Heritage Herald – September 2026 Edition
From Pastor’s Desk
Passing the Faith to the Next Generation
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. — — Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Christian education is more than teaching children Bible stories, memory verses, or lessons on Sunday morning. According to Deuteronomy 6:4–9, teaching children about God is a way of life.
Moses first says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” He then commands God’s people to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. Only after this does he say, “You shall teach them diligently to your children.”
This order is important. Before we can effectively teach our children to love God, God’s Word must first be written on our own hearts. Children learn not only from what we tell them but from what they see in us. They notice how we pray, how we respond to difficulties, how we treat others, and whether our faith is genuinely important in our daily lives.
Deuteronomy says that God’s Word should be discussed “when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” In other words, every part of family life can become an opportunity for Christian education.
- “When you sit in your house…”— means openly and consistently using, reading, discussing scripture among those you live with.
- “When you walk by the way…”— means when you are out in public, at work, at school, in the supermarket, and any other public circumstance where your path and the path of others, strangers and familiars, inevitably cross.
- “When you lie down…” — means that you end the day in prayer. You read scripture or recall it from memory and use it to guide and fill your prayers—your day’s-end talk to God.
- “When you rise…” — means when God opens your eyes in the morning and you begin a new day. God’s word gives your day meaning, direction, and purpose. It cements again your relationship to God as His child over whom He watches, guides, protects, admonishes, and encourages.
An interesting illustration comes from the Jewish practice of wearing phylacteries, or tefillin—small leather boxes containing a small bit of paper with a commandment or other scripture written on it. Based on passages such as Deuteronomy 6:8, observant Jews traditionally have worn such phylacteries on the arm and forehead. The practice serves as a physical reminder to keep God’s commandments close—to let God’s Word guide one’s thoughts and actions. Imagine a little leather box strapped to your head, centered right between the eyes. You see nothing without first focusing past and beyond that little box of Scripture. And the little box on your arm— Whatever you stretch forth your hand to do you see first the word of God. For Christians, the deeper lesson is that God’s Word should not merely be something we carry or wear between our eyes or strapped on a wrist. It should live within us and shape how we live. And that is precisely what we want our children to learn. The Jews wore their phylacteries with the old covenant law inside. In the new covenant of Christ, we still have and abide by the law, but it is the Gospel of Christ, the message of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ that shapes our minds, hearts, and souls.
The church has an important part in this calling. Parents, grandparents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, and the entire congregation can help nurture the faith of our children. Every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love and point them toward God’s truth. Our goal is not simply to raise children who know about God, but children who know God, love Him, trust Him, and desire to follow Him.
May our homes and our church become places where God’s Word is treasured, lived out, and faithfully passed from one generation to the next.
“These words…shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.” Deuteronomy 6
Worship Times
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Monday evenings at 6:30 pm
Junior Catechism Class
Catechism class will begin on Wednesday, September 16th at 4:15 pm. Parents are invited to attend the first class which serves as an orientation. Follow the link to learn more.
Council Update
Inreach
- Sunday School Preparation for the upcoming year is underway
- Reviewing faculty assignments and curriculum planning and we may consolidate classrooms due to lower utilization of Sunday School
- Hoping to have online access for materials more available for staff to assist with coverage
- The InReach Board is very proud of Libby Paulsen for her involvement with a SCLA missionary trip to Vietnam
- During our after-church fellowship hour, Libby shared her experiences and it deeply resonated with everyone. Her stories of service and faith were a beautiful reminder of how our church community can impact lives near and far.
- The In Reach Board would like to express gratitude to Laura Mears, our Vacation Bible School Director, and the incredible team of volunteers who made this year’s program a huge success.
- Thanks to your dedication, enthusiasm, and love for the kids, we reached a record enrollment this year! It’s clear that your hard work touched countless young hearts, and we are so thankful for the joy and faith you nurtured.
Spiritual Oversight
- Communion Schedule
- 8/2 – Tim L
- 8/3 – Steve C
- 8/16 – Joshua M
- 8/17 – Steve C
- 8/30 – Tim L
- Fall Worship Schedule
- Starting September 13th.
