"The pay is out of this world," said Jan Weness about volunteering at Little Cedar and Marshall Lutheran Churches of Adams.

These two Lutheran churches combine to help each other as well as share the same pastor, Shari Mason. The community services that these two parishes provide for the rural community of Adams is endless. Meals on Wheels, quilting groups, lutefisk suppers, Ronald McDonald House, fellowship coffee after services, the list goes on and on.

Little Cedar Lutheran Church was organized in 1859 and Marshall Lutheran Church, located five miles northeast of Adams had their first service in 1856. Norwegian settlers to the area started both parishes.

Joyce Helver, a long time parishioner of Little Cedar, said her grandmother, Hannah Osmundson, was the first white child born in the township. The first parishioners made their living by farming. Now parishioners come to both parishes from the surrounding communities of Elkton, Grand Meadow, Stewartville and, of course, Adams.

"We are very close parishes and we know everyone in church. We know when someone is not at church too," said David Gilderhus with a laugh.

Joyce Helver agreed and said she and her husband look for parishioners where they usually sit each Sunday.

Her husband, Bernie Helver said, "One of the biggest changes I have seen in the church was the men used to sit on the right side of the church and the ladies and kids on the left. My dad sat up front with my mother. Now families sit together. Another change is everyone used to dress up for church and that doesn't happen as much anymore."

The parishioners look out for one another and they are proud of their heritage and their churches. Little Cedar is well-known for the annual lutefisk supper that is held on the first Wednesday of November. This past November, they served 1,250 people.

"This involves everyone from the parish. Young and old help out with the lutefisk supper," Jan Weness said.

Marshall Lutheran Church hosts a meatball supper the first Tuesday in April each year. They serve about 500 annually.

"Our church is a lot smaller and we can seat 75 people at a time comfortably," Judy Hansen said.

There really is not one volunteer to single out at these parishes. The parishioners expounded on the long-time volunteer work done by retired choir director Pat Hinz. She came back this past holiday season to direct the choir and played the organ for Christmas.

"It is a huge commitment to be involved in playing the organ every Sunday," Jan Weness said.

The two parishes work together with Lenten Soup Suppers, share their Lenten services together and the men's ministries meet together. The children of both parishes have confirmation together.

Quilting groups meet at Little Cedar once a month and at Marshall three times a year. New babies born in the parishes are given quilts. Moms in Touch are a group that meets weekly at the Little Cedar to study the Bible and pray together.

"We are in the process of setting up a food shelf at the church and people are interested in helping," Judy Weness said.

Sheila Donnelly can be reached at 434-2233 or by e-mail at newsroom@austindailyherald.com