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Ecumenical Writing Circle January 23

Sunday, January 23 at 7pm


Writing together in a safe environment can be a powerful way of growing in faith. People can explore both their inspirations and their challenges and doubts in such a way that they gain in confidence for lives of love, justice and witness.


John & Connie Seraphine are both recently-retired church professionals of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  They wish to host an ecumenical writing circle on their Heatherhope Farm on Airport Road near Sycamore.  They hope this group will meet on a regular basis to share in a simple program of prayer and sharing of group members' compositions.  The group may also elect to have a time of sharing of published writings of others that challenge and inspire the faithful Christian life.


At this first session we hope to decide such things as dates, time and frequency of sessions, as well as a further fleshing out of purpose and format.  We invite all interested adults and youth (age 15 and up) to this brainstorming session.


Contact John and Connie Seraphine, Heatherhope Farm, 22417 Airport Road, Sycamore, IL at 815-895-9736, or email heatherhopefarm@gmail.com.  You can visit the website at heatherhopefarm.com.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation January 23

Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Sunday, January 23

Noon luncheon
12:45pm meeting in Fellowship Hall

Please be sure to attend!  Child care will be provided.

Salem G.E.M.S. 2011

Growing Every Member Spiritually - for ages 60 years or better

On Monday, January 17, 2011, Salem G.E.M.S. will hold a noon potluck in the Fellowship Hall.  Please bring one of the following to share: salad, dessert, chips.  A meat and cheese platter for sandwiches will be provided.  Make your reservations now through Friday, January 14.

Contact person: Carol Saidat (815-899-8383)

Don't forget items for Salem's food pantry!  Hope to see you!  Spouses are always welcome!  Come help us ring in the new year of G.E.M.S.!!

Youth Zone for High School Students

March 11-13 in Naperville, IL
Featuring music from Captive Free & Helloforever and speaker Josh Brecht
Youth cost: $40 plus meals
Total cost: $159, shared with other high school funds
Registration due January 17

Global Mission Speakers January 15 & 16

On the weekend of January 15-16, we welcome Mike and Sharon Wadle, who will share stories of their recent work in Tanzania at all three worship services and during fellowship time at 9:15 Sunday
morning in Fellowship Hall. The Wadles, who are members of First Lutheran Church in DeKalb, are key volunteers with the Mwangaza Center in Arusha, Tanzania. The Mwangaza Center helps train and
equip teachers in Tanzania. Don’t miss this chance to hear about their exciting and important work.

Confirmation January Service Project

Wouldn't it be great if all police cars in Sycamore had in them two or three fleece tied blankets for victims of fire, domestic violence, flooding, traffic accidents, etc?  The Sycamore Police Chief thought that fleece blankets would be "great!"  They are warm and easily washed and returned to use, even if they get mud or whatever on them!

So, on Wednesday, January 12, our confirmation students will be working to make 36 fleece blankets.  That is two for every marked and unmarked police car in Sycamore.

We can use your help with donations of fleece fabric.  Any size will do!  We can make some that are smaller and some that are larger.

Please put your donations in the boxes marked "Fleece Blanket Project" in the Welcome Center and on the lower level next to the Grand Staircase.

All-Church Epiphany Breakfast

Dine with the kings! Attend the all-church Epiphany breakfast in the Fellowship Hall Sunday, January 9, at 9:15 am. Please bring breakfast-type foods to share; beverages and tableware will be provided. Sunday School children will sit with their families to enjoy an Epiphany puppet presentation by Salem Puppet Praise Team and a Davey & Goliath Christmas/Epiphany episode! Parents, please attend this fun event with your Sunday School children.

Epiphany Gathering at Seraphine Heatherhope Farm

**UPDATE** This event has been canceled due to illness.

The annual Epiphany celebration will take place Sunday, January 9, 2011, from 4:30-7:30pm at the Seraphine Heatherhope Farm. The gathering begins in the house (22417 Airport Rd, Sycamore) with a barbecue chicken sandwich meal, moves to the fields for a bonfire of Christmas greens, and concludes with a Celtic Epiphany worship service in the barn, surrounded by sheep.

Check out the Heatherhope website (heatherhopefarm.com) for details and email the Seraphines at heatherhopefarm@gmail.com to let them know how many are coming and what dessert or salad you can share. People can also bring their greens/trees for burning on the bonfire.

Children's Clothing for Hope Haven January 8-9

Gifts of new or gently used children's clothing for Hope Haven Homeless Shelter will be collected at all worship services during Salem Epiphany weekend, January 8-9, 2011.

