Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Ash Wednesday is February 10. We will mark the beginning of the Lenten season with a worship service in the church sanctuary at 7:00 p.m.

The Rev. Margaret Jones writes in “Ash Wednesday – A Wake-up Call” that “on Ash Wednesday we come to church to kneel, to pray, and to ask God’s forgiveness, surrounded by other sinners…Our church tradition sets aside Ash Wednesday as a particular day to address sin and death. We do this mindful that ‘God hates nothing God has made and forgives the sins of all who are penitent.’

“Ash Wednesday is the gateway to Lent. We have forty precious days to open ourselves up most particularly to God, to examine ourselves in the presence of one who created us, knows us, and loves us. We have forty days to face ourselves and learn to not be afraid of our sinfulness. We are dust, and to dust we shall return, but with God’s grace we can learn to live this life more fully, embracing our sinfulness, allowing God to transform us.”

To this end, we will have a 24-hour prayer vigil following the Ash Wednesday worship service. It will begin at 8:30 p.m., and go until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex

Newsletter- February 2016

for half hour prayer times. You may also call the church office to sign up for a time. You may spend your time praying at the church, or at home. There will be someone at the church all night for those who want to pray there. Please enter through the west door.

The Wednesday evenings after Ash Wednesday will follow this schedule: a soup supper at 6:00 p.m. (with a freewill donation for Luther League activities), Holden Evening Prayer at 6:45 p.m., with small group time at 7:30 p.m.

The small groups will be reading and discussing the book Unbinding Your Soul. It is a continuation of the Unbinding series which we studied during Lent two years ago. This will be a five-week small group experience with short study chapters, an individual prayer journal, prayer partner activities, and group discussion. The books, along with a sign-up for the small groups, are also in the narthex.

The purpose of this year’s Lenten discipline is to look at the role of prayer in developing a closer relationship with God, and to provide opportunities to practice prayer and faith sharing as a means of spiritual growth and development. I hope and pray that you will consider being a part of a small group.Love in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Worship ScheduleSundays in February

8:30 a.m. Confirmation (Feb. 14, 21, & 28) 9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Sunday School in the church basement 9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal (Feb. 7, 21, & 28)10:00 a.m. Worship

Wednesdays in February 7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study "Hoodwinked"

in the church basement (February 3 only)

February 17 & 24: 6:00 p.m. Luther League Soup Supper 6.45 p.m. Lenten Service – Holden Evening Prayer 7:30 p.m. Unbinding Your Soul Small group discussion

Congregation Council and Church Finance Notes

The Council met on Thursday, January 21, 2016. The next regular Council meeting will be Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. A copy of the meeting minutes is posted in the church narthex. Council minutes are also available in the church office.

Financial Report 2016 General Fund Activity (through January 26,

2016)Giving $23,243.74Expenses $14,901.00Mission Support $0 .00 Net Loss $8,342.74

Any church committee meeting may be attended by anyone. You do not have to be a member of that group

to attend their meeting. We encourage you to attend the meeting(s) of your choice.

Prayer VigilWe will have a 24-hour prayer vigil beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Ash Wednesday (February 10) until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 11. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Sign up for a half hour prayer time. There can be two persons for each time slot. You can also choose to pray at church or at your own home, please indicate which you choose. There will be someone at the church throughout the prayer vigil to monitor the door (use the west entrance).

Pastor Matthew Martens ReturnsAs part of the 150th Anniversary celebration, it was decided to ask former pastors to lead worship when Pastor Mark is on vacation. Pastor Matthew Martens will be the first to return as he leads worship on Sunday, February 7. Please give the Martens a warm welcome back to Swedesburg.

150th Anniversary Children’s Activities/Games Committee to Meet

The 150th Anniversary Children’s Activities/Games Committee will meet after worship on February 7.

150th Historical CommitteeThe 150th Historical Committee continues to have 2016 Church calendars for sale. Calendars are available in the church office. This calendar makes great birthday gifts!

The 150th Historical Committee will meet on February 11 at 6:30 p.m. and March 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Souper Bowl of Caring

On Sunday, February 7, the Luther League will once again sponsor the Souper Bowl of Caring. Please come with a can of soup and/or a monetary donation to put in the pans in the narthex. All proceeds will be given to the Fellowship Cup.

