The Luverne boys’ basketball team traveled to Pipestone Friday, Dec. 9, and was defeated 75-57.
“We played a good first half and had a few turnovers that cost us before half,” coach John Sichmeller said.
Luverne fell behind the Arrows at the half 28-35.
“Pipestone was hot from 3 (3-point line) and we couldn’t make enough shots to keep up with them,” Sichmeller said.
The Arrows were 56 percent at the 3-point line, making 10 of 19.
Luverne shot 18 percent at the 3-point line, making three of 16.
Senior Gannon Arhendt led Luverne’s scoring with 19 points, shooting three of four at the line. He snared five rebounds in the contest.
Sophomore Carter Sehr ended with 14 points and made five for five at the line, grabbing two rebounds.
Junior Gavin DeBeer finished with 12 points and shot five for eight at the line with five rebounds.
Luverne’s game with Jackson County Central Tuesday, Dec. 13, was postponed due to weather.
The Cardinals will face Redwood Valley Friday, Dec. 16, at home.

The Hills-Beaver Creek girls’ basketball team edged out visiting Murray County Central 55-52 Tuesday, Dec. 6, in Hills.
Both teams were equally balanced which led to a close competition and even scoring.
Offensively H-BC made 19 of 57 shots, compared with the Rebels’ 19 of 66. MCC edged the Patriots on 3-pointers, making five of 20 to H-BC’s five of 23.
“I thought that our girls did a great job on the offensive end of being patient and spacing the floor really well,” Patriots’ coach Dylan Gehrke said.
On defense, H-BC had an edge on total rebounds and steals. “Defensively, I thought we did a real nice job,” Gehrke said.
“In the second half we were up eight to 10 points most of the half. MCC started to get some shots to fall and cut the deficit from 10 to four late in the game to make things interesting at the end.”
He said the Deelstra sisters led on both ends of the floor.
Junior Layla Deelstra scored 12 points and contributed six rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Eighth-grader Olivia Deelstra had an impressive double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and four steals.
Sophomore Emma Deelstra scored three points and snared one rebound.
Senior Olivia Bork contributed six points, five rebounds and two assists.
Junior Lanae Elbers blocked six shots, with seven rebounds and four points.
Ninth-grader Abbie Harris posted two blocked shots, four rebounds and seven points.
Also contributing were junior Brynn Rauk with six points, two assists and four rebounds, ninth-grader Claire Knobloch with two rebounds and one steal, and junior Larissa Steinhoff with three points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Gehrke said the MCC team presented tough competition for his Patriots.
“Props to MC. They have a lot of experience and a lot of fight in them,” he said.
The Patriots, now 2-2 for the season, are scheduled to travel to Alcester-Hudson Friday, Dec. 16.
H-BC’s game with Adrian on Dec. 9 was postponed when AHS canceled classes due to weather.

Luverne High School junior Henry Hartquist was named to the 2021-22 All State Golf Team for his performance in the fall boys’ golf season.
Hartquist competed at the State AA Golf Tournament at the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan June 14-15. He shot a two-day total of 152 to finish in 12th place out of 85 golfers in the tournament.
Athletes are selected for the honor by the Minnesota State High School Golf Coaches Association.

The Luverne gymnasts went on the road to take on the Trojans at the Worthington Learning Center/Gymnastics Facility Tuesday, Dec. 6.
The Cardinals lost the overall meet, posting a 139.350 to 130.325 score.
“The girls had a great meet overall. We were happy with how we did,” said coach Phoebe Flom.  
“There were plenty of mistakes, and we know we can get better, so the girls had a really positive attitude,” she added.
Individually, Luverne had two gymnasts placing in the all-around.
Sophomore Ella Reisdorfer took fifth (34.175) and sophomore Amira Cowell placed sixth (34.125)
Individually the Cardinals placing in the Top six included:
•Vault: Cowell, second (9.125), Ella Reisdorfer third (9.05) and Kianna Winter fifth (8.775).
•Uneven parallel bars: Cowell, second (7.975), Reisdorfer, fifth (7.475.) and Hailey Como, sixth (6.775).
• Balance beam: Reisdorfer, tie for fourth, (8.75) and Cowell, fifth, (8.575).
•Floor exercise: Reisdorfer, fourth (8.9), Winter, fifth (8.55) and Cowell, sixth (8.45).
The Cardinals are scheduled to host Pipestone Thursday, Dec. 15.
Individual stats
All-around: Ella Reisdorfer 34.175, Amira Cowell 34.125
Vault: Amira Cowell 9.125. Ella Reisdorfer 9.050. Kianna Winter 8.775, Hailey Como 8.700, Kendra Thorson 8.650.
Uneven parallel bars: Amira Cowell 7.975. Ella Reisdorfer 7.475. Hailey Como 6.775, Reagan Gangestad 6.650, Addyson Mann 6.450.
Balance beam: Ella Reisdorfer 8.750. Amira Cowell 8.575, Kianna Winter 8.050, Reagan Gangestad 7.575, Kendra Thorson 7.500
Floor exercise: Ella Reisdorfer 8.900. Kianna Winter 8.550. Amira Cowell 8.450, Kianna Winter 8.550, Addyson Mann 6.950, Gabbie Nath-Huis 6.900

