Salem Lutheran Church – shalom * salaam * salem * peace

Welcome to Salem!

“We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.”

Salem Lutheran Church extends a welcome to believers and questioners, and to questioning believers.
Join us as we share our joy through praise and service.

What's Happening This Week

Here’s What’s Happening at Salem

WORSHIP SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

Just a few reminders about Sunday worship. On September 19th we will have in person worship at 9:30.

The service can be viewed on Facebook.

Weather permitting, the service will be outdoors in the picnic grove.

Links for these services can be found on our SalemBridgeport/live page.

BULLETIN – BULLETIN FOR HEARING CHALLENGED

September 19, 2021

Think about the great people you know about. What was it that made them great? Was it because they said “I am the greatest”? Do they repeatedly mention lists of things they’ve accomplished to make themselves great? Are any of these self-declared boasters truly great people, or is that identity only in their mind?

In the gospel lesson appointed for this Sunday, the disciples were arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. Their exchange might have gone something like this.

Peter: I’m the greatest because my name always comes first whenever all of us apostles are named. And I’ll bet I’m going to be the very first pope someday.

John: No, I’m the greatest because Jesus loves me like a brother.

The other disciples might each have had their own criteria.

The gospel reading tells us Jesus is having none of this. Jesus tells them all the only way to be great is to serve. How do we hear the words of Jesus—those who would be first must be last, and those who would have status with God will do so through serving the needy? Is this a word of freedom, or is it a burdensome demand? In his gracious way, Jesus reminds us that in God’s kingdom status is bestowed not on those who seek it, but given to those who completely lack it.

Click here for links to Sunday worship