FEBRUARY Salem Lutheran Church 1145 DeKalb Avenue Sycamore, Illinois (815)

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1 Salem Lutheran Church 1145 DeKalb Avenue Sycamore, Illinois Return Service Requested Non - Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 53 Sycamore, IL Vol. LXI No. 2 (815) Worship Services Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Educational Hour: 9:15-10:15 FEBRUARY 2018 G.R.A.C.E. Service & Annual Meeting 2018

2 Epiphany 2

3 2018 Salem Creative arts News Bulletin: Spring Children s Musical Cast and Crew applications now accepted for Kidz Under CONSTRUCTION Building Futures on THE ROCK! Presented Saturday / Sunday April 21-22, 22, :00 & 10:30 Worship For we are God s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Cast of Characters: Joe Carpenter, Monica Fisher, Simon Burgandy, Bobbie, Sasha, Taylor, Piper, Pastor Williams, Little Miss Sonshine, Make-up Girl, Camera Operator, Construction Crew, Mayor, Councilmen Songs/Solos: We re Kidz under Construction/He s Still Workin on Me, Demolition, More Like Jesus, Building on the Rock, Beatitudes, Blessings in Disguise, My Heart Your Home, & Praise Him! Books and CDs are available Auditions: Wednesday, February 7-5:30 p.m. Musical Rehearsals as part of choir on Wednesdays 2 nd half of choir (6:00-6:30 p.m.) and Sundays after church in March & April. Cast line rehearsals set according to their availability. Parents & Youth: Set design and Choreography assistance welcome! Musical Sponsors also invited cost for materials is about $500. Gis of any size are welcome and can be in honor or in memory of someone. For more informaon contact: Carla Vanaa carla@slcsycamore.org

4 Mark your calendars for the new and improved SHROVE TUESDAY Dinner & Dessert Auction Tuesday - February 14 6:00 pm Pulled Pork Dinner 7:00 pm Dessert Auction We are looking for bakers and bidders to make this year s Dessert Auction a success! Confirmation students will still be offering their traditional decorated cakes. We hope you will take advantage of the Baker s Choice theme and consider donating a homemade dessert or a decorated cake for the auction. Theme: Baker s Choice Proceeds from this year s auction will benefit Salem Youth & Family Ministries Special Asset Fund and the DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau. 2

5 The Northern Illinois Synod 2018 Congregational Resourcing Event Saturday March 10 Kishwaukee Community College Malta, IL. Keynote Speaker Rev. Nathan C.P. Frambach, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Wartburg Theological Seminary. In addi9on to workshops from the keynote speaker and NIS Bishop Jeffrey Clements, other workshops feature topics including: Administra9on/Council/Treasurers, Educa9on, Evangelism/ Outreach/Hospitality, Global/Inter-Faith, Leadership, Social Jus9ce, Spirituality/Prayer/Health & Wellness, Stewardship, and Youth/Young Adult/Family Ministry. If anyone is interested in abending, please contact Salem s office (815/ ) and we will register you. Any fee will be covered by Salem. Lunch is furnished. Salem Support for Grace Place - February 7 - Grace Place students gather for a meal Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. and worship at 9:00 p.m. Once or twice a year Salem supports this ministry with the hospitality of food for 30 students. Contact the church office (815/ ) if you can provide or sponsor part of this meal. The food can be brought to Salem by 7:00 p.m. for delivery to NIU by 8:00 p.m. Ideas: Chili, Casseroles, Sloppy Joes NIU Needed: Main Dish / Salads / Desserts (3 people needed for each). 3

6 February is Salem s Meals on Wheels Month for the Voluntary Action Center. Salem furnishes volunteers for 3 Sycamore routes (West, Central and East) each weekday in February. It doesn t take long to complete a route (usually 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and your help is appreciated. Call Sue in Salem s office to volunteer (815/ )! Newsletter Volunteers Needed If you are available one scheduled Friday morning a month from 9:00-10:30 a.m. to help assemble Salem s newsletter, please call the office: 815/ A A A Yt à{ exyäxvà ÉÇá A A A It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. 4

