Love is a word that gets thrown around a lot. As we continue in Advent, we find that God's love - manifested in Jesus - is an invitation to experience life giving AHAVAH (love) with the one True God.

Today we find that when we understand and use HOPE the way God defines it and designed it, it can provide joy even in our most difficult trials.

Life is full of unexpected moments and stories. Today we find that God chose the most unlikely of people to become the most unlikely hero of the gospel going forward. As Christians today we are faced to consider: What is our story? What is our reputation? And what is our proclamation?

Acts 8:26-40

Have you ever wondered that when a problem arises that it's so easy for us as humans to complain? And yet Jesus never complained! Today we see Satan's third installment of his strategy to keep the church focused on anything other than God's kingdom plan.

Ever wish you could celebrate your birthday every day? Would be nice! At Salem we want to continuously celebrate what God is up to in us and through us. As we focus on just a few verses, we see how God's grace fuels Christian unity, generosity, and our testimony.

When you think of prayer, what exactly do you think of? For many, the first thing we go to is our needs. But what if prayer was more transformational than transactional? Today we see that God wants to meet our needs, but he also wants to work powerfully in us and through us. We want to be a church that prays for boldness whatever our circumstances!

Whether it be a local news report, or a neighborly dispute, it's a part of everyday life that we come across people who are annoyed or worked up about something. How do you respond? Today we learn not to shy away from conflict, but with boldness in the gospel enter into it with grace and truth.

Every time you meet someone new there is a chance it may be awkward. But the good news is that we can shift from awkward to amazing if the gospel is at the center.

When you hear the word church, what do you think of? For most people we think of a building with different services. But what if church was more than that? In our passage today we find beauty in the raw portrait of early believers who after growing from 120 to 3,000 were intentional, integrational, and invitational.