‘The little white church’

As light rain fell, tears flowed freely among a large crowd of parishioners and guests gathering for the final time at New Richland’s First Congregational Church on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

 

The final service of the 142-year-old institution was in no way rushed.

 

The longest-serving pastor in the church’s history, Pastor Pamela Jensen smiled warmly and greeted the congregation as she has every Sunday since she was first hired in 2004 as an interim pastor. 

 

Announcements followed.

 

Church leaders Shelly Moxon, Kris and Loren Schlaak, and Ann Hagen took turns speaking and handing out gifts. Messages from the congregation were shared.

 

Letters inscribed to various members were read aloud:

 

“Shelly Moxon,

 

You have been a wonderful advocate for our church and active in so many, if not mostly all areas. Thank you for your dedicated and unwavering service where we could always count on you to the end. You're family, and will always be ‘church family.’ We love you and we thank you, sister in Christ. God’s peace and blessing on the journey ahead.”

 

“Ann Hagen,

 

Thank you for being financial secretary for 30-plus years and active in many other areas of the church. Thank you. You were always there when we needed financial advice or questions. Thank you for serving so well. You are family and like my sister - a very faithful sister in Christ. With arms wide open, we thank you and love you.”

 

“Loren Schlaak, (from his wife, Kris). As I write this about you, my husband, myself and our church are so very grateful to have you serve the way you do. You are a disciple.

 

The church is very blessed to have you as their brother in Christ and I am blessed to have you as my husband, serving God alongside you. Thank you so very much for all you have done for the church and church family. This list is endless! We thank you and love you. God’s blessing and peace.”

 

Marilyn Smith was thanked for her “many years as secretary.”

 

“Bruce Meyer,

 

When former church moderator Tom Smith decided he needed to resign the position due to health conditions, he wanted you to be next. He trusted you would lead with a kind, caring and respectful heart. Which you have.

 

Tom Smith and Lorraine Meyer worked (served) so closely while Tom was moderator and her the deaconess chair that when you became chair, she absolutely thought you were amazing. We thank you so very much for all the things you did behind the scenes. Often we would ask each other, ‘Did you do it?’ The answer was, ‘No, it must have been Bruce.’ From all of us, we thank you. We love you and God’s peace blessing for ever and ever.”

 

Following the presentations, parishioners joined in their final ‘call to worship.’

 

“God, gracefully known in the hard places of our earthly life’s journey, and who laughs and celebrates joyfully with us here, will remain with us,” Pastor Pamela reminded everyone.

 

Organist Judy Wyrum and Flutist Kristin Malmberg accompanied the day's hymns, which included, in order, “Holy! Holy! Holy!”; “Rock of Ages”; “Blessed Be the Tie that Binds”; and “Here I Am, Lord.” The closing hymn was “The Church’s One Foundation.”

 

Since the death of longtime organist Barb Crumb, Wyrum has taken on the task for the past two years, splitting time between Cross of Glory in Hartland and the First Congregational. Though the shared position was meant to be temporary, Wyrum stayed through the end, filling the halls of the church with music.

 

Ron Weyrhauch and Dale Young served as deacons for the final time Sunday, a role they’ve filled nearly every Sunday for more than two decades.

 

Lyle Jensen, Pastor Pamela’s husband, performed special music with his guitar at intervals throughout the service. His musical appearances over the years, notably at Christmas Eve services, will not be forgotten.

 

No joys and concerns, “outside the obvious” were shared prior to the pastoral prayer, Lord’s Prayer and Scripture readings, which were: Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, and John 3:1-17.

Pastor Pamela’s sermon was memorable. It can be found in its entirety in this week’s edition of the Star Eagle.

 

“The trouble is it’s pretty hard to talk while you’re crying,” Pastor Pamela said in the weeks prior, regarding preparation for her message on that final day.

 

The sermon covered many topics, but centered around family. Pastor Pamela mentioned she did not grow up as a “small town girl.” When she arrived at New Richland’s First Congregational church twenty years ago, she expected to lead services only for a limited time, since she was brought in to serve only as an interim leader. Little did she know what fate and God had in store for her–a style of church and family worship she didn’t know existed.

 

She recounted a time early in her tenure when parishioners Earl and Kathryn Parriott “pulled me aside and told me they were going to miss next Sunday's service,” she said. “They were going to the Cities to visit their children and grandchildren… Growing up in suburban Chicago, with 2,000 people in the congregation, it was far too easy to remain anonymous. I could walk out of worship, join the coffee hour fellowship, and not be greeted by a single person. I was so touched that they wanted me to know why we were going to miss them the following week. That was the first time I understood what it meant to be part of a family church like First Congregational Church.”

 

Following the sermon, communion was shared.

 

In closing, Pastor Pamela delivered the closing blessing, as she has for more than two decades.

 

‘“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.” - Numbers 6:24-26.

 

As Deacons Dale and Ron ushered folks from their pews for the final times, parishioners were invited to a space known as the ‘family’ room for cookies, cake, coffee and good conversation. Following the delicious treats, church members met together at the Willows to enjoy lunch and further good company.

 

Pastor Pamela expressed gratitude for her time and ministry, not only to the First Congregational Church, but also to the parishioners at the New Richland Care Center, where Jensen performed service one Sunday each month.

 

As member Kris Schlaak concluded, “We hung on a long time.

 

“This will always be known as the little white church.”