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Love is the Last Word

Posted on Sun, May 16th, 2010

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John 17:20-26

20”I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25“Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Love is the Last Word

I was reading this week of two men who sat next to each other on a plane. After exchanging names, one asked with real passion, “So, do you go to church?” “Funny you should mention that,” the man replied, “we were just talking about church yesterday.” He went on to explain that the previous year, he and his family had let themselves get totally over-extended. Between work, social commitments, and the activities of their two children – one in elementary school, one in junior high – they were exhausted by Christmas. They were determined that this year would be different. So after going to church as usual the day before, they held a “family council” over lunch to review all of their commitments in light of how each helped them be the kind of individuals and family they wanted to be. After an hour and a half of conversation, they made their decisions. And church was one of the things they had decided to stop doing. Girl Scouts remained, but church was out. “It’s just not that meaningful,” the man explained. “We go each week and finally realized we’re not getting anything out of it. It doesn’t connect with the rest of our lives, let alone help us lead those lives. So we’re done.” (WorkingPreacher.org., 5/9/10)

In this day and age of split loyalties and competing demands, church membership is often viewed more as a comfort than a commitment. It begs the larger question: how important is the life we share as a church? What is it that binds us together as a church community? Certainly relationships are a factor. Perhaps it is common experiences like shared grief. Maybe it is just habit for some. But the common thread in all of our experiences is the story of God and his creation. Every time we gather for worship—whether in some small rural community or some great cathedral—we are engaging the story of God with his people. If church attendance is secondary or we say or conclude that it is just not that meaningful, what then are we saying about our relationship with God?

Some time ago I heard an interview with someone from the orthodox tradition of Christianity who was engaged in a conversation about churches in general and the trends in churches of our day and the cult of personality that so often drives church communities. He stated that in his tradition, the life of the church does not ebb and flow with the priest but the liturgy. Some priests would come and stumble there way through the liturgy but it was never about the pastor. It was the liturgy—the spoken word that held the congregation together.

We are of a different tradition than the orthodox branch of Christianity but I think we can still grasp what this parishioner was saying. In our tradition as Covenanters—we talk about the centrality of God’s Word. (In reality we are talking about the same thing even though we may express it differently.) Another way of saying it that might be common ground in our traditions is to talk about story. We are held together as a church, not by singular leaders whose strengths and weaknesses ebb and flow in the life of the church but by the Story. Every Sunday that we gather we hear the story of God and find ourselves in it. It is through the Story that the Holy Spirit knits our lives together.

The power of story is that we hear it through the filter of our own lives. It can touch each one of us differently but it is the Spirit who uses the same story to knit our lives together. Yet so many people in the 21st century place the church at best, on the periphery of their lives.

(more…)

Salem hosting: “Where Paul Stands After the New Scroll Finds”

Posted on Sun, May 16th, 2010

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Salem Covenant is pleased to be a host sight for the fall Beck Lecture Series sponsored by the Massachusetts Bible Society, Monday, October 25, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. There are five lectures throughout the state and we will be hosting the 4th in the series presented by Harvey Cox entitled, “Where Paul Stands After the New Scroll Finds”.

Harvey Cox is Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard, where he began teaching in 1965, both at HDS and in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. An American Baptist minister, he was the Protestant chaplain at Temple University and the director of religious activities at Oberlin College; an ecumenical fraternal worker in Berlin; and a professor at Andover Newton Theological School. His research and teaching interests focus on the interaction of religion, culture, and politics. Among the issues he explores are urbanization, theological developments in world Christianity, Jewish-Christian relations, and current spiritual movements in the global setting (particularly Pentecostalism). He has been a visiting professor at Brandeis University, Seminario Bautista de Mexico, the Naropa Institute, and the University of Michigan. He is a prolific author. His most recent book is The Future of Faith (HarperCollins, 2009). His Secular City, published in 1965, became an international bestseller and was selected by the University of Marburg as one of the most influential books of Protestant theology in the twentieth century. His other books include When Jesus Came to Harvard: Making Moral Decisions Today, The Feast of Fools; The Seduction of the Spirit; Religion in the Secular City; The Silencing of Leonardo Boff: Liberation Theology and the Future of World Christianity; Many Mansions: A Christian’s Encounters With Other Faiths; Fire From Heaven: The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality; The Reshaping of Religion in the Twenty-First Century; and Common Prayers: Faith, Family, and a Christian’s Journey Through the Jewish Year.

