Worship Banners

Jesus instituted the sacrament of Baptism when He said Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

Even from birth we have a need for baptism since we have inherited a sinful nature from our parents.

Certainly, I was guilty when I was born.
I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
(Psalm 51:5)

It is through Baptism that the Holy Spirit creates faith and gives the blessings of forviveness, new life and salvation, working through the Word of God.

[H]e saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs in keeping with the hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy.
(Titus 3:5-8)

[B]aptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(I Peter 3:21)

This banner is placed to the right of the altar by the baptismal font when we have an adult or child baptism as part of our worship service.

Just as Jesus instituted the sacrament of Baptism, He also instituted the sacrament of The Lord's Supper, also known as Holly Communion. In this sacrament, Jesus gives us His true body and blood in, with and under the bread and the wine. Along with this we also receive forgiveness of sins, new life in Christ and salvation in Heaven.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples. He said, Take, eat, this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it all of you, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
(Matthew 26:26-28)

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the meal, he also took the cup, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
(I Corinthians 11:23-26)

These banners are often placed in the altar area when Holy Communion is celebrated, and in the seating area at other times.

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem had been promised throughout the Old Testament. God now fulfilled his promises to send the Savior of the World, True God and True Man, to do what only Jesus could do. As True Man, He was able to keep God's perfect Law in our place. As True God He did so without sin and made it count for all mankind.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, Abba, Father! So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, then you are also an heir of God through Christ.
(Galatians 4:4-7)

Tell Me Again About Bethlehem

The first banner on the left focuses on Bethlehem, the place of Jesus' birth. It was here that God had promised that the Savior would be born and here that this promise was fulfilled.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, from you, will go out the one who will be the ruler for me in Israel. His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity.
(Micah 5:2)

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:4-7)

The Carols Of Christmas

Christmas Carols, such as Joy To The World and Silent Night, are beutiful traditions that many people consider essential to the celebration of Christmas. But singing and telling others about God's love at Christmas and throughout the year is more than just a tradition. It is a loving response to God's love in Christ.

Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, to which you were also called, in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And everything you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:15-17)

On the Sunday before Easter, at the beginning of Holy Week, Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem.

The next day, the large crowd that had come for the Festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. Taking palm branches, they went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look! Your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt. At first, his disciples did not understand these things. But when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they did these things for him.
The crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead kept telling what they had seen. This is another reason a crowd met him: They heard he had done this miraculous sign.
(John 12:12-18)

These banners are placed on either side of the altar on Palm Sunday. At other times they are placed in the nave (seating area), one on the right side and one on the left side.

Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday is central to our Christian faith. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know His payment for our salvation is complete. We also know that because He lives all who believe in Him will live in Heaven with Him as well.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. When they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. The women were terrified and bowed down with their faces to the ground.
The men said to them, Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again? Then they remembered his words.
When they returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. Yet these words seemed to them like nonsense, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over to look in, he saw only the strips of linen cloth. He went home, amazed at what had happened.
(Luke 24:1-12)

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive.
(I Corinthians 15:20-22)

The Easter lily, the butterfly and the sunrise are all symbols and reminders of Christ's resurrection from the dead early on Easter morning. The word Alleluia is the New Testament version of the Old Testament Hebrew word Hallelujah which means Praise The Lord! During the somber 40 days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday, we traditionally do not sing Alleluia or Hallelujah. We bring these joyous words back to our worship on Easter Sunday singing them loudly as part of many of our Easter hymns.

These banners are placed on either side of the altar on Easter Sunday and during the Sundays after Easter. They are also placed in the nave of our church during the Easter season.

Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended back into Heaven. In so doing He showed that His work of salvation on Earth is complete, that He is going to prepare a place for believers in the glory pf Heaven and that, as the angel said, He will return again to bring all believers to be with Him in paradise.

