The book below, Saga of Emmanuel, has been submitted by Rev. Vernon
Swenson, 208 West Normal Drive, Lindsborg, KS 67456, USA, telephone 785-227-3602.
The views expressed in this book are my views and not necessarily the views of Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg,
KS. This book is out of print. You are encouraged to download it and share with others.
This writing is intended for worshippers in Christian congregations who believe their congregations, though small, should not close. They believe their congregation continues to have a ministry of God's grace in the community that only a Christian congregation can provide. Even a remote possibility of their congregation closing causes excruciating pain.
CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS NEED NOT WITHER AND DIE! There is an alternative to decline that inevitably ends in the death of a congregation. There is the alternative of health and joyful ministry! Read the story of this fictional congregation. Intentionally discuss the alternative. Courage, motivated by love, can help you do that. You may find this story can be the story of your congregation except in one aspect. You need not go through the pain of closure. By taking preemptive action there is a better way. By picking up this book and reading this foreword you may have already begun that journey. May the Holy Spirit guide you each step of the journey.
Pentecost Season, 1999
It is with gratitude I present this second book on congregational ministry to the church. To the Lutheran churches of Tanzania, Liberia, Canada and the USA I say "Thank You" for the privilege of serving in your midst.
Some thirty years ago a predecessor of mine at Wembere, Tanzania, Pastor Douglas Lundell, introduced me to Roland Allen's book, Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours". My understanding and vision for ministry has never been the same since. It has been a journey of Bible Study; reading; teaching at Mwika Bible School, Tanzania, and Gbarnga School of Theology, Liberia; and pastoring congregations in Tanzania, Canada and the USA. This has been coupled with intentional observation. To all of my coworkers and friends I say "Thank you!" My life has been enriched.
To my wife, Doris, I express my deepest gratitude for her guiding and steadying hand during these 50 years of ministry together. Her ever faithful partnership in reading, counseling and editing the written material has been invaluable. Also, I owe a debt of gratitude to Charley Kempthorne of The Life-story Institute for assistance in writing and Charlotte Ternstrom for the proofreading.
Lastly, I give my thanks to God, the Father of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who in my baptism called me to His service and has continued to renew that call through the years; and to the Holy Spirit who, I believe, has sustained and illumined me in my thinking and writing. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
FOREWORD............................................................................. 1
WORDS OF APPRECIATION................................................. 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................... 2
The Gathering.............................................................................. 3
The Worship............................................................................. 10
Fellowship................................................................................. 20
Under the Cottonwoods............................................................ 25
New Beginnings........................................................................ 33
Home Again.............................................................................. 37
ENDNOTES............................................................................ 46
What Can Be Done?................................................................. 48
RESPONSES........................................................................... 49
Excerpts From Responses......................................................... 50
COPYRIGHT: I believe the Holy Spirit has been my guide in writing this book and is the author behind the story. It is intended to be good news and good news should not be kept to ourselves. 2 Kings 7:9 Therefore, this book is not copyrighted. If quoted, a credit line will be appreciated.
The afternoon wind blew gently from the northwest. The cool, gentle wind was the leftover of a cold front that had moved across the high plains on Friday evening. That cool front, after a sultry day, had left a rainfall of about 1.30 inches. It was much needed rain -- just enough to bring the wheat to maturity and cause the milo and sunflowers that were in the ground or soon would be in the ground to sprout. Things were looking up. It had been a dry winter but this rain promised a fair to good crop if the farmers could just get it off. As they watched the clouds build up in the northwest there was some anxiety. There always is at this time of the year. Too often the black clouds also bring high winds and hail. There had been a spat of pea-sized hail but not enough to really do any damage. Everyone was feeling good, but a bit apprehensive about the coming wheat harvest The labor and the investments of a year could be wiped out in a few minutes, except for what is covered by insurance.
Ken and Sara Johnson and their children, Trevor, 8, and Lisa, 5, were the first to arrive at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Grainville that Sunday afternoon. Bill and Sandra Small with Becky, 6, soon drove up. Sam and Dora Schneider came next and parked in front of Emmanuel. These six adults and three children were about the only regular attendees left at Emmanuel. There still were 27 names left on the church records. Some were elderly and found it difficult to get out, a few had moved out of the community, others came only occasionally. The rest just seemed indifferent.
The Johnsons have about three sections of cultivated land plus some range land and a small herd of beef cattle. Bill and Sandra both work in Dexler; Bill is a mechanic at the Ford garage and Sandra teaches fourth grade. They hobby farm a quarter section. They just like to keep their hands in the soil. Sam and Dora retired to Dexler two years ago after selling off their machinery and cattle in a public auction. Farming had been a good career for them. They were married and started farming when Sam came home from WWII. They had seen good times and bad times, but most of them good.
After the exchange of greetings the families "passed the time of day" for a few minutes Dora, always a person to get things done, said, “I think we had better go in and get things lined up for the coffee and potluck. Seems kind of different to have both a meal and coffee. We haven't even had a coffee since Aunt Ida's funeral.”
Bill offered, "Anything we can do to help?"
Dora, "Not now, but there will be plenty to do when it comes cleanup time."
Picking up their baskets of food the women went into the church and began getting the kitchen ready for the coffee and carry in supper. It had been a long time since the 30 cup coffee pots and serving dishes had been used so they needed to be rinsed off. There was hot water in the faucet. Ken had turned on the water heater on Saturday evening when he had gone down to check things out. The water heater had been shut off for the past two years to save on the utility bills. The kitchen was full of talk about school being out and what the families were planning for the summer. Not a lot of extra things to do; Trevor was going to be playing with the Pee Wee team in Dexler.
"Remember when we had enough young people to play workup after the mission meetings? Some games they were! The Edstrom kids were especially good at baseball," reminisced Dora. "Those were the ‘good old days.’” Dousing a stack of plates into the sudsy water she monologued on, "Families were larger in those days. At one time we had four children in Sunday School." She heaved a sigh, "Well, I guess it doesn't do any good to lament too much but I sure don't like to think about what is happening here today. We have been trying to put it off so long."
Sara, switching the faucet to the other side of the sink, started to fill the coffee pot. "When did you and Sam first start to sense what was going to happen? When Ken and I got married the worship attendance was already down to about 20 or 25 and things were starting to get tough financially for the congregation. It was getting hard to meet our share of the parish budget. When did you really start to see the 'handwriting on the wall' about Emmanuel's future?"
"Oh ----- a long. time ago. I guess about thirty years ago. We saw the farms getting bigger, families smaller, kids going off to college and not coming back. When the high school closed in '51 we knew it wouldn't be too long before the grade school would go too. When Adolph's grocery closed that was about the end of this town. Pretty soon it was only the coop and the church left. But... you know, it really goes back a lot longer than that. Since the very beginning it has always been kind of a touch and go situation. Pastors were always hard to come by. My Dad always used to tell how things were before the 'Dirty Thirties'. But when I think about it maybe the 'Dirty Thirties' were some of the best times in this congregation. None of us had much of anything so we learned how to be self reliant -- even in things concerning the church. There have been some pretty good times and there have been some pretty tough times, but we could always see that the trend was downhill."
"Did you ever talk about what was happening and the future?”
"Not really. Guess we were afraid to do that. When the mission support was taken away we knew that we were in big trouble. We knew we couldn't support a pastor by ourselves. But other ways were found. When Samuelson resigned we were then linked up with Salem. That helped for a while, but attendance went down, preachers' salaries went up and the price of wheat went down. Oh, how we all struggled! I sure felt sorry for our pastors. They were good ones, but one can sacrifice just so much. Somehow, even preachers have to find money to send their kids off to college and put aside something for retirement. So, they were forced to move on to bigger places. But, every time a pastor resigned, the synod always seemed to come up with a new solution. We have been through all kinds of alignments. Every one of them was supposed to be, 'THE SOLUTION'. We were ALWAYS going through the 'numbers crunch', trying to figure out how much each congregation would have to pay to make up the parish budget."
"I know how that is. I remember hearing about that when Ken and I got married. I really wondered whether or not I should join because I knew it would increase the congregation's financial obligation to the parish and we were not so sure that we could pick up the extra responsibility. Ken was already giving what I thought was very generously."
Sara continued. Well, this putting small congregations together isn't such a good idea all the time. It fixes a problem for a little while but then it comes back. Every time you do it you lose some of your autonomy You have to change worship service times, drive your kids to another place for confirmation class and then there are those seemingly endless council meetings.
Pulling the plug in the sink she continued, "Sounds like I'm just complaining. Well, I am. They say it is good therapy to vent yourself once in a while. You have to let it out some time. My heart is just broken.
"Didn't anyone suggest that there might be a better way?"
"Not that I ever heard of.There most likely is. There are some country churches that seem to get along by having a preacher who has another job. But that is just not the way we were brought up. That was never suggested here. We were brought up to expect that we deserved a pastor with a seminary degree just as well as the big church down in Kansas City."
"I remember that preacher we had years ago. What was his name? Klendah? Ya, that's it. We always thought that was a funny name. Sure not Swedish! He used to tell us about his seminary history professor, back in Augustana, who would say that when things really got tough in the church 'then God was standing just around the corner with a big surprise'. Maybe, just maybe, when we go out of these doors here today God will be standing just around the corner with a big surprise. Wouldn't that be great! At least we can hope. You know there still are people around here. Two years ago we had 54 out for our Christmas Eve service! I've got to quit talking. It's soon time for the service to start."
With that the conversation in the kitchen ended. The dish towels were hung on the rack to dry and the women went out to join their families.
Outside, in the lacy shade under the locust trees, trees that had been planted and nurtured by Sam's father, Sam was saying, "People used to say that trees would not grow in this barren desert. They were wrong. They do when they get planted and cared for." The men were greeting the worshippers as they arrived. Sara and her mother, Blenda, arrived from Jasper. Jasper is another small town about 20 miles to the north. They did not come out very often but would for special occasions. Blenda suffered from arthritis. Dick, Sara's husband, very seldom darkened the door of any church. Their, now adult, children seemed to follow in their father's footsteps. Everybody looked up when Bill and Jane Sander drove up in their deep blue Ford with a Missouri tag on it. They had moved to the Ozarks after they retired. They were just going down to fish and soak up the sun. Now they had come back to visit old friends and, believe it or not, the real estate agent in Selma had said to Sam, "They are looking for a house to buy, but don't spread that word around just yet. They miss their old friends.
Looking up, Ken said, "I think it is time I go in and pass out the bulletins. We have bulletins today! Sara and Sandra made them up last Thursday and ran them off at Boogaarts. We thought the people might want a little memento of this service."
The people continued to arrive, some from nearby, some from far away. Finally at 2:10 the Bishop drove up. Six weeks ago when the Assistant to the Bishop was there it was suggested that he should be invited. It was a long shot, but it just so happened that he was going to be at Salem in Buffalo Wallow in the morning for the installation of their new pastor, so he worked it into his schedule to stop in at Emmanuel for the afternoon service.
Bill reached out to shake the Bishop's hand, "Greetings and welcome," as he gave the Bishop a hearty western handshake. "We really are glad you could make it. We didn't think it would be possible on such a short notice, but you are here. Having you with us today will mean a lot to our people here."
In his casual, friendly sort of way he replied, "Glad I could make it. I wish it were under happier circumstances, but I feel the official presence of the church is important on a day like this." He threw his blue serge garment bag over his arm and headed for the church door. Inside he looked around and spotted the little room off the entry way and went in to hang up his vestments on the over the door coat hanger. You could tell he had been around a lot of churches. It did not take him long to get his bearing. As he entered the sanctuary he was greeted by Ken who was passing out the bulletins. "Where is the rest room?" he asked.
"Just around the folding doors over there," replied Ken as he pointed the way.
Other worshippers continued to arrive. The sanctuary was beginning to fill. There were some from the other neighboring Lutheran churches of the parish and the pastor and three persons from the neighboring Methodist Church in Dexter. Eyes kind of widened as two couples from the Dixon Community Church took their places. It was different to see them in a Lutheran church.
It seemed that every member still on the church rolls who lived in the area was in the church. Some hadn't been seen in a long time. Mary Samuelson had been especially invited to come and play the organ for this service. She had been the organist when the small Hammond organ was dedicated back in '52. That was quite a day. The church was full to hear this new marvel of technical ingenuity. Her husband died a few years ago. She moved off the farm and since then there was always a problem about music leadership. Sandra could play the hymns and had really worked on the liturgy but for this day she felt they should have a "real organist" who could really do a prelude and a postlude. Even though Mary had transferred her membership to Grace Lutheran in Buffalo Downs she made the special effort to be back for this day. As she sat down on the organ bench a flood of memories went through her mind: worship services, Christmas Eve candlelight services, weddings and, of course, funerals. A tear or two formed in her eyes as she recalled her husband's funeral three short years ago. Wiping her eyes she reviewed the bulletin for the day, opened the service book, placed the sheet music of hymn variations before her and then the church was filled with stirring music. Amazing what could come out of that Hammond organ!
The church was well filled. During the prelude the Bishop, Bill Small and Trevor, the acolyte, waited for the cue for them to process down the aisle. The cue this day would be the opening strains of "Faith of Our Fathers
Last to arrive was Gary Reitz with his three children. About eleven years ago, when Gary got a job with the county department of roads he and his bride, Meroe, rented the vacant parsonage. They were good renters and when the congregation concluded that they most likely were never going to have a resident pastor again the congregation gave them the first option to purchase it for $8,700.00. In a different location it would have been worth a lot more. But who wanted to buy a house in Grainville? There were several vacant houses that were gradually deteriorating.
The former parsonage really was a nice house. It's a ranch style with three bedrooms and an office on the main floor. The office had an outside entrance on the east side. In the basement there is a large open rec room with the stairway entrance right off the front hallway. Clearly it was designed as a place for youth and other groups to gather. So it was intended and so it was used at one time.
Gary had attended worship sporadically after they moved into town. Their oldest daughter, Tiffany, was baptized at Emmanuel, most likely at the insistence of the grandparents on the father's side. Tiffany now is 8. Steve and Debra are 5 and 3. They have not been baptized. Tiffany and Steve had attended Vacation Bible School two years ago when the last Bible School was held. Seven children had been enrolled.
Things had not gone well for Gary and Meroe the last several years. Several persons in the community sensed the difficulties in the home and requested the supply pastor, Larry Gunther, to make a call in the home. He did. It was a rather awkward situation. Wearing his blue, short sleeved clergy shirt he knocked at the door. Meroe opened the door -
"Good evening, I am Pastor Gunther from Emmanuel Lutheran," he said as he extended his hand.
