While every day is a gift, some days land in our lives with more gravity than others. I’m writing on one such day.

During the morning Bible study at church, I was continually distracted by a preschool class down the hall breaking into their morning routine, which I can only believe was “free-range preschool exploration of everything in the room” time. It was thrilling to listen to the chorus of toys, games, chatter, and more in a concert of chaos. One of the children must have discovered an accordion on a music shelf. It’s unique moan undergirded the noise with a heart-warming drone. The sustained clamor and infectious joy were a gift.

On the same day, I spent most of the afternoon in one of our local intensive care units with a family who was making hard decisions. With the lights dimmed, we moved between bedside prayers and silence. In the hush of that holy space, we shared a lifetime of stories peppered with laughter and tears. Through the beeps and tweaks of life-sustaining machines, we gave thanks for the caring and attentive staff, technology, our histories, and God’s palpable presence. Each were a gift.

That evening, I met one last time with a young couple who will be married in the coming weeks. As we stood in the outdoor worship space, they imagined the space filled with family and friends gathered to celebrate with them, as they declare their love and commit their lives to one another. Leaves were swirling everywhere as an autumn storm rolled in. Those few minutes with them were a gift.

In between these moments, there were church staff conversations, worship planning moments, phone calls and texts, photocopying, and sweeping up some broken glass in the hallway. These too were each a gift.

Our Wednesday morning Bible study is currently working our way through David Lose’s Making Sense of the Christian Faith. Each week, we explore one of the basics of Christian faith, including creation, sin, covenant, atonement, and others. 

This week, we focused our discussions on “Incarnation,” which literally means “embodied in flesh.” Our talk about Incarnation in church circles is about God’s Word (Jesus) becoming flesh and living among us. Read John 1:1-18.

During our class, we talked about the audacity of God becoming a human! That was far beyond what any respectable god at that time would have done. Jesus lived fully into his humanity by experiencing birth and death as a person. We wondered about how he may have been tempted, frustrated, and enraged. The Bible tells us that Jesus was active in moments of teaching and learning. He was present for bedside prayers and moments of death. He shared in joy with wedding couples. What a gift to know that Jesus has been where we are and continues to be with us.

Trusting that God continues to dwell among us, Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn calls us to be attentive.

     In this cold commodity culture
    Where you lay your money down
    It's hard to even notice
    That all this earth is hallowed ground
    Harder still to feel it
    Basic as a breath
    Love is stronger than darkness
    Love is stronger than death

The Gift by Bruce Cockburn 

© 1988 Golden Mountain Music Corp. (SOCAN)

Every day, wherever we go and whatever we do, we are immersed in the presence of God. The Spirit of God fuels and encourages us, while stories of Jesus’ life remind us that he knows the human experience. Pay attention to your life and give thanks. It is a gift.

Thrilled to share the journey with you,

Pastor Lowell

Boxes of all sizes, bags filled to overflowing, and truck’s full of generous donations just kept coming. From Sunday afternoon through late on Thursday evening, they filled every nook and cranny of available space at Lord of Life. Each day, I would think about how we could possibly sort through it all. How do you price thousands of items to sell in a week? Would we have enough volunteers to do it all? What happens if it doesn’t sell? What’s the right pricing to make the most for the youth but still have it all go?

I confess that I am not always good at listening to the “do not worry” verses in the Bible, especially when I like to work a plan or when there are factors I can’t control. I can lose sleep at night thinking about the “what if’s” or completely miss a great song on the radio because my thoughts are replaying every scenario of possibilities.

Oh, how I wish I could get those hours back these past few weeks because God had it all under control. I’m getting teary-eyed as I write thinking of the holy moments that happened as everyone pulled together toward a common goal for good. Hearts and minds toward one thing, toward one good purpose - our youth. We served and grew together.

I think of the people who do not have kids directly involved in the youth program who were there sorting, pricing, and working the sale. Or the grandma who signed up to help for a few hours and kept coming back day after day. Or the past organizers who had certainly “done their time” with this massive project but still showed up to help and guide. The people who said “yes” when I asked if they could load their trucks on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to take the leftovers to Goodwill and St. Vincent. The family that volunteered to take all the videos, DVDs, and books that didn’t sell to Half Price Books to get a few more dollars for our youth. And of course, there were the homemade cookies for working volunteers because someone wanted to help but couldn’t physically be there.

There were so many holy moments that could get lost in the worry of getting things done. Catching up with old friends and meeting new. Finding common interests in the wide array of books or items that reminded us of our childhood. Appreciating the beautiful soul that bought all the vases to bring flowers to hospice patients or the dog rescuer who was delighted to find dog cages and the woman who left her phone number so she could pick up all the leftover blankets for a homeless shelter.

Please know that this blog is not meant to give anyone guilt for not being there. Life is busy and it was a weekend full of band competitions, scouting events, and other commitments. All good stuff! I pray that  you,wherever you were and whatever you were doing, found just a little time not to worry and truly see how God intertwines our lives for community and purpose.