- YOY Attendance Avg Variance
- 2026 Apr-June: Sat/Mon = 11 / Sun = 86 (97 weekly total)
- 2025 Apr-June: Sat/Mon = 17 / Sun = 84 (101 weekly total)
School Board
- Teacher’s aide assignment(s) is in the works
- Student slots are filling up nicely, enrollment is above recent years in most classrooms and extended day
- Add props to the VBS team for recognition
- Katie’s installation will be August 30. A potluck lunch will follow the service.
Outreach
Properties
- Parking lot resurfacing took take place the last week of August (after end of summer program and beginning of school)
- TLC working on carpet options for Narthex. Majority/all of funding to come from TLC, but council will provide approval.
- Leaking roof is still an issue and may want to be addressed before carpeting is installed.
Treasurer
- Phil will report next month.
Chairman
- Kurt Arehart invited to trial run a council meeting as he’s considering the Properties chair position for the remainder of Jesse’s term.
- Quarterly meeting of the Security Team was in July.
- Hallway gate update
- Custom gate bid came in ~$3200
- Alex will price out a double-door to compare.
- Alex will send Jodi links to purchase security door jams and window curtains
- Hallway gate update
- Need to schedule installation of Jesse (& hopefully Kurt!)
TLC/Office
- TLC:
- Plans are being made to replace the carpet in the narthex.
- Our regular schedule will return in September.
- Office:
- We have been supporting the summer program where needed.
- We are helping the teachers get ready for the new school year.
School & Church Security
The security of our building and grounds is very important. Here are a few points that need your attention:
1) Council has appointed Alex Hanson as Security Consultant: Alex has great expertise in this area and is leading us through a security assessment and in developing a security plan for both the church and the school. We’ve already identified a few items that we can take immediate action on.
Heritage Choir
Heritage Choir will meet on Wednesdays starting September 9th, from 6:30 to 7:30. Please come and sing with us!
Adult Bible Study Opportunities
Women’s Bible Study.
Men’s Bible Study
Men’s Bible study will resume at 9:00 am on Thursday, September 10th with a study of the 1st Epistle of John.
Now Hiring – Teachers’ Aide Position
Heritage Lutheran School is hiring for a part-time teachers’ aide position. This position could be shared by 2 or more people. Click the link below to see the job description. Hours would be 11:15 am – 4:30 or 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. Please reach out to the Heritage office if interested – office@heritagelutheran.org or 952-431-6225.
Are You A Thrivent Member
Are you a Thrivent Member? Did you know that Thrivent has 2 ways to benefit Heritage? First is the Choice Dollar program. This is a simple program that throughout the year you can Direct Choice Dollars to your chosen non-profit. The Second is through Thrivent Action Teams. You sign up to “lead” a group of volunteers for an educational event, fundraiser, community service or fellowship project. Thrivent will provide $250 seed money to use for expenses incurred. Fiesta Night, Synod Youth Lock-in, Math & Science Night, VBS, Game Night, School Field Trips & Roller Skates rental are just some of the ways Heritage has already benefitted throughout the years. For more information you can log on to your account, both programs are under the Generosity tab across the top.
Volunteer Opportunities Around the Church
Members Helping Members
TLC – The Ladies’ Connection
The September TLC meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th at 9:30 a.m.
Bethany Auxiliary Day
We look forward to hosting the Bethany National Auxiliary Day each year and are grateful for the support we receive from our ELS congregations. You are invited to attend Auxiliary Day this year!
Bethany National Auxiliary Day will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, beginning at 9 a.m. with registration. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about academic programs & activities, hear from Bethany faculty & President Pfeifer, and enjoy student performances.
The group will also attend chapel and take part in the annual business meeting where Auxiliary members vote on special projects to support benefitting our students.
We recently sent correspondence to all ELS pastors asking for help publicizing Auxiliary Day in your congregations. Attached is a preliminary event schedule and poster with this email message for promoting to potential attendees in you congregations.
If you have any questions about BLC Auxiliary Day please contact Christopher Kind at (507) 344 – 7862.
Companions in Prayer
My Prayer Story
Companions in Prayer will be doing an orientation for individuals that are interested in becoming a Companion. I asked the current Companions for descriptions of why they joined CIP and continue to participate in CIP. Here are some of their comments:
- “I became a prayer warrior and it brought me closer to God.”
