Last Sunday, a lady who is a member of this church (Palm Valley Lutheran Church, which is between Round Rock and Hutto on US 79) was a guest at St. Paul Thorndale. I said something along the lines of “Oh! I’m reading a book that was written by one of your former pastors… I’m blanking on his name right now… but the book is about Norwegian Lutherans in Texas.”
We had a pleasant conversation for a few more minutes before the service started.
After the service, I realized that I misspoke. The book isn’t about Norwegian Lutherans, but rather Swedish Lutherans in Texas.
Oh well.
In any case, Palm Valley is one of three early Swedish Lutheran churches in the heart of Texas… the other two being Gethsemane in Austin and New Sweden near Manor.
Palm Valley was founded in 1870, and the building pictured was completed in 1894.
I thought this perspective from the cemetery was appropriate for All Saints Sunday.
O blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
(Somehow I’ve never noticed that the tune for this hymn was written by Ralph Vaughan Williams… until this morning!)