"The Shack" Book Study Thursdays in June

This is a four-session book study based on the story of one encounter with the God of real life.  The group will meet on Thursdays in June from 5-6:30pm.  Bring a sack supper (beverages will be provided), your Bible, and any questions about your God.  Pastor Kinnear is leading the study.  Books are available from the office at the cost of $9.

Coffee Hour June 24 to Honor Judy Bergeson

Please join us for the 9:15 coffee hour on Sunday, June 24 to honor Judy Bergeson and show our appreciation for her time here as Salem's Diaconal Minister with and for Elder Adults.

She will be leaving the area at the end of this month.

Bake Sale Sign-Up

In light of Salem's history with Old North Grove School, Salem congregation has been asked to provide baked goods for their June Fun Fair.  Any kind of bar, cookie, pie, bread, or cake is welcome and may be packaged either whole or in individual servings and brought to the school (26745 Brickville Road, Sycamore) between 10-11am on Saturday, June 23.  Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center.

New Member Gathering June 18

Interested in membership at Salem?  A new member inquiry gathering (with time for conversation and questions) will be held Monday, June 18, from 6-8pm in Fellowship Hall.  Dinner and child care will be provided.  If you would like to attend, please call Salem's office (815-895-9171) and give us your name and how many will be attending.

Fleece Donations Needed

At Confirmation camp this summer, 8th graders will once again make blankets for theplace2b, a drop-in shelter for homeless, displaced, and near-homeless youth in the Quad Cities area.  Theplace2b offers a variety of support services for these youth, ranging from housing options to counseling services to academic support.  Find out more about theplace2b 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" wide.  We also need a few pairs of good, strong scissors.

Please bring your donations to the church no later than Monday, June 18.

High School Senior Recognition June 3

Please join us as we give thanks, celebrate the accomplishments, and share our blessings for the future of this year's graduating class at the 9:15 fellowship hour and 10:30 worship service.

Boy Scout Car Wash Saturday, June 2

Boy Scout Troop 2810 chartered by Salem Lutheran Church in Sycamore is having a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, June 2, from 10am to 2pm.  Just drive your car into the Salem Lutheran Church parking lot and let the boys of Troop 2810 wash your car!  Donations will be accepted.

Proceeds will go towards purchasing equipment, awards, and operating expenses for the ever-growing troop.  For more information, please contact Mary Shipman, Fundraising Chair, at 815-761-3875.

Military Servant Recognition May 26-27

Salem will honor all military servants at a 9:15am coffee hour Sunday, May 27 in Fellowship Hall and at all weekend worship services.  Please sign up next weekend 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!

International Language Readers and Red Flowers Invited for Pentecost

As a part of Salem's Pentecost worship on May 26-27, Salem Worship Committee is planning a simultaneous reading of Acts 2:1-21 in several languages besides English to give the impression of what it was like the day of Pentecost.  If you can read in another language and would like to participate, please sign up at the Welcome Center table for one or more services.  If you need the scripture translation provided, please indicate that as well.  Thank you!

Pentecost Sunday falls on Memorial Day Weekend this year.  Congregation members are encouraged to wear red clothing, the color of the day, as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the Birthday of the Church.

Donations of Red Geraniums or bedding plants for Pentecost weekend would also be appreciated.  The flowers will grace our worship for Pentecost and then be planted on the grounds.  Thanks so much!

Salem Work Day May 26

Are you able to help out on Saturday, May 26, Salem's Work Day?  The help day begins at 8:30am.  Come as you are!

Food Pantry Fundraiser May 22

Tuesday, May 22

Salem Food Pantry Fundraiser at Culver's in Sycamore
5-7pm

Salem G.E.M.S. Cookout May 21

On Monday, May 21, Salem G.E.M.S. will meet at noon for a pork chop cookout.  Please bring a dish to share.  We need any recipes you would like to submit for the G.E.M.S. Cookbook, and we continue to collect your items for Salem's Food Pantry.  Please make your reservations by Friday, May 18 so that we can plan the number of pork chops needed.  Call Carol Saidat at 815-899-8383.

This will be the last time we meet before summer.  G.E.M.S. will start up again in September.

We look forward to seeing you again.  Please join us if you have never attended before.  We'd like to meet you!  Spouses are always welcome.

Sunday School Celebration May 20

Last day celebration!  This is the last day of Sunday School for the year.  Fun and games for all will take place during our usual class time, 9:15-10:15am.

