Duplicate Bridge

Nine teams played Duplicate Bridge on Nov. 6 at the Senior Center in Austin.  Winners were Gail and Ray Schmidt, first place; Theresa Baldus and Harriet Oldenberg, second place; Lorraine Lippert and Ron Peters, third place; and Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, fourth place.

Nine teams played Duplicate Bridge on Nov. 7 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Tom Flaherty and Stan Schultz, first place; Larry Crowe and Jim Fisher, second place; Eunice Michaelis and Dave Ring, third place; John Leisen and Rich Stroup, fourth place; and Carolyn Higgins and Connie Johnson, fifth place.

Duplicate Bridge is played at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and at noon Wednesdays. Players come from Adams, Austin, Albert Lea, Rose Creek, Northwood and Mason City. All bridge players are welcome to come and play. 

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at noon Oct. 10 in Bethany Hall for its annual FLCW Reformation Luncheon. This was the 58th anniversary of the Reformation Luncheon. The prelude music was provided by Joan Holt.

Donna Ludtke, co-president, welcomed members and guests to the luncheon in celebration of its reformation heritage. Ludtke led the group in the blessing and Thanksgiving at table prayer, taken from “Luther’s Small Catechism.” A luncheon of chicken supreme hot dish, cranberry salad, T-rolls, black forest cake and coffee was served.

Jane Loge gave the devotions from “Hope for Each Day” by Billy Graham. Stories of Martin Luther were shared. One lesson the group reviewed was that they shouldn’t let failure keep them down. People need to always be mindful that God sent his Son to die for them and he is their hope.

Janice Lestrud introduced the Rev. Nancy Dreier of Bricelyn and North Blue Earth Lutheran churches as the program. She told the group how diligently Luther studied the word of God. Dreier made reference to a Luther movie of 2003 portraying Luther lying prone on a cold marble floor asking for God’s grace. Luther was very desperate as he didn’t think he was good enough in the eyes of God. She then proceeded to lead us in a delightful program with music and her guitar. Some of the songs the group shared in singing were “Ain’t It Grand to Be a Christian,” “Thy Word,” written by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, “By Grace We Have Been Saved” and “Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone.” In conclusion, the group sang a very active song, “Ha, La, La, La” requiring members to do the actions sung about in the verses. All participants enjoyed the word and music of the program.

The business meeting was opened by Co-President Karen Hovde. The secretary’s report was approved as printed by a motion from Bonnie Schneider and seconded by Neva Mathison. Motion carried.

Bonnie Trampel, corresponding secretary, reported MN Adult and Teen Challenge will present its Christmas concert at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. Monetary requests were received from St. Jude and Bibles for the World as well as newsletters from the Satres and Global Health Ministries.

A notice received from St. John’s Lutheran Community Auxiliary for its quarterly meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, with coffee, cider and bars served at 9:30 a.m. The meeting and program will feature Tim O’Shields and will take place in the chapel. The meeting will be voting on constitutional revisions.

Linda Olson is asking for help with Christmas decorations at St. John’s. These notices are placed on the bulletin board near the library.

Sheri Nicol asked who determines where the FLCW monies are designated at the end of the year. The board usually makes that determination after reviewing needs and requests.

Monetary contributions toward the snack packs can be left at the church office or at the Legion.

Co-President Karen Hovde thanked the decorating committee members Marge LaFrance and Cheryl Moran; greeters Mavis Bryson and JoAnn Palmer; hostesses Marge LaFrance and Janice Lestrud, with their committee of Audrey Christensen, Joyce Fredin, Gandrud, Julie Gilbertson, Helen Lovik, Cheryl Moran, Olson and Julia Tonder.

Caring and Sharing reported two funerals were served in September by co-chairwomen Marge Moine and Sandy Narverud with their committees.

Gen Montei made a motion to close the meeting and Pam Stern seconded.

Motion carried.

The Rev. Nancy Dreier asked the group to remember the victims of Hurricane Michael in their prayers. The group then closed in unison with a prayer by Martin Luther.