ADVENT DECORATING – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 – 5:00 PM
Everyone is invited to help decorate the Sanctuary and Narthex for Advent on Friday, December 1 at 5:00 pm and then go out for pizza afterwards!
THE RIVER HEIGHTS CHORALE – “WINTER SOUNDSCAPES” CONCERT
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 – 7:30 PM
Everyone is invited to The River Heights Chorale “Winter Soundscapes” concert on Saturday, December 2, 2023: It’s winter. If you listen, you can hear the crisp snow crunching under your boots, the wind gently rustling branches overhead, kids joyfully laughing while building snowmen and sliding down hills, ice skates scraping, and hockey sticks cracking and thumping the puck. In the malls and shops, you may hear the music of carolers echoing around you. Up north the brilliant colors of the northern lights shine so radiantly you can almost hear the shimmer in the sky. Winter is upon us, but don’t let that chill your spirits! Instead come inside and let The River Heights Chorale help you listen to winter as we paint a musical soundscape of this joyous holiday season.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2023 – 10:45 AM – FIRESIDE ROOM
“MAGOME SLIDESHOW & STORIES”
Everyone is invited to this Sunday’s Adult Forum. The topic will be “Magome Slideshow & Stories” and will be led by Jack Schlukebier. Grab a beverage and treat and come and learn more this past summer’s mission trip to Magome, Tanzania.
PLEDGE CARDS NEEDED!
Thank you so much to everyone who has returned your pledge card! This helps us immensely in budget planning for 2024! If you have not done so already, please remember to turn in your pledge card AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you would like to pledge for the first time, please use the link below. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us carry God’s love and hope into the world. Thank you so much for your support which helps to sustain all the wonderful ministries at Salem!
MITTEN DRIVE FOR MORELAND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
Salem is hosting a mitten drive for students at Moreland Elementary from Sunday, November 26 through Sunday, December 17. There will be a collection box available in the Narthex. Mittens (NOT GLOVES) can be donated for students aged Kindergarten through 4th grade. Thank you for your support and helping keep the smallest hands in the community safe & warm
O.W.L.S. (OLDER WISER LUTHERANS AT SALEM)
CHRISTMAS PARTY – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023 – 1:00 PM
All OWLS are invited to a holiday party at Janet Sell’s home on Tuesday, December 12 at 1:00 pm. Please bring an appetizer and/or dessert to share and a white elephant gift to exchange. Please contact Janet or the church office if you need the address.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM & TEA
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2023
Everyone is invited to participate in the telling of the Christmas story during the Sunday, December 17 Worship Service. Please speak with Pastor Aaron if you would like to be part of the program. After the service, everyone is invited to head down to the Fellowship Hall for a Christmas Tea.
BEER, BURGERS & CAROLS!
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2023
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – GALLAGHER’S
Everyone is invited to the “Beer, Burgers and Carols” event on Monday, December 18 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Gallagher’s in West St. Paul (888 Ohio St.). Bring your family and friends and enjoy an evening of great food and drink, fellowship and carol singing! We hope to see you there!
LONGEST NIGHT/BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023 – 5:30 PM
You’re invited to a Blue Christmas Service on the longest night of the year…a service for anyone experiencing grief, illness, loss, depression, and/or loneliness and seeking to find hope and rest in the midst of this busy season.
WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER SERVICES – 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Are you looking for an open and inviting space to spend time in prayer? Salem hosts weekly 30 minute Word & Service Prayer Worship Services Wednesday mornings in the Sanctuary. Everyone is welcome to come. There is time for quiet, contemplative prayer and worship.
WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We have a mission at Salem to love and care for our neighbors near and far as much as we can! To help carry out our mission, we’d love to hear from you and get an idea of what types of events and programming would best serve the community. Please take a moment to complete the survey below to provide feedback. Thank you!
COMMUNITY SURVEY – CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Next session will be on Tuesday, December 5. Everyone is invited to join Pastor Aaron for lively and engaging conversations about the scriptures during our Tuesday Bible Study sessions. The group meets every Tuesday at 10:00 am in the Fireside Room.
FALL/WINTER 2023 NEWSLETTER
Please use the link below to read the 2023 Fall/Winter Salem newsletter.
INFORMATION FROM THE CENTER FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
Do you have the Minnesota Medicaid/CHIP program? If so, have you received a Minnesota Medicaid/CHIP program renewal letter? Protect Yourself and Your Family: Renew Your Coverage. Do you or a family member currently have health insurance through the Minnesota Medicaid/CHIP program? If so, it’s important to make sure your home address is up to date with them, so you receive your renewal letter in the mail. Medicaid and CHIP programs are restarting renewals to determine who is still eligible for coverage. This renewal process is underway. If you have coverage through Medicaid or CHIP, it’s critical for you to update your contact information, check your mail, and fill out and return the forms. If this isn’t done, you risk losing these health care benefits. It’s easy to update your information. Please use the link below for more information:
MEDICARE/MEDICAID INFORMATION FLYER
CHANCEL FLOWER ORDERS FOR 2023
Salem will be working with Hills Floral to give members the opportunity to order chancel flowers. We are also offering the option for members to provide their own flower arrangement. You must sign-up online for either option. Please use the link below and follow the instructions. Please contact the office if you need assistance or have any questions. The cost to have the flowers provided by Hills Floral is $40.00. 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. Thank you!
