Presentation of Bibles September 22

Third graders and 3-year-olds will receive Bibles geared toward their age level at the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, September 22.

In this gift we remember our promises when a child is baptized, as a congregation, to be involved along with parents in the teaching of our faith.  As we hand these Bibles to the parents, who in turn hand them to their child, we remember the parent's promise to place the Holy Scriptures into their child's hands.

Creative Arts Fall Schedule

Diggin' Up Praise...for Salem Creative Arts Fall 2013
Bless the Lord and Salem Church with your gift of praise!

Cherubs (singers 4 years old through 1st grade)
Wednesdays 4:30-5:15pm - Choir Room

Choristers (singers in 2nd-5th grades)
Wednesdays 6-6:45pm - Choir Room

Disciple Song (singers in 6th-12th grades)
Wednesdays 6-6:45pm - Chapel Lounge

Celebration Voices (adult or HS singers)
Wednesdays 7:15-8:30pm - Choir Room

Puppet Praise (Grade 5 and up youth and adult puppeteers)
Thursdays 6:15-7:15pm - Choir Room

Sounds of Grace Bells (Grade 6 and up youth and adult ringers)
Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm - Balcony

Salem Praise Team (adults and HS youth)
Saturdays 8:30-9:30am once a month - Sanctuary

"Evensong" Begins September 12

"Evensong"...Save the Dates

An invitation to take the Journey of your Life
Beginning Thursday, September 12, @ 6:46pm

Consider being a part of a fascinating 8-week series of gatherings.  Adults of all ages are welcome.  Participants will have the opportunity of sharing their life journey - viewed through the lenses of worship, sharing stories, and listening to one another.

There is no charge to be a part of this series and study materials will be provided.

For the initial gathering on September 12, participants are invited to bring a personal memento (object, picture, or writing) that holds special meaning for them.  This time of conversation will be a pleasant way to get to know one another.

Check the calendar today.  Gatherings will be on each Thursday beginning September 12 and concluding October 31.

This program is being offered by Salem's 2013 Diakonia graduates - Julie Grendahl, Betty Hampa, Judy Milroy, and Jenny Ruff.  Please contact the church office for further information.  Registration is limited to 15 and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please register early.

Salem Rally Day September 8

Put your hands together for Salem Rally Day and Spirit Sunday.  Help us celebrate 25 years of ELCA mission and ministry!

"God's Work: Our Hands"   Sunday, September 8

8am Worship - Blessing of new 6th grade confirmation students and backpacks and guides.

9:15 Celebration (Fellowship Hall):
* puppet skit
* songs
* Sunday School offering and collection of hand soaps
* craft
* register for Sunday School/confirmation/choirs/puppets
* snacks

10:30 Worship - Outdoor worship (West Yard) and blessing of Sunday School and creative arts leaders.  Bring a lawn chair if you'd like.

All services - blessing of hands to remind us that we are the hands and feet of Christ in this world and Holy Communion to give us the strength we need to serve!

Everyone welcome!

Sign up at the Welcome Center table to bring cookies to share for the snack.  Bring any kind of hand soap as a donation for Salem's Food Pantry.

Fair Trade Coffee Sale September 7-8

We will continue to sell coffee (at $7 each) and the chocolate bars (at $1.50 each), along with a few ButterBraids (get 'em while they last at $12 each).  After this September sale, we'll re-evaluate how we continue to "sell down" our final inventory.  Thanks to all for your support over the years - please know that many, many farmers and families have truly benefitted by your generous purchases to create a better way of life for themselves.

Wishing you God's peace,
The Global Missions Committee of Salem

Sound Techs Needed!

Would you be interested in a ministry that can be done from a comfortable chair?

Would you like to help members during the worship service and also our shut-ins?

Would you like to feel more involved during the worship service?

How about if you can do all that while sitting in the best chair in the church sanctuary?

Then consider joining Salem's Sound Team which is a fun and satisfying ministry.

A Sound Team member controls the microphones during the worship service.  The Team also records the 8:00 worship service on a CD and duplicates it for our shut-ins which are delivered to them by other volunteers.  Salem's Sound Team needs 3 more team members in order to cover all three weekend services.

If you can operate a CD player or a cell phone, you can operate Salem's sound system.  Scheduling is flexible and training is provided.  Please contact the church office or a Sound Team member (Larry Schlawin, Jeff Makosh, Dan Kuntz, Ken Reinhardt, Bill Gardner, John Welander) for further information.  Salem needs your help.

Sunday School Teachers Needed!

A new Sunday School year will be beginning soon.  Won't you consider being a Sunday School teacher?

You come to church each Sunday already, so why not help our youth learn more about their faith?  We understand you may be nervous about saying "yes," but there is no need to be; it's as easy as attending service.  Our goal is to have at least two teachers for each classroom.  Why not be a husband and wife team, or best friends team, or how about a father and daughter team, or mother and son team - or some other combination of a team!  If you are at least 18 years old we invite anyone who would like to know more about being a Sunday School teacher to contact April Olson (815-901-4801, blanesdino@aol.com) or Vicki Reed (815-508-6021, dvareed24@yahoo.com).

We have openings for 1st/2nd grade lead teacher, 5th grade helper, and 6/7/8 grade helpers and subs.

Blessing of Daily Labor August 31-September 1

Salem Labor Day Weekend Worship
"Blessing of Daily Labor"
5pm Saturday, August 31 and 8am/10:30am Sunday, September 1

Come to worship in your work clothes and bring a symbol of your occupation (tool, diaper, notepad, phone, plant, etc).