First Presbyterian Church

Redwood Falls, MN

Redwood Falls, MN
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The Valley Bridge

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Sign up to receive the Valley Bridge, our Presbytery newsletter, in your inbox! Just email our Presbytery Administrator, Karen Lange at [email protected] and she will add you to the mailing list! We are starting some Presbytery wide groups to bring people with common interests together. Our crafters are having their first gathering in Redwood Falls in April. We are also planning a special event for people who work in church music – probably for June. We would love to have more of our church members reading the newsletter so they will know as these things happen and we can build our sense of fellowship and friendship throughout the Presbytery. And of course, there is lots of other good stuff going on in our Presbytery that you will also discover in the Valley Bridge! For example, did you know that there is a great event in late April that addresses the church’s response to immigration? You can read the Valley Bridge anytime on our Presbytery website: minnesotavalleys.org under “News and Events,” but we would also love to send it to you directly, so you don’t miss out. It is published on Wednesdays about 3:00 p.m.

A Note from the Pastor

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What does Easter mean to Presbyterians?

Easter is one of the most significant celebrations in the Christian faith.. It is a time when Christians around the world commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, three days after his crucifixion.

For Presbyterians, Easter represents the ultimate triumph of Christ over sin and death. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus offered the gift of salvation and eternal life to all who believe in him. As stated in the Apostle’s Creed, Presbyterians believe that Jesus “was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.”

Easter is also a time of reflection and renewal for Presbyterians. During the season of Lent, which precedes Easter, many Presbyterians engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, fasting, and repentance, in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

On Easter Sunday, Presbyterian churches hold special worship services that focus on the joy and hope of the resurrection. Hymns such as “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” are commonly sung, and the sermon often focuses on the significance of Christ’s resurrection for the Christian faith.

In addition to the spiritual aspects of Easter, Presbyterians also participate in a number of secular traditions associated with the holiday. Many families decorate Easter eggs, host Easter egg hunts, and give Easter baskets filled with candy and small gifts to children.

Overall, Easter is a time of great significance and celebration for Presbyterians. It represents the ultimate triumph of Christ over sin and death, and offers the promise of eternal life to all who believe in him.

Have a blessed Easter!

In Christ’s love, Pastor Scott Prouty

Diane Aakre’s Funeral

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Joyce “Diane” Aakre, age 78 of Redwood Falls, was received by the good Lord into His glorious Peace on Sunday, February 19, 2023 while surrounded by family. In the blink of an eye He cast off all of her pain, anxiety and suffering in this world and replaced it with the Light, Love, Peace and Truth that she has found now and forever in the presence of the Lord. Hallelujah! Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11 at First Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Diane was born in Mankato to George and Hope (Graves) Bateman on March 18, 1944. She was baptized and confirmed in the First Presbyterian Church in Mankato. She graduated from Mankato High School. On April 30, 1966, Diane was united in marriage to Richard Aakre at the First Presbyterian Church. She continued working at the Mankato Clinic for a short time after their marriage. They moved to Redwood Falls and Diane became a full time homemaker. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, she joined the Dorcas Circle, taught Sunday school and was co-chair of the funeral committee for many years. Diane was a caller with Western Community Action. She enjoyed cross stitching, knitting and especially shopping with family and friends. There were many who called Diane “Aunt” but she was more than an Aunt. Especially during difficult times, Diane would check in on them, always listening, comforting and praying for them. Diane loved Shelties and had many over the years.

Diane is survived by her husband Richard, son Steven, siblings: Daryl, Michael, Terry, Rick, and Sherry Weiske, special friend Judy Curtis, and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter Jennifer, her parents-in-law Harold and Harriett, and a sister-in-law Jeanne.

Note From the Pastor

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Dear Church Family,

I would like to thank you for your love and support during my recovery of full knee replacement surgery. The pain I had before surgery is gone but I was given a new set of pain to deal with that will be temporary. I have knee exercises to do every day. I am going to Physical Therapy twice a week and to Functional Fitness twice a week where I work on getting more flexion in my knee. Sleep has often been elusive for me since my surgery but hopefully things will soon get back to normal. I still am working on driving. If someone would like to volunteer to take me around to our homebound folks, please let me know.

I was reflecting on Jesus being out in the wildness for 40 days and 40 nights. I think we all have times in our lives when we feel discombobulated, lost, isolated or alone. We may wonder why certain things have happened in our lives, why we lose people that we love, why others have hurt us or why we have hurt someone with our words or action. We may do a life review. Why am I here? What am I to do with my remaining time on earth? How can I better serve God?

When folks feel like they are out in the wilderness they may feel distant from God and listen to the voice of the tempter. If this happens it is time to dive into the Bible and read encouraging passages of God’s love for us. It is a time to pray and tell God everything that is on your heart. If we focus on our own problems day and night, it is easy to get discouraged. God tells us to hand all of our burdens to God. Let go and let God. One of the best ways to get over our own issues is to help others. When we focus on helping others our own burdens are lessened.

We find ourselves in the season of Lent when we are to work on making our relationship with God better by spending more in prayer, Bible Study, and service. We may give something up like our favorite hobby or television show and spend that extra time getting closer to God.

Whatever you are facing in life right now, I pray your faith will gird you up to withstand temptations that will hurt your relationship with God and the people around you. The good news is when we fail, when go the wrong direction, we have a God that loves us and will forgive us when we turn from our sins.

May your Lenten season be meaningful and powerful. If you are feeling like you are in the wilderness, may the love of God surround you and bring you peace.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Scott Prouty

Jeanette Kotval

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https://youtu.be/q2K6qzX-TXY

Jeanette G. (Hynie) Kotval, age 88, of Marshall, formerly of Vesta, passed away Friday, February 17, 2023 surrounded by family at Prairie Home Hospice – McLaughlin House in Marshall. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be held at a later date in the Vesta Cemetery. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Jeanette Kotval was born to Norman and Pearl (Armstrong) Hynie on September 12, 1934 in Austin, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. She graduated from Austin High School in 1952. Jeanette received her Nursing Training at Northwestern Hospital from September 1952 to 1955. She moved to Redwood Falls in October 1955 and worked at the Redwood Falls Hospital. On May 6, 1956, Jeanette married Floyd Kotval. Together they moved to a farm near Vesta where they lived until 1986. She worked as an office nurse for Dr. Hudec in Echo. When they left the farm, they moved into the town of Vesta where she was a member of the local ladies extension group. Jeanette was a member of the Redwood Falls & Vesta Presbyterian Churches where she served as a deacon. She was a member of the Post Office Auxiliary and was Auxiliary member of the year in 1992. In 2011, Jeanette moved to Marshall where she has resided since. Jeanette enjoyed attending bible studies and her grandchildren’s activities, especially football & basketball games. She crocheted and made neckties. To relax, she would play cards, cribbage, and Scrabble. She loved to read and after her vision was failing, she would listen to autobiographies. Jeanette was able to take a trip to Norway with family.

Jeanette is survived by her children: Chris (Lisa) Kotval of Crosslake, Dan (Mary Lynn) Kotval of Rochester, and Katy (Dean) Busack of Vesta; grandchildren: Jason (Ana) Busack, Andrew Kotval, Sarah Jane Kotval, and Bryan (Leah) Busack; great grandchildren: Emanuel Busack, Gabe & Micah Flynn and Bennett Kotval, Addison Hughes, and Macy & Britta Busack; siblings: Sonja (Robert) Brandt of Shakopee and Sharon Schumacher of Sioux Falls and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Floyd, and an infant brother Charles.


Photography by Miller Photography

First Presbyterian Church

235 East 4th Street, PO Box 444
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
507-627-8751

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