Salem’s ministry includes many learning and fellowship opportunities
as well as opportunities to serve.
We encourage you to select ministries suited to your spiritual gifts.
Use the following descriptions as a resource for areas to participate at Salem Lutheran Church.
Opportunities for Growth
Sunday School
Sunday School classes are offered each Sunday morning at 9:15
for three-year-olds through high school age. This is an important opportunity
for all children and youth to help them learn and grow in their faith.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the
two-year catechetical program for seventh and eighth graders led by dedicated
adult leaders. This program includes lessons on the Bible, Luther’s small
catechism, and other topics. The culmination of Confirmation is the Affirmation
of Baptism.
See also our Confirmation
Page
VBS
Vacation Bible School is a five-day summer Bible school program. Children and
their friends, ages 4 through 5th grade, are invited to attend. Worship,
singing, arts and crafts, and recreation are the elements of the program. A
celebration is held on Thursday evening for parents and other adults to attend.
Rainforest Adventure VBS 2008
To sign up on line for VBS 2008 click line
above
Salem's
Library
Salem has an extensive library that includes commentaries as
well as other religious books, tapes, and videos. Please visit the library and feel free to use the self-service checkout.
Opportunities for Outreach
Monthly Morning
Ministry
Monthly Morning Ministry meets every 3rd
Saturday from 9 till noon in Salem's Fellowship Hall. People gather to do
handiwork, which is distributed to those in need, babies to elders, in nursing
homes, DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Home, Hospice, Safe Passage, and Hope
Haven, as well as our shut-ins.
Grief Support Group
A
Grief Support Group begins Sunday, October 14 from 4 till 5:30 in Salem's Chapel
Lounge. It will meet weekly through January 20th. All who feel they
could benefit from being in the presence of God and others who understand are
welcome. You may have lost a spouse, sibling, parent, dear friend,
pet. Grief is universal. Let us accompany you on this difficult road
of farewell.
Katrina Relief
November 10 - 16th a faithful group of people
will go to Ocean Springs, MS to join in Katrina hurricane
relief. We will stay at Camp Victor, a shelter for volunteers nationwide
as people go in turn to help. Call Salem's church office for further
information and/or to donate Lowe's gift cards and checks.
View Comminssioning of Katrina relief group
Prayer Chain
The Prayer
Chain is a ministry of care and concern for the ill and those experiencing
difficulties. Many people experience peace just knowing that others are praying
for them. At Salem we have both a phone chain and an email prayer chain. If you
wish to be included, please contact the office at 815/895-9171.
Parish Nurse
Our Parish Nursing Team provides monthly blood pressure
screenings on the second Sunday of each month after each worship services. The
Team also provides wellness information and information on disease processes by
placing materials on a bulletin board, in Salem's monthly newsletter (Town And
Country), and providing brochures in the Narthax. Sponsoring an annual blood
drive is just one other way the Team accomplishes the goal to seek to share
God's grace and love as they promote Christ-centered wellness and minister to
each person and family's physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
Recording Ministry
Salem’s Recording
Ministry brings the Sunday service to those who cannot come to church. Volunteer
sound technicians record the Sunday worship on CD and another group of
volunteers deliver the CDs to shut-in members of Salem.
Doll Ministry
Warm hearts and gifted fingers create Raggedy Ann
and Andy dolls at Salem in a myriad of colors. Each Doll has a beautifully
embroidered smiling face and a lovely heart in the right place that syas, "I
Love You". These dolls have sent and represented the prayers and caring of our
congregation to children and adults in all circumstances of life and in
locations from our own community to Liberia. Thousands have been made over the
past 30 years and the ministry and love continues.
Lap Robes for Local Outreach
Some churches call them the "Cut-ups!" - women
working away at cutting and piecing fabric for small quilts or lap robes. We are
pretty calm at Salem and label this activity "Project Day". Each month on the
third Tuesday morning (except December), several women gather to measure, cut,
pin, and sew. Some have already been preparing parts of the lap robes at home.
Each year many lap robes are ready for distribution to Hospice, area Care
Centers, and Lutheran World Relief.
Homebound Communion
Homebound Communion shares the sacrament with those
who cannot come to church. Volunteers attend a simple training session and are
comissioned periodically deliver communion to Salem’s shut-ins 6 - 8
times a year, making a sacramental connection with the people of God.
Food Pantry
Sunday School students and Salem members collect
non-perishable food items for Salem's food pantry which is open daily for people
needing emergency food and supplies. At Thanksgiving, Salem members also
bring bags of groceries for community members in need.
Meals on Wheels
Each February, Salem members deliver lunch to
homebound community residents Monday through Friday.
Salvation Army
Each Advent, members are encouraged to take names off
the Giving Tree and add them to their Christmas shopping. Salem members purchase
and wrap clothes, shoes, blankets and other items for several families every
year.
World Hunger Appeal
Salem helps this ELCA charity with contributions from
members and memorials, and the annual January "Super-bowl" of caring led by our
youth.
Safe Passage Women's Shelter
Salem continues to find ways to contribute to
the support of Safe Passage.
Christian Resource International
Christian Resource International asks for any Christian literature to recycle and distribute to missionaries and Church leaders overseas. This might include Bibles, prayer books, Sunday School materials and Church literature.
Opportunities for Fellowship
Altar Guild
Altar Guild members are responsible for preparing the chancel for worship, including communion preparations, baptism preparations, changing paraments, and seasonal decorating. Altar Guild meets quarterly to discuss schedules and make plans.
Youth and Family Events
Youth Group News Letter
Outings have become a tradition and include the annual ski trip in January, Magic Waters outing in the summer and Christmas concerts.
In July 2006 our youth were a part of 16,000 attendees at Week One of the National ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas.
