Coming off the whirlwind of activity in Holy Week, concluding with Easter, we can look back with appreciation and some amazement at all the time and energy that goes into the work of this congregation.
Sometimes we take that for granted. I want to use this month’s newsletter column to recognize some of the behind the scenes activity that has taken place at Salem just in the last couple of months. All this work helps us carry out our mission statement, yet goes largely unrecognized. When compiling a list like this, one always takes a risk of leaving out deserving persons. But I don’t want that fear to keep us from giving at least some thanks to those who work without recognition.
Keep in mind that these are all in addition to the more visible activity of staff, treasurer, choirs, musicians, council, committees, ushers, readers, greeters, communion assistants, Sunday treat providers, altar guild, quilters, and Sunday School teachers!
Have you checked out our website? I know people from all over the country who do. Thanks to Warren Woods for maintaining that important public link.
Aaron Paup and Warren are most responsible for engineering our sound during the worship service. The services recorded by our sound engineers are distributed to our shut-ins each week, thanks to the faithful efforts of Don Mosman.
Members of the church council have taken up the challenge of organizing and leading the worship teams. While all do a tremendous job, John Schlaht deserves special recognition for taking on the challenge of the busiest month of our church year—March.
Jack Keuter, John Schlaht, and Lori Paup worked on constructing and transforming the cross from Good Friday mode to Easter.
Flossie Roberts bakes the bread that we use for communion bread. She also is the go-to person for many acts of congregational outreach and evangelism.
Claudia Peppers changes the sermon titles, etc. on the sign on Townline every week.
Wednesday evening Kids Squad is made possible through the efforts of Bert Henry and Raquel Linch. Bert also joins Ron Johnson in helping to make the Thursday high school hangout possible. In addition she and Travis Henry and Ryan Cook bring us the puppet message every other week.
I’ve seen Gary Kessler helping to clear our sidewalks of snow.
Jerry Nissen took it upon himself to build a new ping pong table to replace the old monstrosity we had been struggling with at high school hangout.
A whole bunch of guys organized and put on the Easter breakfast this year.
Bev Butler has been busy this year organizing funeral lunches, as she done for a long time.
Loyal Winborn donated his expertise to debug my computer at church.
Lynne Schlaht and Linda Aaseng spent a lot of time researching books, ordering them and reorganizing the library.
Arlan Biere repositioned all the shelves in the library.
Again, my apologies to those who did not get a mention. Thank you to all who give of yourselves to support the mission of this congregation. It is truly a group effort!
Adult Education for April
“Christian Living Outside a Christian Culture” We will be studying what the book of Daniel has to say about living out our faith in an increasingly secular world.
April Worship Teams
April 6th April 13th
Greeters: Loyal Winborn, & Janet Nesbit Greeters: Janet Nesbit & Jodi Hitz
Ushers: Arlan Biere, Andy Hitz, Ushers: Arlan Biere, Andy Hitz,
Todd Stofferahn, Floyd Nesbit Ron Johnson, Floyd Nesbit
Reader: Liz Winborn Acolyte: Cory Rathe Reader: Bonnie Johnson
Communion Assistant: Jodi Hitz, Jesse Rathe Acolyte: Jesse Rathe
Coffee & Cookies: Winborns and Hitzs Coffee & Cookies: Johnson, Hitzs
Nursery: Jodi Hitz Nursery: Jodi Hitz
April 20th April 27th
Greeters: Loyal Winborn & Jodi Hitz Greeters: Jodi & Jake Hitz
Ushers: Ron Johnson, Andy Hitz, Ushers: Arlan Biere, Andy Hitz,
Todd & Suzie Stofferahn Todd & Suzie Stofferahn
Reader: Bonnie Johnson Reader: Carolyn Biere
Acolyte: Jesse Rathe Acolyte: Cory Rathe
Communion Assistant: Todd Stofferahn Coffee & Cookies: Bieres & Hitzs
Cory Rathe Nursery: Jodi Hitz
Coffee & Cookies: Winborns & Johnsons
Nursery: Jodi Hitz
Salem Church Council Minutes
March 10, 2008
The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Jodi Hitz, Mike Linch, Joan Lienemann, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy, and Sherri Nissen. Also in attendance were Flossie Roberts, John Schlaht, LouAnn Snograss, Chuck Taylor, Pastor Nate, Margaret Kneedler and Gary Kessler. Sherri Nissen led devotions.
M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Chuck Taylor to approve the March minutes changing the estimated energy savings as $700-$800 per year.
