The Reminder of The Cross
“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Genesis 3:19
This year, Ash Wednesday is on February 18. On this day, congregations all over the world will gather in worship!
We will gather for worship on Ash Wednesday at West Blue Mounds to mark the beginning of Lent. As we come together to worship, the words from Genesis will be spoken – “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These ancient words, combined with the ashen cross traced on each of our foreheads, remind us of our own sin and mortality.
The cross is a reminder that Jesus is the one who sacrificed and paid for all our sins through His death on the cross. The ashen cross traced on our foreheads is also a baptismal reminder, that we have been called and claimed into the family of God. When we were washed in the baptismal waters, we also received the sign of the cross traced on our foreheads in olive oil. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I want to encourage you and your family to join us on Wednesdays for this wonderful time of Lenten worship. We will gather and experience the music and song of the Holden Evening Prayer, which is quite a beautiful worship service.
May you continue to be strengthened and nurtured in your relationship with God during the Lenten season.
Peace and Blessings to you in Christ,
Jim ><>
Annual Meeting Deadline Approaching
Mark your calendar for the Annual Meetings – Springdale’s meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 15 and the West Blue Mounds meeting set for February 22. Meetings will begin immediately after each respective 10 a.m. worship service. You’ve invited to stay for treats after the Springdale meeting.
Please send any committee reports and content for the Springdale Annual Report to Sherri at shefty@chorus.net no later than January 31 so she can prepare the Annual Report packet. She will email the packet to everyone about a week prior to the Springdale Annual Meeting and will also have hard copies of packets at church on February 15.
We would greatly appreciate your attendance at each congregation’s meeting so there will be a quorum, which is required to approve budgets and conduct other important business. We intend to offer phone and online access via WebEx for the Springdale meeting and will send access information closer to the meeting date.
Announcing 2026 Office Hours
Office hours are in place for 2026, with the parish office open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, Jim will be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments may also be available if needed. If you have an urgent need for assistance, please contact Jim at 608-669-2267.
Lenten Services To Begin in February
Lenten services will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 18. Lenten services will be held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at West Blue Mounds. The location of services alternates by year between West Blue Mounds and Springdale.
The worship service will feature the lovely music of the Holden Evening Prayer.
Calling All Lefse Makers and Fans
We received rave reviews for the Norwegian meal we served for Jim’s ordination and we’re considering hosting another meal as a future fundraiser. Because an important component of a Norwegian meal is lefse, we’d like to know who would be interested in learning to make lefse and who would be willing to teach us how to make it. Regardless of whether there is ultimately another Norwegian dinner in our future, there is significant interest in learning to make lefse.
If you’re interested, please contact Kay or Sherri.
Celebration of Music Set for Spring
While spring may seem to be in the distant future during these icy blasts, planning is underway for our 4th annual Celebration of Music and brunch! We are planning to host the event on a Sunday in April or May. We are awaiting news about the date of the Mount Horeb Chorale Concert so event dates won’t conflict. Celebration of Music was created to celebrate God’s gift of music.
Stay tuned for more information about how you can participate and/or volunteer!