Advent and Christmas Eve Worship Schedule

The four weekends of Advent are December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23.  Families and individuals who would enjoy lighting Salem's Advent wreath and leading the Advent prayer are invited to sign up for a service at the Welcome Center table.  The prayer to read and instructions will be sent the week ahead. A minimum of two people are needed for each service.

On each Wednesday in December before Christmas (December 5, 12, and 19), there will be an Advent service, "Prayer of Hope for the Nations," at 7pm.

On Christmas Eve, there will be candlelight worship services at 4pm, 7pm, and 11pm.

On Christmas Day, there will be no services and the office will be closed.

Salem G.E.M.S. Noon Potluck December 17

G.E.M.S. - Growing Every Member Spiritually
(For those who are 60 years of age or better)
Spouses always welcome

Monday, December 17, 2012

Noon potluck in Salem's Fellowship Hall:
- Please bring one of the following: vegetable, salad, dessert
- Make your reservation (call Carol Saidat, 815-899-8383)
- Don't forget to bring non-perishable items for Salem's Food Pantry and recipes for the G.E.M.S. Cookbook.

Program: "The Music of Christmas," by Ron and Carla Vanatta

We look forward to a festive time together as we celebrate this Holy Season.

Christmas Program December 16

This year's Christmas Program will be presented by the Beginners through 5th Grade Sunday School Students on December 16 at the 10:30 service.  O Little Christmas Town, by Tina English, centers on God's ultimate plan for the town of Bethlehem.  At times the dialogue is lighthearted, and at other times incredibly profound, as the citizens of Bethlehem share the news of the Messiah's birth.  The music which accompanies the story combines new melodies as well as familiar carols.  What a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season!

Northeast Conference Meeting December 11

Can you help?  On Tuesday, December 11, Salem staff will host the Northeast Conference of rostered leaders.  Our guests will arrive around 9:30am and be here in worship and conversation until noon.

We would like a few of our wonderful members to bring some munchies to serve.  Fruit, muffins, bagels and cream cheese, and juice are examples.  We will also serve coffee.  Please sign up in the Welcome Center if you can help us out and so we will know what we'll have to serve our guests.

Poinsettia Orders Due December 10

Watch for the poinsettia order forms in the announcements for December 1-2 and 8-9.  The poinsettias are $19.50 each with checks made payable to "Glidden Florist."  Altar Guild members will take orders on the above weekends following each worship service.  If you will not be at church on those weekends, please call Jeanne Johnston (815-761-6823).  Orders are due by Monday, December 10 and placed through Jeanne to get the church discount.

Place Your SCRIP Order December 9

Ho Ho Ho!  It's time for Christmas gifts!

Shop at our gift card fundraiser.

Place order December 9; pick up order December 16.
Order forms and information at Welcome Table.

Profits benefit High School Youth Group!

Julie Grendahl (815-761-3714, julie.g@comcast.net)

Angel Tree Gifts Due December 9

Salem's tradition of giving Good Deed Gifts for Avancer Group Homes will continue this Christmas season.

The Good Deed Angel Tree will be put in place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 18.  Anyone wishing to participate can take an angel from the tree with the name of a client at Avancer.  All of the Avancer residents have special challenges, some physically, some developmentally, and all of them could use a little cheering up during the holiday season.

The angels this year will be made from a page from one of Salem's older, unused hymn books and can be kept as a reminder of the season.  There will be a sign-up sheet near the tree after you choose an angel.

The gifts should be returned to Salem by December 9.  Please box and wrap the gifts and securely attach the Sticky Tag to them.  If you should have more than one gift for a person, please make sure they're all tied together securely and labeled well so they will all get to your person.

The Promise of Light December 8-9

The Promise of Light

A Christmas Music by Joel Raney
Celebrating God's Gift of Eternal Light

Saturday, December 8, 5pm
Sunday, December 9, 10:30am

Traditional Christmas carols masterfully blended with original music tell the timeless story of the birth of Christ, the light of the world.  Come for this celebration in song.

The Promise of Light features Salem Adult, Youth, and Children's Voices with an instrumental ensemble of Sounds of Grace Bells, Denny Vaupel (synthesizer), Brandon Weber (bass guitar), Michael Kasper (percussion), and Ron and Todd Vanatta (4-hand piano).