We bought a new candle this week. When I say “we,” I mean Lord of Life and when I say “candle,” I’m not talking about just any candle. The candle we purchased is the massive thirty-six inches tall by three inches wide centerpiece of our worship space that hovers by the baptismal font. When placed in the stand, it will tower at almost seven feet tall.

It is so exciting!

Some candles are only for decoration. The tapers in the arrangement on the dining room table, the vanilla pillars on the mantle, and the tea lights nestled behind glass figurines won’t be lit. They are there just for the vibe and ambiance. But this massive column of a candle was created to burn.

Why is this a big deal? Candles and fire play a central role in our Christian worship and lives. We have candles on the altar and pass the light of Christ to the newly baptized. We hear stories about God using fire and light to guide, protect, invite, and calm God’s people throughout time. We sing songs about shining and sharing the light of Christ. Here at Lord of Life, we also have a candle sculpture that we light as yet another way to pray.

Our Paschal candle symbolizes the risen Christ. The term Paschal comes from the Latin Pascha, which comes from the Hebrew Pesach, which in Hebrew means 'Passover', and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation. This candle is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the first and the last letters in the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, and the year. (You may notice that it currently says “2021.” We will not shift to the current year until Easter. Watch for it.)

While we won’t light it every week, this pillar of fire will preside over baptisms and funerals, church festivals like Easter, Pentecost, Reformation, Christmas, and will glow for weeks through the Easter season. There is a good chance that this candle will be with us for two or three years! Imagine what it will see during its tenure. What will happen in our congregation, community, and world while this candle stands as witness among us?

As our Music Director John Johns pulled the previous Paschal candle out of the stand this week, I reflected on all that it had seen in its years with us: New babies, baptisms, and weddings, hundreds of worship services, thousands of songs and hymns, millions of words read from the Bible in community. It also burned bright through Share the Light construction, the COVID pandemic, online worship services, and each of our own private tragedies and celebrations.

It is no accident that the Paschal candle often is decorated with the Alpha and Omega. Right now, you can see the letters on the green banner behind the candle in worship, too. Jesus says,

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).

Jesus is with us start to finish. Wherever we go and whatever life throws at us, we are hemmed in by the love and presence of God. This confidence is what keeps us going. This promise helps us shine!

Christmas Eve worship culminates with the candle lighting moment. In the darkened sanctuary, a single light is shared and spreads until everyone is aglow with the light of Christ. As it is passed, the light burns even brighter and multiplies in a way reminiscent of words we sing during the Easter Vigil service:

“We sing the glories of this pillar of fire, the brightness of which is not diminished even when its light is divided and borrowed.”

It will be almost a month before we light the Paschal candle for the first time on Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before Lent begins, but get ready. We’re going to let it burn. Until then, let’s meet at the baptismal font to hear words of forgiveness and promise that light us up.

Shine, Jesus shine!

Pastor Lowell Michelson

 “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us.” These words are the first half of the third verse in A Mighty Fortress is Our God - a Lutheran hymn classic. As we navigate through the pandemic those lyrics have been a source of comfort, as they are a reminder that through us, Christ is triumphing throughout our world. I need to be reminded of Christ’s triumphancy during the heights of the pandemic, especially when I don’t feel as if there is victory. I see the case numbers, news headlines, feel the impacts in my life, and I think the virus is in control. 

When the pandemic was quieting down I spent my trips to Louisville as treasured finite moments to embark on the city. Justin and I would hop around the inner ring of the city, grab an Old Fashioned at Moxy (a fancy hotel bar in downtown Louisville), possibly venture onto the waterfront and walking bridge, and eventually end up in one of Derby city’s bustling neighborhoods to most likely window shop. 

But this past weekend, I didn’t do any of those things. With my parents, I watched the Tampa Bay Bucs beat the Philadelphia Eagles, had multiple game nights at my friend’s house and had a lazy apartment-lounging day with my fiance. It was a fairly calm weekend due to our current pandemic reality. 

The pandemic is isolating as we find ourselves meeting virtually, keeping ourselves away from public gatherings and in some cases, loved ones. But this past weekend, my cup was filled, as I got to spend time with my closest friends and family and not feel as if I was leaving as soon as I arrived. In other words, though my weekend was different, the pandemic didn’t get the final word. 

Yes, zoom is most certainly not the same as face-to-face interaction, and virtual worship feels incomplete. But us connecting despite our current reality is Christ’s triumphant victory through us. In the midst of all the chaos the pandemic brings, there are alleluia moments to be celebrated. During this pandemic, we are challenged to find new ways to connect and share moments with each other. And when we do, we can proclaim Christ’s victory. 

Your sibling in Christ,

Pastor Alec Brock, Seminary Intern

Camels have settled my heart and mind in the tumultuous beginning of 2022. The despair of the new COVID surge, the discourse in our country, the weight of the work needed to be done to right injustice, along with my mom passing away at Christmas seemed an overwhelming start to the new year.

I consider myself a “glass is half full” kind of person, so for me to feel such despair was surprising. How do I get past this? How do I keep this grief for our world and missing my mom from being all-consuming? 

As with countless things, it takes the Holy Spirit connecting the points of light and breathing life-giving hope when you can’t see it for yourself. My beacon, interesting enough, was in one of God’s amazing and unique creations, a camel. 

