A Call for Help ... by Pastor Mary Pechauer
ON THE COVER : HOLY WEEK & EASTER
Restore us , O God ; make your face shine on us , that we may be saved . - Psalm 80
It was February 2003 . I was on leave from call , attending a Minneapolis Area Synod event . Before the event started a voice from the front of the room shouted out : “ Mary Pechauer … come talk to me before you leave ”. It was Rev . Christopher Nelson . I ’ d never met him but that quick little “ shout out ” had my full attention for the entire meeting . Afterword , I found my way to Pastor Chris . He got right to the point : Bethlehem would be calling a new pastor . Was I open to call ? I thanked him for asking but no , not open to call . Are you open to an interim position ? I thanked him for asking but my answer was again , no . Are you open to helping us out ? I didn ’ t hesitate : " Sure , I can help out ." I started helping a few weeks later and before year ’ s end accepted the call to serve as your associate pastor .
Fast forward to summer 2013 when again , I was on leave from call . I received a phone call from Pastor Bob Rusert at Minnetonka Lutheran . “ Any chance you could help with some preaching in a few months ?” My answer : " Sure , I can help ."
Four years later and all of us are in a place none of us could have expected . I ’ m grateful your pastors and leaders have invited me to return for a time to help where needed .
It ’ s a story line that ’ s familiar : every one of us is in need of help . It ’ s the cry of all humanity and thank God , God has answered definitively in the life , death and resurrection of Jesus Christ . We ’ re not left to ourselves to figure things out . God blesses us with community for support and encouragement ; God blesses us with his presence which offers peace in the present moment and hope for the future .
It ' s the cry of all humanity and God has answered definitively in the life , death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ .
As we enter into the story of Jesus ’ last days and the new reality established in Christ may you be assured that God hears your prayers for help ; the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is for you !
April 9 — Palm Sunday Worship 8 , 9:15 , 10:30 am & 7 pm ( MPLS ) 9:30 am ( MTKA )
April 13 — Maundy Thursday Service of Holy Communion Noon & 7 pm ( MPLS ) 7 pm ( MTKA )
April 14 — Good Friday Worship Noon & 7pm ( MPLS ) 7 pm ( MTKA ) 9:30-11 am Families Together in Faith event ( ages 2-K ) ( MPLS )
April 16 — EASTER Festival Worship with Holy Communion , Choirs and Brass 6 , 7:30 , 9 , 10:30 & Noon ( MPLS ) 9:30 & 10:45 am ( MTKA ) 7pm Easter Evening Service of Holy
Communion ( MPLS )
Two Meetings to Provide Campus Facilities Updates
April 2 , 11:30 am ( MPLS ) - April 9 , 10:30 am ( MTKA )
In October of last year , the congregation voted to authorize a line of credit of up to 6.5 million dollars to provide resources to do important work on both campuses . Over the course of the past few months the leadership of the congregation has been at work determining the scope and timelines for the work . We want to take this opportunity to update both communities on what we ’ ve discovered . Please join us for a meeting April 2 at 11:30 am in Minneapolis and April 9 at 10:30 am in Minnetonka .
Both campuses closed on Easter Monday , April 17
cover art by John Young
Next CONNECT deadline : April 10 , 2017 pdunn @ bethlehem-church . org
CONNECT newsletter online bethlehem-church . org
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