The Faith
At the Divine Service last weekend at church I thought of something very personal and interesting about my church. While standing there singing the Gloria, I was reminded of my wedding day. Then from my wedding day I thought of all of the many times that something great happened in my life between these walls. I was astounded at how much of my life took place at this holy site.
It was in 2001 that I decided to visit. While listening to the Bible Answer Man, someone asked about joining a Lutheran Church. The host asked, "Which one?" The caller said something about Missouri and that stayed in my head as I am from Missouri.
I didn't know a soul when I walked in, but a man about my age changed that in seconds. He asked me if I was by myself. I told him that I was and he offered to have me sit with his family. I accepted his offer and to this day, I am very appreciative.
As the service began, I felt right at home. I was brought up in a liturgical church and was greatly surprised that I knew what was going on. I couldn't believe it! I found my church home and it was that easy. However, before drinking the Kool-aid, shaving my head, and learning the secret handshake, I thought I had better learn what they believe.
I started attending every Sunday and heard that they were going to have an adult information class that was about to start up. This class was to teach prospective members, as well as current members, what the church believes, teaches, and confesses. Through the nine weeks, I came to understand that this church body was very conservative, liturgical, and firm in their stance on their doctrine as drawn from Holy Scripture. That was all that I needed to know. However, there was one potential problem. I was single and wanted to meet my wife at church and there wasn't too many single people around my age. I told myself what mattered most was that the Word of God was taught correctly, the service was reverent, and that if God wanted me to be married, He would have to take care of it for me. I laugh when I think back to that day when I decided to become a member.
After I became a member and attended for about a year, my parents became members. I remember the day that they joined and kneeled down before the pastor as he prayed for them. It was one of the most memorable things that I had ever witnessed. Here are two people that I loved the most joining this place where the Gospel of our Lord was being proclaimed in all of it's glory - we are saved by His grace alone.
Years would go by as we attended services together. One day after the service I said hello to a couple that I thought was visiting. As it turned out, they had been attending an earlier service for awhile. The following week I ran into them on the way out and the wife started asking me all kinds of personal questions; When did you graduate? What do you do? Where did you attend school? It was kind of odd, but they seemed nice enough.
A couple of Sundays later I looked across the aisle and there was a beautiful young lady sitting with these folks. I thought to myself, "Ah, she's way out of your league and is probably way too young for me." I guess it didn't matter as the nice people introduced me to her that same day.
After I met that beautiful young lady we started dating and three months later I asked her to marry me. Once again, this place would be the backdrop of the occasion as I asked her right in the middle of the sanctuary. She said "Yes" and about six months later we were married in this same place.
About two years later my father passed away. It was in this building that his relatives were comforted by the Gospel at his funeral. After the service we laid his ashes in the memorial garden in the back of the church - where he had requested.
From death to new life. A week after his funeral, we found out that we were pregnant. One of the first places we visited after finding out was the memorial garden for it only seemed right. On our way out we ran into our pastor and he pronounced God's blessing on our family and our unborn child.
The following year our child was born. Once again we visited this holy place to discuss our child's Holy Baptism. We suggested a date and our pastor said, "You know what date that is?" I told him that I didn't and he reminded me that it was the anniversary of my father's passing. That clinched it. Exactly one year to the date of my dad leaving this place to be our Holy Father, our little one received a Holy flood of blessed waters that welcomed her into the family of God.
As you can see, this is a place where life takes place. It's a place where Heaven meets Earth, where God richly feeds us His Word and Body and Blood to strengthen our faith. No wonder we love this place so much, for it feels like a foretaste of Home.
Thy strong Word did cleave the darkness;
At thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee
While thine ordered seasons run
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia without end!
God the Father, light-creator,
To Thee laud and honor be.
To Thee, Light from Light begotten,
Praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, light-revealer,
Glory, glory be to Thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever
Praise the Holy Trinity!
Thy Strong Word by Martin H. Franzmann, 1969
