Weekly Announcements
Announcements for the week ending April 21, 2024
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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!
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Blood Drive — April 17
Salem, Overland Park Lutheran Church (OPLC), and Overland Park Presbyterian Church are combining to host a Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, April 17 at OPLC. There is a worldwide blood shortage, and blood donors of all blood types are urgently needed. Slots are available from noon to 5 p.m. Click on the link below to sign up to donate blood to help save lives.Read more »
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Fellowship of the Stein — April 18
Fellowship of the Stein will meet at Transport Brewery (11113 Johnson Drive, Shawnee) on Thursday, April 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!
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Spanish language class — two Thursdays/month
Are you heading on the service trip to Guatemala this summer or do you just want to learn some Spanish? Join Katie Lange and native speakers for a no-stress/no-grades Spanish class on Thursday nights in Koinonia Hall (13402 W. 92nd St., Lenexa). We will meet two Thursdays each month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. All ages are welcome! Remaining meeting dates are April 18, May 2, and May 16. Invite a friend and come as you are able! Contact Katie Lange with any questions.
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Serving at the Gathering Table — April 20
Salem will be serving on Saturday, April 20 at the Gathering Table (5001 Independence Ave., Kansas City, MO). We need volunteers to help prepare and serve the meal to approximately 80 hungry souls. The meal will consist of chicken noodle casserole, dinner rolls, vegetables, bananas, dessert, and lemonade. If you can help, please sign up by clicking on the link below. Read more »
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Earth Sunday — April 21
Join us for Earth Sunday! Greening of the Cross — Everyone is welcome to add a flower or sprig of green to the outdoor cross at the south entrance of Overland Park Lutheran Church as we GREEN THE CROSS as a sign of the hope and new life of the Resurrection. Share the Beauty of Earth — Members of all congregations are invited to share pictures of their favorite outdoor places to be used in a slideshow during the service. Native plants will be available for planting in appropriate areas of the church property. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the planet we all call home on this special Sunday!
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Technology volunteers needed
We are looking for volunteers to help livestream our services on Sunday mornings. No previous experience is required; we will train you. Contact Lorel Brown for more information or if you are interested.
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Graduation info — deadline April 28
We are planning to celebrate our high school and college graduates with a blessing and special presentation in the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, May 5. Please send information about your graduate by Sunday, April 28 to Heather Lewis. We will share pictures and future plans in the bulletin and in a special slide show. We are so proud of our Salem youth!
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Annual Pictorial Directory Photos — submit by April 28
If you did not get a chance to have your family photo taken for the 2024 church directory during Holy Week, you can still email a picture to the church office. Please submit by Sunday, April 28.
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Monticello Community Historical Society breakfast — May 4
Instead of the monthly men’s breakfast, ALL are welcome to attend a community breakfast and bake sale on Saturday, May 4 at Monticello Community Historical Society (23860 W. 83rd St., Lenexa) at 8:00 a.m. Come for all-you-can-eat pancakes and biscuits & gravy, plus coffee, juice, etc. Suggested donation is $10. After breakfast (around 9:00 a.m.), Terry Love will give a tour of the museum. Contact Terry with any questions.
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Sunday School Celebration — May 5
We will have an end-of-year Sunday school celebration for all ages on Sunday, May 5, at 9:45 a.m. on the east lawn of Overland Park Lutheran Church. Come and join in the fun with a bounce house for kids, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, yard games, and donuts.
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Graduation Sunday — May 5
Join us in congratulating Salem’s high school and college graduates on Sunday, May 5 with a blessing and special presentation at 11:00 a.m. worship, followed by a reception after the service. We are so proud of our Salem youth!
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Cinco de Mayo bingo and potluck — May 5
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a fun night of bingo, prizes, and fellowship! Dinner will be a potluck (5:00-6:00 p.m.), where we encourage Mexican cuisine, and drinks are BYOB (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks allowed). Bingo will follow until 7:00 p.m. We will have gift card prizes, and ask the congregation to donate any new or lightly used items as additional prizes for the event. Donations can be brought to church on Sunday mornings or to Koinonia Hall during office hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). There is no cost to attend the event, and all bingo supplies will be provided. Please RSVP on the link below, and be sure to put down what you plan to bring. Read more »
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Good Faith Network Nehemiah Action — May 7
You are invited to join the main event of the year, the Good Faith Network Nehemiah Action, on Tuesday, May 7 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the main sanctuary of the Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood. More than 1,000 justice-seeking people of faith will gather to seek commitment from our local officials to implement well-researched solutions to make real change in Johnson County. Solutions will be presented to our community's most pressing problems with a voice so big that it cannot be ignored!
