Beginning on Wednesday June 24 through Saturday June 27, the Global Methodists of Ohio and western Pennsylvania will gather again at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Pastor Jason, Pastor Heather, Charisse Smith, and Karla Sharp will be joining with about 2000 other disciples. Last year a group of Salem Singers joined the conference choir and Tony Smith helped with golf cart transportation around campus. There are learning and volunteer opportunities. At only an hour drive away from Salem, this is a great opportunity for our church family to worship, learn, and fellowship with other disciples of Christ. Registration is on the conference website.

March 1 through April 5, 2026

 

Map and details for Trail Stops are at the bottom.

The “Trail of Easter” provides a fun way for individuals and families to experience an Easter activity that takes place from the convenience of your own vehicle. The route mapped out for you will take you past the different locations where objects, relating to the Easter story, are randomly placed for you to find.
We ask that you stay in your vehicle as you slowly make your way past the marked locations while you enjoy the challenge of the search. Please use hazard lights when necessary. – OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS. Drivers should not use cellphones while behind the wheel, only passengers should look-up and read Scriptures.

Follow along as we make our way back through Holy Week, where Christ is preparing to make the final sacrifice for all mankind. As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, we hear the people shouting, “Hosanna, blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord;” only to have them turn against Him later, shouting, “Crucify Him!”

The week takes many twists and turns as Jesus moves toward His final hours on earth. He accepts the will of His Heavenly Father and continues to teach and prepare His followers for what is about to happen. All the while, the religious leaders plot against Him. Even His most faithful followers turn their back on Him. Jesus, knowing this would happen, gave Himself into the hands of His aggressors and offered His body and His blood as a sacrifice for all humanity. As He hung on the cross, He suffered the penalty for all sin, even though He Himself was without sin. It is sin that separates us from God. God’s desire is for all people to come back to Him. For this reason, He sent His Son into the world. Jesus was willing to pay the price for our sin so that we can be reunited with our Heavenly Father and, one day, live with Him for all eternity. When Jesus hung on the cross, and before He took His final breath, Jesus said, “It is finished.” At that very moment, the curtain to the room called the Holy of Holies where God was known to reside, and only the high priest was allowed to enter once a year for atonement but could never look at God’s face, tore from the top to the bottom as a sign that Jesus made it possible so anyone could enter God’s presence through Jesus Christ. The choice is ours as to whether we will accept it or not.

Jesus didn’t stay dead. On the third day after His death on the cross, He arose from the grave, just as He had said He would. He presented Himself to hundreds of people before He went back to heaven. Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us in heaven and that one day He will return again to take all of His followers with Him.

Whether you have heard this a thousand times or this is your first-time hearing, this is our reason to celebrate! Please join us as we recall the story of Easter as we make our way through the “Trail of Easter!” If you would like to know more about Jesus, Marion Salem Church invites you to join us for worship on Sundays at 10am—the church is the last stop on the Trail of Easter.

—Special Thanks to Lockport Mennonite Church in Lockport, OH for the idea

 

Map Below. You can print the pdf that is below, click thru to page 2. Or you can go down futher and see the map QR codes.

Trail of Easter Map and Instructions

 

Thank you to everyone who came to our first meeting in January. I am over-whelmed with gratitude for the support! Together, we have already made a lot of plans: a Valentine’s fundraiser, Easter Eggstravaganza, VBS, and we have even discussed plans for future BRAND-NEW ministry for 4th-6th grad-ers that we hope to be launching in the fall! Stay tuned for more updates.

The next meeting of the Family Ministries Council will be Sunday, April 12, following the worship service.

Pastor Heather

During the season of Lent we will have hearts available in the sanctuary. We will pray for the unchurched (those who have never attended), dechurched (those who have completely left the community of faith), and the unsaved (those who have no connection to Christ).

Simply write the first name of someone on the heart and they will be hung up for congregational prayer during Lent.

On Wed., March 25 at 7pm we will join together for a prayer service to lift up all these names as well as our congregation for the upcoming Holy Week Services that start with Palm Sunday on March 29.

 

 

It’s time for a new directory update. Please be on the look out with a letter that will help update your entry and return it to the church office as soon as you can. We’d like to get new copies printed by February.