7 High School Youth Group The High School Youth Group meets immediately following the second service (11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.) on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. All high schoolers are invited to abend. Look for upcoming events. If you have ques9ons, contact Nicole at: Hope to see you there! 2017 Annual Meeng Elecon Results January 21, 2018 Council Members 3-Year Terms Cindy Graves Claudia Hoffman Wanda Sabin Steve Worley Council Member 2-Year Term Brandon Johnson Trust Fund 5-Year Term John Sauber Trust Fund 2-Year Term Dave Benson Synod Assembly Representaves Brandon Graves Chris Lewis Judy Milroy Kathy Vickers Nominang Commiee Brandon Graves Heather Jackson Diane Lundbeck Chris Lewis Jeanne Johnston Cassandra Wyruchowski 5

8 Youth Group with First Lutheran Throughout the Spring, Salem youth will join with youth from First Lutheran for a combined youth group. The first meeting is set for February 4 from 5:30-8:30p.m. at First Lutheran. Salem youth in 8 th Grade thru High School are invited to be a part of this group. Dinner and dessert will be provided. Permission slips are required for weeks when we meet at First. These gatherings promise to be tons of fun! Please do not hesitate to contact Nicole: with any questions: nicole.erickson@slcsycamore.org Calling All 3rd-5th Graders! Ever wondered what its like to be in Youth Group, or wished you could attend a retreat like the older students at Church? Well now is your chance! LOMC is offering you an overnight camp experience called BYG (Building Youth Groups). Activities will include canoeing, crafts, hiking, and teambuilding. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. on March 23rd and ends at 7:00 p.m. on March 24th. Families are asked to contribute $40 to the cost of the event, however scholarships are available for anyone who needs them. LOMC is located in Oregon, IL less than an hour from Salem. If interested please contact Nicole: nicole.erickson@slcsycamore.org 6

9 A Steward is a manager or administrator. He or she takes care of other people s property. Jesus used the idea of stewards in His parables. Believers are stewards in that God has entrusted to them various resources, and He expects His stewards to use them properly. To do so requires discipline. What are some of the resources that believers are stewards of? Time, money, body, talents, and truth. The second important area of stewardship is: MONEY There is no excuse for financial irresponsibility. You may not have much money, and you may wish you had more, but whatever amount you have comes from God, and you must handle it as a careful steward. 1. Biblical principles regarding money and its use: God owns everything. He entrust His resources to stewards (Psalms 24:1). 2. Don t love money or be materialis9c. Greed gets one into trouble (Luke 12:15 / 1 Timothy 6:8-10). 3. Being rich should not be a primary goal of life (Proverbs 23:4). 4. Labor to meet the needs of your family (1 Timothy 5:8). 5. Give generously and cheerfully to support the work of the ministry (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Generous giving results in generous blessing (Luke 6:38). Giving is an act of worship (Philippians 4:18). Giving reflects your level of faith (Mark 12:41). Giving should be planned and systema9c (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). 6. Save money now for later (Proverbs 6:6-8). Every Chris9an is a Steward or manager of the things God has given to him or her. Strive to be a good steward of everything God has given to you. For we are God s servants, working together. (1 Corinthians 3:9) 7

