Heritage Herald – May 2025 Edition
From Pastor’s Desk
Lent-Easter Reflection
Lent has long been a revered, solemn, penitential, and meditative season at Heritage. For many years we have conducted special mid-week evening worship services during Lent. While it is a serious and solemn season, it is also treasured for the fellowship building experienced by the participants. Traditionally the TLC women’s group has organized suppers preceding the midweek services. These suppers have been well attended and enjoyed by the membership. The food is always tasty, but more than that the opportunity to break bread, converse, and fellowship with other members is satisfying and gratifying. I want to thank the TLC women who organize the Lenten fellowship time, together with all the other Heritage committees and Boards who serve the supper week by week.
I also remember Lent for the worship opportunities afforded the congregation. Much planning goes into the midweek services, including establishing a season-long theme, orders of worship, hymns, and special music. Throughout Lent-Easter, more so than any other time of the year, the office is abuzz with service preparations. Ushers, acolytes, organists, pianists, other musicians must all be scheduled. The sounds of computer keyboards clicking and copy machines churning out worship programs for three or more weekly services become the constant background office sound. Our talented administrative assistants craft worship bulletin cover art and edit and revise program texts. The Passion History of our Lord Christ is carefully scheduled so that the entire history is read to completion by Lent’s end. Many thanks to the office staff. I would be swamped and buried with production projects without them.
The Altar Guild is a critical, but mostly unnoticed, force behind the scenes. Additional Lenten/Easter Communion services crowd the calendar. For each Communion the altar ware must be cleaned, polished, and reset for service to the people. Vestments (altar linens, banners, pulpit, and lectern vestments) must be changed according to the day and season. Palm Sunday and Easter flowers must be preplanned, ordered, and received on site. Then the beautiful- and expensive- potted flowers must be daily attended and watered through the season. Heartfelt thanks to the Altar Guild- especially to chairwoman Shirley Schwanz, for the faithful and beautiful work, for the extra hours of service, for the countless trips to Heritage, to make all of this possible. Our Chancel was once again beautiful and joy inspiring at Easter time.
Last, but in no way least, is the contribution of our musicians and choir. Throughout the season we have marveled at the beautiful accompaniment of our organists and pianists. So also our hearts have been touched, probed, and lifted by the beautiful choir presentations. Special thanks to choir leaders Klaudia Calhoun and Julie Wright. High praise to our organists/keyboardists, Nathan Nikoley, Sarah Smith, Klaudia Calhoun, Julie Wright, and Jane Greene. Special thanks to Nathan Nikoley and the brass choir organized for Easter morning and Easter morning 2.
Finally, thanks to our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose eternal Gospel remains our prime and and brightest Easter decoration and adornment. The Passion history never grows old. The Lenten Scripture lessons never boring. In the cross of Christ we glory. For yet another year we have beheld the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Yet another year we have taken to heart the divine admonition, that through the trials and tribulations of this vale of tears, our eyes are ever fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. To Him be all honor, praise, thanksgiving, and glory forever.
-Pastor K.J. Anderson
FY25 Financial Summary
Council Update
DIRECTOR REPORTS:
Inreach
- Plans for Easter breakfast are progressing.
Spiritual Oversight
- Looking for 2 individuals to join the Board of Elders
- Finalizing our budget
School Board
- Next year’s enrollment has been shared and is a little less than expected.
- There is still time for enrollment to increase.
Outreach
- Working on full schedule and bringing back the picnic for summer of 2025.
- 2 food truck events are being planned.
- Everyone Outreach is being pursued.
- Congregation participation is encouraged for open gym
Properties
- The flat roof is scheduled to be repaired from April 28-May2.
Treasurer
- Property related matters have made a change in Operating Revenue Variance and Unrestricted Funds. Phil will meet with Jesse to identify/approve costs and transfer of designated funds where applicable.
- Phil proposes to fund roof repair (approx. $15,000) and prior furnace repairs ($1,158.51 + $2,958.22) from the Building Project Fund.
○ Motion by Phil; Seconded by Steve; Approved by all
- FY26 Budgeting has begun
Chairman
- Working through employee handbook with Jodi
- Dave will write up a memorial designation form in order for the donator(s) to make selections.
