Newsletter - June, 2018
I believe there are two negative actions Christians fall into when it comes to considering how to address or interact with culture. The first falls along the lines of prohibition, viewing any offerings from culture as being unhelpful to outright sinful. This perspective often results in a person cutting themselves off from anything culture has to offer. The second action is, essentially, exactly the opposite. In practice, Christians engage in everything that culture offers without considering what Scripture says regarding what they’re taking in. In other words, they do so without a Biblical filter.
Those who engage in “cultural prohibition” are not wrong in their belief that culture is rife with sin. Culture is, in fact, the by-product of anything we do, make, say, believe, etc. From the movies we watch to the music we listen to to the currency we use to the jobs we work at to the stories we tell our children – all of these things are a part of our culture. Culture coming from sinful people results in a sinful culture. It’s hard to find fault with those who wish to cut themselves off from the pressure of a depraved culture. Consider Jesus’ prayer in John 17:14-16. In this passage, we see that His disciples (and His followers in general) are in the world but not of it in the same way that He was, but that raises an interesting point. Jesus doesn’t pray to God the Father to remove His followers from the world, but that they might be protected from the evil one. I classify this action as negative because as we cut ourselves off from culture, we remove ourselves from being a voice of truth and reason in a world of relativity.
To delve into the second negative action a bit more, there are numerous dangers of engaging a culture without a Biblical filter. It’s not directly mentioned by name, but God created culture in Genesis. Adam and Eve had work to do. They are told to name animals and take care of creation and in so doing, they create culture. Culture is not bad in and of itself, but there is danger when sin is attached. Without a filter, we catch ourselves singing along to songs with terrible lyrics, celebrating when our favorite TV show characters finally hook up, giving a pass whenever we hear profanity or encouraging our friends to see a visually stunning movie with a great plot – even though it has a terrible over-all message.
As one who works with youth and young adults, I do my best to take in or be informed about what’s trending (popular) – that includes listening to news from both conservative and liberal sources, watching movies, TV, listening to music as well as staying up to speed on sports, and technology. That means that I engage in things that I enjoy (like Star Wars movies) as well as things I don’t care for (like country music). I don’t claim to do this perfectly. I often undertake either of the two actions I mentioned above, shutting myself off from culture at some points while partaking in culture without considering what Scripture says – but I try. I do this so that I can be knowledgeable on top of being an authoritative voice in the lives of our students.
As I proof-read this before it gets printed on the newsletter, I realize that it sounds like I’m looking for approval or seeking to explain or justify my actions. I desire to have a teachable spirit and would love to talk about this in more depth with any of you who are willing. My intention in writing this is to stir the pot a little bit – to get you thinking and talking with each other about how we engage in culture. When we have a handle on where culture is and what is out there, we can better speak truth in the lives of people around us. Paul understood Athenian culture before he spoke to the philosophers in Athens in Acts 17. Peter was challenged on Jewish traditions and Gentile culture before he went to the centurion house in Acts 10. Jesus’ teachings and parables often included elements of what was around Him (plants, birds, fields, houses, etc.) to better illustrate His point. Using caution, praying for guidance, and seeking accountability from each other, we ought to strive to do the same.
Pastor Dan
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Ministerial Acts
Confirmed
Krosby Aasness, Slade Moore - Tordenskjold, May 6, 2018
Ashton Ecker, Deven Rocholl - Kvam, May 13, 2018
Baptism
Maddox Steven Hagen , Son of Zachary & Kaylee Hagen
Kvam, May 13, 2018
Funerals
Dennis Johnson, age 82, Zion-Sarpsborg, June 4, 2018
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Council Meetings
Tord: Tues, June 5 @ 7 p.m.(Deacons 6 p.m.)
Kvam: Thursday , June 7@ 7 p.m. (Deacons 6 p.m.)
Zion-Sarps: Sat., June 9 @ 8:30 a.m.(Deacons 7:30 a.m.)
