Major in the Minors
Typically, people choose to “give up” something for Lent. If that is what you would like to do, then please do so. However, let me present you with another option. Consider “taking on” something for Lent - like a Bible study. Here are a couple of options...

Starting in February, I will begin a study on the minor prophets - the Old Testament books of Hosea through Malachi. The “Minor” refers to the length of the books...not their importance! Join us as we take time to see how God intervened in history and spoke to these twelve men. We’ll start Wednesdays beginning February 6th at 7:00 pm at the parsonage.

Starting in February, Sue and I will offer Beth Moore’s video study, “Believing God” Fridays beginning February 1st at 10:00 am also at the parsonage.

This is an amazing series that will challenge you to not just believe in God but truly believe God.

It would be very helpful if you would let me know if you plan to participate in either of these studies, and I hope you will use this opportunity to take your faith a step deeper. Just call the parsonage at (978) 744- 1775. I’m looking forward to taking the chill off these winter months with the warmth of fellowship and the fire of God’s word.

Lenten Season
Ash Wednesday Service

February 6th at 6:00 pm at the parsonage. Join us as we enter the holy Lenten season with a time of praise and confession and a look forward to the Easter resurrection.

Palm Sunday Service - March 16th

Good Friday Service - March 21st with details to follow in the bulletin

Easter Sunrise Service - March 23rd, time and location to follow in the bulletin

Easter Service - March 23rd, come and worship our risen Lord!


For Everyone

Supper and Fellowship at The Parsonage, Sunday, January 27, at 6:00 pm - Church Fellowship Supper (provided by Pastor Ron and Sue) followed by a Church Meeting (at 7:00 pm). If you can’t make the supper, just come by for the Meeting.

New Bible Studies in February:

Beth Moore’s Believing God on Fridays at 10:00 am at the parsonage beginning February 1st. This is a video series that challenges us to change from a belief in God to a vibrant believing God.

Major in the Minors - a new bible study on the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament, Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at the parsonage beginning February 6th.

For Kids

Sunday January 27th: Prince and Princess Party! Come celebrate being a child of the King during our normal Children’s Church times. Wear a costume if you wish, crowns and jewels provided!


Children’s Church Valentine’s Community Outreach Project: During the first two weeks of February, children will make Valentines and goodie bags to be given to Salem Mission and Salvation Army to hand out to children who come to their public meals.

For Youth

New worship series - for the next 9 weeks we’ll be going through Gary Thomas’ Sacred Pathways series outlining 9 different styles of worship. Each week we will engage in a project that explores one of those styles of worship. Details about each project will be sent home the week prior to the project date - so keep your eyes peeled!


Prepare the Land Prayer Meeting: Wednesday, January 30th at 7pm at the parsonage. Come and pray for the youth of our city and our schools. Guest Speaker: Theresa Sanchez, a 16 year old sophomore at Salem High and is beginning a Bible Study at her school. She’ll be speaking about what it’s like to be a teenager in this city, sharing her faith in a public school and specific needs of her school and Bible Study. Come and support of this teenage missionary!
New UMC District Superintendent - Rev. Martin D. McLee has been appointed our new District Superintendent as of July 1, 2008, replacing Dr. Aida Irizarry Fernandez. Rev. McLee has served Union United Methodist Church in Boston’s South End for the last eight years.The Service of Welcome for Rev. McLee will be this Fall.
Anna Tsalopoulos and Dan Collins spent Christmas serving at the Brothers Table, a homeless center in Lynn, preparing a Christmas Dinner for 250 people.
Every Tuesday night at 7:00 pm, the conference room at Wesley Church becomes a Man Cave, as Pastor Ron hosts the Men’s Fellowship Group. About ten men gather to pray, fellowship and talk about God’s work in their lives. The hour opens with a Bible reading and then sharing around the Word followed by prayer, support and fellowship. It’s a tough world out there...take time out on Tuesday night to “come in from the cold”.
Originating in the fourth century of the church, the season of Lent spans forty weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing during Holy Week with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding Saturday before Easter. Originally, Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptized, a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism at the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord early on Easter Sunday. But since these new members were to be received into a living community of Faith, the entire community was called to preparation. Also, this was the time when those who had been separated from the Church would prepare to rejoin the community.
Today, Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the forty days, and are referred to as the Sundays in Lent. The number forty is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance, a time to celebrate God’s marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live for, as Christians.