TLC/Office
- Our 4 shut-ins were remembered with flowering plants and Easter cards
- Food Bank donations will be given to the food shelf on April 10
2025 High School Graduates
Martin Paulsen is graduating from St. Croix Lutheran Academy. While at St. Croix, Martin has been involved in bowling, baseball, band, intramural basketball, and Croixaliers. He also was a member of the cast of St Croix’s production of the Music Man. Next fall, Martin will be attending Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato where he will be majoring in religion. Members of Heritage, you are invited to Martin Paulsen’s graduation open house at the Paulsen Home from 5-9pm on Saturday, May 24. Come and help us celebrate! Our address is 9145 Dalton Ct., Inver Grove Heights. The party will be in our backyard.
Nathan Nikoley is graduating from St. Croix Lutheran Academy on May 24th. During his time at St. Croix, Nathan has been involved in concert band and jazz band, National Honor Society, Mission Trips, choir, speech team, wrestling, and the Mentor/Mentee program for new international students. Nathan will attend Bethany Lutheran College this fall where he plans to major in music. Nathan invites members of the congregation to an open house on Sunday, May 25th from 12-4 pm here at church.
Adult Bible Study Opportunities
Women’s Bible Study.
Men’s Bible Study
The Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Class meets at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall.
Heritage Choir
Choir rehearsal is on Wednesdays starting at 7 pm. New members are always welcome! Please contact Julie Wright or Klaudia Calhoun with any questions. No choir practice on May 7th.
Every Member Sunday
We will celebrate Every Member Sunday on May 18th at our 9:00 a.m. service. During the service, we will welcome new members and after the service we will enjoy fellowship and refreshements in the gym.
Member Directory
Here is the Heritage Picture Directory 2025. If you would like to update your family photo, please see Katie Henricks in the Narthex either before or after the service during the next several Sundays. If you have a family photo that you would like us to use, please submit it to Katie Henricks at katie.henricks@heritagelutheran.org.
Volunteer Opportunities Around the Church
- Adopt a Garden signup – please see the volunteer board if you would like to sign up to help maintain one of the garden areas here at Heritage.
- Spring Clean Up – There is a sign up sheet on the volunteer board for spring clean up projects needed around church.
- Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help clean the narthex and gym through the month of May.
Members Helping Members
VBS – Save the Date
Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of July 7-10. The theme this year is “Epic Australian Adventure.” Many volunteers will be needed – please watch for more information soon!
TLC – The Ladies’ Connection
The Ladies’ Connection will meet on Saturday, June 14th at 10:00 a.m for brunch at Jane Fahning’s home. Stay tuned for more information. All women of the congregation are invited!
Companions in Prayer
My Prayer Story
I looked at my calendar (yes, I still use a paper version) to see what the month of May has in store. Of course I know that the April showers bring May flowers so it will be time to do some planting. The hostess at my bridge group gave each of us a pansy to celebrate spring. It is sitting on my table and makes me smile every time I go past it. Now I have to get it some companions! Of course it is the fishing opener. I haven’t been fishing for a few years now but remember the quiet and beauty of sitting on the lake even if we didn’t catch anything. Mother’s Day is this month. How important it is that we honor and thank the mothers in our lives. Jesus made sure His mother was cared for, even from the cross when he said “And then He said to His disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:27). The month ends with Memorial Day where we give honor to those who gave all for our country to ensure that we are able to maintain our rights, especially the freedom to worship. We remember the saying “All gave some, but some gave all.” We give thanks to those who have served and those currently serving. What is the point of all of my rambling? It is that we give thanks for the beauty of the world around us as Spring blossoms, that we give thanks for our Mothers who loved and cared for us, and that we give thanks for the great blessings we have as citizens of this country.
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: As natural disasters continue to devastate areas of our country, pray for those who are suffering loss of property, loss of life and face a lengthy period of recovery.
Serving in May
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!
May Ushers & Acolytes
Click the link –> Usher Acolyte Calendar
May Recording
5/4 – Stan Miller
5/11- Martin Paulsen
5/18 – Libby Paulsen
5/25 – Stan Miller
May Altar Guild
Sondra Frimanslund/Shirley Schwanz
May Fellowship
5/4 – Siewert
5/11 – Merseth
5/18 – Every Member Sunday
5/25 – Open
May Birthdays
1 Mary Baldassano
4 Todd Salava
4 Livia Volkmann
5 Connie Raak
6 Kelsey Leary
7 Libby Paulsen
10 Soren Ronay
15 Wade Smith
19 Elijah Cook
24 Julia Salava
24 Naomi Barrott
25 Pastor Anderson
25 Owen Smith