Author: Chris Kelly

Story During worship

Chris Kelly – March 13, 2014 Comment

[dropcap2]During worship[/dropcap2]at Faith, I sometimes remember the beautiful line in Psalm 61: “To a rock which is too high for me to climb alone–lead me!” Amongst others worshiping at Faith, there are those moments– in a moment in music, in something achingly yearned for in the prayer of another, in my body’s knowledge while standing or kneeling, in something that sticks in my heart and mind from a sermon, in gazing at the mural before us, in being looked in the eyes during communion- -that I am aware how I am being led once again to a rock too high for me to climb alone, ever grateful.

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Story Faith Is Process

Chris Kelly – March 13, 2014 Comment

[dropcap2]Faith is a process[/dropcap2]that happens for me in a space that is like no other. In this church lives are shared in ways that heal deep wounds and profound sin. While praising God in hymn we bring one another up to be closer with Christ’s message and God’s love. Never are we scared to love each other and to offer ourselves no matter how challenging that may be. I have never felt anything other than Christ’s love at this open and healing church. An open inviting hand as we share the peace, a kind comment or an interested query about life over coff ee. A constant presence and an inspiring service opens my heart to the spirit and lets God in. I owe my success to this building and the people in it and all that have been here and all that are still to come. Faith church is the foundation to a life in Christ. My only prayer is that I can give back even a small portion of what it has given me. In other words all that I am in Christ God. Amen

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Story I Like This Church

Chris Kelly – March 13, 2014 Comment

Story Raised Lutheran But

Chris Kelly – March 13, 2014 Comment

[dropcap2]I was raised Lutheran but[/dropcap2]stopped going to church for a number of years starting in college. When I unexpectedly found myself returning to Christianity in my late twenties, the community of worship, fellowship, and service at Faith became an incredible home for me. I have been so grateful for the connections I have made here, and for the sense I have had from my very fi rst service that God truly is at work in this congregation.

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Story When I Think

Chris Kelly – March 13, 2014 Comment

[dropcap2]When I think[/dropcap2] of Faith Lutheran Church I think of interruption. On at least two separate occasions when I had experienced especially difficult weeks, it was the people of Faith that interrupted the sense of loneliness and despair that I had been feeling throughout the week. No one listened to me vent for an hour and no one bestowed upon me the secret to happiness. What people did do was approach me and inquired about my life, right in the moments when I had been struggling with keeping balance and perspective. This simple act was all that I needed to be reminded of light in the midst of darkness. I am very thankful for the interruption–the Spirit and the people!

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Story Hardest Part

Chris Kelly – March 13, 2014 Comment

[dropcap2]The hardest part[/dropcap2]about being a part of Faith is saying goodbye to people. No matter how long I know it’s coming for, it always seems to go too fast. It’s hard to imagine that they’ve actually packed up all of their stuff. Will they have enough plates? What about their books, did they remember all of them? But people have their duties to attend to. Often the people who leave Faith are planning on something that sounds suspiciously much like a quest to save the world, or at least part of it. So I can’t in good conscience try to stop them. But I’ve noticed that they usually do leave something behind, after all. Sometimes, it’s an institution that they started or that they supported. Sometimes it’s an idea. Ideas are fiddly things, and I don’t think anyone ever notices when they drop one, but quite a few of them have stuck to me over the years. They’ve become a part of my thoughts and hopes and dreams, and for that, I’m grateful to all the people who never entirely left.

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