From the pastor

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” --Ecclesiastes 3:1

I've been around long enough now that most of you know some things about me. One thing you know is that I am a family man. I love God more than anything in the world, but right next to God is my family. I also love the Salem Church family. Then somewhere down the line after those things is another great passion of mine. I love Baltimore Ravens football. So I really love this time of year because the opening kickoff is coming.

Now what is really good is when you can combine all of those things and that's what is happening during the month of September at Salem Church. I always have my family around and certainly God is always with us. But on September 7 th the church family will be kicking off the fall season with some exciting worship. Make a note that we start the fall worship schedule on September 7 th with worship at 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM and Sunday school at 9:30 AM. By the way that is also opening day for the Ravens.

Something else to write on your calendars is our Church family picnic. That will be at 12:30 PM at Kingsville Park on September 28th. And don't worry if you're a Ravens fan because it's a Monday night game that week.

Here are some things that I will be talking about in worship during the month of September: On the 7 th, because it is “Kickoff Sunday” I will be talking about wrapping up summer vacations and preparing for the fall. The text that day will be Exodus 12:1-14. More specifically I'll be talking about how God marks time versus how we mark time. Then, on the 14 th the text will be Psalm 51:1-2 and Matthew 18:21-35. It's a message about forgiveness. That is a subject we can't get enough of in this world. On the 21 st the Scripture will be Jonah 3:1-10. The sermon is called “Failure is only a temporary setback.” Most of us don't even like to use the word failure, but it happens and when it does we need to know how to handle it. Then finally, on September 28 th I'll be talking about eternal life. The text is Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:5-15.

Hopefully, each of you has had some time to relax and recreate over the summer. Now, we are gearing up for the next season. I read a story about a crossing guard at a Christian elementary school. The children would gather at her corner. It was a very busy intersection. She would wait until five or six children were there. Then she said, “Hold hands, stay together, and stay with God.” That sounds like good advice for a church family too. The wise king Solomon said, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” So let's stay together and stay with God as we head into this busy season of autumn.

Grace and Peace,

Cliff