Experience Celebration

hosannalc.org

NOV. 14|15 CELEBRATION

Whether Mamaw was just being playful or speaking prophetically, or both —

the seed was planted.

osanna! Lutheran Church may have never happened. A dramatic statement? Perhaps…but not so far fetched. Hosanna’s founding

pastor, Bill Bohline, had other plans in mind for a career. Doctor, psychologist, dentist, accountant— the high school aptitude tests said these

might be good career choices.

Hosanna’s Founding Pastor, Bill Bohline and his wife, Nancy recall his time as Lead Pastor over the past 35 years.

JOURNEYIN THE

1983 Family Photo – Bill, Nancy, Betsy, & Luke Bohline

n the other hand, Bill’s maternal Grandmother, “Mamaw,” as she was

affectionately called by the grandkids, had always called him her “little preacher boy.” Whether Mamaw was just being playful or speaking prophetically, or both— the seed was planted.

Pastor Bill’s childhood was pretty much the picture of idyllic suburbia. The middle child with an older sister and a younger brother, he grew up in Robbinsdale, MN with a steady stream of kids coming over to shoot hoops or hang out. There was also a consistent flow of pastors and church council members in the living room or dining room as Mom and Dad hosted. Dad was a painting contractor and Mom was the parish secretary. Church and home life were intermingled in the Bohline home and Mom’s dramatic experience with Jesus in her early 30’s helped to shape the home environment.

Bill and Nancy met in high school. Bill’s impression of Nancy was that she was a bubbly, adorable cheerleader and part of the “in” crowd. Nancy remembers Bill as being cute, smart, shy, and responsible but her interest was really piqued when she saw him drive into the school parking lot with his Mom’s 1964 Pontiac Bonneville convertible. And so it began. They started dating after a year of acquaintance. After high school, Nancy went to nursing school and Bill went to the University of Minnesota.

Thoughts of becoming a doctor were soon redirected to a call to ministry. Bill graduated

with a B.A. in psychology and by then, Nancy had begun what would become a 44-year career at Regions Hospital as a cardiac nurse. In the fall of 1970,

Bill enrolled at Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary and on November 28, he and Nancy were married. Their daughter, Betsy, was born in the fall of 1975 during the period when Bill stretched four years of seminary into six by driving an ambulance, serving as a chaplain at Lutheran Social Services, and doing some graduate work.

Bill’s first “call” was to Bethany Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. It was a cozy environment with 6 or 7 staff members and a warm congregation. Nancy recalls, “Even as a brand new pastor, Bill, Betsy, and I were treated with much respect and love. The people of Bethany had ‘hearts of gold’ and their kindness overflowed in homemade goodies, dinners, and cards during our season there.” Then a phone call from the Bishop, with a suggestion that Bill consider starting a church in the Lakeville/Burnsville area shook up the routine. Bill felt honored to be asked and thought that it was a unique opportunity.

So, with the feeling that the Lord was in it,

“Even as a brand new pastor, Bill, Betsy, and I were treated with much respect and love”

Prom 1966 – Bill & Nancy

Rev. Bill Bohline – 1976

1964 Pontiac Bonneville convertible

and a safety net salary of one year, Bill set out to start a church called “Hosanna!” Knocking on doors to ask people if they wanted to join a new church was an unappealing venture for the self-described introvert but in January of 1980 Bill began the somewhat lonely and often defeating task of knocking on doors. On the more discouraging days, Bill leaned on the routine of daily walks and dinners with candles and conversation that he and Nancy had implemented since their very early days of marriage. And in what would continue to be a theme for 35 years of ministry, Bill found

that God would place the right

people in the right place at the right time for Hosanna! People did say, “yes” to wanting to be a part of Hosanna! and a committee was formed.

