Notes from Swedlanda: The Week of December 7

Greetings from Swedlanda!

It seems that this past week has been all about concerts. After many weeks of rehearsals, the 2008 Christmas Cantata “Journey of Hope” was performed twice, first at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia on Thursday, then at First Lutheran in Hector on Sunday. Approximately 70 people from across Renville County participated, several of them from Swedlanda. Deb R. was the director and Cyndi W. was the accompanist. Other participants from Swedlanda included Wendy W., Doug T., Brian and Karyn L., Adam G, and myself. The cantata was well received and a wonderful way to get in the spirit of the season. It continues to be an important ministry of outreach in the community and is very ecumenical. Besides that, a significant offering taken in Olivia went to support Santa’s Closet and the Food Shelf in our county. Such contributions have become very important in a time of economic downturn. My thanks to all who worked so hard on putting together the cantata. If you would like to see more pictures, click on the link to the photo album for "2008 Cantata Photos" on the right. My thanks to Carol T. and Mark F. for taking the pictures.

Swedlanda members were encouraged to attend the concert at First Lutheran this Sunday, so we canceled all morning activities except for our worship service. I raced back after the cantata and we started a few moments late. I’m afraid my voice wasn’t in very good shape due to a cold, but all went well and I didn’t get a ticket for speeding.

I also attended another concert on Friday. My family and I made our annual pilgrimage to Christmas in Christ Chapel at our church college, Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter. The chapel was beautifully decorated and the choirs were wonderful, as usual. The theme was “Joyeux Noel: A Feast of French Music, Art, and Culture.” We also attended a wonderful buffet, with many wonderful entrees, including the notorious lutefisk. I passed on it, but Nancy took some in honor of her Scandinavian heritage.

As Christmas draws ever nearer, other opportunities present themselves at Swedlanda. This coming Sunday, we will have our monthly Family Sunday School for all ages beginning at 9:10 a.m. This intergenerational event has become a favorite among members and a wonderful way of sharing the faith from generation to generation. All are welcome! At the beginning of our 10:15 a.m. worship time, the Sunday School will have a Christmas program, followed by Holy Communion. Bring a friend or neighbor with you to experience it!

A Family Christmas Eve Service is scheduled for the 24^th at 4:30 p.m. and as is our tradition, families and individuals are asked to share something at the service. It could be a reading or song or something instrumental. Please let me or Deb R., our choir director, know what you would like to offer. Then on Christmas Day, we will have a service of Holy Communion at 9:00 a.m.

Here are a few more announcements from our bulletin. Have a joyous week and God bless.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

Consider the needs of others at Christmas time!

The Church Council is inviting people to bring non-perishable food items for the Renville County Food Shelf from now until Sunday Dec. 21^st. Donations can be left in the church entryway.

The offerings for the Christmas Eve and Day services will be equally divided between the Renville County Food Shelf and “Reach out for Warmth,” an energy assistance program in Renville County.

Pastor Stewart will be gone on some future Sundays so we're looking for pulpit supply. No experience necessary and the crowd is very kind! Please consider volunteering to conduct the liturgy or give the message on December 28 or January 4. Let Eileen R. or Pastor Stewart know. Thank you.

The Swedlanda Men In Mission will meet on Wednesday, December 17 at 8:30 p.m. to pack up bags for the Christmas Eve service. Please join us.