Worship Services December 22-26

Final midweek Advent service - December 22, 7pm.
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
Worship Wednesday at 7pm as we ready ourselves for the arrival of the Christ Child.

Christmas Eve worship services - December 24 at 4:00, 7:00, and 11:00 pm.
Each service is essentially the same but with different musical offerings.
Don't forget to bring your "Jingle Bells" to the Christmas Eve services!

Please note there will be no 5pm Saturday service Christmas Day.

Sunday, December 26 - 8 & 10:30 am worship services
Reminder: There is no Sunday School this Sunday, December 26.

Children's Christmas Program


Sunday School Christmas Program

Sunday, December 19

10:30 GRACE Worship

Share in the wonder of God’s gift as Salem Sunday School students tell the story of Jesus Christ born for all.

REMINDER: There will be NO Sunday School on December 26.

A Thrill of Hope

by Joel Raney

Salem Christmas Cantata

Salem Choirs, Bells, & Orchestra

celebrate the Gift of a Savior

5:00 Saturday, December 11
10:30 Sunday, December 12

Holiday Cookie Sale

December 12 from 8am - noon

Some of Salem’s high school students are relying on your sweet tooth to help them to support Youth activities this year.

A humongous assortment of Christmas cookies  available for only $5 per pound!

Want to help with the baking? Donations of cookies are always welcome!

Sign up in the Welcome Center.

We know everyone enjoys snacking on Christmas  cookies so we hope to see you at the sale!

Do your holiday shopping and help Salem youth group!

Do your holiday shopping and donate to Salem youth group at the same time!

Salem youth group is raising funds through these easy-to-use gift cards.

Simply look through the list of restaurants and retailers for places you normally eat or shop, and order gift cards through this program. Gift cards are worth the face value and the Youth receive a portion of each gift card. It’s a bargain for everyone!

Order forms available in the Welcome Center. There is something for everyone!

Look for the display in the Welcome Center for order forms and information.

Just in time for Christmas Shopping!

Examples: Each $25 meal at Applebees or Pizza Hut earns SYG $2.
Each $10 Bath & Body Works purchase earns us $1.30, and every $25 Old Navy gift card gives us $2.25.

It is amazing how it all adds up!!

Orders due in the Welcome Center by noon December 12

available for pick up the weekend of December 18/19

Questions?? contact Lauri Paulsen 815-895-8416

IT’S ANGEL TIME!

IT’S ANGEL TIME!

Once again, we have an opportunity to bless others.

Phyllis Johnson will adorn a Christmas tree with the names and wish list of Avancer House clients. They are so delighted to receive beautifully wrapped Christmas presents! The gifts are to cost no more than $10-$15.

Please wrap your gift, tape the person’s name & wish list to it and bring it to Salem by December 12.

We are blessed by being able to bless others. Thank you!!!

Poinsettia Orders “Christmas 2010”

Poinsettia Orders “Christmas 2010”

Altar Guild will take orders for poinsettias to be placed around the altar for Christmas services. Orders will be taken in the narthex before and after church services on: December 4 & 5 and December 11 & 12.

To order a plant, please fill out the order form below and give it to an Altar Guild member in the narthex on the above dates, along with your payment.

Make your checks payable to “GLIDDEN FLORIST”.

Orders, along with payment, may also be sent to Jeanne Johnston, 1132 Swanberg Ct., Sycamore, IL 60178 or you may give her a call at (815) 895-5670.

Orders are due to Glidden Florist by Monday, December 13.

GEMS Christmas Potluck with "Music of the Season"

Salem G.E.M.S.

(Growing Every Member Spiritually) - for ages 60 years or better -

“One Week Earlier”

On Monday, December 13, 2010, Salem GEMS will hold a NOON in the Fellowship Hall.

Program: Carla & Ron Vanatta will present “Music of the Season”

Please bring a favorite holiday dish to share.

Ham will provided by the committee.

Make your reservations NOW through Friday, December 10.

Contact Person: Carol Saidat (815/899-8383).

Don’t forget items for Salem’s Food Pantry!

Join us for this festive gathering — good food & fellowship!

Hope to see you!!!! Spouses are always welcome!

-The GEMS Committee-

2010 Advent Season

2010 Advent Season begins Sunday November 28th, Thanksgiving weekend.

Families & individuals invited to light the Advent wreath.  Look for the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center table by mid-November.

Midweek Advent Worship
Wednesdays at 7pm
December 1, 8, 15, 22
Holden Evening Prayer

Christmas Eve Worship Services
December 24 - 4:00/7:00/11:00pm

Don't miss these opportunities to grow in faith and joy this season!

No Saturday services December 25 or Jan 1.

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