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Chanhassen * 952-934-5659

Leuthner Well Company

Victoria * 952-443-2582

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MACKENTHUN’S Gourmet Meats

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Holy Family Catholic High School

Victoria * 952-443-4659

by Sue Orsen

Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!

Sing with a cheerful voice;

exalt our God with one accord,

and in His name rejoice.

Pastor Frank Jones said it’s often referred to as the Moravian Anthem. Most of the notes in the melody line are above Middle C, but the four-part harmony gives a singable note to everyone, not just the sopranos.

As the Lake Auburn Moravian Church in Victoria continues to celebrate its 150th anniversary -- the celebrating began this spring -- several other Moravian melodies highlight the Sunday morning services.

Jesus makes me rejoice,

I’m His sheep and know His voice;

He’s a shepherd, kind and gracious,

and His pastures are delicious.

Each of the Moravian melodies is Christian, of course, as well as uplifting and timely. As we draw closer to Advent and Christmas, another favorite hymn is sung.

Morning Star, O cheering sight!

Ere thou cam’st, how dark earth’s night!

Morning Star, my soul’s true light,

tary not, dispel my night.

The preaching of Pastor Frank is also timely. On this past October 19th, with eyes closed and voice raised, his prayer included notice of today’s financial downturn on Wall Street and in the general economy.

“Things have changed,” he said. “We’re all a little poorer than a week ago. We’re also a little richer than a week ago because of the love of God. We pray for the healing of all wounds, that we may all be one people. Hear the concerns of our lives, oh Lord, and the concerns of our hearts.”

“Help us to enrich the lives of those around us,” prayed the Moravian pastor. “Let us remember in these difficult economic times where we should be laying our treasures -- in Your love and faith. We pray that our political structure works again to build a more powerful witness to Your Word. We thank You for Your blessings and love.”

Then the Moravian melodies continued -- it is a singing congregation -- and so did the memories. As part of celebrating their 150th anniversary, members of the congregation spoke at the pulpit of former times and former pastors. They recalled Pastor Lorenz Adam “who came to Lake Auburn from the missions in Central America,” Pastor Darryl Bell “whose energetic young sons were born here,” Pastor Al Lenius “who has been preaching on and off at Lake Auburn for 51 years,” Pastor Larry Christianson “who is the brother of Carol Reich who is a member at Lake Auburn,” Pastor Otto Dreydoppel “who married the daughter of Al Lenius,” Pastor Graham West “who felt like a fish out of water” since he was from South Africa, and Pastor Frank Jones.

Pastor Frank is the one who turned around the desk in the church office so he could look out the window at the fall color, the winter frost, the spring robins, the summer wildlife. In addition to traditional pastoral responsibilities, such as visiting the sick, Frank serves on the Board of the Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women and on a committee for Carver County Community Health.

Click here to continue A Moravian Melody.