[Jesus said,] Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am.
(John 14:1-3)

After [Jesus] said these things, he was taken up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as he went away. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood beside them. They said, Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.
(Acts 1:9-11)

This banner is placed on either side of the altar during the Ascension worship service and in the seating area at other times during the church year.

On October 31, 1517, Dr. Martin Luther began a reformation of the Christian Church. This brought the church back to what Christ and the Apostles taught, centered on the three principles as shown on the banner on the left:

Sola Fide ✝ Faith Alone

We are saved by faith alone, not by works which people must perform to earn salvation. The gift of Heaven is ours through belief in Christ as Savior, and this faith is given by the Holy Spirit.

We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law.
(Galatians 2:16)

Clearly no one is declared righteous before God by the law, because The righteous will live by faith.
(Galatians 3:11)

Sola Gratia ✝ Grace Alone

God's salvation for mankind is a free gift, won for all by Christ on the cross. God did this purely out of love for all. We deserve none of it, but God in His love for mankind saved us.

But God, because he is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! He also raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He did this so that, in the coming ages, he might demonstrate the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:4-9)

Sola Scriptura ✝ God's Word Alone

We learn of this salvation, and of God Himself, from one source: The Holy Bible. We do not rely on teachings created by mankind, but only on the very Word of God, The Holy Bible.

As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom you learned them and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work.
(II Timothy 3:14-17)

The Luther Seal

The banner on the right side depicts the Luther Seal or the Luther Rose. Below is Dr. Luther's own explanation of this symbol:

First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn't destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.
(Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530)

Two key truths of the Christian faith are Grace and Love.

Grace is God's underserved love for mankind. God sent His Son, Jesus, to suffer and die to save the world from sin not because we had earned or deserved it. He did it purely as an act of His love toward us.

But God, because he is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! He also raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He did this so that, in the coming ages, he might demonstrate the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:4-9)

The Love of God is not a warm, fuzzy feeling God has toward the world. It is Love in action: God the Father saving the sinful world by means of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is the Love of Christ in action, willingly going to the cross to suffer and die to pay for the sins of the world. It is the Love of the Holy Spirit creating and sustaining faith in believers to see in the resurrection on Easter the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life in Heaven.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only–begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. The one who believes in him is not condemned.
(John 3:16-18)

These two banners are placed in tandem on either side of the sanctuary throughout the year.

These two words, Holy and Peace, describe who God is and what He has given to all by His love for all in Christ Jesus.

God is holy, He is sinless and perfect. At creation, the world was perfect and sinless too, including mankind. Yet, because of man's fall into sin, all of creation is now tainted and corrupted by sin. It is no longer perfect. It no longer meets the holy and righteous demands of a perfect, sinless and holy God. God the Father, in His love, sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for the sins of all of fallen mankind. We are saved by God's love in Christ.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two they covered their faces. With two they covered their feet. With two they flew. One called to another and said,
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies!
The whole earth is full of his glory!
(Isaiah 6:1-3)

[God] saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
(II Timothy 1:9-10)

Because Jesus died and rose again, God’s peace is proclaimed to all. Jesus took upon himself the punishment of sin on the cross and died the death that God demands for sin. Jesus’ resurrection on Easter shows that God the Father has accepted His sacrafice for all mankind and that all who believe in Him will rise again to life eternal in Heaven.

Surely he was taking up our weaknesses, and he was carrying our sufferings. We thought it was because of God that he was stricken, smitten, and afflicted, but it was because of our rebellion that he was pierced. He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all have gone astray like sheep. Each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has charged all our guilt to him.
(Isaiah 53:4-6)

These banners are placed in tandem on either side of the seating area.

The words Trust and Faith are synonymous. Both are found in Scripture and describe the confidence given by the Holy Spirit. This Faith clings to the promises of God for Salvation though Jesus Christ. We Trust all that God tells us in His Word because of the gift of Faith which comed from the Holy Spirit working through God's Word and Sacraments.

Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Faith is being sure about what we hope for, being convinced about things we do not see. By faith we know that the universe was created by God's word, so that what is seen did not come from visible things.
(Hebrews 11:1,3)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding.
(Proverbs 3:5)

While these two banners are usually displayed at Christmas time, their simple, yet powerful words apply to all people at all times of the year. The banner on the left simply proclaims Joy. This is more than just a warm, human emotion. This is a deep lasting gift that comes from God because of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
(Galatians 5:22-23)

This joy goes hand-in-hand with Peace as proclaimed by the banner on the right. These were both announced by the angels on the first Christmas:

There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.
(Luke 2:8-14)

The Bible reveals many names for Jesus. These names describe who Jesus is and what He has done, continues to do and will do for all people of all time.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8)

[T]hese are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
(John 20:31)

Word

The name Word means that in Jesus we come to know all truth about God: Father. Son and Holy Spirit. The Apostle John uses this name to refer to Jesus in his Gospel.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:1-5,14)

Lamb

The name Lamb points to the fact that Jesus is the lamb of sacrifice, sent by God the Father. The shedding of Jesus' blood atones for the sin of the world. God demands that punishment be paid for sin, and Jesus died on the cross to pay the punishment for all mankind, once and for all.

The Lord looks down from heaven on all the children of Adam to see if there is anyone who understands, anyone who seeks God. Every one of them has turned away. Altogether they have become rotten. There is no one who does good. There is not even one.
(Psalm 14:2-3)

John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
(John 1:29)

Rock of Ages

The name Rock of Ages points to Jesus as being eternal and being a strong, firm foundation upon which our faith is founded. The Hebrew language of the Old Testament often expresses truths using more concrete, physical terms such as Rock rather than a more abstract word such as strength.

Trust in the Lord forever, for Yah the Lord is the eternal Rock.
(Isaiah 26:4)
(The Hebrew for eternal Rock in this verse is litteraly Rock of ages.)

See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will certainly not be put to shame. Therefore, for you who believe, this is an honor.
(I Peter 2:6-7)

Prince of Peace

In the Old Testament the prophet Isaiah fortold about the roles of the Savior, the Messiah Jesus. One of these roles and names is The Prince of Peace. Jesus brings everlasting peace between God and mankind.

For to us a child is born. To us a son is given. The authority to rule will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no limit to his authority and no end to the peace he brings. He will rule on David's throne and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from now on, into eternity. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

[Jesus said,] Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.
(John 14:27)

Savior

Another name of Jesus, Savior, points to His work saving all mankind by His death on the cross and resurrection on Easter. The angels declare this name of Jesus to the shepherds on the first Christmas.

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 2:10-11)

[God] saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
(II Timothy 1:9-10)

Redeemer

Jesus is the Redeemer of the world, of all humanity. To redeem someone means to buy them away from slavery or out from under a debt that is owed. All mankind owed a debt to God because of sin. Jesus paid that debt, and redeemed everyone by His death, the shedding of His blood on our behalf.

If you call on the Father who judges impartially, according to the work of each person, conduct yourselves during the time of your pilgrimage in reverence, because you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, not with things that pass away, such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like a lamb without blemish or spot. He was chosen before the foundation of the world but revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
(I Peter 1:17-21)

Shiloh

While the Scriptures do not call Jesus Himself Shiloh, this is the name of a very important place in the Old Testament. When the Israelites entered the promised land of Canaan, the Tabernacle of the Lord was kept mainly at Shiloh. It was in the Tabernacle, in the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept that the Lord's presence dwelled.

The Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, because at Shiloh the Lord revealed himself to Samuel by the word of the Lord. So Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord for all Israel, from one end of the land to the other end.
(I Samuel 3:21)

Shepherd

One of the most well-known names for the Lord from Psalm 23 is Shepherd. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd who not only watches over us but also layed down His own life for the salvation of all.

