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Are you interested in Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
Attention Bonhoeffer Fans: I have been working with Craig L Nessan of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa to put on an online seminar (on Zoom) entitled: “Intentionally Christian: A Study Guide to Bonhoeffer’s Writings for an Underground Seminary”. The seminar is for use by church members and congregations — all are welcome. We Continue reading
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How about a taste of summer?
On this cold winter’s day – I find myself yearning for a beautiful summer day. How about you? I’ve been going through all of my work from this past six months at ALC & BLC in Windom…and came across this video that I put together as part of an invitation to take a “God Pause” Continue reading
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Web Designing (Could it be my side-hustle?)
In the lead-up to Christmas 2025, the Pequaywan Lakes Association website got hacked and shut down. For over a year previously I served as the webmaster. That just meant I corrected inaccurate things and posted items from time to time. I kept the site in basically the same condition that I got it — figuring Continue reading
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Change is Hard Sometimes
This happened while I was away. Cub Foods was a favorite place to get groceries. One of the hardest parts of being a pastor is walking alongside people who are struggling with difficult changes. The spiritual journey involves relinquishment of all sorts — and with that, often comes grief. It takes time for new patterns Continue reading
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A House Divided
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the words of Jesus – A house divided cannot stand. Ours is a house divided, sadly. And I’m not happy that my wife has better swag. Continue reading
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Farewell to a great staff
As my time at American Lutheran Church comes to a close, I find myself very appreciative of the great staff that I got to work with “for a season” (two actually). They are a passionate, committed, “get-er-done” crew and it was a privilege to accompany them at this time. My prayers will continue to be Continue reading
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Last Service in Windom
Christmas Eve at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bergen… this was a bitter-sweet moment for me as folks started coming in for the Christmas Eve service. I deliberately arranged it so that this would be my last service in the Windom area. I was wonderful to worship with this small group of caring, devoted, christ-followers. They Continue reading
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Senior Living Communion Set
I was so grateful to receive this gift of a “Senior Living” communion set. All I asked was for Laverne to “drill some holes in a board to hold the cups, like I had in my last congregation”. Laverne did a little more than that. ;o) Continue reading
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Last Sermon Note (in Windom, anyway)
My last sermon note to “grade” (really – just sharing words of clarification or encouragement to the confirmation kids) I really had a wonderful time teaching confirmation this year. It was a great bunch of 8th graders (all 18 of them), we had lots of fun – learned lots about the Old Testament and the Continue reading
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Master Woodworker
Laverne is a master woodworker who lives in Windom, Minnesota. One of the blessings of being a pastor is that you get invited into peoples homes and people’s lives. Such was the case in my last week at American Lutheran and Bethany Lutheran in the Windom area. I was blown away by Laverne’s mastery of Continue reading
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Sermon for Thanksgiving 2025
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for better sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. This Continue reading
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Sermon for November 23, 2025 – Christ the King Sunday
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for better sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Readings Continue reading
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Sermon for November 5th, 2025
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for better sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Readings Continue reading
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Sermon for Sunday, November 2nd – 2025
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for improved sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. First Continue reading
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Sermon for October 26th, 2025
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for improved sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Continue reading
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Sermon for September 7th, 2025
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for improved sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Continue reading
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Sermon for August 31, 2025
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for improved sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Continue reading
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Sermon for August 17th
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for improved sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Continue reading
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Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study
Babe & Kathy hosted the Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study out at their house this week. As I took the picture I told the guys that I’d never had a “standing room only” bible study. (We found them chairs and had a delightful discussion of Jesus cooking breakfast on the shore for the disciples.) Continue reading
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The Sermon in Which I Talk about Tom Freed
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for improved sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Continue reading
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VBS – a Favorite Season
Vacation Bible School is one of my favorite “seasons” in the church programming year. The church is a vibrant place to be – in the middle of a normally quiet and calm summer season. I am so blessed whenever I get to hang out with fun and energetic kids. It reminds me of the 8 Continue reading
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Sermon for Sunday, June 21st, 2025 – my first in Windom, Minnesota
No, the picture above is not a recent one. It was taken circa 1995 in my first year in the pulpit. The sermon below IS a recent one. It was originally delivered in front of a congregation, but has been re-recorded here for improved sound quality, and to provide a better, more intimate, experience. Texts: Continue reading
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About Me
Baker of Bread :: Writer of Music :: Singer of Hymns & Barroom Song :: Hiker :: Connoisseur of Sunsets :: ELCA Lutheran Pastor.
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