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 merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matt. 5:7) You are the great Giver of mercy. Move me to show your mercy. Amen.
Word: John 12:26
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
Meditation
Hallelujah by Julianna Shults
I never thought this is what all of this would become.
But what it has become isn’t bad.
It’s different.
But it isn’t bad.
It’s weird.
But it isn’t bad.
It’s changing.
It’s uncertain.
It’s hard.
But it isn’t bad.
It isn’t bad.
…Hallelujah.
It is different.
Hallelujah.
It is weird.
Hallelujah.
It is changing.
It is uncertain.
It is hard.
Hallelujah.
But it isn’t bad.
Hallelujah.
(Tanner Olsen, “Hallelujah” from Continue)
Humans are very good at settling into a status quo, finding homeostasis. We naturally like to create patterns to provide stability and comfort. The same route to work. Tacos every Tuesday. Phone calls or texts to check in at the same time. Time for worship, prayer and praise to our God in our everyday routine.
Then comes a season when our well-established patterns are hit with uncertainty. Maybe we planned for a change or maybe it was thrust unwelcomed into our lives. A new job. A sudden illness. A relationship started or gone. Our status quo is altered and even when it isn’t bad, perhaps we never thought this is what our life would become. As the poem says, it is different, uncertain, hard, or weird.
We read the patterns of teaching, healing, and walking the disciples had with Jesus. The disciples loved Jesus and spent years with Him, but it wouldn’t last. Jesus had come to die and rise to save us all from our sin. Everything would change at the cross.
Jesus died and was buried for three days before the greatest Hallelujah we can imagine as He rose and conquered sin and death. His disciples would leave the pattern of following Jesus for a life of being led by the Spirit to share the Gospel. They would give glory to God as they gave their own lives in service to the Good News of what Jesus had done.
In the middle of those uncertain times, when we are where we didn’t think we would be, we remember God’s grace and faithfulness. We praise Him for how He brings new life and fruit from death. Maybe that “Hallelujah” of gratitude to God has a question mark or period rather than an exclamation point right now. Still we find space to praise our God who makes things new.
Dear Jesus, thank you for changing everything by conquering sin and death on the cross for us. In times of change, big and small, help us to praise you. Put Hallelujahs on our lips so that we may be grateful for all you do in times of change. In your name we pray, Amen.
Prayers for Neighbors
· For my immediate geographical neighbors.
· For my community, neighborhood, town/city.
· For neighbors hurting from broken families, addiction, violence, abuse, poverty, sickness.
· For the eyes of the Good Samaritan, to see and help my neighbor in need.
Closing Prayer
O God of mercy, teach me to be merciful. O Humble Lord, show me the way of humility. You are the exalted King over all things. I worship you alone. Amen.