Prayers from our Lutheran Church for Paris after Fire at Notre Dame

Photo Credit: Philippe Wojazer, Reuters

Prayers from our Lutheran Church—Canada family go out to all who have been impacted by the catastrophic fire that engulfed the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris yesterday.  Not only was the church building a place of worship for centuries, but it was also a symbol of French architecture and culture and a prominent part of the city’s skyline.  Sadly, recent months have also brought reports of other churches destroyed by fire – including the three African American Baptist churches in Louisiana; an Anglican church in Roseneath, Ontario; and an historic United church near Merritt, BC.

May these devastating events serve to remind all of us that while a church building is a place set apart “for the preaching of the saving Word of God, for the administration of the holy Sacraments, and for offering to God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,” to use the words from the rite of Dedication of a Church in our Lutheran Service Book Agenda; the true and eternal church building is that of which the apostle Paul says in Ephesians: “You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Eph. 2:19-21).  And then he adds these important and comforting words: “In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22).

Rev. Timothy Teuscher
President, Lutheran Church—Canada

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