On Independence Day weekend, Salem had a great presence in the Anderson Township Parade.  A four masted clipper ship with a full set of sails, it rose to the maximum height of 12 feet, and was over 22 feet long.   Flanking this magnificent structure were some little sailors in their own mini clipper ship costumes, plus a boat load of Salem supporters. We had a great connection with the people in the crowd as everyone lit up when we went by.    Many clapped, shouted, waved, and even danced.   With our praise and worship blaring out into the crowd and Salemites handing out close to three thousand Tootsie Pops - it would be hard to ignore us. 

And the end of the parade, our church took the "Best Float" award out of 107 entries.  But better than that - was that people in the crowd were asking our marchers where we are located.  Our goal was to have a positive connection with the crowd and demonstrate that Christians are fun and creative people who know how to have a good time together.  That worked! 

Thanks to everyone for their work, involvements, donations, and contributions to this event.  You guys really stood out positively for Jesus this year.  

Thanks,  Pastor John

 PS. For more on the float check out the online article at

What a great time we had at the 4^th of July Parade!  A big thank you to Pastor John and his small group for creating an awesome float !  Thank you to everyone who put labels on the tootsie pops (and Sue Clark for creating the labels),  as well as our fabulous marchers, banner carriers, and candy passer-outers!!  Thank you to Mike Koch for pulling the float, and to the Newberrys and the Aultzs for the music!  What a great witness to our community!

We have another opportunity to "let our light shine" in our community.  Salem will be running  the soft drink booth by the  children's rides at Greater Anderson Days on July 23, 24, and 25 at Beech Acres Park.  We hang our church banners and show our community spirit and have lots of fun.  We will also have tattoos for the kids to promote our upcoming Vacation Bible School.  And best of all, we all enjoy gathering at the Salem booth to watch the Sunday finale firework show at 10pm.

August 2-6^th, 2010   6:30 - 8:30pm

Outreach Opportunity and Fun too!

We really need help for this year's VBS.  Please consider the powerful difference we can make together with little children of our own church and those in the community.  This is "must volunteer" opportunity.

This year's VBS theme, "High Seas Expedition", kids explore the mighty love of God on a journey that will change them forever! High Seas Expedition is filled with incredible Bible-learning kids see, hear, touch, and even taste! Bible Point crafts, teambuilding games, cool Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the High Seas Expedition activities that help faith flow into real life. With your help, we'll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life-something we call God Sightings.

We can really use your help for Vacation Bible School this year.   Please consider helping with group leading, arts & crafts, snacks, fiscal donations, or just helping.

For recreation and sanity of mind, I race a nineteen foot Sailboat on weekends just following the 2^nd service on Sundays.   So following the second worship service, you'll often see me make a quick exit. 

But this last weekend, you didn't see me at all.  Besides racing on Weekends, I am the captain of one of the largest Flying Scot Fleets in America.   And this weekend I was the Regatta Chairperson of the 53^rd Flying Scot Pig Roast Regatta.  So I basically lived out at the lake this last weekend. 

There was very light wind and high temperatures that made racing difficult.  But consistent efforts actually placed us in a three way tie for FIRST PLACE with last years Fleet Champion and the Ohio District Governor for Flying Scots.   Is that crazy or what?!!?   Better than that, was I got a chance to talk about "Jesus stuff" to folks there.  

Hope you enjoyed "Louie" this weekend!  He is good isn't he?!?!  The message was incredible wasn't it?!!  And just think, the creator of all the heavens and earth - loves little tiny you.  That YOU matter to HIM!  

Thank You, Lord  for a great weekend!