Just a Word...

Blessing of the Animals !

2008-08-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

August 24, 2008
You and your pets, be they mammals, fish, birds, amphibians or reptiles, are invited on Sunday, Aug. 24th to the....
2nd Annual BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
at Salem-in-Ballwin Church at 10:30 am.

It's a lot of fun - the pastor will personally bless each pet (and whose pet couldn't use a blessing?!)

Come one and all, and bring Fluffy and Rover !

(We hold an 'equal opportunity for all species' blessing) :)
See you Sunday ~~
Pastor Julie

Is Anybody Listening?

2008-07-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

July 2, 2008

I drive the highway to work and I see almost everyone on their cellphone talking to someone. I look online and I see lots of people have their own personal blogs, detailing their life and their thoughts. "Talking" online, as it were.

This is a lot of talking. It makes me wonder - with everyone talking all the time, who is doing the listening? Is anyone?

When you are talking to someone, are you really listening to them, too? Or are you using the time that they are speaking to organize your OWN thoughts about the next thing YOU want to say?

Is anybody listening to you?

No matter what is happening to you, no matter whether you talking aloud, or writing, or blogging, or just thinking, God is listening. Of this you can be certain. Always.

God is listening to you as one listens to a beloved child - with open ears and an open heart.
Never be afraid that you are lost or forgotten in our fast and furious life of today.
You are remembered, loved, and listened to, by no less than the Everlasting, Almighty Lord of All.

And THAT'S the Good News.
Peace,
Rev. Julie

Friday the 13th - But...

2008-06-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Well, tomorrow is FRIDAY THE 13TH, so everyone everywhere is expecting (fearing?) BAD LUCK. Why don't you ever hear about a special date for GOOD LUCK?

Jesus told us we have some very GOOD "LUCK" -- every day. Listen...

He said, "Don't be afraid. God knows and loves you so well, that he even knows HOW MANY HAIRS you have on your head" - that is true intimacy.

In fact, even though we think of some creatures, (like sparrows) as not valuable, to God all creatures are very valuable. Can you believe that God knows each time even a small bird falls to the ground and dies?? He does.

We even think of some PEOPLE as NOT VALUABLE, but to God, each of us is a beloved child, no matter who we are.
If God even knows when a little sparrow falls to the ground and dies, how much more will God know when YOU are afraid, sad, suffering or in danger??

Of course God knows - and God cares. And God will hold you in the palm of his hand.

That's even better than GOOD LUCK. That's GOOD LOVE. From the Almighty.
Remember that on Friday the 13th.

Peace,
Julie

Spanish-For-Fun - Free !

2008-05-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

May 8, 2008

Did you ever wish that you could go to your favorite Mexican or Brazilian or Guatemalan restaurant and order in Spanish? I did.
It seems like a good idea to learn a little Spanish, at least enough to order -- And especially if you can learn it in a fun way with a native Spanish speaker.

Salem is offering FREE Spanish-For-Fun sessions on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. starting on June 2, then June 9 and last one - June 16th.

Our friend Marta, from Paraguay will be leading it and we are planning to gather in a local Mexican restaurant -- more on that later.

After all, God speaks ALL LANGUAGES !

See you then -
Pastor Julie

Youth Lead Worship

2008-04-24T15:54:00.001-07:00

April 24, 2008

Get ready for a fun-filled and energetic worship experience Sunday, April 27th at Salem! The Youth have taken over the worship, and will be sharing their thoughts and faith as well as musical talent with us.

Your mind/spirit will be fed, and your heart warmed as our youth lead us in the worship of God.
Join me Sunday!

Peace,
Rev. Julie

Why do we fear SILENCE?

2008-04-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
James Howell in his book, The Beautiful Work of Learning to Pray, says,

"No index into our restlessness is more telling than our flight from silence.

Our world is so noisy, as our planet gets noisier every century.

Something is always on, somebody is always saying something. "

As he says, silence is associated with lonliness. And we are all about avoiding THAT.

But in fact, the cure for our loneliness is NOT more talk, and finally, the sltimate cure to our deepest loneliness isn't any person, but is God.

St. Augustine said, "O Lord...you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in you."

Only God can fill that space inside of us.

How can we invite God into our "empty space"?

The way to do that is PRAYER.

Any I DON'T mean, "God is great, God is good..." or "Now I lay me down to sleep...".

I mean laying yourself open to God in truth and honesty. I mean listening, as well as talking.

If you're interested in learning more about prayer, you're invited to come to a discussion group on prayer at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays at 14825 Manchester Rd. - Salem-in-Ballwin UMC.

See you there.

Peace,

(Rev.) Julie

New Life For... Me?

2008-04-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 3, 2008

It's finally here! Our Spring Cantata "Now I Am His Own" will be performed at both services (8:15 and 10:30 am on Sunday).
This is the perfect way to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ - New Life.

That's what Spring is all about, isn't it - new life. From deep within the dead-looking earth and trees suddenly life begins to stir.

The marvelous thing is that no one can stop this return of life, even if they wanted to. God has brought it about.
The same is true of Jesus' resurrection after death - no one could stop it, although many tried. In spite of them, God brought life back to Christ.

If you feel like you've been going through a "dead period" yourself, don't despair. God can bring life back to anyone/ anything!
Come and celebrate Life this Sunday at Salem.

Peace,
Rev. Julie

Taking the Plunge

2008-03-27T15:31:00.000-07:00

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Taking the Plunge ...
It's hard to learn how to swim without getting in the water.
Can you imagine trying to teach by standing on dry land, demonstrating the movement of arms, legs, and breathing of the breast stroke?

I guess it would be possible to begin learning that way, but...
It would be impossible to learn the value of FLOATING, for instance, unless you are actually in the water.
You can't describe it to someone who has never floated.

Finally, you just have to GET IN THE WATER.

That is what faith is about. Getting in the water. You'll never learn to "swim" unless you do.

We'll talk more on Sunday at Salem - 8:15 or 10:30.
See you then!

Rev. Julie

Update on Holy Week Services

2008-03-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 16, 2008 1:00 p.m.

Our music director is in the hospital with pneumonia. We we are praying for him and hope that he is recovering even as I type.
We hope he will be able to lead music for our Holy Week services which are listed below. Time will tell, and you can check this website for the most recent information on Holy Week services.

Holy Week
Maundy Thursday (3/20) 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday (3/21) 7:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday (3/22) 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday (3/23) at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.

Peace,
(Rev.) Julie Callaghan

2008-03-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

We hear every day about the mighty and powerful having fallen from their pedestals (eg. New York's governor).
The difference with Jesus is that he deliberately allowed himself to be adored in the Palm Procession, ALL THE WHILE KNOWING that it would not last, and that he would be sacrified for the salvation of all the world!

What kind of love does that take?

Come, hear and experience what this love of Jesus is like this Sunday, Mar. 16, at the Palm Sunday Cantata "Now I Am His Own" at 8:15 and 10:30 am.

Next week we experience Holy Week with opportunities to worship, pray and hear beautiful music on Thurs, Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Easter Sunday morning 8:15 and 10:30.

> Thursday 7:00 pm celebrates the Last Supper of Christ and holy communion is served to all who come.
> Friday 7:00 pm explores Jesus' Passion with opportunity to ask forgiveness for my own sin and "nail them to the cross" - literally.
> Saturday 7:00 pm is an experience in discovering the Risen Christ and what difference He makes in our lives!

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP will be a joyous celebration at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. March 23rd. Nursery care is available throughout the morning. Come and See!