“Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5
In the summer of 1970 then Pastor Walter Schaller proposed to the members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, South Dakota, that the congregation hold an annual outdoor Harvest Festival service to thank God for the blessings He has showered upon the land.
For the last forty years this wonderful tradition has continued at Prince of Peace. Each August the congregation has assembled at the farm now owned by Marvin and Gweneth Hansen for an outdoor worship service, followed by a potluck dinner.
This last fall Mark Gullerud, now pastor of Redeemer, Bowdle, S.Dak. and Zion, Ipswich, S.Dak., served as guest speaker. Interestingly, back in the summer of 1970 then seminary student Gullerud attended the very first Harvest Festival while working on the farm of Prince of Peace member Allen Hansen.
The Lord blessed our 2010 Harvest Festival with beautiful weather and wonderful fellowship. More than sixty souls gathered to hear God’s Word and sing His praises. Visitors included fellow believers from sister CLC congregations in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
