Happy New Year! The season of Advent begins a new year in the Church. The “blue” season of hope focuses on the coming of our God into His world. At Swedlanda, we got things started with a baptism and a very successful Advent Event.
My newest grandson, Benjamin Robert Madsen, was baptized in a family heirloom—a 127 year-old baptismal gown worn by Benjamin’s great-great grandpa, Meiner Mork, who was baptized at Palmyra Lutheran church in 1881. Needless to say, we’re all very proud of the newest addition to the family of faith. He’s pictured here with his parents Jessica and Tom.
During the worship service, the choir sang “Come To the Water”—very appropriate for a baptism and also a paraphrase of Isaiah 55: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters… Incline your ear, and come to me: listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love.”
After the worship service, the congregation had an opportunity to participate in a live auction that was run by Tom G. and Neil C. They did a great job! A silent auction was also going on, with lots of baked goods and handmade items. We broke for a meal which included an egg bake and sausages. Nancy S. was the cook and several others helped with serving and clean-up.
The silent auction continued until about 1:15 p.m. and in the meantime, a crew was decorating upstairs. As a result, our sanctuary looks beautiful in anticipation of Christmas. All in all, the Advent Event was deemed a success. At the council meeting it was reported that it brought in a record $4,816.50! As a result, Swedlanda ended the year in the black.
On Tuesday of this week, Andrew Kulberg was buried in the Swedlanda cemetery. He was baptized at Swedlanda in 1910. His funeral was held last Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
The Church Council also decided to invite people to bring non-perishable food items for the Renville County Food Shelf from now until Sunday Dec. 21st. Donations can be left in the church entryway.
Several things are planned in the coming days and weeks, including the 2008 Christmas cantata Journey of Hope, which will be performed 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. Other Swedlanda members participating include Wendy W., Doug T., Brian and Karyn L., Adam G. and Pastor Stewart. The cantata will be performed a second time at First Lutheran Church in Hector on Sunday, December 7 at 9:00 a.m. All are encouraged to attend. The Swedlanda Family Sunday School has been rescheduled for December 14 and other Sunday morning activities on Dec. 7th have been canceled with the exception of the 10:15 a.m. worship service.
Sunday, December 14 is also the day on which we will have the Sunday School Christmas program. On Christmas Eve, there will be a Family Service at 4:30 p.m. and on Christmas Day there will be a 9 a.m. service of Holy Communion. 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.
One of my correspondents has suggested a link for those who feel the need for lutefisk at this time of the year: www.lutfiskloverslifeline.com. I went on it and found a 17 page list of places serving the dried, lye-soaked cod, most of them in Minnesota. Enjoy!
I look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks. God bless you and may you remain alert to the Advent message of our God’s coming into His world.
In Christ,
Pastor Stewart
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