Swedish flags were flying at the Karlstad Korner and at First Lutheran Church to welcome the Swedish Singers from Hässleholm, Sweden to Karlstad, Minnesota in the heat and humidity of June 23.  The 46 Swedes and their American guides entered the air conditioned church for about a half hour of practice and then devoured American pizza from the Karlstad Korner before meeting their local host families, who took them in for the night.  Stories from the host homes were of having campfires and s'mores in a couple of places to singing in Swedish to giving out American style baseball caps.  All the host families reported having a wonderful time with these polite and engaging young people and their adult chaperones.  Each host received a lovely Swedish gift from those who stayed with them.

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The next morning it was back to the church at 9:00 a.m. to warm up.  And then at 10:00 a.m. an overflowing church heard a beautiful concert of songs in Swedish and English reflecting the motto of the Swedish Singers, "Cantamus Gloriam Dei" which is Latin for "We Sing to the Glory of God."  The congregation was impressed with the full sound of this choir of young people, and with the very impressive soloists.  A song of lament and longing from "The Immigrants" was very haunting.  A call and response used in the pastures was quite interesting.  The medley of "Children of the Heavenly Father," "Thy Holy Wings," and "How Great Thou Art" was very touching.  Director Birgitta Roslund brought out the very best in all of them.  Pastor Bo Johansson gave a short message on peace from John 14.  He called Pastor Gary Halverson to the front and presented him with a Swedish crystal candle holder with a Chi Rho candle and asked that the Americans pray for them as they pray for the Americans.  He concluded with the Lord's Prayer in Swedish inviting the congregations to pray in Swedish, English, or even Norwegian at the same time.  And then the benediction in Swedish.  The choir began with "Rejoice in the Lord Always" and ended with "O Happy Day" with joy in the Lord throughout.

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The congregation provided a dinner for their Swedish guests and all who came to worship.   Karlstad's senior Swedish-American, Arnold Englund, and his family led in the traditional Swedish table grace.  The First Lutheran WELCA provided the meat, generously prepared by Everett Englund, while the rest of the meal was potluck.  The table fairly groaned with the weight of all the goodies.  Later the young Swedes reported being impressed with the napkins with a Swedish pastoral scene including the blue and yellow flag, and the Swedish flags placed in the cupcakes, as well as the Swedish wind socks by the front door of the church.  At the very end the director led some of the choir members in the round "Du är helig" or "You Are Holy" which they were delighted to find in the new red hymnal (ELW#525).  Pastor and Mrs. Halverson were privileged to join in this impromptu gathering with them.  Then it was back to the bus and on the road.

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You can read all about them at www.chorusmix.net including pictures, a list of members, and a diary commenting on various places they stopped including Karlstad.  It's all in English except the diary.

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The families that hosted these Swedes overnight were Bob Carlson, Everett & Kathy Englund, Kenneth & Bernice Germundson, Gary & Ruth Halverson, Ardis Hanson, Doris Johnson, Bev Heppner & Erin Folland, George & Shirley Koland, Wayne & Elain Ruud, Jim & Marica Pederson, and Audella Stamnes.  THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!  Also thanks to serving group #1 led by Twilla Wollin and to WELCA president Eldonna Grahn for the great dinner.