Posted by svanbaale |
Yesterday was Patriot Day. Three months after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Congress approved a joint resolution designating Sept. 11 as Patriot Day. Every year, we pause to remember the lives lost and changed on that late summer morning. It was established to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and recognize the brave first responders who risked their lives that day. Some came…
Posted by lhigbee |
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus said to a Syrophoenician woman, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go — the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child…
Posted by hlewis |
If you were in worship on Sunday, Aug. 25, you heard an impassioned request by Renee Loya to show up for an important meeting the very next night. Sixteen Salem mission partners and friends did, and many of them agreed to help me write my Staff Trax this week. I want to thank Renee, Pastor Jon, Jenn, Jim, Cathy, Chris, Jen, Janice, Matt, and Lorel for giving me their perspectives and allowing me…
Posted by svanbaale |
Posted by jbrudvig |
Recently, children and youth from Salem and Overland Park Lutheran churches proclaimed the word through song, recounting the power and might of the God of Israel who answered the Prophet Elijah’s prayers with fire from above, consuming a water-soaked altar and the prophets of Ba’al.
Unfortunately for Elijah, upon hearing the news, Queen Jezebel vowed to kill God’s prophet. Fearful…
Posted by lhigbee |
My name is Laura Higbee, and I am the new office administrator. I am a lifelong Kansan who currently lives in Lawrence. I am married to my wonderful husband, Sam, and we have two cats: Shalom Michael and Cyrus Daniel. Yes, we gave our cats middle names. We have been married for 10 years, together for 11. We are serious board gamers, so if you want to be bored to sleep, feel free to ask me about…
Posted by hlewis |
When I was a kid, my favorite Sunday school teachers and youth leaders were ones who listened. They asked us questions, encouraged us to talk about our thoughts and opinions, and had discussions instead of lectures. I remember crowding around a couch in the narthex during a youth hangout, feeling safe enough to talk about tough teenager issues, with our youth leader validating our feelings. This…
Posted by svanbaale |
Believe it or not, we are in the last few weeks of the summer of 2024. On the calendar, we still have two months of summer. But for those of us with kids in school, school is right around the corner.
It seems school supplies, like most things, are put on store shelves earlier and earlier each year. I saw the shelves being filled at Walmart before the Fourth of July. I know it happens every…
Posted by rgarza |
No matter how seemingly small or insignificant our daily lives may be, the heart of a fulfilling relationship with God lies in our willingness to speak to Him as a friend. In the quiet moments, in the briefest of prayers, or even in a simple acknowledgment of His presence, we cultivate a bond that transcends the little things.
God doesn't measure our worth by the grandeur of our deeds, but…
Posted by jbrudvig |
Although I love history, I am beginning to learn that nostalgia is a pipe dream. When we select idealized memories to fit the current narrative of our lives, we risk oversimplifying the challenges, struggles, and complexities of the past.
Reflecting on the powerful lure of nostalgia, Brené Brown, professor, author, and podcaster, says that when we compare the “good old days” to today,…