The Week of January 27

Greetings from Swedlanda!

If you were worshiping at Swedlanda today, you might well have wondered who was leading the service. Neil N. said it sounded a little like Lou Rawls. We should be so fortunate (Mr. Rawls died two years ago). I’m afraid it was just Pastor Stewart, suffering from some laryngitis due to a cold. It did make for an interesting service, however.

I led the congregation in singing “Happy Birthday” to Nick A., who will be turning a milestone 17 on Friday. After that, I quit singing. I did manage to croak out the sermon, which you can read if you wish by clicking on the link for SkyDrive.

This is the final countdown to SouperBowl Sunday, one week from today. Some of our members have been using the “house banks” for Habitat For Humanity to collect an offering. Those will be turned in next Sunday. We will also have a soup and sandwich meal after our worship service to help raise funds for local HFH projects. The raffle will also conclude next Sunday and the drawing will be held during the Super Bowl half-time (see the announcements below). The HFH Board is hopeful that we can pay off all debts on the Hector and Buffalo Lake homes.

We continue to pray for a number of people on our prayer list, including members Jim A. and Olga S., who are still hospitalized. We added prayers for the family of Eileen Gratz, older sister of Ruth F. Eileen died Tuesday at Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar. Her funeral was held Saturday at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Kandiyohi.

We also prayed for the family of Janice (Rev. Joe) Dahlquist of Duluth. The couple has been close friends with Julie L’s family (Ralph & Corrine S’s daughter).

Also a birth announcement: Brandon and Nicole W. had a baby girl on Jan. 13. Madison Lynn was 6lbs, 4 oz and 20-1/2' in length and is now at home with her parents.

Lent is beginning early this year, with Ash Wednesday just one week from this Wednesday. We would love to have you join us for a mid-week series entitled “Bread For the Journey.”

It’s a busy time of the year, so I was relieved that I don’t have to report for jury duty this Monday. I’m hoping this obligation will not interfere with Lenten plans.

I hope all is well with you and your family. God Bless.

In Christ,

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

The quilters of Swedlanda have a great ministry of providing quilts for various needs--Lutheran World Relief, local families in need, the fundraiser for Renville County domestic abuse prevention to name a few. Since we can't all quilt, perhaps we can support this ministry by a donation of funds. The jar on the narthex table is now accepting donations to help fund the quilters’ projects. Thank you.

The Wednesday morning Bible Study begins at 8:00 a.m. Bring your Bible and join us. No preparation necessary as we study the text for the week in light of our discipleship.

There will be a family-friendly Super Bowl party at the Buffalo Lake Community Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be a "build-your-own taco bar" and the game will be on. The event is free and there will be a free-will offering for the food and snacks. The drawing for the raffle prizes will be conducted at half time during the game, approximately 7:00 p.m.

Habitat For Humanity Raffle tickets are still available!! This year, the Grand Prize is a candy apple red 2008 Ford Mustang convertible. Other prizes include a 15” Lap Top Computer, $500 cash, Apple I Pod 80 GB Video, and 27” Digital Color TV. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased from HFH Board members, Joyce N. or Pastor Stewart.