Ski TripThe Luther League is sponsoring a ski trip to Sundown Resort near Dubuque on Sunday, February 14. We will leave after worship, stopping at the Coral Ridge Mall for lunch. The cost is $20 per person for our youth, $38 for others that would like to join us. It would be a great way to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart.

LentDuring Lent we will be having small groups after the Lenten service.

Unbinding Your Soul will be a 5 week session to help us understand how we can deepen our faith and our relationship with God. Part of the study is with a small group and a prayer journal during the week to help us discover more about ourselves and how we can deepen our faith journey. During Lent we will have a soup supper, worship and then small groups to share about what we have read during the week. Watch for a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Any questions call or email Peggy Grothe.

Women of the ELCA (WELCA)The Swedesburg WELCA continues their sewing at the Parish Hall in February. They begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays. Everyone is invited to join in.

Christian EducationHey, kids! Can you guess what all of these things have in common:

Alarm clocks, flashlights, candy, hearts,

glow-in-the dark stickers, rocks, bubbles, lemon juice AND a crystal growing tree!

Besides being fun to play with and pretty interesting (…what is a crystal growing tree, anyway?), this list contains some of the items we are going to use in Sunday School to help us understand Jesus’s teachings from the Gospel of Luke. In February and March, we are going to look in our Bibles at some of the stories (or parables) Jesus told to help his followers understand the kingdom of God and God’s endless and awesome love for us…for YOU! Sometimes, when we read the Bible, it just doesn’t make sense. But, parables help us to create a picture in our mind of who God is and how he cares for us. We’ll be having lots of fun as we learn, sing and share in the good news that Jesus brought for me, for you…for EVERYONE! We hope to see you Sunday morning!

Sunday School takes place on Sunday mornings in the church basement, from 9:00- 9:50 a.m. We begin our time together with music, followed by a bible lesson and prayer time. Ages 3-6th grades are welcome any time and every time…even if you cannot attend every Sunday.

February 7 – Jesus is Worth of Glory (Luke 9:28-36)February 14 - Making valentines for congregation membersFebruary 21 – Jesus Teaches About Loving Our Enemies

(Luke 6:27-38)February 28 – Jesus Teaches About Good Fruit (Luke 6:43-45)March 6 – Jesus Tells the Parable of the Lost Son

(Luke 15:11-32)

Worship and Music CommitteeThe Worship and Music Committee met on January 14. Past worship services were discussed. The next Now

The Feast and Celebration service will be April 10. Upcoming services were discussed. Ash Wednesday is February 10. We will switch to Setting 4 during Lent. Midweek Lenten Services will be on Wednesday evening. A soup supper will be held at 6:00 p.m. with proceeds going to the Luther League. The youth will be serving the supper. The Holden Evening Prayer Service will begin at 6:45 p.m. The youth will present skits and then there will be Unbinding Your Soul small group discussions around 7:30 p.m. Palm Sunday is March 20. Maundy Thursday Service will be held March 24. Easter Sunday is March 27. Pastor will contact the trumpeters to see who is available to play for the processional and recessional.

The Committee’s next meeting will be February 25 at 6:30 pm.

Choir Practice Schedule for February:February 7 - 9:15 a.m. rehearsal and sing at serviceFebruary 14 – no rehearsalFebruary 21 - 9:15 a.m. rehearsal and sing at serviceFebruary 28 - 9:15 a.m. rehearsal

New Member ReceptionWe will receive New Members during the worship service on Sunday, February 21. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact Pastor Mark. After the worship service we will take pictures of our new members, and welcome them during Coffee Cart.

Picture Directory UpdateAfter worship on Sunday, February 21, we will be taking pictures of our members who were not included in the latest picture directory. This would include all those who have joined SELC since the directory was published, and those who were unavailable for pictures at that time.

Altar GuildBe sure to sign up in the narthex to provide flowers during a Worship service in 2016. There are openings for each week in February and several throughout the year.

NurseryNursery has returned to the church basement. Thank you for your patience during the transition period.

