“Always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.” Eph 5:20
“The situation in Iran could and probably will affect every one of us very directly. We will pay more money for gas, travel less and not do any of the things we were accustomed to.
We can easily feel anxious about all of this – even a little panicky once in a while. But – did you know the many passages in the Bible related to thanksgiving were written or taught, not in prosperous, easy times, but times of affliction, uncertainty, crisis.
Why can we give thanks in times like this? Because God is faithful. We are just as secure with Him as in any time of total peace and international tranquility. So, decide today and every day to really give thanks unto our faithful and steadfast God. The world may pass away, but His steadfast love endures forever.
Pastor Don”
To recap briefly, the 1979 Revolution in Iran overthrew the 2500-year-old monarchy and established an Islamic republic led by Ayatollah Khomeini. The Iran Hostage Crisis began November 4 of that year holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Pastor Don’s note of encouragement was printed in the November 21, 1979, Emmaus Sunday Bulletin. It is reflective of the mindset heading into the new decade. One year later, Ronald Reagan is elected as president. The following year, Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first woman on the Supreme Court. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer marry, the ceremony broadcast around the world. In 1984 Geraldine Ferraro is the first female to run for Vice President. The following year, Gorbachev becomes the leader of the USSR. In 1989 the world is shocked by the crackdown on demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China and The Berlin Wall separating East and West Germany is torn down. In the world of entertainment Compact Discs appear in record stores in 1980. We just call them CDs now. “Video killed the radio star…” MTV debuted August 1, 1981. On TV many of us are watching Cheers, The Golden Girls, and The Cosby Show. If we preferred action or drama, we watched Dallas, Miami Vice, Magnum P.I., and The A-Team. 60 Minutes still topped the list of most-watched shows in the early 80s. In 1986 the T.V. show Oprah is broadcast nationally. Some of the notable movies of the 1980s: E.T., Indiana Jones, Driving Miss Daisy, Back to the Future, Field of Dreams, Top Gun, The Breakfast Club. The Star Wars franchise releases episodes V and VI. Blockbuster Video is founded in Dallas in 1985. Less than 5% of American households owned a VCR in 1982; by 1989 it was up to more than 60%. We were recording TV shows to watch at our convenience and watching movies we wanted when we wanted. There were a few advances in medicine, technology, and events around the world that changed the way we live. 1983 sees work beginning on the Internet. Microsoft released Windows in 1985, and work begins on the World Wide Web in 1989. In 1980 Mount Saint Helens erupted, changing the landscape forever. We had front row seats as we watched the images on our televisions reminding us we cannot control natural disasters. In1981 the Space Shuttle “Columbia” launches. Five years later the Space Shuttle “Challenger” explodes shortly after lift-off. AIDS is recognized as a new disease in 1982, the same year the first artificial heart is implanted. Chernobyl becomes synonymous with the worst nuclear reactor accident in history, and Exxon draws international attention by the media with coverage of the Valdez oil spill.
Closer to home, Bloomington is showing some signs of aging as a community. Final games are held at the “Old Met Stadium” in 1981, with the structure being demolished in 1985. The Carlton Celebrity Room closes in 1987. Groundbreaking ceremony for the Mall of America is held in 1989. There is slight population growth from 81,831 in 1980 to 86,355 in 1990. Six elementary schools close in the 1970s and six more in the 1980s. Lincoln Sr. High closes in 1982. I don’t know if Red Owl was still on Portland or Country Club Mkt on Nicollet in the 80s; but I’m pretty sure I was buying my small electronics at LaBelles near Chi Chi’s restaurant, and craft items at Lee Wards was not far away in the 494 and Nicollet area. The fabric for my wedding dress was purchased at Minnesota Fabric in Southtown which became Hancock Fabrics mid-decade. (I still miss that store!)
Emmaus in 1980-1989 continued to mature as a congregation. The church is 29-39 years old; several of the founding members are still active and involved today. Much can be learned about the activities of the church by looking at the weekly and monthly calendars. There were a lot of weddings, (many of us who were married in the 80s are still attending Emmaus) lots of baptisms, “milestone” anniversaries, some deaths. There were multiple new member classes every year, new members including young marrieds, young families, young singles, older couples, older singles. Many of these are still attending. There are a LOT of members who have been at Emmaus for more than forty years! Looking back through the bulletins, the Emmaus Life Reports and the Annual Reports it is clear the heart of leadership was to strengthen and grow the knowledge and faith of believers, to encourage fellowship, discipleship, and evangelism, and to increase interest in and support of missions, both local and international. It was clear that there was deep concern for the young people, asking how to get the youth involved and keep them engaged. There was deep concern about the spiritual condition of the church itself.
