My father was killed in an accident when I was 11 years old.
My mother was never a happy person prior to his death, so you can imagine what she was like after. As I grew older, she never gave me a single compliment or any encouragement.
It wasn’t until one of my high school teachers encouraged me and helped me plan my future. That was the first time I could remember anybody helping me.
I didn’t know how to react to an emotion I had never experienced before — to be encouraged to do something, amazing!
Encouragement can bring brightness to your day. But being discouraged can make you feel dark and empty.
In scripture, Job was hearing this from his friends.
Job’s buddies ganged up on him believing he had challenged the justice of God.
Job is getting even more discouraged when Eliphaz started raising doubts about his wisdom.
Soon, this became a war of words between Job and his friends. This war of words goes back and forth between Job and his buddies taking even more from Jobs spirit.
Just prior to this, God had allowed Satan to take his wealth and family away from him. Job is hearing: “This is your fault”, “You deserve this.”
Eliphaz thought they were bringing comfort to Job. However, they were discouraging him, not giving a single word of encouragement.
Job 16:1-4:
1. Then Job spoke again: 2. “I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are! 3. Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking? 4. I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.
Job told these guys, “I’ve heard what you’re saying a thousand times. So why don’t you just shut up!”
It’s so easy to pile up a fake narrative against others just as these guys did to Job, knowing that he was already discouraged. Job is letting them know his position, if you were in my situation, and I in yours, I could criticize you for hours in what you have just said.
We now live in a day where discouragement is all around us. We can’t go a single day without running into someone who is complaining, being negative or is discouraged.
Often I find myself being that person too.
I think Job, in his wisdom, knew this and he chose to encourage because we are so easily discouraged. And who likes to be discouraged?
But when we are encouraged, we start to live the way God has designed us to live, we live with hope.
Job, being a man of integrity says in verse 5, “But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.”
What an amazing gift we can offer to others, bringing life to them through encouragement!
Encouragement can help to strengthen someone so they can move forward to their next goal.
Let’s fill others with encouragement instead of emptying them with discouragement!

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
Ann Zastrow, Pastor
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, Feb. 24: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, Feb. 27—New Member Sunday: 9 a.m. Worship Service with 3rd Grade Milestone. 10 a.m. Pancakes and Sausage Youth Fundraiser. 10 a.m. Sunday School. 5 p.m. Worship. 6 p.m. Junior high Mystery Night. 6:30 p.m. Transitional Task Force meeting. Tuesday, March 1: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, March 2: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 3:15 p.m. Faithweavers. 6:45 p.m. Ash Wednesday service with Holy Communion. 7:45 p.m. Voices of Grace rehearsal. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online: Sundays 9 a.m. on the church website www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab or go directly to our Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 will air our worship service Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio will air our worship service on Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Sundays, 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. 283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Thursday, Feb. 24: 5:30 p.m. Tumbling Tykes. Friday, Feb. 25: 6:3o a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Sunday, Feb. 27: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday school. Monday, Feb. 28: 2 p.m. Movie Monday. Tuesday, March 1: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, March 2: 5:30 p.m. Midweek Meal. 6:30 p.m. Pioneer Club. 6:30 p.m. Jr. and Sr. High youth groups. 6:30 p.m. Connection Team meets. Thursday, March 3: 9 a.m. Cookie Crew. 5:30 p.m. Tumbling Tykes. 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 (formerly First Assembly of God)
1075 110th Ave., 2 miles west of Luverne on County Rd. 4
Ph. 612-800-1255; email info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor; Annette Junak, Assistant Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship service. Children’s church for ages 3-6th grade and nursery for ages 0-3 provided during our services. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Worship service. All services are in-person and all are welcome.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Saturday, Feb. 26: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Feb. 27: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 9:15 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible study. Monday, Feb. 28: 6 p.m. Worship and music meeting. Tuesday, March 1:30 p.m. God’s Circle. Wednesday, March 2: 6:15 p.m. FUEL. 6:30 p.m. Confirmation. 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service with First Presbyterian. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, Feb. 27: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 10:30 a.m. Sunday school. Monday, Feb. 28: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Quilters. Wednesday, March 2: 5:30 p.m. Bells. 6:15 p.m. Choir. 7:15 p.m. Committee meetings. 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
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, Pastor
Saturday, Feb. 26: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sunday, Feb. 27: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible class; Sunday School. Wednesday, March 2: 9:30 a.m. Bible study. 6:30 p.m. Kids for Christ; 6:30-8 p.m. Confirmation. 7:30 p.m. High School Youth Group. 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
Billy Skaggs, 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, Feb. 27: 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
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Feb. 27: 9 a.m. Worship at First Lutheran. 10 a.m. Sunday school. Wednesday, March 2: 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service at Palisade Lutheran. Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, even if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Feb. 27: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Worship at Palisade Lutheran. Wednesday, March 2: 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service at Palisade Lutheran. Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, even if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
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
Sunday, Feb. 27: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion. 9 a.m. Sunday School. 7-8:30 p.m. Youth group meets. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesday, March 1: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:30 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesday, March 2: 9 a.m. Quilting. 6 p.m. Confirmation. 7 p.m. Social/dessert time. 7:15 p.m. Wednesday night worship service.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

