Throughout my various ministry experiences, I have learned the importance of presence. When I worked at Ewalu Bible Camp, showing up would include coming to activities like worship and games. During my chaplaincy experience, this would often include coming to various activities with the residents, such as worship, games, and Bible study. Not only did this include being physically present but also being there spiritually and emotionally. 

What I have continued to find most reassuring about the ministry of presence is that I do not have to have everything figured out to do this. When I am with others, I often struggle with wanting to have the right answers, well-articulated words, or to make a situation better.  However, I have realized that my presence has made a difference in the lives of my friends simply because I had a meal with them and listened to what they were going through. The ministry of presence is lovely because everyone can do it, not just the ordained or specially trained people. We all can continue to be present for others.

This week, our theme for Vacation Bible School was True North, and we talked about the many ways we can trust Jesus. We can trust Jesus when we wonder, feel alone, are powerless, and need help. Walking alongside others has taught me that showing up can be powerful, and it is in these moments that we truly experience the presence of God, who is always with us, giving us strength, and has gifted us in various ways to walk with others. 

I have witnessed many powerful ways in which the Lord of Life has been present for others. This week, many of you showed up to Vacation Bible School by shepherding children and leading various activities. This made a difference in the kids' lives by being there to listen and teach them about God. 

Some of you showed up for the service of healing and affirmation and Hamilton Pride by listening to the stories of those who were there and offering blessings. This impacted others who may have been harmed by the church but also offered a glimpse of God’s love. Many of you will continue to be present in many ways for those around you.

In what ways have others been present for you? In what ways have you been able to show up for others? How have you experienced God during that?

Continually present, 

Pastor Nicole

Image by Chris Cook, https://www.chriscookartist.com/

I love learning about the history of languages and how they have evolved over the millennia. Figuring out those words and parts of words we share with other speakers now or in the ancient past can inform how I might use words differently, pronounce difficult phrases, how lyrics fit into music, and it even helps me and Brian complete the New York Times Crossword Puzzle every day.

I’ve been reading a book called Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global. It explores the history of our language through the lens of what we’ve learned through ancestral DNA and how Western language, and also the stories language can tell, spread from relatively few speakers to the roots of all of the Indo-Europian language. The social, political, economic, intellectual, and religious implications are staggering. Not only do we find that English shares history from North America and Europe through Saudi Arabia, India, and Russia, but also find that quite a few of the stories we learn in the Old Testament share history with similar stories across the same cultures.

Within the first chapter, author Laura Spinney explores how communities were driven away from the Black Sea by a major flood event (think Noah’s ark) and spread in various directions away from the sea. This is all confirmed through archeology and genetic research. Some cultures continued a nomadic lifestyle, tending herds of sheep and hunting for food. Others developed farming and settled down. As farmers expanded their settlements and nomads continued to roam, they ran into each other from time to time, and things weren’t always peaceful. An entire ideological shift had happened between them - the language of the people who roamed the world without boundaries was based on an ethos of sharing and welcome, where the language of the farmers was based on ownership and boundaries.

Somewhere in all of this, we find the seeds of the Cain and Abel story. Cain, a farmer, had a settled area that he cultivated and defended. Abel, a shepherd, roamed the plains and shared from his herd. When they made offerings to God, Cain gave some of his crops, maybe out of obligation. The ones he didn’t use for himself or offer to God, he would have sold. Abel gave the first-born, the fattest of his herd. As a nomad, he would have been more likely to share his bounty among a community rather than selling it in a traditional sense. Cain ends up feeling rejected by God—his lands go fallow, and, out of jealousy, he murders his brother.

We see this story play out in the real archeological record—not among actual brothers, but among people of similar ancestry whose paths diverged and then came back together. Bands of settlers trying to establish the first fixed communities find that staying in one place doesn’t always work out. Weather changes, different needs arise, and the firm boundaries they try to implement are eroded by powers outside of their control. The same is true today; even the most careful investors and business people might fail because of market trends or natural disasters.

The more flexible nomads, who always look for the most fertile ground for their flock and have an attitude of sharing from their abundance, are more equipped to succeed despite outside forces.

As is so often the case in Bible stories, it would be easy to say this could imply we shouldn’t have boundaries or own things of our own. I don’t think we have to interpret it that way. We’re allowed to have nice things. But there is a big difference between having walls so permanent that nothing goes in or out and living with a spirit of abundance in which we welcome our neighbors and share freely.

