One Night. One Story.
Salt and Light Newsletter
December 24, 2025
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Pastor’s Thoughts
One Night. One Story.
Mary and Joseph had already been told who this child would be.
Mary knew without question that she was a virgin. She had heard the words of the angel and believed the impossible. Joseph could never forget that dream, the moment God interrupted his fear and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. They both knew this child was the Savior. They both knew God had spoken.
And yet on this night, belief met reality.
The promises of God were no longer words spoken by angels or truths held quietly in the heart. They were now flesh and blood. Labor was still hard. Pain was still real. Joseph’s heart surely raced like any husband watching his wife give birth, adrenaline pumping as he tried to protect, help, and hold it together. When the moment came, there was proof again. This was a baby boy. There were no ultrasound images, no modern confirmations. Only the faithfulness of God unfolding exactly as He had said.
And still, the Savior cried when He entered the world. He needed to be fed. He needed to be held. He would need to grow. Mary and Joseph were still parents. Joseph would still return to work. Life would go on.
That is the wonder of the incarnation.
God did not come wrapped in distance or detachment. He came wrapped in swaddling cloths. The eternal Son entered the world in weakness, choosing dependence, humility, and time. The One who spoke creation into existence learned to speak. The One who would one day bear the sins of the world first rested in His mother’s arms.
And for this night, God gave Mary and Joseph a gracious gift. Shepherds came. Strangers arrived with confirmation that heaven had not been silent. What God had spoken in private obedience, He affirmed publicly in praise. They were calmed. They were relieved. They were curious. The weight of responsibility remained, but so did the reassurance. God was at work.
This is one story, but it meets us where we live.
We also trust promises we cannot yet fully see. We believe God’s Word even as life remains ordinary, difficult, and demanding. Christmas reminds us that God’s greatest work often begins quietly, grows patiently, and unfolds faithfully over time.
Tonight we gather to remember that night. We will sing. We will read the story from God’s Word. We will lift candles as a testimony that the Light still shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
One night. One story. A real Savior who entered real life to redeem real people.
We invite you and your family to join us tonight at 5 PM for our candlelight Christmas Eve service.
– Pastor Justin
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Celebrating New Life in Christ!
This past week, we rejoiced as two believers followed Christ in believer’s baptism at Salt &Light. We give thanks to God for the work He is doing in their lives. Let’s continue to encourage and walk alongside them as they grow in faith.
Join us in celebrating:
Ashton Butterfield
Emily Anasis
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Church Happenings
Christmas Eve at Salt & Light - December 24 | 5 PM
Join us for a special Christmas Eve candlelight service tonight as we come together as a church family to remember and rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This will be a simple and meaningful night of worship, Scripture, and reflection. We will gather in worship in the round, sing beloved Christmas songs, and read the Christmas story from God’s Word woven throughout our time together. Pastor Justin will share a message as we reflect on the hope of Christ, and we will close the evening with a candlelight moment as we sing Silent Night together.
This service is designed for the whole family to experience together. There will be no dinner, nursery, children’s ministry, or youth ministry this evening.
We invite you and your family to come and celebrate the light of Christ with us on Christmas Eve.
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This Sunday – December 28 | 11 AM
The Unexpected Christmas Series
Message: Week 5— The Undeniable Christmas
Text: Luke 2:21-36
After the birth of Jesus, Luke shows us a trail of undeniable evidence that this Child is the Son of God. From Christ being placed under the Law, to Simeon’s Spirit-led recognition, to Anna’s witness in the temple, we’ll see the “receipt” of Christmas — proof that Jesus came to fulfill, to save, and to reveal hearts. The question is simple: what will you do with Him?
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Women of the Word Bible Study- Tuesdays | 9:45-11:30 AM
at Sharon Holbert’s Home Questions? Contact Sharon 502-235-6687
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New Year’s Eve - Wednesday December 31
There will be no dinner, service, or groups. All resume Wednesday, January 7.
