Grace Notes June 29, 2010

Every week in Salem’s printed announcements that are passed out with our
worship bulletins, I include a short quote from a calendar of church sign
sayings that Judy Bergeson gave me. I used the calendar for an entire
year and liked the little sayings so much that I use some of them in the
announcements, hoping that other readers will enjoy them as much as I did.
When looking for one to use this week I came across one I did not use
(but probably will later). It said ...

“Welcome to the perfect church – for those who aren’t.”

Sometimes I think of Salem as the “perfect church.” I know I am happy and
joyful when I am here and that I feel a part of a larger body -- “a
community of faith” -- made up of people with strong and passionate faith.
People who aren’t “perfect” ... because we are all sinners. We are the
people who Jesus suffered and died for, the people who deserved nothing
but were given everything.

I know how much Salem (and it’s people) have done for me. I know I have
grown so much in my faith and in my joyous belief. I say joyous because I
believe that God wants our “joyful” belief in him.

Salem’s members continually astound me. When I stop and think of all the
people that make up Salem ... the musicians who give their considerable
talents to God’s praise ... those who plan services ... lead worship ...
prepare for worship ... participate in worship ... those who serve on
committees ... give their time ... help whenever needed ... those who give
their leadership ... their advice ... those who give monetarily to support
the missions of Salem ... pay salaries ... pay the bills to keep a church
growing ... those who give so much of themselves to Salem as a church, as
a community of faith, and to each other as individual members. I am
pleased and honored to be a member.

Is it a “perfect” church? Probably not ... but I know it’s a “perfect
fit” for me.

God’s Blessings,
Sue McMillan
Office Secretary
“[T]he only thing that counts is faith working through love.”
Galatians 5:6b (Lutheran Study Bible)

“Christ has set us free ... through the Spirit, by faith. Through the
Spirit and by faith, not by the law, we have access to God’s
righteousness. Faith working through love signals Christ at work among
us. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of
all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” (Lutheran Study
Bible p. 1917 and p. 1918)

Upcoming at Salem …

Friday – July 2
8th Grade Confirmation Students Return to Salem from Confirmation Camp

Saturday – July 3
Worship - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday – July 4
Worship – 8:00 a.m.
Independence Day Trumpet Tribute – 10:00 a.m.
Outdoor Worship - 10:30 a.m. (weather permitting)
followed by Cake and Punch.

Monday – July 5
Office Closed
Salem Softball – 6:30 p.m. Orange Team Sycamore Park Field 10

Have a Happy 4th of July!