- “It brings me closer to members in our church, sharing, caring and supporting one another….”
- “I believe every prayer is answered; I believe that the prayers of many are heard. As a community of believers at Heritage, I want to make these requests on behalf of those individuals. It is something I can do,”
- Another Companion noted several Bible passages where God directs us to come to Him in prayer – Psalm 50:15, Psalm 124:8 Psalm 55:22. Adding “Thanks and praise be to God for answering our prayers according to His good and gracious will.”
- It is “a way for me to become aware of the needs of my cherished fellow members and their families and friends. It allows me to include them in my prayers but also helps me think about how I can show them my concern by actions to support their needs.”
As you can see, intercessory prayers can be a blessing not only to the person for whom the prayer is said, but also for those who are praying for others. You can sign up to participate in the orientation on the bulletin board or via the Google Form that was sent out via email. If you have questions, please contact Alice or the office.
“Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire” (ELH #387 vs. 1,4,6)
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, The Christian’s native air;
His watchword at the gates of death: He enters heaven with prayer.
O Thou, by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod; Lord, teach us how to pray.
Congregation Prayer Suggestions:
Intercessory prayer – prayers on the behalf of others – is a part of a Christian’s life. If you have a request for Companions in Prayer at Heritage to pray for you or someone you know, please contact Alice Schmidt, Pastor Anderson or the Office.
Each of you have a list of those you pray for, but consider adding these to it.
- Pray for the shut ins of our congregation that they know God’s love and care for each of them.
- Throughout the world natural disasters and wars are raging. Pray for those directly and indirectly impacted by these events.
Serving in September
Click the link –> Greeter Calendar
Greeter Guidelines
To provide a consistent, friendly, and sincere greeting every Sunday to all members and visitors to Heritage Lutheran Church, guidelines have been developed to help accomplish that goal. Following are some of those guidelines:
- Please mark your calendar for the date you are assigned. The date assigned will be published in the Heritage Newsletter for a two-month period.
- Please be ready to greet no less than 20 minutes before each service for which you have been assigned.
- As you greet visitors, please encourage them to sign our guest book. If there are two people greeting, one of you could escort them to the guest book while the other continues to greet. Ideally you should try to introduce them to another member standing nearby. Sometimes this is difficult to do as the service is starting. In that case, try to chat with them after the service and introduce them to other members after the service.
- Stay at the door until the service is underway; visitors quite often show up late and really need extra help in getting bulletins and a place to sit. Feel free to involve the ushers as needed.
- If you have a chance, get their contact information from the guest book or by asking them for it, and then follow up with a thank you text, email, or note sent to them thanking them for visiting our church. If you inform the church office, they could help with this task.
- If you are unable to greet at both services, please ask someone to fill in for you. If you find out at the last minute, text the following who are willing to help – Remus 651-800-5827, Braun 612-237-1064, Fahning 952-200-2870, Eisenbeis 651-230-4423, Barb Oachs 952-465-5272
- If you have a conflict with the date you were assigned, please contact someone from your month or the next month and trade with them. This helps those doing the scheduling with juggling all the rescheduling. Thank You!
September Ushers, Acolytes & Communion Helpers
Click the link –> Usher Acolyte Calendar
September Recording
9/6 – Stan Miller
9/13 – Alex Hanson
9/20 – Jason Eisenbeis
9/27 – Libby Paulsen
September Altar Guild
Magdalena Mears/Hannah Anderson
September Fellowship
9/6 – Office
9/13 – Barb/Gerrie/Ellen
9/20 – Open
9/27 – Open
September Birthdays
1 Julie Wright
3 Stan Miller
5 Heidi Paulsen
7 David Wright
8 Robert Smith
9 David Ponath
9 Cecilia Holz
13 Bill Weitzel
16 Susan Merseth
18 Jennifer Rusert
18 Gina Kammer
18 Yuliya Meany
20 Toni Balliet
20 Michael Frimanslund
21 Jake Gray
22 Magdalena Mears
25 Raymond Holz
26 Craig Remus
26 Coriann Anderson