Christmas Eve Candlelight Services - 4pm/6pm/11pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Wednesday, December 24

4pm: Family-centered
6pm: Meditative Lessons & Carols
11pm: Festive Worship to welcome Christmas

All services will include candle-lighting and communion.

Mid-Week Advent Service December 17

Mid-Week Advent - a Season of Expectation and Hope

7pm Wednesday, December 3, 10, & 17

Plan to worship at the Mid-Week Advent Service.

G.E.M.S. Noon Potluck December 15

Salem G.E.M.S. - Growing Every Member Spiritually
(for those who are 50 years of age or better)

Music of the Season, by Ron & Carla Vanatta
Monday, December 15, in Salem's Fellowship Hall

* Noon potluck
* Roast turkey breast will be provided.  Please bring a dish to share.
* Don't forget donations of non-perishable items for Salem's Food Pantry.
* Please make a reservation by Friday, December 12.  Call Carol at 815-899-8383.

We look forward to seeing you and enjoying an afternoon of good food, fellowship, and beautiful music.  Spouses are always welcome.

Poinsettia Orders Deadline December 14

It is time to order Christmas poinsettias to decorate Salem's sanctuary during the holiday season.  Altar guild members will take orders in the narthex following each worship service on December 6-7 and 13-14.  The poinsettias are $19.50 each and checks should be made payable to Glidden Florist.

Sunday School Christmas Program December 14

Salem Sunday School children grades Beginners through 5th are working hard learning and practicing for a Christmas program, The Christmas Present, by Pam Andrews.  They will be presenting the program on December 14 at the 10:30am Grace service.  Please mark your calendars and start inviting family and friends.  The children are excited and looking forward to sharing this special morning with you!

Christmas Cantata December 6-7

Please join us for an Advent presentation of:

Love Came Down at Christmas
A Musical Cantata Celebrating God's Gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy & Love at Jesus' Birth

Written by Joel Raney, presented by Salem Creative Arts Ministry for:

5pm Worship - Saturday, December 6
10:30am Worship - Sunday, December 7

* A Singing Memorial gifted in memory of Shirley Miller by her daughter, Cindy Graves

"Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas, Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus, But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token, Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign."  - Christina Rossetti, 1885

Help Grace Place at NIU Celebrate the Christmas Season

Grace Place at NIU will host a Christmas Meal for students on December 3.  Grace Place will provide roast beef and ask if members of Salem would be willing to supply side dishes for 20-25 people.  They suggest traditional things like a salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and dessert.  If you are willing to help by providing a side dish, please contact Jenny Ruff at 815-793-2055 or call Salem's church office.

Food Basket Challenge Begins November 29

You may have heard about the popular Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS.  Instead, Salem will be doing a Food Basket Challenge.  From November 29 through February 15 at each worship service one member family will challenge another member family to bring a basket full of food the next week, so each weekend six families will be involved.  This food raiser is to help DeKalb County families that need Salem's Food Pantry and is part of Salem's "God's Work, Our Hands" activities.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship November 26

Come, You Thankful People, Come!

Wednesday, November 26

Thanksgiving Eve Worship @ 7pm
Pie & Coffee in Fellowship Hall @ 8pm

Gifts of non-perishable foods and personal care products invited to stock Salem Food Pantry.

Pie donations and servers invited!  Sign up in the Welcome Center!