10 YxuÜâtÜç TÇÇ äxüátü xá Anniversary Blessings to the following Salem couples celebrang wedding anniversaries of 25 years or more. 03 Eldon & Janet Cullison 56 yrs. 07 Robert & Susan McMillan 48 yrs. 11 Guy & Debbie Horbus 40 yrs. 17 Gerard & Carol McLain 41 yrs. 22 Mark & Sherry Johnson 31 yrs. As Council members comple9ng their terms this year, thank you to BeBy Hampa and Heather Jackson for their work on Salem s behalf. YxuÜâtÜç U Üà{wtçá Celebrang 65 years or more of life! 03 George Holland 03 Marlene Murphy 07 Chris9ne Pedersen 08 Billy Johnson 11 Steve Woodrick 13 Douglas Anderson 13 Elizabeth Mueller 14 Verna Ehlers 14 Joan Graves 14 Sonja Haeffner 15 Karen Foley 16 James Peterson 17 Sylvia Higgins 19 Bill Bergeson 22 Maryann Bross 23 Jim Modglin 24 Paul Simonson 26 Jean Smith 27 Barbara Makela 28 Tom Fewell 8

11 Heart of Illinois Lutheran Parish invites you to Beginning at the Beginning A Journey Through the Book of Genesis with Catherine Malotky - author of the Genesis study In Augsburg-Fortress Books of Faith Series Saturday, February 10, :30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registra9on and goodies begin at 9:00 a.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church 398 Church Road, Compton, IL Registra9on is free Lunch is included Advance registra9on is requested by calling (815/ or ing immanuellutherancompton@live.com There will be 2 free-will offerings during the event one for the food provided by Immanuel Lutheran Youth and one to offset the cost of the event. Lent begins February 14 on Ash Wednesday. What is the color of lent? The liturgical color of Lent is purple. Purple is a symbol of penance. 9

12 SHS School Supply Drive Salem s Youth and Family Team recently learned that many students at Sycamore High School cannot afford the school supplies that they need to be successful. In the hope of alleviating this problem, we are hosting a school supply drive. The drive will run from January 28th thru March. Please support our efforts to help the young people next door by dropping your donations in the box in the narthex. Monetary donations are also welcome. Feel free to contact Nicole with any questions: nicole.erickson@slcsycamore.org Needed: Pencils Fine Tip (Crayola) Markers Pens Colored Pencils Folders Index Cards Binders Jump Drives Loose Leaf Paper Highlighters Combina9on Locks Calculators Composi9on Books (New or Old Basic to Graphing) 10

13 Sponsors Needed for Salem Soup and Salad Suppers Wednesdays during Lent. Our sponsors will provide 8-10 gallons of soup (varied kinds), beverages, and willing hands to clean up and serve (from 6:00-6:45 p.m.) prior to the 7:00 p.m. worship service. A free-will offering will be taken and will be designated to the Salem ministry of the sponsor s choice. People dining will bring salads, bread, or desserts to share. We ll see you there! Wednesday February 21 February 28 March 7 March 14 March 21 Soup & Salad Suppers 11 Sponsor Benson Family Soup Buffet Youth and Family Team Make A Joyful Noise! NOISY OFFERING 3rd Weekend of Every Month January - May Simple Water Well Project The lack of access to clean water is one of the biggest challenges to overcoming poverty. It s also one of the most powerful opportunities to create change. With a simple well, or spring box, as many as 500 families gain access to clean, safe water. Communities are healthier. People spend less money on medical expenses and more on food and education. And instead of spending hours each day gathering water for the family, women and children have time for work and school. Talk about a future filled with hope! Our Goal - $2,500.00

14 Ash Wednesday February 14 Worship 11:00 a.m. Soup Supper 6:00-6:45 p.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. RECAP of the Annual Meeng On Sunday, January 21, we held our congrega9onal mee9ng. We had great discussions and made some important decisions. We elected 5 Council Members, 2 Trust Fund Members, and 6 members for the Nomina9ng CommiBee (see page 5 for their names). We adopted our Mission Plan for 2018, but it will be a challenge as we seek to balance our giving with our expenses again this year. We approved the by-law changes for the Trust Fund allowing for income and growth. We approved a contract with David Schultz and Associates to assist us in planning for maintenance and improvements for our facili9es. All will be invited to par9cipate in conversa9ons with this firm to assist in iden9fying needs and concerns as we move forward in mission. Thanks to all who par9cipated and especially our congrega9on Council and officers for their leadership. Pastor Len 12

