COSTA RICA EXTRA – Residents of Fremont, Nebraska, can take part in a movie night and improve the real-life stories of people in Costa Rica.
Tonight (Saturday night), Salem Lutheran Church will show the movie “God’s Not Dead” for adults and the animated film “Frozen” for children.
The movie night starts at 6:30 p.m. with a meal that includes sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips, a beverage and snack in the church’s fellowship hall. The suggested donation is $5 per person with a limit of $20 per family. The public is invited.
At 7 p.m., “God’s Not Dead,” will be shown in the church sanctuary. A freewill donation will be accepted. Popcorn will be available.
The children’s movie will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Common Grounds building on the church campus. Baby-sitting will be available.
“God’s Not Dead” is about a college freshman and devout Christian, challenged by his philosophy professor, an atheist, to prove God’s existence with well-researched intellectual arguments. If he fails to do so, the student will fail the class.
Woven into the film are stories of other people facing life’s challenges and faith-testing situations.
Disney’s “Frozen” is about an optimist named Anna who sets off with the mountain man Kristoff to find her sister, Elsa, and save a kingdom.
The movie night is an opportunity for area residents to see films they might have missed in movie theaters. It’s also part of a fundraising effort by Salem’s Costa Rican Mission Task Force.
In January, approximately 10 people, half of whom are Salem members, will travel to Costa Rica. There, they’ll be involved in mission work with Salem’s sister congregation, Sola Fe Lutheran Church in San Sebastian.
A decade ago, Salem members began traveling to Costa Rica as part of a faith-based exchange. People from Sola Fe have visited Fremont.
The result has been a faith-growing experience for people in both congregations, said Salem member Sharon Carlson.
Sola Fe is in a barrio in San Sebastian. Most barrio residents are Nicaraguans who left their country to escape the Sandinista government and poverty.
Salem members have worked to help the Sola Fe church in its mission to reach out to young people of the barrio with the Gospel and help give them tools to help make a better future for themselves.
During the 2013 trip, Salem members conducted a Vacation Bible School, English lessons, youth retreats and took part in confirmation. They participated in graduation ceremonies and treated congregants to a “Fourth of July in January” party, complete with fireworks and hot dogs.
Carlson noted Sola Fe’s new church building is nearing completion. Salem provided major financial support toward the building’s construction.
“We will be providing help in putting on the finishing touches on the church while we’re there,” Carlson said.
The church already is making an impact on the community. Since it’s larger than the old building, more people are visiting it. Sola Fe also provides various services.
Carlson noted the case of a teen whose adopted father died. People in the barrio took up a collection to provide money needed for a proper burial. The funeral took place at Sola Fe.
“That has helped strengthen the relations with the people in the barrio, because they know they have somewhere to go for help during special situations,” Carlson said.
Besides movie night, Salem’s task force is planning other fundraising events.
Fundraisers include a silent auction from 8-11 a.m. on Nov. 2 and 9 in Salem’s fellowship hall. The silent auction will include handmade craft items such as table runners, wall hangings, a quilt and gift certificates from various businesses.
A silent auction is planned from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 16. In addition, the task force will host a spaghetti luncheon, staring at about 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16. The suggested donation is $5 per person for the meal, which includes spaghetti, garlic bread, relishes, lettuce salad, dessert and a beverage.
For more information, contact the church office at 402-721-6158.
Source: Fremont Tribune