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Creation Care Team meeting — May 7
Members of all three congregations (Overland Park Lutheran Church, Overland Park Presbyterian Church, and Salem) are invited to attend the Creation Care Team meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Contact the church office for more information. They typically meet on the first Tuesday of every month.
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Fill our pantry packs with summer snacks — through May 12
Let's fill up the pantry to help feed kids this summer! Jen Thomas is using an Thrivent Action Team Grant to collect food for families for the summer. Our food pantry at Salem is in need of jelly, peanut butter, and summer snacks for kids. Jell-O snacks, pudding snacks, jelly, peanut butter, large boxes of granola bars, fruit cups, crackers, and more are great snacks for the summer. You can drop off items at the church office (Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) or bring them to church by Sunday, May 12. Thank you for your support!
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Salem youth hangout at Sky Zone — May 19
Salem middle and high school youth and friends are invited to join us at Sky Zone (6495 Quivira Road, Shawnee) at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. Please bring $10 to help cover pizza, drinks, and 90 minutes of fun! Contact Heather with any questions. Please RSVP on the link below. Read more »
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Women’s Book Club — May 20
Please join us Monday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. in Koinonia Hall to discuss "The Golden Couple" by Greer Hendricks. The June 17 book will be "Hope Harbor" by Irene Hannon. Contact Kathy Kostroske at KLJK278@gmail.com if you have any questions. Book Club typically meets on the third Monday of every month.
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Coffee and Conversation — May 21
Join Pastor Jon for Coffee & Conversation on Tuesday, May 21 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!
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Life Line Screening — May 24
Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive, and painless health screenings at Overland Park Lutheran Church in the parish hall on Friday, May 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a simple, convenient way for you to get preventive health screenings and learn your risk for stroke, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. These painless screenings go beyond your regular checkup to identify dangerous plaque buildup or blockage, a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease. The screenings are accurate and affordable, and will give you valuable information about your health that you can share with your doctor. These four vital screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. Register by calling toll free 1-844-591-7160, text the word "circle" to 216-279-1607, or online by clicking on the link below.Read more »
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Men's breakfast — June 1
All men are invited for fellowship and breakfast at Santa Fe Cafe (9946 W. 87th St., Overland Park) on Saturday, June 1 at 8:00 a.m. 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.
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Volunteers needed for Synod Assembly — June 6-8
Volunteers are needed to host the Central States Synod Assembly, June 6-8, at the Embassy Suites (10401 S. Ridgeview Road, Olathe). If you are interested in helping with registration or serving as a floor volunteer for part of one day or the whole event, please contact Noni Strand at nonistrand@gmail.com. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the ministry of our Synod and get to know people from congregations across Kansas and Missouri.
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VBS 2024 — June 17-20
Get ready to dive into a splash-tastic adventure at SCUBA, our VBS 2024 program, where we’ll be diving into friendship with God. This year, Overland Park Lutheran Church, Salem Lutheran Church, and Overland Park Presbyterian Church will be hosting VBS together for ages 3 through entering 6th grade. Joining together to learn about the love of Jesus is going to be an unforgettable week of fun! VBS kicks off at 6:00 p.m. each evening with dinner, and the VBS program is from 6:30-8:30 p.m.. We’ll spend four days immersed in hands-on activities like learning unforgettable Bible songs, performing incredible science experiments, playing team-building games, exploring important Bible stories, making new friends, getting closer with old ones, and much more. Click on the link below to register. Read more »
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Hollis Crossings Summer Day Camp — June 24-27
Hollis Crossings is a fun, active, and faith-filled week during the summer for children who have completed grades K-5. During the week, kids explore the outdoors and make new friends while experiencing God’s love for all. The camp is at Hollis Renewal Center (11414 Kansas Ave., Kansas City, KS), and runs Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., June 24-27. Click on the link below for more information and/or to sign up. Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 12. Read more »
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Salem youth event signup
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 »
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Youth Sunday school helpers
Thank you for offering to help with Sunday school for our middle school and high school youth! Dates have been added to the SignUpGenius for this spring. Please let us know when you can assist on Sunday mornings by signing up on our website. Contact Heather Lewis with any questions or ideas!Read more »
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 »
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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.