The Week of September 28

Dear Friends,

It was quite an experience to be back at Swedlanda this Sunday. There were quite a few people in church, due in part to the Fredrickson Family reunion which took place after the worship service. Nancy and I were made honorary Fredricksons for the day and were invited to the potluck.

The congregation sang a song with Jayden F, who is in our new Sunday Pre-school class. The class is held at 9:10 a.m. on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month.

The Jr.-Sr. High Sunday School was held as usual and we had the first Adult Study of the season. That class begins at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday of the month, except for the first Sunday. We will be starting the Pastoral Epistles beginning on October 12, so be sure to join us.

Another important note with regard to our educational program: Next Sunday, October 5^th marks the first Sunday of the month, so we will have the Swedlanda Family Sunday School. We have been talking about sharing our faith and all are encouraged to bring family Bibles or baptismal certificates or other things that tell their faith story. This is an event for all and as you can see, we had a wonderful turn-out last month. Come for a great time together with your family of faith!

Besides myself, there have been others who have had surgery recently and we included them in prayer on Sunday. Tom G. and Bruce L. had successful surgeries and are expected to be released from the hospital on Monday. It was also good to see Dale and Joyce D. in church on Sunday. Dale continues his recovery at their lake home.

The theme for the day was the new heart and life we receive through Jesus Christ. Click on the link to the right to see the sermon. Before the sermon began, I took the opportunity to brag a little about my newly born grandson, Benjamin, who is a sign of love and life in our family.

A few additional announcements follow.

God’s blessings this week,

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

Fall Schedule

Choir Practice will be at 8:25 a.m. If you enjoy singing, come and join us. New members are always welcome.

The Swedlanda Family Sunday School will be held at 9:10 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month for people of all ages.

On other Sundays: A Pre-school class will be held at 9:10 a.m. on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month. Sunday School for Jr. & Sr. High will be held in the belfry classroom at 9:10 a.m. Adult Study will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Many, many thanks to all for your concern and prayers. My surgery for prostate cancer was very successful and I am well on the road to recovery. I will need to be tested routinely, but the outlook is very positive. Thanks be to God for his loving presence. Pastor Stewart

The Swedlanda Women of the ELCA will have a Unit Meeting on Thursday, October 2^nd at 7:00 p.m. Deb Rath has the program and hostesses are Deb R. and Wendy W.

The newly elected Executive Board for W-ELCA will meet at 6:00 p.m. before the Unit Meeting in order to do planning.

The Minnesota Valley Women of the ELCA will have their Fall Gathering at American Lutheran, Gaylord on Saturday, October 11. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

The Week of September 21

This past week was a great week for me and my family, to say the least. Last Thursday, I shared with the congregation that the outcome of my post-operative appointment with the surgeon was very positive. There was no indication of cancer in any of the tissue removed outside of the prostate. I will need to be tested regularly in the future, but there is every reason to be optimistic. Also, my recovery from surgery is proceeding very well. I’m very grateful to God and to all who have been remembering us in prayer.

On Friday evening, my daughter Jessica gave birth to her second son, Benjamin Robert Madsen. Needless to say, he’s a beautiful baby and we are all very happy and proud.

Both of these events have served to remind me of God’s constant and loving presence in our lives. We can always depend on Him, in both the trying times and the joyful times of our lives.

I was not able to be with the congregation this Sunday (I had grandpa duties), but expect to return on a part-time basis this week. Thanks again for your concern.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Stewart

Here are a few announcements:

The Swedlanda Family Sunday School will be held at 9:10 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month for people of all ages.

A Pre-school class will be held at 9:10 a.m. on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month.

Sunday School for Jr. & Sr. High will be held in the belfry classroom on all but the first Sunday of each month.

Adult Study will be at 9:30 a.m. beginning September 28.

Choir Practice will be at 8:25 a.m. beginning on September 28. If you enjoy singing, come and join us. New members are always welcome.

The Week of September 14

Greetings!

I’m not at Swedlanda today, but I thought I should update everyone on my condition. I tried to send out a Prayer Partner update last Thursday, but I’m not sure it went through. My surgery went well last Wednesday, although it didn’t get started until almost 4:30 p.m.; we met some wonderful people in pre-op as we waited--even shared faith stories. I had my own medical team with me-Nancy, Jessica and Phillip. I was introduced to my surgeon’s assistant, the da Vinci robot, but he doesn’t talk much. The doctor said that the surgery went very well, as expected; it lasted only about 2 1/2 hours. He gave me the option of spending an extra night in the hospital, but I thought I could get a better rest at Jessica's house in Bloomington. My grandson Joey and his puppy, Lucy are keeping me company. Our son Jeffrey flew in from Kentucky to join us. I will stay here until my follow-up appointment on Thursday. At that time we will get the pathology results on tissue that was taken and the lymph nodes. It is our hope and prayer that this will indicate no spread beyond the prostrate. So thank you for your continued prayers and thanks be to God.

I also appreciate your prayers for those affected by Hurricane Ike. Our daughter Teresa works for TSA, the people who do the security and bag inspections at the airport. She is on a special team that gets sent wherever there is a short-term need. First she was sent to New Orleans, then to Houston, Texas, then Harlingen, Texas and finally McAllen, Texas. If some of the TSA employees can’t come in because of damage to their homes, she may stay for a while to help at the Houston airport.

Our daughter Jessica is also expecting her second son on Sept. 18. There's no shortage of things going on in the Stewart household!