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Salt & Light Cookbook
As you prepare food for the holidays, please submit your favorite recipes for the cookbook being compiled. We have 45 recipes and need yours! We would love to have at least one recipe from each family!
When completed, the cookbooks will be sold with the proceeds going to the church building fund.
Please email your favorite recipe(s) and a favorite scripture for each recipe - along with a photo of the completed dish, if possible - by December 31 to Ashley Mazzoni at Ash.82Mazzoni@gmail.com
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Prayer Meeting - Friday, January 9th at 6:30 PM
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Love Languages Date Night with Dr. Gary Chapman - Friday, January 16 | 7 - 9 PM
at Salt & Light Church
Free Event - Register here
Discover how to better understand, communicate and express love.
Learn practical tools to strengthen your relationship.
Reconnect with your spouse and enjoy a meaningful evening together.
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Youth Camp - June 12–16, 2026
5 days of fun and fellowship—lake swimming, staying up late, eating too many snow cones, and most importantly, growing in God’s Word.
Students 12 years old (by June 12 and have completed 6th grade) through high school may attend.
A $5 registration fee is required to hold your spot.
Total cost is $400 per student - $75 is due February 16th and the remaining balance of $325 is due May 18th. All camp payments are non-refundable.
Register Here
If the cost of camp is a hindrance to your student’s attendance, please see Paul Thomas or email Youth@SaltandLightKy.org
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Young Adults | Next Chapter (Ages 18-31)
For anyone around 18–31 who wants to stay connected, build friendships, and grow in faith together.
Signal Group - to request to join and stay in the loop or with questions - text Joshua Rieth 502-230-6629 or Kaiden Perrodin 502-663-3681
Bible Study - Sundays | 10:05 - 10:45 AM - Meets near the Library
Currently studying Colossians
Questions? Email Cheri Grinnell - Cheri@SaltandLightKY.org
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Lee Corps - Tuesdays | 7 - 9 PM Upper Lobby
Lee Corps provides a youth led, adult facilitated, Christian cadet program to foster leadership and a love for Christ in our community’s youth, ages 12-18. They excel in leadership and military skills preparation with a Christian worldview to serve their country and communities through training in tactics and field training, Christian apologetics, marksmanship, physical conditioning, and much more.
Lee Corps is not associated with or a ministry of Salt & Light Church but uses our facilities for their weekly training and welcomes interested young people to attend. No registration required.
Younger youth are welcome if they can sit through and be engaged in the presentations.
For more information LeeCorps.org or contact LtCol (Ret) Michael Muller (270) 300-1571 _________________________________________________________
Serving Opportunities & Needs
Building Fund - $182,946 of the $200,000 due 12/31 has been given.
Thank you for prayerfully considering giving an offering toward the property purchase.
Please memo your offerings “Building Fund”.
In 2021, when Salt & Light outgrew our former location, God provided the beautiful 71 acre property with a former horse auction facility and barn where we now gather as a church family.
We entered a lease to own agreement with a payment due December 31 of each year until the purchase is complete. Monthly rent and all improvements and repairs the church invests in the property is also credited toward the purchase.
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Security Team - Volunteers are needed to serve on the Salt & Light Security Team.
Please text Mike Muller 270-300-1571
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Salt and Light Academy’s Christmas Giving Tree - Select an ornament from the tree - located inside the main entrance - to commit to recurring monthly giving.
Each hand color signifies a giving level commitment:
$50 - Blue or Pink
$100 - Orange
$200 - Purple
$500 - Green
$1000 - Red
One-Time Gift of any Amount - Yellow
Any local donor making their first gift by December 31st and committing to recurrent monthly giving of $50 or more may fill out an order form to receive their choice of a “Raising Saints & Patriots” short or long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie.
To make the first donation, please set up recurring giving here and select “Monthly”.
To order your shirt, please complete the form here.
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Food Pantry
Bible Donations - The Food Pantry gives a Bible to many of our visitors. Children’s Bibles are especially popular.