Historical HighlightsOur Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church has a rich history of music from our congregational singing; to our Choir Directed by Brooke Smith and Sunday School Children’s Christmas programs and Bible School music led by Becky Rauenbuehler. Also we have Special concerts from College Choirs like last weekend’s Wartburg Chamber Choir and organ recitals. We are richly blessed to have a fine pipe organ. The services are enhanced by the instruments but remember the people are the church. My theory is musicians from our church have been inspired by their worship experiences to keep music in their life and share it with others. I was shaped by congregational four part singing and by Ardith Ingmanson and Bonnie Bloom, my Elementary Music instructors that were musically active church members here. Herb and Ester Hult’s children and Roger and Virginia Hanze’s children and Cheryl and Rick Morgan, Jean Anderson, and Bill Tolander are all professionally trained musicians or connected to music. I hope that I have not left people out that have contributed to the music of our congregation and my apologies if I do.Of coarse my data is limited by my age and memories. In my grandfather Harry Olson’s diary from 1914 he mentions some of his activities in our church such as choir practices and being pianist for the Young Men’s Bible Class. His entry for August 25th 1914. (He had attended the Luther League Convention in Burlington

the previous three days and made this entry): The Hawkeye has the following comment on the Swedesburg talent at the L.L. Convention.” Miss Lillian Sandeen gave a recitation” ‘What a Bible Can Do’; in a very interesting manner”,“Mr. Carl Anderson of Swedesburg Ia. gave an address, ‘The Lutheran Church’ delivered in excellent manner”. “The Swedesburg, Iowa Choir, thirty members strong, under the direction of their able leader Miss Larson, sang two songs in a manner that could not be improved upon”. “Miss Myrtle Lund of Swedesburg, Iowa sang a solo; a gem, sung in a faultless manner.”

Pretty good review of Swedesburg Church talent wouldn’t you agree? I continued my data search and find that Miss Mabel Larson directed the choir up through 1946 though in 1925 she is listed as assistant director while Rev. O. A. Elmquist was listed as the director. Some years she is listed as Organist and directress.

Other music groups in our church besides the Church Choir (organized 1877) included the Ladies Chorus (organized 1917), The Ladies Aid Chorus (organized 1932) the Junior White Chorus (organized 1927), the Brotherhood Male Chorus (organized 1926) reborn as the Brotherhood Chorus (organized 1945). Also in 1926 was the Excelsior Male Quartette consisting of First tenor Hartwin Alvine; Second tenor Arnold Lindeen; First Bass Vincent Lindeen; and Second Bass Waldo Johnson.

A Church Orchestra was organized Nov. 27, 1925 getting ready for the Jubilee 1926 60th anniversary. Directed by Rev. Elmquist of coarse, assistant director Albert Barquist., pianist; Mabel Larson, Violins; Albert Barquist, Viola Lindeen, Carl Sandberg, B.F. Benson, Ethel Lindeen, Thelma Lundquist. Flute; Leslie Hultquist, Clarinets; Theodore Anderson, Geraldine Peterson, Kenneth Peterson, Phillip Ingmanson.

Cornets; Hartwin Alvine, Lawrence Barquist, Vincent Lindeen. Horns; Chas. Alvine, Baron Benson, Marvin Lund. Saxophone Margaret Abrahamson. Trombones; George Barquist, Arnold Lindeen. Bass Violin- Chas. Ingmanson. Drums- Raymond Hultquist. With rehearsals every Friday evening they were serious. “The Jubilee festivities were heightened and came to their climaxes in the beautiful singing and music given our church chorus of 30 voices, our orchestra of 20 instruments and our junior choir of 30 voices. The climax to our jubilee came at the jubilee concert, with an actual attendance of 1,000 people, when a chorus of 60 voices rendered the fitting cantata: ”Jerusalem”. The congregation owes a debt of gratitude to its faithful organist and splendid musical organizations.”

Choir directors and organists that followed Miss Larson were Ardith Ingmanson in 1946, 1947 and Bonnie Bloom in 1948 as choir director and Mrs. Stanley Jones in 1949, 1950 and 1951. Marguerite Hultquist was the organist listed in 1948-56. I remember that many ladies played piano for church events at the parish hall gatherings, Betty Larson, Ilene Harms, Ruth Lindell, my piano teacher Marilyn Boal, Marguerite Johnson, and another fine organist Mary Benson. Listed as Luther League pianists serving quarterly in 1949 were Ruth Lindell, Mrs. Waldo Bloom, Ester Lindeen, Marilyn Spangler (our choir director in 1954) Ardith Ingmanson took over the choir in the mid 1950’s and had a junior Choir (3rd-conformation class) and Cherub Chorus (K through 3rd) In 1959, Pastor Lorimer’s wife was the organist with assistance from Bonnie Bloom and Bonnie directed the choir until 1961. In 1960 to 1964 the organist and choir director 1962 on was Robert DeYarman with assistant organists Kay Anderson, Cheryl Morgan, Mary Benson and Mrs. Loren McAllister. In 1965-1969 we had a Minister of Music: Robert Auld. No choir director is listed separately but Bonnie surely helped direct the choir. From 1969 to

