Reflections with Pastor Sunday, July 24

Come to the Hospitality Hour in Fellowship Hall at 9:15 a.m. next Sunday, July 24. At that time we will reflect with Pastor Janet about her ministry here as well as what happens next for Salem.

Sunday, July 17 Community Servant Speakers

Janet Peterson is the director of the Gift Shop and Kathy Vickers is the director of Activities at the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Home. They work together in many creative ways to benefit the residents there, who greatly appreciate their efforts. Come hear stories about what they do and why they do it on Sunday, July 17 between services at the Hospitality Hour. You'll be surprised and delighted!

High School Mission Trip July 10-15

High School Mission Trip

with SALT - Service and Leadership Training

through Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center

For students entering 9th grade through 12th grade graduates

July 10-15 in the Joliet area

Activities: painting, cleaning, stocking for local food banks and residential homes

Cost: $354 per person ($88.50 from student, $177 from fundraising, $88.50 from Salem)

Scholarships available

Please contact Julie Grendahl for details

julie.g@comcast.net

815-761-3714

Joplin, MO Benefit Cookout Sunday, July 10

The Social Justice Team and Haley Fischer are sponsoring a cookout on Salem's patio (weather permitting) to benefit Joplin, MO through the ELCA's Disaster Relief. The suggested donation is $5 per person or $20 per family. All the proceeds will go to the ELCA Disaster Relief earmarked for the people in Joplin, MO affected so severely by the tornado. Please sign up in the Welcome Center if you plan to attend and if you would like to volunteer to help with set-up, clean-up, or serving. There is also a sign-up sheet to donate salads and desserts. Come join us! It will be fun, delicious, and helpful to those beleaguered folks in Joplin. Thank you!

Brittany Sheldon to Be Awarded LOMC Camp Counselor of the Year 2010

Please come to the 10:30 service on Sunday, July 10, as our faithful nursery attendant, Brittany Sheldon, will be honored with a special presentation by the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC). She was chosen the "Outstanding Counselor for the Summer of 2010," which is pretty special! Congratulations Brittany!

Hammered Dulcimer Solos & Demonstration July 3

Independence Day Weekend, Salem member Jim Kline will share "Patriotic Medley" and "Simple Gifts" at the 8 and 10:30 worship services. Between services he will demonstrate his hammered dulcimer at the 9:15 a.m. hospitality hour in Fellowship Hall. This rather unique instrument is often featured in "Americana" or Appalachian folk music. Come and enjoy what Jim has to share!

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.

Salem G.E.M.S. Noon Potluck May 16

Salem G.E.M.S. 2011 (Growing Every Member Spiritually) - for ages 60 years or better

On Monday, May 16, Salem G.E.M.S. will hold a noon potluck in the Fellowship Hall. The program will be presented by Mary Overby of Sycamore Senior Center. The committee will provide grilled pork chops. Please bring one of the following to share: vegetable or salad or dessert. We will review your interest in the planning of an October trip to Wisconsin to have lunch and see the program, "The Dancing Horses." Contact Carol Saidat (815-899-8383) by Friday, May 13, to make your reservations for the potluck. Don't forget items for Salem's food pantry. Hope to see you! Spouses are always welcome!

Note: G.E.M.S. does not meet June, July, or August.

Second Annual CAC Walk Saturday, May 14

On May 14, the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) of DeKalb County will sponsor their second annual walk to help finance their programs for children who have been abused.

CAC has already achieved cooperation among the several agencies that must interview a child victim, so that child is interviewed only once now instead of the several times previously. The goal of the CAC is to be an instrument of rescue and healing for these small people.

Last year, 15 people from Salem walked. Let's see if we can beat that number this year! Come to the Good Thymes Shelter at Sycamore Park (Airport Road) at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. See you there!

We have more information in Salem's office (815-895-9171) if you would like to preregister.

New Member Reception May 8

New members will be received and celebrated at the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, May 8. Also, please be sure to join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45 a.m. as we welcome them to the congregation.

DeKalb-Sycamore Handbell Festival Saturday, May 7

Salem Sounds of Grace handbell ringers will join other area church handbell choirs in the DeKalb-Sycamore Handbell Festival Saturday, May 7. The event will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N Annie Glidden Rd, DeKalb, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guests are invited to a concert at 3 p.m. The workshop leader, Dr. John Behnke, is composer, organist, handbell director/clinician and Professor of Music at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. All are welcome!

