The Week of October 26

Greetings from Swedlanda!

It definitely feels like winter has arrived at Swedlanda. Winds are gusting at over 50 mph and there has been light snow this afternoon. I can’t say that anyone had been looking forward to the abrupt change in weather.

Nonetheless, we had quite a few people in church this morning. The choir sang the offertory today and we had a special song led by our pre-school class. The congregation stood up and exercised their “heads, fingers, knees and toes.” It seemed quite appropriate because we had just been talking about postures of prayer in our adult Bible study.

We had some beautiful fall arrangements in our worship space, one from the funeral of Marvin Johnson, former neighbor, and the other in honor of Doug & Darlene S. 51^st wedding anniversary. Congratulations to them!

I was at a theological conference in St. Cloud for three days this past week and had an opportunity to tour St. John’s Abbey at Collegeville. Our group worshiped with the Benedictine monks there, an experience that I shared with the congregation this morning. Here are a few photos, including one of St. Peregrine, who figured in my sermon, available as usual through the link on the right.

It was noted during worship that next Sunday will be the first Sunday of the month and the day on which we have the Swedlanda Family Sunday School, beginning at 9:10 a.m. The theme is “How have friends enriched your faith story?” So come and bring photos, keepsakes or anything to share. We turn our clocks back that day, so we will have plenty of time.

I wanted to add a special note that might be of some interest to our farmers. Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief executive officer of John Deere was the featured guest today on "Grace Matters," the radio ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He tells a faith story of how he was influenced by his grandparents and parents. Program information and podcasts are available at http://gracematters.org on the Web. I am adding a link on the right hand side of this blog.

I also wanted to share the contents of a new brochure about our companion church in South Africa, so I have included that below.

May you have a blessed week,

Pastor Stewart

Our Companion Synod, the Southeastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa is located primarily in the KwaZulu-Natal area of South Africa. Our Companion Conference, the Vryheid Circuit is in the northern part of the diocese.

Our synod's link with a Lutheran diocese in South Africa was established 1990. Their diocese and our synod have worked to encourage interdependence, communication, and visitation. We have had bishops visit here as our bishop has traveled there. We helped some students attend Gustavus Adolphus College. Each year congregations were encouraged to have Uhambisano Sundays to better know our Christian friends.

In recent years more lay people and pastors have traveled to South Africa. This has increased the joy of our synod sharing this connection with Christian friends in South Africa.

A new chapter in our companionship began when the ten conferences in our synod were paired with the ten circuits in their diocese. Our MN Valley conference seeks to deepen its relationship with our partner circuit - the Vryheid Circuit. Earlier this year a Partnership Committee was establish made up of representatives of MN Valley congregations. Your congregation is invited to join in working with the Partnership committee to establish a good friendship with the Vryheid Circuit.

What our MN Valley Conference is doing

Our Conference has already pledged $1,000 per year for five years to support an AIDS Coordinator. This is paid out of the annual dues congregations send to the MN Valley Conference.

Our Conference seeks to bring the Dean of the Vryheid Circuit, Pastor Skhathesithle (Scottie) Khumalo, and another guest to visit our conference in June 2009.

Our Conference desires to send a group made up of pastors and laypeople from our conference to visit the Vryheid circuit in 2010.

What congregations in our Conference may do

Pray during worship each third Sunday and at other times:

· For the Southeastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran. Church in South Africa

· For the Vryheid Circuit - the parishes, pastors, and people

Follow the news in South Africa on the web.

Help raise the $8,000 we need to bring Dean Scottie and another church representative to visit our conference in 2009. Consider gifts from: Benevolence funds; Sunday School offerings; Endowment funds; Women of the ELCA benevolence; Special fund raisers (which will also help raise awareness) Monetary gifts may be sent to our conference treasurer: Minnesota Valley Conference, c/o Treasurer Ben Schuft, 1015 Co Rd 7, Stewart, MN 55385

We look forward to June 2009 when our guests from the Vryheid Circuit are here and you will be able to meet them. We are planning that they will travel around our conference to provide opportunities for people to meet them.

The Week of October 19th

Greetings from Swedlanda!

We have a beautiful fall day today and the farmers have been working hard lately. As you can see from the big silver maple in back of the church, the leaves are beginning to turn and the fields are starting to look bare.

I was good to have Bernice C. back in church after her surgery last week. We added Doug S. to our prayers today. He injured his hand in an accident, but is recuperating at home. We also prayed for the family of Marvin Johnson, a former neighbor who passed away last week.

When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus in our Gospel Lesson today, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world. If you want to view the sermon, the link is on the right side.

I will be attending the Fall Theological Conference of our Synod today through Wednesday. The topic is “Evangelized: God’s Gift of the Good News.” Speakers are Dr. Rolf Jacobson, Luther Seminary and Dr. Beth Lewis, President of Augsburg Fortress. The conference is being held in St. Cloud.

Here’s a prayer for our companions in South Africa:

God of grace and glory, we pray for our sisters and brothers in our companion synod in South Africa. We especially remember those in the Vryheid Circuit as we work to build connections with them, and prepare to welcome representatives to our Conference next summer. Give wisdom and strength to their newly elected bishop, Rev. P. P. Buthelezi, as he leads these congregations in witnessing to your love.

