We are grateful to God for the leadership He provides for His church. After being re-elected to another three-year term, Elder Greg Hager was installed to his office, with the assistance of Elder Daniel Mettler of Menno, SD and Elder Greg Van Holland of Vermillion, SD. Read More →
Rev. David Fagrey is writing a series of articles about the history surrounding the Protestant Reformation in celebration of the Reformation’s 500th anniversary. They are being collected and posted here. This week’s is on the conversion of Martin Luther, one of the most important historical figures of the last two thousand years, whose life makes fascinating reading.Read More →
Tearing the Veil When one studies the Old Testament forms of worship that God gave to Israel, one is struck with the very mediated nature of it. God is presented as very holy, and given the sinfulness of the people, a very dangerous presence. The people insist that Moses put a veil over his face, for even the reflected glory of God is too much for them. They say, “Who can stand before this God?” and turn instead to the worship of the golden calf, a worship they can control. But the presence of God in their midst requires the constant offering of sacrifices, theRead More →
1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; set your minds on things eternal, for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descended, come our homage to command. 2 King of kings, yet born of Mary, once upon the earth he stood; Lord of lords we now perceive him in the body and the blood. He has given to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food. 3 Rank on rank, the host of heaven stream before him on the way, as the Light of Light, descending from the realms of endless day, comes, the powersRead More →
“We walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7 Economists describe the cost of any choice we make as “opportunity cost”, or the loss of an opportunity to do something different with whatever time or resources we committed to a particular choice. If I spend a dollar on a candy bar, the cost of the candy bar is whatever else I could have spent the dollar on. If I spend an hour watching television, even if it is free there is still a cost- namely, whatever else I could have spent the hour on. Coming to worship always incurs a cost- the costRead More →
Holy God, we praise your name; Lord of all, we bow before you; all on earth your scepter claim, all in heav’n above adore you. Infinite your vast domain, everlasting is your reign. Hark, the glad celestial hymn angel choirs above are raising; cherubim and seraphim in unceasing chorus praising, fill the heav’ns with sweet accord: “Holy, holy, holy Lord.” Lo! the apostolic train join your sacred name to hallow; prophets swell the glad refrain, and the white-robed martyrs follow; and from morn to set of sun, through the church the song goes on. Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, Three we name you; whileRead More →
1 Abide with me: fast falls the eventide: the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide: when other helpers fail, and comforts flee, help of the helpless, O abide with me. 2 Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me. 3 I need thy presence every passing hour; what but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r? Who like thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me. 4 I fear no foe, with theeRead More →
1 All that I am I owe to thee; thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me. I give my Maker thankful praise, whose wondrous works my soul amaze. 2 Ere into being I was brought, thine eye did see, and in thy thought my life in all its perfect plan was ordered ere my days began. 3 Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold, more precious unto me than gold! I muse on their infinity, awaking I am still with thee. 4 The wicked thou wilt surely slay; from me let sinners turn away. They speak against the name divine; I count God’s enemies as mine. 5Read More →
1 “Wake, awake, for night is flying,” the watchmen on the heights are crying; “awake, Jerusalem, at last!” Midnight hears the welcome voices, and at the thrilling cry rejoices: “Come forth, ye virgins, night is past! The Bridegroom comes; awake, your lamps with gladness take; alleluia! And for his marriage feast prepare, for you must go to meet him there.” 2 Zion hears the watchmen singing, and all her heart with joy is springing; she wakes, she rises from her gloom: for her Lord comes down all-glorious, the strong in grace, in truth victorious; her Star is ris’n, her Light is come! Ah, come, thouRead More →
Galatians 3:9-10: “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years.” The New Testament does not permit the observance of holy days. The early Reformers generally put an end to special worship services on days such as Christmas and Easter, because of the unbiblical elevation of such days in the medieval church. The Lord’s Day was the only day that most of them would view as a mandated day forRead More →