15 Keeping in Touch This year February 14 th will not only be St. Valen9ne s Day, but it will also be Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Each year the whole church journeys through these forty days recalling Jesus journey to the cross in Jerusalem and we recall this saving event each 9me profess our faith through the words of the Creeds. Lent is a 9me for us to re-focus our lives on the life-giving gip of Christ. We do so by looking inward and outward. Since the three disciplines of Lent are prayer (for ourselves and for others), self-denial (looking into ourselves for the true core values of life), and works of love (reaching out to assist and support others). During this 9me of Lent we will have mid-week worship services on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The 7:00 services will be preceded by a soup and salad supper. Our worship will be contempla9ve as we pray together Holden Evening prayer and as our confirmands lead us in reflec9ng on people who were there when Jesus was captured, suffered, and was crucified. Please gather to socialize and worship on Wednesdays and on Sundays as together we journey through Lent. On the weekends of February 3 and 4 and February 10 and 11 we will hand out a Lenten devo,onal for each family. Please use these as a,me for personal and family devo,ons during the Lenten Season. Pastor Len Meeting Needs It might be our spiritual need to expand our horizons into neighborhoods, cultures or situations where we re uncomfortable. We might need to grow in love for people different from us. By serving others, we might find our own sagging spirits nurtured with a sense of well-being or even joy. And as we reach out to help, surely we ll notice others doing the same thing, and our spiritual need for renewed faith will be met. - Heidi Mann - 13

16 January Council Highlights * Pastor Gary Erickson, Assistant to the Bishop, abended the mee9ng to share informa9on on exploring small group ministry. * Approved request for third to fiph graders to abend Building Youth Groups (BYG) at LOMC. * Approved Youth & Family/High School Youth Group school supply drive for Sycamore High School. * Approved fund raiser at Culvers for Na9onal Youth Gathering (NYG). * Approved request to open a Demand Investment Account (debit card) through ELCA for the NYG. * Approved resolu9on to engage David F. Schultz and Associates, LTD to move forward to Congrega9on at the Annual mee9ng. * Approved Noisy offering from January to May to be used to purchase a water well through ELCA Good GiPs. Parish Records Baptisms... Avery Jo Ross on January 13. Her parents are Nicholas & Amanda Ross. Her sponsors are Kyle Colness and Alyssa Colness. Her Salem grandparents are Michael & Karen Ross. Prayers of Support... The family of Marian Anderson at her death on January 6. The Family of Julie Grendahl at the death of her father, Robert Boyle, on January 8. 14

17 Thank You Dear Salem Members, The poinse<a plant is bright and cheerful, and I m really enjoying it. Thank you so much with special thanks to Sue Herrmann for delivering it. God s blessings to all of you! Sincerely, Verna Ehlers On behalf of the ConfirmaDon students and guides, we want to take a moment to THANK YOU for your condnued support of our programming. It was another successful year of pie sales -- funds will be used to supplement service projects costs, retreat costs, and fun Dme events. We are truly blessed to have such a suppordve church family!! Blessings to all, Brenda Jones On behalf of the Youth & Family Ministry Team, we want to offer a hearkelt THANK YOU for your generosity at our holiday bake sale in December. Whether you contributed baked goods to sell or purchased goodies, or both, we are truly grateful and blessed to have such a suppordve church family. Funds will be used for future intergeneradonal events sponsored by Salem. God's Peace, Brenda Jones Simply Giving Consider moving to an electronic means of sharing your offering. Simply Giving forms are available in the Welcome Center. Please return the completed form to the office in the envelope provided. 15