Looking towards the kitchen, Meroe raised her voice, "Gary, the preacher is here.'"
Pastor Gunther dropped his hand to his side and just stood there while the door closed. He was about to turn away when the door opened again and Gary was there. He stepped out.
"I'm Gary", he said, extending his hand. "I am sorry about the greeting you received. I recall we met once at the gasoline pumps at the co-op. Won't you please come in?"
"Thank you."
The two went into the living room. Gary motioned to Larry to sit down. "Would you like something to drink? We have some juice, or if you like I can make a cup of coffee."
"I had a snack at the last call I made so I would appreciate just a glass of water. It's a warm day and I am thirsty. No need to put ice into it."
The two sat across from each other holding their glasses of water, both kind of sizing up the situation, not exactly knowing what to say or do. Then Pastor Gunther continued, "We can just as well get right down to the reason that I came. I have actually come for two reasons. I will start with the one about the children and Sunday School. You know that I also pastor three other congregations and come here to Grainville only on a Sunday supply basis, so I don't get around to do much calling around here. Seems like I don't get a lot done at the other places either. However, a couple of the ladies at the church told me that your oldest child had been baptized in our congregation and that she had attended Sunday School some time back. We have not had a Sunday School going for about a year but there is talk about trying to get one organized again. Do you think your children would like to come and would you as parents like to have them come?"
"Well, I think it would be fine," responded Gary. "I always went when I was a kid; but this has to be a family decision. Let me call Meroe."
He went to the bedroom where she was. He closed the door and spoke softly. Pastor Gunther could not hear the conversation but he did hear the final words, "OK, I'll come."
The two came out and sat down on the davenport. Meroe had her arms folded across her chest. Gary introduced the subject they had been talking about and asked Pastor Gunther to explain it a bit more. He did, adding a few details about Baptism, the meaning of it and the responsibility for Christian Education. He closed, "We would sure like to reopen our Sunday School. We really don't have enough children in our church families to have a class going at church. But, if we can find a few children in the community who would be willing to come and whose parents would want them to come, we will do our best to give them a worthwhile hour. I hope that your children can be a part of it."
Meroe was not slow in responding "Well, if Gary wants to take the bother he can, but I want nothing of your Sunday School idea. Our kids have to get up early five days a week to get the school bus, they are tired out when they come home, and so am I. Then there are music lessons on Saturday and shopping to do. I think they need a day off just to do what they want to do. Anyway, the Sundays I have off we usually go out of town some place. We have got to get out of this little dump of a town sometimes. I never went to Sunday school or church as a kid and I am no worse off for that. I know Tim's family is a religious family, but I don't see that they are any better than my family. I didn't need Sunday School or whatever you call it, and I don't think our kids need it. But that's up to Gary. If he wants to drag them out of bed another morning he can, but I will have nothing to do with it. Neither will I block it, but don't be asking me to come down there and work with it. I have plenty to do already. I have laundry to sort and fold. Please excuse me." With that she got up and went to the bedroom, closing the door not too gently.
Gary and Pastor Gunther were both taken aback. Gary raised his hands and spread them out in a gesture of frustration and helplessness, "What can I do?"
Finally, Pastor Gunther continued, "Under these circumstances I tend to feel that the idea of getting the children involved in the Sunday School at this time will cause more frustration and division in the home than the good it will do. So I would just suggest that you continue to do your best to quietly teach the children here at home by your daily life and talk about Jesus and the faith as you have opportunity. If we can do anything to help you by providing books or other resources let me know and I will see what we can come up with. I know in the past that there have been courses produced for home Sunday School but I don't know what, if anything1 is available now." With that he reached for his hat, indicating his intention of leaving. They got up and both went outside and stopped outside the door.
"I am sorry that things turned out this way," Gary continued. "I don't know what has gone wrong in our home. I never expected this when we got married. I thought Meroe would gradually come along and we could have a life in the church together. But it has never worked out that way. The day when Tiffany was baptized was not a happy day. I started to see what was happening that day."
Pulling his keys out of his pocket Larry headed for his car. Gary followed. Looking each other in the eye they gently embraced each other. Pastor Gunther drove off. As he started to back up he saw the bedroom curtain move just a little. "She knows that I have left."
Driving down the road Pastor Gunther thought to himself, "I never said a word about the second thing I wanted to talk to them about." Gary did not head for the house right away. To relieve some of the stress he headed towards their little garden and started to pull some weeds. "I wonder what the second thing was that he was going to talk to us about?" he mused. "I think I know. I think Meroe also knows."
When Debra was about a year old Meroe got a job at the truck stop on the interstate. Gary wasn't really in favor of it but she said, "I need an outlet outside of this house and this dead town. I need to find my own identity and this is the first step in doing it." She did. She is a gregarious person and a good manager. Promotion from server to cashier came soon and then to manager of the evening shift which was from 3:00 to closing time at 11:00. It really seemed to work out quite well. She cared for the children in the mornings and Gary in the evenings. They were able to arrange for Debbie Nelson to come into the home for the afternoon hours until Gary came home and for special times. The extra money was nice and Gary came to accept it as maybe a good thing. She had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people, some travelers and some truckers who were away from home.
Slim became attracted to her and they would sit at the coffee table in the corner and talk. One time Gary stopped in to pick up some milk on his way home from Claflin and saw them at the corner table. He said nothing but was uneasy about what he saw. He reasoned, "If I say something it is just going to raise all kinds of questions and will certainly end in an argument. Don't you trust me? will be the accusation."
Debbie also notices a subtle change in Meroe. She just didn't seem to be quite as
interested in the home as she had been. Her questions about the children became fewer and the times she and Gary
went out for an evening less and less frequent
The blow came when Gary came home from work one afternoon and found a note on the table. The house was pretty much in a mess. Closet doors were open with most of her clothes gone, drawers were in a mess and some pictures were off the dresser and walls. On the table was the note. It read,
"From now on Slim and I will be trucking.
You will hear from me soon. Meroe."
Gary was devastated. Neighbors said they had seen a tractor-trailer truck at the house for a couple of hours. In a few weeks Gary did hear. Divorce papers were delivered. Only one good thing was salvaged out of it. Gary got custody of the children. This all left Gary in shock and somewhat confused. The children were all confused. Gary's parents came down for a few days but if it would not have been for Debbie and her steady hand things would have been much worse. Dreams were crushed. Gary was first angry with Meroe and then with himself.
The community gathered around them as best they could. "If only they had had a pastor who was known and trusted," the members of Emmanuel said to one another. They could call in someone else from another church, but that person would be like a foreigner. But a lot was going on in the heart of Gary. After the initial surge of anger there was reflection about how things could have been different. "If only we would have had friends we could have confided in through the years." He remembered the years when his Mom and Dad bundled the family together in the car and were off to worship and they often visited with some of those same friends on Sunday afternoons. That was real bonding. Just too bad that Meroe did not have memories like that. But, today here he was, at worship. Maybe the warm invitation of Sarah had helped to bring him out. She also invited him and the children to stay for the potluck but he decided not to.
A Celebration of Ministry
Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
Grainville, Kansas
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Personal Prayer
Prelude, Lighting of Candles
Welcome and Announcements
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD
Brief Order for Confession................. page 56
Entrance Hymn.. (last verse--stand as able) #551
Apostolic Greeting and Kyrie............... page 57
The Hymn of Praise......................... page 58
Prayer of the Day - in unison - center panel
GOD SPEAKS TO US
The First Lesson.................... I Kings 19:4-8
The Psalmody, Psalm 34:1-B................ page 231
Special Music: "Jesus Loves Me”... Children's Choir
The Second Lesson................... Romans 12:1-10
A Brief Congregational Meeting
Presentations
The Alleluia.....(stand)................... page 62
The Gospel.......................... Matthew 13:1-9
Hymn.......................................... #236
The Sermon "Give Thanks For A Faithful God"
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD'S WORD
Hymn.............(stand)...................... #457
The Apostles' Creed........................ page 65
The Offering.....(seated)..................
The Offertory....(stand)................... page 75
The Prayer of the Church................... page 76
Hymn......................................... #298
The Benediction and Amen
Extinguishing of the Candles
The Postlude
Bishop Nordin, Bill and Trevor gathered in the little room off the narthex to robe and get ready to start the worship service. After the Bishop and Trevor had their robes on the Bishop said, "Let us pray.” He led in this brief prayer, “Lord, today guide and bless our every thought, word and action. May this service reflect your love and care. Amen." The others responded, "Amen." Bill assisted Trevor in lighting the torch and then the three slowly processed down the aisle -- Trevor, Bill, the Bishop. While Trevor lit the candles on the altar the Bishop and Bill reverently stood with bowed heads. Trevor moved to his seat in the front pew, the Bishop to his seat behind the pulpit and Bill to his seat behind the lectern.
"Good afternoon," Bill greeted the congregation.
“Good afternoon,” the congregation responded.
"Let us also greet each other with our customary worship greeting, "Bill continued. “The Lord be with you."
“And also with you,” the congregation responded.
"We welcome you to this worship service this beautiful afternoon. We especially welcome our guests from our parish congregations and other guests from other neighboring congregations. We welcome you who used to be members of this congregation and have returned "home" for this service. Your presence here today means so much to us. We also give our special warm welcome to Bishop Nordin of the Great Plains Synod of our Lutheran Church." Turning towards Bishop Nordin he continued, "Even though this is your first visit to this place several of us have had the opportunity to become acquainted with you in different settings -- Synod Assemblies, Area Meetings, through your writing in 'Gleanings', the synod newsletter, and in other places. Your love and concern for the welfare of the church is deeply appreciated." Bishop Nordin nodded in recognition of the welcoming words. "We also thank you in advance for leading our worship and bringing the message today.”
"I have three announcements to make.
No. 1. At our last congregational meeting in March it was decided to include a special congregational meeting as a part of this worship service. Members of the congregation have the privilege of vote, guests from congregations of the High Plains Parish have the privilege of voice and all of you are invited to remain in your places during the meeting. There is nothing done in secret in this congregation.
No 2. An offering will be received during this service to go towards retiring the outstanding obligations of this congregation. A further announcement will be made about that.
No. 3. Following the worship service we will have a ~5 minute break for beverage and cookies. All are invited. Then we will come back to our places for a time of remembering and sharing. We will close the day with a potluck supper. Again, all are invited. Tableware will be furnished. There is always plenty of food, so if you came unprepared we invite you to share in the bounty and fellowship. Bishop, now we call upon you to lead us in worship."
Bishop Nordin moved to his place before the altar. Looking over the congregation he spoke distinctly and warmly. There wasn't any microphone and no need for one. "I deeply appreciate your invitation to be here today. I do wish it were for a different reason but in the ministry of the church we are called to honestly face all kinds of situations -- some joyous and some not so joyous. We are all called to look up into the face of Jesus and seek His blessing." As he said these gentle words a few handkerchiefs and Kleenexes were slipped behind glasses.
Being sensitive to the fact that several worshippers in the congregation were not familiar with the Lutheran Book of Worship, he continued, "The Lutheran Book of Worship is actually two books in one. The first half is the worship book. The second half is the hymnbook. Let us turn to the 'Brief Order of Confession' as found on page 56 in the front part of the green book." (Guests who were not familiar with the book of worship found it helpful to be guided through the worship service.)
The worship continued as outlined in the bulletin through the reading of the Second Lesson. Sara read the First Lesson and led the responsive reading of the Psalm. With the words, "Here ends the reading," she sat down with Trevor and Lisa.
This was followed by the special music. Sandra had practiced with the children. They sang "Jesus Loves Me". Not exactly a polished presentation but it did say what Emmanuel Lutheran had been saying for 114 years. How would it be proclaimed after today?
Sarah read the Second Lesson. A powerful passage from Romans 12. A passage that was going to come back to them later.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection, outdo one another in showing honor. (verses 1-10, NRSV)
Bill returned to the lectern, "On March 13 we called a special meeting of the congregation to make a decision about the future of this congregation. There were six voting members present. After considerable discussion and a review of the financial status of the congregation the following motion was unanimously passed, ‘That this congregation be closed as of June 1, 1997, and that the Bishop be informed of this decision.’ It was indeed with heavy hearts that we came to this decision but we who were gathered recognized the inevitable. All of us who were gathered for that meeting, and many others as well, had recognized for some time that the inevitable was actually coming to pass. We were not just enough people left to continue to pay the costs of keeping the ministry going here. For years it has been a story of ever smaller worship attendance and ever increasing costs. We were gradually running deeper and deeper into debt and we were fearful that if this depressing situation would be permitted to continue it could cause negative feelings amongst ourselves and in the community that surrounds us. We certainly do not find our situation to be an inviting situation. Very few new residents move into our community and the few who do do not seem to be attracted to this place of worship. We also made the decision that, in an endeavor to keep the doors open until this date we would take turns in leading the worship services. We also decided to request assistance from the Bishop to make this possible. He graciously responded by supplying us with some resources -- a book of sermons, some audio tapes and some videos. Those we have used. With the reduced operating expenses our financial picture has improved somewhat. What we have sorely missed is the Holy Communion Service.
"At the March meeting we also agreed that we would invite our Bishop to this final service and request that this service also be a Holy Communion Service. Since fewer than one third of our membership was present at that meeting, and we did not have an ordained pastor at the meeting, we decided that in order to officially close this congregation in a proper manner we should call a congregational meeting today to vote on the motion and that the Bishop should preside at that meeting. At our March meeting it was also decided that we would receive an offering at this service to retire the indebtedness. Our outstanding obligations are not great but still a challenge for a group our size. We owe $340.00 to the Fields of Grain Parish for pastoral supply, $142.50 to Ken Johnson for the advance he. made to cover our outstanding bill to the local co-op for propane gas and then a few dollars to the Lighthouse Bookstore for the bulletins and supplies for today. An offering of $500.00 should cover all of the outstanding obligations. We solicit your prayerful support. We hardly dared to mention it but we said that if the offering today should exceed our outstanding obligations the excess would be forwarded to our Synod for evangelism outreach. Dare we be so bold to believe that that might actually happen? In our 114 years of ministry we have never defaulted on a financial obligation Bishop, we invite you to chair our congregational meeting."
