I had the opportunity to attend a Youth Ministries Retreat at the end of October. It was inspiring and full of all kinds of good stuff. It will take time to wade through all the information, however, I did quickly order a book called “Every Moment Holy” Volume 1. Laughing and sighing as we read the titles of the prayers and liturgies, this book would come in handy. The holy moments range from the Changing of Diapers to the Enjoyment of Bonfires, Waiting in Line, and the Anniversary of a Loss. 

As I read the book, the liturgy on Giving leaped out at me. It happened to coincide with a recent trip to the shoe store. What did I really need? What did I have at home in my closet already? I had the money but was this the priority? But they were cute. I needed one pair but wanted three. I left feeling sad. I know, sad over shoes! Please know that I am not judging you for your shoe buying habits or purchasing decisions, this is my own struggle with worldly possessions. Today, it was shoes. Tomorrow, it might be new pillows for the couch.  

I try to live my life generously. I know first-hand the freedom and peace that it can bring. So, why do I struggle in these moments? 

My prayer is that the following words will live in my heart as a reminder that my treasures and hopes are in Jesus alone.  

“Every Moment Holy” A Liturgy for Giving: 

In truth, I have nothing but you, O Christ, nothing that I might call my own.  

So let that good confession now compel a better stewardship.                                  

First teach me to treasure you, Jesus, above all things. Then let that increasing devotion be increasingly demonstrated in a joyful generosity for to give is to live out the declaration that you alone supply. I need not fear what comes tomorrow. 

When I give to meet the need of others, when I give to the work of those who serve the poor, the sick, the oppressed, when I give to the service of your Body and your Kingdom, I give not what is mine but only what is already yours. With every charitable act, I am simply practicing the fact that nothing which passes through my hands has ever belonged to me. 

You are my generous master. Make me your faithful trustee, teaching me to live as a wiser conduit of this liberal grace, learning to hold loosely the things of this world, never hoarding that which is yours, never seeking the mean preservation of my own comforts. Rather let me love well in my giving, even as you, O Father, have loved me so well by giving me all things in Christ. 

Let me make each offering without thought of temporal gain. Let me give precisely because I have believed your promises are true- and let my giving be the proof. If you are my shepherd, then I am freed to live generously, knowing that any seeming deprivation is but the work of your Spirit weaning me from a world of things and winning me to greater dependence on Christ the King. 

So why would I grasp at that which I cannot keep? This body will sleep in death and what I now hold so briefly will pass into the keeping of another. I own nothing here. I have no claim. Dispel the myth of my possessions, lest they taint that better hope of Heaven. 

Rather let me learn, while I draw breath, to live with open hands and a joy-filled heart, investing in your resources in your good works. Let me plant these mortal seeds in expectation of immortal harvests… 

All that I have is yours, Lord Christ, All that I have is you. 

In Christ’s love, 

Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation 

I’ve been leading a study of Psalms and their translations into hymns for Women at the Well. Since the most recent session followed Reformation Sunday, we studied Psalm 46 and how it inspired and influenced Martin Luther to write the words for our Reformation hymn, A Mighty Fortress. 

I’ve been at Lord of Life for over seven years now, and I still struggle with the words in our hymnal because they are different from any other church I’ve served before:

A mighty fortress is our God, A sword and shield victorious.

Instead of:

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing.

I love a little sleuthing about music history and I’ve had a great audience for our Bible study, so I decided to dig in to find some answers. This is totally academic geekery - it’s the kind of thing I get excited about.

I went through our previous four hymnals to get a feel for what we’ve done before and found that our current hymnal and the previous one (the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, or “the green hymnal”) use the same words. The red hymnal before that, published in 1958, used the “bulwarks” translation that I’m more familiar with.

When I opened the Common Service Book and Hymnal from 1918, I found that we were doing yet another translation back then:

A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon.

Huh … this sounds a lot more like our sword and shield victorious. It turns out this translation was the translation common to Lutheran churches starting in 1868, and is a very faithful translation of Luther’s original German.

The other translation - the one about the bulwark - was written at about the same time, but by Frederick Hedges, who was much more romantic and poetic. Instead of trying to translate it literally, he made a beautiful and clearly long-lasting hymn.

If you’re curious how Psalm 46 and any version of this text come together to remind us of the Reformation, I’ll leave you with this:
The 46^th Psalm was written in thanksgiving to God for the saving of Jerusalem from the warfare of opposing nations. We sing Mighty Fortress to praise God for staying with us as we reform God’s church and ourselves, and for preserving God’s Word against outside forces.

