April 7, 2002

John 20: 19-31 The power of the Resurrection.

It is kind of unreal that this is my last Service here at Mindekirken. These two years have passed away like a wind. I feel it is not a long time ago since many of you met us at the Airport singing and the two children that brought us some flowers. Since then we have had many songs and many flowers, lot of fun and lot of seriousness. It has been very special and a very nice time for Jorid and myself. We liked it from the very first day. Though we in a way have been guests we felt at home from the first hour. We still feel we belong here. Therefore it is strange to say good bye.

It was a big change to come here. Though many things are alike, people and cars are very much the same as in Norway, but some traditions and regulations are different. I think it also will be a big change to go back to our church in Norway. There I know the people and the traditions but maybe we have changed and gotten used to something different.

At our arrival here I felt overwhelmed and a bit afraid, how would this work out?

I felt like Paul when I visited the church in Corinth, he was worried and nervous and he did not know how to speak!

At my departure I am also worried, What did I do? Did I accomplish something good?

Like Paul I hope I shared some blessings. Not from myself, but from God! I myself have been so blessed during our stay here.

We will miss many things. Most of all we will miss you as our congregation and our friends.

Thank you to all of you for having me and Jorid. Thanks to Staff and Church Council. Thanks to all for your kindness and hospitality and for letting us be close to your life in times of joy and times of difficulties. The same I say to all individuals and groups we have met in the Norwegian-American community .(and some Swedes)

Now I feel we are at the step of the beginning. When arriving here as a Pastor from Norway it takes a lot of time and energy to get to know people and understand what is going on.

But we go back to Norway with so many good memories and many good friends. We will miss you all and we will never forget you.

On Sunday morning the very first thing I usually do is the sign of the cross and a prayer for the worship services and the people I am going to meet during the day. I also pray for my former congregations in Nordfjord and Ringsaker. Back in Norway I will ad Mindekirken to my Sunday morning prayer. The prayer is the shortest way to God and to one another.

The sign of the cross is to me not only an old tradition, it is something deep and real," Your cross, o Jesus Christ, became the light and the hope of the world."

The cross He suffered is the foundation of the Church. Christ’s death and resurrection is the very focus here in Mindekirken. This is my only hope for salvation. This is the most important reason why I became a Pastor. I wanted to serve my Lord by proclaiming his Gospel.

Most of all I wanted you to meet with Christ through my ministry.

When we had the interview, the Call Committee asked me about my understanding of the Church. I referred to the third article of the Apostolic Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of the saints, forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body and eternal life.

This is the Church. This is Mindekirken. This is the power of the Resurrection.

In my work I have tried to focus on the congregational life, our neighborhood and world wide mission. Together we have taken a few small steps, I am very pleased for the good discussion about our involvement in Phillips Neighborhood, and it is great that Mindekirken does support a young missionary couple in Japan.

Pastors come and go, but the congregation remains.

As we go back to Norway it is good to know that a new Pastor is ready to serve. Pastor Jens Arne Dale and his family will for sure have a very good time with you and you will be very pleased with them.

Every congregation does face some difficulties. Mindekirken also has to respond to some challenges. My prayer for you is the prayer Paul prayed for his favorite congregation in Philippi: "My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others , and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns." Philip 1:9-10.

God bless you all!

See you again.

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