November 2003

“115 Years and Growing”

"After the meeting was opened by G. Nelson with the reading of Psalms 84 and the asking of God's blessing, the following questions were brought up for the discussion, as is required in connection with organization of a church. After a short discussion on how to proceed to organize a local congregation, a standing vote was taken. The entire assembly stood up in triumph. First, it was proposed that the name of this congregation should be The Swedish Evangelical Mission Church in Upsala, Morrison County, Minnesota and this was voted by raising of hands."

So began the Covenant Church in Upsala. We are in the 115th year of Community Covenant. Coming to a milestone in our history gives us pause to consider our heritage. We are able to remember those who stood strong in their faith and made the sacrifices so that we may worship here today. Their example is an inspiration to us as we look to taking the next step in the vision for the future.

Each time we celebrate we are challenged to remember the past, understand the present and have vision for the future.

It's fun to read the accounts of the early church in the historical book written by Ralph Holman. The past inspires and gives us cause for hope.

The stories tell of the people and situations that birthed this church in this community 115 years ago. The stories of the lawlessness and the dangers of the frontier village make one reflect on what it was like to serve the Lord in those days. Committed Christians seemed like a minority, but the Lord used them in great ways.

In the 40th anniversary booklet, August Fagerman, (fager meant handsome in Swedish) wrote about the revival of 1898, the pastor was NJ Bolin – His first objective was to pray for an awakening among the ungodly and frightful youth, who behaved worse than wild, indeed sometimes one knew not if he would come home without being shot up on the way home from church in the evenings. This continued for many years, for most of the youth had grown up in Svenska Dalen, (Swede Valley) in St. Paul. The parents had been converted here, but their children were wild and they attracted others. What to do, but pray, and pray without effect. We soon learned that it was not soluble by prayer only. One of the unruly youths, Whiskey Pete, tried to enter the Baptist church on horseback, but was repulsed. Fagerman, the deputy sheriff, arrested the culprit who had to pay a large fine and that cooled the atmosphere. During Prayer Week in 1898, when the church was full of people praying, these youth set up a dance and drinking party, and right there two of them met God's spirit and said to themselves, "let us go to the church where there is a meeting." They came to the Mission church where the meeting was over, but they went right to the Baptist church where the meeting was just closing. These two came right in, fell on their knees and asked for prayer. Now the ice was broken, and a wonderful revival broke out which continued until spring, and which touched about 150 to 200 people in all three congregations.

The stories from the past challenge us to take a good look at ourselves and what we are doing today. Our challenges and decisions are as important today as they were in the 1800's.

We still continue to expect great things to happen for God, 115 years later. Even though the incidents of horses crashing our church services have been reduced greatly, the power of the Holy Spirit has not. It has been moving and shaking in the church since Pentecost and we continue to see his mighty acts in our day as well. Just like in the revival of 1898, young people are coming to the Lord today.
We are at a significant day in this church. The present congregation will set the stage for the next generation of believers. Our decisions and actions will affect what will happen in the future. In 35 years at the 150th celebration, our names will be remembered for the exciting steps that are being taken in these next months. It?s a great challenge.

God?s word encourages us in this step of faith. In Joshua 1:9 we hear about the new leader Joshua receiving a challenge as he and the Israelites were looking to the promised land. God said to them,"I command you – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Many more exciting steps will be taken in the next 115 years if the Lord's return is delayed. Jesus will bring many more
people to himself through the faithful ministry of his people. It will be exciting to be a small part of that spiritual movement. So as we look to the future may faithfulness be our goal. As each person commits himself to be a servant, an ambassador of Christ let us continue to:

1) Be People of The Word
2) Be People of Christ
3) Be People of New Life

An anniversary celebration brings back memories of another time and of significant people. But more importantly it speaks of God's faithfulness in the past, in the present, and in the future.

God's richest blessing to each of you as you serve our faithful God.



Pastor Craig