First Congregational serves luncheon, message

The First Congregational Church of Waseca held a ministerial soup lunch and devotional over the lunch hour on Wednesday, Oct. 15. On the menu for the day was homemade cheesy vegetable or sausage tortellini soup with oyster crackers, bread and butter. There were also six different types of bars available for dessert. Close to forty people, both members of the church and non-members, were present.

 

Derrick Skoglund, Pastor for First Congregational stepped forward as everyone got closer to the end of their lunch and took charge of the devotional. The opening hymn was “How Great Thou Art.” Pastor Skoglund then let everyone know “The Book of Psalms were the songs the Jews sang in the temple.” He made reference to the 1950s and how people’s problems back then weren’t much different from problems everyone has today. “At the skating rink, a lost set of skates was a problem we probably don’t have a lot of today. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a whole new set of issues to deal with.” He spoke of the ongoing fight between Russia and Ukraine. He said, “I speak also of the blossoming peace and our hope that it lasts between Israel and Gaza.” He also talked about unrest here at home, “The street fighting in Oregon and Chicago. With all the fighting we must remember this question, ‘How would you praise the name of our great King?’”

 

While speaking, Pastor Skoglund was interrupted by a phone call from his wife, Ann. He explained, “She’s in Greece right now. She’s a nurse with Northwestern University and she’s over there with a bunch of other nurses. They’re meeting with refugees and doing the good work.”

 

There were eight women volunteers on Tuesday who helped to prepare the soup and to get the bread and the bars ready. On Wednesday there were seven volunteers, only one of whom was willing to provide her name. Donna Henson was able to say after giving her name, “The church pays for the food, we cover the cost, and the rest goes right back to the church.”

 

The two soups were prepared in giant silver colanders which were being emptied in the kitchen into plastic containers to be taken as leftovers. Not a single dessert bar was wasted either. The First Congregational Church of Waseca, located at 503 Second Avenue Northeast, has a luncheon like this once a month, usually on the third Wednesday but they are still ironing out the schedule. This is a free event, all are welcome; free-will offerings are accepted.