Details on the other lectures are available at http://www.massbible.org/beck-lectures-harvey-cox.

Seniors’ Outing

Posted on Wed, Apr 28th, 2010

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On Tuesday, June 8, the Salem Super Seniors will be joining Zion Lutheran Fellowship Club for a luncheon at Blackstone Valley High School’s “Three Seasons Restaurant” in Upton. Lunch is at 11:00 a.m. Carpooling is available. For more information, speak to Julia Johnson or call the church office.

Habitat for Humanity Work Day

Posted on Wed, Apr 28th, 2010

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On Saturday, May 8, Salem will send a team to work on Habitat’s current home project in Millbury. If you would like more information, please speak with Pastor Frykholm.

Benefit Concert for Haiti

Posted on Wed, Apr 28th, 2010

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Saturday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m. here at Salem. Featuring Kettly Benoit, soprano, and Li-Ching Huang, piano and soprano. We will be receiving donations at intermission. Other guest performers include Judy Hsu on piano, Jon Clark on trumpet, Gjergji Kote on violin, and Tina Verdun on flute.

The Bohemian Quartet in Concert

Posted on Mon, Apr 5th, 2010

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Saturday, April 10th 2010 – 7 pm

The Bohemian Quartet in Concert at Salem Covenant Church

http://www.bohemianquartet.com/

Donations accepted

Call the Church Office for more information: 508-853-4071

Bohemian Quartet

College Seminar, March 21, 1:30 p.m.

Posted on Fri, Feb 26th, 2010

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North Park College is hosting a college seminar at Salem for students and parents. This is an information-packed seminar designed to help students and their parents ask good questions, plan effectively, and evaluate various college alternatives. The desired result is an improved decision-making process and the increased likelihood of an outcome that best meets the needs of the student and family. The Seminar is a service of North Park University offered free of charge to Covenant Churches, families, and friends. While the seminar is sponsored by North Park and includes references to the University, it is neither intended to be a North Park promotional event nor exclusive to only students and parents considering North Park as a college option. The seminar is open to parents/students from Jr. Hi on up. If you know of friends/parents/students who are in this age bracket but not necessarily connected to Salem, feel free to invite them. A pizza lunch will be served; If you are interested in attending It is important that you let Pastor Frykholm know.

Trailblazer Past and Future Events

Posted on Wed, Feb 24th, 2010

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Trailblazer/Jr. High – Check out the upcoming calendar of events for the next meeting date.  If you are between the grades of 1st grade through Jr. High please come to Trailblazer/Jr. High on Sundays.   Bring a friend and join us at Salem for a fun filled afternoon from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Trailblazer Winter Retreat

Six youth from Salem attended the Trailblazer winter retreat held February 5-7, 2010 at Pilgrim Pines.  It was an awesome weekend! The weekend centered around the theme called “The Flame” reflecting God who appeared before Moses in a burning bush.  God told Moses, “I am the Lord, the Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” and “I have heard the cry of Israel’s people and promise to deliver them from Egypt.”    Through guest speaker Paula Frost a message of “Stop, turn and go towards God” was emphasized.  Paula also got the kids to repeat, “Don’t put out the Spirits Fire!” She reminded the kids to spend time with God (Go to church) and with other Christians to strengthen your faith in God.  Several youth (including 3 of our boys) committed themselves to a life with God by placing a kindling on a ceremonial fire (unlit of course).

The highlights of the retreat were the excellent food, fun activities on the ice (Counselor bowling, broom hockey and snow gnomes).  The inside activities included several ice breakers and mixers (Card swap, beans and weenies, whip cream and vanilla “Vanilla” and Human Snowman).  The band from Pilgrim Covenant in Lunenberg made the weekend lively and spiritual (Great youth and adult combined band)!

Ice Cream Social

Held on Valentine’s day was well attended with 12 youth and 11 adults from Salem.  We had delicious sundays with lots of toppings.  It was held during our regular (Trailblazer/Jr. High) meeting time on Sunday’s from 3:00 – 4:30 .  We played sardines and fruit salad, which are becoming two of our youth’s favorite games.

Winterfest 2010 Photos – Part 1

Posted on Thu, Feb 18th, 2010

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Photos from the senior high retreat to Winterfest.

Winterfest 2010 Photos – Part 2

Posted on Thu, Feb 18th, 2010

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More photos from Winterfest.