Today we heard, "The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority," (Mark 1:22) What confidence and joy it gives to follow Jesus who has all authority and his teaching has authority, authority that will determine the destination of souls for eternity. Share the Word of God it has the authority to change hearts.

In Sunday Morning Bible Class today we will continue our study of the book of Acts, taking a section of God's word to study and then watch the section from the book of Acts. All the words spoken in the video are from the NIV text of the Bible. Come and see the Word in a dramatization that will help us think and appreciate what our Lord has done for us.

The new councilmen were elected as noted. The voters decided to have all our evening services (Advent, Lent, Monday night, Maundy Thursday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve) at 6:30 p.m. This was done primarily to make it easier on families with small or school age child so that it is not so late for a bed time. Also the voters decided not to have a Good Friday Tenebrae service. If there is a call for it, it can be revived in the future. The budget for 2012 was adopted. You can pick up the committee reports on the table.

A new directory will be coming, Lord-willing, in February. If your address, phone number or email has changed or we don't have it, please get the information to Jan on a note or email it to Jan Baker at jbaker@chartermi.net. If one of your friends' or relatives' information has changed please let us know as well. Thank you so much!

The Lord called Luella Beyersdorf home on Sunday morning, January 22nd. Her Christian funeral was here on Thursday, January 26.

You will notice that there is a third column on the front of this year's Sunday offering envelopes titled "Property and Repairs." Any money designated for this purpose will go into a property fund to help with maintenance, but also so that we can save up for those times when big things need to be replaced (new furnaces, new windows, new roof, parking lot, etc.) and then we Lord-willing will not need to borrow money for these repairs. We want to take good care of the Lord's beautiful house and property He has given us here.

It does seem a bit early for thinking about VBS but we are in need of an item that will take some time to collect enough of them. We would like to ask you to save your big purchase boxes. The ideal boxes would be from a mattress or large flat screen TV. However we do need some fridge, freezer, range, etc., boxes too. Some of these items might not come in boxes but have thick, firm cardboard pieces around edge - we need those too! As you get these items, we can store them for you until they are needed. Just give them to Carrie Doletzky or Coni Bruce. Please ask if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for making this years VBS outstanding!!

If you know someone that is interested in learning more about Salem, please give the contact information to Steve Cadeau our Evangelism Chairman, or Pastor Doletzky.

We all have the opportunity to supply a fresh bouquet of flowers for the altar during a worship service. Whether in celebration, memory, or just for the many blessings we have received, please sign up for a Sunday on the flower chart in the entry hall. The bouquets are $16.00 for one and $23.95 for two. Please make your check out to the Women's Evening Service Group and everything else will be taken care of for you. Please speak to Mary Ann Thorsen if you have any questions.

Thanks to all those who have served for the fellowship after the 10:30 services. There are several Sundays available for serving in the next couple of months. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex if you would like to host on a Sunday. If you would prefer to donate money for items to be purchased, you may do so. Or if you would like to make some snacks but have someone serve them, you may do that also. Please contact Lorry Flath or Kathy Grill if you have any questions about serving.