While Bill went to be seated next to Sandra the Bishop moved to the lectern. "During my years as Bishop of the Synod," he began, "I have never been requested to chair a congregational meeting such as this one. On other such occasions the final decision had already been made, sometimes by default, and all that was left was just to officially declare the congregation closed. My first reaction to your invitation was rather negative. But, when Mr. Small explained your request by telephone and I had some time to reflect on it, I concluded that this was indeed the way of integrity to bring the ministry of this congregation to a close. I see that there will be no unfinished business around here to haunt us in the future. Will the secretary of the congregation please read the proposed motion that has been prepared by the Executive Committee?"
Sarah stood in her place:
"The Executive Committee of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Grainville, Kansas, prepared three motions to be presented to this congregation today. Since they are all related I will read all three of them and then place them, one by one, on the floor for discussion and action. They are:
That this congregation, Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Grainville, Kansas, be closed as of this date, June 1, 1997.
(2) That an offering be received at this service to retire the indebtedness of this congregation and that any surplus be forwarded to the Great Plains Synod as a designated offering for evangelism outreach.
(3) That we give thanks to God for the years of ministry that God has given to this congregation which began 114 years ago today with the organization of this congregation on June 1, 1883."
"Thank you," responded the Bishop. "Now let us continue with the business before us. We will first use a voice vote and then if there is any doubt as to the outcome of the vote I will call for a written ballot. Will the secretary please move the first motion?"
Sarah stood and read the first motion again.
The Bishop continued, "This motion has been placed before us by the Executive Committee. Is there a second to the motion?"
After a rather long silence, Richard King, a former council member, seconded the motion.
"The floor is now open for discussion," continued the Bishop. There was silence with people mostly glancing at each other. "Hearing no discussion I call for the vote," the bishop determined. "All in favor of the motion please say, 'Aye'."
A low unison of “Ayes” passed over the room.
"All those who oppose the motion please say, 'No'," continued the Bishop.
“No” was firmly heard from a few persons.
"I would rule that the 'Ayes' have it, but since the vote by voice was not exactly definitive I rule that a written ballot be cast." Will the ushers please pass out the ballots? Turning to Bill, “Will you please nominate two persons to be the tellers? On your ballots simply write 'yes' or ‘no’.”
While the ballots were being passed out Bill nominated Sarah Johnson and Melanie West to count them.
There was a wait of just a few minutes while the ballots were gathered up and counted. The tellers came back with their report and handed it to the Bishop.
“The result of the ballot is nine ‘Yes’; three ‘No’ and four blank. The motion carried."
A silence followed. Most eyes were downcast and a few shook their heads' apparently in unbelief of what had just happened.
"Now we will move on to the next two motions.”
The second motion passed was a firm "aye" without any opposition. The third motion passed with a strong acclamation.
"This brings to a close our business meeting,” the Bishop said. "At this point I shall change our order of worship a little. Following the post-communion canticle we shall use the order of worship called, 'Closing of A Congregation' to appropriately and officially bring the ministry of this congregation to a close. Now let us continue with the "Alleluia" on page 62."
As Mary struck the opening chord of the Alleluia, the congregation arose and sang,
"Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia."
Somehow those words had more meaning that day than ever before. Just where are we going to go? That question was poignant coming just after the vote. "Where are we going to go?" The answer was so obvious. No place other than where we have been going the last 114 years -- To you, O Lord for, "you alone have the words of eternal life."
"The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapter 13:1-9," the Bishop announced.
"Glory to you, O Lord," the congregation responded.
The Bishop read,
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying:
Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen." (NRSV)
"The Gospel of the Lord."
"Praise to you, O Christ," the congregation responded.
The congregation turned to hymn #236. These are the words of the last verse.
Plow up the trodden way, and clear the stones away:
Tear out the weed, and sow the seed.
Prepare our hearts your Word to heed,
That we good soil may be. Begin, O Lord, with me!
The congregation was not very familiar with the hymn but they joined in as best they could. They saw that the words were very appropriate.
The Bishop began his sermon, "One hundred and fourteen years ago today a group of seventeen immigrants, adults and their children gathered under the cottonwoods on the Soderquist homestead. The dugout home was far too small for all of them to get inside and far too hot. It was much better under the cottonwoods. There weren't many trees on the prairie those days but a few had survived the droughts and prairie fires along the banks of Shallow Creek. Mr. Soderquist had been a part of the läsare (readers) revival movement in Sweden so he, and some neighbors of the same religious persuasion, believed that there should be a Lutheran Church in their community where the Word of God would be preached and the sacraments would be administered. In fact, at that time there were two babies in the group who had not been baptized. Even though they had been members of the revival movement in Sweden, a movement that was often very critical of the church, they held the orders of the church in high esteem and they were not prepared to take upon themselves the administration of the sacraments. Maybe a few of them thought in their hearts that it would be entirely appropriate in their situation but they never moved in that direction. This, they had been taught, was reserved for the ordained clergy. You, I observe, have been taught to follow the same teaching and practice. That, I understand, is the reason you have requested a communion service today."
By the time he reached this point in his sermon it was evident that he had read the 100th anniversary booklet which was in the library in the synod office.
"That was one of the reasons Mr. Soderquist had walked from house to house to invite the neighbors to his place and the meeting. He believed that they needed to organize a congregation where the Word of God would be preached and the sacraments administered. It was his dream and hope that after they had organized as a congregation the Augustana Synod would send a pastor to them. On their way through Chicago they had stayed with fellow Lutherans in their homes and had had the opportunity to become acquainted with some Augustana people and worship in their churches. They had not forgotten the warm welcome they had received in this strange land. To worship in their own tongue and use a liturgy they were familiar with was an unspeakable blessing.
“From time to time Mr. Soderquist had gathered the people together. They had sung hymns they knew, he had read a Bible portion and expounded on it. They were spiritually refreshed. But it was not enough. They needed a congregation and a pastor. It had been an exceptionally difficult time for them when the Bengston child died and there was no pastor to have the funeral. They naturally called on Mr. Soderquist, who was breaking sod on the south 80, to lead them as they laid the little body in the homemade casket made out of rough lumber to rest in what turned out to be the first cemetery in the community. They truly needed a pastor.
"Under the cottonwoods the little group sat on wagon seats, rude chairs or on the ground to discuss the situation, as they had done several times before. Finally they came to an agreement to organize a congregation but they did not know how to do it. Three men were chosen to be the church board: Mr. Soderquist, Mr. Heglund and Mr. Johansson, and they were given the responsibility to write to the President of the Augustana Synod. The letter was sent to Chicago. Their appeal fell on receptive ears. The following spring a home missions missionary pastor was sent to Grainville. There on June the 1st, under the cottonwoods babies were baptized, there was a wedding, the Lord’s Supper was celebrated and a congregation was organized -- all in one day. THERE WAS GREAT REJOICING!
"Even as our text says the Word of God was sown. The congregation grew and it had its struggles. Pastoral services were difficult to come by. Pastors were in short supply and there wasn’t even a parsonage in Grainville. Sometimes it would be months between the visits of an ordained pastor. Sometimes they had seminary students who would spend summers with them. Then, there was the language struggle. The congregation nearly died during that time. The old did not want to give up their beloved Swedish and the young wanted their children instructed in English. Finally the transition was made. Then came the drought years, often called ‘The Dirty Thirties’, and later World War II. After the war and, with a number of young hopeful families in the congregation, decisions were made to move ahead. The Word was truly sprouting, growing and producing a harvest. This beautiful church was built; a parsonage was built. With mission support a full time pastor was called. You know the rest. The farms expanded in size, the young people went off to find better employment. It seemed the congregation was not able to reach out to those left in the community. So, we have come to this day today where you have made the most difficult decision. You have decided to disband this congregation.
"But is the harvest complete? Are there no souls to be won in this township? Are there no new fields tobring under cultivation? No seed to plant?We all know the answers to these questions. There are unreached persons in the community. There are fields to bring under cultivation and seeds to plant. When my mind runs along this line of thought I think of another parable Jesus taught. It goes like this.
This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain -- first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. Mark 4. 26-29. (NRSV)
"Let us quickly notice just a few things from the parable. The farmer still is a faithful farmer -- he plants the seed. Then he can do no more. While he sleeps the seed sprouts and grows. He knows not how. That is the way it is in the Kingdom of God. We sow the good seed. God causes it to sprout and grow; we know not how. You and I are called to be faithful -- to continue to till the soil and plant the seed in the many unreached hearts around us. Even as the farmer who went to sleep and did not understand how the seed sprouted and grew, even so maybe you have no idea as to how the seed you will plant will sprout and grow. It most likely will be in another congregation where you will transfer your memberships but I am not going to limit how God is going to work His wonders. All you and I are called to be is faithful. Have faith, dream and plant.
Amen."
Ideas were starting to form in the hearts and minds of several. Hope was being sown and dreams reborn. They knew not how but somehow the seed had fallen on good soil.
As the Bishop took his seat again Mrs. Samuelson took up the strains of "Jesus, Priceless Treasure". This was followed by The Apostles' Creed, the Offering and the Prayers. The congregation moved into "The GREAT THANKSGIVING" of the Holy Communion Service. The congregation came forward, knelt at the altar rail and received the bread and the wine with the words, "The body of Christ, given for you." and "The blood of Christ, shed for you." The oneness in Christ was deeply felt as they knelt shoulder to shoulder and then returned to their places after the dismissal of each table with these words by the Bishop, "The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen." It was a solemn moment, kneeling at the place where parents and grandparents1 brothers and sisters and friends had knelt for years.
The Canticle followed
Thank the Lord and sing his praise.
Tell ev'ry one what he has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice
and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises
and leads his people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Bishop came forward and stood in front of the altar, greeting the congregation, "Beloved in Christ. We come to close this worship and this congregation with the order of worship entitled 'Closing of a Congregation'."
Let us pray.
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life, as you have refreshed those before us who have received your Word and Holy Sacraments in this place. Turn our sorrow over the closing of this congregation into joy over new opportunities for life and ministry in other congregations. In your mercy, strengthen us and your whole Church in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Bishop then invited the secretary of the congregation to come forward to present the record books of the congregation. Sarah Johnson came forward carrying several books of congregational records.
There was a tattered, brown Journal in which were recorded the first minutes of the congregation as it was organized 114 years ago. There were only a few shreds left of the black cloth binding that had covered the spine of the book. The pages were tattered and soiled. She also had in her hands the more recent secretary books and the loose leaf membership book with the pole binders that was purchased soon after the new church was built. She gave them to the Bishop with these words:
These records symbolize the joys and sorrows of the people of God in this place. Receive and preserve them so that the ministry of this congregation may be remembered.
The Bishop continued:
With thanks to God for the work accomplished here, I declare this congregation to be closed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the witness of its people continue undiminished, empowered by Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church. Amen
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen
The Bishop continued, "After the closing of a congregation it is customary for the worship furnishings and sacramental vessels to be offered to new missions or other congregations so that they can continue to be used in the ministry of the church. We want you to have a part in the decisions as to where they will go, so I shall keep in touch with your president. He will consult with you as we deem necessary. They will remain here in this building when this worship closes today but I would encourage you to store them in an appropriate manner and place until the decisions as to their future use can be made. However, there are certain items that may have special value and interest to you personally and it is my desire that you should have first choice concerning their use. I noticed in the Hymnal that I picked up for use this morning that it has a presentation nameplate inside the front cover. It reads, 'Given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Hilma Nelson by her family.' That worship book may have special meaning to someone and I think it would be appropriate that an effort be made to contact the family and make the book available to the family. As a matter of fact we would like nothing better than that all the books in this church, and also the sanctuary furnishings, find new homes and ministry in this community. So please make your wishes known to your president and avail yourselves of this opportunity.
"As a part of the liturgy for the closing of a congregation it is suggested that the worship furnishings and the sacramental vessels be removed from the sanctuary in a procession. We shall now proceed to do so. Will seven volunteers from the congregation come forward and assist me in doing this? We will process out of the building carrying these items as we sing a hymn, we will be dismissed outside and then return these furnishings to their places in the sanctuary. Who will come forward to participate, in this processional? It would be good to have representatives of all age groups of the congregation. Please stand and come forward.
Sandra Small, Sam Schneider, Dora Schneider and Michael Johnson stood up. Sarah nodded to Trevor and Lisa. They stood up. “I need one more person,” said Bishop Nordin. Everyone kind of looked around but nobody moved. Then a young man stood up. Some recognized him as Samuel Martin, a college student, who had just come home for the summer. The group gathered at the front of the church. Bishop Nordin took Trevor and Lisa to the candles, Sam to the altar service book, Dora to the baptismal shell and bowl, Michael to the communionware, Samuel to the cross and Sandra to the Bible.
After all were in place the Bishop moved to the cross, requesting Samuel to hold it high. He then read:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
Moving to the altar as Trevor held one candle high and Lisa the other he read:,
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
As Sam held the altar book high he read:
All the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.
As Dora held high the baptismal shell and bowl he read:
We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
As Michael raised the communion service set he read:
As often as we eat this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death, until he comes. I Corinthians 11:26
Sandra held high the Bible and he read:
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
Turning to the congregation he said:
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. I Peter 2:9
"Go in peace. Serve the Lord."
The congregation responded, "Thanks be to God."
Bishop Nordin continued. "Now as we leave this sanctuary let us take our hymnals and sing No. 259, "Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing". Mary looked up the page and started to play. The Bishop led the procession of the bearers of the worship furnishings and then the congregation followed. At the end of the third verse Mary diminished the volume of the organ, slipped off the organ bench and followed the congregation outside as they finished the hymn a cappella. They stood with bowed heads and then the Bishop charged them, “Let us each return to our ministries.” With that he turned and entered the sanctuary again with some of the congregation following him. At the front of the church he motioned to the bearers of the furnishings to place each item in its appropriate place. Then, following the acolyte, he went to the side room. Some of the worshippers went to the fellowship hall, others to their homes.
Those who went to the fellowship hall found that the serving table was soon covered with all kinds of delectable goodies. As everyone expected Mary had brought her usual bowl of rusks, filled to overflowing with crispy goodness. There were two kinds: the Swedish skorpor rich in butter and nuts and the “American” variety which were simply wiener buns split in half, generously buttered and sprinkled with a cinnamon, and sugar mix and then oven toasted a crispy brown. Both are delightful to eat but messy as far as crumbs were concerned.
"Yummy!" Lisa murmured as she reached for one. “Wait a minute.” her father quietly stopped her. “Remember, we always wait until after we sing the table prayer before we help ourselves to the food." There was a choice of beverages -- the usual coffeepot belching out its pleasing aroma, lemonade and diet Sprite for those who did not prefer coffee.