How does the story of Cain and Abel apply to your life and the world we live in now?

John Johns, Director of Music

David Hayward, who creates provocative images under the name Naked Pastor (www.nakedpastor.com), drew the image pictured here, entitled “Eraser” that stops me in my tracks every time I see it. Hayward says of this image, “Jesus Eraser is a reminder that not everything is set in stone forever. You can change the story, erase the lines, and create something new.” The illustration has profound overtones of forgiveness, redemption, and
new beginnings.

While the erasing Jesus is beautiful and captivating, I can’t help but also notice that everyone else in the image is focused on scribbling to make new lines and thicken existing boundaries. They are determined to maintain the boxes and barriers that carve out their little corners of the world.

Why do we devote so much of our time drawing lines and borders? Why do we spend our lives – our energy, money, and time – clinging to our little plots of life when God offers us so much more through shared community?

I was moved by Faith Formation Director Angie Seiller’s recent Children’s Message when she openly wondered what it meant that God loved all people. (www.tinyurl.com/childrensmessage61). Angie asked, “Have you heard of the word ‘all’? It’s a pretty big meaning for a teeny tiny word.” 

Section by section, she had groups of people stand up in the worship space and kept asking the kiddos, “Is this all? Is this everyone?” “No!” the kids yelled. So she added another group and another and another until everyone in the worship space was standing. Still, this wasn’t all. There were those who were watching online and those beyond our Lutheran Christian community who are enveloped in God’s encompassing “all.”

Jesus spent his whole ministry challenging people to think and look and love beyond themselves. He moved beyond the existing limitations of Jew and Gentile, clean and unclean, men and women, wealthy and poor, inviting us into a more expansive and comprehensive life.

Paul in his letter to the Romans focused on integrated communities and faith, too. Not only are we all recipients of God’s grace, but we are called to love and care for one another in deep and meaningful ways.

Martin Luther, in his commentary on the book of Romans (1519), spoke of humanity’s tendency to become ‘curved in on itself’ (homo incurvatus in se). Our self-absorption literally leads to naval-gazing. But Paul refuses to let preoccupation with ourselves be our guiding purpose. Instead, centered in Jesus and empowered by the Spirit of God, he teaches us to embrace a life lived for others.

“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it.
Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.
Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.
Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant.
Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.
Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.”
(Romans 12:9-13 from Eugene Peterson’s The Message)

How is God calling you to live and love beyond yourself this summer? Who do you struggle to include in God’s encompassing “all”? What lines of division would you like to erase?

May our communal mission at Lord of Life to live, share, and celebrate with all people give you purpose and clarity as we are fueled by the love of God.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Pastor Lowell Michelson

The transitions I have made in my life have been filled with many hellos and goodbyes. They have also been overflowing with gifts and words of encouragement, gratitude, and love from the communities I have been a part of. I have a collection of various items including a Bible, a Protestant rosary, specially crafted canvases, hand-made cards, custom jewelry, and blankets from the different places I have been in community with.

To some people, these items may seem like they do not hold significant value, but to me, they represent the unique groups of people that I have gotten to be a part of and impacted my life.
On certain days, I enjoy spending time looking at these items to remind myself how these places and God have wrapped me in their love and care during my time with them, and continue to do so. It feels like getting a warm hug from both that community and God.

Can you remember a season of change in your life? These changes in life have likely been accompanied by gifts, uplifting words, and love, but also big emotions such as excitement and sadness as the transition happens.

Scripture reminds us that regardless of where we go, God goes with us. In the book of Joshua, the Lord commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites. This was likely a terrifying new circumstance for Joshua. However, God told Joshua the following: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). This was a reminder to Joshua that no matter where he was going God was journeying with him.

The Word of God also reminds us that we are constantly wrapped in the love of God. In Psalm 36:7, it says, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings”. No matter where we go, we are constantly being held by God, who continues to swaddle us in love even when we leave different communities and people. Wherever you end up in your life transitions, I pray that you are reminded of the ways the communities you have been a part of impacted you and the ways God continues to hold you.

How do you feel God wrapping you in his love during your life transitions? Have you ever received a gift that felt like a warm hug from God?

