Hi Kevin,
to IIS!
Like John suggests, try doing this during the day. Particularly since you are also using an equatorial german style mount whose movements are a little perculiar to start with. You'll find going through the alignment process a bit easier for this reason too. Take your time as the finder may not show the image right side up, but upside down and left to right. This can add to the confusion. This isn't a mistake this orientation of the image. To achieve a correct orientation image means using more glass elements that both result in reduced light getting through, but makes producing the finder more expensive.
After you've aligned, move the scope away from the original target and see if you can easily acquire it again with the finder. Just remember to have a low power eyepiece in place.