“We are ready." Melonie announced, tapping a spoon against the stainless steel rusk bowl. "Mary, please start us in the table prayer." With a clear voice Mary started "Be present at our table, Lord." When the table grace had been sung Melonie announced, "Let's let the children go first." Assisted by their parents they lined up at the table and then seated themselves at the low table with the smaller chairs. The adults then served themselves. Soon the buzz of conversation drowned out the clinking of cups and spoons. The allotted 15 minutes was soon up and no one seemed to notice.
The Bishop rose from his place as if to speak. "Shh, shh,” buzzed around and some tinkling of spoons against cups quieted the room. "I need to be in Denver at seven so I must be on my way to get there in time and get myself organized for the regional meeting this evening. Again I want to thank you for your hospitality today. This day has been a learning experience for me. It was so rewarding to be with a closing congregation that had things so well planned and in order. There are a few things yet to take care of; for instance, there are the care of the cemetery (he did not know that that had been taken care of years ago when the county took over the care of the cemetery and the name was changed from “Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery" to “Emmanuel Cemetery"), the disposal of this building and its contents and the spiritual care of the members of this congregation that has just closed. As was mentioned in the order for the "Closing of A Congregation", it is anticipated that current members will be transferred to another Lutheran congregation. I recognize that distance makes this difficult for many of you, but maybe not impossible. However, I am hopeful that all of you will make the transfer. Faithfulness in worship does take commitment and sacrifice. I would deeply appreciate it if the secretary of the congregation could send me a list of the names and addresses of all the members of the congregation. Our office will work with you by contacting each individual or family and neighboring congregations concerning transfer of membership. I do not believe the spirit that has been evidenced here today will die. Indeed, it has been wounded, but wounds do heal and new life can come forth.
I can assure you one thing -- synod staff and I will work as closely as we can with you. Thank you and God bless you all. God's blessings until we meet again."
With that the Bishop headed toward his car. Those seated at the tables felt a bit stunned. Coming to himself Bill got up and followed him. At the car door Bill said, "We will be in touch with you in a few days." Looking into each other's eyes they clasped each others' hands. Bill's lips were slightly parted just as if he were going to say something. He dropped his eyes and the handclasp and said, "So long." Pastor Nordin turned the key and backed into the street. With a wave of the hand he was gone. Bill headed back to the fellowship hall. Down the highway Bishop wondered, "Should I have asked, 'Is there something more you would like to say?' Anyway, it is too late now. He has gone back into the hall; it would be disruptive to go back. If he wanted to say something he should have said it. It is getting late and I must push on." Pushing those thoughts out of his mind he focused on his driving and the coming meeting. Heading back into the hall Bill wondered, "Should I have said something about Mrs. Hendrickson? Maybe I should have. But, he didn't have any time to spare so it would not have been possible anyway. Why burden him with something he could do nothing about?"
Inside the fellowship hall the visiting was still going on. Finally, interrupting the visiting, Bill announced, "Our fifteen minutes is much more than up.Let's clear the tables and head back to the sanctuary.We will be a smaller group now, so let's all sit toward the front of the church."
They gathered the cups, saucers, silverware and glasses and brought them to the counter by the double sink. "We won't wash them now. We will wash them with the supper dishes," Dora decreed. That was uncharacteristic of her. She always insisted on a cleaned up kitchen. But ---- who was to contradict her? It was evident that she had been “head of the kitchen" for a number of years. Gradually the group gathered in the church. Again it seemed the appropriate place to be. They did not obey Bill too well. They were scattered here and there, in the same "stalls" they had always sat in. It was the appropriate place for them to be --the place they had been so many times before. The group wasn't large. Those who remained were the "regulars", some of the guests from the other congregations in the parish, several former members who had come home for this service and three or four members who usually did not attend. A spirit of friendship and congeniality seemed to prevail. The hurts of the morning seemed to have melted away into much more wholesome feelings of goodwill and hopefulness. Tim, deciding not to stay for supper, had taken his children and left shortly after the Bishop left.
Standing between the two front pews, Bill broke the silence, "Let's sing a hymn. Someone please choose one." As they picked up their hymnbooks it seemed everyone started to look inside the front cover. "This was given in memory of Aunt Millie," Barry whispered to Delpine. Richard spotted one with the name David Schneider in it and passed it back to Sam and Dora. This went on for a few minutes and several hymnbooks found their new homes. Christine Sander called out, No. 551, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee". We sang that at our wedding forty-two years ago. Mary went to the piano and started to play. The piano had not been tuned for several years but it still sounded pretty good. On it was a little plaque,. "Given in loving memory of Peter and Hanna Dahlberg by the Children." The group sang wholeheartedly.
After the hymn Bill said, "We have an announcement to make. Ken, will you please make it?"
"It's good news this time. The offering was more than enough to cover all of the outstanding bills." A round of applause followed that announcement. "The offering today amounted to $406.00 in cash and checks. In addition there are two pledges totaling $225.00. I have spoken to those who made the pledges and they have assured me the checks will be in the mail tomorrow. So, hopefully, on Tuesday or Wednesday I can go to town, make the deposit, write the checks to pay our bills and start the process of closing the bank account."
As had previously been planned, Bill asked Sam Schneider to reflect on the history of the congregation. He came prepared for this. e had a copy of A Century of Ministry, the one hundredth anniversary book, in his hand. He sort of rambled on about the early days, the dust storms, the droughts, the good years, the struggle to find pastors, the building of the church and parsonage. It was all history that most of them pretty well knew. After about twenty minutes he stopped and said, "Why should I do all the talking? You have stories to tell. Why don't some of you tell your stories?"
Stories about baptisms, weddings, Luther League outings, Bible School days, and seemingly endless council meetings followed. Finally, Samuel Martin spoke up, "We are here to remember the past but is that all? Maybe we should start to think of the future. What does the future hold for us? The Bishop challenged us to think in those terms. We are to be sowers like the farmer in the parable."
The spirit of gloom seemed to once again settle over the group. What was there for a future? Ken, being the treasurer said, "Well, at least we have the debt paid off, but that does not go far in planning a future. However," he paused, "this whole business has taught us one thing. The future cannot be like the past. We cannot be so dependent on money. Even if we all give generously we are too small a group to do things like we have done them in the past. We have to come up with something that better meets our needs here. We do need a church in this place. This community needs a church in this place. The Gospel needs to be held forth for our children as it was held forth for us when we were small. Does anyone have any ideas? Actually, we have gotten along pretty well the last few months. We have not gotten any new members. But, at least we have not lost any. We have gained some experience. In fact, I have heard some encouraging comments about what we have been doing. Maybe we have something to build on."
Samuel picked up the flow of conversation again. "You know, at the university we just pretty much do our own ministry. We have not had a resident campus pastor for over two years. The pastor from St. James comes over to meet with us once in a while to give us some encouragement and advise. But he cannot be there much at other times. He has guided us in getting some books on Bible interpretation so we students can read them and share as we are able. It is just amazing if you just get a little assistance into the background of a book of the Bible how much you can dig out of it. We have had some really good Bible studies led by members of our group. At least I think they have been good. You know what I think I'll do? I'll write or telephone Pastor Jacobson, tell him what we are trying to do here and ask for some suggestions."
Several of the heads were nodding agreement. Sandra spoke up, "I encourage you to go ahead and see if you can get us some guidance. Isn't that the feeling of the rest of us here?" Heads nodded. Bill again spoke up and took the lead. "It is getting time for us to get to that supper we have planned. Some of us have to get home before the cows come home. Samuel, would you read us a Psalm? Maybe someone would like to close with a brief prayer. Praying in public is not my thing, but maybe someone can lead us in a closing prayer."
Nellie Strom from Bethphage Lutheran had been silent all this time just listening. She spoke up, "I have always liked Psalm 46." Looking in the hymnal she found it on page 236. Samuel said, "Let's read it responsively." They began to read,
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,
and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea.
They came to he end of the Psalm.
Be still, then, and know that I am God,
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
He closed the book and all the eyes were on him. "Why don't several of us just lead in brief sentence prayers?" he asked. Put your prayers of thanksgiving or petitions in brief sentences and close each prayer with 'Amen' . Then we can all join with our 'Amens'. We will close by praying the Lord's Prayer together."
All sat with heads bowed. This was a new experience for most of them and they felt kind of awkward. Who was going to be the first to lead? No one?
After an uncomfortable pause, Nellie began, "Lord, today we have come to a sad place in our lives. We have seen the closing of this church. It makes us wonder about our other churches also. We pray for your wisdom and guidance. Amen." A silence followed.
Sarah picked up the prayer and prayed, "Lord, we thank you for all the good things we have had in this place. We hate to leave it now, but now the time of 'Good-bye' has come. Amen."
The group seemed to be relaxed and comfortable. Several more led in prayer. Then after a silence Samuel prayed a quite inclusive prayer including prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for a good harvest, and blessing on the Bishop. He started, "Our Father who art in heaven...." The group joined in. All looked up and smiled. Lisa piped up, "Let's sing, 'Jesus loves me’.” They did. Bill reminded the group to go to the sanctuary and find any hymnbooks or other items the members wanted to take home. As they looked inside the hymnbook covers names were called out. Soon every family had at least one book and some had two or three. There were still a number left in the pew racks.
Then they went to the kitchen. The hot dishes that had been warming in the oven were pulled out. The salads were taken from the refrigerator. The table was soon set. The coffeepot that Dora had replenished was spewing out its aroma.
The meal was enjoyable. Good food and lots of it. Conversation about all of the community news was around the tables. After the meal the pies and cakes were brought out. Everybody felt better. After the dessert the guests from the other Lutheran parishes said their thanks and good-byes and went on their ways. Some of them had about 60 miles to drive and some had chores to do when they got home. Once again it was down to the faithful six doing the cleanup, with the children helping as they could. The casserole dishes and other carry in items were put back in their boxes or baskets. The dishes scraped and washed. The coffeepots were washed and laid on their sides to dry completely. Gradually things were put away. The water heater was turned off, the refrigerator wiped out and door left open. Sarah picked up the dishtowels to take them home to wash and return on another day. Then the final words, "That about takes care of it." Checking to see that all the lights were off and the windows closed they gathered up caps, purses, food boxes and hymnbooks as they went outside to load things into their cars and pickups. Standing around in a little circle they watched as Bill closed the door, put the key in the lock, turned it, pulled it out and looked around. Holding the key in his fingers he asked, "What do I do with this?"
Ken replied, "I suppose it should go to the Synod office. It is now their building and they should have a key to it. I can send it along with the final check after I have been to the bank and closed the account. Several of us have keys so we can get in to put the final things away and check things out every once in awhile." Everybody seemed to agree. Bill handed the key to Ken. He slipped it into his pocket
"This really is final, isn't it?" said Sandra."Where do we go from here? I have been wondering where we are going to go for worship next Sunday. I just can't feature us driving all of those miles, week after week to another Lutheran church. I just can't feature our family going to any other place but Emmanuel."
"Why don't we just keep on doing what you have been doing?" questioned Samuel. "Can't we just meet some place, use the liturgy, read the lessons and study them as best we can? We do have hymnals and we do have Bibles. Isn't there any place we can meet? We cannot meet under the cottonwoods on the old Soderquist place. They are long since gone.
"Let's have church in the park," Trevor suggested.
"A good idea! We can meet under the cottonwoods. That's been done before." Sam affirmed.
Sarah spoke up, "I have been waiting and hoping for someone to suggest that we should keep on worshipping together. Samuel, could you prepare a devotional on one of the lessons for next Sunday?"
"I will do my best."
"If everyone", continued Sarah, "will bring their hymnbooks, Bibles and lawn chairs we can have a worship service. We will not have any bulletins so you will need your Bibles for the reading of the lessons. They did it 114 years ago and we can do it again. Didn't we hear in the Second Lesson this morning those great promises about God giving gifts to the church? Don't we believe that the Holy Spirit can make those same gifts come alive again among us?" The group nodded in agreement, some with a bit of disbelief.
So it was decided that they would meet at 10:00 the following Sunday under the cottonwoods. The sun was moving toward the horizon in the west; the wind had shifted to the southeast. "If that wind keeps up we could have another rain," Bill observed. As they got into their vehicles it would have been the end of a perfect day, except for one thing -- Emmanuel Lutheran was now only a piece of history. Or, was it really only a "piece of history"? They drove off with a spark of hope in their hearts. Maybe, just maybe, God was standing around the corner. As Sam backed the car out and headed down the street Dora looked back. "Was God really around the corner?" She didn't see anything different, just closed doors.
Monday was an ordinary day. Those who had attended the worship service on Sunday were back at their daily tasks. The minds of the few who had been regular attendees often flashed back to the fact that next Sunday they would not be getting into their cars and pickups to go to Grainville to worship. The doors of the beautiful little church would be securely locked. If any visitors should come and look at the signboard outside the church they would be misled. THERE WOULD BE NO WORSHIP AT 10:00 A.M. Should someone go in and take the worship hour announcement off the signboard and replace it with “CLOSED”? Yes, that needed to be done, but who was going to do it? Someday, but not just yet. The grass and weeds would grow and that would soon indicate that this was no longer a place where people met regularly for worship and cared about keeping the place neat and trim.
Tuesday morning dawned hot and sultry. At this time of the year there were not many chores to do, but Ken always made it a practice to take a run to the pasture to see that all was well with the cattle. He liked to be around the cattle, so he always gave them a bit of cottonseed cake in the morning and then, as they were eating, he would walk among them with a hand held sprayer and spray a little fly spray on their backs. "Makes them more comfortable," he said, “they graze better and put on more weight." But that was not all. He just liked stroking their backs and they liked it too.
Coming back to the house he plugged in his razor and shaved. He did not shave every morning, but today he thought he should since he intended to go into Centerville to do some business after going to the co-op in Grainville. He needed to go to the co-op to order the fertilizer he planned to start putting on the sunflower field on Wednesday. He had to plan a bit ahead to make sure equipment and supplies were ready.
Coming out to the kitchen Ken saw Sarah was just finishing putting on a hearty break-fast: over-easy eggs, toast, hash browns, coffee and a choice of corn flakes or rice krispies for those who might want some "dessert".
"Where are the kids? Still sleeping?" Ken asked, noticing only two plates on the table.
"Yes," It was so late when they got to bed last night after the game that I thought I would just let them sleep in today. "OK?"