The Luverne wrestling team lost two matches in the Redwood Valley Triangular Tuesday, Dec. 6.
They went up against Jackson County Central and Redwood Valley.
The Cardinal wrestlers traveled to the Jackson County Central Invitational Saturday, Dec. 10. (See the related story).
They are scheduled to host a tournament in Luverne on Saturday, Dec. 17.
 
JCC 46, Luverne 21,
The first team Luverne faced on Dec. 6 was Jackson County Central.
“We wrestled Jackson who won state last year and is ranked No. 1 this year, and we put up some good points against them,” Jordan Kopp said.
Luverne had four individual weight class winners with DJ Rock at 160 and Jacob Madison at 182 earning six team points each with pins.
Hudson Hough at 138 scored three team points with his win by decision, and Matthew Gangestad earned six team points, winning by forfeit.
In the match Luverne ended up forfeiting three weight classes and Jackson forfeited one class.
Following are other results from the dual.
106 — Kayden Eller (J) fall over Brody Kopp.
113 — Dallas Grossen (J) dec. 6-2 over Bernie Rock.
120 — Matthew Gangestad (L) won by forfeit.
126 — Isaiah Rodriguez (J) fall over Leif Ingebretsen.
132 — Tate Phillips (J) fall over Josh Stroh.
138 — Hudson Hough (L) dec. (6-4) over Ryan Fricke.
145 — Landon Andrews (J) won by forfeit.
152 — no match.
160 — DJ Rock (L) fall over Isaiah Rodriguez.
170 — Dylan Withers (J) major decision (9-1) over Sam Rock.
182 — Jacob Madison (L) fall over Braeden Erickson.
195 — Braydan Winter (J) won by forfeit.
220 — Kasey Storm (J) fall won by forfeit.
285 — Cameron Scholten (J) dec. (3-1 )over Masyn Akkerman.
 
Redwood Valley 51
Luverne 30
Luverne fell to Redwood Valley 51-30 in the second contest of the day.
“Redwood matched up with us really well. We had a couple of wrestlers out of the lineup or else I think the match could have ended differently,” Kopp said.
The Cardinals again forfeited three weight classes to Redwood; however, they won six weight classes by pinning their opponents.
Those wrestlers were Bernie Rock at 113, Leif Ingebretsen at 126, DJ Rock at 160, Sam Rock at 170 and Jacob Madison at 182.
Following are other results from the dual.
106 — Casen Meyers (R) fall over Brody Kopp.
1113 — Bernie Rock (L) fall over Ashton Panitzke
120 — Gavin Brandt (R) fall over Matthew Gangestad.
126 — Leif Ingebretsen (L) fall over Isaiah Nelson.
132 — Austin Ourada (R) fall over Josh Stroh.
138 — Lucas Fuhr (R) fall over Hudson Hough.
145 — Max Fuhr (R) won by forfeit.
152 — Zachary Guggisburg (R) won by forfeit.
160 — DJ Rock (L) fall over Zachary Guggisburg.
170 — Sam Rock (L) fall over Viktor Ortega.
182 — Jacob Madison (L) fall over Evan Reinke.
195 — Axel Uhlenkamp (R) won by forfeit.
220 — Hunter Rebstock (R) dec. (8-2 )over Kane Akkerman.
285 — Griffin Evans (R) fall over Masyn Akkerman.

