Keep Blooming Where You’re Planted
Posted on Jun 21, 2023 by Heather Lewis
Confession: Sometimes I run out of time (or ideas) for my Staff Trax and go back to previous years to get inspiration. I’ve been reading through my writings from 2020 and was struck by what I wrote after our 135th anniversary celebration, which was also our last worship service in our old location. During the service we read a litany of thanksgiving, which did talk a little about buildings, but only in the context of the people who built them (complete with hitching posts!).
One of the things my mom always said to us, as the Army moved us around A LOT, was to “bloom where you’re planted.” With that in mind, I am so proud of how Salem has adapted and thrived in the last three years! I think living through a pandemic has taught us how to expand our ideas on how to connect, and how important it is to be the church, however and wherever that may be. We all need each other, especially in times like these.
Below is the litany of thanksgiving from three years ago that certainly still stands true, with one edit — we’ve now had 24 pastors leading us into our future:
- For the ten charter members who organized Salem Lutheran Church in 1885, and dedicated its first wood-frame sanctuary in 1888, complete with hitching posts, we thank you, Lord.
- For the dedicated congregation of farmers, who in 1922 rebuilt the sanctuary after a fire, bringing stones from their own fields, we thank you, Lord.
- For all of the Sunday school teachers, Vacation Bible School volunteers, confirmation leaders, and all those who selflessly give their time to walk with and guide our children and youth in their faith journeys, we thank you, Lord.
- For all of the council members and team leaders, and those with visions and dreams for our congregation, who have inspired us to serve our community, we thank you, Lord.
- For the 23 pastors who have answered their call to preach the gospel at Salem Lutheran Church, and in turn have encouraged us to follow our call to encounter God, grow in faith, and serve the world, we thank you, Lord.
- For the countless volunteers who have served faithfully each Sunday, leading with song, reading scripture, serving communion, and encouraging us to be an inviting and welcoming community of faith, we thank you, Lord.
Gracious God, as we celebrate our past and rejoice in our present, we also look forward with eager eyes to the future. We pray that You would continue to make Your love known among us. Give us a passion for mission. Help us to look beyond our walls to those who do not know You. Make this church a blessing to those around us, and inspire us to move forward with strength toward what lies ahead.
And all the people said, Amen!
In His love,
Heather Lewis
Director of Worship and Music