The Magnificat—Mary's revolutionary anthem of divine justice—shows us how God consistently chooses the lowly and unlikely to bring real, astonishing transformation into the world. Pastor Sara's invites us to learn to practice the Advent posture of 'lifting,' allowing God to lift our courage and compassion so we can become lifters for others.

Our guest preacher for the Second Sunday of Advent, Rev. Priscilla Paris-Austin invites us to explore the profound spiritual invitation to "turn and see," moving beyond self-absorption and recognizing God's presence in others; the magnificent variety of the world. As we personally turn toward communal commitment, we are invited to consider what it means to truly surrender and let God move us into the new life that God is creating.

This Sunday we begin our Advent journey—a season of honest waiting, deep hope, and watching for God’s arrival in the real pieces of our lives. All season long, we’ll bring our prayers, questions, grief, and gratitude to God through four Advent postures of holy waiting: Watch, Turn, Lift, and Open. In a season of what can feel like "too much" (or when we feel "too little"), it’s a beautiful, grounding, can’t-miss journey—come be part of it from the very beginning.

Christian Nationalism is not the way of Christ! This Sunday at Salt House, the Northwest Washington Bishop Shelly Bryan-Wee will be preaching an inspiring message calling Christians to unite in faith and join a growing national and global movement of faithful resistance—standing in solidarity to protect the integrity of our democracy, Christian values, and our shared future. We believe that Christianity demands resistance against systems of oppression, greed, and control, rather than aligning with political power and to stand with marginalized communities and fight against injustice with love.

Today we welcome Salt House member Jacqueline Cuayo to the Salt House microphone. Jacquie is a soul care provider, ritual maker, and visitation minister whose life's privilege is coming alongside people as they journey through life's highs and lows. She’ll guide us as we engage Matthew 9:6–13 — commonly known as The Lord's Prayer — which shapes how we seek God’s provision, forgiveness, and liberation here on earth. Through shared stories and reflection, Jacqueline will invite us to encounter the sacred within and among us.

Throughout the first eight chapters of Mark, we’ve watched Jesus reveal—through word, action, and mystery—what the Kingdom of God looks like. Mark has invited us to see through the eyes of those encountering Jesus, letting these stories help us make up our own minds about who he really is. This Sunday, we reach a turning point: Peter’s bold declaration, “You are the Messiah!” But is Jesus the Messiah the disciples expect—and is he the one we expect?

Meet Pastor Kevin Beebe, Executive Director of Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center (www.camplutherwood.org/). Originally from Pullman, WA, Kevin has spent many years serving in congregations and communities across the western United States. This Sunday, we will hear about the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26).

Forming now: The Salt House LOVE IN ACTION TEAM to meet the immediate, practical needs of individuals and families, both at Salt House and at Kirkland Place.

We are responding to increasing community needs due to a lack of public resources with the goal of creating a mobilized group of helpers ready to respond to specific requests for support. And we need you – your YES – to create a new system that can better coordinate volunteers and ensure that help—which may involve time, transportation, and physical labor—can be provided in an organized, intentional way that embodies God’s calling to a ministry of justice and mercy.

Learn more at https://www.salthousechurch.org/care

Sign up at https://www.salthousechurch.org/loveinaction

This Sunday is a special one! In this often despairing time in our world, we'll ground ourselves in four central teachings from Martin Luther that have such a potential impact on how we see God, ourselves and our world now - all in celebration of Reformation Sunday. A special Sunday indeed! See you then!  

Did you know that every Monday morning Sofia and Lisa and a crew of faithful volunteers gather in the Salt House parking lot to do one thing: feed people. This is the mission of Platefull is to partner with local resources and grocery stores that donate food and help distribute that food to families in need! They aim to foster a community where all people have enough to eat and no one goes hungry.  And Sofia and Lisa share their story and what Jesus shows us in the Feeding of the 4000 (Mark 8:1-13), and to invite us into sharing the good work that Platefull is doing right here, right now!