50+ Year Member Recognition May 20

As Salem begins her 143rd year of ministry, we give thanks for all God's servants and offer special recognition to those with 50 or more years of membership.  They will be honored at a 9:15am fellowship hour and a blessing at 10:30 worship May 20.  Please join us to express your appreciation and support.

Funds for Mission Miracle Sunday May 20

What is "Funds for Mission" Miracle Sunday?

Our Northern Illinois Synod is on an exciting journey! The history of our Synod has been one of "mission" and the starting of new ministries. We take seriously the Great Commission as our imperative for mission and the proclamation of the Gospel. "Funds for Mission" Miracle Sunday is a Synod-wide initiative to replenish our Synod Mission Fund which is vital to the funding of new and renewing ministries in our Synod. "Funds for Mission" Miracle Sunday is a one-time ingathering of gifts from congregations and members of our Northern Illinois Synod. By replenishing our Synod Mission Fund, we will be able to continue our partnership with the ELCA, providing resources to new mission congregations and existing congregations as they seek to renew their ministry.

What is the purpose of "Funds for Mission"?

"Funds for Mission" is an opportunity for generosity and growing in the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ. For a number of years, our Synod has been blessed with a Synod Mission Fund. This fund has been used to provide partnership grants to help start new ministries in our Synod and help existing congregations to renew their ministry. Our Synod Mission Fund is in need of replenishment with gifts so that we might continue to provide funds for mission.

How is "Funds for Mission" different from our congregation's regular Mission Support?

"Funds for Mission" is a one-time gift for the Northern Illinois Synod Mission Fund. This fund is used to provide start-up funds and support for new and renewing congregations in our Northern Illinois Synod. Regular gifts for Mision Support are your congregation's offering given out of joy for god's grace in Christ and that Christ's love can be boldly proclaimed through the ongoing ministries of our Synod.

What is the goal of "Funds for Mission"?

The goal of "Funds for Mission" Miracle Sunday is $300,000 which will enable our Synod to partner with the ELCA in providing ministry grants for new and renewing congregations. The Northern Illinois Synod has also made the commitment to tithe gifts received for "Funds for Mission." Ten percent of all undesignated gifts received will be shared with the ELCA Malaria Campaign.

How can we reach the goal of our "Funds for Mission" Miracle Sunday?

In order to reach our goal, we are asking each of our 153 congregations and members of the Northern Illinois Synod to participate in our "Funds for Mission" Miracle Sunday on May 20, 2012. This will be a one-time ingathering of gifts from congregations and individuals to strengthen our Synod Mission Fund.

How can we share our gifts for "Funds for Mission"?

Each congregation of our Northern Illinois Synod is asked to designate Sunday, May 20, 2012 as "Funds for Mission" Miracle Sunday. During worship, each of our 153 congregations will be encouraged to receive special gifts for "Funds for Mission." Gifts both large and small will celebrate with joy the generosity of our congregations and "Funds for Mission."

Celebration of First Communion May 6

Salem's 3rd grade class, along with their parents, learned about The Lord's Supper during April.  Please join them as they celebrate their first communion at the 10:30 service on May 6, along with a recognition of our first communicants at 9:15am in Fellowship Hall.

Grace Place Meal Delivery May 2

Salem is providing a meal for NIU's Grace Place on Wednesday, May 2.  Sign up in the Welcome Center if you would lilke to provide part of this meal.  For questions, please call Jeanne Johnston (815-761-6823).

Spend Awhile on the Nile April 21-22

Salem Spring Children's Musical

Spend Awhile on the Nile:

The Mighty Ancient Hero Cruise

by Christy and Daniel Semsen

Presented for Salem worship services by 24 wonderful children and youth:

Saturday, April 21 at 5pm

Sunday, April 22 at 10:30am

(with an encore presentation for DeKalb County Rehab residents April 25 at 6:30pm)

A singing memorial brought to you by Salem Creative Arts Ministry

Salem G.E.M.S. Trip April 16

On Monday, April 16, Salem G.E.M.S. will be "going out." We will be meeting at Eggsclusive Cafe, Inc. at 265 W Peace Rd (north of the Sycamore Jewel). Those attending are asked to meet at the restaurant so we can order our lunches at noon. Each one is responsible for the cost of his or her lunch. Spouses are always welcome.

