The Week of March 16 - Holy Week

Greetings from Swedlanda on the beginning of Holy Week

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look much like Holy Week outside; warmer temperatures are predicted later in the week, however, so there is hope for a snow-free Easter.

On Palm Sunday/The Sunday of the Passion our choir sang an anthem at the beginning of the service, before the Processional Gospel and the Blessing of the Palms. They have been practicing for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, so I hope you can be with us to hear them.

We added Olga S. back on our Prayer List because she had been hospitalized on Friday evening. But I went to visit her on Sunday afternoon and discovered that she had been released in the morning and was already back at Prairie View, where she continues her recovery. We also prayed for Doug T., who had a successful surgery last week. He is also at home now.

In the evening, a Palm Sunday celebration was held at the Hector Youth Center. There was a drama, interpretive dance, and singing. The Center was quite full, with many young people.

Please note the schedule below for Holy Week and Easter. As usual, the sermon for the day can be accessed on SkyDrive from the link on the right.

May you be blessed with the Good News of God’s Love at Easter.

Pastor Stewart

The Lenten mid-week theme, “Bread for the Journey” will continue this week as we observe a Maundy Thursday service and a Good Friday service at Swedlanda, each beginning at 7:00 p.m.

On Easter Sunday, the Sunrise service will begin at 6:45 a.m. and will be followed by the Easter Breakfast from 7:30-9:00 a.m. The Easter Service of Holy Communion will be held at 9:30 a.m.

At a meeting held Oct. 7, the congregation voted to approve a recommendation from the council that covered several maintenance/repair projects: Replacement of the parsonage deck ($6-7,000); Church siding to be completed by 2009 ($23-25,000); Belfry floor maintenance; and a plan to replace shingles within 10 years. Your contributions toward these property items are much appreciated. Thank you. Total in the fund: $12,964.72.

“Good Grief” will be sponsored by Renville County Hospice. The sessions will be held on Tuesdays evenings April 1,8,22,29 and May 6 from 7-9 p.m. at Renville County Hospital Conference Room, 611 E. Fairview Ave., Olivia. All are welcome and invited to this resource for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Please call 320-523-3451 for information and registration.