The 1980s was the first decade in Emmaus’ history without a building project, but many projects in and around the building were completed. Some of the men crafted large cabinets (complete with locks on the doors) in the room behind the “new” kitchen to protect the “nice” serving dishes, utensils, and tablecloths, as well as store kitchen supplies. Closets (also with locks on the doors) were built in the “old” kitchen (which was never used as a kitchen; it is the room now called the resource room) and are still in use by various groups. Volunteers worked to improve the nursery, expanding the space and putting in plumbing for a (tiny!!) toilet, and sink for handwashing. The nursery was the first room to the right as you enter the gym/fellowship hall from the east/lower-level doors. (The location was great for parents if their activity was in the fellowship hall, such as Spice of Life; but it was not very convenient during Sunday morning services. And rather off-putting for visitors.) A cedar fence was put along the property line along the north side of the parking lot. A new piano was needed in the sanctuary (1981); approval was granted by the council for the purchase of a grand piano. The piano was dedicated in March 1982 and fully funded by April 1. The sound system needed an upgrade, and a fund was established for donations. $8,000 was raised, a sound booth was built, and the sound system was installed by tech-savvy volunteers. The sound greatly improved. Air conditioning was installed in the church offices.
Don Richman was our Senior Pastor for the entire decade. Jack Aamot was associate pastor and was hired at half time in 1979. His other half time position was dedicated to “New Ventures,” an outreach and discipleship program. He was called full time at Emmaus with a new job description in 1986 and resigned in 1987 to become director at LEM. Jim Ritter came to Emmaus in June 1988, as full-time associate pastor. While the pastoral staff was relatively consistent, there were many changes in the rest of church staff. Floyd Lien was hired as part-time Visitation Pastor, and retired after 5 years to move closer to their children. In 1986 Toni Borwege came on as an intern and was hired the following year as Visitation Counseling Assistant. The building was bigger than it was in the 60s, so there were two custodians; many recall Cliff and Del during those years. Eleanor McCaughan was church secretary for 25 years and retired in 1985. Mavis Miller was hired as administrative secretary in 1987. (There were two others between Eleanor and Mavis.)
After many years of faithful service, Leola Johnson had to cut back her role of working on music at Emmaus. The council decided to employ Scot Hintermeyer as part-time director of music. Scot and Debbie arrived at Emmaus in 1983.
Trish Anenson was hired as part-time Christian Education Director in 1984; she resigned in 1986 in obedience to God’s direction. Bruce Stumbo returned and was hired in 1987 and the position was changed to full time. Steve Papillon was hired in 1989 following Bruce’s departure.
There were several transitions in youth ministry in this decade. Mike Anenson was Youth Director in 1980 and resigned in 1982 to pursue further education. Kerry Gatz, “a son of the congregation”, came on board in January of 1983. Mark and Lauri Haines, who came to Emmaus from Tentmakers, started in 1985. Bob and Naomi Halvorson came in October 1988.
There were some things that happened every year, being so “routine”, it is almost easy to miss the fact they occurred. These activities were a LOT of work for those who planned them, and a fantastic blessing for those who participated. In reading through the notes I’d taken from my sources, these activities include Emmaus Family Camp at Camp Patmos, the Annual Mission Trip to Nogales, AZ then in to Mexico, the Annual Mother-Daughter Tea and Father-Son Banquet (even though for two years they also had Mother-Son and Father-Daughter Banquets). There was the mention of Confirmands, and High School Graduates every year (with these numbers gradually declining). TEEN Week also continued through the 1980s, although late in the decade was only three days long. They continued with the annual picnic at the end of the Sunday school year, typically a potluck event with Sunday School providing pop and ice cream. “Don’t forget to bring your own plates and utensils.” Alcoholics Victorious continued to meet weekly, and for a brief time twice weekly. The Thursday 6 a.m. pastor’s prayer support group was still going strong. (The group may not have been large, but they were consistent.) Remember the welcome pads that were in each pew? Everyone signed them so we could see the names of people we might not know.
