The ACT Parish is a UNITED MINISTRY WITH SIX MISSION POINTS!
Our congregations:
Bethesda Lutheran- Murdock, MN                 ​Buffalo Lake Lutheran- DeGraff, MN
Hope Lutheran- Sunburg, MN                         Monson Lake Lutheran- Sunburg, MN
Mamrelund Lutheran- Pennock, MN              St. John's Lutheran- Pennock, MN
Each of our mission points has a long history of faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Together they form the ACT Parish that strives to maintain and grow as faithful witnesses, and to impact our area with the good news of God's grace for all!
NO WORSHIP SERVICE'S until further notice
Coronavirus Concerns Latest Info: 
​Dear Members of the ACT Parish Churches,
Due to recent state and federal recommendations concerning social distancing, and in consultation with the ACT Parish Council, we have decided that it is best at this time to cancel all services and activities at our churches until further notice.  We understand that this is especially difficult as we are approaching Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter. Please know that we will continue to provide online worship resources on our parish YouTube channel during this time.
Some people have asked about the possibility of having online or virtual communion. This topic has been discussed among our colleagues, and has also been addressed by Bishop Jon Anderson. It is Bishop Jon’s recommendation that we refrain from celebrating communion in this manner at this time. A few of the resources that Bishop Jon shared with synod pastors contain some of the rationale for this decision as well as some things for pastors to keep in mind as stewards of Word and Sacrament. The following are some items shared by Lutheran scholars Dirk Lange and Timothy Wengert, and are some good things for us to consider:
  • “Some have the best intentions, but others have no more than an itch to produce something novel so that they might shine before people as leading lights, rather than being ordinary teachers.”  - Martin Luther.
This is a good reminder that we are called not to be “bright lights” but to be ordinary teachers. The decisions we make and the things that we do are not meant to draw attention to “me,” but rather are to point to the gospel, to Jesus in our midst.
  • As part of the stewardship of Word and Sacrament, our celebration of Holy Communion can wait. Waiting is for the good of the neighbor, and heightens our own desire to be gathered again as a community, in person, in the flesh.
  • This time of pandemic invites us into the spiritual discipline of trust, waiting, vigilance, hope, and a deep desire to be united in community. It is not about instant spiritual gratification.
  • What makes the celebration of Holy Communion a “communion” is God’s action in the midst of a gathered assembly. God can also work communion in other ways, through other means – prayer, meditation, preaching, teaching, confession, singing, reading, finding new ways to bear each other’s burdens, etc. God’s unconditional promise works through many means within the fabric of history, through the communion of saints.
  • Not every median is appropriate or in tune with all aspects of liturgical and sacramental life.
  • Restraint is for the good of the neighbor, especially the elderly and those most vulnerable, for public health structures, and for all society that it can return to a good functioning rhythm.
  • God invites us now into the space of our human finitude. God invites us to wait, to wait for God to act.
  • If we have people drive up in their cars or send out communion kits, we are in danger of turning the Sacrament into a bit of magic. Faith and proclamation then disappear and it would be as if the Sacrament were effective by the mere performance of the work.
  • The church is not a drive through restaurant but a Christian assembly gathered around Word and Sacrament. Creating a virtual community can turn the Supper into a bit of magic and the communal nature of Holy Communion would be in danger of being lost.
  • When it comes to sacramental practices, there are two dangers that can result. Either we make the sacrament into something effective by virtue of some work we do or virtue we possess, or we make the sacrament into something effective by the mere performance of the rite.
We have made the decision to wait until we can be together again to celebrate Holy Communion because it is consistent with our Lutheran practice and tradition, and also because it is the recommendation of Bishop Jon Anderson.  
Again, please know that we continue to keep all of you in our daily thoughts and prayers. If there is anything that we can do for you, or if you have any questions, please let us know. Be safe and be well.
Pastor Michelle and Pastor Dan
ONLINE MESSAGE:
​link for a sermon, children’s sermon, prayers, and a blessing that we have put on YouTube. We are trying to share this with as many people as we can.  Please feel free to share this with someone whose email we might not have.
 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4msgzarmvrrnGvlDQGtZ-w?view_as=subscriber
 
Kelly Rodenberg        ​   Beverly Johnson                         Easton Rood                  Angie Rudningen         
 Harriet Stai             

​​Please contact either of the Pastoral Staff or our Parish Nurses if you wish to be included in the published Parish Prayers or on the Prayer Chain. Hospitals DO NOT notify clergy when patients are admitted EVEN if the patient has listed a church or pastor on their registration forms. Persons will remain on the prayer list for one month or until they have returned to worship, unless otherwise requested.  (Initials behind names indicate ACT Parish church affiliation.  No initial indicates friend of the parish/ community member)