The Cardinal wrestling team traveled to Adrian to take on Wabasso Thursday, Feb. 17, and came up short against the Rabbits 51-24.
The team has been preparing since then for the 3A Individual Section Tournament starting Friday, Feb. 25, in Wabasso.  
Wabasso jumped out to a 27-0 lead after four pins between 106 and 126 pounds before Gavin Marotzke won by a 9-7 decision over Luverne’s Hudson Hough.  
Luverne’s Noah Mehlhaff at 138 pounds stopped the run by pinning Adryen Tietz in 2:54. Braydon Ripka bested the Rabbits’ Garret Marotske by pinning him in 3:26 bringing the team score closer at 27-12.
At 152 pounds, Wabasso’s Reston Remiger received the first of four Luverne forfeits before Cash Bonnet won in an 8-2 decision over Mason Kampsen at 160 pounds.
Wabasso picked up another forfeit at 170 pounds, but Luverne’s Jacob Madison responded by securing a narrow 5-4 decision over Ezekial Olson at 182 pounds.
The Rabbits would receive two more forfeits at 195 and 285 pounds securing the team win.
The Cardinals’ Ayden Bonnett got the fifth and final individual victory by pinning Wabasso’s Wyatt Irlbeck in 53 seconds at 220 pounds. 
The team score ended up 51-24 in favor of the Rabbits.  
“Just like in most team matches, forfeits hurt us badly tonight,” said head coach Jordan Kopp.
“We won five matches which is as many as Wabasso did, but it’s tough to overcome a 24-0 advantage especially when their lower weights are tough.”
The Cardinals now prepare to travel to Wabasso on Feb. 25 for the individual section tournament.
“We need to see where our guys get seeded, but I’m confident we can come home with some medals and maybe even a trip to the state tournament,” Kopp said.
“Our boys have been working hard all season and now we can make all that effort pay off.”

H-BC School Board 
meets Jan. 24
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
Jan. 24, 2022
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly meeting
at 7:01 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room, 301 N Summit Ave,
Hills, MN.
Board members and Administration present were Fransman, Gehrke,
Knobloch, Rauk and Rozeboom. Superintendent Holthaus, Principal Kellenberger
and Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance. Board members
Bosch and Harnack were absent.
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Knobloch, and carried to approve 
the agenda. No Visitors to the meeting
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PATRIOT PRIDE:
-Paraprofessional Recognition Week January 24-29
-1st H-BC Robotics Competition held this past week
-Mock Trial Victory in 2nd Competition
-Honor Band in Mankato 1/28/22—Tess VanMaanen, Tara Paulsen, Dallas
Page, Danette Leenderts, Tyrae Goodface, Lexi Drake
Board Committee Meeting Reports:
-Building/Grounds to meet 1/26; Personnel/Finance meets after
Board Meeting 1/24/22
Motion by Fransman, second by Rauk, and carried to approve Consent Agenda:
-Minutes—01/10/2022
-Bills and Imprest Cash
-Student Accounts
-Additional Special Needs Route time
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Secondary Principal Report
•Superintendent/Elementary Principal Report
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
-Regular Board Meeting, Monday, February 14, 2022
-Regular Board Meeting, Monday, February 28, 2022
Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(02-24)

Zwaan probate
STATE OF MINNESOTA probate COURT
                                                                         DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                                                                     PROBATE DIVISION
 
In Re: Estate of                                                              Court File No. 67-PR-22-33
Carol Ann Zwaan, a/k/a Carol Zwaan,
Deceased       ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING
FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND
APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION
AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
 
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:
It  It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 21st day of March, 2022, at 3:30 O'clock p.m., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated February 23, 2001, and for the appointment of Monte Zwaan whose address is 591 160th Avenue, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate.
Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.
Date Filed: February 7, 2022 /s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
 