After lunch we will drive/carpool to the Historic North Grove School for a tour and talk. We are fortunate to have the school's association president in our midst...our own Carole Lichty!

We must have your reservations by Friday, April 13, so that the restaurant will have enough room reserved for our group. Please call contact person Carol Saidat at 815-899-8383.

Donations for Salem's Food Pantry will be collected by any G.E.M.S. committee member. Also, we need your recipes for the G.E.M.S. Cookbook. Give them to Jim Eklund.

We look forward to seeing you on April 16!

First Communion Classes Begin April 15

April 15, 22, 29 - 9:15 in Fellowship Hall

We welcome children in 3rd grade and older to join us along with their parents or other significant adult to grow in faith together as children prepare for their First Communion.

If you are interested in your child attending classes, please call the church office to register. Salem asks that those who take communion be baptized. If your child is not baptized, please speak with Pastor Rob.

Easter Breakfast April 8

Easter Breakfast Seatings: 9 & 9:40am

Adults $6, Children $4

Please let us know how many in your family will be attending so we can better anticipate numbers for preparation. The signup sheet is in the Welcome Center.

The menu:

Eggs & potato casseroles

Sausage/fresh fruit/pastries

Coffee/apple juice

Orange juice/milk

Food donations are most welcome! Please see the food donation signup sheet, also in the Welcome Center.

The event is sponsored by the Salem High School youth who are attending the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July of 2012.

Holy Week Schedule

Saturday, March 31 - Palm Sunday Worship - 5pm

Sunday, April 1 - Palm Sunday Worship - 8 & 10:30am

Thursday, April 5 - Maundy Thursday Worship - 7pm

Friday, April 6 - Good Friday Worship - 7pm

Saturday, April 7 - Easter Vigil Worship - 5pm

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

Sunday, April 8 - Easter Breakfast - 9 & 9:40am

Wednesday Worship Series "Choices, Choices" Continues March 28

"Choices, Choices"

Midweek Lenten Worship - 7pm

February 29 - "What?" - Mark 10:17-22

March 7 - "Really?" - Jonah 4:1-11

March 14 - "Why?" - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

March 21 - "Seriously?" - John 4:1-30

March 28 - "How?" - John 3:16, Luke 24:13-33

Wednesday Lenten Soup Supper March 28

Wednesday Lenten Soup Supper

February 29 - March 28

Soup Supper sponsors:

February 29 - Social Justice

March 7 - Salem Youth Group

March 14 - Global Missions

March 21 - Benson Family

March 28 - Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Support Group

Soup Suppers are Wednesdays from 5:30-6:45pm. A free-will offering is received and will be designated to the Salem fund of the sponsors' choice. Diners bring breads, crackers, or dessert to share.

Salem Night at Pizza Villa March 26

Come and support Salem's Food Pantry at Pizza Villa, 824 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, from 4-8pm on Monday, March 26. Twenty percent of your order will be donated back to Salem's Food Pantry. This is good for dine-in and carryout orders only. Present the Salem Night coupon when making your purchase.

Place Your Easter Garden Orders

Altar Guild is taking orders for potted seasonal flowers to place around the altar and on the Easter Cross for Easter Sunday. Orders will be taken in the narthex before and after church services on March 17-18, 24-25.

To order a plant, please fill out an order form and give it to the Altar Guild member in the narthex on those dates, along with your payment. Make checks payable to Glidden Florist. You can also drop off or mail your order and payment to the church office any time before Monday, March 26.

If you would like to pick up the plant you ordered after Easter service, be sure to fill out a card with your name and telephone number, or you can donate your plant to a Salem shut-in.

Salem G.E.M.S. Noon Potluck March 19

Are you 60 years young or better? If so, then you are welcome to join G.E.M.S. (Growing Every Member Spiritually) The group meets each month (except June-August) for a noon potluck, lively conversation, fun, and sometimes special programs or outings. Publicity is always printed in the church bulletins a couple of weeks ahead and can also be found here in the Salem News.

On Monday, March 19, G.E.M.S. will feature the program "Watch Your Identity," given by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department. Spaghetti will be provided by the committee. Please bring a dish to pass and items for Salem's Food Pantry. Spouses are always welcome.

Please make your reservations by calling committee member Carol Saidat (815-899-8383). Make your reservations for the noon potluck by Friday, March 16, so that we can plan how much spaghetti to make. We look forward to seeing you. Mark your calendar now!