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Preaching Rotation Worship Texts
June 3
Kvam. (9:00 am) - Mark 4:1-20 (Seminarian Seth Moen)
Tord. (9:00 am) - Mark 4:1-20 (Pr. Mark)
Zion-Sarps (10:30 am) - Mark 4:1-20 (Seminarian Seth Moen)
June 10
Kvam. (9:00 am) – Mark 4:21-34 (Pr. Mark)
Tord. (9:00 am) – Mark 4:1-20 (Seminarian Bryce McMinn)
Zion-Sarps. (10:30 am) – Mark 4:21-34 (Pr. Mark)
June 17 (Parish Service)
Zion-Sarps. (10:30 am) – Mark 4:35-41 (Pr. Mark)
June 24
Kvam. (9:00 am) – Mark 5:1-20, 6:53-56 (Pr. Dan)
Tord. (9:00 am) – Mark 5:21-43 (Pr. Mark)
Zion-Sarps. (10:30 am) – Mark 5:1-20, 6:53-56 (Pr. Dan)
Reminder – Worship during June, July & August: Tord. & Kvam: 9:00 a.m.; Zion-Sarps., 10:30 a.m.
COMMUNION
Tordenskjold – June 3
Zion-Sarpsborg – June 10
Kvam – June 24
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French Toast Breakfast
Everyone is invited to Zion-Sarpsborg on Sunday,
June 17 at 8:30 a.m. when the FLY students and their dads will be serving a French Toast Brunch.
The free will offering will help with the expenses
of the FLY trip to Colorado in 2019
Parish Worship will be at 10:30 a.m. at Zion-Sarpsborg
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Softball
Looking for something to do on a Monday night? Come out and cheer our Parish Softball Team! Games are played at 7 & 8 p.m. at DeLagoon Park in Fergus Falls.
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2018 AFLC CONFERENCE
June 12-15, 2018
Host Site: *Ramada Grand Dakota Lodge, Dickinson, ND
Theme: 1 John 5:13 "That You May Know"
Please pray for the AFLC Annual Conference as our church body meeting for worship, prayer, devotions and business meetings regarding the various ministries of the AFLC. Pray for God’s direction and leading in the great work that God has called us to be a part of. For more information on the conference please visit:
https://www.aflc.org/conferences/. Various department reports are available online.
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Vacation Bible School…2018!
Come join in the fun as VBS 2018 kicks off Sunday June 17th at 6:00 p.m. There will be outdoor games including a bouncy house! Supper will be served as well. If your children or others you know aren’t registered yet, please register on line at daltonfreelutheran.org or call the church office (218) 589-8909. Each day we will hold our baseball/softball clinic at the Dalton Ballpark from 4-5:30 p.m. followed by the VBS from 6-8:15 p.m.
Here’s how you can register:
Our website: www.daltonfreelutheran.org
Email: freeluth@prtel.com
Phone: 218-589-8909 (Parish Office)
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AFLBS Golf Scramble
Come on out to raise funds for AFLBS student scholarships! The 2018 Golf Scramble will be Friday, July 27 at the Refuge Golf Club in Oak Grove, MN. Check-in time is 10:15 a.m. There is no cost; all golfers participate on a free-will donation basis. You may register as an individual, as a team, or as a sponsor: www.aflc.org/events
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Father’s Day
As Abraham journeyed to Egypt God gave this blessing to him, “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the nations of the earth will be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2-3) What an amazing mantle God has placed on Abraham. Abraham was a great man of God who was also a father. He was not perfect, but he was available to used by God. Ultimately Jesus would come through Abraham’s family. Fathers are you allow God to use you to accomplish His purposes in your life and in the life of your family? Moms and kids are you honoring and blessing your fathers to the glory of God? This Father’s day and everyday let’s bless our fathers and give thanks for them. Let’s remember the blessings of fathers who are no longer with us and honor their legacy of faith.
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Dates to Remember
June12-15 AFLC Annual Conference
June 17-22 Parish VBS
June 23 FLY 5K Run/Walk
July 15 Kvam 150th Anniversary
August 19 Parish Picnic
August 26 The Jore Family (AFLC Missionaries)
September 9 LRPTA Community Worship Service