Immanuel plans Swedish festival

A Santa Lucia Festival will be celebrated at the 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1403 Ninth Ave. S.E. Immanuel Lutheran began as a Swedish Lutheran Church in 1920 and the congregation is ushering in the Christmas season with this Swedish tradition of lights and music.

As in the Swedish custom, a young lady of the congregation will enter the sanctuary wearing a crown of candles as “Santa Lucia” is sung. She will be wearing white with a red sash around her waist and carrying a tray of coffee and a Swedish pastry which she will present to the Rev. Nels Lillejord, pastor of the Immanuel congregation. Following the worship service, Swedish pastries will be served in the fellowship hall during the coffee/tea fellowship time.

The third Advent candle will be lit, and the Immanuel Choir will sing an Advent anthem.

Immanuel Church is located next to Gardenette Housing in southeast Jamestown and the building is accessible with no steps.

Tags: santa lucia, life, religion, immanuel, swedish, festival