Dear Saints at Mount Calvary,
I imagine that you have a story that impacts how you think about life issues.
What is your “life story”?
Here is mine.
A young man of 18 left his family farm in Michigan 60 years ago, enlisting as a Marine.
Why would a young man of 18 volunteer to serve his country? Jesus himself said it, “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for His friends.” John 15:13
My father’s sister took the time to write this soldier. He was from a nearby town.
Why did my aunt take time as a young woman busy with nursing school to send letters of encouragement? It’s because the life of a Christian is not lived unto oneself, but is lived for the neighbor’s good, in memory of the Savior who lived His life for us, not considering the time it took.
Sixty years ago, that man climbed into a helicopter in Vietnam to rescue soldiers who were under attack.
What gives a person the energy and poise to fly into the jungle to rescue the wounded, recover the dead, and retrieve the living—to risk one’s own life for one’s fellow buddies? Jesus on the cross, who loved us and came to our aid when we were under attack from Satan. My uncle stepped onto that helicopter that day, but he never stepped off. In fact, he has never taken another step again. A bullet fired from the canopy below pierced his spine, instantly paralyzing his body from the waist down.
Why would this woman keep on writing during his months of recovery in the hospital? And what gives a woman the courage to say “yes” to love, knowing that a marriage will not be normal? Life is different for the one who views it from the lens of the cross. To have the eyes of Jesus is to see the joy of sacrificing for the benefit of another and making it a way of life. The Christian life is about daily picking up the cross and following the Hero who took on hell’s fire for us.
Because of injuries sustained, two children, my cousins, were received through the gift of adoption.
What gives a woman courage to face her pregnancy rather than to attempt the “easy way” of abortion? What gives a woman the heart wrenching power to carry a child growing in the womb, your own flesh and blood, and entrust your child to another? The Father who in the greatest act of love gave His only begotten Son as a gift to us, and the cross of Jesus which gives the faith to believe in the Triune God who strengthens and forgives.
But what a gift! For a man who gave to his country everything he had, and a woman who gave up the ability to bear children in her womb, two young mothers gave to them everything they had, so they could cradle children in their arms and call them their own. Four challenges were made lovely by the God who has the power to turn bullets into something beautiful, and human failings into redemption.
On Monday, September 21, 2026, we will gather in Harrisburg as Lutherans for the Pennsylvania March for Life.
Why take time from work or daily activities to participate? Why take the time where fall cool and rain may make praying difficult? Why take time to walk on a road and hold a sign where feet and arms might ache? Somewhere there is a little child who can’t yet stand, and who can’t yet speak. We walk for the mother who is afraid, for the father who doesn’t know what to do, and for a community that needs to know that there are those who believe in life. We stand in remembrance of Christ who stood for us, when we couldn’t stand on our own, and under whose arms we find courage and refuge.
My uncle is now 79 years old. These days persistent UTI’s and bowel issues lead to in-and-out trips at the hospital for things you and I take for granted. His days are punctuated by lying face down for hours at a time due to bed sores on his legs and rear. His arms are also worn out—all the result of 60 years of mobilizing in a wheelchair. At Christmas, we buried his wife who had stood by him these many years and I was asked to preach the sermon. Wars come and go, but individuals carry in their bodies the testimony of the willingness and length they are willing to go for us and the value of our life to them. It is the sacrifice we see in them, the willingness to give it all up for us, which pictures the One who gave His all for us, giving our life meaning and worth and a reason to carry on—because our life meant so much to another. This inspires us with a willingness to stand up for the help of others, to do the same as has been done for us.
Breakfast is on us. We have an excellent speaker lineup prepared. Come listen, learn, be inspired, and be encouraged as we gather, stand, sing, and march.
Sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Christopher Seifferlein
