Tabernacle Church, UCC

Tabernacle Church
 
United Church of Christ



Tabernacle Congregational Church, UCC
50 Washington Street ~ Corner of Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-3164

Welcome Visitors and Friends

Tabernacle Church is one of the oldest congregations in the country. And though we honor our traditions and history, we are a progressive and creative community of faithful people. Our Open and Affirming mission guides us as we follow Jesus and open our doors to everyone. Located in downtown Salem Massachusetts, where history has proven how powerful our spiritual connections can be, we are uniquely aware of the importance of keeping our hearts and minds focused on the love of God.

We encourage collaborative efforts between our church and our community. Through benefit concerts we support local Domestic Violence programs, homeless shelters, and international poverty relief efforts. Our children reach out to support children in shelters and in foster care.

Worshiping God through music, prayer, study, dance, and sermon is vital to our faith. Our music program includes classical, jazz, gospel, folk, and traditional and contemporary hymns. In our services you might find bagpipes, African drums, flutes, fiddles, guitars, and upright bass as well as exquisite piano and organ accompaniments.

If you are a guest of our web page, then I invite you to join us on Sundays. Worship begins at 10:00am. Following each service, there is an opportunity for individuals to receive the healing waters of faith in a private blessing at the altar. I would be delighted to meet and greet you with God’s love.

Peace to you,
Rev. Laura

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Open and Affirming Statement
Tabernacle Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Salem, Massachusetts, is an Open and Affirming congregation that welcomes, respects, and supports people of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, gender, sexual orientation, age and physical and mental ability, inviting all to join us on our journey of faith. We welcome all people to participate fully in the worship, rites, sacraments and ministry of Tabernacle Church. Although we are many members, we are one body in Christ. As one body we are called and challenged by God to respect and reconcile our differences. Our faith calls us to speak up in the face of prejudice, injustice, and exclusion, and to express in word and deed our hope for justice and inclusiveness for humanity.

 

rev

THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010, WORSHIP BEGINS AT 10:00AM!

When asked about “spiritual essence” a Native American called Black Elk responded:

“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes in the souls of people when they realize their relationship with the universe and all its powers. At the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit. The center is everywhere; it is within each of us.”

There is a universal faith that God is the center of our being and that we are connected to everyone through this Center, this spiritual essence. God waits patiently for us to touch and be touched by this Center. God breathes with us when we breathe from that central place. God is the light we awaken to each morning and the light we share in every interaction of our day.  God is the most important relationship in our lives. From this relationship comes the health of all other relationships. God is the center of life.

This year, the church is focusing attention on Trusting God and Healing Souls. The dynamic between these two actions, trusting and healing, promises to bring us closer to God, to one another and to the world. Our world is in desperate need of God’s healing. Join us as we learn to be God’s agents in the world.

The First Peace is within each of us.
Rev. Laura

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August 30, 2010

“Why come right in love. Have a seat. Let me get you something cool to drink. I am delighted that you stopped in to see me.”

There is something about this kind of welcome that touches our hearts. I can imagine a sweet grandmother, who has adopted her entire neighborhood as her family, greeting a visitor with this kind of open-hearted joy; Her smile being sincere and without mixed messages. And who doesn’t appreciate the gift of a drink? Maybe a cold glass of water or iced tea; Maybe a warm cup of coffee; Maybe a glass of wine or a mug of beer. Being offered a gift of drinkable liquid, with a smile, is truly a blessing.

When we are out-of-sorts, feeling cranky or just blazee, one of the antidotes I believe, is to make a connection with someone else over a drink. Taking time to offer a drink or to receive one can be a healing reprieve.

September is that time of year when we get fired up. We return to our rituals and routines, and inevitably re-visit stress and anxiety that accompany real life. Children go back to school. Work schedules resume at a fast pace. Unemployed friends and family set out with energy to find work. Our bodies and souls gear up and we launch into the fast-paced world. September can be an unsettling month of trying to re-settle.

This is when we need a place where we can go and feel calm.

God is calling us back to church. God is welcoming us with a drink from the healing waters of faith. This Sunday, come join me for Holy Communion. Come for renewal, reflection and refuge. Come for a taste of God’s cool waters. Come see God smile because you have come. This Sunday, come back into the embrace of God’s gentle welcome.

“Why come right in love. Have a seat. Let me get you something cool to drink. I am delighted that you stopped in to see me.”

Rev. Laura

 
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