Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Congregation Council, Evangelism Committee, and some of their spouses, have been reading and discussing the book Unbinding the Gospel the past two months. For me, this has been an interesting process, and I always look forward to our discussions.

One of the key themes that has come out of the book is a reminder that we need to be surrounding all that we do in prayer. At home, at work, at school, and in our congregation. This last week’s reading included the author’s thought that half of the time of an evangelism committee’s meeting should be praying together!

This got me to thinking about how prayer is a part of what we do here at Swedesburg. The importance of our prayer chain, and the faithful prayer warriors who are lifting friends and family up in prayer. The people who gather each Sunday morning before worship to pray. And then every worship service we have our list of people, not just names but real human beings, who we pray for. Sometimes the list seems long, but it is only a reminder of how integral prayer is to our community of faith.

I am reminded of the words of King David in Psalm 145, verses 13b-18: “The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doing. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Newsletter- November 2013

As we enter the month of November, please take the time to remember all of the things that you are thankful for. Recall all of the times that you have seen God’s hand working in your life this past year. Let us be thankful for safety in the harvest and God’s provision for another year. Include in your prayers thanksgiving for all of the daily bread received. Think about Martin Luther’s explanation for daily bread. “Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, true friends and neighbors.” think that all of us could find many things on that list to be thankful for.

I am glad that we are a church that prays for others. David Poling-Goldenne and L. Shannon Jung write in their book, Discovering Hope – Building Vitality in Rural Congregations that “Prayer is a crucial ingredient for effectiveness in congregational mission and ministry. Without a strong focus on prayer, a congregation will not be truly transformed. A praying church is a vital church. A vital church is a church meeting the needs of its members and a church in mission to its neighbor.”

Continue to surround our families and friends in prayer. Let’s surround our neighbors in prayer. Keep our church surrounded in prayer. There is indeed a lot to be thankful for!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Fall Sunday Schedule 8:30 a.m. Prayer time in library 8:30 a.m. Confirmation in the parsonage 9:00 a.m. Adult Forum in the counting room 9:00 a.m. Sunday School in the basement 9:15 a.m. Choir rehearsal – Nov. 10 and 1710:00 a.m. WorshipAfter Worship “Unbinding the Gospel” study through Nov. 3

ThankofferingThankoffering is a time-honored tradition with women in the ELCA. Our foremothers held Thankoffering services, mainly in the fall, to give thanks for God’s faithfulness at harvest time. Today’s women give thanks for what God has done and is doing in our lives throughout the year. These offerings support the church-wide ministry of Women of the ELCA to multiply the mission work of our church. We encourage all of our SELC women to support this annual offering. Envelopes enclosed may be placed in the church offering plates during the month of November.

Luther League Fall Harvest LuncheonLuther League is hosting a Fall Harvest Luncheon of Beef and Homemade Noodles on Sunday, November 3, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Parish Hall. Other items available include salads, rolls and desserts. Make certain you bring your friends!

SELC Churchmen Pancake Breakfast Mark your calendars for a pancake breakfast at the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 10, from 7 a.m. until

9:30 a.m. Come and enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, milk and coffee.

The Churchmen Group is hosting the breakfast as a freewill-offering fundraiser for local efforts to alleviate world hunger through the Foods Resource Bank of Henry County (foodsresourcebank.org). (This may be a Thrivent sponsored event!)

SmorgasbordOnce again plans are underway for the annual Swedesburg Smorgasbord. This will be the 75th year for this important fundraising event and without the many volunteers it wouldn't happen; any amount of time or contribution is welcome and very much appreciated.

Persons interested in being a part of this year's event contact:

Ruth Meth (319-254-2129 or; rmeth@iowatelecom.net),

Vicky Bergstrom (319-254-2406 or vbergstrom@farmtel.net),

Stan Unkrich (319-254-2361 or unkrich@farmtel.net); or

Louise Unkrich (lunkrich@windstream.net)

An assignments plan will be developed once you contact these people. There will be an additional planning meeting on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at the parish hall.at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome!Smorgasbord tickets will go on sale at the parish hall, at 9:00 a.m. Monday, November 4, 2013.

Schedule Your Photography Appointment!Lifetouch will be in Swedesburg on November 7, 8, and 9 to take pictures for the new pictorial church directory. Family, friends and any community member

may also set aside time to have their pictures taken as well. We receive credit for every photograph taken at Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church. The more photos taken the more benefit the church will receive. There is no obligation to the party being photographed.

You may register online at our website www.swedesburglutheran.org to make your appointment. Once on our website click on Lifetouch Directory 2013. Click on the link that begins with “http” and it will lead you to their webpage. Indicate the number in your party and provide the requested information. If you provide an email address, you will also receive a $10 coupon for use with your order.

