Pastor's Reflections

Each month, one of Lord of Life's pastors shares a reflection on the front page of our congregational newsletter. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant... always relevant.

I’ve been listening to the radio tell me that only a really strong holiday shopping season can save retailers, the economy... and us. I get it.

Our cash flow at Lord of Life Church is feeling that stress. Loss of rental revenue and several large air conditioner units have placed a major strain on our ministry economy as well. Though we approved a conservative budget for the coming year, our Council is monitoring the situation with an eye toward cuts should things not improve. In short, only strong end of year giving can save us.

You likely feel it in your home as well. We’ve all got a to-do list and a budget bottom line.

Ironically, it is easy to forget that God is the sole source of salvation, and it is a done deal. God came down and saved us.

It can be equally challenging to live like that is true.

We invite you this Christmas to come and celebrate the reason we are at peace no matter how crazy life gets. Join us this holiday season as we find the one thing that truly matters.

There are a lot of great sounds in our worship: voices singing praise, babies, water pouring, and even silence! But one of the coolest sounds at Lord of Life Church is the sound of money in the offering plates. I know you don’t expect me to say that, but even Jesus listened when the offering was taken. Look it up, Mark 12:40-44; it will be good for you to read it again!

You hear the sound of money better at Contemplation (8:00) and Traditions (9:15) worships than at crossCurrent (11:15) because the offering plates are made out of metal. The sound makes some people nervous. So does the sight of someone opening their change purse and just pouring it all in. But it happens every week ... in worship and as worship.

There is never an opportune time to talk about this. Of course, I’m not going to let that stop me.

One of the exciting things at Lord of Life Church is the variety of worship styles, music genres, worship assistants and... preachers.

This community clearly respects the proclamation of the Word. Since all three of our worships are based on the same rite (Gather, Word, Meal, Send) the hearing of scripture is understood to be vitally important, central to why we gather. Indeed, it’s one of the core values of Lord of Life Church: Scripture provides the foundation for our lives of faith. In short, we cherish the hearing of God’s Word.

Because I attend all three worships, I hear scripture read every week by three different voices; four, if I include my own. I am always blessed by the persona of the reader. Each ‘brings something unique’ and God uses each to nuance the Word for me. Certainly I can read aloud, and could do so for all three worships, but we are blessed by a variety of ‘voices.’

This summer we’ve had a number of persons preaching and I assume the community is blessed in the same way that we are blessed by the diversity of reading voices. Intern Randy Schroeder, Pr. Fred Wiese (Leadership Support Leader), Pr. John Kindsvatter (Visitation Pastor),
Pr. Jay Gamelin (LOL member, Jacob’s Porch lead minister) have all preached. Each has ‘brought it’ for the Lord and his people. (Thank you!)

You’re often generous with your praise for my preaching . I am appreciative and it certainly makes the task easier. Preaching, for me, is preparation heavy. That is, I don’t just get up and do it. Nor does anyone I know.

I recently stumbled across an exchange between Mr. Rogers and one of his countless six-year old fans, dated 1990. Little Christopher wrote Mr. Rogers a letter wanting to come visit his “neighborhood.” Mr. Rogers wrote back a lengthy personalized letter, explaining the lack of space for guests in his “neighborhood” and complimenting young Christopher’s careful typing. The letter was so meaningful that his father wrote a letter back thanking Mr. Rogers! And then Mr. Rogers sent him a thank you!

He wrote,

You’ve further confirmed something we’ve long believed. We are very much aware that children who seem to like our neighborhood best are the ones who have already experienced a deep investment of their own families in their development and thus are best able to understand what we offer. I heard that in your letter too, and I couldn’t help but think how fortunate Christopher is to have such a caring father.

One of the memorable phrases from my childhood, ironically for a suburban kid, is, “You gotta make hay while the sun shines.” That’s clearly the way ministry feels at Lord of Life Church during the summer. And, hey, the Son is definitely shining around here!

Pastor's Reflections

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