St John - Emmaneul Lutheran School

Favorite Bible verse: I have two favorite Bible "verses." The first is Psalm 121: 1-2 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." This part of Psalms has always calmed me and reminded me very clearly of Who is really in control of all that happens to me and those around me. These are the verses that have taken me prayerfully through many valleys in my life and joyfully up the hills. I always remember these verses in the wording of the King James Version mostly because that's the way I memorized them as a child; but the poetry of the words also evoke memories of David and his many struggles in life.

Another verse from Psalms has rich meaning for me. Psalm 36:9 "In Thy Light We See Light." This is Valparaiso University's motto. I remember seeing it every day of college when I would attend chapel. Valpo's crest is near the entry to The Chapel of the Resurrection and these words are actually in Latin on the crest. For a Lutheran educational institution, these words have many levels of meaning. In seeing Christ as my Light, it is possible to connect my faith with my work, not only at St. John-Emmanuel, but everywhere I go. "IN LUCE TUA VIDEMUS LUCEM"

Favorite Book: One of my favorite books is The Book of God: The Bible as a Novel by Walter Wangerin, Jr. This book has a double meaning for me. Not only is it a great way to read the Bible, but it was written by a most amazing Christian man. Every time I read this novel, I can hear Rev. Wangerin reading it to me in much the same way he gave his Easter sermon in 2006 at Valparaiso University. His sermon, like his writing, sends the clear message of our salvation in a way that is very understandable, inspiring, and encouraging: "It is a way to communicate who Jesus really was, through story, not just doctrine and dogma. It is vital to truly understanding Him. When we cease to tell the story, to live the experience, it becomes very wooden to us." (Wangerin, 2006)

Favorite Song: Hymn 466 Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia - Why is this song my current favorite? It is ALIVE, just like Jesus and our faith. My favorite memory of singing this song was at the Easter 2006 service at Valpo. The excitement of the sound that filled the church with this hymn that Easter morning was reminiscent of what it must have been like the first time the early disciples learned of Jesus' resurrection.

Who is Sue Sipes?