“New Horizons” was offered for a few years, which may have been a small group designed to encourage and build faith. For several years on Sunday evenings, there were services for prayer and healing. For about two years, Nurses’ Christian Fellowship met monthly at members’ homes or at church. ASK, Inc., a Christian Counseling service was available, offering confidential counseling appointments at church. Sadly, the Nursing Home ministry that was led by Pastor Frank Anderson for many years was unable to find volunteers to keep the program going. However, other members shared weekly or at least monthly at other facilities; Dick Dahle & Vi Larson brought music and encouragement from the Word to the Richfield Nursing Home every week for several years. Other members have since stepped forward to provide a weekly study at Presbyterian Home. Members who moved into nursing homes were visited and given communion by visitation pastors, assistants or volunteers.
Seniors were invited monthly to get together for coffee and fellowship at various restaurants—remember King Oscar’s on 66th in Richfield? Young Adults met weekly on Sunday evenings at various homes (Dan and Sherry’s, Dan and Ken’s, Carol Caauwe’s, to mention a few) or at church. Some of their activities included canoe trips, ski trips, movie nights (because Ken’s cousin had a portable VCR!) There was an active Couples’ Club; contacts for information on activities were Ralph and Jane Notaro or Bob and Donna Bogott. (Yes, they were young.)
There was clearly a focus on keeping youth engaged. Junior and Senior high programs were very busy with activities most weekends. Bible Studies were often held in homes (frequently Zell’s, Kooiman’s, or Oberheu’s).
Here is a list of just some of the activities that were available, keeping in mind all of the activities were presented with a focus on leading participants into a relationship with Jesus or growing deeper in that relationship. After a successful weekend bike trip in 1980, the youth went on a 300-mile week-long trip the following year. At one point they called themselves the Spoke Folk. Both Junior and Senior high groups went on airport or shopping center scavenger hunts, horseback riding, bowling. Mike Anenson took five students to the Washington For Jesus rally one year. In 1981 the youth were again collecting recipes for a new cookbook; proceeds from sales were to support youth participating in activities, retreats, camps, mission trips. There were spring and fall retreats, as well as the annual LEM Midwinter Conference. Bible camp continued to be planned by Emmaus staff and volunteers and was held at Patmos for a few more years. In 1983 campers went to Trout Lake Bible Camp, which had camp different weeks for different age groups. In 1984 they went back to LEM camp at Koronis near Paynesville, MN. TEEN Week continued through the decade, inviting speakers to talk with both junior and senior high kids about issues that concerned them such as peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, sex. (Thank you, Betty Horgen, for addressing these “hot” topics!) SALT Company was an option for youth to connect weekly, grow deeper in their faith, as well as perform drama and sing at other churches. It is fondly remembered by many who were in the group. There was a Clown and Puppet Ministry for a few years. In 1983 a Senior High singing group started.
Trinity for 4-6th graders met on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. This curriculum brought kids through the entire Bible and helped to prepare them for confirmation classes.
The format for confirmation classes was changed for a few years. Relying heavily on volunteers working with the pastors, students were given self-study packets and time to work on them, then meet with one of the adult volunteers to discuss. For one shy student, it was “a bit intimidating until I got used to the idea, and after meeting with an adult a few times it was great.” I believe this format was only used while Pr. Jack was at Emmaus, after which a more traditional classroom style of teaching was the norm.
VBS still requested home-baked goodies to use as treats. VBS was definitely considered an outreach to the neighborhood and continued to be well-attended and supported by many volunteers. A great deal of work went in to planning VBS, with some of the members even writing the curriculum one of the years. Lots of volunteers were recruited to help make the week successful, including appeals to men and older youth. Training was offered and members were encouraged to host Backyard Bible Clubs.
The 1985 Annual Report mentions school year ministries were consolidated to one night/week schedule. The following year, Wednesday suppers were started. With a suggested donation of 50 cents, the meal generally consisting of soup and sandwich. There were typically 35-40 people for supper. Apparently, this plan worked well; we continue to adhere as much as possible to this schedule today!
Parents were encouraged to volunteer their help at Children’s Church during the summer months. Children’s church was offered to children 3 yrs old to 6th grade. We began giving 3rd graders their own Bibles during a Sunday morning service.
Our first Children’s Musical was performed in March 1985. There was another Youth Musical the following year, and I believe there has been at least one every year since (with the exception of 2020, during COVID). Talk about “training the next generation…”, Debbie Hintermeyer was very instrumental in getting those early musicals ready, and Vergene Kruse assisted until she was ready to take the lead in directing them when Debbie & Scot left Emmaus.
