STORIES MATTER...
Discovering God in our Life's Pages
Thank you for being such a faithful community
November 22, 2023 • Ryan Marsh
Time and time again, the community of Salt House shows up and makes things happen. Whether for an individual or the larger community, this community has faithfulness at it's core. Which is why we can meet these three stewardship engagement goals: 1. Perhaps you're new to Salt House and haven't yet made a financial commitment. We are looking for 5 first time givers to sign up for regular monthly giving. 2. Maybe you're been giving regularly, but this season your capacity for giving has increased. We are looking for 10 regular givers to increase their giving because of their increased capacity. 3. The end of the year is a time when folks often give one-time gifts. We're looking for 10 givers to consider making an end-of-year gift beyond their regular giving. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity with the Salt House Community!
Smit's Story - 30 Years in 30 Minutes
November 19, 2023 • Smit
Smit never locked his door after his children were abducted in 1997. He always had a hope that they’d come home. The agony of loss and the pervasive unknowns about their whereabouts has been a constant companion of Smit’s for nearly 30 years. What he’s learned about grief and gratitude is truly heartbreaking and brings peace beyond words.
Things We Learned From the Pandemic
November 12, 2023 • Ryan Marsh
One of things we learned from the pandemic is how easy it is for churches to close. But you, Salt House, have risen to the challenge time and time again. Which why we can meet these three stewardship engagement goals: 1. Perhaps you're new to Salt House and haven't yet made a financial commitment. We are looking for 5 first time givers to sign up for regular monthly giving. 2. Maybe you're been giving regularly, but this season your capacity for giving has increased. We are looking for 10 regular givers to increase their giving because of their increased capacity. 3. The end of the year is a time when folks often give one-time gifts. We're looking for 10 givers to consider making an end-of-year gift beyond their regular giving. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity with the Salt House Community!
A Journey Through Grief to Joy
November 12, 2023 • Jacqueline Umubyeyi
Jacqueline Umubyeyi shares her story of survival during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, in her own words. The tragic experiences of her family reflect the profound tumult of the country in crisis; the heroic measures she took to reclaim her life afterwards mirror the country's transformation from a nation in chaos to a people committed to healing. Jacqueline's story is one that's been drastically impacted by violence, and whose life was changed forever by the grace of God.
Lindsey's Story
November 7, 2023 • Lindsey Montzingo
Lindsey grew up in the church and felt called to be a missionary. But over the years something became obvious: queerness and faith seemed incompatible. Listen to Lindsey's story about how Salt House has become a good place for queerness and faith to thrive.
Not bad for a church this size!
November 7, 2023 • Ryan Marsh
Salt House does some amazing stuff considering the size of our congregation! Would you consider supporting this work? During this season we are looking to meet three engagement goals in our stewardship: 1. Perhaps you're new to Salt House and haven't yet made a financial commitment. We are looking for 5 first time givers to sign up for regular monthly giving. 2. Maybe you're been giving regularly, but this season your capacity for giving has increased. We are looking for 10 regular givers to increase their giving because of their increased capacity. 3. The end of the year is a time when folks often give one-time gifts. We're looking for 10 givers to consider making an end-of-year gift beyond their regular giving. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity with the Salt House Community!
Stories of Saints
November 5, 2023 • Zach Herzog • Revelation 7:9–17
All Saints Sunday reminds us to remember and grieve those loved ones who have died. As we continue our Stories Matter season, we will be practicing what we've learned about Story Telling by looking at the lives of our saints--those who we've loved and lost. We'll talk about the surprising and good things God did through their lives, even in the shattered moments.
Several Salt House Stories
October 29, 2023 • Jim Myers, Annie Morrison, Lindsey Montzingo
We've been studying stories: how to read our own stories, and how to co-author our lives with God. This Sunday, we will dive in and enjoy a service full of stories, as members of our Salt House community will share with us stories of when they encountered fear (how Halloween themed!) And in each of these stories, we will hear how their shalom was shattered, how they searched, and the surprise salvation they found! It'll be a feast of stories!
The Surprise of Salvation
October 22, 2023 • Zach Herzog • Genesis 50:15–21
The final movement of our story telling arc is the "Surprise of Salvation." This is the gospel! This is that bumper sticker that says "Jesus Saves!" But... it certainly feels more complicated than that. Listen in to see how salvation shows up in the story of Genesis, and how it shows up in your story too!
The Search for Shalom
October 15, 2023 • Ryan Marsh • Genesis 37:3–4, Genesis 37:19–20, Genesis 39:6–7, Genesis 39:16–17
The next part of our story model is the "Search for Shalom." This is where we spend much of our stories, and it's frustrating. Searching for shalom often feels like spinning in circles or taking two steps forward and one step backwards. But what is happening in this part of our story? Where is God? And what can we learn in this searching phase?
The Feast of St. Francis (Frank's Story)
October 8, 2023 • Zach Herzog • Luke 12:22–34
Our sermon series will continue with The Story of St. Francis of Assisi (Frank as we like to call him.) We'll look for these themes of Shalom and Shattering in his story. as well peek ahead at how Searching and Surprise are part of his story as well. There is nothing more fun than cats and dogs in church on a Sunday... so don't miss it!
Shalom Shattered
October 1, 2023 • Karen Maher • Genesis 3:8–13, Habakkuk 1:5
The shattering of our stories is tender stuff. There are painful, confusing, traumatic chapters in our narratives--sometimes because of our families, sometimes because of systems--and these wounds can often shape our stories in profound ways. This Sunday, Karen Maher will be our guest preacher to talk about writing your story of shattering. Karen's life priorities are connecting with family and creative expression through quilting, knitting, and writing. She takes to heart Jesus' invitation to learn how to truly love God, herself, and others. She's delighted to have discovered Salt House as a new spiritual home.
Shalom
September 24, 2023 • Zach Herzog • Genesis 2:4–25
Knowing our story requires starting at the beginning. Today, Zach Herzog will take us back to the beginning; the creation story found in Genesis, But we are also talking about YOUR beginning. How a story starts informs what we understand about the rest of the story.
STORIES MATTER... Series Trailer
September 18, 2023
What's your story? this Fall at Salt House we want to invite you to become a student of your story and discover what God is doing in and through the pages of your life. Using a theological tool from Dr. Dan Allendar, we'll explore the story-arc of the Bible and how to begin co-authoring our lives instead of being a supporting cast. And that’s why we say, “Stories Matter” here at Salt House. Your story holds a greater glory to it just waiting to be told – it reveals God!
Coming Home to Your Story
September 17, 2023 • Ryan Marsh • Nehemiah 8:1–12
Stories matter! This is one of our core values at Salt House and we say it a lot. But what does it mean to be students of our own stories? How do we study and understand what our stories mean and what God is up to in our stories? And, how do we become writers of our stories to live out what God is doing in us? These are the questions we are going to explore in this fall's sermon series. So join us Sunday as Pastor Ryan gets us kicked off!