There are holy moments all around. How can you be intentional today in finding those moments? How can you be present with those around you, and give your worry to God?

Join me in saying a prayer of thanks for the $6200 raised for our youth and the hands and hearts that made it possible! Money that will be used so they can go out into the world to serve others and grow in their faith through mission projects and the 2024 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. I can’t wait to see how God continues to work through us. More holy moments to come!

God’s peace always,

Angie Seiller

Director of Faith Formation

A few weeks ago, I went to my first FC Cincinnati game. It was a thrill and delight to be caught up in the momentum of the tens of thousands cheering and the non-stop percussion ensemble leading a “massive wall of noise and color” in the Bailey bleachers as fuel for the frantic scramble back and forth on the pitch.

Although the Charlotte club had control of the ball almost twice as much, Cincinnati was able to make their shots on goal count for a win, 2-0. Thirty-eight minutes into play, FC Cincinnati defender and Lakota West graduate, Nick Hagglund scored the first goal of the game. As we cheered and high-fived, I couldn’t help but mention, “That is a bunch of effort for one point!” So much running, kicking, jumping, falling, and body slamming for a single point on the board. One. Single. Point.

Our culture often celebrates more. We cheer for the biggest, richest, and most famous. We honor the smartest, the most creative, and the ones who excel. We even say that “the one with the most points, credits, and toys wins.” Too often, we underestimate the power of one.

This past Sunday, Sarah Davis shared stories about the impact that the Fringe Coffee House is making in the greater Hamilton area. One opportunity, one job, one set of keys, one moment of trust all help make a dramatic shift possible. One cup of coffee can lead to life-changing conversations. One Alcoholics Anonymous meeting can be a first step toward restoration.

But one isn’t always good news. We’ve been on the giving and receiving end of some bad ones. One sneer. One rumor. One breakup. One lie. One biased law. One theft. One accident. One assumption. One accusation. One diagnosis. One event gone wrong. Numero uno can deliver a devastating blow.

Thankfully, Jesus is the master of transforming the bad into something good. Recognizing a moment of debilitating remorse, he spoke one word of forgiveness that set Zacchaeus free. With one touch, he brought healing to a woman who had suffered for years. Jesus spoke about the value of one lost coin and sheep that were worth finding. With one look, he offered compassion to the multitudes and after blessing one boy’s sack lunch, Jesus fed the hillside. 

At the end of his earthly life, one cross led Jesus to one empty tomb, who now leads us with an enduring promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In hope, we join the voices of millions, saying, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

God continues to meet us as we receive one nibble of bread and one sip of wine that fill us with nourishing grace. Wherever we are, we have the ability to connect to the Creator of the universe as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught. The Spirit of God continues to be on the move and reminds us not to diminish the transformative power of one.

I look forward to being with you as we celebrate the One who brings us together as one people. Until then, may you be reminded of this great Love, today. 

We are one in the Spirit,

Pastor Lowell

On Sunday, October 5, 2014, I was sitting in a pew, participating in worship in a way I rarely experience. I’m used to being at the piano - I’ve been worshiping that way since I was a kid, so sitting in the pew gave me a new perspective. This was my first Sunday at Lord of Life, and before I jumped into leading rehearsals and using my Sunday morning brain space to think about what notes I needed to play and who I needed to cue next, I was allowed to sit and watch and find out for myself how Lord of Life comes alive each week.

My previous church experiences left me with moments of doubt. Not so much in God - I believe in God. And Jesus. But sometimes it seems like the theological structure of the Christian church is a barrier to doing the work we’re being called to do - specifically, to love each other. And the hierarchical structure demands that pastors and bishops have answers and authority. So when people ask difficult questions, they answer with hard and fast “black and white” principles that end up hurting some people.

You can imagine how refreshing it was when Pastor Lowell’s sermon on my very first Sunday ended with “I don’t have all the answers, but we’re on this journey together.”

Huh.

I know there is comfort in having someone tell you that there are simple truths and that all your questions have answers. But after a lifetime of having those “truths” or beliefs fall apart under pressure or apply more to some people than others, I feel much better thinking of Christianity less as a set of beliefs and more as a way of life. Jesus, himself, said, “I am the way.” He also said to stop getting caught up in all the laws of the church and focus on loving each other. 

I’ve been reading a book by Brian McLaren called Do I Stay Christian? This book isn’t for everybody. It says a lot of things that are difficult to hear. He explores some of the ideas I’ve discussed here about faith and beliefs, and many more. I was surprised when he quoted Frederick Douglass using words that could easily apply today:

The church regards religion simply as a form of worship, an empty ceremony, and not a vital principle, requiring active benevolence, justice, love, and goodwill towards humanity… A worship that can be conducted by persons who refuse to give shelter to the houseless, to give bread to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and who enjoin obedience to a law forbidding these acts of mercy, is a curse, not a blessing to humankind…

I’m grateful that Lord of Life is so good at overcoming the shortcomings of many Christian churches. But I’m always trying to stay aware that what we sing and say in worship continues to inspire us to follow the way of Jesus.

What other ways would you like to see us follow Jesus’ way?