The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:1)

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired man, who is not a shepherd, does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. Because he works for money, he does not care about the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me (just as the Father knows me and I know the Father). And I lay down my life for the sheep.
(John 10:11-15)

The acronymn VDMA refers to the Latin phrase Verbum Dei Manet in Aeternum which means in English The Word Of God Remains Forever. The acronymn and Latin phrase has been part of the Lutheran church's history since 1522, only 5 years after the posting of the 95 theses on October 31, 1517. The truth behind the acronymn and phrase itself is eternal. It is The Lord God who proclaims through the prophet Isaiah, Grass withers, flowers fade, but the Word of our God endures forever. in Isaiah 40:8.

By inspiration of the Lord, the Apostle Peter quotes Isaiah and expounds on this truth when he writes:

You have been born again, not from perishable seed but from imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For: All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like a flower of the field. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached to you.
(I Peter 1:23-25)

In a world that is constantly changing, where the idea of truth is whatever anyone decides it may be from moment to moment and hour to hour, there is peace and certainty in knowing God's promise of salvation does not change. His Word shows Jesus Christ, ths Savior of the world, of all people.

These two "flower" banners remind us of wonderful comforts found throughout God's Word, especially in the Psalms. The first, He Restores My Soul, is found in Psalm 23:3. There the Lord paints a beautiful picture of Him as our Good Shepherd always watching over us. The forgiveness of sins that Christ has won for all by His death and resurrection, and the peace that results between God and man, does indeed restore our soul. The second banner, His Love Endures Forever, is the refrain of every verse of Psalm 136 which recalls the Lord's love and care in the history of Israel, which is the salvation history of the entire world.

The Lord is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He causes me to lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
(Psalm 23:1-3)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
(Psalm 136:1-3 [NIV])

These banners are placed as a pair on either side of the nave across from one another.

These two butterfly banners both remind us of the beauty and joy of God's creation and the comfort that The Lord provides in His holy Word. The banner on the left proclaims: Renew a right spirit within me. These words come from Psalm 51 in which David confesses his sin with Bathsheba, pleads for God's forgiveness and trusts in God's promise of a Savior. He then asks The Lord of salvation for the Holy Spirit to dwell in him to guide him as he desires to live for God in the joy of forgiveness. At Salem we regularly sing these words as part of our liturgy after the sermon.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
(Psalm 51:10 [KJV])

The banner on the right proclaims: Be still and know that I am God. This is a verse from Psalm 46. This Psalm is one for comfort for the believer, especially when it seems that the world is out of control. Whether natural disasters are troubling you, wars or rumors of wars terrify you, remember that God, The Lord is always in control.

Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall.
God raises his voice. The earth melts.
The Lord of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is a fortress for us.
Come, look at the works of the Lord.
What a wasteland he has made of the earth!
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
He shatters the bow. He cuts up the spear.
He burns the carts with fire.
Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted on the earth.
The Lord of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is a fortress for us.
(Psalm 46:6-11)

These two banners remind us of the importance of Christian Education.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4)

Salem congregation has a rich history of Christian Education, with a Kindergarten through Eighth-grade Christian school and a Pre-school in the past. We currently offer Sunday School every Sunday and Vacation Bible School once a year in the summer. These banners proclaim the words of Jesus as found in the Gospels:

People were bringing even their babies to Jesus, so that he would touch them. When the disciples saw this, they began to rebuke them. But Jesus invited them, saying, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen I tell you: Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
(Luke 18:15-17)

Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?
Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I care about you.
Jesus told him, Feed my lambs.
(John 21:15)

This banner reminds us why God inspired the writters of the Old and New Testaments to write His Word. The purpose of God’s Word is to reveal the truth of Jesus’ salvation for all people. God’s Word not only tells of Jesus Christ, but through His Word, the Holy Spirit creates and strengthens faith that trusts in Jesus as your Savior.

Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
(John 20:30-31)

Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ.
(Romans 10:17)