Correspondence: none at this time.
Pastor’s Report
Pastor reported new members are joining Sunday, March 16th. He also has heard compliments about our choir from people attending the Lenten service.
Treasurer’s Report was presented by Mike Linch.
a) A reminder to everyone about the option of using automatic deduction for
giving.
b) Selander account made the following deposits: $5.00 to building fund, $1.00 to
World Hunger, $ 697.00 to the General Fund and $ 25.00 to the Easter Fund.
c) Memorial money from Lucille Ossian and Dorothy Henry was used to pay for
new sign letterings. $ 567.16 from Harold Roberts memorial was used for
library books. There is also $50.00 more from the family of Maxine Whan
and $1500.00 from Ray Hanson’s family.
M/S/C by Chuck Eilers and Joan Lienemann to approve the treasurer’s report.
Old Business:
Endowment Fund: review of investment.
Margaret is very appreciative of the new copier. It makes her work more
efficient and the copies are of better quality.
New Business:
a) Synodical Convention is June 6th and 7th. Salem would like to send two
people. Linda Aaseng has requested to attend.
b) M/S/C by Chuck Taylor and Chuck Eilers for Delta Kappa Gamma to use the
hall April 14th.
c) Flowers for worship services was discussed briefly and tabled for the next
meeting.
d) Jerry Nissen requested and completed building a new ping pong table.
Committee reports were presented:
Christian Education:
*Tuesday’s with Pastor Nate will continue through April.
* Loyal Winborn invited the Senior LYO to the Val Air Ballroom in Des
Moines March 28th to attend a Christian Rock Concert. Pastor will take
those interested.
Evangelism—has not met.
Social Ministry
*Served the Ecumenical Supper on March 2nd and it was well attended.
*The next meeting is April 1st at 6:30.
Church Property
*Energy bulbs have been put in most areas.
*Roof repair will begin as soon as possible, weather permitting. Salem is on
the top of the contractor’s list.
Worship & Music—no meeting at the time of council meeting.
Stewardship—will meet after Easter.
Finance—Chris Lane has volunteered to be on the committee.
M/S/C John Schlaht and Dennis Nardy to adjourn the meeting.
The next council meeting will be April 10, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Opening devotions will be led by Joan Lienemann. The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted:
Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary
APRIL MEALS
ON
WHEEL DRIVERS
April 7th April 21st
Vic & Betty Wager Vic & Betty Wager
Floyd & Janet Nesbit Floyd & Janet Nesbit
Don & Helen Mosman Bill & Barbara Bjorn
April 14th April 28th
Ron Levine Ron Levine
Paul & Pat Grumley Paul & Pat Grumley
Don & Helen Mosman Bill & Barbara Bjorn
0404 Barbara Kenyon 04/18 Alan Peterson
04/05 Kriss Fox 04/19 Linda Huffman
04/06 Evan Aaseng 04/21 Donna Cunningham
Adrienne Miller 04/22 Olivia Tyler
04/07 Emily Miller 04/25 Donna Schroeder
04/10 Randy Cook 04/26 Jodi Hitz
04/11 Sara Bolinger 04/29 Alex Kenyon
04/17 Dennis Nardy
04/07 Alan & Lori Paup
04/10 Alan & Dorine Peterson
04/11 John & Lois Rose
04/19 Clinton & Dorothy McNaught
Mary Jo Foster, Ella Groff, Marge Hanson, Janice Peterson, and Helen Schadde. We ask God to send his Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen these individuals.
Pfc. Matthew Cruse, Major David Cruse, Sgt. Aaron Cunningham, Chief Msgt. David Groff, Sgt. Luke Kinkade, MGY Sgt. Mark Kinkade, Str. Airman Travis Mathis, SN Tony McNaught, SR Beth McNaught. Cpl. James Paup, SRA Zacary Sedlmayr, Col. Vic Wager III, Joseph Woodcock-We ask God to lead our young men and women who are protecting our country and serving in the Middle East. Please keep our servicepersons and the families of our military in your prayers.
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
February 2008
Contributions $ 9,654.00
Expenses 11,166.67
Net Income ($ 1,512.67)
Because God said, “Bring the whole tithe. Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10
AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE (4-23-08) WEDNESDAY EVENING
108 50
EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE
Sunrise Service—78
10:00 am Service--136
We extend a warm welcome to the following families joining our church family this month. We welcome, Mark & Judy Kinkade, Gabe, Christina and Damien Flores and Diana Jaggers.
