It was the 104th anniversary month for "Swedish Lutheran Zion Church," but it was also the final event in retiring the Fellowship Hall mortgage obtained in 2003. After worship on Sunday, Zion of Silverhill concluded its brief service to "Burn the Mortgage." A potluck celebration followed with the day concluding with a program by concert pianist Kadisha Onalbayeva.

Piano tuner John Wynn from Foley arrived Saturday 24 hours before Zion's Advent and Christmas Concert, to tune Zion's baby grand piano for pianist Kadisha Onalbayeva, scheduled for the special events of the next day.

Ernest Burnett inserted final material into the Sunday morning church bulletin a half hour before the day's festivities began.

Jim Willoughby and wife Catherine (l to r) traveled from Montgomery to bring greetings on behalf of Thrivent for Lutherans' Chapters in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Special guests for the event included Darrell Butler, local financial associate with Thrivent for Lutherans. Mr. Butler shared a few words on behalf of Thrivent, originator of the loan for funding of part of Zion's Fellowship Hall in 2003.

After a few introductory remarks, the celebration and "mortgage burning" service was initiated in prayer by Ernest Burnett, church council member.

Darlene Tasso and Peter Midgarden (l to r by the metal tub used to "burn the mortgage," l side of photo) worked together to get the burning tub on safe concrete to light to papers. The paper was cold and difficult to ignite, but the job got done.

Zion Church Treasurer Darlene Tasso (stooping to "burn the mortgage") was watched carefully by members and guests of the congregation. All wanted to see the papers "go up in smoke."

Darlene roughed up the paper and got the match ready to do the job.

Darlene Tasso, Church Treasurer, applies a match to the mortgage papers.

Burning a mortgage was not so easy when the heavy paper did not want to burn!

Darlene Tasso, Church Treasurer, sets the mortgage papers on fire.

The mortgage goes up in flames.

If you hang in there long enough, the mortgage will go up in smoke.

The facsimile of the "mortgage papers" went up in smoke. Only ashes were left in the metal tub used for burning.

Even Anna wanted the mortgage to burn.

A special cake for the occasion was crafted with the Fellowship Hall featured on the cake. A Norwegian "celebration cake" crafted by Peter Midgarden is situated immediately behind. Other "specialty desserts" surrounded the cakes.

Vera Avera, Betty Pitcher, and Becky Vasko (l to r) were among the members organizing the presentation of dinner entres.

The church service and "burning of the mortgage" was followed by a "potluck" dinner in the Fellowship Hall with concluding concert presented after the meal back in the Zion Lutheran Church Sanctuary.

Anna and Gramma Dars posed briefly after the burning of that mortgage. Gramma didn't even burn her fingers.

Zion's creche figures for Christmas.

Zion's creche scene has been set up in its sanctuary since the 1980s.

Kadisha Onalbayeva Coleman gave a piano concert as part of the December 6 festivities, celebrating Zion's 104th Anniversary and its "Burning of the Mortgage" on the Fellowship Hall.

Kadiasha (l) and daugher Malika posed before the piano concert in the front of the Zion sanctuary.

Mike Coleman, Zion church organist, posed with family members, his Mom, his daughter Malika, and wife Kadisha (l to r).

Kadisha Onalbayeva Coleman is ready for the piano concert.

Accomplished pianist and music educator Kadisha Onalbayeva presented Zion's Advent and Christmas Concert to conclude the day's activities with original and special pieces for the occasion.

Kadisha Onalbayeva Coleman.

Dr. Michael Coleman, Zion's Music Director, introduced Zion's concert pianist, Kadisha Onalbayeva.

Kadisha Onalbayeva presented original and special pieces for the occasion.

Waiting for the concert to begin were some of Kadi's family and friends, Mike Coleman, Malika Coleman, Dorothy Coleman, Joyce Smith, and Vernon Smith.