Pastor's Message | Tyre Repairs

Pastor Kae Evensen

Join us in welcoming our new pastor, Kae Evensen.  Here is a little information about her.

I am so grateful you have called me to be your pastor. It is a deep honor to be invited into the Siloa and Salem communities. I look forward to worshipping with you, praying with you, visiting with you, laughing with you, bearing one another’s burdens, andsharing our joys. I look forward to our lives together.

I was born in Tucson, Arizona, just west of the Santa Catalina mountains. I lived here and there in Arizona and Texas until I was four years old when I moved to Thousand Oaks, California, just north of Los Angeles. It was here that my dad was asked to start the geology department at California Lutheran and it was here I spent my school years. During the summers my family livednear my grandparents in Mayer, Arizona where my father furthered his research and I hung out with my brother, cattle, horned lizards, Nancy Drew, and apricots.

I graduated from California Lutheran University in 1982 with a degree in Liberal Arts/Botany. Some of my best friends are still the small plants growing in the clefts and crevices in the southwest. At 29 years old, my family moved St Paul where I attended Luther Seminary and graduated in 1995 with my Master of Divinity degree.

My first call was on the Eastside of St. Paul at a three-point parish at Bethany, Messiah, and Memorial Lutheran churches. After leaving St Paul, I worked as a development editor in adult education at Augsburg Fortress, publishers. My next call was at Lutheran Church of Peace in south Maplewood, and my lastcall was at Mercy Seat Lutheran Church in NE Mpls.\

I am married to Martin Marty (who goes by Marty). We have two adult children, Jimmy and Emily. Our son Jimmy and his wife Katie live in Vadnais Heights with our two grandchildren, Zoe and Logan. Our daughter Emily and her partner Sam live in St Paul. I adore these folks of mine. Currently, we own two goofy dogs, Bertie and Brian, and a cat named Pat.

Finally, I am thankful for the people who taught me about Jesus. I am grateful to my mom Helen and my father Jim (who died on Christmas Eve in 1988), for dragging me to church even when I didn’t want to go. I learned from them that God has made a decision about us: We are chosen. We are heirs of Christ’s promises. And God will never leave or fail us.
Beloveds in Christ, I’m excited to celebrate with you God’s decision for us!

Pastor Kae651.497.8084PastorKaeE@gmail.com

A message from Pastor Kae

The Word - Part Two

The Gospel and the Proclamation of the Word

After hearing the First and Second Lessons, as well as reading the Psalm, we are prepared for the
proclamation of the Gospel, the highpoint of this portion of the liturgy, and the interpretation of
the reading from the pastor. These elements are not mere rituals but profound encounters through
which the congregation engages with the living Word of God. The Gospel brings forth the words
and actions of Jesus Christ, grounding worship in the essence of Christian faith. The sermon
follows when the Gospel reading is expounded upon and brought into the lives of the faithful,
fostering a deeper connection with Christ’s teachings and an invitation to active discipleship.

It is in the Gospel that we hear the direct words and actions of Jesus Christ, who is the heart of
the Christian faith. This reading stands apart, often marked by the congregation standing and
responding with words such as, “Glory to You, O Lord” and “Praise to You, O Christ,”
underscoring its importance.

The sermon holds a unique place in the Lutheran liturgy, brought into prominence by the
Reformation’s emphasis on Scripture being accessible and understood by all. Martin Luther and
the reformers insisted that the sermon be a central act of worship, where the Word of God is
read, proclaimed, and explicated. Rooted in the Gospel reading, the sermon serves as the
interpretative bridge between Scripture and the present-day experience of the faithful. In the
Lutheran tradition, the pastor’s role in delivering the sermon is to proclaim the Good News of
Jesus Christ, making clear how the words of Scripture reveal God’s grace and call to
discipleship.

Blessings to you, Beloveds,
Pastor Kae

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September 2026

Why Do We Do What We Do? The Word in Worship – Part One

The Readings and the Responses

Having united in praise, confession, and prayer in the Gathering portion of the service, the
congregation now turns its attention to God’s revelation through Scripture. The Service of the
Word serves as the spiritual centerpiece of the liturgy, presenting the congregation with the
living Word through readings from the Bible and the pastor’s sermon.

After the Prayer of the Day, the congregation hears a reading from the Old Testament, the first
of the scripture passages for the day. This reading, often drawn from the Law, the Prophets, or
the Wisdom literature, sets a foundational tone for worship, and its themes often tied to the
themes of the Second Reading and the Gospel. By hearing these ancient readings on a regular
basis, we connect ourselves to the stories of the past through the understandings of today’s
world.

Following the Old Testament reading, the congregation responds to the Old Testament reading
by singing or reciting a Psalm. In Lutheran worship, the psalms are a rich form of spiritual
expression, offering words that echo the full range of human experience. Whether it is joy,
lament, hope, or repentance, the psalms allow worshipers to make a personal and experiential
connection with the Word of God. They also serve as a bridge between the readings, inviting a
contemplative response to what has just been heard. In reciting the psalms, the congregation
participates in an ancient tradition, joining their voices with generations of believers who have
used these sacred songs to praise and petition God.

Next comes the Epistle or Second Reading, usually drawn from the letters of the New
Testament. The Epistles offer teaching and encouragement for the early Church, but their
wisdom continues to guide modern Christians as well. These readings often focus on the
implications of Christ’s work and the nature of the Christian life. Whether it’s Paul&#39;s theological
reflections, exhortations on holy living, or guidance on the unity of the Church, the Epistle
reading helps the congregation apply the Gospel to their daily lives.

The importance of the Word in worship cannot be overstated; it is through the Word that God
speaks to us, revealing God’s will, grace, and salvation. Scripture’s placement in the center of
worship anchors the entire liturgy, reminding us that in every moment God’s Word is both the
source and the sustaining force of faith. It is no small thing; through faithful reading and hearing
of Scripture, we are transformed, comforted, and equipped to live out our calling as Christ’s
disciples.

Pastor Kae