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The Rev. John D. Duke, Jr. was installed as Salem's fifth full-time pastor on Sunday, March 17, 2024

From L to R
Front Row: Rev. Michael Dobler, Rev. Matthew Schettler, Rev. David Duke, President John Pingel, Rev. David Walsh, Rev. Christopher Browne
Second Row: Rev. Rako Zech, Rev. Jason Christ, Rev. Nycholas Greig, Rev. Jeffrey Nickel
Third Row: Rev. Dr. Chris Wicher, Rev. Dr. Thomas Korcok (Concordia St. Catharines), Rev. William Novack, Rev. Domenick Lettieri, Rev. Nathan Hartke
Fourth Row: Rev. Kurt Schultz, Rev. Dennis Krueger, Rev. Dr. David Wurster, Rev. Ronald Habedank, Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger (Concordia St. Catharines), Rev. Alexander Knowles

The Rite of Installation

A Reception Followed Pastor Duke's Installation

The Living Nativity 2022

click on picture to play video

 The Living Nativity 2021

Click on the above picture
to see a video of the event!

Salem's Annual Living Nativity presentation was held on Sunday, December 19, 2021. There were costumed characters and live animals. The local community enjoyed carol singing with the presentation. Afterwards, refreshments activities were available in the downstairs social hall for all. It was great fun for the whole family!

2021 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

To watch the Christmas Eve service click on the above image

Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021

Red is a power color and is appropriate for use on Pentecost Sunday. On this day we remember the power and fire of “the Lord and Giver of Life,” who revealed himself as the promised one. The color red communicates the motif of strength-strength and power the Holy Spirit gives in order for God's people to call on the name of Jesus Christ and share that powerful name with others.

There is no question that red is a compelling festive color. Consequently, it serves well as the traditional color for the heroic martyrs of the church. The Lutheran Service Book church year calendar provides propers for sixteen martyr festivals and recommends red as the appropriate color. Their red blood shed in defense of the Gospel offers perpetual encouragement for God's people to be resolute in living the faith.

Additional uses of red are Reformation Sunday; Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14); on such festive occasions as dedications, anniversaries of a congregation and its physical structure; festive days celebrating the office of the public ministry, such as ordination and installation.

Easter 2021

          He is Risen!  Alleluia!

100^th Anniversary Church Picnic Held on August 27, 2017

Approximately 100 people attended the 100th Anniversary Church Picnic at the Lake Erie Italian Club in Lackawanna.  The weather was perfect and the facilities were excellent. A special thank you to Council President Paul Thomas and Vice President Catherine Nagel for arranging the facility, the food, the games and the prizes.  Also, thanks to Dave Carlson for his grill master duties.  The chicken donated by Dave and Corinne Malinkiewicz was also greatly appreciated. Thank you to those on the set up and cleanup crew.  Thanks to all who made the annual church picnic a great success including those who furnished the delicious side dishes and desserts.
A retirement party for our church secretary Ernelle Ponivas was held at this picnic. The following is an excerpt of her farewell speech:

“I’d like to thank all of you for this retirement party and for making the past 20 years very special and meaningful to me. I appreciate you putting up with some bulletin mistakes throughout the years. You all are a kind, caring congregation and for this I am thankful. Thanks for the memories. As the song I, the Lord of Sea and Sky says: “I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.”  I’m also honored to work with the Pastors, some of which are here today including : Pastor Volkert, Pastor Sprehe, Pastor Wurster, Pastor Dom, and Pastor Pingel. Thank you all again!”

Christmas Eve Service 2016

 ↓ Click here to play audio ↓

A word of explanation of the TWO TREES flanking the altar:  Their decorations are symbolic of sin and grace.  The tree covered with red lights and 33 red apples reminds us of the fall into sin -- the apple reminding us of the fruit which Adam and Eve ate, the red lights reminding us of Isaiah’s words, “Though your sin be as scarlet . . .” The tree covered with white lights and 33 white roses reminds us of our Savior, referred to in Scripture as the  “Rose of Sharon” through whom Isaiah says we sinners are made “whiter than snow”  through the forgiveness of sins.

In both cases, the number 33 reminds us of the number of years Jesus lived on earth to fulfill His purpose of coming, which was to save all mankind from sin and to give them eternal life.

Luke 2:1-20
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Living Nativity 2016

Luke 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger.

Matthew 2:2 Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?
We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.

Luke 2:15 Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us.

Living Nativity - 2014

Quilt of Valor

Salem Piecemaker quilting group present their first Quilt of Valor honoring
a Veteran of our church. This one is being presented to John McAlpine 

Trunk or Treat — 2014

Congregational Birthday Party — 2014

Easter Sunday 2014 at Salem

The Easter Bunny Visits During the Annual Egg Hunt at Salem

St. Nicholas Festival - 2013

Couples' Club Hold Costume Party

The Salem Couples' Club members had a great time at their Costume Party held in October.

Oktoberfest - 2013

Salem's Annual Oktoberfest, held on October 6, 2013, featured authentic German food and live entertainment.  Pictured (left to right):  Barb Bartholomew, Pastor John Pingel, and Terri Snider.

Groundbreaking for new ChristCare Prayer Gazebo

Roy Sheppard (center) digs the first shovelful of dirt for the new ChristCare Prayer Gazebo that is going to be built on the church grounds.  Pastor John Pingel (left) and Elinor Jentsch (right) looks on at this momentous event held on October 6, 2013.

Blessing of the Animals

Darlene Wilk gives her dog a treat, during Salem's Annual Blessing of the Animal's held on October 5, 2013, while Mike McNerney looks on.

Pastor John Pingel (right) bestowed the blessings on all the four-legged attendees at the annual Blessing of the Animals held at Salem.

Living Nativity Held at Salem

On Sunday, December 16, 2012, Salem's Youth Group sponsored a reenactment the first Christmas. Live animals were even brought in to give it a feel of authenticity. Below are a few photos  from the event.

 (Above: left to right) Susan Thomas, Kelly Thomas, Rylie Parry, and Thomas LaPenna

                              _________________________________ 

 Joanne and Ken Kushka travel along a path lit by luminaries during the reenactment of the first Christmas.