Mark Swanson

The Rev. Mark E. Swanson will deliver his farewell sermon to the congregation of First Lutheran Church on Sunday, Aug. 31, at the combined 10 a.m. worship service in the airconditioned worship center located in the lower level of the church.

Swanson will be semi-retiring as he will assume a part-time pastoral position at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville.

Swanson has been the pastor of First Lutheran Church since September 2022. During his tenure here he has overseen the remodeling of the chancel area of the large church nave; a new handicapped accessible door entrance to the educational building, new sound system in Memorial Chapel; the recent paving of the parking lot across from the educational wing; the safety gate area to the main entrance of the church; the First House improvement project for the upcoming housing transitional housing project for women and children cosponsored by the YWCA and First Lutheran Church; and the re-opening of the third floor Community Outreach Store.

The combined worship service on Sunday will feature the Sacred Fire Praise Team, Kimberly King, leader, and the First Lutheran Choir, Brian A. Bogey, organist/choirmaster. Bogey will also play the 1871 Andrews Tracker Action Pipe Organ. The congregation will host a special reception in Swanson’s honor immediately after the service. The public is welcome to attend.