NIU Lutheran Campus Ministry Meal May 4

First Wednesday of the month
Next date to plan for is Wednesday, May 4

Volunteers are needed to help provide meals prior to LCM's Wednesday worship. Sign up in the Welcome Center the last two weekends of each month. We will need eight volunteers each month to provide the following:

1) entree for 15
2) entree for 15
3) rolls for 15
4) rolls for 15
5) salad or side for 15
6) salad or side for 15
7) dessert for 15
8) dessert for 15

The food needs to be at Salem by 6pm for 7pm delivery at NIU. Please contact Jeanne Johnston at 815-895-5670 to volunteer and coordinate delivery. Thank you for your ministry of hospitality to NIU students!

New Member Dinner May 1

Interested in membership at Salem? A new member dinner (with ample time for conversation and questions) will be held on Sunday, May 1, from 5-7pm. Dinner and child care will be provided. If you plan to attend, please call the church office at 815-895-9171.

Easter Sunday Breakfast April 24

Easter Sunday Breakfast

Sponsored by the Salem Youth Group and the Salem Music Ministries

Sunday, April 24, 9-10:15am, Fellowship Hall

Adults $6.00 Children (3-10 yrs) $4.00 (Family maximum $20.00)

The menu:

Sausage

Biscuits and gravy

Scrambled eggs

Hash browns

French toast sticks with syrup

Fresh fruit and pastries

Coffee, apple juice, orange juice, and milk

Please let us know how many in your family will be attending so we know how many to plan for! The sign up sheet is in the Welcome Center.

There is also a sign-up sheet to donate the following items: pastries, fresh fruit, juice, and milk.

Servers and clean-up help needed. Call the church office to volunteer (815-895-9171).

Holy Week Schedule

April 16 Palm Sunday Worship, 5pm

April 17 Palm Sunday Worship, 8 & 10:30am

April 21 Maundy Thursday, 7pm

April 22 Good Friday, 7pm

April 23 Easter Vigil (Service of Light), 5pm

April 24 Easter Proclamation (Elmwood), 6am

April 24 Easter Sunday Festival Worship, 8 & 10:30am

April 24 Easter Breakfast (9-10:15am, Fellowship Hall)

Spring Cleaning April 23

On Saturday, April 23, from 9am until noon, join us for Spring Cleaning Day at Salem! Projects will include removing storm windows, washing windows, picking up trash on the church grounds, trimming trees, finishing up the polishing of the pews, and replacing any divots in the grass made by the snowplows.

Continuing Education Discussion April 17

What's Pastor up to these days? Come to the Hospitality Hour in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 17 at 9:15am 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!

Lenten Soup Suppers, March 16-April 13

Wednesday Lenten Soup Supper, 5:30-6:45pm

Sponsors:

March 16: Worship & Property Committees

March 23: Salem High School Youth Group

March 30: Shari Hennessey/Judy Milroy

April 6: The Buzzard, Feuerbach & Sauber Families

April 13: The Benson/Carlson Annual Soup Buffet

Hosts provide 8-10 gallons of soup (varied kinds), beverages, and willing hands to serve and clean up prior to the 7 p.m. worship service. A free-will offering is received for a fund of their choice. Diners bring breads, crackers, or dessert to share.

Midweek Lenten Schedule, March 16-April 13

Apostles' Creed (Midweek Lenten Worship)
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
March 16 through April 13

March 16: "God the Creator"

Isaiah 40:28-31, Romans 8:14-17, Mark 14:36

March 23: "God the Provider"

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 23, Matthew 6:11

March 30: "Jesus, the Savior & Redeemer"

Colossians 1:13-14, John 3:16-21

April 6: "Jesus, the Lord"

Joel 2:32, Philippians 2:1-11, Acts 17:22-28

April 13: "The Holy Spirit - The Church & the Saints"
Acts 2:1-13, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, John 14:15-30

Lenten Prayer and Pie (March 16 - April 13, 2 p.m. in Chapel Lounge)
A simple Lenten service with spoken liturgy, prayer, and hymns followed by pie and coffee.

Soup Suppers (March 16 - April 13, 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall)
Soup and beverage provided; bring bread, crackers, or dessert to share.

