July 8, 2001

I would like to give thanks to The Norwegian National League of Minnesota for arranging this day of celebration. This year is the 69th year of having Norway Day and I expect the next year to be a great anniversary celebration. It is very interesting to follow the development from the early celebrations in the

1930,s of a more ordinary family picnic gathering to the broad variety of the cultural program and activities of today. I am impressed of what is going on here. Special thanks to the Norway Day Committee for

what they have done to prepare this celebration of our ethnic heritage.

As Pastor of Mindekirken I appreciate very much being here today to worship with you. This is my only chance because I am here on leave and have to go back to Norway in February next year. I will return to Ringsaker, close to Hamar and Lillehammer at the shore of Lake Mjøsa. It was such a surprise that

Nes Sanglag arrived here for Norway Day. We are from the same local community, and to me it is just very special having this choir singing here today. Thank you for participating!! To have the opportunity to serve as Pastor at Mindekirken is a great experience to me and to my wife. It is a wonderful congregation and so many good things are going on there, a great variety of church and culture programs which you can find out more about from the Mindekirken booth today. During my stay I have realized how Mindekirken is a unique place for worship and fellowship in this country.

Gospel John 8: 12: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of the life and will never walk in darkness".

I think it is very good and very proper to begin the Norway Day program with a Worship Service as well. It is good for all of us gathered here this morning to come together to sing, to pray and to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, -the true light of the world and the source of our life. When Jesus was born it was said: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world! What we are longing for and hoping for as human beings are at hand by the Kingdom Christ. He is able to meet our deepest need, our need of

salvation. The fourth of July fire works were amazing, but if we follow Christ there will be light, not only for one exciting night, but for all the pathway of life. His light will never flick and die. His name will last forever!

The Worship Service is a very genuine part of Norwegian history and culture as well, the Norwegian eople has celebrated the morning Worship Service for 1000 years. Can you imagine!

What made such an impression upon the old Norwegians with regard to the worship service I think were all the beautiful candles in church, the singing and the message about Christ as the light of the world. That was the reason why he was named as "Kvite Krist" – "Christ the White one".

This day is very special because of July 8.

According to the Norwegian Church calendar this is St. Sunniva Day. This is about a legend going back to the 10th century telling about an Irish girl arrived in Norway as a refugee. Actually Sunniva was daughter of the Irish King, she was rich and very pretty, like a Miss Universe, but she refused to marriage a powerful military general because of his non-Christian faith. Sunniva had a strong faith in God and she was very

much devoted to Christ and wanted to follow his true light. She escaped with her friends by boat and they

happened to arrive at the shore of Norway, north of Bergen, on the Selje Island. The Norwegians did not welcome here and wanted to put her to death. So they did. By rolling big stones upon her, she was killed, but her body remained unhurted and undestroyed and the people could see a strong, significant light from heaven over her body. Then they understood this was God’s light and Sunniva was God’s servant. The

meaning of the name "Sunniva" is "gift of light".

King Olav Tryggvasson built a church at that place. To day there are just some ruins remaining there but they are testifying in a very powerful way about early Christian faith in Norway. The faith from there

is still alive. July 8 is a significant date of the history of the Church of Norway.

My home church at Ringsaker is from the beginning of the 12th century. And Nes Church, the home church of Nes Sanglag and my neighbor church, is from the 13th century. For 900 years people have gathered

there for baptism, confirmation, wedding, and funeral and to worship every Sunday. In this way

the people of Norway did put their life to God and they followed Christ, the light of the world. This tradition really challenges us as Norwegians and Norwegian-Americans to follow up the Christian

heritage in our lives today.

When I wear the "bunad" I always carry this pocket watch. My grandfather bought this one in Fargo in 1910. If I open the "golden heart" there are two pictures, a young, pretty lady, (she is not my wife)

she is my grandmother and the young man is my grandfather. This is very special to me about the

emigration and the connection between Norway and America and for me this is a nice gift of memory.

But the nicest memory of my grandparents is their Christian faith and hope.

One of my grandfather’s favorite readings was what is the Gospel for to day and he really encouraged me as a young boy to follow Christ as the true light.

Today we are all challenged to put our lives to God and to follow Christ the light of the world.

From the Gospel and from church history and by our personal experience we have learned about Gods light and His greatness. Let us give thanks and praise to our Lord by singing "My God, How wonderful

thou art".

Amen.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716