My first experience at Lake View Lutheran Church was the 2016 Christmas Eve service. My daughter, Becky came along with me. Honestly I was "sold" with Pastor Liala's incredible hug when we first entered. I felt she genuinely cared that we were there. And she remembered our names during communion. That began a friendship with many special folks here at SVIC. Your care and friendship is rare and valued deeply by myself. Playing guitar as part of services has been a small way for me to share my appreciation for being a member of EVIC. This photo is when the Paul's so thoughtfully brought one of their bouquets by when I was taking care of Steve after an injury. Just another blessing from EVIC friends. Best wishes and miss you at this special time. See you soon!
- Pam Breitberg
Testimonials
In the Lenten season of 2011, Pastor Liala focused our seasonal observance around the image of circles. I still have the mandala we drew during one Saturday retreat session.
I offered to fund a canvas labyrinth project as part of my stewardship that year, as well as organize the volunteers. Online sources like the Labyrinth Society were very helpful regarding designs, and I found a source in Indiana for a huge canvas tarp and had it shipped to LVLC.
Liala and I chose a modified Chartres design. I was initially nervous about having enough time to do the painting- until on the Monday of Holy Week, my job was eliminated at 7-USA.
Suddenly, I had plenty of time on my hands, which I now view as a precious gift. We outlined the design using a pencil tied to a long string that was pinned to the center of the canvas. We drew the curves using a dinner plate from the kitchen. We started sponge painting using stone colors to outline the winding path, then invited other volunteers to assist. While we worked, we played contemplative music for inspiration.
Our goal was to launch the labyrinth on Good Friday, incorporating it into our liturgy. We made it! That evening's service was one of the most nourishing spiritual experiences of my life, especially given how my own journey had been thrown into major change and a move back to Seattle.
I have cherished seeing posts about the continued use of the labyrinth over a decade later. This was such a wonderful example of how a gift of time, talent and treasure benefitted the giver, most.
- Niki Elenbaas
'Come Home for Dinner' Service 2.12.23
I moved to Chicago from Boston in 2016. I was never much of a church going person. I was brought up Catholic, but never much of a practicing Catholic. A few years back I thought as I am getting older it might be time to get some spirituality into my life. I checked out a few churches. At first what attracted me to LVLC was the small size of the congregation, and how everything seemed to be on a very personal level. What really impressed me was how inclusive and welcoming LVLC appeared to me. Coming from a Catholic background it was so refreshing and comfortable to find a church that was nonjudgmental and so accepting of everybody regardless of their background.
- Lewis Pedi
Lakeview Lutheran was a refuge for me in many ways. It was a strong and loving community during a time I was far from family and friends, venturing out on my own. It was a voice of compassion and justice in a world that felt scary and divisive. It was a family with whom I could share the joys and the sorrows of life and know that I'd be heard, loved and supported.
I woke up every Sunday morning excited to get there and left feeling filled and refreshed. Christianity, as it was lived at EVIC, is the way I wish it were everywhere, inclusive, compassionate, serving needs of the community without judgement, upholding one another in love. I've yet to find a community like SVIC since my time there many years ago. It will always be a staple of my faith journey and a place of love and light for me - and many others! Thank you, Liala and the SVIC community for continuing to nurture this sacred place of love.
-Mara McClellan
'Cocktails and Concert' 2.17.23
I love that the theme "Home for Dinner" was chosen for the penultimate service because IVIC truly feels like home. It feels like the home I am coming back to that I didn't know I had left. Finding a new spiritual home can feel daunting, but there have been so many moments in which IVIC has affirmed that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.
As the building empties and comes down, I take inspiration from the committed, hard work of my new community to get to this point. And there is immense excitement that comes with jumping in to a long-term mission and finding our part in it all going forward.
One seventy five
much older than yours or mine
our love never dies
-Radar Travis
'For Such a Time as This' Final Service 2.19.23
One of the things I love about LakeView Lutheran Church is its acceptance of diversity, in all human beings, not only our members. It is even stated with the church tagline - In Christ, all are welcome. The membership is young, old, black, white, gay, straight, upper income, lower income and everything in between. It had a homeless men's shelter operating out of the downstairs for many years and then a homeless youth shelter for years. But, my favorite example is the year that we did the Passion of the Christ drama as part of one of the Lenten services.
Now, we are a small congregation and not a lot of people are brave enough to be in a drama in front of an audience. So, we had to work with the volunteers we had, which included a female Jesus and a homeless black man as Pilate! I'm sure God was smiling down on us.
- Lisa Weaver
For a number of years, the congregation participated in the Lutheran Athletic Association Softball League. During these years personal relationships were developed because of planning sessions (with ping pong as a conditioning activity, fundraising events, practices, and games which usually took place twice a week. These activities relative to the softball team began in January eah year and ended in August so there was plenty of time to make friends and develop some good relationships. I remember, in particular, one Sunday worship service when the entire softball team sang, as an anthem, "The Little Brown Church in the Vale". Our little church was sometimes referred to that way, even though it was grey.
-Bob Matta
I "found" LakeView Lutheran Church in the yellow pages, and I must say it was the best discovery I ever made by using that book. Not only were the people friendly but they informed me of things that were going on so I could participate and feel like I belonged. The worship service was very uplifting and the simplicity of the alter area made me focus on the importance of worship rather than "fancy" surroundings.
-Sandy Moore
For Such a Time as This
LVLC's 175th Anniversary Celebration
February 12-19, 2023