Upon our arrival, Tora explained that Stiklestad holds services bi-monthly – this was an off week. She suggested attending the 11 AM service at the nearby Verdal Chapel and then continuing over to Stiklestad for a tour.
In
the
church
yard,
before
the
bells
rang,
Tora showed us her parents'
(Lena's sister and husband's)
resting place.
Inside we received a surprise.
The presiding pastor greeted us. Learning we were American, he explained he'd just returned from a six-week stint in Texas serving the Norwegian sailors stationed in Houston.
He apologized for this service being held in the community's native tongue adding, "I'm not sure how much you'll understand, but you are welcome!"
During the call to worship, the pastor offered an official "Welcome to our Minnesota visitors." Before launching into his sermon, he gave a brief summary in English. And before calling the congregation forward for communion, he also invited us to part take in the bread and the wine.
Following the service, church members served "kaffe." We each took a coffee cup and a sweet.
While chatting, the pastor told us that he and his wife had also stopped in Minneapolis to visit with her relatives in residence.
Upon his return to Norway, he was asked to stand in here for the regular pastor who was on vacation.
So by
divine
intervention,
we made another
unique connection
on our tour –
this time at the
Verdal Chapel.
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