I know you were still thinking, camels? It wasn’t a typo. Camels can stink, be messy, and mean but they can also deliver us home in an unforgiving desert. I experienced God in camels three times in the past few days that had me reflecting on my sadness.

As I was preparing to teach our LOL preschoolers at our monthly chapel time, I was thinking of ways to engage them in the story in the Spark Story Bible of the Three Wise Men who followed the star. Connection through all their senses is always key. I decided we were going to ride our camels throughout the sanctuary as we followed the star to find baby Jesus. 

A few days later, I received photos from my daughter, who is deployed in Iraq, of her interactions with camels in the desert. I shared those photos with my family. My brother sent a photo back of my dad riding a camel on my parent’s trip to the Holy Land with their church over 30 years ago.

I hadn’t remembered that photo. My dad is waving and smiling while on the camel and my first thought was that he was saying, “Hey don’t forget, mom is with me now. She is safe and at peace. We are on our next adventure.” These camels in my life allowed me to reflect on the goodness that is still surrounding me even in the face of these uncertain times and sadness. Wonderful memories of the trip that my parents experienced together. My daughter may be serving in Iraq, but there is enough peace in the region for her to safely engage in some of the culture and see the amazingly beautiful country. Then there are the preschoolers shouting with innocence and joy at the sighting of the star as they rode their camels. After we had ridden to our seats, one of the first things we do at Chapel is to light a candle and declare together, “Jesus is the light of the world.” Such a soul-lifting gift to share this message together especially during this time.

Life can be messy, mean, and even stinky but we are seen and held by our Savior who will carry us through our despair. I know my emotions will be up and down in the coming weeks and the grief will come in waves but John 16:33 reminds me, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you may have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”   

Who or what might the Holy Spirit be drawing you to as your beacon of hope?

Some of the beautiful qualities about my mom is that she truly appreciated nature, loved to learn, and delighted in the small details of life. I am going to try to carry on that spirit of reflecting on the goodness of all of God’s creations. I also know if she were reading this, I would soon find interesting articles and fun facts about camels in my e-mail or mailbox. There is always something more to learn.

God’s peace always,

Angie Seiller

Director of Faith Formation

New Year’s Eve day was warm and dry, so Otto and I headed to a local trail for an end-of-the-year hike. While we walked, I thanked God for all the good things of 2021 and wished a speedy farewell to all the sorrow and mess of the past year.

Pivot. Restrictions. Shutdown. Face coverings. Protocols. I hoped that they would all be behind us. I didn’t think that we would still be using these words and adapting our actions to COVID-19 almost two years into this pandemic, but here we are.

This past Wednesday afternoon, after much discussion, analysis, and prayer, we sent an email and posted it on social media saying, “Lord of Life is suspending in-person worship for January 9 and 16.” If you haven’t seen it, yet, it is available on our website; you can read all about our next couple of weeks together while physically apart.

This step backward makes me sad. It has been so nourishing to our faith community, as well as my own heart and soul, to be back together for worship moments, greet each other during the week when you drop by the office for a conversation or to pick up resources, and to feel the growing momentum as we return to church life after an extended period of isolation and physical distancing.

I am grateful that we have compassionate church leaders and a congregation who are willing to take this step and put our faith into action. This is one way that we can bring relief to exhausted and overwhelmed hospital staff, while also keeping our neighbors and selves healthy. Thank you. We know that it is the right thing to do, even if it stinks.

As my dog and I walked, I was also grateful for canine pardon. One of the great gifts of my dog is that he easily forgives me. When I’m crabby, he doesn’t hold a grudge. If we have a frustrating morning together, he is still eager to greet me when I come home. Forget a treat? He's happy if I just double up next time. In his mind, “It’s all good!” I once saw a bumper sticker that declared,

“Help me be the person that my dog thinks I am.” Oh, that it were that easy.

On this Epiphany day, January 6, we remember the magi traveling to meet and worship Jesus as king. Shane Claiborne describes Epiphany as, “a season when we see Jesus’ divine mission revealed when the magi visit him and we remember his baptism, miracle, ministry, and his call for us to follow.”

Today, we also remember the terror and trauma of last January 6. It was a day of confusion and fright at the Capitol, leaving property and people damaged and destroyed, as well as at least seven people dead who were connected to the chaos of the day.

Turning the page to 2022, we want a clean slate for our lives and the world. We are eager to leave the regret and grief of the last twelve months behind and start afresh. But we all can’t live like Otto. Even as we work towards forgiveness and reconciliation, Jesus fuels us for faith in action. Romans 12 talks about what that love in action looks like.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves ...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Jesus, help me be the person that you know I can be.

I thank God for you,

Pastor Lowell

It’s been another unprecedented year! We are so grateful for the ingenuity and adaptability that you have shown that allowed us to serve our neighbors and participate in life and ministry at Lord of Life throughout the past year.

We thank God for each of you and the numerous ways that you generously share your lives for God’s mission here, in our community, and throughout the world. Thank you also for your Christmas gifts.

As we jump into a new year of moving forward in faith, we pray that the Spirit of God will continue to bring us health, joy, and peace as we remain rooted in the promises of Jesus.

The Lord of Life Staff