Nancy has been back in Hector due to her work schedule and reports that we had at good attendance at worship. Elizabeth Roebke was filling in for me and did a fine job. Elizabeth is a recent seminary graduate and is awaiting assignment for her first call. May God be with her during this process.

Here are a few announcements. I hope to see you in church soon. Thanks again for your prayers.

In Christ,

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

The Rev. Joyce Piper will be here next Sunday, September 21. She is a Synod Minister for the Southwestern Minnesota Synod and has responsibility for our Conference. In order to provide an opportunity to greet her, there will be a Coffee Fellowship at 9:30 a.m. prior to the worship service.

During Pastor Stewart’s recovery, pastors Ruth Edberg (848-2325) and Keith Pearson (848-2845) are available for emergencies.

There will be a Pre-school class at 9:10 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Sunday School for Jr. & Sr. High will be held in the belfry classroom on all but the first Sunday of each month. The Swedlanda Family Sunday School will be held at 9:10 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month for people of all ages.

Adult Study will be at 9:30 a.m. beginning September 28.
Choir Practice will be at 8:25 a.m. beginning on September 28. If you enjoy singing, come and join us. New members are always welcome.

Luther League meets on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m. Come and join us!
Confirmation Class is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Men In Mission will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 8:30 p.m.
The Doctor of Ministry Conversation Team will meet Thurs. Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m.

A note of thanks for your help with the library project in India

Dear Friends at Swedlanda. Thank you for your on-going support of the school library program in the Arcot Lutheran Church. We now have 61 sponsors. Sept. 2-5, 34 new schools will send their library committees, including students to select books from our second big Book Fair. It is exciting for us to all participate together in this special education ministry.

The Week of September 7

Greetings from Swedlanda!

Today was Rally Sunday and our fall season got off to quite a start! The day began with Swedlanda Family Sunday School under the able direction of Gail D. We kept adding tables to accommodate everyone who came, both young and old. Today we talked about the significance of our names and how God knows us intimately and calls us by name. We even took thumbprints and drew some self-portraits. It was a great time of sharing our stories and our faith with one another. The Family Sunday School is on the first Sunday of each month, so be sure to join us next time. We have also added a pre-school on the 2^nd & 4^th Sundays to accommodate some our youngest children of God. There is also a Jr.-Sr. High class on all Sundays except the first. Adult study will begin on the 28^th, as will our choir practice. There are lots of ways to get involved, so check it out!

The worship service now begins at 10:15 a.m. Today, we enjoyed a beautiful prelude by Emily L., then she and Neil N. offered a beautiful rendition of Children of the Heavenly Father for special music. Wish I had a picture of Neil with his violin to show you, but I didn’t have my camera in the pew.

Jill B. and Eileen R. planned a special part of the service today. The congregation participated in a laying-on of hands as part of a healing service for me. It was very moving to have so many members of our family of faith come forward to offer their touch and prayers. My surgery will be on Wednesday, but I hope to be back after a 2 week recovery period.

The Globe Amaranth is a plant once grown by Thomas Jefferson at his home, Monticello. I used it today to help tell the story of his relationship with John Adams—their estrangement and later reconciliation. This was a focus of the Gospel Lesson today. For the sermon, click on the link to the right.

After our worship service, we enjoyed a Hog Roast. The hog was provided by Kim & Keri A. and many others helped prepare, serve, and clean up. We are grateful for the wonderful turn-out. Everyone had a good time of sharing.

Be sure to join the congregation for the next two Sundays. Elizabeth Roebke, daughter of John and Linda will be here to lead worship on the 14^th and Rev. Linda Piper, Synod Minister of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod will be here on the 21^st. There will be a Coffee Fellowship on each of the two Sundays, Sept. 14 and 21 at 9:30 a.m. prior to the worship service.

I will try to keep everyone informed of my progress as I am able.

God be with you in the coming week.

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

The Family Sunday School will be held at 9:10 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month for people of all ages. On the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month, beginning September 14, there will be a Pre-school at 9:10 a.m. Sunday School for Jr. & Sr. High will be held in the belfry classroom on all but the first Sunday of each month.

Adult Study will be at 9:30 a.m. beginning September 28.

Choir Practice will be at 8:25 a.m. beginning on September 28. If you enjoy singing, come and join us. New members are always welcome.

Pastor Stewart will be having surgery for cancer of the prostate at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park; he should be staying there overnight. Orders for recovery include returning to work on a part time basis in two weeks. Your prayers on behalf of Pastor Stewart and Nancy are much appreciated. During Pastor Stewart’s recovery, pastors Ruth Edberg (848-2325) and Keith Pearson (848-2845) will be available for emergencies.

Minnesota Valley Conference Ambassadors In Mission (AIM)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Swan Lake Lutheran, Klossner

5140 Fort Rd (5 mi. SE on Cty Rd 5) Pastor Garry Grunzke

Phone: 507-228-8906

Program: Pastor Jim Knutson, South Africa

Coffee: 9:30 a.m. Program 10:00 a.m.

Program and business meeting followed by noon meal

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND

The Swedlanda Treasurer’s Report indicates a balance of $3,026.87 in the general fund, with $15,000 borrowed from the Mission Investment Fund. The Building Maintenance Savings Account stands at $24,089.66. Thank you for your continued support of Swedlanda.

Luther League meets on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m. Come and join us!

A note of thanks for your help with the library project in India

Dear Friends at Swedlanda. Thank you for your on-going support of the school library program in the Arcot Lutheran Church. We now have 61 sponsors. Sept. 2-5, 34 new schools will send their library committees, including students to select books from our second big Book Fair. It is exciting for us to all participate together in this special education ministry.