"Good, l vaguely remember that when I was their age Mom used to let me sleep in sometimes. The time will come soon enough when they will have to get up and get going. I just wish we could all do it sometimes. Maybe after I get the crops in we can all relax a bit. It is good cultivating weather today so I had better stay at it. The forecast is for showers later in the week, not that we couldn't use some more rain.
At the table Ken took Sarah's hand in his and together they prayed, "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and may these gifts to us be blest. Amen." Breakfast time was always a pleasant time of the day. They intentionally made it that way. There was some time to visit and talk over the plans for the day.
"I will be working on the Schneider quarter this morning. After dinner I plan to go to Grainville and then on to Centerville. I need some parts for the drill and a few other supplies. Then I also want to deposit the offering from last Sunday. Want to take the kids and go along?"
"Think I will," responded Sarah.
At about 10:00 Sarah was looking out the east window and saw the mailman's car. He stopped at the box and then went on.
Sarah called to Trevor and said, "Why don't you and Lisa go and get the mail and then we will have a cold drink while we look at the mail? Be sure to put the mail in this bag." She watched as they walked down the driveway together, "Life couldn't be better than this," she mused to herself.
The mail consisted of the usual things. A credit card statement, the "Centerville News", "The Lutheran", a Wal-Mart Ad, an appeal from the heart fund and two letters addressed, "Ken Johnson, Treasurer."
"Dad will be interested in seeing these," she said, as she looked at the return addresses. Placing them on the back of the buffet she turned to Trevor and Lisa, saying, "We need to get out in the garden and pick some peas for dinner. Won't it be good to have some creamed fresh garden peas? Nothing quite like that. Nothing is as good as home grown stuff."
"Out to the garden we go, they sang, swinging their hands in keeping with the melody. Everything looked great after the rain. No watering for a few days. The cabbage and tomato plants were looking good. Lisa exclaimed, "LOOK.!" as she saw the first tiny tomatoes on a tomato plant. Bending over the row of peas the pan was soon full and they were off to the house. They stopped at the picnic table to shell them. Trevor could snap and open the pods quite well. Lisa found it more to her liking and ability to play in the sandbox under the shady locust tree. Then they were in the house getting dinner ready.
The pickup drove into the yard. Dad got out, pulled off his boots at the back door, went to the sink to wash up and asked, "What did we get in the mail today?"
"It's on the buffet," Sarah answered. "The usual stuff, a couple of bills, some ads, and two letters for the church. I am sure you will be interested in them." He headed toward the buffet. "Please don't bother with the mail now. Dinner is ready to put on the table."
Not paying any attention, he picked up the letters and the letter opener from behind the white antique wash bowl and slit the envelopes open. A smile crossed his face as he pulled out the contents. Two checks, one for $100.00 and one or $125.00. "That completes the offering for last Sunday. Now I can go to the bank, deposit these, write the final checks and close the church account.
"Come now, let's sit up or the food is going to be all cold. Trevor and Lisa, where are you?" Sarah called with just a touch of irritation in her voice. Around the table they held hands and prayed, "Come Lord Jesus...." Raising up their heads Sarah said, "Sometimes I think we should learn a new prayer." Sarah said.
"We have tried that before but we always come back to this one. I kind of think the reason is that it is the prayer we always prayed in my home while we were children," Ken commented.
"We didn't pray at the table, or at any other time when I was a child," Sarah reminisced. "However, I do remember one time when Grandma was very ill seeing Dad standing by the beside and I think he was praying."
"You didn't pray at the table!" Lisa exclaimed! "Why not? Didn't you believe in Jesus?"
"Yes, we did, but my family hardly ever went to church. When we were little Dad would take us to Sunday School, but that stopped when we got to be about ten years old. I often wanted to go to church, but Dad and Mom just didn't have time for that. I heard other children talk about going to Confirmation class. I wanted to go but I was never invited. I am glad now that Grandpa and Grandma have started to go since they moved to Hope. I think it was the influence of your Dad's family that brought them along."
The rest of the meal was filled with small talk about last night's game, the crops coming up, and the co-op picnic coming up on Saturday evening. While Sarah and Trevor cleared the table and put the dishes into the dishwasher Ken made out the deposit slip for Sunday's offering and the checks that had arrived in the mail. They climbed into the extended cab pick up, buckled up and soon the dust was swirling behind them.
After a stop at the Grainville Co-op and driving to Centerville, Ken dropped Trevor, Lisa and Sarah off at the pool for a swim.
"Wish I could go in with you for a little while but I just can't today. I'll be back here in about an hour and a half, then we will go to the grocery store, get a snack and head for home. I want to get back in the field while this beautiful weather lasts."
The next stop in Centerville was at the bank. Greeting Rhonda at the cashier's window Ken said, "I want to make this deposit and then I would appreciate it if you could give me a print-out of the church account. I'm going to write some checks and then we will close the account. How do you do that? I have never closed an account."
"I have worked here for over thirty years," Rhonda replied, "and have handled Emmanuel's account for all those years. We really felt badly when we heard the church was closing. Just another loss to our community. As far as the closing of the account is concerned that is simple. When you have completed all of your business and all the out-standing checks have cleared the bank you come in and we will give you a final statement."
The business at the farm supply store did not take too long and before long Ken was at the fence of the pool calling for the family to come out. As they showered and got dressed he sat on the bench in the shade under a tree. t was a very pleasant place to be with the wind blowing through his hair and flapping his partially unbuttoned shirt. A quick trip through the grocery store and they were at the Dairy Queen window for some ice cream cones. They were eaten by the time they reached home. Later, as Ken and Sarah watched the weather forecast after the ten o'clock news, the forecaster said, "Tomorrow will start off like today. High humidity, southeast winds of 20 miles per hour, sometimes gusting up to 30. Then the cool front now centered in Montana will push across the area bringing thunderstorms, some possibly severe."
Wednesday dawned just that way. Ken was on the tractor again in the morning. The weather forecast coming over the radio was the same. Turning on the radio after dinner the forecast had changed. "The National Weather Bureau has issued a severe thunderstorm watch covering eastern Colorado and everything west of Hays. These storms could be serious with high winds, heavy rain and hail. Tornadoes can quickly develop out of such storms and all are advised to keep tuned and be prepared to take shelter." At about three Ken noticed clouds starting to build up in the northwest. Keeping the radio on he listened for further reports. Seeing some lightning flashes across the blue-gray sheet in the northwest he said to himself, "Time to get out of here." Lifting the cultivator he headed in high gear for the pickup parked at the edge of the field. Shutting the tractor down he ran to the pickup and soon was at home. Sarah and the children were watching the approaching storm from the back deck. They were relieved to see him drive into the yard.
"Looks like it could it be a bad one," Ken surmised as a worried look passed over his face. Trevor and Lisa looked up at him and said, "Daddy, do you think it's going to be a tornado?" "Never can tell. We will just have to keep the radio tuned in and be ready to go to the basement if we need to. Trevor, would you like to work on that birdhouse we started and never got finished?"
In the shop they turned on the radio, took the cut out pieces of the bird house off the shelf and started to fit them together. Soon the music on the radio was interrupted with, "The National Weather Service has just issued a tornado warning for Clay, Sand and Mercer counties. All persons in these areas should take shelter immediately. There has been a reported sighting of a funnel cloud eight miles west of Grainville. The storm is headed toward Crookston. All persons in this area should take shelter immediately."
Switching off the light over the workbench they headed into the house. Down into the basement the family went. Crawling under a sturdy table they turned on the battery operated radio. The same announcement was repeated several times again with the additional information of golf ball size hail, high winds and driving rain. There were lightning flashes, thunder crashes and driving rain against the west windows of the basement. That was all they saw and heard. Then it let up. Ken ventured to take a look towards the west. He saw an edge of blue sky just on the horizon. "It's over for here." With that they all climbed out from under the table and headed upstairs. Out of the east window of the living room they could see the dark blue of the cloud as the storm continued to move east.
"Think we better go to town and see what's happened. Maybe there is someone needing help." Climbing into the pickup and getting buckled up they headed north towards Grainville. Things looked just great. There were a few leaves scattered along the road because of the heavy wind, but everything was refreshed by the quick rain shower.
Four miles to the north, just at the south edge of the Small section there was devastation. "Look at that wheat!" No one could tell now that there had been beautiful wheat there an hour ago. Just as if a line had been drawn across the fields and road the wheat that had been waving grain now looked like it had been run over with a mulching mower. As they approached the Small homestead the trees looked like November. The Smalls were out in the yard. Ken turned in and drove up the driveway.
"Hi," he greeted them. Climbing out of the pickup they saw the devastation. Every window on the west side of the house was gone. The paint was pounded off and it was evident the roof would not shed much water. After greeting the Johnsons, Sandra said, "We are thankful we are all safe. Bill drove into the yard just before the storm broke. The power is out and we do not have batteries in the radio so we have not heard a thing about the countryside."
We've had the radio on," Sarah responded. "The reports we have heard are that a tornado touched down west of Grainville but did not do any real serious damage. The machine shed was taken on the Heiberling place but no one was hurt. A couple of tractor trailers and a camper were turned over on the interstate. We did not have any damage at our place. The hail actually started just at your section line. We are going into town to see how things are there. If you need any help just give us a call."
"We're OK and will be OK. Just thankful we took out hail insurance a few days ago. Thanks for stopping by."
Driving three miles more between the devastated fields they crossed the old highway into town. The concrete elevators continued to stand reaching high into the sky. They crossed the tracks and took a turn to the left. The first house on the north side of he street was the Koester home. Tim and the children were just getting out of their car. They were trying to take in the devastation. The trees were stripped; play equipment was toppled over."
The Johnsons climbed out of the cab. Surveying the damage the two families greeted each other. All the windows on the west side were gone, the paint was pounded off and the roof was clearly finished. Pulling out his keys Tim said, "Guess we better go in and see what the inside looks like."
Stepping inside the living area things looked quite normal; the usual untidiness of a family leaving the house in a hurry -- some toys, magazines and papers laying here and there. The children's bedroom was quite different. There were big puddles of water on the floor and the beds were sopping wet where the driving rain had reached them. The master bedroom was about the same, only worse.
"Well, you won't find the beds comfortable to sleep in tonight," Sarah observed. "While we take a look around town and the church why don't you gather a few things together for the night, strip the beds and roll the wet bedding up and come out to our house to spend the night? We'll wash and dry the bedding tonight and tomorrow we can come in and help you pull the mattresses out into the sun to dry."
"Thanks. I hate to impose on you but I just didn't know what I was going to do."
"No imposition at all. After we have been around town maybe we can find some boards to cover the windows so they won't be quite so open," volunteered Ken. "We'll be back after awhile."
Driving around town all the other houses looked about the same. They greeted those they saw outside and inquired about their welfare. At least no one was hurt and all seemed to be making some arrangements for the night. When they came to the church it was the same story. All the windows on the west side were gone. Fortunately, that was the fellowship hall side so there was not much inside damage, only puddles of clear water on the floor and some hail stones that were still melting. Outside there was quite a drift of them against the west wall. The sanctuary had some wet spots where the roof had leaked. A few hymnbooks were wet and also a few pew pads. The altar book was thoroughly soaked. The family gathered up the wet books and laid them out on tables to dry.
"I will have to try to get some help and come in here to see what we can do about the windows and roof. It most likely will be a long time before we get a new roof on. The houses will have to come first, not this unused building. There will be an insurance settlement on it since the insurance is paid up but the Synod will have to decide what they want to do with the building." Ken mused more to himself than to anyone else.
They got back into the pickup and headed back to Tim and family. Loading up the wet bedding and clothes and picking up some clothes for the night that they had stuffed in a suitcase they all headed for the farm. Driving by the roadside park Sarah observed, "There won't be any worship service under the cottonwoods next Sunday. There isn't a leaf left on the trees." ack home the washer and dryer were soon going, the children playing and everybody talking. Sarah took some frozen pizza out of the freezer. That with some lunch meat and bread made a pretty good meal. The table was filled with conversation. Tim called his supervisor and requested a day off to take care of the essential things around his house. The request was granted.
After supper, since it was still daylight, they decided to drive by the Heiberling place to see the damage there. The Heiberlings were not home when the storm stuck but the sheriff had arrived to watch over the place for them. They were expected to come back from a trip to Denver later in the evening. They would have an unpleasant surprise when they arrived home. The debris of the big machine shed was scattered over the several miles, a pickup was overturned and the combine certainly would not be cutting wheat any time soon, if there was any wheat to cut.
The next morning the farmers around the neighborhood gathered to help pick up debris from the fields and help out as best they could. That was just the way they did things in this part of the world. Their own fields could wait for a day or so. All of them again were very grateful that no lives were lost.
After chores on Thursday morning Tim called the Synod office and reported, "We had a bad storm go through, here last evening. The church building was damaged by hail. All the west windows are out and the roof will have to be replaced if the building is to be preserved. The owner of the old parsonage has called for the adjuster to come out. He still has his house insured with the company we had it insured with years ago. The building now belongs to the Synod but Emmanuel is still on the insurance policy. I am thinking of getting some help to go in and board up the windows. What do you want us to do?"
There was a long pause and then Darlene Clay, the Bishop's Assistant, replied, "This is a new one for us. Never before have we ever had storm damage to a building we were trying to dispose of. Please give me the name of the insurance company and I will consult with others here to get some advice. In the meantime we would appreciate it very much if you can do what you can to make the building secure. The Synod will pick up the bill for lumber and other things you need to purchase. We hate to burden you with all this extra work but I have a feeling you don't want the building to go down hill. Thank you so much for calling."
Following that conversation there were numerous telephonecalls back and forth the next few days. It ended up that Samuel, Bill and Gary went in and put some used plywood on the church windows and also on Gary's house. Darlene reported back that the Synodical Executive Committee would be meeting in a couple of weeks and the committee would try to decide what to do with the building, but in the meantime the insurance adjuster should assess the damage and inform those at Grainville what the insurance settlement would be.
When the adjuster went to Gary's house he also went to the church. The settlement would be $6,400.00. This was reported to Darlene.
But life and worship had to go on. Coming back from Grainville where she had given Gary some assistance in getting his house back in order Sarah stopped in at the Smalls. They were slowly getting their place put together again. The two soon started to talk about the next Sunday, now only two days away. They agreed that it would not be very good to try to meet under the leafless cottonwoods.
Sandra said, "They could meet here, but our place is certainly in no shape for that." "Why not come to our house?" Sarah volunteered. It was soon agreed that they would talk to their families about it at supper time and then telephone each other. Both husbands were in favor and so it was agreed. Each agreed to telephone a few families so that all the members who had been at church last Sunday would know about the change.
