Weekly Announcements

Announcements for the week ending December 3, 2023

• Worship in person or online

  We worship at Overland Park Lutheran Church (7810 W. 79th St., Overland Park). The traditional service is at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel, and the contemporary service is at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Education and music is between worship services, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Services are also posted on our social media pages. Links to those are at the top of this page. We encourage you to worship in the style and manner that is best for you and your family!

• Men's breakfast — Dec. 2

  All men are invited for fellowship and breakfast at Santa Fe Cafe (9946 W. 87th St., Overland Park) on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8:00 a.m. (Please note new location.) Please RSVP to Greg Beutel at gbeutel@everestkc.net so he can reserve a table. The men's breakfast typically meets on the first Saturday of every month.

• Hollis Winter Art Fair — Dec. 2

  Come to the lodge at Hollis Renewal Center (11414 Kansas Ave., Kansas City, KS) on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for their annual winter art fair. Enjoy baked goods and coffee while shopping for that unique gift! Mediums include pottery, photography, spray paint, art, handmade jewelry, hand-turned woodworking, and more. Come from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for Sip & Shop Happy Hour for guests over 21; enjoy a glass of wine and light appetizers while you shop! Prices range from $5-$250. There is something for everybody, and admission is free! A portion of every sale benefits the mission and ministry of Hollis. Read more »

• Intergenerational Advent calendar craft — Dec. 3

  On Sunday, Dec. 3, we will gather in the OPLC fellowship hall to make Advent calendars together. You can make a calendar with your family or individually to use during Advent to help us count down the days of waiting for the birth of Jesus. We'll start at 9:45 a.m., and we will have apple cider and donuts, as well. Gluten-free and dairy-free options will also be provided. Contact Lorel Brown with any questions.

• Youth Collective event: Serve at MLM and potluck — Dec. 3

  Salem youth and friends, please join us for a Collective event on Sunday, Dec. 3 as we help our neighbors in need by setting up the Metro Lutheran Ministry Christmas store. We will drive to MLM right after our late worship service, and then have a potluck dinner and ugly Christmas sweater party at Kaw Prairie Community Church around 4:30 p.m. Please sign up on the link below if you plan to attend.Read more »

• Collecting snacks for Eileen’s Place — through Dec. 3

  If you took a sticky note with items needed for Eileen’s Place, please drop the items off in the tub at church or bring them to the church office by Sunday, Dec. 3. Contact Barb Jones with any questions. Thank you for your generosity! Read more »

• No scripture study until Dec. 6

  There will be no scripture study for the next few weeks due to the holidays. We will not meet on Nov. 15, 22, or 29. We will resume meeting at noon in Koinonia Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Have a blessed November!

• Christmas cantata rehearsals

  Do you love singing Christmas music? Our choir is singing a beautiful Christmas cantata in both services on Sunday, Dec. 17, and we'd love for you to join us! All teens and adult are welcome to sing with us. Please come to our rehearsals in the chapel from 9:45-10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. We will also have an important rehearsal from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. If you're interested, please pick up music and practice recordings from Heather Lewis, and contact her for more information.

• Holden Evening Prayer — Dec. 6 and 13

  Join us for our Holden Evening Prayer services on Wednesdays, Dec. 6 and 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Overland Park Lutheran Church sanctuary. It will be a time of prayer, worship, and praise. We will have dessert and fellowship time following each service. There also will be a children’s Christmas program at the Dec. 13 service. All are welcome!

• Fellowship of the Vine — Dec. 12

  Salem women and friends are invited to the December Fellowship of the Vine on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Koinonia Fellowship Hall. We plan to have a wrapped ornament exchange and decorate cards & bags for the Christmas Pantry Pack. Please bring leftover craft items if you have them to decorate (i.e. jewels, scrap material, ribbons, etc.) Bring an appetizer and drink to share. We will also have an optional cookie exchange; please bring 3-4 dozen cookies, brownies, fudge, etc. if you would like to participate. Click on the link below for more information and to sign up. Read more »

• Children's Christmas program — Dec. 13

  All Salem children and friends age 3 through 5th grade are invited to join us as we prepare a Christmas program during our midweek Advent service on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m. Please sing with us during children's choir Sundays (Dec. 3 and Dec. 10) in the chapel from 9:30-9:45 a.m. before Sunday school. We will practice before the Advent service on Wednesdays (Dec. 6 and 13) in the sanctuary. On Saturday, Dec. 9 we will meet at Koinonia Hall from 4:00-5:30 p.m. for practice, costumes, Christmas caroling, hot chocolate, and cookies. All are welcome, whether you want to sing, have a speaking part, or just join in the fun and fellowship together. Please contact Heather Lewis with questions.

