Weekly Announcements

HAPPENING NOW THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER!
2026 SCHOLARSHIP DRIVE FOR STUDENTS IN GUATEMALA AND TANZANIA

The scholarship drive for students in San Lucas, Guatemala and Magome, Tanzania will be happening throughout the month of September. Your gifts and support give students in both countries the opportunity to go on to secondary school. A full scholarship for students in Guatemala is about $250, for students in Tanzania it is between $250-$500! Any amount is greatly appreciated! Designated envelopes will be available in the pews during September and a scholarship giving tab will be available on the “Give” page of the website during that time as well. Please include “scholarship for Magome and/or Guatemala” on the memo line of your check. Thank you!

CAMPFIRE SING-ALONG – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM (SALEM LAWN)

Everyone is invited to a campfire sing-along on the lawn! We’ll have bonfires going, make s’mores and other treats. We’ll sing classic hymns and learn new ones! (Please bring your own lawn chair and non-alcoholic beverage, guitars are welcome too!)

SPIRITUAL SOUNDS – MEDITATIVE PRAYER SERVICE WITH JON PEMBERTON
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026 – 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Do you need a break from notifications, alarms, phone calls, texts, emails, traffic, headlines and other noise, noise, noise? You are invited to a peaceful time of rest and meditative prayer at Salem on Tuesday, October 6 at 11:00 am. The service will run for 45 minutes, and you are welcome to attend in silence at any point during the service. Jon Pemberton, local jazz musician, will play soft background music that will provide a gentle backdrop for meditative prayer. The service is open and free to the community. All are welcome!

WEDNESDAYS 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (SEPTEMBER-MAY)
ST. STEPHEN’S & SALEM (ACTIVITY NIGHT ON 3RD WEDNESDAY)

The 2026/27 season of Faith Formation starts on Wednesday, September 16! We’ll kick off the season with an outdoor meet & greet event that will feature “Walking Tacos”! Come have dinner and meet new/old friends! Faith Formation is for individuals and families of all ages! It takes place on Wednesday evenings and offers a time for worship and learning! The third Wednesday features activity nights hosted at Salem. All are welcome! Please use the link below to register!

FAITH FORMATION – SIGN UP HERE!

CHANCEL CHOIR & HAND BELL CHOIR REHEARSALS
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS!

Do you love to sing and/or play music? Would you like to learn? You’re invited to join the Salem Senior Choir, Jubilee Ringers (Hand Bell choir) and/or the Learner Bells (Beginner Hand Bell Choir). If you are interested in learning more, please contact the church office to be connected with Judy Belland (Choir Director) or Keith Irwin (Hand Bell Choir Director). All are welcome!

WEDNESDAY EVENING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
JUBILEE RINGERS – 6:00 PM
CHANCEL CHOIR – 7:15 PM
LEARNER BELLS – 7:15 PM

CENTERING PRAYER – E/O SATURDAY – FIRESIDE ROOM – 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

You are invited to join a Centering Prayer Group that meets at Salem in the Fireside Room every other Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Centering prayer is a form of Christian meditation that can help participants deepen their relationship with God and find peace in a busy, bustling world. It will consist of two 20-minute meditation sessions, a teaching and a short social time. For more information, contact Louise Nesdahl. September dates: 12, 26

MEN’S & WOMEN’S BREAKFAST – FRIDAYS IN SEPTEMBER – 8:00 & 8:30 AM – (GALLAGHER’S)

Pastor Aaron and other men from Salem have joined members and Pastors of St. Stephen’s for breakfast at Gallagher’s (888 Ohio Street, West St. Paul) every other Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. This group focuses on conversation and Bible discussions. All men are welcome – parishioners or non-parishioners. September dates: 4, 18

Women from St. Stephen’s gather every other Friday for breakfast at Gallagher’s (888 Ohio Street, West St. Paul) from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This lay-led group focuses on conversation and Bible discussions. All are welcome – parishioners or non-parishioners. September dates: 11, 25

2026 SUMMER/FALL NEWSLETTER

Please use the link below to read the 2026 Summer/Fall edition of the Salem newsletter. Thank you for helping us reduce costs by using a digital format and for helping reduce the ecological impact that paper, toner, toner cartridges and other printing components has on the planet. We appreciate your help!

2026 SUMMER/FALL NEWSLETTER

CHANCEL FLOWER ORDERS FOR 2026

Please use the link below to sign up for chancel flowers. You can choose to have flowers provided by our florist for $40.00 or choose to provide your own arrangement. You MUST sign up for either option. Please write “chancel flowers” on the memo line of your check and make it out to Salem or include a note if you send in cash. If you provide your own arrangement, it must be brought to the sanctuary no later than 9:15 am for your chosen Sunday so that they can be placed on the stand prior to the start of the service. The diameter of the flower stand is 11 inches. Arrangements from a wedding or funeral are permissible provided they are still fresh and no banners or inserts other than greenery or flowers are included. Flowers are not displayed during Lent. We CAN accommodate for more than one flower order per Sunday, if the date you would like is already taken, please contact the church office to make a request for an additional arrangement. Thank you!

CHANCEL FLOWERS – SIGN UP HERE

LIFE AT SALEM

Don’t forget to visit the “LIFE AT SALEM” page on the website to see pictures of recent events!

Please use the link below for information about upcoming programming offered by Lyngblomsten such as free concerts, presentations and classes!

LYNGBLOMSTEN PUBLICATIONS
ESTATE PLANNING – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
THE GATHERING RESPITE PROGRAM

One-bedroom assisted living apartments are available at The Heritage at Lyngblomsten on the Como Park campus. For 30 years, this market-rate community has served seniors ages 55+ in a caring environment.

Our congregation is a member of Lyngblomsten, a Christian nonprofit organization providing healthcare, housing, and community-based services for older adults since 1906.