May 2023 Newsletter Update
From the Pastor's desk

Friends in Christ,

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!

It’s a familiar chestnut, this phrase that we use during the Easter season. Familiarity is
always good, I think. Sometimes we might use the term cliché derogatively. There is wisdom in
the cliché, however, simply in the fact that whatever is earmarked as a cliché, is labelled thusly,
because it bears truth.

Is “Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!” an Easter cliché? I don’t
know. I would say no. But if a more cynical individual claimed it to be, I would have to respond
by claiming only because it bears truth: Christ is indeed risen.

The other thing I like about this phrase is its present tense. Christ IS risen. Not was
risen. Jesus is alive in the here and now in, with, under, and through us as we bear Christ’s love
out into the world. I think that is a wonderful thing for us. And for the world that we touch.

As we think about how we are called to be Christ’s body for the sake of the world as the
people of Sabylund, there are some things I want to keep on your radar.

As we look forward to the warmer months, we are again planning to offer outdoor
worship on the 2nd and the 4th Sundays. We are going to begin Memorial Day Weekend. So, put
that on your calendar and spread the word.

If you are interested, or know of anyone who might be interested, we would like to give
away the pump organ that is in the basement. As far as we know, it is in good working
condition. We want first to put the word out to anyone that we know affiliated with Sabylund.  If we do not hear by the end of June (I think that is what Council agreed on), we will try to sell it
on Facebook marketplace and other sites and see what happens.

Finally, we are seeing some increases in expenses (just as the rest of society is). Our
insurance premium is increasing slightly, as is our online management tool for maintaining web
presence and our online giving. These normal things that we encounter day in and day out are
reminders of the importance of the ongoing generosity that you continue to show toward
maintaining the ministries of Sabylund Lutheran Church. I want to personally thank you for
your support. Everything you give makes a difference.

I am looking forward to these warmer months! Spring has come. Despite some of these
chillier days, green is upon us. New life is here. Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, Indeed!
Alleluia!

Blessings,

Pastor Paul

The congregation that later became known as Sabylund Lutheran Church was organized with 70 members on Friday, June 20, 1856. The first church was built in 1862 in Stockholm. As more members re-located to the bluffs above town, a second location was identified for a church and cemetery. In 1868, the old Sabylund church was constructed and the name, "The Evangelical Lutheran Sabylund Church" was chosen. "Saby" taken from a place in Sweden, and "lund" chosen for the grove of pine trees sheltering the church.  The two locations were maintained until 1887, when the Stockholm group decided to join with Sabylund. They sold their building to the Mission Covenant Congregation of Stockholm.  The cornerstone for the present building was laid in 1893, and in 1897 the church was completed and dedicated.  Mission and ministry has been conducted in and through this place ever since.