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sundays 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public Mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, Dec. 15: 8:30 p.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, Dec. 18: 9 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. 10 a.m. Coffee Fellowship and Youth Cookie Sale. 10 a.m. Sunday School and Drums. 4-6:30 p.m. Live Nativity Drive-Thru. 5-6:30 p.m. A Night in Bethlehem inside FH. Monday, Dec. 19: Grace Notes deadline. Tuesday, Dec. 20: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. 3 p.m. Worship at Poplar Creek. Wednesday, Dec. 21: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. 6:15 p.m. 9th Grade confirmation class. 7 p.m. Advent Service. 7:45 p.m. Voices of Grace rehearsal. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online worship: Sundays 9 a.m. at www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab; or Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible class. 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Friday. Dec. 16: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible Study. Sunday, Dec. 18: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion. Tuesday, Dec. 20: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. Services are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church
1075 110th Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-9070; email: info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor
Come as you are—Sundays @ 10 a.m.: Main Service. Kids church age 3-6th grade—Nursery. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Midweek Service—Kids age 3-6th grade.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Thursday, Dec. 15: 7 p.m. AA meeting. Saturday, Dec. 17: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Dec. 18: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 9:45 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. 6:30 p.m. ALIVE Christmas party. Monday, Dec. 19: Messenger deadline. Tuesday, Dec. 20: 10 a.m. Shut-in visits. Wednesday, Dec. 21: 9 a.m. Open Prayer Chapel. 7 p.m. FUEL Christmas program. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, Dec. 22: 7 p.m. AA meeting. Friday, Dec. 23:  4-7 p.m. Annual Christmas Meditation at Luverne Palace Theater. Saturday, Dec. 24: 6 p.m. Free Community Christmas Eve meal. Please sign up at church or call the office. Pick up option is available. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, Dec. 18: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:15 a.m. Worship service. Youth Sunday school during worship service. In-person Worship service and live on Facebook. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Saturday, Dec. 17: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Worship. Sunday, Dec. 18: 9 p.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 4 p.m. Sunday School Christmas program. Monday, Dec. 19: 1 p.m. Quilters meet. 7 p.m. Judy Fick piano recital. Tuesday, Dec. 20: 11:30 a.m. Deborah Circle. Wednesday, Dec. 21: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. 7 p.m. Senior choir. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Thursday, Dec. 22: 1:30 p.m. Chapel – Mary Jane Brown Home. 2:30 p.m. Chapel – Poplar Creek. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Josh Hayden, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
Food mission every third Thursday.
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sunday, Dec. 18: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Dec. 18: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Worship at First Lutheran Church. All are welcome. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Thursday, Dec. 15: 1:30 p.m. WELCA meeting. 7 p.m. Palisade council meeting. Sunday, Dec. 18: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Sunday School at Palisade Lutheran. Wednesday, Dec. 21: 7 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer Service at Palisade. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sunday, 9 a.m., in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270 / bethlehemofhills@gmail.com
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sunday, Dec. 18: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Worship Service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Who remembers when large retail stores like JC Penney and Sears sent a 2-inch thick catalog in the mail?
But then, oh my goodness, you’d receive the “Christmas Edition.” This one was only about 1 inch thick but it was something spectacular! It contained just about any toy imaginable.
I remember how awesome it was to page through it, dreaming about everything I wanted. My parents allowed us to make a “wish list” of the items we wanted.
How about you? Did you get a chance to make a wish list?
As we get older, our wishes change from toys to things like wishing for the perfect job or we wish for the perfect person to spend the rest of our lives with. Our wish list could go on and on.
But why do we wish? Because we are human and that’s just what we do.
However, I believe Jesus has a wish list. After all, he was once human. For 33 years he walked among average people.
But his wishes are different; his wishes are much more grand. His wishes aren’t self-indulgent like ours. Some may imagine his wish list may include world peace, end to world hunger, or no more poverty. I’m sure these are things he wants, but these are things he could make happen.
I think his wish is for us to do what is right and good. Something he cannot make happen like changing our free will, making our own decisions.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:31-33: “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.”
At Jesus’ second coming, all those who are left on earth will be wandering around, and Jesus will have to separate them as the example of the sheep and the goats.
Continuing with Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:34: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.’”
He is saying that the sheep, or the righteous, will be blessed for taking the time and effort to help and minister to those who were in need.
But wait … Matthew 25:41: “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.’”
Now we have the goats. And trust me, you don’t want to be a goat! The goats, those who refuse to choose others first, well, they’re going to spend eternity in darkness.
I believe Jesus wants us to be like the sheep. He wants everyone to find salvation through him.
Jesus’ wish is that not a single person on earth would die and spend eternity in darkness.
Jesus’ wish is that he wants to tell each one of us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
There isn’t a more perfect time to turn your heart to him, to start your new life, while celebrating the beginning of our Savior’s life.
Oh, and … “don’t be a goat”!