Pastor Valentiner to Speak at Coffee Hour March 18

Retired Pastor Paul Valentiner, a newer member of Salem who moved here from California, will be Social Justice Team's community servant speaker during the coffee hour March 18 at 9:30 in the Fellowship Hall.

Pastor Paul had a congregation of one hundred Anglos and two hundred Hmong. Please come hear him speak about his adventures in ministry!

Scrip Orders Due March 11

2012 National Youth Gathering Scrip Fundraiser

Ideas for Easter gift baskets!

Gift cards from Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, Target

Check out the SCRIP order form for more ideas!

Place a SCRIP order for your favorite store gift cards. Order forms at the Welcome Table. Look for the GiftCard Fundraiser logo!

Orders due: March 11
Pick up orders at Welcome Table on March 18
Questions? Contact Julie Grendahl 815-761-3714 or Julie.g@comcast.net

Five high school youth and two adults are attending the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in 2012. SCRIP store cards will help get us there. Thank you!

NIS Congregational Resourcing Event March 10

Northern Illinois Synod Congregational Resourcing Event

"Seeds Grow Fruit - From God's Story to Our Story"

Saturday, March 10, 8:30am-3:15pm

Kishwaukee College, Malta

Schedule:

Registration/Coffee

Worship

Keynote Speaker

Workshop Session A

Lunch

Workshop Sessions B & C

Childcare available with pre-registration. For a complete list of workshops and registration information, visit the NIS website at www.nisynod.org/cre or contact Nancy Corey at the Rock Island Synod Office (ncorey@nisynod.org, 309-794-4004). Also let Salem's office know of your interest in attending (815-895-9171). The cost is $17 per person with meal included if registered by March 1. After that date, the cost is $22, and lunch may be included if enough are available.

Grace Place Meal Delivery March 7

Salem is providing a meal for NIU's Grace Place on March 7. Sign up in the Welcome Center if you would like to provide part of this meal. For any questions, call Jeanne Johnston (815-761-6823).

Fair Trade Coffee Sale March 3-4

Sponsored by Salem's Global Missions Committee
$7.00 a bag

After all services: 5pm Saturday, 8 & 10:30am Sunday
and between: 8 & 10:30am Sunday services

Grief Support Group Meeting February 26

Our hope and prayer is that grieving people find comfort from being in the company of others who are also on a grief journey and who understand. Our discussions are confidential. No registration, no cost. Just come. We meet from 3-4:30pm in the Chapel Lounge.

Shrove Tuesday Dinner & Cake Auction February 21

Salem's Confirmation Shrove Tuesday Dinner & Cake Auction

Tuesday, February 21

Dinner - 6pm

(Pulled pork sandwiches, chips, veggies, and drink - suggested donation $6 per person)

Cake voting period ends 6:45pm

Cake auction begins 7pm

Funds raised will be split between Love INC, Opportunity House, and Avancer House.

Bring a cake to auction! Vote for your favorite! Bid on a cake to take home! The "Best of Show" is the cake that the crowd in attendance that night picks out of all of the cakes in all of the categories. George Holland will once again be our auctioneer.

Cake theme categories are: Living Christ's Love, Sports/Games, Salem's Favorites, Food for Thought, TV & Tech, God's Creatures, and Miscellaneous. For cakes created by kids age 10 and under, all entries in this category will win a prize.

Salem G.E.M.S. Noon Potluck February 20

Salem G.E.M.S. (Growing Every Member Spiritually) for those 60 years or "better" and their spouses will hold their monthly potluck on Monday, February 20.

Beverages and chicken will be provided. Please bring a vegetable, salad, or dessert (and an item for Salem's Food Pantry). Don't forget your recipes for the G.E.M.S. cookbook. Pastor Kinnear will be our guest speaker - "Pastor Kinnear's Journey to Salem in Sycamore."

Call Carol Saidat at 815-899-8383 to make a reservation now. Spouses are always welcome!

Celebration for Ron & Carla Vanatta February 19

Open House for Ron & Carla Vanatta celebrating 35 years of service to Salem

Salem Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall

We invite you to join us as we celebrate this milestone with an Open House on Sunday, February 19, from 2-4pm, with a program at 2:30pm. Your presence is your gift for Ron and Carla. If you would like, please write a memory of how Ron and Carla have touched your life. Bring it to the Open House or, if you are unable to attend, drop it off in the office.