1972 Bill Tolander was our Minister of Music. Organists listed in the recommendations (remember those in the Annual Church Meetings to say thank you) Mrs. Delmar Eggert, Mary Benson, Marilyn Boal, Miss Pam Boal, and Mrs. Warren Scott. In the mid 1970s Margie Nelson was Director of Music and organist. I remember Sherry Christiansen as our choir director. Jill Brown took over the choir in 1980 and after we lost Margie in 1987, Dr. Joel Brown commanded the organ. Jill continued to lead our choir and composed many Sunday School Christmas Programs from scratch. After one evening program Gayle and I were walking out of church with David Johanson (our last Swedish immigrant) and he stated in his kind Swedish Brogue,”Dat was Beautiful,... Yust Beautiful”. Music at church for our worship and enjoyment.

In 1995 our current organist Debbie Swanson took over. Choir directors; 1995-Jim Stichter;1997/1998-Donna Brotherton; 1999/2003-David Heaton; 2004-Amy Garlock; 2006/2007-Christopher Larson; 2008/2009-Zach Reiter; 2010/2014-Jennifer Wagner. Currently Brooke Smith leads a somewhat smaller number than 30 members. Please consider joining us to carry on the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church Choir and our tradition of fine music in our church.

Jeff Olson, Member 150th History Committee

Join us in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church on

June 18-19, 2016.

There will be a variety of activities for everyone.

All former choir members are invited to sing along with us during the celebration. Music will be made available ahead of time. Contact Pastor

Mark or the church office if you are interested in joining us.

Coffee CartCoffee Cart is returning in February. Thank you for your patience during the time of the basement remodel. We once again look forward to wonderful fellowship after worship.

The Coffee Cart schedule for 2016 is being created. If your family does not wish to host Coffee Cart in 2016 or early 2017, please let the church office know immediately. With so few time and talent forms returned, Vicky will assign most families one week to host the Coffee Cart, to ease the times needed to host for every family. The schedule will be printed in the yearbook and membership directory, which will be printed soon.

Churchmen Soup SupperEveryone is invited to come out and join the Churchmen-sponsored Soup Supper at the parish hall on Tuesday, February 2nd. Serving will begin at 5:30 p.m. The menu will include chili and oyster soup, relishes, desserts and beverages. Your freewill offering will enable the Churchmen to help support several local charities such as: The Fellowship Cup, Tolson Community Action Center, Henry County Habitat for Humanity, Christamore Family Treatment Center, and Henry County Foods Resource Bank.

Social MinistryThe Social Ministry Committee will sponsor a Spring Brunch on Sunday, March 13, following worship. A freewill donation will be received for the committee’s projects.

There will be a Spring Food Drive on March 13 through April 24. Items will be collected for the Fellowship Cup.

The Committee decided on the distribution of the $6,100 proceeds from the Smorgasbord.

There is a continuing need for size 4 diapers.

The Committee’s next meeting is March 3 at 5:30 p.m.

Women’s StudyThe new study will take time off during Lent, only meeting on Wednesday, February 3 this month. It will return to each Wednesday evening on Wednesday, March 23. Everyone is welcome.

Weekly Worship Audio AvailableYou may enjoy listening to our service each Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. on the radio at 105.5 KILJ FM.

Our weekly worship service is available on the church website: www.swedesburglutheran.org. Click on “Online Directory and Media”, and then select “Launch Media Player”. Click on the weekly service you wish to listen to. Each monthly newsletter is available on our website: www.swedesburglutheran.org. Click on calendar, and then click any month to read it.

Federal Privacy LawsBecause of Federal Privacy Laws (HIPPA), if you or a member of your family are hospitalized and would like the Pastor to visit, please contact the church office at (319) 254-2216, or Pastor Mark at (319) 631-8564.

Church AddressTo send United States Postal mail to the church, you MUST address to our mailing address:

1897 140th Street, P.O. Box 88Swedesburg, IA 52652-0088

This correct mailing address may be found in the Yearbook and Membership Directory on page one. Remember to use your directory for all the information you may need regarding the church, calendar and family.