In 1985 Emmaus enjoyed the first of several Emmaus Talent Showcases. I do not recall a specific performance, or even how long the program was, but I do recall being amazed that as many people participated as did (not sure how much work Scot put in to encouraging people to do so). And 41 years later, I remember they were a lot of fun to watch.
Different classes and formats were tried for Sunday morning adult education. The Bethel Series was offered one last time, the “class will be held if there is interest.” (There was interest. The class was held.) There were Larry Burkett Financial Seminars. For a couple of years Adult Sunday School was offered as a small group format, arranged by ages (post-high-20s, 30-40s, 50s and up). It is clear leadership wanted to provide education in areas of interest for people, and surveys were included in the bulletins for people to turn in to indicate interest, options including in-depth Bible Study, parenting, social issues, etc..
For women Spice of Life, an outreach of women’s ministry complete with a well-staffed nursery and children’s program was a popular and well-attended program. We are still reaping benefits of the fruit produced during this season. In 1981 Charla Pereau was invited as speaker for an ELCW meeting. I mention her here because the name will be recognized by anyone who has gone with Respond! to Baja Mexico and FFHM. During these years, the Valentine’s Banquets were sponsored by ELCW. The Women’s Circles continued to meet, but there was less of a focus on service, such as cheer or the cradle roll, and more of a focus on Bible study and fellowship. For a few years the women held a “Cakeless Cake sale,” proceeds benefiting local missions such as the Marie Sandvik Center, New Hope Center, and Damascus Way.
A ministry called “Sharing and Caring” started in 1982 for women to get together for knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Over time the “Sharing and Caring” ministry became more focused and concentrated on making quilts. The meetings were moved from Thursday to Monday and continue today. With a core group of 10-12 most weeks, they produced and donated 79 quilts in 1985.
Monthly Bible studies called Men’s Square led by Pastor Jack were offered for men. Since his schedule involved quite a bit of travel the Bible study schedule and topics were printed in the bulletin with dates for several months. Men were also encouraged to attend retreats and attend seminars offered in the community such as Dad the Family Shepherd.
4S groups were started for groups of 8-12 to meet weekly with a 10-week commitment. The four “S”s were for Silence, Sharing, Study, and Supplication. The congregation was encouraged to sign up, indicate day and time that worked best to meet and would be assigned to a group that best fit their schedule. (One of these early groups is still meeting regularly!)
Visitation Evangelism met weekly on Thursday night. This group contacted and visited people who filled out a visitor/connect form. Training for outreach was provided and led by Pastor Jack.
A 1986 announcement advertises a new ministry starting, a tape ministry for shut ins. It was a popular service. If you were interested in a recording of one of the messages, you could put your name on a list at the Welcome Desk, and the following week pick up your tape (which in later years was a CD). I believe this continued until just recently.
In 1984 there was growing concern about disturbing trends in the relatively new ALC. Evening classes, Sunday morning classes, weekend seminars were offered on issues in society, such as abortion, decency, and AIDS. There were appeals to be involved in the community: Vote. Write to your congressman, let them know how you feel about various issues. Get involved with local organizations such as MCCL and FELLP (Fellowship of Evangelical Lutheran Laity and Pastors). Encourage your local police departments to uphold the decency laws. Write to owners of local hotels and express your displeasure over their offering adult films in their establishments. Don’t patronize video stores that rent porn and let the owners know why you won’t shop there.
In the 1984 Annual Report, there is a note about a change in the church’s constitution to allow for a change in the order of worship. To be sensitive to as many people as possible, the 8:30 service changed just a little, and remained “traditional.” With a more relaxed summer schedule for services with no Sunday school classes, but a “coffee/fellowship time” between services, different formats were tried with the 10:00 or 10:30 service (depending on the year). Coffee was in the Upper Sunday School wing (the atrium was still open from lower level to skylight). There was less liturgy, less repetition, a longer worship time and praise songs instead of traditional hymns. For most of the praise songs, the words were printed and inserted in the bulletins. The message and announcements were the same at both services. At the end of the summer, surveys were put in the bulletins requesting feedback whether members would like to continue with the more relaxed format during the fall and winter months.
