SALEM SUNDAY

Enjoying our picnic lunches 

This morning service was so special at Salem, especially so  because the gospel lesson for today, Matthew 14:22-33, is depicted on the altar painting at Salem.  Jesus is reaching out his hand to Peter, as he does to us as well when we take our eyes off Him and display a lack faith.  Peter was able to walk on water when he put his faith in Jesus and looked to Him.  But when he looked down in fear, he started to sink.  Pastor Danny's sermon on the text had encouragement as well as challenges for us.

Torquay Grannies singing "My Jesus I Love Thee"
(note a second picture from this text!)

My grandchildren expect to take part in this annual service and offered to read the lessons  Pastor Danny used a music stand but these readers chose to use the pulpit!  Perhaps they feel more secure up there.  Abbey, Carter and Lindsay each did a very good job.

It was a perfect day with temperatures around plus 25 C.  There were some very annoying flies in the service, but once we were outside the nice breeze kept them away so we could eat our lunches in peace!  These four found a neat place for a picnic!

Lindsay, Abbey, Jamie Johnson, Emma Holzer
(the new shop at Jason Stepp's in the background)

The oil rig just south of Salem has finished its job, the fracking has been done and there should soon be a pumpjack on the site if all is well.  A flare is burning night and day so Salem is not in the dark!

An item of interest:  Pastor Fred Westerhold celebrated his 33rd year of ordination yesterday in Harvey, ND.  He and Sheryl, along with Paul and Sara, moved to Torquay in 1981 where he served Trinity, Hamar and LacQue Parle congregations.  Today was his last service in Harvey as he has accepted a call to serve in Oregon under the LCMC, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.

I think that I have shared these two pictures in a previous blog but they belong in this post devoted to Salem so I will add them again. The first one is from Dawn, the second from Clare.

These pictures speak of the "Faith of our Fathers" who organized Salem congregation in February of 1906.  Their work lives on as seen in the faith lives of family members scattered around the world.  It is great to worship where they worshiped and to trust in the God who led them, as He continues to lead and guide us, one day at a time.