Pastor Chris Becker – Senior Pastor
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Where were you born?
Oak Park Illinois
How many were in your family growing up?
Eight – Dad, Mom, 3 sisters and 1 brother. For part of my life I had an uncle live with us also.
What is your favorite Bible story?
The story of the Forgiving Parent or as some may call it the Prodigal Son in Luke’s Gospel.
What is your favorite hymn?
“When in Our Music God is Glorified” from the Lutheran Book of Worship. I love the poetry and especially how it builds toward the last verse when “all rejoice and have a voice to raise.”
What is your favorite food?
Spaghetti
What is your favorite hobby?
Horseback riding
What is your favorite place to visit?
Tanzania, Africa
What is the hardest job you ever had?
For a summer job I had to scrape out the inside of boilers by hand.
What do you want people to remember most about you?
My commitment to work for God’s justice in the world.
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Pastor Sarah Malm Lutter – Associate Pastor
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Where were you born?
I was born in Litchfield, MN while my dad was on his pastoral internship at Zion Lutheran Church where I was also baptized.
How many were in your family growing up?
Five—My dad, mom, brothers Brian and David and me. My grandmother lived with us for a short time also.
What is your favorite Bible story?
Jonah
What is your favorite hymn?
Great Is Thy Faithfulness—especially after I heard CeCe Winans sing it. I got her CD and sang along with her over and over and over. It became my favorite.
What is your favorite food?
Unfortunately…pastries!!
What is your favorite hobby?
Writing—journaling, sermons, blogging, articles, and someday…a book!!??
What is your favorite place to visit?
Lake Superior North Shore—especially Gooseberry Falls!
What is the hardest job you ever had?
Being a pastor (also most rewarding!)
What do you want people to remember most about you?
Just like everyone else, I am a sinner and fallen short of the glory of God and yet justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:23-24)
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Angy Thelemann - Administrator |
Where were you born?
I was born in Minneapolis, MN. I grew up in the Forest Lake/Scandia, MN area.
How many were in your family growing up?
There were 4 – my dad, mom, older brother, and myself.
What is your favorite Bible story?
I love the story of Jesus’ birth.
What is your favorite hymn?
My love of music makes this a hard question, there are so many! I could only narrow it down to 5! How Great Thou Art, I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry, I Love To Tell The Story, Precious Lord Take My Hand, Just As I Am Without One Plea.
What is your favorite food?
Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl at Applebees!
What is your favorite hobby?
Scrapbooking
What is your favorite place to visit?
Anywhere I go with my family/or husband, but home is really where I like it best.
What is the hardest job you ever had?
Being a mom – I really would have liked an instruction book! J It is such a blessing, but it is a continual learning process for myself, my husband and my children.
What do you want people to remember most about you?
That I had a spirit of gentleness and compassion, and was willing to help whomever and wherever needed
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Merri Guggisberg – Youth and Young Adult Coordinator |
Where were you born?
I was born in Racine, WI and raised on a dairy farm in a small town called Wonewoc.
How many were in your family growing up?
There are 4 children in my family. My oldest brother, Scott is 11 years older than me and has 4 children. Only one is still at home with him the rest are either in college or one is married and expecting her first child. Next is my sister, Sherri, who is 10 years older, she is married and has 2 children, both in high school. Mike, my brother who is only 3 years older than me, is married with 2 boys.
What is your favorite Bible story?
My favorite Bible story is Jesus’ birth. Christmas is my favorite season, I love to listen to the Christmas music and see love in everyone.
What is your favorite hymn?
My favorite hymn is a challenging question, I love music, if I had to pick it will have to be any Christmas song. It is so exciting to hear the songs and listen to the young voices singing these songs.
What is your favorite food?
Fresh, hot from the oven chocolate chip cookies
What is your favorite hobby?
Cooking and playing with my children
What is your favorite place to visit?
My favorite place to visit is my parent’s home. I enjoy sharing stories with my children about my childhood. (And Maui, Hawaii)
What is the hardest job you ever had?
My most challenging job and so rewarding has to be motherhood. I love being a mom but the hard part is not having all the answers. I am learning every day and I pray my children are learning too.
What do you want people to remember most about you?
I hope people remember how positive I am and how I model Jesus’ love to all.
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| Judy Thompson – Parish Nurse |
Where were you born?
St. Paul, MN
How many were in your family growing up?
4 – sometimes my grandfather lived with us as well.
What is your favorite Bible story?
My favorite book of the Bible is Luke.
What is your favorite hymn?
When Morning Guilds The Sky, I The Lord Of The Sea And Sky
What is your favorite food?
Avocado
What is your favorite hobby?
Planting and nurturing trees
What is your favorite place to visit?
Norway
What is the hardest job you ever had?
Nursing consultant to the National Institutes of Health Department of Nursing in 1988
What do you want people to remember most about you?
Having a generous spirit
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Gail Wold –
Traditional Worship Coordinator/His Harmony Choir Director
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Where were you born?
Born in St. Paul, raised in Newport, MN.
How many were in your family growing up?
I am an only child.
What is your favorite Bible story?
The creation story.
What is your favorite hymn?
I could not possible narrow the list to one. I would rather make a list of 100 favorites.
What is your favorite food?
Most people would say chocolate is my favorite food, but that’s just a wild rumor.
What is your favorite hobby?
Animals: Don’t tell Pastor Chris or Angy, but I enjoy handling snakes and tarantulas at the MN Zoo.
What is your favorite place to visit?
Someplace I haven’t been. I love to visit new places.
What is the hardest job you ever had?
Coming down a black diamond run when I belong on the green runs.
What do you want people to remember most about you?
That I love my Lord and I love the world He created.
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| Janelle Rau – Alternative Worship Coordinator/Sanctuary Choir Director |
Where were you born?
St. Paul, MN
How many were in your family growing up?
4 – my parents, myself, and my younger brother
What is your favorite Bible story?
Saul’s conversion to Paul
What is your favorite hymn?
Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” with the “How Great Thou Art” chorus
What is your favorite food?
Potatoes – any kind
What is your favorite hobby?
Reading, especially Christian fiction
What is your favorite place to visit?
My favorite place to visit is Grand Teton National Park
What is the hardest job you ever had?
Teaching kindergarten (and also the most gratifying!)
What do you want people to remember most about you?
That I had a heart for Christ
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| Annie and Mark Morgan - King's Kids Choir Directors |
Annie
Where were you born?
Westbrook, MN
How many in your family when you were growing up?
Mom, Dad & younger brother
Your favorite story in the Bible
The widow’s offering (Mark 12:41)
Your favorite hymn.
#212 Let Us Break Bread Together
#221 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
(I could name more—really hard to choose)
Where is your favorite place to visit?
Anywhere with Mark and the boys
What is the hardest job you ever had?
I have been blessed with great jobs, and I love a challenge! At the time, I thought getting up early to work in the bean fields was THE WORST!
What do you want people to remember most about you?
How much I love my husband and sons
What is your favorite food?
My mom’s rice pudding
What is your favorite hobby?
Traveling and exploring new places
Mark
Where were you born?
St. Paul, MN
How many in your family when you were growing up?
Mom, Dad, older brother, and older sister (5)
Your favorite story in the Bible
David and Goliath
Your favorite hymn.
Go, Tell it on the Mountain
Where is your favorite place to visit?
San Diego, CA
What is the hardest job you ever had?
Selling copy machines door-to-door
What do you want people to remember most about you?
That I was a good husband and dad
What is your favorite food?
Fresh Seafood
What is your favorite hobby?
Traveling (for pleasure—not work) |
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