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 the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) O Lord, I am lowly and humble. You alone are my inheritance. Amen.
Word: John 12:25
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
Meditation
Pursuing Happiness by Jo Lange
What does “the American dream” mean to you? According to Merriam-Webster, the American dream is “a happy way of living” that many Americans believe can be achieved “by working hard and becoming successful.” The sentence example the dictionary provides is this: “With good jobs, a nice house, two children, and plenty of money, they believed they were living the American dream.”
I’m aware that the idea of the American dream is problematic. It fails to acknowledge inequities that make it harder for certain groups of people to achieve social mobility. It glorifies materialism and workaholism, creates unrealistic expectations, makes mediocrity feel like failure.
Yet, still, I often find myself striving after my own version of the American dream without even really thinking about it. If I am truly honest with myself, I do wantthat great job—a job I love but that also pays well. I do want that nice house—the one with the bright, shiny kitchen and bedrooms to spare. I do wantmoney—to travel, to eat out, to buy this or that.
Are these not the things that together make for a happy life?
What I am noticing about John 12:20-26, though, is just how antithetical Jesus’s words are to the whole notion of the American dream.
Whereas the American dream emphasizes the pursuit of happiness, Jesus calls me to “hate” my life. Whereas the American dream tells me to “be my own hero” and to “discover my power,” Jesus calls me to a life of humble service. Whereas the American dream means modeling my decisions after those of the wealthy and prominent; Jesus calls me to model myself after him—who owned nothing and lived nowhere, who endured humiliation and agony on the cross.
This week, I’m asking myself these questions, and I encourage you to ask them, too:
- What cultural, political, or social ideologies have I idolized—either consciously or subconsciously? What would it look like, practically, to set these aside and recenter Christ as a model for my life?
- Am I using my gifts—job, family, money, home, etc.—to glorify Christ or myself? What would it look like, practically, to use these gifts for Christ’s glory instead of my own?
Considering these questions humbly and honestly is uncomfortable, to be sure. After all, doing so reminds us just how much we need Jesus.
Dear Lord, forgive me for idolizing earthly ideologies instead of the Truths set forth in your Word. Thank you for your forgiveness despite my constant failures and for your promise of an eternal, glorified life in Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Family
· For my immediate family (parents, spouse, siblings).
· For extended family (cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents)
· For close friends that are as family to me.
· For those who don’t have families, or whose families are broken.
· For forgiveness and reconciliation where there is division in my family.
· For provision where there is need in my family.
· For God to be the foundation, and the cross the center of my family.
· For a generation yet unborn, future members of our family.
Closing Prayer
O Lord and King, your Kingdom comes even without our prayer. But we pray that it would also come among us. We are desperate for your reign and rule, for all we see is rebellion. Come into my heart, my home, my family, my work, my church, my community. Rule with justice and with mercy. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.