Holy Tradition

We worship together with Christians of every time and place, following the model of the earliest Christians and using the very same words that have been used for millennia.

Some hear “traditional” and think “stodgy”. Yet we know that nothing is more powerful, more meaningful, more spirit-filled than drawing our strength from Christ’s inexhaustible well in the same way as those who came before us. The Lutheran theologian Jaroslav Pelikan said this:

“Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. And, I suppose I should add, it is traditionalism that gives tradition such a bad name.”

Holy Scripture

We hear four readings from the scriptures every Sunday, following a set of readings used by Christians throughout the world. Our pastor gives a sermon on one of the readings, usually on the Gospel lesson.

We know that God’s word is profound, complex, and powerful. Instead of reducing it to rules, to the latest self-help fad, or to something overly simple, we engage with its complexities. We always ask: How is God speaking to us through this? How does this help us know Jesus Christ and Him crucified?

Holy Sacraments

We are rooted in God’s grace, which comes to us through the sacraments. Each Sunday, we remember God’s gift of new life and salvation in Holy Baptism and celebrate Holy Communion, which gives us God’s presence, healing, and grace for the week ahead.

All baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion at Salem. Those who are not baptized may come forward to receive a blessing.