At a little before ten on Sunday the worshippers began arriving. It was the usual ones. Richard and Nancy King were the surprise ones. They had been very infrequent worshippers in recent years, but they had come to the closing service and he was the one who seconded the motion to close.
After greeting each other Rick said, "You know, last Sunday really made us think, especially after I seconded that motion. What would it really be like not to have our Lutheran church in this community? I haven't done much to support it the last few years. I knew it was always going to be there. Now it is no longer there. We sent in our $200.00 every year. But that wasn't enough. Now we realize that there is more than that to keep a church going. So, when we heard that you were going to gather for worship today, we said, "We will go."
They filed into the house where it was nice and cool and found that Sandra had arranged the living room into a worship setting. At one side of the room she had placed a small table, covered it with a white cloth and placed the cross they had received as a wedding gift on it. The chairs and davenport were then arranged in kind of a semicircle around the altar. The small keyboard was over in a corner.
There again was that kind of awkward silence. Bill stepped up and welcomed everyone and thanked the Johnsons for their hospitality and invited Samuel to proceed with the service. Some had remembered to bring their hymnals and Bibles and some had not; but there were enough to go around.
Samuel announced the opening hymn, #500, "Faith of Our Fathers". It just kind of seemed to fit the occasion. Sandra took her place at the keyboard. Soon the room was filled with music. Samuel went behind the altar to lead the worship service beginning on page 57. He did not quite feel comfortable using the Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness on page 56. "Wasn't that really kind of reserved for ordained pastors?" He read the lessons, Ezek. 34:11-16; Ps. 87:1-2, 4-6, responsively; I Cor. 3:16-23 and Mark 8:27-35. Another hymn was sung. Trevor suggested, "Lift High the Cross". They found it in the index. Ever after they had sung it several times during Lent a year ago it had been his favorite.
Samuel began his message with a disclaimer, "This is the first time I have done something like this. I have been reading and rereading this text for the last several days. I have also been trying to read some commentaries I got out of the church. Maybe we can find something in it together." His message actually turned out to be pretty much verse by verse comments as he went through the lesson. As the people followed in their Bibles everyone seemed to get something out of it, especially when they talked about Peter's confession and when Jesus talked about the cross.
Following the "sermon" they sang another hymn and joined in the Apostles' Creed. Samuel did not know what to do about an offering, and seeing no offering plates1 he said, "I guess we will skip that for today." After reading the closing prayer in the hymnal the service was closed by reading the benediction together. Some looked at their watches. It was only 10:50.
Bill again stepped up and thanked Samuel, Sandra and the Johnsons. "Where do we go from here?" he inquired.
That question had been on the minds of several. The discussion went like this:
Ken started, "Today we have made a new beginning. I have appreciated this worship service. Not like when we met in the church, but it has been good."
Dora, "I would like to see us continue but we need to think about where we will meet. We can't expect the Johnsons to always host us
Sarah, "That is no problem. We are here and the house is available. If there are times it would be inconvenient for us we will let you know. Samuel, would you be willing to lead the worship for us next Sunday? We can not expect you to do that all the time but maybe you could help us out some until we figure out what we should do."
"I will be willing to do that next Sunday, but as you say, I don't think one person should do it all the time. There are others here in our group who are most likely more capable than I. We maybe could invite others to be our preacher from time to time."
Bill, "It seems that we have a general feeling that we should continue to worship together. It also seems to be the feeling that we have some decisions to make. Maybe we could schedule a business meeting after the service next Sunday to discuss where we should go and how."
"By the way, Sarah", Dora questioned, "Have you been able to get the membership list off to the Bishop yet?"
"No, not yet. Frankly I really didn't think there was any rush about that. All the members already know where the other Lutheran churches are. I very much doubt those who have not been attending here will ever drive all those miles to another Lutheran Church. I just couldn't conceive of any of us going some place else from what I heard last Sunday."
"Well, I think we should send it. It could just be that someone will want to start to worship in another church if they get invited. Can you send it?"
“Yes, I can and I will. You might be right. It might be helpful to someone. After all, the Bishop did request it and it is appropriate to respond to his request. I will get on to it this week."
On Monday evening she started to work on it. As she went through the old peg binder book that had all the records it was easy to get the address of most everybody. The Goodwins and the Reigers had moved away several years ago so that was a bit of a problem. However, placing some telephone calls to some old neighbors of theirs she came up with current addresses. On Thursday morning the list went off in the mail.
So it was decided that they would gather again the next Sunday for worship. The little group arose to leave, did some hand-shaking and left.
The same group gathered the next Sunday. Samuel seemed a little more confident. It was more of a sermon with some definite points and some development of them. In the course of the sermon he told the group that he had followed Pastor Jacobsonvs advice and borrowed a copy of Barclay's The Daily Study Bible. It was evident he had gotten some ideas from his readings and the group appreciated his desire to learn.
At the close of the service Bill called the group together again for the business session. There was no printed agenda so using Trevor and Lisa's chalkboard Bill simply listed the things they should talk about as they were suggested by the group. He asked Sarah to keep minutes of the meeting. The list developed:
--- worship preacher music liturgy
--- organization -- Should we organize as a congregation?
officers
name
--- Christian education
--- finances.
"What should we tackle first?” Bill asked.
Ken volunteered, "In all of the stories that I have read or heard about of the organization of congregations it seems that two things happened. First there was the decision to organize and then there was the election of officers. I think that is what we are going to have to do today. First, let us decide whether or not we should organize as a congregation."
There was some discussion about this question. Some thought that there should be some organization from the very start and others were rather reluctant. They wanted to see how things would go first. There was a feeling around that they had been organized once before and that had ended in closure so now maybe they should just try gathering informally without any real organization and see how things would work out.
Finally Sandra spoke up, "I guess we can put the decision whether or not to organize as a congregation off for awhile just as long as we agree that we continue to worship together. But, to make sure that will happen I think we must have some designated leadership. Someone has to be responsible. I remember one time in our evening devotions we were reading in one of Paul's letters and Paul told one of the churches that they should appoint elders in the church. I guess that is what we really need -- some elders."
“Wouldn't they be called an executive committee? A president, a treasurer and a secretary?" asked Nancy. "At least that is what we had before we closed. I make a motion that we elect an executive committee: a president, a treasurer and a secretary to guide us in matters that pertain to worship."
"Is there a second to the motion?" Bill asked. "I second the motion," Richard responded. "All in favor say "Aye." There was a strong affirmation of "Ayes". Those opposed "No". There was silence. "The 'Ayes' have it," ruled Bill. "Now, about officers."
Nancy spoke up, "It looks to me like we are about as we were before we disbanded. The officers that we had were faithful so I move that they fill out their terms. They led us through a lot of tough times. Now let them lead us through some better times."
"Is there a second to the motion?" Bill queried?
"I second it," Samuel volunteered.
Then came the decision on how to vote. After some discussion it was agreed that it should be by ballot. The proposed slate of officers carried unanimously.
"Thank you very much," continued Bill. "I am honored by the trust you have placed in me through the years and I think I speak for Ken and Sarah as well. As far as an installation is concerned I guess we won't need one since the motion states that we are to complete our terms. Now what should we do about worship leadership?"
At this point Ken interrupted., "For the past several years I have taken care of both the offerings and paid the bills. I am now starting to wonder if that is a good idea. When I attended the last area meeting I was talking to the treasurer of Zion. She said they have two offices -- a treasurer and a financial secretary. The financial secretary has the responsibility of recording the offerings and depositing the money in the bank. Right after the service she asks another person to count and record the offering with her and then they both sign the deposit slip. She then sends the deposit slip to the treasurer who pays the bills. She pointed out that this adds accountability and safety for those who handle the money of the church as well as dividing up the work of the treasurer. I think it is a good idea and I suggest that as we start off new we do it that way."
The group talked about this in an approving way for a few minutes and then turned it over to the executive committee to bring a recommendation to the next business meeting. It ended up that Nancy King was appointed financial secretary. After the interruption Bill continued, "Now let us get back to the matter of worship leadership."
Dora spoke up, "I think we have someone already. Samuel, you have done right well. Just keep on."
"Not so fast," protested Samuel. "I appreciate that I was asked to lead these two Sundays but I never thought of that as a permanent position. There wasn't any vote on that. I was just asked 'out of the blue’. Anyway, in a few weeks I will be heading back to college."
There was an uncomfortable pause in the conversation followed with puckered eyebrows. They had just run into the first major problem. Even if they could persuade Samuel to keep on for now, what would they do come September?
Finally Samuel spoke up again, "I feel very reluctant to be saying anything more on this. It seems I am doing too much of the talking. You folks have all been around here longer than I and you know this community far better than I do. But, I do have a suggestion. Pastor Jacobson, in his response to my question, sent me a copy of a little book called, What Can Be Done?[1]He had received it in his synod assembly packet years ago. That book suggests that it would be good if each congregation would have two persons for the preaching ministry and two persons for worship leadership. They would have short terms with a limitation on the number of terms they could serve consecutively. The reason for having more than one person for each position is that the workload can be divided to best fit schedules of those chosen for positions of leadership. To find four people in our small group might sound like a bit much but I think we can do it."
Bill, "It sounds like a good idea for a bigger group but how can we choose that many from a group as small as ours?"
Looking over the group Samuel said, “I see several possibilities. We maybe should try it."
"Should we have a nominating committee to make nominations?"
Ken, "We are so few here that all of us could just as well be the nominating committee. Last year at synod assembly they used what was called the ecclesiastical ballot to choose the bishop. I think it is also called a nominating ballot. I have also heard of it being used in congregations for the election of officers. The procedure is like this. Each person writes one name for the office to be filled, the ballots are counted and if no one gets a majority you drop the one with the fewest votes off the next ballot and keep on voting until someone gets a majority. Then, if you want to, you can open the floor for a motion for a unanimous ballot and if there are no objections a unanimous ballot of acclamation is cast. I think we could do it that way. It takes some time but, as was explained to us at the synod assembly, everyone starts off on a level playing field.
The proposal sounded good to the group so to start things off they first voted on the office of preaching ministry. To keep things simple they voted for one office at a time. The nine of them wrote one name on a piece a paper for the office of preaching. The results of the first ballot were:
Samuel - 6
Bill - 1
Sarah - 2
Samuel was declared elected. This wasn't a surprise to anyone. They appreciated what he had done last Sunday and today.
After some discussion about the responsibilities of a worship leader they voted for a worship leader. It was made clear that the worship leader did not necessarily need to have musical ability or know how to play an instrument. The person did need to have a sense of worship. The result of that ballot was
Sandra – 5
Nancy - 4
Sandra was declared elected.
The next ballot was for the second position of the office of preaching. The evident leaders were now becoming a little more obscure. The ballot was cast with the following result:
Bill - 4
Ken - 2
Sarah - 3.
Ken's name was dropped from the ballot and a second ballot was cast. Naturally, everybody thought Bill would be elected. Through the years he had held such a prominent position in the life of the congregation and had led so many meetings and even preached on occasion. The result of the ballot was:
Sarah - 5
Bill - 4.
The expression on Bill's face showed that he was surprised and maybe a bit disappointed. But, being a mature person, he soon realized that the decision of the group took precedence over any personal pride or ambition. There were plenty of other ways to serve and Sarah's first reaction was, "I am not capable of doing that." The response of the group was, “We have prayerfully elected you and we will support you. You will grow as you minister. Samuel can give you some help until he leaves and there are pastors around who will give you some help. You take this call from us as a possible call from God. Go home, pray about it, talk it over with others, and next week you can give us your final answer." She did just that and the next Sunday she informed the group she would serve as best she could and asked for their continued prayers.
Then remained the vote for the second position as worship leader. There was a good deal of looking around the group to see just who was left who might possibly have the gifts to fill this position. The vote was again cast. The results were:
Sam - 3
Nancy - 2
Ken - 3
Richard - 1
Richard's name was dropped from the next ballot. The result was:
Sam - 4
Nancy - 3
Ken- 2.
That was still not a majority vote. Ken's name was dropped from the next ballot. The result was:
Sam - 5
Nancy - 4.
"And I can't really sing," exclaimed Sam.
"You really don't need to. We will all sing for you. You can lead us in worship."
By that time the clock was edging on after 12:00 o'clock. Dora suggested that they all go down to the truck stop for the buffet dinner. That sounded good to all except the Johnsons. "You will have to excuse us since Sarah's folks have invited us to their place for dinner. We told them that we might be late, but not this late! Sarah, why don't you give them a ring and tell them that we are just about ready to leave?" They all left, feeling they had accomplished something significant in their lives of faith, but they were far from sure how things would work out. They were really launching out into new beginnings! But they were quite confident the Holy Spirit was leading them along the way. MAYBE GOD WAS STANDING JUST AROUND THE CORNER AFTER ALL.
Over the meal there was lots of "crop talk" and sharing of news about what was happening in the community. They were wondering what they could do to give the Heiberlings more help. Then they recalled that no one had been assigned to preach the next Sunday. After the meal was over it was agreed that Samuel and Sandra would lead the worship next Sunday. They both had some experience. After that the four of them would have to get together and work out a schedule that would work best for all of them.
The check from the insurance company arrived, $6,400.00. Ken endorsed it and sent it on to Darlene at the Synod Office. When the Synod Council convened she presented it to the council with the question, “What should we do with it?"
The discussion that ensued was indeed interesting. Some were of the opinion that it should be deposited and used for any need the synod might have. They assured themselves that there were many most urgent needs. Others felt differently. They did not feel that it was quite right just to take this "windfall" and deposit it in the bank without first consulting the people back in Grainville. After all, that building had been sacrificed for, built and maintained by the community for many years. In addition to this, they recognized that when times had been better for the congregation the congregation had been a faithful supporter of the ministry of the larger church. The final decision was that they would place the check in a reserve account and the secretary of the synod was requested to write a letter to the former congregation asking them if there could possibly be some community use for the building. If so, the Synod would hold the funds in reserve for use in repairing the building when details had been worked out. After all, it was a very functional building and there was no other building in the town that was suitable for community use. The old store buildings were in a sad shape of disrepair and the school buildings were no more. It took a few days for the secretary to get this letter off.
