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.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4) O Lord, I suffer grief and loss. You alone are my comfort. Amen.
Word:
Matthew 13:31-32
“He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Meditation
Branches by Anna Jacob
In these verses, Jesus shares with us a simple parable involving the small mustard seed. My initial thoughts turned to my childhood and how much I used to despise yellow mustard. However, since then, I have acquired a taste for it and even prefer certain mustard varieties. And while some may find my thoughts on mustard interesting enough, my mind keeps getting caught on the end of verse 32 when Jesus says, “so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
I was fortunate enough to attend a Lutheran grade school and high school. Both of which helped to nurture my faith throughout the early years of my life. However, there have been two additional areas of my life that have offered me branches to nest in outside of church and school.
My parents both attended Northern Illinois University (NIU) and became part of the Lutheran Student group, which later became the Lutheran Student Alumni (LSA). What started as a small college group in Illinois has now grown to include individuals from numerous states and several families growing into their third generation. The members of LSA continue to provide events and opportunities to be the kingdom of heaven, supporting its members during hardships and in celebration. Through in person and online fellowship, the central focus of LSA has always been and still remains Jesus.
Another branch for me earlier in my life was Camp LuWiSoMo, a Lutheran camp located in central Wisconsin. I attended as a camper for several years before volunteering and eventually getting to work a few summers. The relationships I made there were priceless. Camp provided me a safe place to connect with God’s creation, ask questions and discuss my faith, and most importantly praise Jesus.
I am grateful for these branches and many other branches in my life that God has provided me. He has helped to grow these places and has given me a chance to be like the birds of the air, able to nest in the branches of his tree.
As you continue on with your day, remember that you have a God that wants to support you. He is there in the small things. He loves you and cares for you. He can give you rest.
Dear Lord, I thank you for providing places for me to find rest. Continue to bless your kingdom. Help me to reach out to others and support them. In your name I pray, Amen.
Prayer for Life as a Child of God
· For the Father to give me care and guidance.
· For forgiveness when I wander and want my own way.
· For the Father to keep me childlike in faith even as I age.
· For growth in faith, that I love and trust in God above all things.
· For strength to obey God.
· For the Father to heal my hurts.
· For assurance when I doubt.
Closing Prayer
O Lord, your ways are not our ways. Teach us your will, even when it appears backwards. We want to know you. We want what you want. Thy will be done, in Jesus’ name. Amen.