The Week of January 18

Greetings from Swedlanda,

What a nice change from the cold weather we have been having! It is nearly 40 degrees warmer than it was just a few days ago. But several families from the Swedlanda congregations have found even warmer places to be. Ruth A. just wrote me that it was in the 80’s in Arizona. We still have snow and drifting, however. The snow plow blew away the lighted globes on either side of the walk in front of the church. One was located in the field to the south this morning.

Our focus for the day was on the call to discipleship. The women’s choir sang a very appropriate offering that really fit that theme. Their addition to worship is much appreciated.

Today I was able to update the congregation on the schedule for my radiation treatments. They will begin on February 2 and end on April 1; 8:00 a.m., M-F at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. It is my intention to continue my usual schedule insofar as I can. Thank you for your many prayers and support.

In the Prayers of the Church we remembered our nation’s leaders in anticipation of the inauguration to be held on Tuesday. It will be a historic event. My daughter Teresa’s job with airport security has taken her to D.C. temporarily, but she is expecting to be quite busy on Tuesday with all the additional people who have been traveling to the area. I will be busy that day also, as Swedlanda is hosting the pastors of our Conference at their monthly meeting.

As this is the third Sunday of the month, we added the following prayer for our companions in South Africa:

Lord, as we pray for your church throughout the world, we pray especially for our partner churches in the Vryheid (“FreeHeet”) Circuit in South Africa’s Southeastern Diocese. Lead their Dean to overcome obstacles in preparing for his visit to our Minnesota Valley Conference-ELCA and our Synod Assembly in June 2009. Grace the retirement of Bishop Sibiya with a sense of “Well done”, and uplift newly elected Bishop Buthelezi unto a strong vision of gospel, service and partnership in Christ’s name.

A few announcements follow. As usual, the sermon for today is available through the link on the right.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

Our conference partnership committee is working to bring Pastor Scotty Khumalo and Mr. Moses Mahlangu to our MN Valley Conference next June. So far $1,300 has been raised of our $8,000 goal. These two leaders come from our partner circuit - the Vryheid Circuit of the SE Diocese of the Lutheran Church in South Africa.

As many of you know, Keagan T. (Matt & MarKeela) has been doctoring at the Mayo Clinic. Keagan was born premature with major digestive, breathing and other complications. While at Mayo we stay at the Ronald McDonald House, they go above and beyond to make us feel as at home as possible. I would like to show our appreciation by collecting blankets and other donations to donate to the House, at our next visit. We will be collecting donations up to the time of Keagan's next appt. on Monday February 9. Thank you for your generosity, Keagan T. & Family. You may bring any donations to the church or contact Doug T. for pick-up.

An ecumenical service will be held during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25^th at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake. Offerings will go to the Renville County Food Shelf. Please join the community of faith as we recognize our oneness in Jesus Christ.