The Week of March 29

Greetings from Swedlanda!

“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain.” (John 12:24) Nancy’s freshly baked bread served as the sermon illustration on Sunday, and then was used for Holy Communion. The path of discipleship is narrow. Speaking of the spiritual path, Swedlanda is planning to offer a labyrinth during Holy Week. The labyrinth is a Prayer Path, offering a place of contemplation and spiritual commitment. Plan to spend an hour during the week, April 5-10 as a part of your Lenten journey.

During our Sunday service, the choir sang another “Cold Mountain” selection for the offertory-beautiful, as usual. We are looking forward to the Wednesday evening service, where we will continue our series on spiritual practices by exploring faith and testimony. Our Confirmation students will be sharing their faith experiences with the congregation. We have three in the class this year, Brady Z., Jordan A., and Zach P.

Plan on taking advantage of opportunities for spiritual growth during the remainder of the Lenten season, as we approach Easter. Here is the schedule: 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday, April 9; 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 10; 6:45 a.m. Easter Sunrise & 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion, April 12. The Easter Breakfast will be offered by the Luther League in-between services.

Palm Sunday Special Event--Bishop Jon Anderson of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA will be the guest speaker for this year’s Buffalo Lake-Hector Ministerial Association Palm Sunday Special Event, Sunday evening, April 5^th at 3:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Hector. Bishop Anderson recently completed a trip to Israel and Palestine and will share reflections on the Holy Week texts along with photos and reflections on the current struggles in the Holy Land.

God’s blessings during the coming weeks,

Pastor Stewart

The Week of March 22, 2009

Greetings from Swedlanda, God reveals Himself in a paradox…light in darkness…life in a symbol of death, the bronze serpent and the cross of Jesus Christ. We are on a Lenten pilgrimage and God is shaping us spiritually. On Sunday our choir sang an offertory, “Great High Mountain”.We have had a good attendance at the Lenten Midweek Services. The services have been preceded by a meal and last Wednesday, the Luther League provided a unique menu: pizza. It seemed to be quite popular with everyone. The service following focused on spiritual disciplines-truth and justice. This week, the focus will be on healing and prayer. Why don’t you join us?God bless you,
Pastor Stewart

Here are a few announcements:

My final radiation treatment is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 25th, a week sooner than I anticipated. I would like to thank all of those who have accompanied me to treatments, including Bob F., Todd P., Theresa F., Jim R., Calvin A., Olga S. and Lila Mae A., Lyndon A., and Nancy S. And thank-you also to all who have been praying for me or have sent cards. You truly have been “bearing one another’s burdens” on my behalf. The radiation oncologist tells me it will take about 2-3 weeks to recover from the after effects of radiation. Pastor Stewart

Minute for Mission, March 13, 2009, from Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM): The children in India need your prayers - it's exam time! While they will continue with their classes to the end of their school year in mid-April, each standard (grade) takes final exams in March. Like tests in the U.S.A., these exams serve as proof of progress. If you or your congregation sponsors a child(ren) through Lutheran Partner's Project Education India, please pray with us for good test results so they may continue their studies next year or receive their completion certificate.

The Renville County chapter of Habitat for Humanity is selling tickets for their new car raffle. First prize is a 2009 Chevy Malibu or $20,000 cash, 2nd prize is a 42” LG LCD HDTV, 3rd prize is a Dell Inspirion Laptop computer, and 4th prize is an IPod Touch. Tickets are $50 each and no more than 1000 tickets will be sold (probably more like 800-850). The drawing will be April 4 at the Frontier Bar in Fairfax between the 2 semifinal Final Four college basketball games. Tickets will be sold until the end of the 1st game, if available, but are on sale now at Maynard’s, Dueber’s, Fairfax TV, VanHon’s Law, Larson’s Chevrolet or call 507-426-8302 for ticket info.

Palm Sunday Special Event – Bishop Jon Anderson of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA will be the guest speaker for this year’s Buffalo Lake-Hector Ministerial Association Palm Sunday Special Event, Sunday evening, April 5th at 3:00 p.m. Bishop Anderson recently completed a trip to Israel and Palestine and will share reflections on the Holy Week texts along with photos and reflections on the current struggles in the Holy Land.

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The Week of March 15

Greetings from Swedlanda,

Quite a few of our snowbirds were spotted returning to the nest today, including Leland and Flora P., Doris J., and Russell J. It was great to see them back. And they came just in time for some 50 degree weather.

The altar flowers today were in honor of Bob & Ruth F.’s 50^th anniversary. God’s blessings upon them

Steve B. was celebrating his birthday today by serving as head usher. Congratulations!

And here are some faithful members who arrived early for Bible Study today, Ray & Eldonna C.

What is it? A giant Stay Puft marshmallow? A large cotton ball? No, it’s more quilt batting for our quilters.

Don’t forget to join us for the Lenten service on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

God bless you this week,

Pastor Stewart

The Week of March 8

Greetings from Swedlanda,

Wouldn’t you like to know what that was all about? Mike, the headless chicken served as our example today of what it can be like when we run about aimlessly without a “head”, that is, without Christ. If you would like to read the rest of the message for the day, it is available through the link on the right. The story served to wake people up this morning; everyone was a bit tired after losing an hour to daylight savings time.

The Sunday services of Lent have complimented our Lenten mid-week services on spiritual disciplines. Last Wednesday, the focus was on reflection and humility. You are invited to join us at 7 p.m. Come early for a supper served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

The Women of Swedlanda had a Unit meeting this past week. President Gail D. led the meeting and told of the many places our quilts have been sent through Lutheran World Relief. Gail also provided some beautiful Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lilies), which were later placed on the altar for Sunday. Carol T. invited MarKeela to talk about her son Keagan T. and their visits to the Ronald McDonald House.

Have a blessed Lent,

Pastor Stewart

Announcements:

The South Africa Partnership Committee of our conference will meet at noon on Tuesday, March 10 at the Vets Club in Winthrop. All are invited to come!

A Partnership Awareness Event has been scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 9:30 a.m. in conjunction with our Conference Ambassadors In Mission. The meeting will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 32234 431st Ave. Gaylord (5 miles south on #22, 4 miles east on #8). All are encouraged to come and hear the latest about what is happening with our Companion Synod/Conference relationship and to hear plans for Dean Khumalo’s visit in June and the trip to South Africa in 2010.

The journey of Lent continues for 40 days and includes a service each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. until Holy Week. The midweek service will be preceded by a Lenten Supper, 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. This week the Esther Circle is serving. The offerings from our midweek services will be divided equally between Kids Against Hunger and the Library Project in India through Lutheran partners in Global Ministry. A daily Lenten devotional has been provided in mailboxes.

Are you interested in pre-ordering a plant for Easter? If so, there is a sign-up sheet in the entryway with a selection of plants discounted by Carr Flowers in Hutchinson. Orders must be submitted by March 22^nd.