Duplicate Bridge Club

Five tables played during Duplicate Bridge Club at 12:30 p.m. March 28 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, first place; Barb Engebreton and Orrin Roisen, second place; Jim Fisher and Bud Higgins, third place; and Connie Johnson and Jaynard Johnson, fourth place.

Six tables played Duplicate Bridge at noon March 29 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Larry Crowe and Jim Fisher, first place; Vandy Newman and Ron Peters, second place; Romelle Enderson and Bonnie Fritz, third place; and Eunice Michaelis and Warren Behrends and Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, tie for fourth place.

Players came from Adams, Albert Lea, Austin, Northwood and Mason City.

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. March 8 in Bethany Hall. Prelude music was provided by Joan Holt.

President Jo Hanson welcomed members and guests. Devotions were given by Cindy Gandrud based on Psalm 100: 3, from the “Day by Day” publication by Billy Graham. The group read the FLCW purpose statement.

Deb Koenigs introduced the special music she sang, which included “In the Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Holt was her accompanist.

Joyce Fredin introduced the program speaker, Mary Jo Volkman of the STARS mentoring program. The program originally started in Faribault County as a drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. Today the program includes three school districts inFreeborn County and one school district in eastern Faribault County. Adults mentor youth to give support in social, academic and emotional areas in the hope of making them strong citizens.

Guidance and support for at-risk children is provided when the mentor and child meet two to four times per month to share in various activities. The greatest request for mentors is in the age group of 10, for both girls and boys. One out of three children have no mentor growing up. The program is funded by grants from the state. The local office is located in the Semcac building, off East Main Street near Perkins, where additional information is available if interested in serving as a mentor.

Hanson conducted the business meeting. The secretary’s report was approved as printed with a motion by Bonnie Trampel and Nancy Jensen. The treasurer’s report was given by Gandrud. She is presently working on the quarterly report and processing the excess funds to be distributed.

Trampel, correspondence secretary, reported a thank you was received from the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association for a monetary gift. A financial summary was received from Mount Carmel Ministries and will be posted on the bulletin board outside the library. The Blue Earth River Conference met from 8 to 11:30 a.m. April 1 in Bricelyn. “Planting Faith” was presented by Jens Nielsen of Mankato Crossroads Ministry and the temple talk featured Tina Foster of Good Earth Village. An invitation was received from Trinity Lutheran Church for its salad luncheon at noon April 5. The Rev. Steven Woyen will present the program, “Hymns of the Lutheran Church.” The Global Health Ministries newsletter will be put in the library.

The cookbook for the 100th anniversary of the church will move forward after Easter.

The Scrip program is an on-going fundraiser with more businesses being added to the choices. Look for more publicity on this program. Gift cards will be available on Sundays in the gathering space and in the office during the week.

During the offering collection, the group sang “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” and Gandrud gave the offering prayer.

Hanson thanked ushers Shirley Strand and Donna Ludtke; greeters Janice Lestrud and Helen Lovik; and hostesses Marge Moine and her committee of Marian Ahnemann, Vergie Asper, Kathy Bennett, Audrey Christenson and Arlis Smith.

Caring and Sharing co-chairwomen LouJean Nelson and Janice Tukua and their committee served one funeral in February.

The quilters meet at 8 a.m. Tuesdays and all are welcome to join, as extra hands are needed.

The Blue Earth River Conference meeting was April 1 at Bricelyn Lutheran Church.

Wednesdays
during Lent

Soup and sandwich lunch, 11:30-12:10 p.m. Cost $5.

Devotions from noon-12:10 p.m. in Bethany Hall.

Musical meditations from 12:30-1 p.m. in church sanctuary.

Evening meals 5:30-6:15 p.m. in Bethany Hall. All are welcome to attend. Cost $5 per person or $15 per family to support youth confirmation camp this summer.

No evening meal April 12.

Lenten worship services in the sanctuary from 6:30-7:10 p.m.

Friends at First will not meet in March or April.

No Thursday chapel service during Lent.

The meeting was closed with the table prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.