Holy Tranquility

Holy Tranquility

If only there was a place like Elim: a place where every person inside had a bright smile beaming across their face, a place where the comforting smells of baked goods filled the room like water in a pool, a place where every drop of evil was evaporated upon entering the holy building. Children, teenagers, adults- they gather in the same place to learn the same lessons. No place can compare to this wooden establishment, and when its golden bell harmoniously sings, marking the beginning of each service, many gather and sing and eat and pray and worship in a heavenly chapel, Elim Lutheran Church.

Adjacent to the church, there lies an unpretentious preschool and playground for the younger members. Here the bible’s messages are incorporated within the basic curriculum, allowing the children to begin their religious journeys at a young age. These rambunctious pupils are quite frequently found running around the playground; their radiating energy casting a smile on every elderly member’s face as they walk by. This pleasure is short-lived, however, as each person observes the used bandaids and fresh boogers manifestly lying on the slides. This, along with the deafening screeches of toddlers crying and the pungent stench of feces wafting in the air, encourages the people to quickly bypass this zoo and enter the church.

As I stroll through the church’s large, wooden doors, I am temporarily freed from the outside world and its troubles. Many pictures of the church’s members laughing and smiling are miscellaneously hung around the entrance hall; each timeless memory reinforcing the jubilant atmosphere of the church. Laying softly behind these pictures is a smooth wall painted light yellow, complimenting the pictures and giving them a gentle frame. The smiling faces within this elegant collage calms and delights each member of the church and reassures them of the enjoyable service they are going to attend.

Walking through the fellowship hall in between services, I cannot help but inhale the delicious scent of fresh bread baking in the kitchen. I follow my nose to find three elderly women reminiscing and tenderly kneading the bread, handling it delicately like it was a newborn baby. Behind them, men were carefully putting the freshly baked cookies on a tray, each one ready to be brought to the gathering area; behind them, women were frantically washing the dishes, each one grimy from the previous service; behind them, children were energetically running through the kitchen, each one dodging and weaving through the apprehensive parents. It may sound like complete and utter chaos, but this unique, synchronized energy has established a preeminent bond between each member, and the church has become more than just a weekly gathering place: it is a sanctuary, a community, a family.

Entering the gathering room, my eye immediately catches the immense statue of Jesus, standing directly in front of the pews and powerfully towering over them. Intimidation may be the initial feeling when looking upon the mesmerizing work of art, but after observing it’s exquisite facial details and astonishing beauty, intimidation is quickly replaced with sentiment, praise, and respect. Above his carefully crafted head lies a radiant yellow light supporting his holy image, as if the light of God is angelically shining down upon him.

In addition to this light, the stain glass windows- a work of patience and equanimity, delicacy and charm, elegance and grace- brighten the joyful room. This illumination reinforces the sermon and atmosphere, providing it with a mysterious, yet pleasant ambience. I remember sitting in church one cloudy day with my family, the sunlight unable to penetrate the dense clouds and shine through the stain glass windows. The pastor, an insightful old man with a silver beard, was reading an excerpt from “Genesis” and stated, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” It did not occur immediately, but a few moments later, a dazzling ray of light powerfully shined through the stain glass windows, unexpectedly interrupting the pastor’s speech; it was as if God was in our presence. Murmurs were heard throughout the room, each member speculating over the perplexing incident. I myself still cannot quite comprehend the bizarre situation and whether or not it truly was a coincidence; however, the stain glass windows will always transmit a mysterious yet peaceful vibe.

Every memorable attribute of the church- the lively fellowship hall, the hectic preschool, the captivating stain glass window- has molded the church into a divine sanctuary, welcoming it’s loving members every sunday morning. The church does not make the people, the people make the church; these people believing in God and God believing in the people. Together, they create a church with a family, and through this family, a church is created. Amen.

Picture URL: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_l877f-nw0yQJvG0z3yDp4trHrpjgGriZNhypBRVHbJkISE_H0gCdQYM9YMFlNmro4nK6AfbnP7xOL0-1g5UwTZuZvK44sVjAXI_P5Xe-kqi0IDgt3ZozE9f-6Y70sivng1kkTzNQjK1/s320/ElimLutheranEaster

-Jack M