Hosanna! was birthed on November 16, 1980 with

180 Charter members. Bill and Nancy grew the church, too, when their son,

Luke, was born in the spring of 1982. What started in a school gym and a ski chalet soon became a global ministry. Nancy has joined Bill on a number of his mission trips to England, France, Tanzania, Malaysia, Jamaica, and India. Central to Hosanna’s growth has been the Holy Spirit whose winds have blown strong since first encountering Cursillo (a 3-day Christian retreat) and then, the Alpha Course. Prayer and Care Ministries have been cornerstones in shaping Hosanna’s DNA and its Youth Ministries (Birth-Grade 12) continue to grow and are well regarded. Bill and

Bill & Nancy’s grandchildren: Ellen, Lauren, and Micah

Nancy have enjoyed the extraordinary growth and dynamic changes for Lakeville, a community they have come to love.

Nancy remarks, “Bill and I will forever feel that Hosanna! is our third child. We look at what God has done and feel very blessed to have had a ‘parenting’ part in its beginning.” Hosanna! has changed its address, meeting place, size, and has adapted its ministries and offerings throughout the years, but

so much of its original DNA remains. Pastor Bill reflects, “I am deeply grateful that God invited me into something like this. I never imagined it. It is the best of blessings. We have experienced God’s hand and the love of God’s people in this place. It’s very satisfying.”

Bill would like the congregation to know and be confident that they are part of “God’s grand and glorious story and that the God we read about is doing things and we are a part of that narrative.” He would like the congregation to know, appreciate, protect, and celebrate how unique Hosanna! is and how faithful God is. Bill remarks, “He will show up on time and with what you need and you can trust him with that.” God’s nature is always “more” and in line with “if you think that’s good, you haven’t seen anything yet.” And so, when people comment, “Wow, that took courage to start a new church,” Bill softens that sentiment, and with a twinkle in his eye explains, it has simply been the adventure of coming alongside what God wants to do. Has there been hard work? Absolutely…but there has been joy in the journey and a sense, now and always, that the best is just ahead.

Bill and Nancy look forward to having more time with their three young grandchildren, to have fun, teach them, and speak into their lives. Bill anticipates the time he will have to invest in people, and encourage them, whether one-on-one or 700 at a time. They have a travel “bucket list”, but they are also leaving a little room for God to show them what their retirement looks like. After all, He has always been so faithful to do so. Bill and Nancy would want to close their story with this simple familiar sentiment:

“ We have experienced God’s hand and the love of

God’s people in this place. It’s very satisfying.” ? ?W W

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BlessHEARTS

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ORDER OF SERVICENovember 14 & 15, 2015

Worship

Tributes

My Story

Bill Bohline’s Final Messageas Lead Pastor

Tributes

Bless Bill & Nancy

Final Blessing

BILL & NANCY

SUN. 2-5 OPEN HOUSE

WE’RE GLAD YOU CAMEWherever you are on your faith journey,

you are welcome here!

WHAT TO EXPECTToday is a special service as we

mark Founding Pastor Bill Bohline’s final weekend after 35 years as

Lead Pastor.

75-80 minutes | Order of service listed inside

MISSION: Advancing God’s Kingdom everywhere,

one person at a time.

STRATEGY: Worship | Grow | Impact

VALUES: Experiencing God | Building BridgesRestoring Lives | Living Generously

WATCH/LISTEN TO THE SERVICEONLINE | hosannalc.org/media

LIVE | hosannalc.org/LIVE

GUEST SERVICESIf you have questions, stop by Guest Services.

Volunteers and staff are available before and after all services to assist you! If you are new, pick up a GUEST GUIDE for a quick overview of Hosanna!

KIDSFirst Look

6 weeks-Pre K | During weekend services

Children’s ChurchK-Grade 5 | During weekend services

Parent Room | A place for restless little ones where you can still see/hear the service. Located just outside the Worship Center.

PRAYER REQUESTSIf something is weighing heavy on your heart; if you

have concerns, health issues, struggles...whatever the case might be, we would love to pray with/for

you! Pick the option that works best for you:

• Prayer Room: Stop in to receive prayer from trained prayer ministers before, during,

and after all services.

• Email: prayer@hosannalc.org

• Text: 651-252-1779 (1PRY)

Experience Hosanna!

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