STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAN FAITH

Our congregation is Christian by faith and Lutheran by tradition. The Lutheran Church was the first organized denomination of the Protestant Reformation. The basic teachings of our faith are the same now as they were then:

• Belief in Jesus Christ as the only incarnation of the One True God.
• The firm conviction that salvation is achieved through the grace and forgiveness of God, found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• The claim that the one God is a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• The conviction that the authority of our faith comes from the divinely inspired Word of God found in the Holy Bible.
• And the belief that Jesus calls us to a Christian life lived out in both word and deed; in word by our verbal witness to the salvation found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; in deed by our acts of charity and love toward all people, but especially the poor and disadvantaged.

Salem Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America (ELCA), Southern California West Synod

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

New CONSTITUTION adopted April 2002

EDUCATION

Sunday Morning Opportunities:

Sunday School classes for ages 3 years through 4th grade meet together at 10:00 a.m. for a musical opening and prayer before going to their classrooms. Pre-Confirmation meets in Room 6, Junior and Senior High have an opening time in the Youth room prior to going to their own classes.

The adult Sunday School program (Adult Forum) normally includes a Bible study course or an examination of current events or trends that affect the church.

Crossways! Bible Study:

Crossways is a two-year study of the entire Bibical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Class meets from 7:15-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday and repeats Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. (except during Lent and the summer months). For inquirers, beginners and advanced Bible Students. Pastor Banke teaches this Bible study.

MEMBERSHIP

Salem Lutheran accepts new members by transfer or adult instruction. There is an adult introductory course to key Biblical teachings, a summary of Lutheran doctrine (The Augsburg Confession & Luther's Small Catechism) and a welcome to the ministry of Salem Lutheran. This class is for prospective members or for those wishing to review the main teachings of the faith. There are four sessions, 1 1/2 hours each, normally held three times a year: Fall, late Winter and Spring.

PICTURES OF LIFE AT SALEM

YOUTH MINISTRIES

'YOUTH' - people from early adolescent years through early adult years. 'YOUTH MINISTRIES' - youth working toward growth and participation in their baptismal relationship. That relationship unites them with themselves, each other and the Word through teaching, worship, community, witness and service.

During the school year, Confirmation for 7th and 8th grade classes meet Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. High School Youth meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. (except during the summer months) for fun, fellowship and studies. Junior High Youth meet for game nights on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 6:00 p.m. (excluding summer).

Pre-Confirmation is a two-year course for fifth and sixth graders on Sunday morning at 10:00 am. Pre-Confirmation is designed to give students a grasp of scripture, both in overview and in depth, with special emphasis on God's constant love for his people.

During the summer months there are both Junior and Senior High activities filled with adventures designed especially with youth in mind.

Programs offered to the youth are published monthly in a 'Youth Newsletter' which is sent to individual homes.