You may contact Mary in the church office to make your appointment. Call her at 319-254-2216 or email Mary at office@swedesburglutheran.org.

At the time of your appointment, bring in a food item for the Feed the Need program (to be donated locally) and you will receive another $5 coupon for use with your photo order.

Evangelism CommitteeThe Evangelism Committee met on October 29, 2013. The agenda was to review the recent hayride and to work on the layout of the photo directory.

Altar Guild SchedulePlease note the Altar Guild Schedule will now be published on the calendar beginning with November.

Congregation Council and Church Finance Notes

The Council met on Thursday, October 17, 2013. Meeting minutes are posted in the church narthex bulletin board when they become available. Council minutes are also available in the church office. The next regular Council meeting will be Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.Financial Report

2013 General Fund Activity (as of October 29)Gifts $148,681.81Ministry Expenses $142,250.65Mission Support Submitted $10,599.66Net Income ($4,158.50)

Swedesburg Women of the ELCAThe WELCA recently collected supplies for school kits. WELCA then packaged and shipped 8 boxes of 60 school bags full of school supplies. All these contributions weighed 199 pounds. Way to go! This was only possible due to your generous donations. Thank you!

Sunday School HappeningsSunday School is in full swing. We’ve been studying lessons from the books of 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Samuel, Proverbs and Psalms as the kids get to know King David and King Solomon. Major themes for the first six weeks have been mercy, honor, forgiveness and wisdom. We have three more Old Testament lessons before turning to preparation for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. These are:

October 27th: Solomon Turns Away From God- In this lesson, children will discuss how difficult situations and temptations we face every day can pull us away from God, who longs for our love, trust and devotion all day, every day. Bible Point: 1 Kings 11:1-13

November 3rd: The Kingdom Divides- This lesson builds on what happens when God takes the kingdom of Israel from Solomon’s descendants. Wisdom continues to be a main theme, as we talk about how God gives us choices, and we can seek Him in making good decisions and considering the consequences of the choices we make. Bible Point: 1 Kings 11:28-12:24

November 10th: Elijah Helps a Widow- A new Old Testament “hero” is introduced during this lesson. The story of Elijah, the widow and her son show children that God cares about us, and that we can put our trust in Him, even when life is difficult. The major themes for this lesson (and for the next several lessons with Elijah) are trust and obedience. Bible Point: 1 Kings 17:7-24

Parents, you may have noticed that each lesson builds upon previous lessons. While the Kids Own Worship® curriculum we use in Sunday School is designed so that lesson can stand alone, regular attendance provides for a deeper, richer understanding of how God acts in our lives and how all of the Word is interconnected. Also, by attending Sunday School on a regular basis, kids build relationships with each other and with their teachers, and we love to see your children on Sunday mornings!

Stewardship & Sunday School. As in years past, the Sunday School kids will be supporting our focus on Stewardship in the month of November. This will include the “shake-down” of the congregation on November 24th during worship.

So START SAVING YOUR LOOSE CHANGE! These funds will be distributed to a local mission of the children’s choice (to be announced soon). We’ll be specifically focusing on stewardship on November

10th, as it ties in perfectly with the lesson of Elijah and the Widow, with some of the Sunday School students presenting a temple talk for the congregation during worship that Sunday.

Advent & Christmas. We’ll be taking a break from regular lessons for a special time to focus on the seasons of Advent and Christmas. This will include practice for the Christmas Program, as well as several Advent related activities, such a special crafts, service projects and games. This is always an especially fun time in Sunday School!

Christmas Returns!

The Christmas Program is coming! Mark your calendars for December 15th. The children of Swedesburg ELCA will present the play “Christmas Returns” during worship that day at church. It is VERY important that your child be present for rehearsals starting November 17th at 9:00 a.m. We’ll assign parts that day and start running lines.• November 17: First rehearsal: 9 a.m.• November 24th: Rehearsal: 9 a.m.• December 1st: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL: Thanksgiving

Break• December 8th: Rehearsal: 9 a.m.

SATURDAY December 14th: 9 a.m.-12: Dress rehearsal and pizza party

• Sunday, December 15th: Rehearsal 9 a.m. then PERFORMANCE at 10 a.m.

If your child will not be participating in this year’s program, please let Becky know! Becky Rauenbuehler: rebeccarani@yahoo.com, or 319.931.1527 or 319.986.6820

TanzaniaThe meeting of the Tanzania Committee was postponed to Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Confirmation HappeningsConfirmation students will be raking leaves as a servant project. On Sunday, October 27 at 4:30 p.m. they traveled to the corn maze in Donnellson for some fun and fellowship.