Blood DriveThe Swedesburg Lutheran Church will host a blood drive on Tuesday, February 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Hall, 201 Academy Avenue in Swedesburg. To schedule an appointment call the Blood Center at 800-747-5401 or online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Please eat and drink before donating. Must present donor or photo ID to donate. Last date to donate elsewhere is December 15, 2015.

Thank you’sThank you for the check to use towards my college expenses. It will be used to help purchase my text books. 

Aaron Kempf

Dear Swedesburg Lutheran Church Congregation: Thank you very much for the monetary gift. This will definitely help with my book costs. I am having a wonderful time at Iowa State University. I am majoring in Civil Engineering and I am enjoying all of my classes so far. I greatly appreciated the support from my home congregation.

Sincerely, Sterling Wickham

Dear Swedesburg Lutheran Congregation: I would like to thank you for your monetary gift. It will go a long way towards helping to pay for books and other necessary things. Your generosity in supporting and continuing to support youth in our congregation is very much appreciated. College is an amazing experience, and I have learned so much already. Currently, I am

studying genetics in the college of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State, and I intend to add another major in animal science. I am very grateful for your support.

Sincerely, Hannah Wickham

Dear SELC Congregation: Thank you very much for the monetary gift. It will definitely help with paying for my books this semester. I am currently studying Technical Communications with a minor in General Business and I couldn't be happier here in Ames. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Sincerely, Blake Wickham

We would like to thank all who made this year and previous year’s Smorgasbords the success they have been. Whether you provided items for the Bit O’ Sweden, or helped with food preparation the days prior to the event or the physical labor of setting up and taking down the tables and decorations, or items from your home for the buffet, or served in the kitchen and on the floor the night of the event. Thank you so much. It couldn’t happen without every one of you.

The Smorgasbord Committee

We would like to thank you and the donors of Swedesburg Lutheran Church for the blood drive you recently held with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Your Group provided 11 donations for local hospitals served by MVRBC. Because each whole blood donation can be processed into multiple blood components, your blood drive provided up to 44 products for patients in need.With the support of blood drive host organization like yours, we provide lifesaving products to hospitals throughout our region. I hope you found hosting a mobile blood drive was a rewarding experience. Please express my appreciation to your organization’s Blood Drive Coordinator and to those who gave blood at your

event, and thank you for joining in our mission to help save lives!

Amanda Hess, Director, Donor Relations

Thank you for your recent gift of $650.00 to support the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through ELCA Good Gifts. Through your support, your voice is one of many than makes up a chorus of caring and compassion heard throughout the world. Your passion for the good works that the ELCA does through ELCA Good Gifts enables us to share the gospel and continue doing God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities. Together, as the ELCA we do more than we ever could alone. Because of your partnership and generous support, we are truly transforming lives.

In Christ, Christina Jackson-SkeltonExecutive Director Mission AdvancementEvangelical Lutheran Church in America

Thank you for your generous gift of $2,000 to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the ministry of Brian Palmer. Your generosity shows your commitment to walking alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. For this, we give thanks. Thank you for your gift!

Peace, Andrew SteeleDirector, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship

Thank you for the prayers and other kindness shown us before and after my surgery. We are blessed to have such a loving church community. Also, thanks to Pastor Mark for the visits and concern.

Kenny Tolander

Thank you for your generous gift of $560. Your assistance in our humanitarian effort is greatly appreciated. The year of 2015 has turned out better than expected for Food Resource of Henry County, Inc. and has allowed us to provide $30,000 to Food

Resources Bank which supports long term sustainable food security programs around the world. Last year, Food Resources Bank helped over 500,000 people become self-sustaining. Your spirit of generosity and compassion for others makes the world a better place by supporting families in their efforts to feed their children. May you be blessed in the rich measure that you have been a blessing! Thank you again for your support.

Sincerely yours, Loren Beachy, President

Thank you for your donations in 2015. With your help, The Fellowship Cup has grown several programs from Pantry Plus to Summer Sacks to Community Gardens. Your total gifts this for 2015 are $1,276.00. We look forward to your continued support in 2016. The Fellowship Cup will keep you connected as we grow through the newsletter.

Thank you, The Fellowship Cup Corporation

Happy Valentine’s Day from LSI!“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Lutheran Services in Iowa’s (LSI) mission is about love: responding to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. We give thanks for all the ministry partners of both individuals and congregations who help share this love for Iowa children, families and adults!

