Well, we’re still in Lent (just in case you forgot).

Our theme this season is sacrifice.  Not like a New Year’s resolution, but the kind of sacrifice that invokes a connection to the sacrifice of Jesus.

As part of your Lenten worship, you may have set something aside until Easter.  If you’re struggling, GOOD!  Struggle for Jesus!  He gave us the example.  He gave us each other to lean on. Use His gift of others in your life to help bear your challenges.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

We look forward to being in worship with you as we continue our sermon series on The Shack, and the accompanying book study.

As we prepare for Lent, Pastor Doug has thrown down the gauntlet of the Lent Simplicity Challenge!

We know (or should know) that Lent is the time of preparing our spirits for the commemoration (and celebration) of Easter.  Lots of people “give something up for Lent.”  For many of us, this usually works about like our New Year’s resolutions.  That’s why the Challenge. Let’s make this more meaningful!

So, (uh oh, here it comes) pray about something that you have or do regularly that you’d be willing to set-aside for the next 40-days (until Easter).  The Challenge is NOT to do this just for the sake of doing it. There is a purpose.  Whatever it is you sacrifice, you are challenged to pledge that to our sister congregation in Dondo, Mozambique.

For example, say you sacrifice a soda each day (about a buck).  After 40-days, can you imagine what that would mean to our Dondo borthers and sisters?!  Can you imagine what a whole congregation doing this could mean??!!!  WOW!

Pray, make a choice, tell a friend, and pray some more!  YOU HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED!

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.

You may have noticed the big structure in front of Salem UMC.  Well, that is to draw attention to the upcoming sermon and study series on The Shack by William P. Young.   This book has been called controversial and even blasphemous.  It has also been called one of the most powerfully moving books people have read.  We understand there are strong feelings on this, but this book has also opened many hearts to the understand and received the deep healing and comforting that only God can provide.

• Worship service messages. These will use elements and themes from The Shack to illustrate key principles.  This coincides with our ongoing Lenten observance.
• Evening studies.  On Tuesdays at 7:00pm starting March 3rd, join us in the Worship Center for a weekly book study.  This will be a wonderful complement to the Sunday worship messages.