Yours on the journey,

John Johns

Who am I?

Where do I fit?

What difference can I make?

“3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager” by Kara Powell and Brad Griffin is the book I am reading. 2,200 diverse teenagers were interviewed and are its basis. I can’t wait till I get to the end and have all the answers!

If it could only be that simple. If you look at me, you could guess that my teenage days did not have cell phones. We hung out at the mall, played Pac-Man, and laid in the sun slathered in baby oil while listening to Madonna and Prince on my prized boom box. Those days were long ago.

However, these three questions have continued to follow me throughout my life. In an ever-changing world, there is constant re-evaluation of my priorities and discovering who I truly am, especially during the COVID years. Fortunately, I have had years of caring adults and mentors to show me that I am enough, I will always fit in, and I can make a difference because of Jesus. They welcomed me into God’s life-changing story. Being rooted in this knowledge has allowed me to be fearless in the face of these questions. Well,mostly unafraid. There have certainly been times I was scared and unsure of my path but those were times that I wanted to be in control.

Due to our barrage of media in all forms, our youth can get lost in these questions. We adults can get lost and confused, too. I know these questions were part of my life in those formative teenage years, but my phone was tied to a wall so my parents could listen to my every answer. I did not have the constant outside influences, and opinions that impact our lives today.

This past weekend, there were parents, grandparents and those with grown children that showed up to support our youth at the Parent/Child Youth Ministry Meeting. We were saying “Yes!” to walking along with our LOL youth in their journey of answering these questions. We aren’t biblical experts, or teaching gurus, or perfect at praying, but are willing to invest in our youth. We don’t have all the answers but are allowing the living Word of God to work in our lives to guide our youth.

There are deeper answers to these questions that continue to grow and change. However, in this season, at this moment, I can answer:
Who am I? I am an imperfect and beloved child of God.
Where do I fit? I fit in at Lord of Life.
What difference can I make? I can journey with youth as they wrestle with the big questions of life and faith.

How would you answer these questions today?

Growing in faith together,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation

*We invite all families to register for the new season of youth ministry. Sign up today!

I enjoy leftovers. Not only does eating the scraps help me make room in the fridge, but it also forces me to come up with creative ways of reimagining the remnants of a previous meal. Baked potato bar leftovers from last night stirred into a morning omelet turns my measly scrambled eggs into a First Watch kind of breakfast creation. A pork roast from earlier in the week turns up my nacho game when drizzled with a swirl of BBQ sauce, a dollop of sour cream, and a handful of cilantro. Even the lingering fruit from my lunchbox is perfect atop a bowl of cereal or ice cream for a late-night snack. It’s fun to pull out the good stuff and discover a second life.

This time of year is always interesting in church life. It feels a bit like cleaning out the fridge to prepare space for what is next. Church staff and ministry leaders spent the summer looking at the leftovers from the previous year, not only the Bibles, crafts, and other physical items, but also the lingering ideas, hopes, dreams, and patterns of learning and serving. What should we keep? What should we pitch? What are the items we can recycle and use right now as part of something new?

In a few weeks, as we leap into our fall schedule, there will be many things that you will recognize. We will return to our Sunday rhythm of three worship services, with learning for all ages at 9:30 am. Sprinkled throughout the week, there will be a variety of opportunities to serve and learn and gather together as we continue to ground our lives in the promises of God.

Drawn from conversations with many of you and our recent survey results, there will also be some things that will be switched up a bit. One of the most exciting shifts will be our pattern of learning for children on Sunday morning. We will invite everyone in fifth grade and below to begin with us in worship as we sing, pray, and share a children’s message together. Following that time, the children will zip down to the fellowship hall space for the remainder of worship, spending time digging deeper into the Bible verses and themes of the day.

Why the shift? Over the last few years, we realized that many children were dropped off for Sunday learning, while their parents or grandparents went to worship. After worship, the adults grabbed the little ones and departed. Unintentionally, we have been creating a generation of children who don’t know what it is to be part of worship and families haven’t been in worship together. This is a crucial misstep in faith formation that we need to correct.

Along with our mission to live, share, and celebrate with all people in Jesus, Lord of Life’s core values of outreach, diversity, faith formation, and worship all pivot around intentional time in Scripture and community. We hope that welcoming these little ones into worship moments will:
create a cohesive, multi-generational worship experience for all.
empower families to sing, pray, and share together.
challenge us to think about what a welcoming and inclusive space can be.

This fall is an excellent season to try some new things and look forward to how it will enrich all of our Sunday morning experiences.

There is a precedence for this. Over and over, Jesus made room for others and welcomed children into worship. He was continuously looking ahead, reimagining not only what the church was, but what it could be! With things like bread, wine, water, oil, and more, he was always gathering the extras and serving up another delicious plate of nourishing Grace.

I’ll meet you at the table,

Pastor Lowell

Come find out more about plans and how you can be part of this exciting time this Sunday, August 28 after the 10 am service at the Parent/Child meeting or contact our Director of Faith Formation, Angie Seiller.