Grace Notes, December 31, 2010

Wow … Where did the year go? It seems like the years are flying by with
ever increasing speed! Just a few months ago we were starting into 2010,
now a whole year has passed and we are beginning 2011. Highlights from
last year include:

A wonderful overnight staff retreat in January. In February Salem's Youth
Group went to Youth Zone in the Wisconsin Dells, we had a great Shrove
Tuesday Cake Auction and a moving Ash Wednesday Service to begin lent.
In March the 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Students had a retreat to Lutherdale
and we had our Midweek Lenten services and Palm Sunday worship. In April
we had our Maundy Thursday Worship (with the dedication of the 2000 pairs
of shoes our youth collected for "Share Your Soles") and our moving Good
Friday and the Easter Vigil services – and of course the wonderful Easter
Services and delicious Easter Breakfast.

In May our Softball Teams began their season and we had a visit from
Carla's cousin from Sweden, Gunilla Backstrom. In June we distributed
Salem's Summer Devotional written by Salem members (it was great), our
representatives attended our Synod Assembly, our 8th graders attended
Confirmation Camp, and we helped North Grove School celebrate a milestone
anniversary.

July saw a week of Salem's Vacation Bible School. The quiet month of
August saw a coffee hour celebration of Marie Carlson's 95th birthday!
September began our fall programming with the blessing of hands, Rally
Day, the confirmation of another class, and presentation of Bibles to
Sunday School beginners and 3rd grade students. October saw healing
services and a mission trip to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. We also had a
visit from Martin Luther and his wife, Katie at our Reformation
celebration and Heavenly Hoedown.

In November we hosted a Peder Eide concert to benefit LOVE, INC. (it was
great, by the way) and Salem members helped pack food for "Feed My
Starving Children." We had a Thanksgiving service and pie fellowship
afterward. Then we came to December and our mid-week Advent services, our
beautiful "Thrill of Hope" cantata and the children's Christmas program
"Love Came Down at Christmas" and of course our unforgettable Christmas
Eve Candlelight Worship services.

I guess that's a brief summary of the year, but it doesn't include mention
the bible studies, the hospital and homebound visits and the flower
deliveries. It doesn't include the committee meetings the hours of
volunteer time needed for funerals, the Food Pantry, and upkeep of the
church. It doesn't mention the choir, puppet and bell rehearsals. It
doesn't include the planning or the organizing and the countless hours all
our volunteers put in during the year.

So let's finish 2010 with a big "THANK YOU" for all of you who help all
year to make Salem a community of faith that is "Living Christ's Love."

God's Blessings during the coming year,
Sue McMillan

Upcoming at Salem …
Saturday – January 1
No Saturday Service This Week
Sunday – January 2
WORSHIP – 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.
Grief Support - 3:00 p.m.
Have a Happy New Year!