Christ Memorial was a church plant of Salem Lutheran in Affton in 1948. Our history is God “sowing seeds” and “bearing fruit.” What will he grow in the next 75 years? Martin Luther once said, “Even if I knew the world would end tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree today.” We continue to plant seeds for coming generations of gospel multiplication. More people loved in Christ, more people sent into the world.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8) O Lord, you see all things. Purify my heart that I may see you clearly. Amen.
Word: Hebrews 11:14
“For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.”
Meditation
Where is Home? by Anna Jacob
Writing often comes easily to me. But I must admit that I am feeling a little rusty starting off this new series. My worries that I would not find any words to write are battling with the stress of thinking that I will just end up repeating myself. To help assuage these fears, I looked back at some of my previous meditations. During my search, I also came across a poem I wrote back in 2020 after my grandmother died. Each stanza of the poem asks the question, “Where is Home?”
The final stanza reads:
Where is Home?
Not here any more
But there’s a better place to be
Reunited with Grandpa
At home with Jesus
To live eternally free
Reading this poem along with today’s verses from Hebrews helped me to focus on the word homeland found in verse 14. I then found myself asking, “Where is Home?”
It took me several years to finally start calling Saint Louis my home. A recent fact in which my mother, who resides in Wisconsin, is still adjusting to. I moved here for a job almost 15 years ago, but had no real plans to stay. In my mind it was a stepping stone to something else.
During my second Sunday in the city, my good friends invited me to Reliant and after one worship service, I knew it was the place for me. The people of Reliant welcomed me in and got me involved right away. I became a member officially in 2010 and joined a community group.
Despite my transient mindset, I had found a church home in Saint Louis.
Like many who attend Reliant, I eventually had plans to leave. And I did for a few months. Yet God saw fit to bring me back. And I am blessed to call it my church home. It is a place where I am loved and seen. A place I can serve and worship. A place that points me back to the cross and the hope we have in Christ’s salvation.
You may struggle with finding a place to call home. Or your home may not look the way you want it to be. Your home may feel less permanent than others. Yet by faith, God will plant you where he needs you. He will guide you to those who need you. Through his son, Jesus, he loves you and sends you out into the world.
Where is Home?
One day it will be with him.
Dear Lord, I thank you for the home you have given me here on earth and the one you have prepared for me in heaven. By faith, help me to grow where I am planted. In your name I pray, Amen.
Prayer for the World
· For my city, state, and country.
· For leaders: mayor, governor, president, congress.
· For those who serve the public: police officers, firefighters, teachers, first responders, medical personnel.
· For the nations of the world, for world leaders.
· For good government, good schools, good business.
· For justice, especially for the oppressed: minorities, immigrants and refugees, orphans, widows, the very young or unborn, the aged.
· For creation: for the care of land, air, wildlife, and sea.
Closing Prayer
King Jesus, your Kingdom comes by a cross. Help us to see your hidden work. Forgive our blindness to your activity. Have mercy on us. Renew us and lead us to walk in your ways until our life’s end. Amen.