During the week after their second service Ken started to think, as well as had others, that it was not really right for Samuel to be giving his services with no remuneration at all. his could not continue. Ken discussed this with Bill and Sarah and they agreed that at the time of the announcements, Bill would announce that the Council had talked this over and agreed that an offering would be taken each Sunday. They were recommending that for the time being the preacher for the service would be paid $25.00 and the worship leader $15.00; not much, but a start. It was also agreed that as money accumulated Samuel would be paid for the first two Sundays. This they felt would be within their capabilities and certainly well below what they had been paying for a supply pastor with travel expenses and all.
The services continued on an even keel. The four worship leaders met and worked out their own schedule and they began taking turns. When the ministerium in Centerville heard about what they were doing an invitation was extended to them to attend the weekly text studies. Samuel and Sarah made it their goal to do that and they felt they received considerable help. To go with an attitude of learning and ask some questions really helped. In fact, their questions also served to keep the pastors "on their toes”.
When Ken received the letter from the Synod he called Bill and they agreed that they would have a council meeting after the service the next Sunday. At that meeting they discussed this turn of events. Sarah asked, "What can we do with the building?"
"Not much,” Ken and Bill agreed. "That building had gotten to be a real burden for us while we were using it. It sure is a wonderful place for a worship service, but I don't think we can get it re-roofed and maintain it all by ourselves. Sometimes we have felt that we need a community building for special events around here. Er -- well, like co-op meetings, fundraisers for special projects and at election time. Do you think the township board would like to take over the building and make it available for the whole community to use? It has been used for such things as wedding and baby showers, family reunions and so on in the past. We need a place like that. I think the township board would have no trouble getting a crew together to put on a new roof. (After the storm Ken, Bill, Gary and Sam had gone in and tacked large plastic tarpaulins on the roof to keep the rain out so that the ceiling and pews would not be further damaged.) It was agreed that Bill would bring the letter to Gerald Luedtke, the chairman of the township board. Gerald greeted the proposal with interest and said that he would bring it up at their next monthly meeting.
One day Sarah met Gary Reitz and the children in the grocery store. After the usual family talk Gary said, "I hear that you are having church at your house. How is it going?” "Very well," responded Sarah. "Why don't you come out some Sunday morning at 10.00? We have talked a little about starting a Sunday School for the children but have not gotten around to doing that yet. It seems that we have had our hands full just getting preachers and worship leaders lined up."
Tiffany looked up eagerly, “Daddy, can we go?" "We'll see," answered Tim. Sure enough, they were there the next Sunday and they seemed to fit in so comfortably. The living room was getting kind of full now that Gary and his children were attending. It got especially full the Sunday the Schneider children came home to visit.
It soon became evident that Gary had picked up a lot during his confirmation instruction and evidently had done some reading since. Sarah wondered if he had been having his own little Sunday School class with the children. One Sunday after church the topic of Sunday School came up again. Now there were usually six children there so there were enough for a nice little class. This brought the subject up again.
"I think we should have a program of Christian Education but I don't think we should do it like we did before. It became just too convenient for parents to use it for an hour of baby sitting. They would drop the children off and then come back to pick them up or sit outside visiting in the cars. I know there are unseen benefits that might bear fruit years later, but I wonder if we shouldn't try to eliminate making it so easy," Sarah questioned.
"I feel that worship is most important so if we can have only one thing we must have worship. However, Jesus did tell us to teach and we must not neglect that. I have to admit that after our children got through confirmation we dropped out of the adult class. But I just don't see how we are going to get around this problem of getting the parents involved. There isn't any way to trap them that I know of. The children should have their special class. We all should have our special class. It was a mistake when we dropped out," Dora declared.
Gary was listening intently. "One thing we want to do is avoid any appearance that we do not want to teach the children of the community and on the other hand we need to put out a stronger invitation, maybe even a little pressure, for the involvement of parents. I have been thinking about this. How about trying this for a while? Maybe we could have the Sunday school hour a part of the morning worship hour. The opening liturgy would be the opening for both the worship and the Sunday school. Then after the reading of the first lesson the children would go out for their class and the adults would remain for their class. Then when the classes would be over we would have a little snack break after which we would continue the service with the second lesson. To make an opportunity for the parents to leave off and pick up their children we could announce the time of the opening and the closing of the Sunday school hour. We could invite them in for the snack with their children.
This idea was batted around for a couple of Sundays. Some thought it just too radical and would break up the worship hour too much. There was also the problem of space. Winter was coming so they could not meet outside and there really wasn't any good space available in the house. It was even discussed that they should try having Wednesday evening as Family Christian Education night. That idea was put on hold for awhile. The second Sunday in August they called a congregational meeting to discuss this and to elect a re-placement for Samuel who was going back to college.
At the meeting the next Sunday after several ballots, Gary was elected to fill the vacancy left by Samuel. "This method of using a nominating ballot to find people really works," commented Bill. "When someone gets elected this way it seems that we all feel the Holy Spirit is leading us to the right person. Maybe our praying for the welfare of our church and asking the Holy Spirit to lead us has been an important factor." As could be expected he was reluctant to accept the call but agreed to go home and think and pray about it for a week. During the week Sarah encouraged him and told him about the help she had been getting from several sources during the past weeks. The next Sunday he did come back and say he would do his best and requested their prayers.
The decision about the future of Christian education was a bit more controversial. Finally, the decision was to go the conventional way. Sunday school was scheduled for 9:45 and worship for 10:45.
The Sunflower Township Board seriously discussed the proposal that the township take over the Lutheran Church property. They really didn't know how to handle this proposal so they announced that their next meeting would be a public meeting. About two dozen persons showed up. In the Grainville community that indicated a lot of interest. Also, they showed up with a positive attitude. Before the night was over they had plenty of volunteers to put on the new roof if the Synod would give them the $6,400.00. They also appointed a committee of three persons to bring proposals about how to use and maintain the building. They were to bring recommendations to the next meeting about who could rent the building and for what purposes, what rental rates would be, etc. Ken was given the responsibility of contacting the Synod office to request the money. That did not turn out to be a problem. The township board had the check in their hands right after the Synod Council approved it. This seemed to establish a pretty good feeling in the community in relation to the Synod. Synod was a new word to a lot of them. The Lutheran Church really was becoming more of a part of the community. An appropriate letter of thanks was sent to the Synod office. They decided to make a couple of changes in the building. Some seemed to feel that the altar area was a special area reserved for worship and should be curtained off when civic meetings were being held. A heavy curtain was hung in front of the altar to close that area off. Someday they might even have a youth dance in there. Some of the pews were made moveable so they could be pushed to one side or provide extra seating for the fellowship room.
The little congregation had its ups and downs. Sandra became the teacher for the children's Sunday School. The adults met in a circle and read the lessons for the next Sunday and then they talked about them and other things. It wasn't always very structured but it seemed to work. They seemed to feel that they came for worship the next Sunday a little better prepared. Sometimes the preacher actually got some ideas for his sermon out of it and then the heads nodded. Worship attendance continued quite steady. It helped a bit when Bill and Jane moved back from the Ozarks and became regular attendees as they had been before they moved away. The offerings were more than adequate to sustain their smaller operating costs. Ken made it a practice to make a brief financial report the first Sunday of every month. On the first Sunday in September he reported that there was $146.45 in the treasury. He concluded, "We need to decide what we are going to do with some of this money. I really believe we need an outreach beyond our borders." That started a little discussion. The matter of Holy Communion also came up. It was decided that they would have a congregational meeting after church the next Sunday and they would have a picnic afterwards on the Johnson lawn. All were reminded to bring lawn chairs.
The next Sunday, under the shady locust trees, they first talked about the money business. Ken, who was always a supporter of the wider church, suggested they send $100.00 to the Synod office. There was some discussion about that. Some were not too enthused about that. There were some misgivings about some of the synodical programs. he final decision was to send $50.00 to the Synod and $50.00 to a Native American ministry.
"Now about Holy Communion," Bill continued. "We have not had a Communion service since the Bishop was here."
"That is just not right," declared Sam.
“We are back to the same place they were 113 years ago. I was always taught that Holy Communion is important in the life of the church but we don't have anyone authorized to serve Holy Communion."
The discussion flowed back and forth. "Why can't one of our preachers have a communion service?" questioned Melonie West. She had been coming to worship for the last several Sundays. "I have read some place that the Bishop, in special circumstances, has the authority to authorize lay persons who have had some training to preside at Holy Communion. I move that our secretary write to the Bishop, explain our situation and request him to authorize Gary and Sarah to serve Holy Communion.
That proposal sounded like a good one. It was approved and on Monday Sarah wrote a letter to Bishop Nordin. His first response was to telephone the Johnsons so he could be filled in on just what was happening in Grainville. Sarah told him about their worship services, who their preachers and worship leaders were, that they had a Sunday School going, that the township had the new roof on the church building and it had already been used for a bridal shower. He sounded flabbergasted! He also thanked for the $50.00 they had received. That was a big surprise for him to receive $50.00 from a defunct congregation.
"Then getting back to your request about Holy Communion," he continued. "I am sorry I cannot authorize any one in your group to preside over Holy Communion. I cannot do this because you are not a congregation affiliated with our Synod. If you were, I certainly would very seriously consider authorizing at least one of your current leaders to preside at Holy Communion. Have you ever thought about joining the Synod? I can't even suggest that you invite a neighboring Lutheran pastor for a communion service because Lutheran pastors are authorized to celebrate Holy Communion in congregations of the Lutheran Church they were ordained in. Until you become recognized as a congregation, or a new mission of the Synod maybe you should visit a neighboring Lutheran church for communion services. I am sorry, but that is all I can do and say at the present time."
Sarah responded, "That is about what I thought your response would have to be. I understand your predicament. We have been in a few predicaments also, but right now things are looking pretty good. I don't think I can report all you have said with accuracy so could your please put it in a letter and I will bring it to the congregation on a coming Sunday?" The Bishop agreed to do this. The letter arrived in a few days.
Sarah took the letter to the service the Sunday after it arrived and read it during the announcement time. Feelings were kind of mixed from, "Is that all we get? I am not for sending any more money there." to, "I understand his position. It is a matter of good order in the church." "I think we need to go a little slow on this." "Let us think and pray about it this week and next week we will have a meeting after church to discuss things."
After the next worship they again gathered to discuss things. They looked at their options: (1) go to another church for communion, (2) call a pastor in for communion services, (3) go without, (4) authorize someone of their own to preside at the communion services. As they looked at (1) that seemed quite impractical to most of them. It wasn't a question about being welcome in another Lutheran Church. They knew they would be welcome. The concern was how many would actually travel the distance to the other church on a somewhat regular basis. Some would; some would not. Then there was the question about how it would affect their own attendance if they closed down their worship service once a month. What if an inquirer appeared for worship and there was no worship? There were lots of misgivings about propriety and good church order as they discussed this matter. How helpful would it have been if they would have had a competent, understanding theologian to help them. (2) There were two, no three, problems with this one. The pastors they knew were all tied up with two or three services already on a Sunday morning so the first thing that would have to be done would be to change their hour of worship to another time or day. While possible, that didn't seem like a good solution. Secondly, there was the same problem the bishop had with that option. They were not an organized Lutheran Church affiliated with any synod so what would they be? Some kind of an extension of the other congregation? Could a pastor serve Holy Communion to a congregation that really wasn't a congregation? Thirdly, to some it sounded a bit too much like making the Lord's Supper into something that was for sale for a price. In this case the price of pulpit supply. The third option "go without" was just what they were trying to avoid. That was certainly not acceptable. The remaining option of authorizing someone of their own to celebrate Holy Communion appeared to be the only feasible solution. They ended up discussing that option.
Didn't Paul instruct the early Christians to select their own leadership?" questioned Sarah. “It seems I have read that some place in the Bible."
"I wonder if Luther ever had anything to say about this?" questioned Bill. "Frankly I wouldn't know where to start to look. If Luther would have said something about this it seems the Bishop would have pointed that out to us." [In fact, Luther did write about this. Please see Endnotes.2]
When it was all said and done they came down to the place where they would authorize one of their own to preside at their communion services. By common consent this was what they agreed to do, but some were a little uncomfortable with that decision.
Some problems still remained. "Who would do this authorizing, dedicating, commissioning, installing, accrediting, ordaining, certifying or whatever you would call it of those who would be appointed to celebrate the Lord's Supper?" It was soon evident that they had only one person available to do it. They had chosen Bill as their leader. He should and could do it.
It was also agreed that this would be done following the sermon on the next Sunday and both Gary and Sarah would be authorized and since Sarah was scheduled to preach the next Sunday, she would be the officiant at the communion service to immediately follow. The communionware was still carefully stored at Bill and Sandra's house as the bishop had suggested. In fact, he had said that he hoped they would find new ministry in this community. Sandra said they would bring the communion set. Planning the service was left up to the council.
The council met during the week to plan this service. They went through all of the service books they had but did not find any order of worship that really seemed appropriate for their use. They decided to write their own using parts of the service for Holy Communion, prayers they thought appropriate and Scripture passages. One thing they were very careful to do was to avoid the use of the word "ordination". They also included that these persons were authorized for this ministry only as long as they held their present offices in this place.
After Sarah had finished her sermon the next Sunday Bill got up and called Gary and Sarah forward. Reading the Scripture passages and prayers they had chosen they were asked, "Will you accept the responsibility to preside at the service of Holy Communion in accordance with Holy Scriptures and the practices of our Lutheran Church?" To this each answered in turn, "I will, and I ask God to help me." Then they knelt on the two sofa cushions that had been provided and as many of the congregation as could gathered around them and placed their hands on their heads and shoulders for the closing prayer. Arising in their places Bill closed this part of the service with these words, "You have been chosen by this congregation and by God for this ministry in our midst. God grant you the grace to be ever faithful. Amen"
Then there were handshakes, hugs and tears. The cushions were picked up and while the offering was being received Sarah uncovered the communion set and prepared for the celebration of the Lord's Supper. After the singing of "Let the vineyards" she continued, "The Lord be with you." The Lord's Supper was celebrated as each one received the bread and the wine. The service closed with great rejoicing as they sang, "Thank the Lord and sing his praise." For the closing hymn they sang, "Sent Forth by God's Blessing."
At the close of the service Bill took Sarah aside and said, "When the Bishop was here it was on my lips to suggest that we should bring communion to Mrs. Hendrickson but I sensed he did not have time that day so I said nothing. I think it is well over two years since any pastor took communion to her. Why don't we do that this afternoon?" Before they left Bill called Thelma, her daughter, and made arrangements to go to Grandma's home around 3:00. Thelma said that she would meet them at her mother's home.
