Old North Grove School Fun Fair Sat-Sun, June 25-26

Old North Grove School Fun Fair

Saturday, June 25, 11am to 4pm

Sunday, June 26, 1pm to 4pm

At its annual meeting on January 2, 1878, Salem Lutheran Church (originally named Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Samuel Church) voted to build a schoolhouse outside of Sycamore in the north grove. The cost was not to exceed $200. The building was to be used as both a parochial and Sunday school. Thus began a relationship between the little schoolhouse on Brickville Road and Salem Lutheran Church that has lasted for 133 years.

Each year the "Old" North Grove School Association holds an Open House the last weekend in June and invites Salem members to join them. Last year Salem's puppets visited the open house and recounted some of the history of the school. On Sunday Ron and Carla led everyone in a hymn sing. Salem members also donated baked goods that were sold on both days of the open house. The "Old" North Grove School Association is hoping that Salem members will again be willing to donate baked goods for the event. A signup sheet will be available in the Welcome Center.

The Association is also extending a special invitation to all Salem members. The theme this year is "Old North Grove School Fun Fair."

Come enjoy the following activities: tours of the school, folk music in the schoolyard, souvenirs, old-time games, cakewalks, raffles, and more! Lunch is available on Saturday, and root beer floats will be available on Sunday. We hope you'll come visit and experience not only a bit of the history of Salem, but also the history of Sycamore and of education in rural America.

Campfirmation Service Project Donations Needed!

At Campfirmation camp this summer, 8th graders will make blankets for the place 2b, a drop-in shelter for homeless, displaced, and near-homeless youth in the Quad Cities area. The place 2b offers a variety of support services to these youth, ranging from housing options to counseling services to academic support. Find out more about the place 2b at www.theplace2b.org.

Your donations are needed! We are collecting two-yard measures of heavyweight fleece from a bolt that is at least 40 inches wide. We also need a few pairs of good, strong scissors.

Please bring your donation to the church no later than Monday, June 20.

Building Use Conversation Sunday, June 19

Please join the Building Use Task Force in Fellowship Hall at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 19 as they share their ongoing conversation about building use in terms of both Food Pantry and Sunday School needs.

Come and learn and wonder with them about how we might continue to accommodate and grow these important ministries.

What's Pastor Up To These Days?

Come to the Hospitality Hour in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 12 at 9:15 a.m. to hear Pastor talk about her continuing education for this year - especially her work in congregational mediation. Come ready to imagine with her how what she's learning can be applied to Salem!

Pentecost Weekend June 11-12

What Is Pentecost?

Pentecost is a great festival marking the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty days after Easter.

What Happened on Pentecost?

Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival celebrated on the fiftieth day of Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads.

This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-29). Suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ, the disciples went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. By a miracle of the Holy Spirit, they spoke in the native languages of people gathered from all corners of the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, resulting in 3000 baptisms that day. The Biblical account of the Church's Birthday on Pentecost is found in Acts 2:1-21.

How Can You Be Involved in Salem's Pentecost Celebration?

Come to worship, learn, pray, and celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit at any of Salem's three weekend services: 5pm Saturday, June 11, 8am or 10:30am Sunday, June 12.

Read Acts 2:1-21 in a foreign language for one of the worship services. A simultaneous reading of this story will give us a taste of what happened that day so long ago. Please sign up at the Welcome Center if you are willing to read.

Sing in Summer Choir for 10:30 worship. Singers of all ages will rehearse from 9:45-10:15 a.m. in the Choir Room to prepare a special Pentecost anthem.

Bring communion to one of our homebound members. Contact Judy Bergeson at Salem to volunteer (815-895-9171).

Wear red clothing, the liturgical color for the day. The color red symbolizes the tongues of flame descending on the first Pentecost, and honors the blood of martyrs, believers who hold true to faith even at the cost of their lives.

Bring a gift of red budding plants to decorate the church. These flowers will then be planted on the church grounds.

Listen to Pastor Janet at the 9:15 a.m. Hospitality Hour as she shares the work of the Holy Spirit in the church conflict training she is doing with the Mennonite Peace Center.

"Clash of the Salemites" and Cookout Sunday, June 5

Salem vs. Salem: "Clash of the Salemites"

Salem's TWO softball teams - Blue vs. Orange

Sunday, June 5, 2pm

Sycamore Park (off Airport Road), Field #10

Come cheer on BOTH of Salem's softball teams as they play each other!

After the game, players, families, and congregational friends and supporters are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall for a potluck meal. Meat and beverages provided. Please sign up in the Welcome Center and bring a dish to pass. We'll have a ball!

Graduate Recognition Sunday, June 5

Salem's graduates will be recognized Sunday, June 5, at the 9:15 fellowship hour and 10:30 worship service.

Please join us as we give thanks and celebrate the accomplishments of this year's graduating class!

Boy Scout Troop 2810 Car Wash Saturday, June 4

Boy Scout Troop 2810 Car Wash Fundraiser

Saturday, June 4, 10am to 2pm

Salem Lutheran Church (back parking lot)

Donations will be accepted for the car wash. Stop by with a dirty vehicle, leave with a clean one, and support your local Boy Scout Troop 2810!

For more information, contact committee chair Connie Handel (815-895-6953) or trailtoeagle@comcast.net or Deb Loitz at 815-991-1101 or Deb.Loitz@gmail.com.

Boy Scout Troop 2810 is chartered by Salem Lutheran Church.

May's Sunday Night Thing at Salem

Salem High School Youth Group
All high school youth and friends welcome to any event!
Games, fellowship, projects, and some business!

May's Sunday Night Thing at Salem

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - SNT meets at 7pm

Military Servants Honored May 28-29

Salem will honor all military servants at all Memorial weekend worship services, as well as at a 9:15 a.m. coffee Sunday, May 29, in Fellowship Hall. Please sign up in the Welcome Center if you can attend the coffee and list the branch of the military in which you served or are serving. Thank you!

Women's Bible Study May 26

Salem Women's Bible Study meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 9:15 a.m. in the Chapel Lounge. All women are invited. Coffee and good conversation are provided! Bring your own Bible if you like. See you on May 26.