The following are taken from the Lakeside Chautauqua 2023 Faith Walk Devotional, which features 21 meditations based on “thin places” in Lakeside, accompanied by scripture verses, reflection questions and photos. Copies are available for free at the Lakefront and Hoover Community Worship Services, at the Administration Office and hotel desks.
A reflection of God’s love
Thin Place: A Cottage Front Porch
“Beloved, because God loves us so much , we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)
From our open porch on the 300 block of Walnut Avenue, we look across the street to the west side of Hoover Auditorium. There’s a sight and sound experience from that building and on its park-like lawn, from dawn until quiet hour. As Lakeside wakes up, dogwalkers and kids on their was to Patio donuts are the first to walk by. By midmorning, people are heading to the lake, the pool and the Rhein Center, many of whom will exchanges morning greetings. Late morning, we’ll hear speakers, and during Orchestra season, rehearsals through Hoover’s open windows. Sometimes, the Sunday organist will grab a morning practice session while we finish reading the news of the day. In the afternoon, we’ll preview the evening’s entertainment doing their sound checks and rehearsing. That helps us decide if we’ll listen to the evening program from the porch or join the throng going into Hoover. Always-welcome conversations on our porch with fellow Lakesiders, from old timers to day trippers, bless our days and warm our hearts.
Sometimes, we experience a treasured and meaningful phenomenon from our porch, our “thin place.” When conditions are rights, we can see, reflected in Hoover’s windows, the glory of the sunset. It stops conversation as we and others bask in its reflected beauty, a beauty that may last for only a few minutes. Yet, it is cherished as a visible sign that, just as sunset reflects in Hoover’s windows, love reflects love. If we heed the words of John above, our love of others will be reflected in ways beyond our knowing.
Reflection: In whose life will your love be reflected today?
John McKinney
Blessed by serving
Thin Place: Hoover Auditorium
“Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (Isaiah 12:6)
I was filled with trepidation and concerns when , in 1986, I was asked to serve as lay delegate from our local church to the West Ohio Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church at Lakeside. How could I faithfully represent the feelings and wishes of the people of my church? What was the dress attire for the week? What about my wife and two small children who would be going with me? But those fears all dissipated when I drove under the arch at the Fifth Street gate, I was struck with the uniqueness and quaintness of Lakeside, certainly my type of environment.
But my real “thin place” was Hoover Auditorium. Ye, there were some long, hot (temperature) plenary sessions that I sat through. But I also heard wonderful, inspiring speakers and preachers and was witness to many exuberant worship services. The really awe-inspiring moments were the times of singing. Hoover reverberated the beautiful harmony. Even if you were outside on the sidewalk, you could not help but be drawn in with the singing.
But the occasion that I will always remember was the congregant singing of “We’re Marching to Zion.” As the song ended, without direction from the song leader, the singing flowed on. “We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.: Tears welled in my eyes, and I could hardly join in singing. Beautiful and wonderful.
I served as lay delegate for 21 years and always looked forward to those Hoover Auditorium worship services.
Reflection: When has the beauty of a sung hymn stirred your heart and soul?
Marvin L. Brown.
He is exalted
Thin Place: Hoover Auditorium
“He s the Lord, forever his truth shall reign. Heaven and earth rejoice his holy name. He is exalted, the King is exalted on high.” This hymn by Twila Paris depicts rejoicing the name of Jesus in heaven and earth.
“And now He is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government and realm of power in existence! God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given Him the highest rank. And now we, His church, are His body on the earth! (Ephesians 1:21-23)
A “thin place” where heaven and earth come close together, often relates to natural outdoor beauty. However, last summer, I experienced a glorious moment with the Lord in Hoover Auditorium – a historic, vast indoor space with a man-made curved roof that might seem to block us from the heavens, but the presence of God is everywhere. It was during Sunday morning worship that I had a precious God-moment. From the fortissimo, brilliant sound of the organ was a familiar hymn that the congregation was vibrantly singing. Many magnificent voices, blending together beautifully, created a sense of peace and harmony among mankind inside this sacred place. As the precious children proudly paraded to “This is the Day,” awestruck by Chip Richter, the inspiration swelled. When this loving community prayed together in this hallowed hall, the spirit moved, and the soul was lifted. HE IS EXALTED!
Inside Hoover Auditorium, we have the honor of hearing many gifted Preachers of the Word as well as Entertainers of the World. Whoever takes the stage enjoys an engaging, supportive audience and the testimony from all is the blessings of Lakeside and the presence of God in this place.
We worship, learn, sing, pray, laugh and cry in this immense hall with many people or even spend alone time with God in this empty holy place. In all things, HE IS EXALTED!
Reflection: How will I fulfill the assignment to be the body of Christ on earth?
Sue Baker