Holden Evening Prayer (March 16 - April 13, 7 p.m. in Sanctuary)
Choirs, cantors, flutes, and piano will lead us in worship for Wednesday evening Lenten services. This beautiful liturgical setting was written in the 1980s for the community at Holden Village, WA (a year-round ecumenical Christian retreat center, rooted in the Lutheran tradition) and has grown to be an instrument of prayer and worship all over the world.

Celebrate 50 on Sunday, April 3

Come celebrate 50!!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

9 - 10:15 a.m.

Fellowship Hall

Pastor Janet's 50th Birthday

and 50+ Year Salem Members

Social Justice Team Presents "Poverty Perceptions"

Salem's Social Justice Team Presents "Poverty Perceptions" during Hospitality Hour at 9:15 a.m. on each Sunday in March.

Come, listen, and participate as we explore our knowledge and perceptions of poverty in DeKalb County as Christians and as a church family. There will be handouts and group discussions. We will talk about ideas and ways as a faith community we can help to prevent, reduce, and alleviate poverty. We will use as a reference Bridges Out of Poverty by Dr. Ruby K. Payne, Philip E. DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith.

Congregational Resourcing Event Saturday, March 19

Northern Illinois Synod Congregational Resourcing Event

Saturday, March 19
8:30am - 3:15pm

Kishwaukee College - Malta

"Rerooting in the Community: From the Kitchen Table to the Neighborhood"

Keynote speaker Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of Congregational and Synodical Mission, ELCA, will present how a congregation can have ministry for its community as a way to renew and revitalize its life and its evangelism.

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Registration and coffee
9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Welcome/worship
10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Keynote speaker
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Workshop session A
12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Workshop session B
2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Workshop session C

There are over 60 different sessions to choose from covering a wide variety of congregational interests. For more information, visit the NIS website at www.nisynod.org/cre or contact Nancy Corey at 309-794-4004. A brochure of workshops available can be found at the Welcome Center table.

The registration deadline was March 1.

Childcare is available with pre-registration (free-will offering accepted for this service). Registration before March 1 was $17 per person with lunch provided. Registration after March 1 is $22 per person and lunch may be provided if enough are available.

Please note that Salem will cover the cost of this event for congregational members. Please register at the Welcome Center table or with Sue in Salem's office (815-895-9171) if you would like to attend.

Girl Scout Sunday March 13

Girl Scout Sunday will be celebrated at Salem on March 13, including a blessing of girl scout ministry at each service. Scouts are invited to come to worship in their uniforms and participate in worship as they are interested. Contact the church office (815-895-9171) for more information.

Girl Scouts from across the country will celebrate 99 years of community service on March 12!

Photos from Shrove Tuesday Dinner & Cake Auction

Shrove Tuesday Cake Auction & Dinner March 8

Annual Shrove Tuesday Cake Auction and Dinner
Salem's Fellowship Hall

sponsored by Salem's confirmation students

Tuesday, March 8
Dinner 6 p.m.
Cake voting period ends 6:45pm

Cake auction begins 7 p.m.

We will be serving pulled pork sandwiches, chips, veggies, and a drink. Suggested donation for the meal is $5.00 per person. Bring a cake to auction! Bid to take home your favorite cake! Vote for your favorite cake!

Funds raised will be split between 2012 National Youth Gathering, Samaritan's Village Orphanage, and Salem's Food Pantry.

Cake theme categories: The Apostles' Creed, Living Christ's Love, Salem's Favorites, Sports/Games, Food for Thought, TV & Technology, God's Creatures, Miscellaneous, and Age 10 & Under (all entries in this category win a prize!).

That's So Daniel Presented March 5-6

We're ready! Please join us for Salem's spring children's musical...

That’s So DANIEL!

Saturday, March 5, 5:00 Worship

Sunday, March 6, 10:30 Worship

Presented by Salem Creative Arts Ministry

Salem kids bring the Bible to life in a fresh and vibrant way with That’s So Daniel!, a musical about making good choices!

Meet Daniel, a young boy who sometimes stretches the truth, as he encounters the Biblical Daniel and learns lessons about honesty, obedience, choices, and worshipping the one true living God.

Join the cast as they portray a comical but genuine look at the biblical tale of Daniel, his encounters with King Nebuchadnezzar, a lion's den, and a fiery furnace.

