7o Years of Faithfulness- How We Remember

Reformation Sunday - Oct. 29, 23

Jeremiah 31: 31-34; John 8: 31-36; Psalm 46

BRCC - Pastor Deb

I love these words of our Lord spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: The days are surely coming says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with (my people)...I will make this covenant…I will put the law within them; I will write it on their hearts, and I will be there God and they will be my people”

Today is a special moment in the life of this church where God’s people, once called Zion, and today called Baptism River Community Church, celebrate what God has established here in a span of days covering 70 years. Much of our recorded history as a church was lost in a fire in 2013, but piecing together the remnants of memorabilia provided by long time members, I’d like to walk us through what is known about OUR journey as God’s people here in Finland, Minnesota.

The settlement of pioneers that established this area as a community dates back to 1895 when Finnish immigrants discovered the Baptism River Valley, surrounded by rugged hills and cliff reminiscent of their homeland, as well as great quantities of White Pine, balsam and spruce prime for logging. Where I live, just 10 miles from here, we can see the Kennedy Creek Landing where the ship, The America, would bring immigrants and needed supplies to this area. In those early years, logging camps were established, roads were built, a coop was organized with groceries arriving each week from Duluth by Greyhound bus, and schools were set up for the children. By 1935, there were 179 Finnish families living on about 500 acres of cleared land, and farms began to take shape. Over the next decades, the primary means of a livelihood in Finland was timber, taconite…which brought a mining company to Silver Bay, an air force base established high above Finland for national security which brought service families to Finland, and a growing tourism business with more and more visitors discovering the natural beauty of Lake Superior and the North Shore. (There are rich memories to be savored in this lovely centennial book entitled: “How We Remember)

By 1950, there was a movement started by The American Sunday School Union, based out of a church in Two Harbors, that sent Pastor Archie Lovaas to offer services at the Finland school. Three local families worked to establish a three point parish with Beaver Bay and Castle Danger, and by 1953, enough families joined and pledged to support a pastor of their own. Pastor Teber O. Hill was called and on December 13, 1953, with 15 voting members present, a constitution was established and Zion Lutheran Church was born. From that point on, there was great enthusiasm and a growing desire for a REAL church building. This took a huge leap of faith as there was very little money to accomplish this dream. Yet, they persevered and this site was purchased by 1956. Ground was broken that next June, materials and labor were donated by families and friends with lots of fundraisers. There were also lots of challenges. Changes and delays. The original building was dedicated in 1961 at a total cost of $31,000…out of which only $500.00 was paid for labor. That was followed by a parsonage which was completed by 1959. Finally, an education addition and sanctuary space which started in 1969 and dedicated in the early 70’s..

During these years, children and youth programs were thriving and Zion was THE gathering place for nearly every community event. The fall Harvest Booya and Finn Fest, John Beargrease races, and many a Finnish dance event with locals sharing their talents. Christmas gifts for needy families; yearly garage sales; Bazaars; quilting group, Prayer chains, Sunday school, Confirmation classes, VBS and a food shelf as well as support to many area ministries kept the women of the church REALLY busy and families connected, The 70’s, 80’s and 90’s brought an era where God’s covenant of grace and love was written on their hearts, and the people of Zion thrived with many wonderful pastoral shepherds guiding them as God’s people.

But, like most churches and families of faith, there come times of change and even loss. That is when God is our refuge and strength. As they turned into the 20th century things started to shift. Employment opportunities changed as the airbase closed and the Taconite plant in Silver Bay went through several ups and downs. As the economy was becoming volatile in 2008 and 2009, so were larger church wide issues emerging that brought distress and misunderstandings. The former church structures congregations had known as the ALC (American Lutheran Church) and (Lutheran Church in America) LCA were now merged into a larger body called the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.) The wider church began to speak to cultural shifts seeking to clarify our call as a reforming church committed to the grace and love we know in Christ. The reformation, which we also celebrate today, is not just a reforming movement of the past, but an unfolding response to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we faithfully seek to live our faith in relationship with our living Lord. But reform and change is hard stuff! ELCA Policies that called for more inclusion and accepting love for those marginalized in our society, especially those who identify as homosexual, brought fear and concern…and in MANY congregations, led to a vote as to whether they would stay with the ELCA, or leave for an alternative Lutheran identity. For smaller, more rural places like we have here on the Shore, those votes also lead to confrontation, disunity and a split that broke them apart. Here in Finland, there was a resounding vote to stay with the ELCA…and later a vote to become identified as reconciling in Christ and thus welcoming to all. But unfortunately, several families left Zion over this issue.

As the psalmist writes…”Nations rage, and kingdoms shake…but God speaks and the earth melts away.” In our case…it burned away…in an all consuming fire on July 6, 2013 when lightning struck this church. The stories told of calling in five area firehouses, and the long desperate hours to try and save this church by those who so dearly loved it, are heartbreaking. (You can listen to Jim Sinderman share his memories on our website.) It was a hard time, and in many ways, a death that has been hard to release for long term members of this church and community. And yet…out of the ashed, God calls forth his people to LIVE again! And so, a remnant of faithful patriarchs and matriarchs of this congregation chose to MOVE FORWARD and REBUILD. They did not want Finland, Minnesota to be without their church!

You are looking at the beautiful outcome of their faithfulness and courage. After three years of worshiping together at the community center, the newly named Baptism River Community Church held its first service in this space during Christmas of 2016. Under a decade of nurture and care by Pastor Tom Murray, who not only shepherded us through this loss and rebuild, but also kept us connected with online worship and daily devotions during the pandemic of 2020-2022, this congregation has held on to the covenant of being called as God’s people that was written on their hearts 70 years ago. Although our records are lost, our worship attendance has fluctuated and our time together for several years has been only once a week… there is, my friends, a COVENANT of hope and promise that has NEVER been destroyed.

Slowly…but surely…this SMALL but MIGHTY congregation of faithful, covenanted people of God…has held on and trusts the Holy Spirit to lead us to green pastures and refreshing waters. We have been walking through a valley of stillness…

“Be still then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted…” and we KNOW that the Lord of Hosts is with us! Our God IS our stronghold….Knowing that there is a plan for our future as followers of Jesus Christ.

John’s gospel says it so well on this reformation Sunday…and on our 70th celebration… “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; you will know the truth and the truth will make you free!” That is what we HAVE been doing, and what we will KEEP on doing, my friends, for it is our relationship with Jesus that promises to make us new….over and over again.

Today…we will also be blessed to meet and greet a new pastoral leader that our call committee is presenting to us to call as our Pastoral Shepherd into the new days before us. This is a time of AMAZING GRACE. A time when we respond with hope and joy to the truth that has been written on our hearts. For the days are surely coming, says our Lord God…when I will do a new thing…I will write it on your hearts. I will be your God and you shall be my people.

Alleluia, Amen.