Lori Sealy’s journey has been one of deeply personal lows and highs. Conceived in adultery, she barely escaped being aborted. She was adopted, but later abandoned. She struggled through an angry season of atheism, all the while living with autism. One of her two children, a son, is autistic as well. But most importantly, along the way Sealy discovered a faith capable of healing what is broken. The singer-songwriter shares her insights in “Songs and Stories of Grace,” a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday, April 28 at Main Street Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbus.
“This is the first time our church has done something like this, and I think we’re fortunate to have such a talented musician with a powerful story of God’s patience and grace,” said church pastor Todd Matocha. Sealy is no stranger to the minister; her husband, Phillip, and Matocha attended the same seminary. Some of Matocha’s family members are in the Sealys’ congregation in North Carolina.
Lori Sealy’s music has been described as “a taste of Karen Carpenter, with a touch of the Indigo Girls, wrapped up in a package of sound and practical theology that drips of gospel grace.” Growing up in South Carolina, she began playing piano at the age of 5 and was classically trained until she was 20. At 10 she started writing her first songs, blending folk, jazz and electronic genres.
“My concert in Columbus will be a really intimate acoustic set, me and my background vocalist,” Sealy said Tuesday by phone from her home in Cullowhee, North Carolina. “I look at my life and the path that God in his all-wise providence has carved.” Everyone faces challenges, but God and grace can meet us in those difficult times, she said.
“I think for all of us life is often hard, and my greatest goal is to be able to point people to find hope in the midst of things that are hard, that joy comes when we find the presence of the gracious God … ”
Matocha invites the community to attend. “We’re encouraging people to make a night of it Friday,” he said. “Enjoy the concert and go out for a meal afterward and enjoy downtown Columbus.”
Free childcare is available during the concert expected to last about one hour and 20 minutes. There is no cost to attend the performance. A love offering will be taken up.
Main Street Presbyterian Church is located at 701 Main St. For more information, contact the church office at 662-328-2523.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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