July Newsletter 2025
July Newsletter 2025
“What are We to be About?”
As I write this article I am filled with thankfulness for the church of Jesus Christ. It is the bride of Christ, made up of sinners saved by grace, seeking to use their spiritual gifts to see the lost won for Christ and believers built up and brought to maturity in Christ. It has been a joy to preach through I and II Timothy these last months with the charges and exhortations given to Timothy from his mentor Paul from God. Timothy would then transmit these truths to the people of the church/churches that he was serving. For me personally, I have been challenged, encouraged and strengthened by the call to “preach the word.” The repeated statements regarding Christian living and keeping our focus on Christ and Him crucified have been refreshing. What are we to be about as believers in Christ? We have as our mission statement as a parish to be “growing together as Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus Christ.”
First we need to be about the apostles’ teachings. (Acts 2:42) God has graciously gifted us with the Word of God, which has the power to change lives and deliver the message of salvation and life in Christ. We don’t simply read our Bibles to gain new information about God, but to understand who He is and His love for us. Yes, the Bible has the most valuable information in it known to mankind, but the Bible is also about relationship. God’s relationship to us and how He desires us to live in relationship to others. Let’s be in the Book, read it, study it and let it change and grown us.
Second, in order to “grow together as Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus Christ,” we are to be about fellowship. God has ordained and gifted us with the body of Christ, the church, to help foster and bring about fellowship. It is very difficult to survive spiritually apart from other believers. We need each other’s wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual gifts to grow in our relationship with Christ. Have you ever thought what life would be like apart from Jesus? Life is impossible, unmanageable and utterly empty and devoid of meaning. I love getting together with the body of Christ and seeing each of you. That is how God has wired us, to be with others in order to grow in the “grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Pet. 3:18)
Thirdly, the early church gave themselves to the “breaking of bread.” (Acts 2:42) God has given us the gift of gathering around the altar to receive His holy body and blood to strengthen our faith and bring the forgiveness of sins and fellowship with each other in a deep profound way. It appears that the early church also went from house to house sharing meals and spending time with each other. Many souls were touched and saved in these gatherings.
Lastly, we are to be about prayer. Consider for a moment the importance of taking time to talk with each other. We get to know people in this way. We get to understand the victories and defeats that we all go through. Don’t you feel better when you talk to somebody about something in your life you may be having difficulty with? I sure do. In a greater way, our Heavenly Father longs to hear from us in the same way, but the difference is that we are communicating with the Creator of the universe. God’s Holy Spirit is active in our prayer. We pray in the strong name of Jesus Christ!
It is my desire as your pastor to be about these things. I believe that these are things that really matter. There are many things we may be about in our lives and the life of our church, but this is God’s heart for us. I am so thankful for each one of you and your partnership in the Gospel.
During the months of September, October and November our churches have graciously offered and approved for me to be on a three month sabbatical. I am very grateful for this and want to use this time for learning, rest and refreshment so that I can better serve the parish in the months following. Thank you again! Let’s keep looking to Jesus as we seek to “grow together as Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Serving the Lord Together,
Pastor Mark
Preaching Rotation and Texts
Preaching Rotation
Preaching Rotation and Texts….
preaching Rotation and Texts…
July 6
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) Luke 6:36-42, Rom. 8:18-23, Gen. 18:20-23
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) Luke 15:1-10, I Pet. 5:6-11, Gen. 17:1-9
10:30 a.m. Zion-Sarpsborg (Pr. Dan) Luke 6:36-42, Rom. 8:18-23, Gen. 18:20-23
July 13
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) Luke 15:1-10, I Pet. 5:6-11, Gen. 17:1-9
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) Luke 6:36-42, Rom. 8:18-23, Gen. 18:20-23
10:30 a.m. Zion-Sarpsborg (Pr. Mark) Luke 15:1-10, I Pet. 5:6-11, Gen. 17:1-9
July 20
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Dan) Matt. 5:20-26, Rom. 6:1-11, Gen. 25:7-10
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Mark) Luke 5:1-11, I Pet. 3:8-14, Gen. 19:15-26
10:30 a.m. Zion-Sarpsborg (Pr. Dan) Matt. 5:20-26, Rom. 6:1-11, Gen. 25:7-10
July 27
9:00 a.m. Tordenskjold (Pr. Mark) Luke 5:1-11, I Pet. 3:8-14, Gen. 19:15-26
10:30 a.m. Kvam (Pr. Dan) Matt. 5:20-26, Rom. 6:1-11, Gen. 25:7-10
10:30 a.m. Zion-Sarpsborg (Pr. Mark) Luke 5:1-11, I Pet. 3:8-14, Gen. 19:15-26
Holy Communion
July 6 Zion-Sarpsborg
July 13 Tordenskjold
July 20 Kvam
Parish Outdoor Worship Service
We will come together for worship as a parish on Sunday, Augutst 17th at 10:30 a.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg. There will be a potluck lunch to follow. This is also “Alternate Transportation Sunday,” and we invite you to come to church in a fun, legal, and creative way or simply come in your vehicle. We have had some very creative entries over the years as we award our traveling trophy. Invite a friend and let’s come together as all three churches and a community to worship together. Also, sharing greeting during the service will be Jeff Dawson’s brother John, a pastor from the Sioux Falls Area. Pastor John Dawson started a ministry called, “Fifteen5 Ministries,” which reaches out to people in need, on the streets and helps pull them into the loving arms of Jesus and a new life in Him.
VBS
Mark Your Calendar-Dalton Free Lutheran Vacation Bible School. Kick-off Sunday July 27th, 2025.
Theme for this year is True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.
Please consider joining our team as there are many roles to fill. There is a sign-up sheet at each church and more information on the back of June calendar. You may also register at dalton freelutheran.org/vbs or contact the church office.
Daltonfreelutheran@gmail.com.
Ministerial Acts
Baptism
Evelyn Ruby Swenson daughter of
Joseph Swenson & Brianna Harthun
June 22, 2025
Weddings
Paige Nelson & Michael Schmit
May 30, 2025 Chaska Mn.
Olivia Fontaine & Jack Marquardt
June 6, 2025 Zion/Sarp.
Brittany Harthun & Gunnar Kimber
June 21, 2025 Tordenskjold.
2025 AFLC Annual Conference
The AFLC Annual Conference was held at the Association Retreat Center in Osceola, WI, June 11-14. Pastor Mark, Pastor Dan, Pastor Brian Davidson (Kvam), and Jacob Zacha (Tordenskjold) were in attendance. It was a blessing to hear the various reports for our church-wide ministries and to spend time together in devotions, prayer and the evening services. If you would like to view the services you can find them at: https://vimeo.com/showcase/11237380. Next year the Annual Conference will be held in Fargo, ND and it would be great to have a good representation from our parish.
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Bible Studies
July 3 - 12:00 p.m. – Zion/Sarp. Ladies Group
Potluck picnic at Dalton Park.
Men’s Study
The Young Adult Bible Study will meet on Thursdays at 6:30p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church.
Kvam Prayer Group
This group will be meeting once monthly.
Contact:
Deanna Mounts for dates and time. 218-770-
9304.
Parish Softball Schedule
July 7- 6:30p.m. Eagles Field 7:30- VFW
July 14 – 7:30 p.m.Bell Bank 8:30 Bell Bank
July 21- 6:30 VFW Field 7:30 VFW Field
Daltonfreelutheran.org
Don’t forget to check the parish website for things
that are happening in our churches. There have
been some updates, it is easy to navigate and also
helpful to keep up to date.