The Many Meanings of “Live!”

Eric Lesher, Interim Senior Pastor
Marty Wyatt, Associate Pastor
Tori Kraus, Pastor of Youth and Young Adult Engagement

When talking about our 2024 theme for pRAISE, we realized that the word “live” is a homonym and could be taken multiple ways. It could be a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. We were originally looking at highlighting our livestream services and taking “live” as an adverb, meaning at the actual time of occurrence. However, when we started talking about our theme in depth, we realized that our theme is more expansive and should actually have all three meanings. Not only a time of occurrence, but also the meanings of living, and to be alive.

Abundant Life

John 10:10 talks about this with Jesus saying “I came so that they may have life and have it abundantly.” We normally look at this and take it to mean eternal life, and a life that can only occur hereafter. When we focus on eternal life, we often forget about the life that is present now. About the life that is happening at the actual time of occurrence. What it means to be alive and living. 

What does abundant life mean for us today? What does abundant life mean for Roseville Lutheran Church? When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, he was doing so in a time where there was great division between two parties that caused a great deal of harm to Jesus and his disciples and followers that included food shortages, slumped economic security, and decreased health opportunities. Jesus was speaking to both those present day challenges as well as pointing toward the future. 

We have seen Roseville Lutheran Church at work in this abundant life. We have seen it through Faithful Hospitality, through the tutors who work with Central Park Elementary, through partnerships with local schools and organizations, through opportunities for family and intergenerational connection, through worship, and the list goes on and on. It will continue to go on and on. 

Your Support Is Needed!

There are many ways you can join in the abundant life here at RLC during the week of pRAISE. We will have many ways to engage in community events that are highlighted throughout this special edition of the Table. We also encourage you to give generously to the pRAISE campaign. This fundraiser makes it possible for us to continue to support the programs and ministries that we cherish at RLC and in the community. You can give to the campaign online or by bringing a check to the church office during the week of pRAISE.

“Live!” or is that “Live?”

In this 2024 pRAISE RLC: Live! campaign, we are asking you to be a part of this abundant life with us. To participate “live” and to “live” in it. Join us either online or in-person for a ONE Worship service on Sunday, April 28 at 10:00 am; and join us throughout the week with both online and in-person events to hear more about how we are a community united by grace, loving God and our neighbors, and leaning into life abundantly, in the future, yes, but also right now. Join us for pRAISE 2024: Live!