Musical Instruments Wanted

Kevin Loitz with BSA Troop 2810 continues working on his Eagle Scout Project, "Instruments for Children." He is collecting musical instruments, repairing and cleaning them as needed, and donating them to the Sycamore School Music Department to be loaned to music students that cannot afford to rent an instrument.

Kevin is still currently collecting all types of band and orchestra instruments. A Community Instrument Drop-Off Day has been scheduled for Saturday, February 18 at Salem from 10am to noon. Just drive into the semi-circular front driveway and drop off an instrument! Arrangements for instruments to be picked up at a different time may also be arranged by contacting Kevin Loitz.

Anyone interested in donating an instrument, making a contribution, volunteering your time or talent on this project, or needing more information may contact Kevin Loitz at 815-991-1101 or via email at instrumentsforchildren@gmail.com.

Wise Women Midwinter Retreat February 18

Salem Lutheran Church is offering a wonderful opportunity for women of all ages to take a midwinter break from the routines of life and winter blahs to join others for "Wise Women: A Midwinter Retreat" at Grace Place (formerly Lutheran Campus Ministry) on the NIU campus. If this interests you, please check your calendars for the date of Saturday, February 18, 2012.

Connie Seraphine, a member of Salem, will facilitate the gathering. She has been trained in leading retreat groups with a focus on experiencing God's presence in our lives. Women will gather at Salem to carpool to Grace Place on Saturday at 8:30am on February 18. The retreat will finish by 5pm. In our time together we will explore how we are indeed wise women, and what that means for our families, friendships, faith, work, church community, and even the broader connections we have beyond our local contexts. We will enjoy walking, resting, eating, praying, and laughing. To understand what wisdom means, we will use music, biblical stories, our own stories, prayer, artwork, and poetry. There will be time for writing, for sharing, and appreciating silence. Our goal for the retreat is to learn how to be attentive to God's gentle guiding, as God's Spirit helps us be clear about our gifts, wisdom, and insights and what to do with them.

Please contact Judy Bergeson at Salem (815-895-9171 or 815-754-9564).

Auditions February 15 for Spring Children's Musical

All children and youth are invited to participate in Salem's spring musical, Spend Awhile on the Nile, to be presented for Saturday/Sunday, April 21-22 worship services as well as the DeKalb County Rehab Center.

Auditions for speaking parts and solos will be held from 6-7pm in the choir room on February 15. Youth and adults are also invited to help with set construction, staging, choreography, sound, props, and costumes. Sponsors are always welcome to help pay for books, CDs, the accompaniment track, t-shirts, and props as a gift to Salem's Singing Memorial program.

Eight Saturday rehearsals begin February 18 from 10am to noon and continue through April 14 (none Easter weekend). Books and rehearsal CDs are available now!

Carla Vanatta

Carla@salemlutheransycamore.org

church: 815-895-9171, cell: 815-895-8521

Blood Drive February 11

Salem Blood Drive

Saturday, February 11

10am - 2pm

Please call the church office (815-895-9171) to register or sign up after worship in the Welcome Center. Walk-ins welcome! Photo ID required. The drive is being held in honor of those students who lost their lives on the NIU campus four years ago. Donate blood at Salem and receive an exclusive T-shirt as a way of saying "thank you" for your donation.

Volunteers Still Needed for Meals on Wheels

February is Salem's month to furnish volunteers to deliver "Meals on Wheels" to Sycamore shut-ins for the Voluntary Action Center.

Urgent! Salem still needs to furnish two volunteers for the Sycamore West Route on 2/9, 2/15, & 2/16 and the Sycamore East Route on 2/27, 2/28, & 2/29.

It doesn't take long to complete a route (usually 11am-12:30pm) and your help is appreciated!

Please call Salem's office (815-895-9171) to volunteer.

Salem Lenten Devotional

"From Bethlehem to Jerusalem - A Lenten Journey"

A devotional will soon be in the making as we prepare to journey through Lent. Look for the sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center.

We are once again asking the people of Salem to select a scripture to read, then write a brief devotion (350 words or less). Forty scriptures with a descriptive heading have been preselected for this journey through Lent.

Devotions should be written by January 31 and may be dropped off in the Welcome Center or emailed to lenten.devotions@salemlutheransycamore.org.

