We put a lot of stock in our mission statement. Specifically, we put a lot of stock in the phrase, “with all people.” If you think about it, the rest of the words are just churchy fluff. “God’s love in Jesus Christ” is the obvious way to end it. “Live, share, and celebrate?” Those are catch-all verbs. They can mean anything we want them to mean.
What is unique about Lord of Life is that when we say “with all people,” there are truly no caveats. It isn’t “all are welcome … as long as they believe in Jesus” or “all are welcome … as long as they act a certain way.” We practice what we preach when it comes to race, economic status, people in the LGBTQ+ community, and people of different religions and beliefs.
Now that it is 2022, I’d love to think this is the low-hanging fruit. That these are the simple things that everyone is obviously doing because it is just so easy. The truth is that people are still cast out of faith communities for any of those reasons and sometimes even less. Lord of Life is at the forefront of Radical Hospitality, and there is still one more group we don’t think about when we list all the people we welcome.
Many of you have already heard the faith journey I shared during our Service of Reconciliation and Healing for Pride Month on June 8. If you haven’t yet, you can watch it here beginning at about 45:40: Service of Reconciliation and Healing. During my reflection, I shared that I had a father who threatened to kill me as I was coming to terms with my sexuality, how I didn’t feel welcome in my home church growing up, and that in my next church, I felt tentatively welcomed, but that ultimately there were still bullies there and the welcome I received didn’t extend to protection from harm. I finally found real welcome and allies at Lord of Life.
I know what you’re thinking: “John - you’ve already established that Lord of Life is cool. Why do you have to keep giving us examples?”
Well, here is where the next step in Radical Hospitality comes in. A lot of people have hurt me in the past. If we welcome all people, and one of those people who has hurt me walks in the door to church, what is the right response? This isn’t nearly as simple as welcoming the marginalized. I’m talking about welcoming abusers. People who have used prejudice to make life difficult for others. But I could just as easily be talking about felons or addicts. People who didn’t hurt me, but whom some might argue have made poor decisions for themselves and other people.
There are so many examples in the Gospels of Jesus welcoming marginalized people to the table: tax collectors, women, children, lepers, prostitutes, the list goes on and on. Most radically, at the end of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells the thief who is being crucified next to him that he will be with him in Paradise. In the Book of Acts, instead of being angry at the captors who have beaten and imprisoned him, Paul prays to convert them to Christianity and welcome them into the church.
If we follow the examples of the Bible, we take a step beyond the hospitality we already share with all people and extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us so they can join or re-join the community. Does that mean I’m going to let myself get hurt again? No, I’m going to use the opportunity to better protect myself, and have faith that my community will stand with me. Is Radical Hospitality risk-free? No. Life with Jesus is not risk-free. Paradise is a future promise, not a current reality. We have to be part of the change to bring it around.
Yours in Christ,
John Johns
I had to go to my 5th-grade brother’s church as I was growing up. When I say church, it was his room with a pulpit made of a nightstand with a trash can then a board game on top. The cross was made of hot wheel tracks and his stole of toilet paper. He loved Jesus and the church early. Being the younger sister who certainly was not thrilled that I needed to go to a second service in a week, I tried questioning his motives behind the offering. My mom assured me that he gave it to our real church. I could not get out of going. My parents who were life-long, church-going Lutherans, could not have been prouder of him.
Their pride and love never wavered, but sadly the church did not feel the same way. Our family’s journey of the rejection of the church when he came out as a gay man is one of incredible love by the people who knew him, and immense grief caused by the church we loved. It is a long story, too long to tell in a blog, but the end of the story for him, our family, and ultimately the ELCA church is one of the light of Christ shining through the darkness. God never left us and love won.
So please bear with me as I talk about Pride again. I know some may be tired of hearing it. “Why can’t they just live their lives quietly and not make a big show of who they are?” is what I have heard many times. It’s difficult to fully understand the fear and isolation that comes when sexual orientation or gender identity isn’t considered the norm. Pride is about loving and claiming who you are and no longer being afraid. We are ALL made in God’s image. I am incredibly thankful and proud that we celebrate this at Lord of Life and share this message loudly and frequently.