Mrs. Hendrickson was the oldest member of the former Emmanuel Lutheran Church. In the days when she could drive and get around by herself she had always been an active member. She now lived in a small home close to her daughter, Thelma, in Centerville. Thelma and her family had participated nominally in the congregation until both of her children, Annette and Joel, had been confirmed. After that the family largely dropped out, appearing only on special occasions and maybe at Christmas and Easter. They had made annual contributions to the church so had been retained as members. They communed if there was a communion service the Sundays they did choose to attend.
Not having an Occasional Services book Sarah and Bill sat down together and planned the home communion service. They took the LBW and adapted from it using the Confession, the Lesson, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Great Thanksgiving. They also assembled a home communion service set -- glasses, bread plate, bread, beverage, a white cloth for a table and a small cross. When they arrived at the home they found that Annette and Joel had also come along. Immediately it passed through Sarah's mind, "Should I invite them to commune also???
After the customary talk about health, weather, etc. the conversations got around to what was happening at "the church". Grandma had some hearing problems. Effort was made to fully include her as well. Bill and Sarah told about how things had evolved with the new congregation and how they had finally arrived at the point that they were going to also celebrate Holy Communion.
Finally, Sarah said, "Let us continue with the service. Looking at Thelma, Annette and Joel she said, "Would you also like to join Grandma in taking Holy Communion? Annette and Joel looked at their mother and then nodded, "Yes".
Thelma provided a folding table. Sarah placed the cloth, the cross and the communion set on it. The service started. She read the confession and the text they had used that morning and made a few brief comments on it. The Creed, the Words of Institution and finally the Lord's Prayer followed. Then together they shared the bread and the wine. It was a quiet, solemn time. In their hearts all rejoiced that they had had the opportunity to take Holy Communion with Grandma. Grandma then told them that she would be 95 years old in a few days and that her family would be home and had arranged a birthday celebration in the church (new Community Center) the Sunday after next.
From then on the congregation celebrated the Lord's Supper the first Sunday of each month but soon there was talk about more frequent celebrations.
Many in the group became witnesses to the good things that were happening in their midst. The result was a few former members and a few other persons from the community who were not attending any church were showing up from time to time. By Thanksgiving time the living room was getting really crowded and it was becoming evident that if things kept on going as they were they would soon have to find a larger meeting place.
The next idea that came up was to rent the old church and have a community Thanksgiving potluck and service on the Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving. The idea caught on and about 60 people turned out.
The relationship to a synod still "gnawed at their vitals" as the matter was talked about from time to time. They really felt kind of adrift without the recognition and support of a recognized church body. Who was there to help them with matters of theology? They really felt that at times they were on rather risky ground going it alone. So, one Sunday in, December they met and decided to write a letter to Bishop Nordin requesting to be received into the Synod as an evangelical Lutheran congregation.
He rejoiced to read the letter but it did present some real problems. They were not a conventional Lutheran congregation. Something would have to be done with the constitution of the Synod to let them in as they were currently operating. But, how could they be denied? They were seeking guidance from the church from time to time and had sent checks for the work of the Synod during the past months. Also, their two "preachers" were enrolled in the parish training course that the Synod had established in their area and there were three "members" who were enrolled in the Bible Study Cell formed under the guidance of the area ministry. (The reason they used the word "member" in quotes was that they did not have a membership list. They just kept a mailing list. Those who participated in worship were counted as voting members.) For the bishop to say a flat "No" to this group was unthinkable. To say "Yes" was very risky. What kind of forces would be unleashed in the wider church by such an action?
His response was affirmative, but no promise. The matter would first have to be presented to the Synod Council after which it would then most likely need to be forwarded to the churchwide bishop for approval. Anyway, the process was started. Bishop Nordin make it clear that the earliest they could be officially received would be at the next Synod Assembly in June. For now that matter had to rest.
As the group was working on this another question arose, "What name should we use for the congregation? We have never settled that." Sam raised that question.
"Of course we will call our church Emmanuel Lutheran Church," declared Dora. "That is what we have been known by for over 100 years. But how should we spell it? Should we spell it with an 'E' or an 'I'? As for me I think the 'E' sounds a bit too Swedish. I looked in some newer translations of the Bible and I find Immanuel seems to be used these days."
"I like that," said Melonie. The old name is good, very good, 'God With Us', but the new spelling of the name will distinguish us a little bit from the congregation that no longer exists. I make a motion that we call our church, “Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church". The motion carried unanimously without any further discussion.
On the Second Sunday in Advent Sandra reminded them, "We have to plan our Christmas Eve Worship." It was decided that they would rent the "old" church for the service and invite everybody by every way they could. they would run a couple of ads in the paper and put it on the radio. Samuel would be home for the holidays and they agreed to ask him to be the preacher. He accepted. It was also decided that after the holiday they would start to rent the "old" church for their worship space. They had really out-grown the living room. The Johnsons had been their hosts long enough. On the last Sunday in their home they surprised them with a lovely Smithers oil painting of cottonwoods on the Smokey Hill River bank to grace one of their walls.
The Christmas Eve service was a glorious reminder of the old times and the Christmas Eve Service two years ago. It was inspiring to sing the familiar and some new Christmas carols. By special request Mary was back at the organ. There were candles in all the windows, a community children's choir, a simple but good sermon by Samuel which stressed the love and grace of God. They were all so proud of him. It was a contest between his parents and Ann, his fiancee, as to who was the proudest. But next to the good news of the Christmas message was the fact that the church was nearly full. No one deceived themselves. They knew that some would not be back until next Christmas Eve, but still the Good Seed was sown.
Since it was too cold to go outside during the recessional and since they were going to have some Christmas treats (including spritz and springerlies) following the service, the congregation was instructed to go into the fellowship hall during the singing of the last verse of "Joy to the World". So to the words:
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love,
And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love."
They moved to the fellowship hall. Melonie was standing next to Dora and on an impulse she hugged Dora and emotionally said, "WE ARE HOME AGAIN!” Dora, holding her hands to the heavens picked up the words and quite literally shouted, “We are home again. Thanks be to God."
Truly, God was standing just around the corner!
1. The quotations are from the LUTHERAN BOOK OF WORSHIP, pages 56-74 and OCCASIONAL SERVICES, 255-257, both published by Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, and the Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia ® 1978 and 1982.
2. The following quotes are from "Concerning the Ministry", LUTHER'S WORKS, Volume 40, Edited by Conrad Bergendoff and Helmut T. Lehmann, Muhlenberg Press/Philadelphia, pages 36-40.
We have clearly shown that to each one is given the right of ministering in the Word, and indeed that he is commanded to do so if he sees that teachers are lacking or if those in office are not teaching correctly as Paul affirmed in I Cor. 14 [28ff] so that the power of God might be proclaimed by us all. How much more, then, does not a certain community as a whole have both right and command to commit by common vote such an office to one or more, to be exercised in its stead. With the approval of the community these might then delegate the office to others. (page 36)
A Christian, thus, is born to the ministry of the Word in baptism, and if papal bishops are unwilling to bestow the ministry of the Word except on such as destroy the Word of God and ruin the church, then it but remains either to let the church perish without the Word or to let those who come together cast their ballots and elect one or as many as are needed of those who are capable. By prayer and the laying on of hands, let them commend and certify these to the whole assembly and recognize and honor them as lawful bishops and ministers of the Word, believing beyond a shadow of doubt that this has been done and accomplished by God. For in this way the common agreement of the faithful, those who believe and confess the gospel, is realized and expressed. (page 37)
If the aforementioned arguments are not conclusive, it ought to be sufficient to admonish and affirm what Christ said in Matt. 18 [19,20], "If two of you agree upon earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." If then the agreement of three or two in the name of the Lord makes all things possible, and Christ endorses as his own the things they do, how much more may we not believe that it has happened or can happen with his approval and guidance when we come together in his name, pray together, and elect bishops and ministers of the Word from among ourselves. Even before such election we have been born and called into such a ministry through baptism. (page 37)
They object and say, "A new thing and unprecedented, so to elect and create bishops." I answer, it is the most ancient custom, following the example of the Apostles and their disciples, but abolished and destroyed by the contrary examples and pestilential teachings of the papists. Therefore we had much rather labor to drive out this more recent kind of plague and recover an earlier kind of health.... (page 39)
When you have so prayed, have no doubt that he to whom you have prayed is faithful and will give what you ask, opening to him who knocks and granting to him who seeks [Matt. 7:8]. Thus you may be assured that you are not pushing this matter, but being pushed in it. Then call and come together freely, as many as have been touched in heart by God to think and judge as you do. Proceed in the name of the Lord to elect one or more whom you desire, and who appear to be worthy and able. Then let those who are leaders among you lay hands upon them, and certify and commend them to the people and the church or community. In this way let them become your bishops, ministers, or pastors. Amen. The qualification of those to be elected are fully described by Paul in Tit. 1 [:6ff.], and I Tim. 3 [:2ff.] (page 40)
The following quotes are from, "THAT A CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR CONGREGATION HAS THE RIGHT AND POWER TO JUDGE ALL TEACHING AND TO CALL, APPOINT, AND DISMISS TEACHERS, ESTABLISHED AND PROVEN BY SCRIPTURE", LUTHER'S WORKS, Volume 39, Translated by Eric W. and Ruth C. Gritch, Muhlenberg Press/Philadelphia, pages 309-313.
Second, since a Christian congregation neither should nor could exist without God's Word, it clearly follows from the previous [argument] that it nevertheless must have teachers and preachers who administer the word. And since in these last accursed times the bishops and the false spiritual government neither are nor wish to be teachers -- moreover, they want neither to provide nor to tolerate any, and God should not be tempted to send new preachers from heaven -- we must act according to Scripture and call and institute from among ourselves who are found to be qualified and whom God has enlightened with reason and endowed with gifts to do so. (page 309)
In such a case a Christian looks with brotherly love at the need of the poor and perishing souls and does not wait until he is given a command or letter from a prince or bishop. For need breaks all laws and has none. Thus it is the duty of love to help if there is no one else who could or should help. (page 310)
Again, "you should earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but all things should be done decently and in order" [I Cor 14:39-40]. (page 311)
Let this passage be your sure foundation, because it gives such an overwhelming power to the Christian congregation to preach, to permit preaching, and to call. Especially if there is a need, it [this passage] calls everyone with a special call -- without a call from men -- so that we should have no doubt that the congregation which has the gospel may and should elect and call from among its members someone to teach the word in its place. (page 311)
Thus I ask the dear tyrants: if bishops are made by the election and call of their own congregation, and if the pope is pope without confirmation by any other authority and by election alone, why should not a Christian congregation, too, make a preacher by its call alone? (page 313)
As the women were rinsing off the dishes Sara asked three pertinent questions. The first was, "When did you and Sam first start to sense what was going to happen?” Dora answered, "A long time ago". The second, "Did you ever talk about the future and what was happening?" She replied, "Not really.” The third was, “Didn’t anyone ever suggest to you that there might be a better way?" "Not that I have ever heard of," she responded.
How tragic! During all those years, knowing that it was dying, the congregation struggled to hang on and no one came forward to be the facilitator to help them work through their pain and lead them to discover a better way. What could have been done? What can congregations today do when they realize that their resources no longer are sufficient to sustain the traditional ministry of a seminary trained pastor? Is there a better way? Is what we have been doing the best and only way? What other options are open to small, struggling congregations?
What could have been done? What can be done? Historically the problem of pastoral care for small congregations has been with us for a long time. Some congregations never really achieve financial resources adequate for traditional ministry and struggle for 100 years or more. The calling forth and train mg of local lay leadership should and could have been done long ago. That is now past history. What can we do today?
There are several things we can do today.
1. The synod/district/judicatory can, when it sees the need, call clusters of small congregations together and intentionally discuss and face the problem. Such gatherings could include Bible Study related to the problem, review of the pastoral history of the congregations, presentations on what the church has in place to offer to such congregations and the development of a plan to deal with the situation
2. If the above does not happen the leadership in such congregations can take the initiative and call such gatherings. However, in a process as crucial as this one it certainly is better to have the resources of the whole church. But, if that is not forthcoming, there may be no other way than to "go it alone”.
Both of the above approaches are fraught with risks. A primary one is that, if you bring up the subject that the congregation is in danger of dying, the congregation may become myopic and focus only on that instead of the possibilities of ministry that surround it. Maybe it can be compared to a person with possible terminal illness. The first response is often denial. However, when the disease is diagnosed early and proper treatment is begun, the quality of life may improve and may be prolonged. Have we not been living in denial long enough?
Dear Readers, with this book and my first book, What Can Be Done?, you are challenged
to take a realistic look at pastoral care in your congregation, pray and
act. God bless you!
Positive, Negative, Alternative(s)
You are invited to tear out this sheet and share your reactions. My intention is to clip them, photocopy them and include as many as possible in future printings. Only signed responses will be copied. Mail to: Vernon Swenson, 208 West Normal Drive, Lindsborg, KS 67456. Thank you.
"Saga of Emanuel is the story of a fictional rural western congregation closed at an emotionally charged servi ce conducted by the synodical bishop.
"However, the few remaining members refuse to let the congregation totally expire. Worship continues in the living room of a home led by one of their own. He seeks assistance from other pastors. Offerings are received, the preacher is paid a small amount and offerings are sent to the Synod. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated.
The triumphant Christmas Eve Service is in the former church building. The congregation makes application to the Synod for readmission into the synod and church. This presents a problem/opportunity to the synodical bishop and executive committee. How are they going to handle this new development?"
Martin T. Ringstrom, Retired ELCA Pastor
"A moving story that deals with the pain, longings, and creative energy of rural people facing difficult situations and how they find a way to go on into the future. This story will resonate with a lot of pastors, lay people and church officials and bring a critical eye to the traditional way in which adjustments in rural ministry take place."
Warren A Sorteberg, Executive for Congregational Services, Lutheran Church in America
"Saga of Emmanuel is an excellent book. I could not agree more. We can do better than simply close small rural congregations or force them into merger. I think you are on the right track. We have placed too much emphasis on seminary training as the only qualification for ordination. We are discovering that this prevents effective mission and ministry in many places."
Walter R. Bouman, Dr. Theology D.D. The Edward C. Fendt Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
"I am confident that there are many congregations, and clusters of congregations, where the program you recommend could work well, and would be a lifesaver for those small congregations. Enough congregations could benefit that the program is well worth implementing."
Rev. Dr. Vance L. Eckstrom, Professor Emeritus of Religion, Bethany College.