Douglas E. Eisma /s/ Natalie Reisch Attorney for Petitioner Court Administrator
Eisma and Eisma
130 East Main (COURT SEAL)
Luverne, MN 56156
(507) 283-4828
I.D. #158343
(02-17, 02-24)

Faber probate
STATE OF MINNESOTA
                                                                         DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      PROBATE DIVISION
 
In Re:Estate of                                                              Court File No. 67-PR-22-34
Francis Faber
Deceased                                                 ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING
FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND
APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION
AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
 
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:
It  It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 21st day of March, 2022, at  8:30 O'clock  A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated November 8, 2002, and for the appointment of Timothy Dale Ackerman, whose address is 912 S. Kennedy Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57103, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the 
estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate.
Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator 
within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.
 
Date Filed: February 7, 2022 /s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
 
Douglas E. Eisma /s/ Natalie Reisch Attorney for Petitioner Court Administrator
Eisma and Eisma
130 East Main (COURT SEAL)
Luverne, MN 56156
(507) 283-4828
I.D. #158343
(02-17, 02-24)

City of Luverne 
resolves request
RESOLUTION NO. 8-22
A RESOLUTION DECLARING ADEQUACY OF PETITION AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF REPORT
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF Luverne, Minnesota:
1. A certain petition requesting the improvement of 131st Street, a new private housing development, hereby petition that such lands be improved by the construction of water and sanitary sewer mains therein, filed with the council January 31, 2022, is hereby declared to be signed by 100 percent of the owners of property affected thereby. This declaration is made in conformity to Minn. Stat. § 429.035.
2. The petition for proposed Improvement No. 371231, the Schmuck Addition Utility Extension  is hereby referred to Public Engineer Matt Knips, DGR Engineering and that person is instructed to report to the council with all convenient speed advising the council in a preliminary way as to whether the proposed improvement is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible; whether it should best be made as proposed or in connection with some other improvement; the estimated cost of the improvement as recommended; and a description of the methodology used to calculate individual assessments for affected parcels.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUVERNE, MINNESOTA, this 8th day of February, 2022.      
         /s/ Patrick T. Baustian, Mayor
/s/  John M. Call, City Administrator
(02-17)

City of Luverne seeks 
bids by March 10 
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed proposals will be received by the City Council of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota at the Luverne City Offices, 305 East Luverne Street, P.O. Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156 on Thursday, the 10th of March, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. for the Dakota Road Extension, Luverne, Minnesota, at which time the proposals shall 
be publicly opened and read aloud by the City Administrator and Engineer.
The approximate quantities of work on which proposals will be received are as follows:
1,965 S.Y. 8” Concrete Pavement with Integral Curb and Gutter
146 L.F. Storm Sewer, Varies Sizes
128 L.F. Precast Concrete Box Culvert
740 L.F. Sanitary Sewer Main 
467 L.F. Water Main
6 Ea. Storm and Sanitary Structures
4,500 C.Y. Common Borrow
1,550 C.Y. Topsoil, On-Site
and other related items of construction.
All bids shall be made on proposal forms furnished by the Engineer and shall be accompanied by bid security in the form of a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the City of Luverne, Minnesota, in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the bid, which security becomes the property of the City in the event the successful bidder fails to enter into contract and post satisfactory bond. Work shall commence on or after April 11, 2022. This project consists of two phases. Phase 1 shall be completed by June 1, 2022, and Phase 2 shall be completed by August 20, 2022.
The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities and irregularities. The City also reserves the right to increase, 
decrease or delete items of work to comply with budget limitations.
The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 
The Contractor and all subcontractors shall submit to the Owner a signed statement verifying compliance with each of the criteria described in the State of Minnesota “Responsible Contractor” law as codified in Minnesota Statute 
section 16C.285. See the Instructions to Bidders for more details.
Complete digital project bidding documents are available at www.questcdn.com. You may download the digital plan documents for $20.00 by inputting Quest project # 8122266 on the website's Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information. An optional paper set of the proposal forms and specifications for individual use may be obtained from the office of the Engineer, DGR Engineering, 1302 South Union, P.O. Box 511, Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246, telephone 712-472-2531, Fax 712-472-2710, 
e-mail: dgr@dgr.com, upon payment of $50.00, none of which is refundable.
Published upon order of the City Council of Luverne, Minnesota.
CITY OF LUVERNE, MINNESOTA
By /s/ Patrick T. Baustian, Mayor
(02-17)