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 hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matt. 5:6) O Lord, you are my sole satisfaction. I am hungry and thirsty for righteousness. I long for you. Amen.
Word: Hebrews 11:9
“By faith he went to live in the land of promise…”
Meditation
Faith for the Future by Megan Roegner
Every year in the middle of August, I have a crisis of faith. As each new school year approaches, I struggle to see myself as a competent, experienced teacher. I am filled with vague anxieties that all boil down to the question, “Am I good enough?”
I think that many teachers struggle with this kind of imposter syndrome. Teaching is an important job, a promise made to the future. Yet, it is one in which you are often uncertain about your success. Quantifiable measures like test scores only paint a small picture; if you talk to people about what was special about their favorite teachers, they usually don’t talk about brilliant lessons and mastery of content standards but rather small acts of kindness or grace whose impact lasted much longer than anyone could anticipate.
This is, of course, true for all of us in our various vocations, not just teachers. We may strive to plant seeds of love and hope and joy in the people we walk through life with, but nobody knows which will grow and when or what the fruit will look like.
Nineteen years ago, I was preparing for my first year as a high school English teacher. This was also when Pastor Jeff, newly installed as Christ Memorial’s “youth missionary,” began a young adult Bible study. I remember driving home from that Bible study in mid-August, suppressing the urge to pray for the world to end before the first day of school. I was so worried that I would not be good enough for that job I cared so much about.
The beginning of my teaching career and the beginning of that young adult group that would one day evolve into Reliant are so closely entwined in me—the formation of my adult self. Almost twenty years have passed—this year as I fight my butterflies, I have a lot of gray hair and a doctorate in education. During that first year of teaching, I also began dating another member of the young adult Bible study. Now, we’ve been married for 16 years and have three kids. Jeremy and I were there at the beginning of Reliant, and now we’re the old standbys in a growing community.
When it comes down to it, I think my annual crises of faith have to do with my old enemy, self-centeredness. That question of “Am I good enough?” is so narrowly focused on me that it makes me feel alone, that it’s all up to me. But we’re never alone, and we, as individuals, are never so singularly important that we must carry the weight of the world on our own weak shoulders. This is demonstrated time and time again, in the work I do with others at school and in the path we walk with Jesus and with one another at Christ Memorial and Reliant.
I may never have the unwavering faith of Noah or Jacob. But when I have my moments of doubt, I can look at the beautiful and joyful things in my life that have survived, and even emerged from, similar times of uncertainty in the past. God’s faithfulness is enough to cover my own faults and doubts. His promises endure, no matter what.
Father, I am sorry for my lack of faith. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and your promises. Amen.
Prayer for Daily Callings
· For my occupation, workplace, coworkers.
· For my work to be good for others, an extension of God’s love and care.
· For the unemployed.
· For growth in my career; not to work for a paycheck but for you and others.
· For discernment, if I should pursue another job or direction in life.
· For my callings at home as spouse, son/daughter, brother/sister.
· For schools, teachers, classmates.
· For eyes to see God’s work around me this day. For the courage to participate in it.
· Not to be comfortable in my callings, but to be useful.
Closing Prayer
O Lord, you are strength for the weak and riches for the poor. I come to you in humility, acknowledging my weakness. All I need is you. Fill my poverty with your power. Amen.