May God bless you.

Pastor Stewart

The Week of October 12th

Greetings from Swedlanda!

Things have slowed down a bit in the community due to the wet weather we’ve been having, but the farmers have made some progress on the harvest. It sounds like it will be wet again tomorrow.

The choir sang today at worship. We also had some folks there who have been on our prayer list lately: Suzie R., Tom G., Dale D., Bernice C., and myself. Our prayers are important! Today we included the following prayer for our Companion Synod in Southern Africa:

“We pray for the decision makers in the South Eastern Diocese in South Africa as they elect a new Bishop today. May they find a shepherd to lead them in the mission of Christ, including the fight against HIV/Aids, poverty and violence. We pray for Bishop Sibiya as he enters retirement and we give thanks for his wisdom and service.”

The Gospel lesson today was the parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to the wedding banquet given by the king for his son (Matthew 22:1-14). “Everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” I found this photo from the wedding of Melissa and Andrew W. in my archives. I think Jill B. took it. It expresses joy at a celebration. If you would like to read the sermon, check the link on the right. If you have a new hotmail or MSN address let me know, and I will send you an invite.

Here are a few announcements. Have a blessed week!

Yours,
Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

Come join the fun! It’s time to begin practice for the 2008 Christmas cantata Journey of Hope. Rehearsals are planned for Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at Faith United Methodist in Olivia. The concert will be held on Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia. Deb R. is directing and Cyndi W. is the accompanist. New members always welcome!

How can you make a difference? By attending the "Make a Difference" fundraiser benefiting the Renville County Outreach Program of Shelter House. Last year, this program assisted 122 survivors of domestic violence and 24 survivors of sexual assault in Renville County. This year's event will be held on Friday, November 14 at Max's Grill in Olivia. It includes a great banquet dinner, live music during dinner, silent and live auction items for bid, and dancing with the D.J. until late in the evening. Tickets cost $25. Guest speaker for the evening is Vickie Swenson. Vickie and her husband Eric took in her sister's four children when an ex-boyfriend murdered their mother in September 2006. The funds raised at the "Make a Difference" event will be used by the Renville County Outreach Program to assist survivors from the Renville County area in finding safety and planning for a successful future. We'd like to show our support by having a table of eight people attending so check your calendars for the date and contact Eileen R. to get your name on the list. We'd appreciate your reservation by October 20. Thank you.

Why didn't we think of that before? Recently we held a healing and prayer service for Pastor Stewart before his surgery for prostate cancer. Because we believe in the power of prayer and the power of support we get from one another in Christian community, the church council has decided to pursue the possibility of healing and prayer services on either a regular or as-requested basis. We are looking for ideas or suggestions as to your wishes on how to proceed. Think it over, discuss it, and pass your ideas along to either Pastor Stewart or Council Chair Eileen R. Some things to consider might be: the scheduling (regular or as requested)? During an existing worship service or as a separate service? Group or individual recipients? Informal planning as needed or an organized ministry? Or any other ideas you might have. We appreciate your help.

The Week of October 5th

Greetings from Swedlanda,

Yes, we had royalty at Swedlanda today. Cousins Tyler B. and Kasey P. were both here. They were elected as homecoming King and Queen at BL-H Schools this past week. Congratulations to them both! Kasey is healing up from recent knee surgery, but was without a brace today.

We started out with Swedlanda Family Sunday School today, with Jill & Steve B. leading in some discussion and sharing about baptism and our faith. Those who were there had some good stories to tell. Jill brought along a baptismal gown that has been used in their family for children and grandchildren. We also sang the popular hymn, “Borning Cry” and had an opportunity to some coloring. Don’t forget to join us the next time we have this event for people of all ages. It is scheduled on the first Sunday of every month.

It is a dreary day today and we have had a little rain, so that seems to have slowed the pace of the harvest a bit. But trucks have been running steadily on the roads and I have noticed fields disappearing quickly. I took a few photos on my way to a homecoming game at Gustavus Adolphus College yesterday. I was hoping to take some pictures of leaves turning, but it is hard to capture the colors and it is still a little spotty.

If interested in the sermon, you can get to it by clicking on the right-hand link. You need to have a free hotmail or msn account and if you have a new account, you may need an invitation from me, so let me know if you are having difficulties. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells a parable of the vineyard, an image of Israel, the prophets’ mission, and Christ’s death. For Christians, the vineyard also speaks of God’s love poured out in the blood of Christ, given to us for the forgiveness of sin. Grafted onto Christ the vine at baptism, we are nourished with wine and bread, that we may share Christ’s sufferings and know the power of his resurrection.

Have a great week and God bless.

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

By action of the Council, the Eddy Anderson & Oscar Kulberg Mission Investment Fund Interest of $390.77 has been dedicated for the Minnesota Valley Conference South Africa Partnership Committee, to be used to help fund travel expenses for visitors from our Companion Conference, the Vryheid Circuit.

The current balance in our maintenance and building fund is $24,142.53. Pending projects include siding and roof for the church and the parsonage deck. Thank you for your support. The balance in our general fund was $2,044.54 at the end of September, with a current outstanding loan of $15,000, which is from our Mission Investment Funds.

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.