Duplicate bridge

Duplicate bridge was played Jan. 28. Three tables joined in the 12:30 p.m. competition. Winners were Larry Crowe and Bill Momsen, first place; Gail and Ray Schmidt, second place; and Joyce Crowe and Millie Siever, third place.

Four tables played duplicate bridge at noon Jan. 29. Winners were Dave Ring and Rich Stroup, first place; Vandy Newman and Ron Peters, second place; Joyce Crowe and Millie Siever, third place; and Bonnie Fritz and Loren Cleland, fourth place.

Both sessions are played at Austin Senior Center. Players come from Austin, Rose Creek, Albert Lea and Mason City. Doors are always open to welcome new players. Those who need a partner can call at 507-437-2750.

 

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met Jan. 15 in Bethany Hall with prelude music provided by Joan Holt. Diane Damerow, co-president, welcomed members and guests. Cindy Gandrud read a devotional poem by Frances Haverdal entitled “Another Year’s Dawning.” Damerow led the group in reading the FLCW purpose statement.

Jo Hanson introduced program speaker Brenda Ludtke who spoke on “Numerology in the Bible.” She referenced Ephesians 6:10–17 in her study of the Bible, wherein the Bible is the sword of the spirit and people must arm themselves with the sword of scripture. They achieve spiritual insight through Jesus and through numbers that become intimately connected in their study of the Bible.

Using a handout as a guide, Ludtke started the journey of numbers throughout the Bible with the number one talking about one God, one Lord, one mind for unity and the beginning of creation. She went up through the number 12 and discussed each number’s significance throughout the Bible. Ludtke’s study does not end at 12 but continues, especially with the multiples of 10.

Damerow and co-president Janice Lestrud then led the memorial service in remembrance of all First Lutheran Church women deceased in 2019.

Damerow called the business meeting to order. The secretary’s minutes from Dec. 11 were approved as printed by a motion from Bonnie Schneider and seconded by Hanson.

Gandrud, treasurer, handed out the fourth quarterly report through Dec. 31.

Corresponding secretary Bonnie Trampel shared thank yous from Jane Maiden and “Pastor Jan” for the holiday gifts. There was a thank you from Janine Aaker for compiling and mailing the cookbook addendum. A thank you and request for additional gift-giving was received from SE MN Synod ELCA as well as a request for gift-giving from Good Earth Village. Newsletters were received from the Satres and Global Health Ministries. There were no committee reports.

Lestrud announced sign ups for secret prayer partners would be taken after the meeting.

FLCW will discontinue paper name tags for the meetings. Members are encouraged to use their church magnetic name tags, which are located in either the kiosk in the gathering space or near the one at the back south entrance.

The 2020 FLCW program books and the 2019 annual reports are available.

Following the business meeting, the group sang the hymn “Count Your Blessings” while the offering was received, followed by the offering prayer given by Gandrud.

Bonnie Schneider thanked the following:  Bonnie Trampel, greeter; Bonnie Schneider, usher; and co-chairpersons Helen Lovik and Arlis Smith and their committee of Marian Ahnemann, Deb Hanson, and Janice Lestrud, hostesses.

Caring and sharing chairpersons Carol Frydenlund and Joni Rowe and their committee served two funerals in December.

The Semcac Community Connect event was Jan. 25 in Bethany Hall, the multi-purpose room and the resource room.

The FLCW board was set to meet Feb. 5 in the parlor.

The Lenten season begins Feb. 26, Ash Wednesday. Lunch will take place at 11:30 a.m. in Bethany Hall. Worship is at 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Evening meals will be served at 5:30 p.m. in Bethany Hall and evening services will be at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

The Blue Earth River Conference is April 2 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glenville. Registration and coffee is from 8 to 9 a.m. The program is from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The meeting closed with the table prayer, followed by the Lord’s Prayer.