Grace Lutheran Church sells lots of lefse

Grace Lutheran Church held its Harvest Mission Festival Brunch at 300 East Elm Ave during the mid-morning of Friday, Nov. 21. The event included three sales: baked goods, thrift items, and, of course, lefse.

 

On the sidewalk in front of the church, Customer Sherry Scholljegerdes was waiting for her ride to pull around while she also enjoyed the warm sun on a chilly day. When asked what she liked best about the brunch she replied, “I liked the fruit and the homemade cinnamon rolls. That and the company I had with me was wonderful.” 

 

Just inside the church, those arriving found the lefse, thrift and baked goods for sale. Among the homemade pastries were tasty possibilities like almond cakes, almond bark, lemon bundt cake, candy cane cookies, banana bars and caramel pecan cream bars. There were also time-tested favorites,: lemon bars, Rice Crispy treats, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, pumpkin bars and cakes.

 

Sitting at the front table in the dining room was ticket taker Linda Born, who said the day had been busy. “By 11:30 a.m., I’d say we’ve had around 80 people come through the line or so. I don’t know how many volunteers we’ve had today, but I know there were a lot of us yesterday prepping for today. All this was done by the Ladies of Grace Lutheran Church. All the proceeds from the lefse sale, the thrift and bake sale and the brunch go towards the mission program.” The brunch items were a variety of oven bakes. Flavors included mushroom, ham and egg, and even sausage and French toast. There were accompanying cups of assorted fruit and large cinnamon buns with frosting. To drink there were pitchers of water or coffee, with plates and silverware being cleared away by volunteers to make room for newcomers.

 

One of the people clearing tables was Phoebe Praxl. When asked why the church put on the day's event she replied, “We do this to connect with the community, and try to bring the community to the church.” Out near the thrift store was the lefse table. After starting the morning with 160 Ziplock bags full, sellers had only 20 left. Larry Born found a Waseca County Pioneer reporter and insisted he buy one for himself and the reporter saying, “You can’t come here and leave without some lefse, that wouldn’t be right.”

 

All proceeds from the thrift, brunch, bake and lefse sales go toward the Grace Lutheran Church mission. One upcoming event at Grace Lutheran will be the Minnesota Riverbend Brass Choir which will provide a concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The concert is free and open to the public.  Those in attendance will be invited to make a free will offering.