18 SALEM STAFF Interim Pastor: Rev. Dr. Len Hoffmann Deacon: Carla Y. Vanatta Organist: Ron Vanatta Office Secretary: (Office Hours - Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm) Susan McMillan Financial Secretary: Connie C. Brown Part-Time Secretary: Lynn Buckner Nursery Attendant: (Sunday Mornings) Katy Kingren Youth Leader: Nicole Erickson CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL President: Adam Swedberg ( ) Vice President: Cindy Graves ( ) Secretary: Sue Hermann ( ) Treasurer: Ken Reinhardt ( ) Melissa Buys Cindy Graves Claudia Hoffman Brandon Johnson Ken Reinhardt Adam Swedberg Carla Vanatta, Deacon Kathy Cain Sue Herrmann Lisa Hohlfeld Katy Kingren Wanda Sabin Steve Worley Pastor Len Hoffmann Please Note: All Council Members can be reached via using the following format: FirstName.LastName@slcsycamore.org Please feel free to share your joys and concerns with Salem s Officers or with any Council or Staff Member. To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. - Ralph Waldo Emerson - 16

19 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 1 Food Pantry Open 11:30 am Lunch & Learn Bible Study on Revelaon 2 Ground Hog Day 3 Food Pantry Work Day 6:15 pm Puppet Praise 7:30 pm Sounds of Grace Bells 5:00 pm Worship 4 5th Sunday After Epiphany 5 6 Food Pantry Open 7 Food Pantry Open 8 Food Pantry Open 9 10 Food Pantry Work Day 8:00 am Worship 9:15 am Educaon Hour 9:15 am Bibles & Breakfast Bites 9:15 am New Member Gathering 10:30 am Worship 5:30 pm Youth Group With First Lutheran - DeKalb 6:00 pm AA Meeng 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop #2810 6:30 pm Youth & Family Team 10:00 am Staff Meeng 5:00 pm Finance Commi9ee 6:00 pm Execuve Commi9ee 6:30 pm Witness Commi9ee 6:30 pm Worship Commi9ee 7:00 pm Flute Choir 5:30 pm Musical Audions - Choir Room 6:15 pm Girl Scout Troop #60 6:30 pm Confirmaon Service Project at County Home 7:00 pm Celebraon Voices 7:00 pm Altar Guild - C.L. 11:30 am Lunch & Learn Bible Study on Revelaon 6:15 pm Puppet Praise 7:30 pm Sounds of Grace Bells 7:30 am Boy Scout Troop #2810 Merit Badge Day Classrooms 5:00 pm Worship 11 Transfiguration of Our Lord Blood Pressure Checks Home Communion 8:00 am Worship 9:15 am Educaon Hour 10:30 am Worship - Scout Sunday 11:30 am High School Youth Group Confirmaon Cake Decorang 12 6:00 pm AA Meeng 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop #2810 7:00 pm Salem Tech Team 13 Food Pantry Open 10:00 am Staff Meeng Shrove Tuesday 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Dessert Auction 7:00 pm Flute Choir 14 Food Pantry Open Ash Wednesday Worship 11:00 am & 7:00 pm 15 Food Pantry Open 2:00 pm Thrivent Seminar - C.L. 6:15 pm Puppet Praise 7:00 pm Boy Scout Commi9ee 7:30 pm Sounds of Grace Bells Food Pantry Work Day 5:00 pm Worship 18 1st Sunday in Lent 8:00 am Worship 9:15 am Educaon Hour 9:15 am Bibles & Breakfast Bites 10:30 am Worship - Grace Service Receive New Members 5:00 pm Cub Scout Pack F.H :00 am SHS 1968 Reunion Commi9ee - C.L. 6:00 pm AA Meeng 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop # Food Pantry Open NE Conference 6:00 pm GRACE Commi9ee 6:30 pm Parke Victory 4H 7:00 pm Flute Choir 7:00 pm COUNCIL 21 Food Pantry Open 9:00 am Staff Meeng 5:30 pm Children s Choir 6:00-6:45 pm Soup Supper 6:30 pm AYSO Board - C.L. 7:00 pm Midweek Lent Service 7:45 pm Celebraon Voices 22 Food Pantry Open 6:15 pm Puppet Praise 7:30 pm Sounds of Grace Bells Food Pantry Work Day 5:00 pm Worship 25 2nd Sunday in Lent 8:00 am Worship 9:15 am Educaon Hour 10:30 am Worship 11:30 am High School Youth Group 11:45 am Musical Rehearsal 1:00 pm Scout Troop # F.H. 26 6:00 pm AA Meeng 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop # Food Pantry Open 10:00 am Staff Meeng 5:00 pm Social Jusce/ Global Missions 7:00 pm Flute Choir 28 Food Pantry Open 5:30 pm Children s Choir 6:00-6:45 pm Soup Supper 7:00 pm Midweek Lent Service 7:45 pm Celebraon Voices

