Heritage Lutheran Church - February 27, 2011

Pastor Anderson's summary of the service held on February 27, 2011:


We had a pretty decent attendance for a cold 
winter day- 52 in early service and 75 in the later service. The order
of service was Rite 4 from the Hymnary, the Chorale Service. Hymns
included "Lord Jesus Christ Be Present Now,"Jesus Thy Boundless Love To
Me," "God's Own Child I Gladly Say It," and "In The Cross Of Christ I
Glory." Maybe it was just my imagination, but the congregation seemed to
sing out with more heart this morning. I think they were all glad to be
"home."

The sermon was on Matthew 6:31-34 - "So do not worry, saying, ‘What
shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For
the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own."

This was an especially appropriate text for the congregation (and
preacher) at this time. How easy it is to worry about what will come.
But tomorrow belongs to God. We don't even know if we will have a
tomorrow (James 4:14). So we must leave tomorrow to God, trusting that
He will grant us the grace we need for whatever tomorrow may bring. We
cannot doubt God's good and gracious will toward us: "What, then, shall
we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against
us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how
will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
(Romans 8:31,32) Yes, we must trust tomorrow to God. Today's problems
need our full attention. What can we do to help our neighbor today? How
can we be faithful stewards and serve God today?

Heritage Lutheran Church - Apple Valley - February 28, 2011

 A cyclone fence protects the site from intruders.

 The community has been very supportive of the congregation in this time of unsettled uncertainty.

President Chan Smith advises the congregation of ongoing details of the building collapse situation.

Pastor Anderson provided this account in a February 27, 2011 e-mail:
"For the first time since the Feb 4 collapse, the congregation was given 
permission to use the sanctuary for Sunday worship. The sanctuary still
looks pretty rough. The carpet on the center aisle and chancel platform
had been removed and were still bare. The altar, lectern, and pulpit
stood stark and bare, the paraments having been taken away for cleaning
and pressing. The various potted plants from the entry way were
relocated to the sanctuary to keep them out of harms' way.

The church organ is still off-site for repair. For musical accompaniment
we had only the small electric keyboard from the kindergarten room.
Although we had permission to use the sanctuary, the new main entry way
is still off limits, so no one was permitted beyond the doorway of the
sanctuary to the entry hall. Entrance and exit were through the doors on
the altar end of the building.

Still we were happy to be back in our sanctuary. It represented a move
in the right direction. We had a pretty decent attendance for a cold
winter day- 52 in early service and 75 in the later service.


We expect that demolition will begin tomorrow, staring with the east
wall, and then removal of lumber and materials from the interior.
Congregation chairman Chan Smith will continue working with the City,
engineers, and contractors toward gaining occupancy of the other
portions of the facility. 

Graupner encore, 'Magnificat'

And, now music of Graupner

Pisendel Violin Concerto

How about some Tartini?

Locatelli on a Friday

More snow in Minnesota

Approval was given to Heritage Lutheran by the city of Apple Valley for services to be held at the facility. The gym building is ruined and the sanctuary is still closed. The service was to be held in the large classroom, the original sanctuary.

TBH and I were unable to attend because of the newest snowstorm. I read from my iPad lectionary.

Dario Castello

Giovanni Fontana

Heinrich Schutz -'In lectulo per noctes'

Heinrich Schutz - 'Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit'

For those of you who are aware that my church, Heritage Lutheran, has suffered severe winter damage, the good news is that we might be able to worship on Sunday in our own building.

Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit

Bach on A Tuesday

Sunday services at 1 PM

Pastor announces that this Sunday's service will be at 1 PM at a site near Heritage. Many churches have offered the use of their buildings for us and that is gratifying. Work proceeds. I would think that we might be able to use the sanctuary some time soon.

Church Mutual has coughed up seventy-five grand to keep the operation going.

Thank the Lord for all his benefits and for the prompt receipt of insurance settlement cash.

Outdoors at Heritage Lutheran Church, Apple Valley MN

Sunday services were held in the parking lot at 10 AM.  Pastor Anderson is to be greatly commended for his pastoral leadership during this time.  He is an excellent pastor.

A copy of Pastor's sermon is available.   Send your e-mail to:  Normanteigen@gmail.com

Sunday After Roof Collapse

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Sunday Services will be held at 10:00 AM in the church parking lot. Heritage Lutheran Church, located in Apple Valley MN, suffered a roof collapse on Friday morning, February 4th. This occurrence has been widely reported in the local media.

Good News re Church Roof Collapse

Pastor Anderson reports:

Good afternoon friends and members of Heritage:

I thought I better provide some kind of update. I realize we have been 
splashed all over the news, and not all of it is accurate or helpful.

The damage to the facility appears to be isolated to the 
gym/multi-purpose room. The roof collapsed and blew out the northern 
wall. The southern wall is intact. The rest of the building, including 
entry way, new kitchen, bathrooms, school classrooms, sanctuary are all 
intact and structurally unharmed. All portions of the facility suffered 
water damage from broken pipes involved in the collapse.

As of 2:00 Friday afternoon, the electrical service has been restored, 
along with heat and gas. Clean up, by a contractor provided through 
Church Mutual Insurance, will begin work tomorrow. It is estimated that 
we can be back in the facility (minus the gym!) in about a week.

We have excellent coverage through Church Mutual Insurance. Our policy 
provides for complete replacement of the downed building, together with 
replacement of all damaged furnishings. Insurance will also cover clean 
up costs. At this time it is best that we let the professionals handle 
the clean up and repair. No member or volunteer help is needed at this 
time.

We will have to decide what to do for this Sunday, and where we might 
operate out school for the coming week.

Stay tuned for more info!

-Pastor Anderson

Winter Takes A Toll

Received this alarming e-mail in the middle of the night from Pastor Anderson.  We have been members of Heritage since last September.  Heritage Lutheran Church is in Apple Valley MN.

At about 12:45 this morning Heritage suffered a major disaster.  The
roof of the new gym collapsed, taking with it the north wall of the new
structure.  As a result of the collapse, the fire sprinkler system
engaged, flooding the gym area.  The sprinklers did not go off in the
sanctuary, classrooms, or other areas of the church.  However, water
from the gym has flooded the floors in adjacent areas, including the
sanctuary.

At this time the Apple Valley Fire chief has declared the entire
building off-limits.  No one should enter the building for any reason
without authorization.  Power, gas, and water have been cut.
Heritage school and the church office are closed for Friday and all
other activities are canceled until further notice.   At this point I do
not know what we will do for Sunday.

By the grace and mercy of God, no one was present in the building and no
one has been injured.  Please include Heritage in  your prayers this
morning.


-Pastor Anderson