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: Matthew 13:7-8
“Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Meditation
Risky Business by Susan Senechal
I don’t skydive or bungee jump. I don’t like to drive too fast in a car (okay, “too fast” is subjective.) I don’t even like to ride a bicycle down a steep hill, in case I pick up too much speed. I’m not really a risk taker.
But I was on the phone with my best friend, and she told me to do the riskiest thing I could imagine. I was crying into the phone. I’m not even sure precisely what brought me to this point, but I do know it was one of my teenage children, and I was at the end of my proverbial rope. “I don’t know what to do,” I cried.
Amy’s response was simple, yet profound, and oh so risky. “Love them.”
It’s risky to love. What if love doesn’t bring about the desired response? What if the teenager still rebels? The parent is still hurtful? The coworker still spreads untrue rumors about you? What if you open up your heart and it still gets broken in a million different ways?
What if love means being hurt, being taken advantage of, failing? What if it does? Love anyway. We know the Bible verse, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for a friend” (John 15:13). Yes, it’s risky loving a friend or a family member–they might hurt us. People are people and make mistakes, and sin. Follow the command of Christ, and love them anyway.
Because you see, there is also this verse: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) That’s right…WE were (and are) powerless, but Christ died for unloveable us, and our unlovable spouse, child, co-worker, neighbor, the person who cut us off in traffic, and the person who lets their dog do his business on our yard.
Yup, even when they behave badly, again and again, love them. Even when they continue to hurt you with words or actions, love them. Even when you see no evidence of change or a softening heart, take a risk and love them. Loving them is worth the risk. Maybe they won’t change–but maybe they will. Or maybe our love will plant a seed that remains dormant through the winter, but breaks through the soil and grows a few seasons from now.
O Lord, we can love only because you first loved us. Help us to be risk-takers for you, to love even those who seem unlovable. 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.