Minnehaha Funeral Home

then it stopped. Let me tell you, you pull that rope for even a little bit like I do on Sunday morning, boy you’re tired. But my dad said he rang it all by himself for an hour when his mother died.”

Pastor Tom said, “There's something beautiful and pure about that bell tone going out over the prairie, reminding people this is the Sabbath day, keep it holy. This is the gospel word pure and clear – and it just rings out. And when you hear it, it's undeniable. So I just love the sound of the church bell as we begin worship. It's got some beautiful things to say about who we are and what we believe.

“You think about the purpose of the church bell. First, of course, it reminds people it’s the sabbath, it’s the Lord's day, let's come worship. But there was also that warning, putting a church up high on a hill, if that thing kept ringing, there was trouble and everybody would come. So it's also a call for help. So it's got some beautiful symbolism.” Pastor Tom continued, “Willow Creek has this tradition of ringing the bell on Christmas Eve. Families will come together and they'll take turns ringing and ringing it – it’s Christmas Eve and the promises of Christmas have come!” Besides sharing their Lutheran faith, Doug and Pastor Tom share a cup of coffee and a dose of humor every Tuesday. Doug said, “I just had quite a shocker. I got a DNA report and I found out I’m part Norwegian.” Tom, who is Norwegian, responded: “So he's been needing counseling that it’s not so bad to be a Norwegian.” “I’m just glad my folks are gone because they’d have been devastated,” Doug said. Willow Creek Lutheran, located northwest of Baltic, was founded by Norwegian immigrants in 1875; while Benton Lutheran Church, located west of Crooks, was founded by Swedish immigrants in 1878. Doug had a quick answer on why his family has been connected to the Benton church for six generations. “A nut doesn’t fall far

Enjoying the camp fire at Rural Life Sunday.

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