‘Yes, it will be so’
This being the planting season, divine intervention is often asked.
The Rev. Heidi Heimgartner of First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie provided a special blessing of the fields and farmers at a Westfield Church Spring Worship Service on Sunday, May 19.
She performed the blessing, emphasizing three categories and asked the church visitors to respond with "Amen" which means "Yes, it will be so."
Westfield Lutheran Church closed in the early 1950s and has been the location of three seasonal services during the year, spring, fall and Christmas. The church is located seven miles northeast of Blooming Prairie in Dodge County.
The service started with ringing of the church bell by Brad Pfeifer of Byron and daughter Ava and Casper Aldrich.
After following a typical church service, Pastor Heimgartner led a blessing of the fields and farmers. She solicited help from the 40 in attendance by asking visitors to proclaim "Amen" after each phrase of blessing.
Heimgartner asked:
• For favorable weather, temperate rains and fruitful seasons, and that there may be food and drink for all your creatures, we pray to you, O Lord, AMEN!
• For your blessing upon the lands and waters, and all who work upon them to bring forth food and all things needed for your people, we pray to you O Lord. AMEN!
• For all who care for the earth, the water and the air, that the riches of your creation may abound from age to age, we pray to you, O Lord. AMEN!
The pastor concluded her prayer of blessing, saying: "Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon our seed, livestock, plow, forest, orchard, field, garden and especially on the workers that together we work to your glory and to the welfare of your people, through Jesus Christ Our Lord."
Heimgartner also asked for a Moment of Silent Remembrance near the end of the church service.
She asked for silent remembrance "for fallen soldiers, and the sacrifice they made for the sake of others." She also asked for a silent moment of thanksgiving in gratitude to god for the brave ones who have answered the call to serve their country."
"Let us keep a silent moment of worship, as we remember, give thanks and honor the lives of all who have gone before us, entrusting them once more to your gracious kingdom."
In her sermon, Heimgartner spoke about Heaven. "Heaven is a mystery of God dwelling in all of us," she said.
The Energy of God provides love within us and we, within it, said Heimgartner.
She challenged: "Rediscover heavily moments in this world impacted by God's presence."
Linda Schmidt provided music for the church service. Four hymns were chosen for the service.
Dale Underwood is organizer of these Westfield services. He showed a piece of tablet paper that contains about 80 names of persons he telephones to invite to the Westfield services.
Underwood paid tribute to three individuals who recently passed away: Bev Willert, Dick Smith and Dale Garness.
Underwood said the church offering for May 19 will help pay for heating, electrical and insurance bills.
"Invite a friend and join us next time," Underwood said.