Salem Family,
A quote I heard when studying St. Francis of Assisi in Italy my Junior year of college has been on my mind lately. “The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.”
I have been reflecting on what church means to me and why I come to church. I feel refreshed after Sunday morning, I feel like I’ve been challenged and I feel like I’ve been pushed…
Hey Salem Community-
Our confirmation program began in September and there are twenty-one awesome middle school students and four incredible adult leaders participating in the program. There is great energy and excitement as well as some nervousness among the students as they get to know each other and feel connected within the group. We have established some rules and boundaries…
Posted by hlewis |
Dear Salem family,
While Pastor Dave was on sabbatical last summer, the staff wrote letters that were mailed out weekly. I was honored to be a part of this ministry, and as I prepared to write this week’s letter, I stumbled on the first one I wrote in June, 2015. We happened to be focusing on the same story we read last Sunday, the parable of the mustard seed. I love how a year later,…
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I pray you have had a good week.
Did you watch any of the Olympics back in August? You know, every time the Olympics come around, both the winter and summer Olympics, I initially think, “Oh, I’m not going to spend much time watching those.” But then the games begin, and it seems like once I start, I can’t stop watching them, and then…
Dear Salem Community,
Oasis started last week and it was a great night filled with community, fellowship and worship. Seeing the community gather for a meal and talk with their friends was life giving. Hearing all of those participating talk about their experiences in small groups was exciting. Participating in worship and hearing the community’s joys and concerns, praying as a community…
Hey Salem Community-
Growing up in Minnesota, the sport of hockey was integrated in to all aspects of community. Every park had an outdoor ice rink and every city had an indoor ice arena. All the kids in my neighborhood would meet at the local park and play hockey from the time we got home from school until our parents called us in for dinner. We played all day on Saturday…
Posted by hlewis |
Dear Salem family,
We take worship pretty seriously at Salem. Our goal is always to bless you with the word and sacrament, and send you out inspired to shine Christ’s light into the world. We work hard to make the scriptures relevant to today, to engage you with music that is meaningful, and encourage the Spirit to move in our hearts.
Luckily, we don’t take ourselves too…
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
It's really good to be back from vacation – I hope this finds you all well.
I don’t know about you, but there sure are a lot of things I would like to have that I don’t have. I love to cook and, in particular, I love to grill. A number of years ago, a neighbor down the street was smoking some meat on a Friday. The wonderful aroma drifted…
Dear Salem Family,
I have been thinking lately about the difference between being welcoming and being invitational, and how can we as a church and community be both? Or, rather, how we need to be both. There is something to be said about hospitality when visitors arrive at church or hospitality to long time veteran members. When you go someplace you are looking for that place to be welcoming, hospitable…
Hey Salem Community-
What would it take for you to act on behalf of another who was experiencing oppression or struggle? What circumstances would trigger you to step out of your comfort zone to fight injustice?
Many of you have watched the news and witnessed the unrest happening in Milwaukee, WI. Most of the reporting leads us to make a value judgement on an extremely…