Choir UpdatesSunday choir rehearsals will continue in November on the 10th and 17th starting at 9:00 a.m. Rehearsals are also scheduled for Wednesday, November 13. Choir will perform at the Thanksgiving Evening services.

A Malaria DeathThe Rev. Brian and Christine Palmer are ELCA missionaries (supported by SELC) in Liberia. In this entry from their blog they write about the tragedy of a young child dying from malaria.

So 5:30 this morning I got a call from one of my colleagues, Rev. Mulbah. His 7-year-old grand-niece died of malaria last night and he was asking if I could take the body out to his hometown for the funeral and burial.

Her name was Kiema. Her tiny body was wrapped in a lappa with her bare feet hanging out. The dirt road to Gbonyea is a little rough and I couldn’t help but feel bad that Kiema’s body was not on a cushion of some

sort. I kept reminding myself not to panic every time we hit a bump, “It doesn’t matter; she’s already dead.”

We stopped and put a palm branch in the windshield so people would know what we were doing. You wouldn’t think people would notice such a thing but everybody does. Instead of shouts of “White man!!” or “Chinese man!!” all we got was solemn stares as we quietly slipped by.

Kiema’s mother was with us and was completely silent until we got about a half mile from Gbonyea. That’s when she started crying. By the time we stopped at Rev. Mulbah’s house we were surrounded by hundreds of wailing friends and family. Knees were buckling, Faces were contorted. There was no holding back. Everybody cried, absolutely everybody. - See more at: http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/elca-gms/a-malaria-death-01102013/#sthash.U4F2FJJS.dpuf

Friendship PadsOn Sunday, September 15, we introduced our Friendship Pads to the congregation and it seems to be a success. As the name implies, the Evangelism Committee sees this as an opportunity to get to know one another better, and, especially, as a way to meet our visitors. After all have signed, the pad should be sent back down the row, giving you the opportunity to see who is sitting close to you. Make special effort during the Sharing of the Peace to greet any visitors in your row. Leave the pad in the pew as you leave. The Friendship Pads will also alleviate the need for Communion cards, as there will be a record of who was in worship each Sunday.

Office HoursDue to the Thanksgiving Holiday, the church office WILL be open on Monday, November 25 and will be

CLOSED on Friday, November 29. Office hours will remain 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Marilyn Parcel’s 85th Birthday Open HouseYou are invited to an Open House in honor of Marilyn Parcel’s 85th birthday. The celebration will take place at Quilted Treasure, 3283 Merino Avenue, Oskaloosa, Iowa. It is on Saturday, November 30th from 1 to 4 p.m. If you are unable to attend, cards may be sent to Marilyn at P. O. Box 497, Eddyville, Iowa 52553.

Stewardship Commitment Sunday is Nov. 24

Remember to turn in the Time & Talent sheets and Estimate of Giving forms by Sunday, November 24th. Anyone who did not receive a Stewardship packet and would like to have one should contact Mary McLerran in the church office at 319-254-2216 or email office@swedesburglutheran.org.

Reminder about Federal Privacy LawsBecause of Federal Privacy Laws (HIPPA), if you or a member of your family are hospitalized, and would like Pastor Mark to visit, you must contact the church and let us know. While the hospital may ask what church you are affiliated with and you ask the hospital to contact your pastor, they may not. Please let us know. You can reach the church office at (319) 254-2216.

PoinsettiasThose wishing to order a poinsettia to help decorate the church sanctuary during Advent and Christmas should contact Lynn Graf or Mary McLerran, in the church office at 319-254-2216 by November 29th at 5 p.m. Each poinsettia costs $13.00 each. Checks should be made out to “Lori's Loft” and either be given to

Lynn Graf or left at the church office before 5 p.m. on November 29th. Thank you to all who help by providing flowers for our church.

The WACO Community Thanksgiving Dinner

You are invited to the WACO Community Thanksgiving Dinner scheduled for Thursday, November 28th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at WACO High School. We have been asked to assist in providing volunteers and food items for this event. Volunteers were needed to be reported by mid-October; however, if you can provide food items, we will gather those items until Friday, November 22. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for anyone who can sign up to donate food items. Food items include two gallons of milk; three gallons each of: tea, sweet tea and lemonade; a bottle of ketchup; and two large containers of sour cream. Sign up today. Everyone is invited to the meal as well.

Lutheran Services in IowaFinding forever families

November is National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness about the 101,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the U.S. and the people who make a difference in their lives.

Through our shared ministry, you are helping LSI find families for these great kids! LSI is a partner agency in Iowa KidsNet, a statewide collaboration of agencies that recruits, trains, licenses and supports all of Iowa’s families who foster children or adopt from foster care. Thank you for the impact you make for these children!

