Pastor Greg’s February Message
Good February All,
I do hope all of you are staying warm.
On January 18th, I decided that I was going to race in my first fat tire bicycle race. The outlook for the weather when I signed up said that it was going to be 24 degrees. Needless to say, that wasn’t the case. The temperature was below zero and windy. But since it was my first race, I knew I wasn’t going to win. The only goal I had was to finish. Which I did. The truth is, I learned a lot on that cold day. I learned that having the proper clothing is a nice feature. Yes, when you pedal a fat bike, it doesn’t take long to warm up and get a good sweat going. But having the right pants, the right gloves, and the proper face protection makes for a more comfortable ride. The truth is this: by the time I crossed the finish line, my beard was frozen, and so were my toes.
Be prepared. I think I learned that from the Boy Scouts.
Jesus in John’s Gospel also speaks of being prepared. This is from the 14th chapter:
“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? 3 When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. 4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”
5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.”
So let me ask you some questions this month…
Are you prepared for what life has in store for you?
Are you prepared to uplift the truth and the life for Jesus’ sake?
Friends, as a church we have a responsibility as disciples. We come together, we commune, we talk, and we laugh. We bring the love of Christ into the church and into the world, and this is something we should never be afraid to do. Yes, I know that it can be a difficult thing to do, but how are we doing it?
The answer to that question is this: mercy. And mercy is something we, as Christians, should never be ashamed of. That is why Jesus calls us as disciples to show others what mercy is about. Friends, let that word reign in your heart this month. Let God’s mercy flow to others who need it more than ever. Let’s prepare ourselves once again for what Jesus can do for us and others. Let’s not be ashamed.
Blessings,
Pastor Greg Leslie
Motley City Planning Meeting
The City of Motley is developing a Comprehensive Plan. This plan will set priorities and outline strategies to enhance Motley. Gathering feedback on your experiences and needs is an essential part of updating policies and recommendations. We want to hear your suggestions for improving services in your community. The Kickoff Meeting for the Comprehensive Plan will be held on Thursday, February 20, from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Motley United Methodist Church.
Visit regionfive.org/motley to register to attend the Kickoff Meeting!
January 2025 Breeze Newsletter Online
Steve Sunde Obituary
In Memory of Stephen “Steve” Warren Sunde
July 9, 1954 ~ December 31, 2024
Stephen “Steve” Warren Sunde, 70-year-old resident of Cushing, MN, passed away Tuesday, December 31st, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the Motley United Methodist in Motley, MN, (847 3rd Ave. S – Motley, MN 56466) with Pastor Greg Leslie officiating. Visitation will be held from 9-11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the Motley United Methodist. Caring for Stephen and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN.
Steve Sunde was born on July 9th, 1954 in Grand Forks, ND to Warren and Genevieve (Papenfuss) Sunde. Steve grew up with his family in Dilworth, MN where he graduated high school in 1974. He worked various jobs until his graduation from St. Mary’s Junior College in 1984 with his associates degree in Physical Therapy. Steve worked for St. Gabriel’s Hospital, including St. Otto’s Care Center and Little Falls Orthopedics, as a Physical Therapy Assistant for over 35 years until his retirement in 2022. Steve married Alice Coenen on September 14th, 1991 in Randall, MN. They were married for 33 wonderful years and loved traveling the world together. Steve also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and in his younger years, training and running marathons; he took immense pride in having completed eight marathons. Steve was a lover of all animals and had many pet dogs and cats throughout his life, and he cherished his time spent with his family and friends.
Steve is survived by his wife Alice, his sister Pat (Del) Palloch of Moorhead, MN, mother-in-law Ardy Coenen of Little Falls, MN, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews, and his two beloved dogs, Cinder and Tinker.
He was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Genevieve Sunde, brother Dean Littlejohn, sister Wendy Winter, infant brother Warren Jr., and father-in-law Odell Coenen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Kindred Spirits Rescue, Lakewood Health System Cancer Center, and/or Lakewood Health System Hospice.
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