John Louk

Once again, the Church continues to challenge the way we live during December. The Church says, “Christmas is not your birthday. Celebrate your birthday when it is your birthday. Celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Christmas.” Shopping and spending money on stuff does not celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Jesus said he came to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free (Luke 4:18). Jesus did not come so some of the wealthiest people in the world (that is us) could have more stuff. Christmas is a wonderful time of year. Still, it is not about consumption but compassion. It is not about presents but presence. It is a time to be generous. Therefore, I want to challenge us all to celebrate Jesus’ birth by giving to mission with our money (and our time and service, too!). The Missions Committee has identified Heifer International as a mission emphasis for our entire congregation to support. You can read more about H

After nearly two-and-a-half years, Salem gathered for our first worship services on November 21 in our own, new location. God is good! Considering it was new for all of us, our first Sunday went very well. We had about 215 people in the two services. A week later, on November 28, we had 249 for our Grand Opening celebration. Following the ancient tradition, we consecrated the church building for the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of Holy Communion. At the beginning of this year, the big question for Salem was: Where would we land as a congregation? Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land, it felt like Salem did not have a home. The flood in 2008 forced Salem on a journey. Now we have taken our first steps in a new place. In many ways it feels like we need a moment to take a breath and relax a bit. It is good to celebrate and thank God for the ways in which God has taken care of us. While we celebrate, it

Yesterday, Salem gathered to worship in its own, new location for the first time since the flood in 2008. It has been quite a journey. God is good! For local media coverage, click here and here .

Salem will celebrate our Grand Opening in a new location on the first Sunday of a new Christian year, November 28, the first Sunday of Advent. We hope to move our offices by the middle of November and hold our first worship services (9:00 am and 11:00 am) on the previous Sunday, November 21. On that last Sunday of the Christian year, we celebrate the reign of Christ and our commitment to Jesus’ reign. That also will give us an opportunity to gather together in our new location and see how everything works before our Grand Opening. I am especially grateful to the members of the Building Task Force for their time and work: Louis Busch, Linda Jandik, Joy Louk, Mark Minger (chair), Richard Pankey, Bob Thompson, Sharon Vavra, and Paul Vieira. They have done a wonderful job. Furthermore, many people from the congregation have worked and helped, too. Thank you! I believe we will be very pleased with our facility when we relocate around the middle of November. We have been waiting with gr