20 Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a church organizaon known as WELCA, has been focusing on the horrific abuse of human sex trafficking which affects children, youth, and adults in every part of the world. All ELCA members are called upon to pray for those enslaved by the sex trade and to take a stand against it. Only when no one purchases these services will it end; it is the second largest and fastest growing illegal trade in the world and destroys millions of lives. January 11 has been designated a Naonal Day of Human Trafficking Awareness and begins a prayer iniave through Super Bowl weekend. The prayers included in the announcements have been wri/en by the people of NE Wisconsin. You are encouraged to join believers across the U.S. in prayer; many forms of acon are needed to curb the growth and destrucve power of sex trafficking. Thank you for your prayer partnership, Carla Vana/a, Deacon Give justice to the weak and fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3-4) January 28 I pray for us to be UNASHAMED. Lord give us confidence to speak up and make some noise about the epidemic problem of human trafficking. Help us feel compelled to be preachers about this problem as we may be the only voice for people being trafficked. January 29 I pray to be a CHAINBREAKER. Lord, there is a better life for young people trapped in trafficking. They deserve to feel the love of the Lord, they deserve to feel worthy, and to be given a chance to start a new life. Lord, help us break the chains of the horrible crime of human trafficking. January 30 I pray for LOVE. I pray that your love will break through the obstacles that all of these girls, boys, men, and women face every day. I pray that your love will overpower it all and shine down and rescue each person being trafficked, even it is only one person at a time. Help us to be your hands doing your work here on earth. January 31 I pray for MIRACLES. Lord, you show us miracles each and every day somewhere. I pray for a miracle to work in the hearts of those people who are trafficking other human beings and buying other human beings. Create a situation or put someone into their lives that can help them see that what they are doing is not just making money or buying a brief moment of pleasure but rather horribly abusing a fellow human being. February 1 I pray for BOLD ACTION. I pray that we can act boldly to learn about human trafficking including the signs that someone might be being trafficked, find out what is being done or needs to be done in our communities, and then act to help in some way. Help us not be discouraged by the enormity of the problem but remember the words attributed to Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing ever has. February 2 I pray for DISCERNMENT. Help us see how you are calling us to use the gifts and talents that you have given us to help end human trafficking whether that is through sharing what we have learned with neighbors or friends or family members, writing letters to legislators, volunteering with local groups that serve victims, donating money or goods to service providers, organizing adult or youth forums or arranging a conference or speaker, providing hospitality for awareness events, or praying every day for the victims of human trafficking and those who provide rescue and healing to them. February 3 Be the light, Lord, that helps us shine the light on the darkness of sex trafficking in our area, especially this weekend. Encourage us to speak out, spread awareness, and support the fight to eliminate this crime. February 4 Heavenly Father, on this Super Bowl Sunday and at every other large sporting or music event where so much human trafficking takes place, I pray that people will celebrate and enjoy themselves without treating others with thoughtless disrespect and cruelty. I pray that the better angels of our natures will acknowledge the dignity of all of our sisters and brothers and treat them as fellow deserving recipients of your great love. All these things we ask in your Holy Name. Amen.