July 15, 2026

It’s been a fantastic week at VBS here at Salem, and if you’re not a part of it you’re missing out. A hundred(ish) kids and 50-60 leaders and servants here every day from 8:30-12:30 makes for an exhausting week, but I can’t think of a better way to spend our time/talent/treasure than to introduce every kid we can find to Jesus. This year’s focus Scripture is Psalm 23, and our theme is Emerald Crossing (an Irish Adventure). The music is very Celtic in style, and the kids are memorizing (even though they don’t know it) bite-sized teaching from this very famous Psalm. Lost to Found, Wrong Path to Right Path, Fearful to Peaceful, Grumbling to Grateful, Shaky to Sure. With anxiety and fear affecting overwhelming numbers of people in our nation, even young children, there is no better time to teach our kiddos how to trust in God. He is Sovereign, He is Good, He loves us and cares for us. He guides us through life if we will let Him and leads us to the green pastures and the still waters that we crave. He is the ultimate Good Shepherd!

Our pastor and Deb are on a much-needed vacation this week, so we will have a guest pastor in the pulpit this week, Ron Lithgow. He has been here before and always brings a pertinent message from the Lord. And as an extra bonus, as many of the VBS kids as we can get will be in service Sunday morning to share some of the music they’re learning this week. You won’t want to miss it!

Careen   

Worship Songs for July 19:

This Is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham – https://youtu.be/XFRjr_x-yxU?si=h3ekIJrtUP37305v

Praise – Elevation Worship – https://youtu.be/gFWwW6Pi7hA?si=bW34MOkqsWexoXil

Oh, How I Love Jesus – Daniel Baptist Congregational – https://youtu.be/4mFABGpzbHo?si=z3VpfRE-0VsumE8-

Jesus Paid It All – Celtic Worship – https://youtu.be/YfUNU-sPwbQ?si=QYyTaeLGdxv3oUcb