Unfortunately, there are still mountains of hurt and rejection from the Christian community. “LGBTQ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. They are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather placed at high risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society” (The Trevor Project www.thetrevorproject.org). We can’t sit idly by. We must act. Lives depend on it.
This past week, we experienced a myriad of emotions at Hamilton Pride and at the multi-denominational Service of Reconciliation and Healing. We heard heartbreaking stories of rejection by the church, but we also experienced a real sense of hope as we gathered to begin healing. People felt the line begin to blur. The church who had drawn a line to keep people out were now standing with Jesus on the other side. The Holy Spirit is changing hearts and minds. As John Johns, Lord of Life Music Director, so eloquently reflected at the service, there is a difference between “loving the sinner, not the sin” and truly being an ally in the love of Christ. If you couldn’t be at the service, I encourage you to give yourself the gift of experiencing it. Watch the whole service or John’s testimony begins around 45:40 //fb.watch/dxGBEaoV9l/ or www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BV9EOm31HI.
When asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus responds, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
There are countless things in the world that we can’t fix. This one could truly be easy, just love! How can you love in Pride month and beyond?
Living, sharing, and celebrating with all people God’s love in Jesus Christ,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation
My husband Greg and I took a small road trip over the Memorial Day weekend. I know many families who follow the same rule we do regarding car radio play: it’s the driver’s choice. This is how I found myself listening to a recap of the recent golf tournament (yawn). However, the commentator included a charming story of his young son’s first performance at his school’s year-end celebration. His son was struck with crippling stage fright. The commentator managed to get his son’s attention and they shared a smile. His son visibly relaxed, although he didn’t manage to sing a single note. Afterward, the commentator told his son the story of his own first school performance where he bolted off stage and didn’t stop running until he hit the playground fence. After a rough start to public performance, he now talks about sports in front of people for a living. His son understood that his performance today wasn’t a big deal, and didn’t define him forever. What a good parent, and a good storyteller. I could feel the little boy’s anxiety as he looked out on the crowd, and I could feel the parent feel his son’s anxiety and his own resolve to help his son feel better and learn from the experience.
What a great feeling, knowing someone is there for you, ready to connect with you and walk alongside you when you’re in a vulnerable moment. Maybe you’ve never experienced stage fright, but we’ve all had moments when we are vulnerable and would welcome support. As Christians, we are called to do this. Paul writes, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
This Saturday, members of Lord of Life and several other area churches are participating in the Hamilton PRIDE March and Festival. PRIDE commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots and the pursuit of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. We will join our friends and neighbors as they are vulnerable and courageous as they celebrate their identities. We will listen as they share their stories. On Wednesday, June 8, at 7 pm, we are hosting a service of reconciliation and healing, where we will acknowledge those moments when we, the Christian church, didn’t step up to share the burdens of the LGBTQIA+ community, and even added to it with our animosity.
I am grateful to be part of a congregation that seeks out and advocates for the vulnerable. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Yours in Christ,
Cara Hasselbeck
I often keep a red pen in my left pocket. Even though so much of my life has shifted to a digital format, I still find it helpful to jot down appointments, someone’s name and email, phone messages, and other noteworthy details that pop up daily. I never know when I’m going to need to scribble down a prayer concern or the new date and location of a rescheduled surgical procedure.
Thoughts and prayers: I’ve said it, I’ve offered it, and I believe it. To scrawl someone’s name and situation on a scrap of paper or napkin and then hold them in your thoughts and prayers during a difficult season is a holy thing. But thoughts and prayers are only part of our role when it comes to loving and caring for people.
We must also spring into action and tell them that we love and care for them. We must speak up and remind them that they matter, share words of encouragement with them, and sometimes offer tough words of next steps.
When necessary, we widen the circle, using our words, our bodies, and our resources to stand in the gap offering protection, healing, or advocacy on their behalf. Thoughts and prayers are anything but inaction and silence.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr got emotional during a press conference about basketball this week when reflecting about the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, saying, “I’m so tired of the moments of silence. Enough!”(www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/05/24/steve-kerr-uvalde-background-checks/).
He was fed up with the silence and instead demanded legislative action in the face of yet another senseless loss of life.
