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ONLINE WORSHIP: click here for Sunday, July 5, 2020

WELCOME TO SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

Online Worship Times

Sunday Worship
go live at 5pm on Saturday

 

Location

CHANGED AND YET THE SAME

We are church. We are active, just not in person. Thank you for your support, understanding and cooperation with state and local leaders who are urging cooperation to help limit the spread of the expanding COVID-19 pandemic.

JOIN US ONLINE FOR WORSHIP SERVICE OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION

In in effort to continue to gather for worship and prayer, Pastor Craig and Pastoral Intern Kristen Schmid conduct Services of Prayer and Reflection that will be found on  YouTube and Facebook.

WATCH ONLINE - CLICK HERE

Sunday, June 28, 2020

(online worship live at 5pm on Saturday, July 4, 2020 )

The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.

Readings and Psalm

  • Zechariah 9:9-12
    The king will come in humility and peace
  • Psalm 145:8-14
    The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (Ps. 145:8)
  • Romans 7:15-25a
    The struggle within the self
  • Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
    The yoke of discipleship

Salem Vacation Bible School 2020

"RE-CONSTRUCTED" DUE TO COVID-19 for PreK-5th Grade

The world as we know it has changed and we face many unknowns about our interactions in the coming months.  The Children, Youth and Family Team has decided to modify our annual VBS program, combining take home packets with multiple virtual opportunities for simple faith formation and fun.

NEW! Adult Vacation Bible School – “Foundations”
Come join in faith and fun as Dave Griffith leads us in an adult Bible study, “Foundations,” as part of Concrete and Cranes Vacation Bible School.  This Bible Study is for adults of all ages and will build on the same solid themes and foundation the children will be learning during their virtual/at-home Vacation Bible School.  The class will meet on ZOOM on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm for five weeks starting July 8. Watch for a special Bugle Blast on Tuesday with the Zoom link  (or call the church office at 309-688-9212 to be added to the study.)

“Concrete and Cranes” has special significance to the Salem Family this year as we are nearing the end of a major construction project. Adult Vacation Bible School is a new opportunity to give thanks for the foundation God has put before us and look forward to new relationships and ministry opportunities resulting from the Renewing God’s House project.  

Please join in this unique study on-line – on Zoom.  Please call the church office if you have questions.  

To learn more about
Salem Lutheran Church’s 2020 Vacation Bible School click here!

CONCRETE & CRANES Building On The Love Of Jesus! …the foundation that lasts forever.

FAITH FORMATION UPDATES & RESOURCES

More resources for worshipping with children at home:

OUTREACH MINISTRIES & COMMUNITY PARTNER SUPPORT NEEDS

Lutheran Social Services (LSSI) could use the general pandemic supplies for their staff and disadvantaged clients:

– Soap (for hand washing)
– Hand Sanitizer
– Disinfectant Wipes
– Gloves
– Surgical Masks
– Fever Strips
– Small packets of alcohol wipes

And we do know the scarcity of disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer and cleaning products, perhaps you might be willing to provide:

– Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol (60% or stronger) and paper towels to disinfect surfaces
– Diluted Bleach (1/3 cup bleach with 1 gallon water), in spray bottles and paper towels to disinfect surfaces.
– Homemade masks for staff to use.

We also know that some may become desolate for food, so grocery gift cards would also be very welcomed.

Here is the Amazon Wish List for the Agency needs.

Peoria Division:  MFB Peoria is part of a community collaboration named HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) that helps those who are shut-in due to COVID 19.  People  in need call 211 for help, and the United Way and the Tazewell County Health Department coordinate volunteers to deliver food.  MFB Peoria provides the food boxes and a bag of fresh produce for the recipients.  It’s a great example of community services working together to serve.
 
Morton Division:  The COVID-19 crisis has created an increased demand for Tender Mercies, the packaged meal of rice, beans and chicken flavored seasoning produced at MFB Morton.  Other Midwest Food Bank locations are requesting more of the meals at the requests of their partner agencies.  Unable to be assembled by hand at this time, the packing machine is getting a workout.  Production is running at three to four times the normal rate.
 
New MFB location planned in Pennsylvania
With plans to serve Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, a new MFB division will open in the Hershey, PA area.  ‘In Pennsylvania, one in eight households are food insecure,’ says David Kieser, CEO and President of MFB.  ‘It is our hope to show the love of Christ to those in need in that area.’  The Pennsylvania Division will be the ninth domestic location for MFB.  The warehouse will be strategically located to also serve New Jersey and New York, aligning with MFB’s existing remote distribution in New York City.  Lord willing, MFB Pennsylvania will be operational this summer.

Right now, Crittenton Centers’ needs are diapers, formula, wipes and basic need baby supplies. Currently, Crittenton is offering curbside donations twice a week to the public. Both days this week they gave away 7-8 times what they would normally distribute in one day. So, their “stock” of items being depleted quickly!

There is an online Walmart baby registry with items on it that can be purchase and shipped right to Crittenton’s doors. Jeff Gress is in the building Monday-Friday 10-4pm to accept donations at the front doors of Crittenton.

Here is the Walmart Crisis Nursary link

Learn more about Renewing God's House Together:

Take a tour with Council President Dave Rees to view the work progress from the end of May.

Your continued prayers are requested as Salem Lutheran Church commences their renewal efforts! Learn more about the Renewing God’s House Capital Campaign here.

Resources to help stay connected and resilient during COVID-19 from the ELCA:

Read more about:
• WORSHIP RESOURCES:
• WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• WHAT IS THE ELCA DOING?
• KEEP UP-TO-DATE
• VIDEO MESSAGE FROM BISHOP EATON
#ELCAChurchTogether

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