Through Stained Glass: A word about our Little Library of Love

“The Spirit gives us courage . . . to witness to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of people long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.” The Brief Statement of Faith

Siblings in Christ, this is a day of rejoicing. We come together to celebrate and dedicate this new addition, our Little Library of Love, its purpose, it’s place, and it’s presence in our community. 

As we gather, let us open our hearts and minds to receive God’s Wisdom with faith, hope, and love.

We gather to celebrate the addition of a new ministry to our church. Our Little Library of Love is but one of many little libraries in Lincoln. What sets ours apart is that we include not only books but also art supplies and essential hygiene goods. As Presbyterians, we recognize the power of knowledge and how education through reading can transform not only our hearts and renew our minds. We also know the power of creativity and how it can facilitate community, leading to a deeper connection with each other and with God. Finally, we know that loving others begins by loving ourselves. To help in this often overlooked practice, we provide necessary hygiene products that will help us feel good about our physical bodies.

Our Little Library of Love is for everyone. We encourage you to take a book, leave a book, grab some crayons and paint, create something beautiful to give away, and celebrate your body by loving it! Our Little Library of Love is one more way to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. 

Today we give thanks for this new little library. We offer thanks for Keith Leesman and Dale Meier, Rotary friends who put this idea into motion and installed it, with Bob Chamberlain’s help, this last Thursday. We thank those who provided the first round of books, art supplies, and body products. And we thank those who will continue to support this transforming box of education, creativity, and love. 

Friends today is a good day for the life of our church. Our little library declares that we value literacy while taking a step to see that all people have access to free books. Our books will be for all ages—because we recognize that the more we know, the more we can bring the reign of God on earth as it is in heaven. Scripture tells us that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word of God empowers and liberates, inspires, and offers life to all of God’s creation. May the words found in this little library breathe newness into those who come here and invite them into renewing the world through the renewal of their minds!

When we must maintain social distance and limit our interactions with others, we include supplies because we know the power of art in shaping our future. May the art we create help spread a message of inspiration, helping each other achieve great things while laying the foundation to the possibility of another world--one rooted in imagination and creation seeking justice and peace. May our art be a form of communication between people, to focus on common issues for the betterment of humanity. 

Teresa of Avila said Christ has no body now on earth but ours. In Matthew 25, Christ commands the church to take care of the basic needs of God’s family—especially the vulnerable. In our little library of love are essential hygiene products. It is but one way we can help each other care of our bodies and feel better about ourselves. May those who come here for help receive the care they need and know deep in their bones, they are loved and cherished by the God of the universe.

Dear friends, it is with joy that we gather to consecrate and dedicate this little library to God's glory and the strengthening of God’s reign in this community. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide this addition to enhance our community's life, deepened, and enriched through the books, the art supplies, and the everyday goods found here. 

Finally, to the Teacher of Galilee, who draws all peoples unto himself for instruction and renewal, we offer this little library to the ministry of this church—that it might inspire wisdom and knowledge, invigorate creativity through art, and soothe the body of Christ through self-care and personal love.

As the quote from The Brief Statement of Faith suggests in the photo above, may this Little Library of Love transform minds, hearts, and spirits, so that justice, freedom, and peace may dwell throughout our city.

Thanks be to God for this library!

Thank you to Keith Leesman for initiating this project.