Bethlehem Lutheran Church

O. Henry "Hank" Hendriksen, a Bethlehem member since 1975, has served 27 of those years as Chair of the Bethlehem Ushers Ministry. In this ministry Hank manages the scheduling of more than 90 people who serve as ushers in 14 teams.

It is an enormous task to staff ushers for all the regular Sunday morning worship services plus special services of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Lenten services. Hank has worked tirelessly to recruit, welcome and train new ushers to the teams, support the usher team leaders, and to coordinate with the pastoral staff on arrangements for services with special needs. You often see Hank in the narthex checking in on the ushers and offering support and assistance where needed.

Hank is retiring from his role as Chair of the Usher Ministry this fall. He will be honored by his fellow ushers at a dinner on Monday, October 6. Please join the congregation in extending your appreciation of his dedicated ministry.

Hank's service has had such a positive impact on this congregation; welcoming women as ushers and touching the lives of so many members and guests with his ready smile and handshake. Be sure to read the adjoining article, A Special Tribute to Hank, for one such story.

As Chair Emeritus, expect to see Hank at church continuing in his ministry of hospitality with his smiles and kind words. Hank, we thank you for your faithful and dedicated service.

Scott Elton, also a long time usher, will serve as Chair of the Ushers Ministry. With Hank's encouragement and mentorship, Scott is ready and excited to lead this important ministry. If you are interested in joining an usher team, contact Scott at 612.869.4705 or elton003@umn.edu.

A Special Tribute to Hank
by Andrea Wood

My husband, Eric, and I joined Bethlehem about ten years ago. We were a young couple, without children at the time, looking for a way to get more involved at Bethlehem. Ironically enough, the day we discussed taking an active step to that involvement, God put Hank to work and he placed a telephone call to us inquiring about our interest in being ushers. We both enjoy talking with people, so it was a ministry we readily accepted; but it was Hank's enthusiastic spirit, stories about Bethlehem he shared that night on the phone, and warm, inviting personality that ultimately drew me in. He was our first experience at feeling connected at Bethlehem. It was evident from the very beginning that Hank took his role as head usher very seriously and kept all of us on our toes to ensure the worship service moved along as it should. In addition, Hank was a bit of a father figure for us, continuously introducing us to other members, and always expressing gratitude for our service through his warm touch. Hugs, genuine concern, compliments, and words of wisdom are mainstays from Hank that I treasure.

In 2001, Eric and I had our first child, Jensen. Hank welcomed him with open arms as the new "youngest usher" at Bethlehem and entertained him frequently in the narthex as we handled our duties during the worship service. In the years since, we've added two other children, Cecilia and Zachary, to our family. Hank has warmly welcomed all of them and made all of our children feel loved and connected to an older segment of the population here at Bethlehem. In a way he has helped them realize the world is much bigger and more diverse than our little family and for that I am grateful.

When we accepted that invitation on the phone from Hank a decade ago, we had no idea what an impact he would make on our lives and on our connection to Bethlehem. We thank God for that call and for placing Hank in our lives.