Jesus frequently was frustrated by inaction, too. When someone needed healing on the Sabbath, Jesus healed them, much to the dismay of the religious leaders who accused him of breaking the laws (Matthew 12:9-14). When children were present in ministry moments, Jesus welcomed and blessed them, rather than pushing them aside (Mark 10:14).
Following the example of Jesus, we are called to merge our “thoughts and prayers” sentiment with courageous love in action.
Someone recently asked why we pray about racial reconciliation in our weekly prayers. We continue to pray that God will heal us and move us to action, because racial issues continue to plague our nation and the world. As long as they do, we will not only offer thoughts and prayers, but hope that God will agitate us to strive for justice and equity.
For the same reason, we not only stand with our LGBTQIA+ siblings during Pride month, but we “live, share, and celebrate with all people” all year long in Jesus’ name. Our thoughts and prayers are coupled with activism and inclusion.
1 John 16-18 reminds us of Jesus’ example: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for [one another]. Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Pastor Lisa Bernheisel agrees, writing in her May 25, 2022 blog, “Love takes an active stance saying no to violence. Love does not let anger and bitterness be the end. Love seeks out the lost and those who have no hope. Love flows through the grieving with their tears. Love is the angry fist-shaking ‘why?’ As my friend says ‘love wins.’ We see this in the empty tomb. Yes, let's love each other through it.”
Please continue to offer your focused thoughts and prayers in earnest to those you love and care for, but don’t stop there. Let your love and concern turn into Holy Spirit-inspired action as you listen, speak, vote, accompany, and work on behalf of those in need.
Goodness is stronger than evil!
Pastor Lowell
Lord of Life,
I cannot believe I am wrapping up my internship. I know I’m transitioning into new chapters of life, as I am newly married, Justin and I are consolidating our finances, and I’m moving back to Louisville for at least the Summer, but hard for my brain to register that I am now at the end of my time with you all. The office is planning events that I will not be around to attend. Parishioners are seeking me to ask about my next steps and give me well wishes.
Perhaps I’ve disconnected my next chapters with the reality that I am turning a page away from old ones. Yes, I’m moving to Louisville. Yes, I’ll have a new call. But leaving Lord of Life? “No,” I’d like to think, but I am.
Sitting on a zoom call with seminary folks, discussing how to end the internship, a brief moment made ending internship feel too rough. Someone told us, interns, “Don’t sugarcoat. Don’t say I’ll see you all again. For most of these people, you won’t.” I think that’s why I have a hard time believing that the internship is ending. I’m too invested in the office group chat. I like my routine of Mondays being either men’s Bible study or “Let’s Talk About Race” discussion group. I’ve enjoyed teaching and goofing off with confirmation teens way too much to not be around for the rest of their adolescence, to see them become amazing adults and celebrate their accomplishments. Not indoctrinating Lord of Life young adults on Appalachia Service Project (ASP) this summer with Kentucky Pride sounds too terrible to be true. And I love telling y’all rad stories about my awesome grandparents in my sermons.
But that’s where I’m at. I attended my last “Let’s Talk About Race” discussion. I attended my last men’s Bible study. I will not be on ASP this summer. Staff will create a new group chat without me (but the current one will still exist for meme trading purposes). Confirmands that I’ve taught will be confirmed in my absence.
It’s no wonder a little bit of me is in denial. I like y’all too much. Though I’m excited to walk through open doors, it is with sadness that I’m closing doors behind me. So yes, while I know my internship is coming to an end, and my last Sunday is in three days (Holy cow, three days!) it still feels a bit unbelievable. But Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 reminds me to embrace this moment of transition, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” In my departure, God is fusing together weeping, laughing, mourning, and dancing.
This fusion of emotions is testimony to the amazing people of Lord of Life. This church really is a place of vibrancy with the Holy Spirit moving in and through this congregation. So many hands go into making ministry possible, from fellowship events to mission trips, from worship to learning, from care ministry to advocacy.
Thank you, Lord of Life, for your ministry and all you have given me these past two years,
Pastor Alec Brohnson, Seminary Intern
“Grace for today,” my favorite coffee cup and a reminder that I constantly need. It allows me to take a deep breath as I start the day and just for a quiet moment reflect on God’s amazing grace that sustains me always. Thoughts of the dear friend that gave it to me ground me in the knowledge that I am surrounded by community that holds me close and lifts me up.