We are not requesting purchasing Bibles. If you have gently used Bibles that you no longer use or that your children have aged out of, it would be a blessing if you could donate them for us to share.
To restock the pantry shelves, the following items are needed:
Pasta & pasta sauce
Jelly
Frozen chicken
Frozen pizza
Frozen lasagna
Hamburger helper
Chef Boyardee
Spam
Pancake mix
Syrup
Milk - Half Gallon
Eggs
Butter
Please place food and Bibles in bags labeled “Food Pantry” on the hospitality counter near the Coffee Bar. Please ask the Coffee Bar Volunteers to place perishable items in the refrigerator.
Thank you for donating and praying for this ministry!
If you are in need of food or know someone in need, please text Courtney Day 502-648-5447 for a private appointment to shop in the pantry.
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Children’s Ministry
Teachers for 4-6 year old class - 11a Sundays
Music with the Children - if you are musically gifted, we would love for you to teach and sing Bible songs with the children twice each month or as you have time to share.
Substitute and Rotational Teachers are needed to fill in for 1 class or multiple weeks when regular teachers are unavailable or to give them a break for a month or so.
Special Needs - Volunteers are needed to serve as one-on-one buddies in class with children with special needs.
For More Details - text Jessica Walker 502-365-0839
Greet and Check-In children and their families to the nursery and their classes when they arrive on Sunday morning and/or Wednesday evening. Text Debbie Duvall 502-321-8798
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Salt & Light Academy
Classroom Build Supplies Needed - new classrooms have recently been constructed and a few items are needed to complete the project. If you have any of these items you could donate, know a donor, or would like to give money to purchase supplies, please see the listing of needed items here.
Questions contact Kurt Shelton 502-387-0960
Lunch & Recess Volunteers - Interact with and help the children to give the teachers a planning period. A background check is required. Email Michelle Elliott michelle.elliott@saltandlightacademy.com
Please continue to pray, promote, and support Salt and Light Academy. Your ongoing giving keeps the school fully funded and tuition-free, and every gift matters.
One-time or auto pay weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly donations may be made or set up online Here
Donations of needed supplies for classes and the office are greatly appreciated. You can view and give through our Amazon Wish List
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Wednesday Dinner
Volunteers are needed to assist with food prep at Katie’s house in Shelbyville on Tuesday and/or Wednesday.
We don't need a weekly commitment, anything you can do to lend a hand will be greatly appreciated!
Contact Katie Anasis by call or text 937-441-4225. Thanks so much!
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Salt & Light Library
Open Sundays 8:30 - 11 AM and 15 min after service
Wednesdays 5 - 7 PM and 15 min after service
Volunteers Needed - Text Sharon Holbert 502-235-6687
Book Donations appreciated — view our wishlist:
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Family Communication Board
We have a bulletin board in the Upper Lobby inside the main entrance, on the wall above the giving box across from the Connection Point area, for you to post needs you would be blessed to receive and shares you would like to give.
Freely Receive - If you have a need - a service or item or a friend to do something with - please post it on the side of the board labeled “Freely Receive”.
Freely Give – when you have something to give - a lawn mower that still works, furniture you aren't using, a willingness to serve by sharing a skill or some spare time - please post on the side of the board labeled “Freely Given”.
Note papers are in the basket to write your give and receive notes to post on the board.
This is not a buy, sell, or trade board, but a family sharing board.
The only money that should be exchanged would be a paycheck if you are offering to hire someone.
Check our family sharing board often, there may be a message that will be a blessing for you!!
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Care Ministry
If you are in need of care (hospital, long-term facility, homebound), please contact Salt & Light at 502-265-6828
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Stay Connected – Join Our Facebook Groups
Stay encouraged and connected!
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Have an Announcement of an Event or Volunteer Need?
Please email new submissions by Monday each week to Marie Long at Long12686@gmail.com
Thanks for helping us keep everything clear and timely!