We see this love in newly adopted children and their families, in teens who learn to trade self-harm for self-worth, in refugee farmers who share their love of the

land with the Des Moines community, in struggling parents who learn positive ways to build love and trust with their children and in so many other moments of hope every day. Thank you for the love you share and create through LSI.

Happy Valentine’s Day!LSI is proud to be an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

A Nurturing HeartMegan thought it sounded crazy. Her Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) Families Together worker, Gaylene, had told her about the Nurtured Heart Approach, a strategy that could help Megan address the behaviors of her young children.

“I thought, ‘This will not work on my kids,’” Megan said. Guess what? It works! Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) is one of many strategies LSI staff share with families. NHA is a philosophy that helps people create healthy relationships with each other. For parents, it is a way to focus their energy on creating opportunities for their children to succeed and helping children build positive inner worth.

“Everyone should do it,” Megan said. “It’s benefited my kids so much. Before there was more screaming or yelling. Now there is more trust and a better relationship.”

As a young mom, Megan first learned about LSI’s Families Together program at her local public health clinic. With her fiancée Alberto often traveling for work, Megan is usually home alone all day with three children under age three. Now LSI is helping Megan build a support system of resources and strategies, so Megan doesn’t have to do it alone.

“These are big steps for me,” she said. “Since I’ve been meeting with LSI, I’ve been doing things I never would have done.”

Megan has accomplished so much already, and she is building her community connections, too, by helping with a local parent nutrition group. Now that’s truly linking “Families Together!”

We will continue to pray for all our church members throughout the year. Each week we will pray for about five church families. Please pray this month for:

February 7: Kevin & Aani BourassaMike and Jackie BrawnerErik BrawnerJoel BrownKirsten Brown & Jared Peck David & Kari Brownholland, Kai and Helaine

February 14:Kyle & Anne Burnham and LincolnCale Caboth and EllieMary Beth CabothCragon & Jean Caboth and AnyaBetty Carlson

February 21:Nikkie & Kaci Chacon, Brooklyn and KennaJohn ChrisingerR. L. Lindy & Lil ChrisingerJoe & Teresa Cluney and MichaelDean & Laura Craig and Tyler

February 28:Kate CrawfordJohanna CrawfordChad DanielChet DanielJohn & Lori Daniel

February BirthdaysWe wish the following people a very happy birthday on their special day: 1 Cole Benson 3 Shirley Swanson

Aaron DeardorffTorey Olson

5 Susan Johnson 6 Bill Molander 7 Elizabeth McClure

Catrina Sells 8 Coleen Mullin 9 Brad Benson Lori Hanze Blake Wickham Hannah Wickham Sterling Wickham10 Cherry Sandeen11 Tom Erickson13 Karen Alvine

Don Heuton Amanda Stout14 Mary Ann Kaufman

Olivia Naber15 Tyler Craig Bill McGohan McKenna White17 Trever Kelley18 Parker Renken19 Ruth Meth21 Brandon Ridinger22 Katie Benson

Eric Lunsford24 Angela Ribeiro25 Virginia Steffens28 John Wagner

February AnniversariesWe wish to offer these couples a happy anniversary: 1 Dave and Jan Towne 2 Carl and Maribelle Lund 13 Bill and Linda McGohan19 Ray and Ruth Meth21 Darrell and Gail Smith21 Delbert and Virginia Steffens28 Bob and Marie Johnson

Please help the church office update their records by submitting any birthday, anniversary or any other corrections. Thank you.

CONGREGATION REFLECTIONS

PRAY FOR: the family of Peggy Grothe upon the passing of her nephew.

ELCA missionary Rev. Brian Palmer in Liberia, supported by this congregation.

for Bishop Mjema of the Pare Diocese, Rev. Elisa Mrutu and people of Ngaeni Lutheran Parish, our partner congregation in Tanzania. We especially pray for the new government in Tanzania.

friends and loved ones experiencing health concerns.

THANKS ARE DUE . . .to the congregation for coming out to vote during the annual meeting.

to the Wartburg Castle Singers for providing a beautiful spiritual evening on Saturday January 23 and during Worship on January 24. The concert was a pleasure to attend. We appreciate your assistance in helping our church celebrate our 150th anniversary.

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1897 140th StreetP. O. Box 88Swedesburg, IA 52652

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Churchmen Soup Supper February 25:30 p.m. at the Parish Hall-everyone welcome!

Sunday Worship begins at 10 a.m. Join us!

website: www.swedesburglutheran.orgemail: office@swedesburglutheran.org