler Johnson
Holden M. Nygaard
Zion/Sarp. December 29, 2024
Parents Austin & Abigail Nygaard
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Christmas Thank You and Happy New Year from the Johnson Family!
We are very thankful and count it a privilege to service the Dalton Parish. Thank you all of the expression of love and kindness during this Christmas season and throughout the year! God is good and we are grateful for all of you, our family and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May God bless you richly as we continue to proclaim Christ together!
With Thankfulness and Gratitude,
Pastor Mark, Sara, and Family.
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Greetings and Thanks from the Hurner Family!
Happy New Year, everyone! We are overwhelmed by your prayers, words of encouragement, well wishes, and generosity. With a tremendous amount of thanks and gratefulness to you all, we pray God’s blessings on us all in this New Year!
In Christ,
Pastor Dan, Hannah, and girls.
Christmas Thanks
As I reflect on this past Advent/Christmas this season I want to say thanks to all who made this enjoyed the Advent service and Parish Christmas Party, worship service, Christmas Programs, Christmas Fest, caroling and many other times together. God was glorified and the name of Jesus lifted up. – Pastor Mark
Sunday School classes will resume at Tordenskjold and Zion/ Sarp on January 5.
Services On-Line
If you are not able to attend in person or would like to introduce our churches to a friend or neighbor, the 9:00a.m. Tordenskjold Service and the 10:30 a.m. Zion/Sarp. Service is available on our YouTube channel. Simply search Dalton Free Lutheran parish and click on the worship service for that day.
Daltonfreelutheran.org
Don’t forget to check the parish website for things that are happening in our churches. It is easy to navigate and also helpful to keep up to date.
Mark Johnson, Senior Pastor Dan Hurner, Pastor of Youth & Family Ministries
Kvam,Tordenskjold, & Zion-Sarpsborg Dalton MN. 218-589-8909
Dalton Free Lutheran Parish
Happy New Year!
January 5
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
January 7
6:45 am - Men's study @ Underwood Café
10:00am-Kvam Prayer Mtg.
January 8
6:00 p.m. Confirmation
7:00 p.m. Anchor
January 9
1:30p.m. Men’s Bible Study @Z/S
January 12
9:00-Tordenskjold/Holy Communion
10:15 Sunday School
10:30 Kvam Worship
9:30 Sunday School Z-S
10:30-Zion-Sarp.Worship
January 14
6:45 am - Men's study @ Underwood Café
10:00am -Kvam Prayer Mtg.
January 15
6:00 p.m. Confirmation-
7:00p.m.Anchor
7:00p.m. Lay Preaching Workshop
January16
1:30 p.m. Men’s Bible Study
January19
9:00-Tord. Worship
10:15 Sunday School
10:30 Kvam Worship/ Holy Communion
9:30 Sunday School Z-S
10:30 Zion/ Sarp Worship
January 21
6:45 am - Men's study @ Underwood Café
10:00am-Kvam Prayer Mtg.
January 22
6:00 p.m. Confirmation-
7:00p.m. Anchor
7:00p.m. Lay Preaching Workshop
January 23
1:30 p.m. Men’s Bible Study
January 26
9:00 Tord. Worship
10:15S.S.
10:30 Kvam Worship
9:30 S.S.-10:30 Worship Z/S
January 28
6:45am –Men’s Study
Underwood Café
10:00am- Kvam Prayer Mtg.
January 29
6:00 p.m. Confirmation-
7:00p.m.Anchor
7:00 Lay Preaching Work-shop
January 30
1:30 Men’s Bible Study