This coming Sunday (the 20th) is going to be special!  First of all, both services will be combined in the Sanctuary at 10:30 (am).  The Chancel Choir from the traditional (“Solid Rock”) service and the Praise Band from the Praise (“The River”) service will join forces to present a musical worship service, “The Wonder of Christmas.”

It may be a bit crowded, so please plan accordingly.  You may park in either the south or west parking lots.  If you haven’t dropped in yet, this is a great way to try us out before coming to the Christmas Eve service.  We look forward to seeing you there!  [More Christmas info here]

Something new coming our way! Starting this coming Sunday (September 13th), Pastor Doug will begin a new sermon series, “Ripped from the Headlines!”

You (yes, YOU) will determine what the sermon will be!  Here’s how: You are invited to bring in real headlines from newspapers to be the topic for the next Sunday sermon. It should be something that is a big current event or issue.  You may also email the headlines, but you should include the source (newspaper/published date/etc.).

This Sunday will be an introduction (and example), but after that, ITS ALL YOU!!!

This will be about thought process as much as anything, certainly not about providing neat and tidy answers. We will struggle together with what it means to faithful search for answers.  There may not be clear cut answers, in fact this will probably be the case more often than not.   We can have some fun with this and together become more faithful servants of the living Christ.

Send in your headlines now!

If you’ve been paying attention, Pastor Doug’s messages have drawn from Brian McLaren’s book “Everything must change.”

Here’s the link to the website: everythingmustchange.org Lots of good stuff there along the lines of the practical ministry we’ve been hearing about.

Enjoy!

On May 31st, Christians around the world will celebrate the Day of Pentecost.  It’s often remembered as the church’s birthday.  Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised that the Holy Spirit would come upon those who believed in His resurrection.

Three thousand people were gathered in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came upon them.  They were so touched by the Holy Spirit that they began to worship regularly, especially on Sundays – the day of Christ’s resurrection.

To symbolize the “tongues of fire” (Acts 2:3) that came upon the people present at Pentecost, liturgical churches (like ours) display the color red in their worship services on Pentecost Sunday.  So, put aside your red shirt, tie, or scarf to wear so that the rooms will be ablaze with red in celebration of the Holy Spirit!

This also gives you an opportunity to decide what to bring for the Fifth Sunday after-church dinner on that same date!

This coming Wednesday will have something special.  We’ll be recognizing our graduating students at the 5pm Wonderful Wednesday meal and the 6pm Wednesday Service.

Please come and celebrate their hard work and encourage their continued growth.

The First Station: Jesus is condemned to die.

Click to enlarge

Story: Jesus stands in the most human of places. He has already experienced profound solidarity with so many on this earth, by being beaten and tortured. Now he is wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. His commitment to entering our lives completely begins its final steps. He has said “yes” to God and placed his life in God’s hands. We follow him in this final surrender, and contemplate with reverence each place along the way, as he is broken and given for us.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation:  As I view the scene, I become moved by both outrage and gratitude.  I look at Jesus. His face. The crown of thorns. The blood. His clothes stuck to the wounds on his back.   Pilate washes his hands of the whole affair. Jesus’ hands are tied behind his back.

This is for me. That I might be free. That I might have eternal life.

As the journey begins I ask to be with Jesus. To follow his journey. I express my love and thanks.

Here’s a video of the Sermon from the Salem UMC Contemporary (Praise) Service (“The River”).  Enjoy!

[Link to the video]

Well, folks, the weather outside is frightful!  So….

Sunday worship services will be combined.
The combined service will be at 10:45 in the Worship Center.  The West Lot might be a little slick, so try the South (main) lot first.

Also, the sermon series on The Shack will be bumped to start next Sunday.  The combined service should be awesome!  Looking forward to seeing you there!   BE SAFE OUT THERE!

As Easter approaches, we Methodists need to prepare. No, not by primping your hats or  getting out the egg-dye. We’re talking about Lent!
What is lent anyways, and why are Methodists doing this? Well, click here to get a “Lent 101″ primer, but basically, its the forty-days before Easter – a time to simplify our lives and prepare for our commemoration of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. (Click here for even more!)

Here’s some of our planned Lent activities:

• Ash Wednesday service, Feb. 25th at 6pm in the Sanctuary [Click for info]
• Sermon and study series based on The Shack [Click for info]
• The Simplicity Challenge [Click for info]

If you’ve never felt like Easter was a big deal (compared to, say, Christmas?), preparing your heart during Lent is a great way to experience the power of this special time.  Come, now is the time!

We enter into our time of Lent – a preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter to follow.   Ash Wednesday is a powerful commemorative service.

At an Ash Wednesday service, folks are invited to come forward to receive the ashes. The minister will make a small cross on your forehead by smudging the ashes. While the ashes remind us of our mortality and sin, the cross reminds us of Jesus’ resurrection (life after death) and forgiveness. It’s a powerful, non-verbal way that we can experience God’s forgiveness as we return to Jesus. (Click here for more info)

You are invited to the Salem UMC Ash Wednesday service on the 25th of February at 6pm in the New Worship Center. Come, now is the time.