Duplicate Bridge

Twelve teams played Duplicate bridge on Dec. 12 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were 

Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, first place; Edna Knobbe and Kathy Liesen, second place; Vandy Newman and Bud Higgins, third place; Lorraine Lippert and Dave Solomonson, fourth place; and John Liesen and Rick Stroup, fifth place.

The Duplicate Bridge group hosted a pizza lunch at 11 a.m. on Dec. 13. Thirteen teams played bridge following the party. Winners were John Laurie and Dave Ring, first place; Loren Cleland and Bud Higgins, second place; Tom Flaherty and Stan Schultz, third place; Chuck Bonerman and John Karnes, fourth place; Lorraine Quinlivan and Julie Prochnow, fifth place; and

Edna Knobbe and Cleo Osmundson and Eunice Michaelis and Larry Crowe, tied for sixth place.

Duplicate bridge is played at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and noon on Wednesdays at the Senior Center in Austin. All bridge players are welcome. Those who need a partner may call 437 2750.

First Lutheran Church

First Lutheran Church Women met on Nov. 8 in Bethany Hall with President Jo Hanson presiding. Joan Holt provided the prelude music.

Hanson welcomed members and together read the First Lutheran Church Women’s purpose statement. Devotions were given by Deloris Fligge. She based her devotion on the gifts that God has given his followers by his grace. Fligge related God’s gifts to the group’s speakers’ gifts of quilting and used the analogies of putting together of quilts to service to God, the church and to others. The bottom layer is the backing, which is the foundation. The next layer is the filling, which gives both its strength. Next is the top, which is made up of many pieces. The last is the binding, which holds the quilt and the church together.

Marge LaFrance introduced the program speakers, Tep Christiansen and Deb Hanson, who spoke about their love of quilting. Christiansen introduced two of her daughters, Kathy and Sherri, who helped with showing the quilts. Christiansen began by showing a quilt made by her grandmother in 1923. She then showed quilts made by her mother, herself, her daughters and Hanson. Christiansen and Hanson explained some of the patterns and fabrics they’ve used. They also shared some of the other types of quilted hangings, runners, and baby quilts they have sewn. The program ended with Christiansen’s daughters giving a tribute to her for all the different types of sewing she did for them as they were growing up.

Hanson led the reading of the Litany of Thanksgiving; circles presented their thank offerings.

Hanson called the business meeting to order. The secretary’s report was approved after the date of the Friends at First meeting was corrected to read Nov.21, with a motion by Hazel Senske and second by Nancy Jensen. Motion carried. Cindy Gandrud presented the treasurer’s report. 

Hanson, acting corresponding secretary, reported that we received a thank you from First Lutheran Church for the gift to the radio fund, the annual report from Plymouth Christian Youth Center in Minneapolis and the Bethesda Lutheran Communities messenger magazine.

Bonnie Schneider, co-chair of lefse-making, thanked all involved in the making of 134 dozen lefse, which was sold at Holidays Ahead.

Hanson reported on the progress of the Centennial Committee. Volunteers are needed to serve on subcommittees as printed in the messenger.

Marge LaFrance explained the advantages of the Scrip program in selling cash/gift cards for a percentage with proceeds used for local and global missions in conjunction with Holidays

Ahead. Five new businesses were recently added.

Hanson explained that because of the low attendance and the difficulty with staffing in the care centers, the two shut-in services will be discontinued. Alternatives will be looked into for these services.

There was a reminder that prayer partners will be revealed at the December meeting.

There was a report on the auxiliary meeting at St. John’s Nursing Home. The group will continue to provide Sunday desserts for residents and guests and are scheduled for the Sundays in

January. Any money collected goes back directly to the patients and their needs. Volunteers for programs are needed.

The hymn “Now Thank We All Our God” was sung during the regular offering followed by the offering prayer given by Fligge.

Jo Hanson thanked ushers, Joyce Fredin and Senske; greeters Donna Ludtke and Cheryl Moran; and hostesses chairwoman Marcia Habben with her committee of Jenny Edwin, Carol Hedalen, Brenda Ludtke, Jan Overgaard, Mary Ann Venem and Georgia Wentzel.

Caring and Sharing Co-chairwomen Karen Hovde and Ruth Noren and their committee served no funerals in October.

Announcements were made and the meeting closed with the table prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.