Salem's Christmas Appeal
God shares abundantly with us the blessings of life, love and unfailing mercy.
As witnessesed by the barrage of TV ads, the Christmas season must be here. They tell us repeatedly that we need everything from new jewelry to a new car to really get into the holiday spirit. Or maybe it's your mail box overflowing with the requests for yearly donations from many well meaning organizations that announce the season.
At Salem we don't need TV ads or bulk mailing to announce the season, we have John the Baptist, real angels and finally shepherds in field. These messengers of God won't tell us of what we're lacking and they won't tell us there is anything we have to buy, instead they come with the wonderful message that God is coming to give. God comes at Christmas to give us the gift of "generous mercy". Please think about the generous mercy which God has poured out onto your life and into the life of this congregation. During the year we have met challenges such as starting a capital campaign and bringing into our church family an Associate Pastor, just to name two. We also continue to support many missions throughout our local community and also missions in far reaching places around the world.
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.James M. Barrie
During this time of year we are called on to continue the work God has put forth for us to do. Whether it's providing comfort, dignity and food for the homeless, groceries for a food bank, supporting a parish nurse so she can visit the sick and lonely, or giving a toy to a child who otherwise might not have had a gift to unwrap, you in your "generous mercy" have answered the Lord's call. Please continue to pray for our church and our mission to spread the Word and give comfort for those in need.
A generous holiday gift will go a long way toward our continued effort to embody the mission with which we have been charged.
Happy Holydays and Merry Christmas,
Randy Slaughter,
Steward of Stewardship