• Serving at the Gathering Table — Dec. 16

  Salem will be serving on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Gathering Table (5001 Independence Ave., Kansas City, MO). (Please note that proof of vaccination is required for those who sign up to serve.) We need volunteers to help prepare and serve the meal to approximately 80 hungry souls. We will be serving a holiday meal. If you can help, please sign up on the link below. Contact Lorel Brown with any questions or for more information. Read more »

• Christmas cantata — Dec. 17

  Be sure to join us on Sunday, Dec. 17 at either worship service as our adult and teen singers offer our Christmas cantata. Please celebrate with us as we share the Word through music. Services will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Overland Park Lutheran Church.

• Salem Youth Christmas Party — Dec. 17

  All 6th-12th graders are invited to a Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Konen house (5508 Roundtree St., Shawnee). Please bring a $10 sweet or silly gift to exchange and get ready for some Christmas cheer! Read more »

• Ornaments — order by Dec. 17

  Help us decorate for Christmas this year! We will be filling a Christmas tree with your choice of a cardinal or angel ornament ($10 per ornament). You can dedicate your ornament(s) to the glory of God or in honor or loving memory of someone dear to you. Please pick up an order form during worship or at the church office and submit it by Sunday, Dec. 17, or click on the link below to order online. Read more »

• Women’s Book Club — Dec. 18

  Please join us Monday, Dec. 18 at 4:00 p.m. in Koinonia Hall to discuss "The Santa Suit" by Mary Kay Andrews. (Please note new time.) This will be our annual Christmas celebration. You are invited to bring treats to share. Also, we will be doing a White Elephant game (using books). If you wish to participate, bring a wrapped, gently used/new book. The Jan. 15 book will be "Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café" by Max Lucado. Contact Kathy Kostroske at (913) 888-3233 or KLJK278@gmail.com if you have any questions. Book Club typically meets on the third Monday of every month.

• Coffee and Conversation — Dec. 19

  Join Pastor Jon for Coffee & Conversation on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Foundry Coffeehouse (inside Foundry Church, 8835 Lackman Road, Lenexa). Contact Pastor Jon with any questions. Coffee and Conversation typically meets on the third Tuesday of every month. All are welcome!

• Blue Christmas service — Dec. 20

  The season leading up to Christmas is often full of happiness, but for some it is also a time of grief, sadness, and isolation. Some are mourning the loss of a loved one. Others are dealing with emotional and physical struggles. For many, this is a difficult time. Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Overland Park Lutheran Church (OPLC) for a prayer service to grieve your loss and pain and invite God in. Come at 5:45 p.m. to enjoy a soup supper before the service in the chapel, led by Pastor Sue of OPLC. Experience the healing that can come when you give your pain over to God. All are welcome!

• Fourth Sunday of Advent — Dec. 24

  We will celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent at 9:30 a.m. in the Overland Park Lutheran Church sanctuary on Sunday, Dec. 24. We will have one morning service only that day, and our friends from OPLC will join us in a combined worship service. Join us as we light the Advent candles on that last Sunday before we celebrate Christmas Eve that night.

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Services — Dec. 24

  Join us as we celebrate the birth of Christ! We will have a family service with kid-friendly carols and Communion led by Overland Park Presbyterian Church’s Pastor Jason at 5:30 p.m., a traditional service at 7:30 p.m. led by Salem’s Pastor Jon, and a service at 9:00 p.m. led by Overland Park Lutheran Church’s Pastor Sue. All services will be held in the Overland Park Lutheran Church sanctuary. All are welcome!

• Year-end staff appreciation — please contribute by Dec. 24

  As the year draws to a close we have traditionally collected for cash gifts to show our appreciation to the Salem staff. Our ministries and programs — including the beautiful worship and music for Advent and Christmas — would not be possible without our staff's dedication. Please include gifts for staff with your offering by Sunday, Dec. 24, designating the amount for “staff gifts," or you can give on our website. Contact Vance Thomas, Joyce Benedict, or Lynn Ross if you have questions.

• Finance note — 2023 contributions due by Dec. 28

  Salem's accounting books will close at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28. If you still wish to make a 2023 contribution, please submit payment to the office by then. The church office will be closed after that until Tuesday, Jan. 2. Also, ALL outstanding 2023 ministry team expenses need to be submitted by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2; otherwise they will be included in 2024. Thank you for supporting Salem and our ministries this year!

