Grace Notes May 25, 2010

Dear Friends in Christ,

“Law and Order” is going off the air. After twenty years (not quite a
record, evidently), they’re done… only to be brought back again in Los
Angeles, as I understand it. It’s never been a show I’ve made sure I was
home to see or bothered to record when I wasn’t able to be there. Even
so, from time to time I would drop in and find myself caught up in the
story line. It strikes me that the scripts delved into parts of the human
experience most of us are grateful we’ve never had to see first hand.
What I’ve always marveled at though is the show’s continuing popularity…
even though the cast has turned over time and again. Clearly, it wasn’t
the characters that made the show --- as engaging as they may have been.
It was the story. And it was the fight for justice --- which even in
shades of gray – was a fight that was won more often than not.

So it is also with the people of God. The characters keep changing, to be
sure. Since the beginning of time God has worked with and through the
likes of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and his family, Abraham and
Sarah, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers. God has spoken through
prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, Amos and Hosea. God worked in the
lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, and a group of twelve
ordinary men who Jesus called as his disciples. Through people such as of
Paul and Peter, Lydia and Steven, and you and me the story of God’s love
and grace and power keeps getting lived out. The story is much the same.
And often it leads us into unexpected places. And yes, it too, is a fight
for justice… a fight that God promises will ultimately be won.

And so I’m wondering about how that old story is living in and through
you. What unexpected places has God led you into and through? How do you
see good being served, grace being shared, love being given? Where do you
see God changing lives in the ways God has always changed lives? In what
ways is God working in you?

Peace to you and many blessings,

Pastor Janet

Coming up at Salem:

On Saturday, May 29th at 8 a.m., mulchers will gather at the church to
spread mulch on our gardens. Bring a shovel, a broom, or a rake and join
in the fun!

On this Memorial Day Week-end we honor veterans in prayers of thanksgiving
and at fellowship hour between services. Be sure to join us as we thank
them for their service.

Weather permitting, the 10:30 service this Sunday, May 30th, will be held
outside. Bring a lawn chair and join us!

On Wednesday, June 16th, we kick off the study of the book Receiving the
Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time, by Dorothy C. Bass.
A copy of the book is available in the Welcome Center. Pick yours up and
join us as we gather to share a meal and conversation. Bring a dish to
pass and bring the kids, too. Programming will be available for them as
well!