Reforming with you,

John Johns

There was a parade of superheroes, princesses, and even a bumblebee through our gathering space this week, as part of the Lord of Life Preschool Halloween procession. It was a delight to see all the little ones and teachers dressed up and prancing around in their alter egos begging for treats.

I liked dressing up and working the neighborhood when I was a kid, but there were a few houses we always avoided – the super scary homesteads where the dry ice billowed over the sidewalk and the strobe lights flashed in frantic and disorienting rhythm, while creepy noises blared from hidden speakers. Of course, there was always someone nestled in a dark location who would jump out when we were least expecting it. For me, it was less “Trick or Treat” and more fright and fear.

I haven’t been to a haunted house for years, because there is plenty of terror and fright in daily life. There’s no need for me to go searching for more. Violence and aggression are never far from us. Hatred and jealousy rip through families and communities. The crippling cancer diagnoses continue to roll in, wars between nations and friends continue to rage, and the battle against hunger and poverty appear to regularly stall.

We shouldn’t be surprised by all of this. Over and over throughout biblical accounts, we hear the matriarchs and patriarchs say that life will be hard and scary at times. Even Jesus said that we will have trouble. “I have told you [about turning your grief into joy], so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Oh yeah! This fills me with confident hope!

The apostle Paul also spoke clearly about the trouble and trauma constantly encircling us, but he wouldn’t let it dominate his thoughts or paralyze his life. He confidently declared, “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Our Psalm for Reformation Sunday, Psalm 46, has delivered a hearty remedy to fearful and apprehensive people for thousands of years.

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,

courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains.

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us. (Psalm 46:1-3 - The Message)

No matter what happens to us or the troubles that come, God is with us and for us. Church leader and reformer Martin Luther found such assurance in Psalm 46 that it inspired him to pen the lyrics for “A Mighty Fortress.”

I don’t know what is scaring you these days or what anxiety you carry, but hear Jesus’ words for you, today:  “Do not fear. You are mine. I love you and will protect and encourage you. No matter what leaps out from the dark and shadowed places of your life, I am with you always.”

Be not afraid,

Pastor Lowell

GA, GA, BALL! It is the sound that echoed in my ears many times at the Jr. High Retreat at Camp Kern. Each game begins with this chant. I have known about Gaga for some time, but I have watched it from a distance. We did not have Gaga growing up, so I didn’t know the rules. What I discovered as I got closer to the Gaga Pit (wooden octagon structure), you WILL be invited to participate even if you do not look particularly athletic or young.

“It's super simple. Basically, we throw a bunch of players and a ball in a pit. Once the ball is in play, you can hit it with an open or closed hand. If the ball touches you below the knee, you are out. The last one in the pit wins. Then, everyone hops back in for the next round. Games last no more than five minutes. It's fast, it's fun and it's really addictive. As soon as you get out, you can't wait to hop back in.” www.gagacenter.com/nyc/about/what-is-gaga/

Honestly, the first time I was invited to play, I was a bit suspicious that they wanted an easy target. There were a few intimidating, Gaga-loving teens. However, as the day went on, I came to see that they genuinely wanted everyone to be included regardless of skill.

During this fall stewardship campaign, as we talk about Forward in Faith, Worship, and Outreach, Gaga parallels our community of faith and God’s welcoming love for all of us. The mission of the gospel is too big for individuals, we are called to be together. We each have different gifts, yet we are one in the body of Christ. In Gaga, each person adds to the game, it could be that you can laugh at yourself, you are strong mentally or physically, you are the encourager, or the teacher, or the thoughtful observer. We are all mixed in our uniqueness in the “pit.”

Still facing life with COVID, it is difficult to figure out how we move forward in our faith and as a community of believers. What is our part? When will we be ready to jump in? What can I do at my own comfort level? What are the rules? Can I stretch myself? There aren’t easy answers. That first time is hard, but it feels so good when you step in. As our life in Christ, the beauty of Gaga is that everyone is invited back into the fold time and time again. The winner gets very minor accolades before a new game begins. Can we play the game with a few? We can, but it is far more satisfying and life-affirming when everyone is included.

LOL is our Gaga pit. We can jump in, live as God sees us, stretch ourselves and be comfortably on the edge while always belonging to each other. Paul writes of our new life in Christ as one body with many parts:

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. - Romans 12:4-6a

Joining you in living, sharing, and celebrating with all people God’s love in Jesus Christ as we move forward in faith.

