September Newsletter 2025
Part of the Centennial celebration of the United States was hosting the World’s Fair in Philadelphia. In addition to the Corliss Centennial steam engine powering most of the fair, a person would also bear witness to the hand and torch of the Statue of Liberty, the introduction of root beer, and displays featuring new inventions like the typewriter and the sewing machine. Another invention made a late-entry to the fair, being placed between educational pamphlets and a display of pipe organs. The inventor, desperate for someone to look at his rough-looking assemblage of electronics and cylinders, sought out the fair’s judges. On his way, he ran into Emperor Don Pedro II of Brazil, who had briefly visited him at the college where he taught. After a brief conversation, Don Pedro (with judges in tow) sought out the inventor’s display.
Emperor Don Pedro was handed an iron box receiver attached to a block of wood while the inventor excused himself to head to another room. While he was there, he started to recite Shakespear’s Hamlet into his own device. You can imagine Don Pedro’s surprise when the electronic wires transmitted the inventor’s voice into his own receiver. The inventor? Alexander Graham Bell. The invention? A very rough draft of the telephone. Because of his late entry and the location of his display, Bell’s device was almost lost to the pages of historical obscurity. The telephone fundamentally changed the world, immeasurably expediting the rate and frequency of communication. Telegraphs became a thing of the past – all you needed was a device and a length of wire and you could talk to people through electrical currents. You can only imagine what Bell would think of cell phones.
The location of Bell’s display is humorous to me. Having walked through halls and buildings full of display booths at fairs, craft shows, thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales, it’s entirely too easy to pass by something extraordinary given the immediate proximity of other things begging for your attention. Bell’s display was unsuspecting, yet it changed the world. It reminds me of Paul’s writings in 2 Corinthians 4.
We proclaim the truth of God plainly to the world. The Gospel isn’t convoluted, complicated, or overly-elaborate to describe. Paul commends Christians for their communicating the Gospel in a way that doesn’t take away from its beautiful simplicity. We do well to recognize the efforts of our spiritual adversary to blind any and every one from the truth of God. And yet, like Bell’s display, Paul describes the treasure we have in Christ as being hidden in jars of clay. Unsuspecting vessels serving as containers for something greater. And like Don Pedro II, those who discover that treasure is met with surprise and elation. The treasure in our “jars of clay” is truly one that fundamentally changes the world.
Pastor Dan Hurner
Preaching Rotation and Texts
September 7 – (8:00am)LRPTA Worship Service Pastor Dan Hurner
September 14
Tordenskjold (9am) – James 1:1-12 Jacob Zacha
Zion-Sarpsborg (10:30am) – James 1:1-12 Jacob Zacha
Kvam (10:30am) – James 1:13-18 Pastor Dan Hurner
September 21
Tordenskjold (9am) – James 1:13-18 Pastor Dan Hurner
Zion-Sarpsbrog (10:30am) – James 1:13-18 Pastor Dan Hurner
Kvam (10:30am) – James 1:1-12 Jacob Zacha
September 28
Tordenskjold (9am) – James 2:1-13 Pastor Dan Hurner
Zion-Sarpsborg (10:30am) – James 2:1-13 Pastor Dan Hurner
Kvam (10:30am) – James 2:14-26 Jacob Zacha
Communion
Zion-Sarpsborg September 14
Tordenskjold September 14
Kvam September 21
Parish Council Meeting
7:00p.m. on Sept 23rd -Zion/Sarpsborg
Each year our church councils come together to set schedules, plan, pray, and prepare for continued ministry as a Parish. Please continue to pray for our leadership teams and for God’s moving in the hearts of our people. Let’s employ our spiritual Gifts as we seek to “grow as spirit filled disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Bible Studies
Sept 11- 2:00 p.m. Zion/Sarp. Ladies Study
Men’s Study - Tuesdays at 6:45am - Underwood Quick Stop
Young Adults Study - Mondays at 6:30pm, Calvary Free Lutheran in Fergus Falls
Kvam Prayer Group - Tuesdays at 10am, Kvam Church
Women’s Bible Study - Study on Nehemiah by Kelly Minter, meeting at Tordenskjold from 4:30-5:45pm on Tuesdays beginning Sept. 23.
Fall Faith Focus
Our annual Fall Faith Focus is scheduled for October 19-21. This year, we will be hearing from Daniel Keinanen from the BeLED Family ministry. Daniel has an extensive background in youth and family ministry and currently serves alongside the FLY Committee as the FLY Convention Coordinator for AFLC Youth Ministries. BeLED Family ministry focuses on how the people of God can bring the light of Jesus into the world for other people to see. We will be announcing more details about our special meetings during our worship services.
Confirmation Meeting
Confirmation Parents! We will be having a parents meeting on September 3rd at Zion, starting at 6pm. We will go through expectations and requirements for the upcoming year, as well as address any questions you might have. First year students will study through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. Second year students will study the 10 Commandments, The Apostle's Creed, the Sacraments, and different aspects of Church Life. Students will have a chance to purchase this year's material and a blue catechism if they don't already have one. The cost per book is $10 - checks can be written out to "Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church."
Sunday School
Tordenskjold Kick Off
Potluck Breakfast, Sunday Sept. 14th @10:15 am. Please bring a dish to share. All are welcome!
Zion Sarpsborg Sunday School begins Sept.14 @9:30am. Kids from preschool through 6th grade are invited to attend. We will be studying the book of Genesis.
Community Worship Service
On Sunday Sept. 7th join us for the Community Worship Service in the Threshing Grounds in Dalton at 8:00am . Pastor Dan Hurner will be sharing the message. If you are coming only for the service, let the people at the ticket gates know and you will not be charged admission. Please pray for safety, this weekend as will.
Parish Softball Completes Season
The 2025 softball season has ended with our team taking fourth place in Division I. We had a fun season of fellowship and friendly competition. Thanks to our coaches and to the fans that came out to cheer us on!
Pastor Mark’s Sabbatical
At our June church council meetings our churches formally approved a three month sabbatical for Pastor Mark consistent with the Sabbatical Policy adopted by the parish a few years ago. This would be for September, October and November of 2025. Pastor Mark is very thankful for this time of rest and refreshment. Pastor Mark intends to use this time for rest and refreshment, personal study and also praying and thinking through next steps for him personally and for the future of our parish. He plans to do some reading, study, and visiting other churches/ministry leaders that would be refreshing for him and in his future service to our churches.
Church Libraries
Please feel free to check out our Church Libraries. There are many great books for Adults and Children to check out.