Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iola, WI

06/10/2026

Here's a little humor to brighten your day:

A pastor had a kitten that climbed up a tree and was afraid to come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to the tree and to his car, and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could reach up and get the kitten.

He did all this, checked his progress, and figured he needed to go just a little further. The rope broke. The tree went "boing" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight!

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. Nobody had, so he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.

A few days later he was at the grocery store and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it. So he asked, "Why are you buying cat food?"

"You won't believe this," she answered. She told him how her young daughter was asking her for a cat, but she kept saying no. Then a few days ago the child begged again, so she told her, "If God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it." She continued, "I watched my child go out into the yard, get on her knees and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the clear blue sky with its paws outstretched, and landed right in front of her."

06/01/2026

When someone sneezes, we say, "Bless you!" The person might have a cold or allergies, and we want them to know we wish him or her only good things.
Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians with a blessing. He wants only physical and above all spiritual good for them. His blessing grants us the same benefits.
The Apostolic Blessing, 2 Corinthians 13:14

05/26/2026

Pastor Haugen was asked to do the opening prayer for the Iola Scandinavia Memorial Day Celebrations. Observances were held at Ellison Park Bridge, Scandinavia Lutheran Cemetery and Armed Services memorial at Iola.

05/26/2026

"Give me one reason why I should do that!" That phrase may be the statement of a rebellious child or someone asked to do a hazardous job. The answer to the question needs to be more than, "Because I told you to." Good reasons are needed to convince us to do something.
Jesus tells the disciples that He was going to visibly leave theme and that He was going to send the Holy Spirit to clothe them with power to do His work. He gives them good reasons why that is necessary.
Why Do We Need The Holy Spirit? John 14:15-21 He was going to visibly leave theme and that He was going to send the Holy Spirit to clothe them with power to do His work. He gives them good reasons why that is necessary.
Why Do We Need The Holy Spirit? John 14:15-21

05/26/2026

"Give me one reason why I should do that!" That phrase may be the statement of a rebellious child or someone asked to do a hazardous job. The answer to the challenge needs to be more than, "Because I told you to." Good reasons are needed to convince us to do something.
Jesus tells the disciples that He was going to visibly leave them and that He was going to send the Holy Spirit to clothe them with power to do His work. He gives them good reasons why that is necessary.
Why Do We Need The Holy Spirit? John 14:15-21

05/18/2026

Sitting to the right of the chairman of a business meeting, at a wedding reception or dais is an exalted position. You are going to be the featured speaker, or the next ranking officer.
On the throne of God in heaven there is a seat to the right of God the Father. The question we must answer is:
Who sits at the Right Hand of God? Luke 24:44-53

05/15/2026

Stronger faith...how do we grow in faith? This devotion from a fellow ELS pastor helps us consider God's gift of faith.

05/11/2026

What are you devoted to? Your family, a sport, job or a hobby? People can tell you have this priority by all the time and effort you put into it.
St. Paul told the people of Athens that they were very religious. He said this because of all the temples to idols they had. They were devoted because they were convinced by their conscience and creation that a god or gods had to be appeased for the things they did wrong and also to gain their favor. The apostle invites them to repent.
We have things we are devoted to that are actually our idol. They lead to dissatisfaction and hell.
Jesus is the only one who has saved us from our idolatry and proved it by His resurrection.
Are You Very Religious? Acts 17: 22-31

05/07/2026