• Lessons & Carols — Dec. 31

  Join us on Sunday, Dec. 31 for a special service of Lessons & Carols at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel and 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at Overland Park Lutheran Church (7810 W. 79th St., Overland Park). It is a festival of Bible readings, Christmas carols, and special music. This service celebrates the coming of our Lord Jesus, not only as a babe in the manger, but also as Lord and King.

• Fellowship of the Stein — Jan. 18

  Fellowship of the Stein will not gather in December. They will resume meeting at Friction Beer Company (11018 Johnson Drive, Shawnee) on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7:00 p.m. They typically meet on the third Thursday of every month at a variety of breweries and restaurants. All men are welcome to attend!

• Register for Confirmation Camp at Rainbow Trail

  This June, Salem Confirmation youth finishing 6th-8th grades will be going to Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in Hillside, Colorado. Please click on the link below and register your student for the first junior high camp (June 9-15). There is a $100 deposit due at registration. Scholarships are available if needed. Contact the church office for more information on scholarships or with any questions. Read more »

• Program Registration & Parent Consent Form

  The 2023-24 Children’s and Youth Program Registration and Consent Form is now available. It will register your child for almost all programs and ministries. Click on the link below to access the form. Children’s and youth programming begins on Sept. 10, so be sure to have a form filled out by then.Read more »

• Salem youth events

  Salem youth gather for fun activities, service, and community building, and friends are always welcome! Please let us know if your youth is planning to participate by signing up below. Contact Heather Lewis with any questions or ideas!Read more »

• It’s not too late ...

  If you have not yet offered your commitment toward the 2024 mission and ministry plan, there is still time! Please take the time to prayerfully consider how God is inviting you to share the abundance entrusted to your care. Then, in celebration of the gifts entrusted to our care, please submit your Statement of Intent. You can submit it in the offering plate, to the church office, or by email to the financial secretary. Additional Statements of Intent are available at the chapel, the church office, and on Salem’s website (under Giving). Thank you for supporting Salem in your faith journey. Your commitments impact Salem mission partners and those whom we serve.

• Youth Sunday school helpers

  Thank you for offering to help with Sunday school for our middle school and high school youth! Please let us know when you can assist on Sunday mornings by signing up below. Contact Heather Lewis with any questions or ideas! Read more »

• The Word in Season

  The October-November-December edition of "The Word in Season" has arrived. You may pick one up at Sunday worship or at the church office. Published quarterly by Augsburg Fortress, it offers a daily scripture reading, devotional, and prayer from several different authors. Please contact the church office if you would like one mailed to you.

• 2023 directory available

  The new church directory is now available. Be sure to pick one up on the table in the entryway at the chapel or at the church office. If you have any changes or if you would like to submit a picture for our next printing, please notify Shari in the church office.

• Weekly scripture study — every Wednesday

  Attend a weekly gathering to discuss the lectionary for the upcoming Sunday in a small group setting. We meet on Wednesdays at noon in Koinonia Hall. Contact Pastor Jon with any questions.

• Nursery ministry

  Do you love working with children? We would love for you to assist Toni in our nursery this fall! Please let us know if you are age 14 to adult and are interested in sharing God’s love with our little ones.

• Join the Fellowship Team!

  The Fellowship Team is looking for more members. If you love planning events, organizing, and seeking ways to connect with your Salem family, this is the team for you! Contact Jarred Schubert for more information.

• Sharing God’s Abundance

  It’s never too late! Your Statement of Intent can still be submitted. Please take the time to prayerfully consider how God is inviting you to share the abundance entrusted to your care.Read more »

• Salem is Officially an RIC Congregation!

  Salem Lutheran Church has been recognized by Reconciling Works (formerly Lutherans Concerned/North America) as the most recent Reconciling in Christ Congregation in Kansas. This comes after the congregation officially adopted the following public welcome statement in January of 2015. We, the members of Salem Lutheran Church, affirm the belief that we are all created in God’s image and are called to love one another as God loves us. We are a community that welcomes people of all ages, cultures, economic statuses, ethnic backgrounds, family blends, gender identities, physical and mental abilities, races, and sexual orientations. We seek to provide a safe and caring community where all people can grow in their faith. We encourage you to join us as we develop relationships with each other and discover the depth of God’s love for us all.