God’s peace always,

Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation

Other fun Gaga facts:

We have a Gaga pit at LOL. It needs a little TLC after COVID. Contact Angie if you are willing to help out (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Where did Gaga originate? Was it created by the Israeli Defense Force or by a frustrated camp counselor? To find out: www.blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/08/09/who-invented-ga-ga-ball-someone-might-have-solved-the-mystery-for-good/

Do you ever have the experience where you see or hear the same idea over and over again from different sources, all in a short time? In the past day, the legend of the two wolves was referenced in the devotion in our weekly staff meeting and in the mystery I’m reading. If you’re not familiar, the legend puts the human struggle between good and evil in the context of two warring wolves living in one’s heart. One wolf is made up of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is made up of joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The wolf that wins the fight is the one that is fed. We know this concept from many Christian contexts, too. Martin Luther talks of us being both saint and sinner. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he laments “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Romans 7:19.

While all of those versions resonate with me in one way or another, the wolf story struck me with the idea of being fed. There are so many aspects to being fed, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and all of them can play a factor in the daily struggle to do right by God and our fellow people. The Church is all about feeding and being fed. We are fed in worship, through Word and song, and as we are welcomed again and again to Christ’s holy table.

What an everyday miracle it is that through service we are both fed and feeding others. Often, we provide actual food, through Feed the Need, our garden, Hands Against Hunger, and Holiday Meal Boxes to name a few of our programs that provide nourishment. But often, we feed both body and spirit through our gifts of food. When a parent who has lost their job comes to the church door looking for a way to put a meal in their little ones’ hungry bellies, they need one of our care bags full of soup and directions to the food pantry, but they also need to be spiritually fed by the respect and kindness of whoever happens to answer the door that day.

The idea of feeding and being fed can play out anywhere. When Lord of Life did our Lenten study on Love Languages last year, I discovered how much I express love through food and hospitality. I learned this love from my family. We laugh about how you cannot arrive at another family member’s house without being offered something nice: a nice cup of tea, or a nice sandwich, a nice cold beer - always served with the admonishment to relax. What a joy to be a source of comfort and nourishment to others.

Sometimes you get the opportunity to roll it all together. At Couples’ Bible Study, we take turns providing a meal for the group. We talk and laugh through dinner, sharing and caring for each other. Then we dive into Scripture, learning together.

How about you? Fed anyone lately? Are you being fed? Which wolf is winning?

Yours in Christ,

Cara Hasselbeck (she/her/hers)

I love the first creation story in Genesis, in which God creates the world - sea, land, sky, vegetation, animals, and finally humans, particularly the emphasis of humanity being created in the image of God (imago Dei). For me, it has always served as a reminder that creating is a Godly thing. And I’m not simply talking about God’s creative work; I’m talking about our creative work as image-bearers of God. We draw pictures, knit scarves, carve pumpkins, and build furniture. Us bringing things into existence is holy as we live into our imago Dei. 

This past week, the church held a rummage sale and our entire building became packed with nearly everything - movies, books, home decor, furniture, jewelry, and all things in between. As I saw stuff pile in, I tried to see things not as they were, but as what they could be! As someone who has always liked the idea of refurbishing furniture, I thought, “now is my time to shine” as I took home a small piece for myself. 

As Pastor Lowell preached this last Sunday, using the rummage sale as a sermon illustration for the second creation story and Mark’s lesson on divorce, I wrote a note in my bulletin that can be summarized as “refurbishment is restoration.” If creating is us living out what it means to be made in the image of the biggest creator there is, then what is refurbishing? I like to think it is another imago Dei moment, us reflecting a God of restoration. Just as the creation narrative takes a sharp turn with Adam and Even eating some forbidden fruit and getting expelled, furniture gets dinged up and our sinful selves don’t use coasters on our coffee tables. Our sins are not the end of our story. God is in the saving business, bringing restoration and wholeness in our lives and in our world.

As I lay a stripping agent onto furniture, scrape off the old stain, sand down, restain and finish, I will continually be reminded that we have a God of restoration. There is power in bringing about a physical manifestation of faith, as it will only engrain faith more deeply into our hearts. When a refinished coffee table rests in my living room I will continually be reminded of God’s restorative nature.

My favorite Bible study of the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) had a twist. Usually, we’re challenged to see ourselves as the prodigal son, sinners always welcomed into God’s hands. But in this Bible study, we were asked, “How do we emulate God in this passage?” Suddenly, I was called to place myself into the shoes of the father in the passage, and offer grace to others. There’s a pattern here. In our restoration process, God teaches us, bears God’s image into us, and then asks us to show Him who we are and what we’ve learned. As I refinish furniture from the rummage sale, I hope I am showing God what I’ve learned, and as I scrape what is old and restain to make new, I hope to be reminded of God’s work in me, as the hymn Shepherd me O’ God proclaims, “Shepherd me O’ God ... from death into life.”