New Member Dinner January 29

Are you a visitor to Salem who is interested in finding out what Salem has to offer you as a member? If you are, you are invited to attend a "New Member Dinner" to be held on Sunday, January 29, from 5-7pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Please let us know of your interest by calling the office and speaking with Pastor Kinnear or Sue McMillan (815-895-9171).

Chili Dinner January 29

Sunday, January 29, 11:30am - 1:30pm

First Lutheran Church, 324 N 3rd St, DeKalb

First Lutheran's Social Justice Team is planning a chili dinner to help with Pastor Seth Sululu's expenses at NIU. There will be a variety of chili from vegetarian to some without beans and from mild to spicy. There will also be cornbread and vegetables. They are selling advance tickets (815-758-0643, $5 children/$8 adults/$20 family). Salem was blessed to have Pastor Sululu preside over two services at Salem in November 2011. Please help support his last semester at NIU before returning to serve in Tanzania.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation January 22

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

Sunday, January 22

12pm luncheon

12:45pm meeting in Fellowship Hall

We will be voting on Council, Trust Fund, Synod Assembly, Nominating Committee, and Call Committee nominees as well as the 2012 budget.

Be sure to attend!

LOMC Epiphany Retreat January 13-14

When they saw that the star had stopped,

they were overwhelmed with joy

-Matthew 2:10

Third through sixth graders: invite your friends and plan to come to LOMC for the "Follow the Star" Epiphany Retreat January 13-14 at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center in Oregon, IL. Learn about the season of Epiphany, warm yourself by the Christmas tree bonfire, and have fun team-building, star-gazing, and drinking hot cocoa! Stay in heated youth retreat villages and enjoy great meals and snacks. $65 per person. Registration forms and permission slips will be handed out in Sunday School. To find out more or register, contact Karin Graddy at karin@salemsycamore.org or 815-762-0758.

Epiphany Celebration at Heatherhope Farm

Salem members Pastor John Seraphine and his wife, Connie, invite other members of Salem to their Heatherhope Farm for their annual Epiphany celebration on Sunday, January 8, 2012, from 4:30-7:30pm.

The evening will be begin with a dinner in the house, proceed to a bonfire in the hay field, and conclude with a simple Celtic Epiphany service in the barn. One of the Seraphines' sheepdogs will gather the sheep into the barn to say goodnight as we sing our "Amens." The farm also has five young puppies that will crave attention from the children. All who plan to attend are asked to send an email to heatherhopefarm@gmail.com or phone 815-895-9736 to note how many are coming. Please bring your dried Christmas trees and/or greens, and say if you might be able to bring a salad or dessert to share. Epiphany at Heatherhope has become a winter tradition for many families for eight years. We hope you will join us for this special night, and be sure to invite your friends.

Epiphany Breakfast Celebration January 8

Come to Fellowship Hall at 9:15am on January 8 to see the Salem Puppet Praise Team's presentation of "Silent Mice, Holy Mice," the humorous story of how the beloved Christmas carol "Silent Night" came to be. Enjoy a breakfast of fruit, muffins, donuts, juice, and coffee. A sign-up sheet is in the Welcome Center to let us know how many are coming and also to sign up for something to share.

We will also be collecting new children's clothing for Hope Haven on that day!

New Year's Resolution to Lose Weight?!

Come join Salem's weight-loss support group, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. Everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall on Thursday evenings at 7pm for 20-30 minutes of light (simple) aerobic exercise followed by weight-loss tips, information, support, and prayer. We even support each other throughout the week on our Facebook group. It's always easier to stick to something new with support and accountability to a group. Let's all help each other stay accountable and achieve our goals! Questions? Contact Karin Graddy at 815-762-0758 or karin@salemsycamore.org.

Fleece Donations Needed

Salem's confirmation students need your help with a service project to keep some local friends warm. In November and December the students will make scarves as an Advent Service project to be given as gifts to Avancer House residents.

Then in January, we'll be joined by residents of the Opportunity House to work, side by side, to make scarves. Our guests will get take their project home! Our students will get to share the care and warmth in their hearts!

Please help us to spread the warmth and God's love by donating fleece for these projects. One yard will make several scarves. Please consider donating 1-2 yards. Solid-colored fabric or fabric with small designs work best. Coordinating colors would be perfect for the scarves!

The first of these projects began on Wednesday, November 30. Fleece is needed by that date to start us off, but can be dropped off throughout the month of December. There is a box for collection in the Welcome Center. You can direct questions to Judy Waterfield (815-751-4062).