Elk River Lutheran Church-ELCA
  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy
Picture

Bob Burtness

12/10/2020

 
1968 was my very favorite Christmas. My parents had retired to the lake near Park Rapids. It was terribly cold that Christmas Eve Day. An unbelievable minus 30 degrees. My wife and I had promised my folks that we would visit them. So foolishly, our family of five started out for Park Rapids. We got as far as Becker when the car actually froze en route! Fortunately, we were able to coast to a filling station just before closing. The people there took pity on us, and not only fed us cheese sandwiches, but the mechanic thawed out the engine and we were soon back on the road.
 
At the cabin, the setting surrounding Big Sand Lake was absolutely breathtaking in its winter beauty. The snow on the fir trees glistened silver and the snow crackled with every step. The smell of burning birchwood from my folks' fireplace permeated though the forest. That night dad decided that it was too cold to go to the community church so we sat around the fireplace and listened on the radio to the crew of Apollo 8 reading from Genesis as they circled the moon. It was truly a night to remember and I believe we all felt very close to God that Christmas Eve.
 
God of traveling mercies, be with us as we gather with loved ones this holiday season. Amen.
​
Karen Maher
12/10/2020 11:23:59 am

Our family goes to Big Sand Lake every summer. It is a truly memorable place for us too. Thanks for sharing your story.


Comments are closed.

    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

Picture
Picture
ERLC Facebook Page
ERLC Youtube Channel
  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy