I am home, and glad to be so, but we had an absolutely wonderful time away! We saw sooo many beautiful things, ate too much amazing food, laughed so much with our daughter and our niece, and made a lot of magical memories. God really blessed our trip and watched over us all the way there and back again. Now we are struggling to get back on Virginia time, catching up on work stuff, washing vast quantities of clothing, and getting the house (and the cats) back in order. It is not nearly as enjoyable to recover from as it is to prepare for a trip!

On Tuesday afternoon I made sure to watch this past Sunday’s service online so that I wouldn’t be behind on Pastor Doug’s new sermon series in Galatians. While I was watching it occurred me that I was literally watching the people of God, each practicing their own unique spiritual gifts, accomplishing the work of service like it says in Ephesians 4. Salem is a blessed church! 

Just from watching that one service I could “see” the work of singers, instrumentalists, pastors, teachers, deacons, ministers, sound technicians, digital technicians, and other behind-the-scenes servants who care for God’s house and its furnishings and equipment; and I could hear the voices of the congregation – many of whom came to service after leading/facilitating/teaching/participating in Bible study classes and small groups earlier. Every single one of these members is important, indeed critical to the proper functioning of our church. Without them we have no Sunday school classes to offer so that new and more mature believers can learn and grow and be discipled, no Kingdom Kids or LIFT ministries where kids and students can come and learn about Jesus while having fun and making friends at the same time, no programs like Awana/Trail Life/American Heritage Girls that appeal to families in our community and help to draw them into our church, where they will find Jesus and the connection/support/encouragement they need to live their lives to honor and glorify Him. 

I thank God that I belong to Salem!

Careen