Continually held,
Pastor Nicole

When we volunteer at Tikkun Farm, we are always welcomed warmly and invited to have fresh baked goods and coffee. We then gather in a circle and share something that we are thankful for. This is followed by a tour of the farm. Each time we go, there is something new to learn about life there, or their mission of restoring people, communities, and nature or even about yourself. Their new walkway through the orchard and gardens was a highlight last Saturday, as it makes them accessible and welcoming to all.

On this visit, we also heard that Max, the abused pig, who had found respite, peace, and love, was now truly resting in peace with all the farm animals that had gone before him. So many of God’s creatures have been rescued and loved at Tikkun while giving joy in return.

After our tour, we volunteer for projects around the farm that fit our skills or interests. There are always a variety of tasks. I’m usually the one chopping vegetables or planting small plants or weeding, so it surprised me when I raised my hand to hang bunting in the barn. The project leader explained that they needed to do this to turn an old barn into an inviting place for their upcoming fundraising dinners. She wasn’t a “ladder person” and it needed to be placed fairly high. I wasn’t a “ladder person” either or at least only a “6 ft. ladder person”! I’m married to a firefighter; he is the “tall ladder person” in our family! But no one else was raising their hand besides another lovely woman who said she would help as she could but wasn’t really a “ladder person” either.

So off we went to do the best we could with the gifts we had or the gifts we hoped we had. What a mighty team we ended up being! Each person doing their part and always making sure they were my spotters, ladder holders, and encouragers. Was I nervous? Yes. Did I think to myself, “I am going to crush these women if I fall?” Yep. Did I say a prayer that God would keep me safe? You bet!

Have you ever taken a leap of faith or stepped out of your comfort zone? Maybe you are out of your comfort zone now with life circumstances, the unrest in our country, or an opportunity that has been presented. Maybe you feel comfortable but not satisfied. Maybe there is something you feel like you need to do but don’t know how to take the first steps. Maybe there is doubt.

My ladder experience certainly wasn’t life-altering, but it was a step to encourage me to try new things and a reminder that taking risks can be scary, but the end result can be completely worth it. Maybe that old barn with the newly hanging bunting will be the catalyst for someone to give their monetary gifts to fuel the beautiful mission of Tikkun Farm. Where can you raise your hand to say, “here I am, Lord. I need you to lead me through this next step”?

No matter which rung on the ladder God is stirring you to take, trust in the things that God is placing on your heart and moving you forward to declare, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Walking in faith with you,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation

I have been married for just over a year, which means that many conversations between my husband and I reach a point of raised, frustrated voices and end with “That’s what you meant?!” We’re still learning how to communicate about some things.

I live three hours from my closest friends, so every Tuesday night, three of us have a standing appointment for a FaceTime call together. Another one I talk to several times a week by us sending each other videos back and forth, ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes each.

Sometimes my dog gets upset with me when I have to get some work done and can’t play with her, even though she’s in the mood to play (like right now). I have to make it up to her later with an extra long walk.

The underlying theme in all of those snippets of my life is this: Relationships take work. Even a relationship with God takes work.

Mine has been a work in progress for close to 24 years, which is why I’m willing to admit that sometimes it feels like really hard work for me. I struggle with God, not too differently from how Jacob and David famously did (Genesis 32 and 1 Chronicles 13:11 respectively). Of course, their struggles with God weren’t about the same things that mine are, but I would be willing to bet that they often had the same basis as mine: God didn’t do what we thought He would or should, or God wasn’t who we thought He should be.

I’ve been angry with God quite a bit over the last year. Things haven’t gone the way I thought they would go. Decisions have been harder to make because answers from God have been unclear. Friendships have been more difficult to establish than I thought they would be. A spiritual mentor once shared with me that doubt in God can look like disappointment that He didn’t meet your expectations.

The good news is that faith and doubt can co-exist. Wrestling with God, for me, is often a sign that I am actively growing in faith and working on the relationship I have with Him. Doubt does not diminish faith.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the magic answer key for having the perfect relationship with God and trusting everything He does. All I can offer is this: You are not alone. You are not alone in your doubting, in your wishing, in your waiting, in your hurting, or in your rejoicing. God does not leave us or forsake us, even when we doubt (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Hebrews 13:5).

In what ways are you wrestling with God or have you wrestled with God? How is God meeting you in your doubt? What relationships in your life need a little extra work right now? Who can you walk alongside in faith?

As you wait and watch and wrestle, know that I join you in this journey of faith.

Struggling with you,
Maddie Pease