If you know someone who would be a great foster or adoptive parent, please encourage them to visit www.IowaKidsNet.com. To learn more about LSI, visit us

at www.LSIowa.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

Your LSI Shared Ministry Snapshot: Zac’s forever family

Zac once lived at LSI’s Beloit Residential Treatment Center in Ames, waiting for a forever family. In an Iowa farmhouse over a hundred miles away, Ken and Evelyn, veteran foster and adoptive parents, decided they had room in their hearts and home for another child. It turned into a happy ending for both.

Beloit provides 24-7 mental health services for children with severe emotional or behavioral disorders. Many, though not all, have faced trauma from past abuse or neglect. In 2012, 42% of children at Beloit had at least one parent’s parental rights terminated (or were in the process of having parental rights terminated).

“We heard about Zac at Beloit and went to visit a few times,” said Ken. “He’s a good kid, and he just keeps getting brighter.” LSI helped Zac prepare to be part of a family, through skill-building, therapy and transition visits. “When I see a kid go into a foster or adoptive home, it’s like a mom watching her child graduate from high school,” said Angie, an LSI caseworker. “They work so hard to accomplish this.”Being adopted, Zac said, is a “good thing.” It means Zac, who has cerebral palsy and sometimes uses crutches, now simply gets to be a kid. That means fishing on his birthday and even climbing trees with his brothers. “We put a section of ladder up in the pine tree where a flat limb comes out. He manages to get down most times,” said Ken, smiling. Thank you for helping kids like Zac achieve their potential in loving homes!

Sugar Creek Mennonite Church MeetingYou are invited to Sugar Creek Mennonite Church’s Fall Meetings with Brenda Matthews. Mama Brenda, as she is known to many, has spent her life attending,

contributing, and providing leadership to churches in Chicago. Brenda is in her 5th year of ministry at Ellis Avenue Baptist Church. In addition to her pastoral work, Brenda is a widely published poet and spoken word artist. She has a strong passion for working with young people, especially through the arts. Brenda is a regular speaker at youth events, Mennonite Church USA Youth Conventions, and on college campuses due to her inspiring message of hope in Jesus Christ and the need for an active faith that requires us to be “Kingdom Builders and World Changers.” Brenda will speak at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, November 3, and 7 p.m. Monday, November 4, and Tuesday, November 4.

IWC English 311 SponsorsThe Movie: A Place at the Table

Sunday, November 17 4:30 p.m.Main Street Cinema, Mt. Pleasant

The Fellowship Cup provides food for neighbors in need in Henry County. The pantry shelves are short on cereal, peanut butter, and tuna. Donate two items on November 17, 2013, at Main Street Cinema for the price of your ticket. Together, we will explore issues of poverty and food insecurity by watching A Place at the Table. Small group questions will be available for reflection and discerning action steps.Co-sponsored by the Louis A. Haselmayer Endowment for the Arts. For more information to www.thefellowshipcup.org or www.magpictures.com/aplaceathetable.

150th Anniversary Survey Committee

The Survey Committee for the 150th Anniversary will meet after worship on November 17th.

December Newsletter DeadlineThe deadline to have your group meeting times and activities or other items listed in the December newsletter is Wednesday, November 20, at 5 p.m. Submit your items to Mary McLerran in the church office at 254-2216 or email Mary in the office at office@swedesburglutheran.org. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this deadline will not be able to be extended.

Please note that this monthly newsletter is available on our website at swedesburglutheran.org. It is located under “calendar”, then “newsletter”, click on the month you wish to read. Also, watch the SELC website’s online calendar for any changes that may occur during the month.

CONGREGATION REFLECTIONS

THANKS ARE DUE . . .to those who assist with the folding of the bulletins and those who assist with distributing the paperwork for the church services.for Pastor Mark for showing appreciation of all the help in collecting and distributing the school kits.for the Stewardship committee for folding and stuffing all the stewardship materials for each member of our congregation.for Rev. Eliewaha Ezekieli and people of Ngaeni Lutheran Parish, our partner congregation in Tanzania.

PRAY FOR . . .for Stephanie Hummel (Kemp) and other family of Emma Ritchey who died in a car accident.friends and loved ones experiencing health concerns.ELCA missionaries Rev. Brian and Christine Palmer in Liberia.

Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1897 140th Street, P. O. Box 88, Swedesburg, Iowa 52652-0088Telephone (319) 254-2216 www.swedesburglutheran.org

emails: pastor@swedesburglutheran.org office@swedesburglutheran.org

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

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Luther League Fall Harvest Luncheon at parish hall Nov. 3.Smorgasbord tickets on sale Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. in parish hall.

Worship begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome!

Handicap accessible.

website: www.swedesburglutheran.org