The Week of February 22

Greetings from Swedlanda,

Today at Swedlanda, we celebrated Transfiguration Sunday and the end of the Epiphany season. We had a guest speaker, Pastor Roger Semmler of the Prisoners of Hope Congregation at the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton. This is an ELCA congregation of prisoners who are supported by other congregations such as ours. “I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:36

During our service we also installed newly elected members and Council officers: Bonnie E., Jerome F., and Erik D.; Calvin A., President; Jill B., Vice President, Keri A., Secretary; and Kevin A., Treasurer.

This past week, my wife Nancy and I had an opportunity to see Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform at the Minneapolis Orchestra Hall. When I visited the Ondini Circuit in our Companion Synod in South Africa, I was within about 30 miles of Ladysmith, but did not get a chance to visit there. They have been performing for many years, but are perhaps best known for their album with Paul Simon.

The Lenten Season begins this week with Ash Wednesday. Our service begins at 7 p.m.

Next Sunday, March 1^st, we will have the Swedlanda Family Sunday School beginning at 9:10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. The focus will be on Christian hospitality. This is an event for people of all ages, so be sure to join us. On the same day our Conference will meet in assembly at Augustana Lutheran, Gibbon beginning at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Swedlanda is entitled to 6 delegates, 3 men and 3 women. Nominations for bishop will take place, as well as the election of board and committee members from our Conference. We will also hear the latest regarding plans for developing our relationship with our partners in the Vryheid Circuit.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor Stewart

The Week of February 15

Greetings from Swedlanda!

Yes, we are prepared for a blizzard at Swedlanda now. Thanks to the generosity of some of our members, the congregation now has a new snowblower. The sight brought tears to my eyes. It even has a light and hand-warmers! Old Diablo, the old snowblower, is now in retirement after many years of service.

We began the service today with some reminders of the Valentine’s Day celebration of yesterday. Annabelle’s lovely arrangement enjoyed a place of honor and the prelude, “My God”, was sung by several Swedlanda “sisters” who spent Valentine’s Day singing for many area residents. From left to right: Emily, Jill, Karyn, Cindy, Deb, and Wendy. You will have to ask Jill about the “hot tub incident” at the Buffalo Lake Nursing Home.

Our lessons for the day shared a healing theme involving lepers. Jesus Christ desires to enter our lives and awaits our willingness to open the door to him. This well-known painting of Jesus based on Revelations 3:20 hangs in our entryway where members often gather for prayer, study of Scriptures, and discussion: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” When we invite Jesus into our lives, his presence is a source of healing and wholeness. He chooses to bless us. The message for the day is available through the link on the right.

Several of our members were working at the Lion’s Flapjack Festival in Hector today-a ministry of service to the young people of our community. Nancy and I joined many others from our community after worship for a good meal and fellowship.

My radiation treatments have been going well, thanks to the prayers and support of many in our congregation and community. Last week, Bob F. and Eileen R. accompanied me on trips to Minneapolis.

Next week we will be joined by Pastor Roger Semmler from the Prisoners of Hope ministry in Appleton. Join us to hear about this important ministry.

May your week be blessed with the presence of Christ.

Pastor Stewart

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The Week of February 8

Greetings from Swedlanda!
What message do you see? In church on Sunday, the focus was on being attentive to God’s presence in our midst. The choir sang a beautiful selection for special music. Doug S. was honored on the occasion of his 75th birthday with flowers from his wife, Darlene.


During the course of the week, the Women of the ELCA gathered for their monthly Unit meeting. The decorations reminded us that Valentine’s Day is approaching.

This photo doesn’t do justice to the beautiful sunrise I saw on my way to Minneapolis last week. My daily trips for radiation treatments have been going well. Thank you for your prayers.

May God bless you with an awareness of His presence this week.
Pastor Stewart

Announcement:
All are invited to take part in one of two “Healthy Congregation” events being held in our area. The first is led by Rev. David Wall and Rev. Jeff Engholm and will focus on the marks of healthy congregations. It will be offered on two consecutive Saturdays, Feb. 21 at Tracy Lutheran and Feb. 28 at Trinity Luth, Grove City from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The second is “Leadership for God’s Missional Congregations” with Pat Taylor Ellison from Church Innovations. It will be held on Sat. March 14, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Granite Falls Lutheran. The council has voted to cover the cost for any wishing to attend. Please let Pastor Stewart know if you are interested.

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The Week of February 1

Greetings from Swedlanda!
Actually, I am not at Swedlanda today. This is the final day of a week of continuing education for me. I have been at Luther Seminary in St. Paul this past week for a class in the Doctor of Ministry program on Congregational Mission and Leadership. Here is a picture of my cohort.
In my absence, worship was led by a senior student from the seminary, Chimezie Ukaonu. He is originally from Nigeria and has been in this country for 20 years. I understand he arrived in time to join the congregation for the Swedlanda Family Sunday School.

My radiation treatments begin on Monday. Thank you for your prayers. A few announcements for the week follow.

God’s blessings,
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.

The Swedlanda Women of the ELCA will have a Unit Meeting on Thursday, February 5 at 1:30 p.m. Nancy S. has the program and hostesses are Nancy S. and Mary A.