CHANCEL FLOWER SIGN-UP CALENDAR 2023
LIFE AT SALEM
Don’t forgot to visit the “LIFE AT SALEM” page on the website to see pictures of recent events!
AN INVITATION FROM ST. STEPHEN’S – HISTORY ADVENTURES
Please use the link below to learn more St. Stephen’s new “History Adventures for Curious Christians!” club. All are welcome!
HISTORY ADVENTURES – NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2023 FLYER
POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS FLYER
LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS FLYER
MORE UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING CONCERTS!
Reserve your new home at Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes today! Lyngblomsten’s new senior living campus is now open and residents are moving in. There are several housing types available: detached, one-level rental townhomes (hurry; these are going fast!), independent living apartments, assisted living apartments, and memory care suites. Our campus, at the corner of Hodgson Road and County Road J, also includes an abundance of amenities, from three dining options and a warm water pool to a game room and pickleball court. Leave the shoveling and home maintenance behind and enjoy a vibrant lifestyle at your new home! For more information about housing options, contact us at (651) 341-0483 or linolakes@lyngblomsten.org. Note: If you’d like to tour the campus, please call for an appointment.
Request information about participating in The Gathering, a group respite program for those experiencing memory loss and their caregivers. For four hours once per week, participants experience brain-stimulating activities and make social connections, while their family and/or friend caregivers take a much-needed break. The Gathering, which is offered through Lyngblomsten Community Services, is offered at two sites: Lyngblomsten’s Como Park campus in St. Paul and St. John in the Wilderness Church in White Bear Lake. Currently, The Gathering has a short interest list. To learn more, contact us today at (651) 632-5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.
Join us for the Grand Opening celebration of Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes on October 7! Plan now to attend this special gathering to celebrate the momentous occasion of Lyngblomsten’s first new continuum-of-care campus in 111 years. This event is open to the public, and tours will be available. Look for more information soon!
LINO LAKES FACILITY – JOB OPPORTUNTIES FLYER
The Caregiver Services team of 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten can help you on your caregiving journey
From support groups and coaching to education and access to resources, we offer a variety of services and programs to support you in your caregiving role. Let us know your needs! Give us a call at (651) 632-5320, email us at caregiving@lyngblomsten.org, or visit www.lyngblomsten.org/
Our congregation is a member of Lyngblomsten, a Christian nonprofit organization providing healthcare, housing, and community-based services for older adults since 1906.
Please use the link below to read about news and upcoming events through the St. Paul Area Synod. The news & events link is updated weekly.
ST. PAUL AREA SYNOD: NEWS & EVENTS
Everyone is invited to participate in the Operation Outreach Homeless Supply Drive sponsored by the City of South St. Paul and Ally Supportive Services. Please use the link below for more details and a list of needed items. Items can be dropped at either South St. Paul City Hall (125 3rd Ave N., SSP) or the West St. Paul Police Department (1616 Humboldt Ave., WSP). Thank you for your support!
DAKOTA COUNTY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES
Please take a moment to look over these community resources shared with us from Dakota County! Please feel free to share with family and friends too.
Dakota County Intake Phone Numbers
Dakota County Programs and Resources
Children’s Mental Health Brochure
Adult Mental Health Services Brochure-Dakota County
Aging in Place Self-Assessment Checklist
Because of our partnerships in the ELCA, we can help those in need around the world. Checks or money orders can be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: Due to escalating conflict in Gaza and Israel, a severe humanitarian crisis is rapidly unfolding in the Holy Land. The ELCA has a longstanding relationship with partners in the region, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and Augusta Victoria Hospital. Lutheran Disaster Response has a history of providing support for our partners and will be prepared to answer calls for assistance when the time comes. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a letter of solidarity to Bishop Dr. Sani-Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. DONATE HERE.
UKRAINE: Because we want to be sure that the money goes to where it’s intended and is used efficiently, this is a great option to give! Your gifts to this cause will be used in full (100%) to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. No money goes toward advertising nor administration. Write “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” on your check memo line. You can watch this video from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton about the situation in Eastern Europe and the ELCA’s response.
PLEASE NOTE: THE USE OF FACE MASKS IS NOT REQUIRED BUT RECOMMENDED IF YOU OR A FAMILY ARE AT RISK.
The COVID-19 Task Force is now recommending the use of face masks in the church building IF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER ARE AT RISK. Please note that they are not required. The COVID-19 Task Force will continue to monitor the pandemic and keep everyone updated on guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the committee: Debbie Lee, Judy Belland, Louise Nesdahl, Norma Johannsen and Jack Schlukebier. It is always our top priority to keep everyone in the Salem community as safe and healthy as possible. Please be aware of Health Screening Questions and review them before you come to church. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.