We welcome Damien Flores to our family here at Salem through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Damien is the son of Gabe and Christina Flores.
Thanks to Don & Helen Mosman for delivering the Sunday sermon to me. Don spends a lot of time going back and forth to Afton. He is very kind and gentle. Thanks, also to Warren & Judy Woods who put it all together. And then, of course, Pastor Nate, who makes it work. It is so exciting and I feel like I’m sitting in church with all our friends. It was great to make it to church Christmas Eve. I’m hoping to make it to church sometime soon. Love to see some of our old friends. My legs give out and hard to get around. Special thanks to Miriam Circle for dropping cookies and other goodies, they are always delicious.
Love to all,
Janice Peterson
Thanks for all the prayers and support, I have received from our friends here at Salem.
Donna Cunningham
Thanks to all of the March Worship Team and to all others from other teams who helped make the Lenten and Easter services so special. Also a special thanks to Jack, Flossie, Jodi and Lori for helping with the Cross.
Thanks to all.
John Schlaht
SOUND TECHNICAINS WANTED!
If you are interested in running the sound board and preparing the MP3 players for our shut-ins, please let Lori or Alan Paup or Warren Woods know. We would like for you to join Aaron at the sound board during a worship service and observe the process. Summer is coming and additional technicians would be greatly appreciated. Instructions are written out, but observing will help you understand it more clearly.
FROM THE SALEM QUILTERS
There will be tied quilts for sale at the Spring Sale on April 4th. The Wanda Peterson Memorial of $ 1.175.00 is being used to purchase batting & misc. items for the quilts. We thank the Peterson family for this wonderful gift toward the continuing work of the quilters. Dedication of quilts will be held on April 27th. Lucille Lundy has donated 16 baby quilts, 10 of which were donated to the Rural Crisis Center. Ten other quilts were also given to RICC. One quilt has been donated to an auction for Lutheran Lakeside Bible Camp. G&H Shipping of Greenfield will take the remaining quilts to Lutheran World Relief in St. Paul, MN. We thank them for their generosity in delivering these quilts for us.
Luther College Cathedral Choir will appear in concert on Friday, April 11th at 7:30 p.n. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waukee, IA. Conducted by Sandra Peter, Cathedral Choir will perform sacred and secular choral works by Byrd, Pachelbel, Rachmaninoff, Casals, Tavener, Foster and Allaway. Freewill offering will be taken.
You are invited to join us for a Bell Choir Concert on Sunday, April 13th celebrating St. John Lutheran’s 125th Anniversary. Grace United Methodist Church, Glenwood will be joining our bell choir in this celebration. It will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mineola, IA, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
WOMEN OF THE ELCA
APRIL NEWSLETTER
Miriam Circle will meet at the home of Linda Huffman, on April 3rd at 7:00 pm. Judy Woods will lead the Bible study and Nancy Taylor will preside.
Rebekah Circle will meet in the Fellowship Hall on April 10th, at 1:15 pm. Donna Swanson will be the hostess and Dorothy McNaught will be Bible study leader.
All women are welcome to attend either circle.
Salem quilters have donated a quilt for an auction in April, with proceeds going to Lutheran Lakeside camp. Another quilt will be sent for auction benefiting Riverside Camp, which Salem students attend.
Salem’s spring sale will be Friday, April 4th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you find articles you don’t need or want, donate them to our spring sale. Articles may be brought to the church any morning starting March 31st and all day Wednesday and Thursday, April 2nd and 3rd. Please mark your articles if possible. Rebekah Circle is in charge of the bake sale. Carolyn Biere and Phyllis Keuter are in charge of the kitchen and serving food. Call Bev Butler if there are any questions, 782-4050. I would appreciate any and all help on Wednesday, April 2nd, in the afternoon, on Thursday, April 3rd from 10am to 4 pm and all day on Friday, April 4th.
The Spring Cluster meeting will be held on Saturday, April 19th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak. Coffee will be served beginning at 9:00 am, and the meeting begins are 9:30 am. Call Joyce Anderson to pool rides, 782-5002.
The 21st WISWO Convention will be June 28, 2008 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa.
Bev Butler
Co-Chair, Salem Women of the ELCA
Salem Lutheran Quilting Ladies
Thank you for your generous support to the Rural Iowa Crisis Center. The 10 baby quilts and 10 full size quilts will be put to good use.
Raidene Sticken
Assistant Director