I knew that I had taken a picture of this cup to send to my friend to show her that it brought me comfort on many days. When I did a search for coffee cups in my photo gallery to find the picture for the blog, I discovered several other “cup” moments that highlighted how precious it can be to take those moments by yourself or to savor time with family and friends. There were the unique coffee mugs at the beach house with family, my mom at my brother’s wedding, a girl’s weekend away which may have involved a variety of cups, etc. Try it, what “cup” moments might you savor or bring a smile from your gallery?
For the past couple of years, I feel like I need to supersize my coffee cup at times. Not just for the liquid gold that gives me a pick-me-up, but for a respite from the constant ups and downs of our world and life. Balancing the peaceful moments with the stress that I feel over the discourse in our country, the war in Ukraine, the consequences and future concerns of COVID, the weight of the work needed to be done to right injustice and help those in need. In addition to everyday stresses of house maintenance, the endless “to do” list, what to have for dinner, and having to play tambourine on video with talented musicians, just to name a few. I need to be reminded that there are things I can do and things that I need to put in God’s hands. There will be enough grace for all.
Jesus reminds us in the Sermon on the Mount that If we take a moment to consider how beautifully God clothes the flowers in the fields, we will recall God’s care for us. Considering the lilies reminded them, and reminds us today, how close God is. I almost feel that God should be having a cup of coffee when he is speaking. He knows what we need and what we need to be reminded of.
Truth is, I am not sure I really love coffee, but I love the feeling it brings especially on the day when my favorite cup is clean again and ready for new inspiration and a reminder of God’s unending grace. Is there something that grounds you in faith and is a needed reminder that God will always be there, giving you grace, love, and peace?
Raising my cup for you and praying we all feel God’s grace today.
God’s peace always,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation
Today is Cinco de Mayo! While we’ve enjoyed a handful of days that feel like they hint at the coming of summer, we’ve had quite a few more that seem to be holding us in spring, maintaining our “April Showers,” or even dragging us back to winter. There are days like Tuesday when it seems like the weather has a vendetta against us as the rain becomes torrential and the tornado warnings flash on our phones. On days like today, there is a nip in the air I usually associate with fall, but I’d rather look forward to the summer when I can reliably keep my shoes off and my shorts on and spend most of my time outside in my garden or working on my house.
I’ve experienced a lot of similar “seasonal” changes in my life recently. In 2019, I turned 40. In 2020, along with the rest of the world, I experienced a global pandemic, which allowed me to somewhat ignore my quickly graying hair and beard (if you haven’t noticed, thank “Just for Men” and my nephew for confusing me with my dad too many times on Zoom). This year, I went on blood pressure medication. I finally caught COVID myself, had my first colonoscopy, and have a CT scan to measure calcium buildup in my arteries because of my high cholesterol and family history of heart disease. I understand why they say 40 is “over the hill.” Sometimes it seems like it is really all downhill from here.
But I don’t think it is. I’m older, but I’m also a lot more settled into who I am. I have a much more clear sense of what is important and what isn’t, and because of that, I enjoy a lot more of my life than I did when I was younger and trying to figure myself out.
Over the past several months, I’ve been leading the Women at the Well through a series of Psalms and how they relate to the hymns and songs we sing in church. During most of our time together, I’ve used the Psalms and hymns that relate to the season we’ve been celebrating in the church year. In Advent, we patiently waited for the coming of Jesus, praying from Psalm 80, “Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.”
At Christmas, we celebrated Jesus’ birth by proclaiming Psalm 96, “Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.”
During the season after Christmas, Epiphany, we took time to rest and renew ourselves with Psalm 29, “The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.” As we looked toward the crucifixion during Lent, we took comfort in Psalm 27, “Though an army should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid.”
As the seasonal changes in weather, the Psalms take us on a journey that can mirror our personal experiences. Written from thousands of years of relationship with God, and sometimes from a terrible and dark place, they still paint a picture of a people who know who they are and to whom they belong.
The Women at the Well Psalms and Hymns program is over, but if you’d like to take a journey with the Psalms, you can find the videos of the sessions on our Facebook page. You can also read them directly from the Bible, or you can go to www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu each week to see what the Psalm for the week is so you can take a journey through our church year along with us.
Yours in Christ,
John Johns, Music Director