The Week of March 9

Greetings from Swedlanda!

It feels like we are on the verge of change in several ways this week. Days are getting longer and we have now moved our clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time. The meteorologists are predicting a change in temperatures this week as a warm-up begins. Lent is coming to its completion; next Sunday will be Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. And our Scripture lessons for the week indicate that the Holy Spirit is stirring, bringing renewed life. For the day’s message, check out the link on the right-hand side of the page.

We began our time together on Sunday with the Swedlanda Family Sunday School, led by Gail D. We spent some time learning about our heroes of faith. I look forward to continuing the lesson on the second Sunday of next month.

Sunday was also the occasion for our Minnesota Valley Conference Assembly, which was held in St. Peter. The highlight was an appearance by John Ylvisaker, song writer and musician. He is responsible for many hymns we are familiar with, including “Borning Cry” which has become a favorite for many. In worship today, we sang another of his hymns, “We are Baptized in Christ Jesus.” After the Assembly meeting, John led a workshop on the “shapenote tradition” of hymns, in which familiar tunes are “shaped” for new words.

We sang “Happy Birthday” on Sunday to Deb R., who describes herself as Swedlanda’s “oldest organist”—not really that old. Others having birthdays this week include Eileen J. and Annabelle R., who is our oldest member at 96. She is a resident at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center now.

May God’s peace be with you this week and may the Holy Spirit fill you with new life.

In Christ,

Pastor Stewart

Announcements

A Palm Sunday Community Event will be held at the Hector Youth Center on March 16th at 7 p.m. The event will include interpretive dance, a youth band, and a drama. All are welcome.

The Southwest Area Parish Choir would like to invite you to the Tenebrae Service, “The Shadow of the Cross,” Sunday, March 16. Presentations will be at 3 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Franklin and at 7 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church in Gibbon.