There is a note in the 1985 Annual Report stating Emmaus decided to suspend ALC contribution over concern regarding porn as a therapeutic tool and a note in one of the Emmaus Life Reports about the ALC support of Lutheran Social Services showing explicit films in their treatment of sex offenders and allowing homosexual lifestyle as beautiful and okay. Delegates who attended the Southeast Convention of the ALC felt there was a disturbing trend growing in the ALC. The FELLP newsletter that was included in one of the bulletins described the concern regarding “the LSS question” in greater detail. In 1986, Emmaus had several meetings and discussions regarding the upcoming merger. By 1987 there was a Merger Committee to determine how to leave the ALC and what synod to join. Mavis Richman recalls being quite concerned going into the congregational meeting, expecting some heated discussions regarding which synod to join as there were plenty of opinions and strong feelings, both staff and council were anticipating months of deliberation. She says, “A young man stood up that night and said, ‘Why don’t we just go with the Association of Free Lutheran Churches?’ and that was that. We went home, and the decision had been made. Unity in the Spirit was evident in spite of change and disagreement.”
There was encouragement to look outside our own doors. In 1980 we sponsored the Truong family from Viet Nam. In 1983 we agreed to sponsor a refugee family from Cambodia, the Hems, with financial support of $600/mo and practical assistance, donations of furniture, clothing, and friendship to help them set up for a new life in America. In 1985 we assisted a young man from Ethiopia. (He moved to California shortly after arriving which “severed our responsibility as sponsors.”) In 1987 we sponsored a Hmong family, Moua Wa Lee. There was a refugee committee for several years. There was encouragement to provide physical or financial support to GMAE (Greater Minneapolis Association of Evangelicals). Their monthly newsletters were included in Sunday bulletins.
Evangelism and missions’ outreach was a HUGE focus during the 80s. There were several young people who went on short term mission trips both in the United States and internationally, and there were several who chose missions as their vocation. Marsha Quist, Jonni Sliver, Gene and Doris Quist, Jeanne Dahle, Dan Aamot, Jeff Aamot are just a few of our missionaries who received some of their long-term mission support from Emmaus. Fred and Pixie Coleman received prayer support. In addition, we received frequent updates from the Wendlers who were in Africa with WMPL, Tom and Becky Berkas, Larry and Cindy Merrifield, Dan and Sharylee Zachary in Alaska. Portions of their letters and prayer requests were printed in the Mission News and Notes, full letters posted on the missions board. By 1984 Emmaus was providing partial support for seven missionaries, the budget being just short of $2,000 monthly for this. The list continued to grow. A rotating list of our missionaries was placed in the bulletin weekly to remember them in prayer.
World for a Day was offered to the congregation as an option for members to sign up to sponsor a day of missions to commemorate a special event of your own, such as a birthday, anniversary or to honor someone special, $50 designated to missions for your special day.
In 1984 both Pastor Don and Pastor Jack went on international mission trips, much of the funding provided from the congregation. In 1986 Pastor Don went on a mission trip to Eastern Europe, bringing Pastor Douglas Weymouth, a colleague from Brazil that he very much felt God was prompting him to do.
There were so very many unpleasant things happening in the world and in the Lutheran Church in the 1980s. I am extremely grateful for those who were paying attention when I was not. Those who saw the subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes that were eroding the fabric of our society and those who refused to go along with watering down the gospel, who determined to take a stand in the spiritual battle we are fighting today. I thank God for the strength and wisdom He gave them. I thank God for the leadership He provided in and through our church. Because of their faithfulness, insight, and obedience to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, we have a history and a future.
Additional little tidbits from the 80s:
Overnight Lenten Prayer Vigil—you could come to the church to pray or stay home and call the next person on the list when your time was completed.
For a few years, the youth requested donations of homemade sweet rolls for Easter morning breakfast.
1984 Pie Night! “Call if you can contribute a pie” for the fellowship time following the Thanksgiving Eve (Wed night) service. The first of many!
There was a Women’s Softball Team in the early 80s. In 1984 they made it to State and were just two runs short of making it to Nationals!
The Emmaus Life Report mailing was changed to every other week instead of weekly. A member of the congregation took on writing an editorial and putting the report together. Citing concerns about the cost of mailing, the council requested that the format return to one page, which 40 years later I found to be very disappointing because her newsletters were quite interesting and fun to read.
Kennedy Students were allowed excused absence for an entire day for religious release time with parent permission slip.