3rd Graders to Celebrate First Communion February 27

On Sunday, February 27, at the 10:30 service, Salem's third graders will be celebrating their First Communion. When they were baptized, God made them part of His household, the family we call the Church. They are learning as we share the bread and wine of Holy Communion, we remember Jesus' death and His rising that first Easter Day, and how eating the bread and drinking the wine makes us one with Him and brings us closer to each other. They express their desire to join around the Lord's Table. Join us as we celebrate a very special day for seventeen of our young people.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed in February

February is Salem's month to furnish volunteers to deliver "Meals on Wheels" to Sycamore shut-ins for the Voluntary Action Center.  Salem furnishes two volunteers a day for each of three Sycamore routes (West, Central, and East) each weekday in February.  It doesn't take long to complete a route (usually 11am - 12:30pm) and your help is greatly appreciated!  Please call Salem's office to volunteer (815-895-9171).

We will need one person to help another volunteer on:  West Route - February 22, 24, 25, 28.

Scrappin' Bonanza February 18-19

Do you have photos just waiting to be organized into albums?  Maybe you love to create handmade cards and just can't find the time?  No better time than this to get it together!!

Come to Salem's Scrappin' Bonanza to get caught up on those projects you have put on the back burner.  We'll be in the Fellowship Hall from 8am to 10pm both Friday and Saturday, February 18 & 19.

You can come for a couple hours, or stay all day, both days.  Go and return to projects as your schedule allows.  These days are for beginning crafters as well as undeniable crop-a-holics in need of a little scrappin' therapy.

We will supply: fun crafting "toys" to share like Cricut die cutters, Cuttlebug embossers, and some stamping supplies.

What to bring: your photos, papers, embellishments, adhesives; items you need to work on your projects; snacks to share (optional); any scrapping-type tools you want to use or share; drinking cups/bottles (ones with lids are strongly recommended).

Meals are on your own.  Bring something, or money to pick something up (if desired).  The kitchen will be available.  We will have lemonade, coffee, and light snacks.

There is sign-up in the Welcome Center, but we'd still love to have you if you don't get signed up ahead of time.  Questions?  Contact Brenda Jones (815-895-6161) or Lauri Paulsen (815-895-8416).

Special Offering for LCM February 12-13

On the weekend of February 12-13, we will receive a special offering for Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University.  We offer our gifts in memory of those who were killed in the tragic shooting at NIU three years ago.  Even more than that, we share our gifts to support our very important ministry there which is a gift to students in impossibly difficult times like that one and in times of celebration and growing and stretching, too.  Please look for the special envelope included in your worship bulletin that weekend.

Blood Drive Saturday, February 12

Salem Lutheran Church Blood Drive
Saturday, February 12  8 a.m. - noon

Please call the church office (815-895-9171) to schedule your donation.  Walk-ins are welcome!  Photo ID required.  Donate blood and receive a $5 Dunkin' Donuts card!  This drive is being held in honor of those students who lost their lives on the NIU campus three years ago.

Sunday, February 6 Is Scout Sunday

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts (of any level) are encouraged to wear their uniform to church on Sunday.  The Scout Troop that Salem sponsors, #2810, will greet, usher, and lead the Psalm at the 10:30 service.

All scouts and leaders will be asked to come forward for a blessing at each of the three weekend services.

New Member Reception February 6

New members will be received and celebrated Sunday, February 6, at the 10:30am worship service.  Also, please be sure to join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9:15am as we welcome them to the congregation.

Souper Bowl of Caring February 5-6

On Super Bowl weekend, Salem youth are collecting for Souper Bowl of Caring.  Youth groups across the nation collect donations to help their choice of causes to meet the needs of people across the world.  Salem youth collect donations to support Noe, a 15-year-old Tanzanian boy we sponsor through Compassion International.  Please watch for us with soup pots for our collection after each of the worship services on Super Bowl weekend, February 5-6, to make a contribution.

Interested in Membership at Salem?

Are you a visitor to Salem who is interested in finding out about what Salem has to offer you as a member?  If you are, you are invited to attend a New Member Gathering to be held on Sunday, January 30, from 5-7pm.  Dinner and child care will be provided.  Please let us know of your interest by calling the office and speaking with Pastor Janet or Sue at 815-895-9171.

Grief Support Group Meeting January 30

The next Grief Support meeting will be Sunday, January 30 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. in the Chapel Lounge.

Our goal is to help people in grief from the death of a spouse, child, sibling, someone special in their life, share in a warm and safe group of others who understand.  Call the church office for more information (815-895-9171).

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