Pastor Nathan Aaseng

602 West Townline Road

Creston, IA 50801

Ph: 641-782-2920

Fax: 641-782-2920

email salem@salemluth.net

website www.salemluth.net

January 2008

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Okay, we planted the seeds last year during Lent. We tilled the soil and prepared the ground. We gave everyone plenty of notice about what was coming and why it is so important. We discussed some helpful hints, provided a how-to-sheet, and even had some practice time.

Now it’s time to check the greenhouse and see what’s growing.

What are we talking about? Faith stories.

This is an excellent time to put this project into gear because we are just coming off the Christmas season—the time when we heard the most amazing story ever told. We heard the story of God coming to earth in human form to show us what God is all about. We heard the story that has changed the lives of millions of people and can change the lives of millions more, if only we tell it.

Now we focus on passing on that story. For those to whom faith is important, proclaiming that faith is both the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility we have. We pass on this incredible gift to those who don’t know it and to those who need to be reminded of it. We give the gift to the next generation that we have been given by previous generations. We become a part of something bigger than ourselves and leave behind something that will outlast our lives. This is the reason we exist as a church

Luke showed us how to go about telling the story. His Christmas story, told from Mary’s point of view, is the most enduring of the Gospel accounts because it is personal, detailed, and comes from the heart. Likewise, when we proclaim the good news of the Gospel, we do so most effectively not by providing information or lecturing or sermonizing or handing out a pamphlet, but by telling a story that comes from deep inside us that comes up through the listener. We tell our story of faith. We tell the story we know better than anyone else in the world—our story. We tell people why we are here and why we come here to worship. We give people evidence that our faith is so important to us and has shaped our lives.

They say that everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame. How about spending 5 of those minutes telling us your story?

I have again enclosed a preparation sheet to use in telling your faith story. All we need is for you to decide when and where in the Lenten season you would like to share it. Please fill this out and return it to me or to the church office:

Name _____________________________

I am willing to share my faith story during Lent at:

1. Sunday worship ____________ 2. Lenten service __________

3. Adult education ___________ 4. Confirmation class ___________

(You can list more than one)

Faith Journey

How were you brought up in the faith? (Family, church)

Who has touched you in your life and influenced you in your faith? How did they influence you?

What low periods have you had in your life? What carried you through those times or out of those times?

Reflect on your journey through life. Where are you now and how did you come to be where you are today?

What difference has your faith made in your life?

When in your life have you most experienced God’s presence?

What one thing about your faith would you like to leave behind for others?

Salem Church Council Minutes

December 13, 2007

The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Chuck Eilers, Jodi Hitz, Joan Lienemann, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy, Flossie Roberts, John Schlaht, and Chuck Taylor. Also in attendance were Pastor Nate, Mike Linch, and Margaret Kneedler.

Chuck Eilers led devotions.

No correspondence at this time.

M/S/C by Helen Mosman and John Schlaht to approve the November minutes as presented.

Treasurer's report was presented by Mike Linch.

a) M/S/C by Joan Lienemann and Helen Mosman to move the building (roof/gable) funds of

$16,172.19 and any future donations into the money market account to maximize the

interest until the project is finished.

b) Mike clarified that Other Special Income and Other Special Offering is actually the

"Building Repair" fund.

c) M/S/C by Chuck Eilers and Flossie Roberts to approve the treasurer's report..

Pastor's Report:

a) Christmas program is going well.

b) Pastor reported that our weakest area is in the Youth (High School) program.

Old Business:

a) Roof repair will be postponed until spring due to our wintry weather.

New Business:

a) Flossie Roberts recommended trimming the budget to be more in line with our income.

Reducing the Worship and Music allowance was discussed; but also mentioned was

cutting the benevolence percentage in order to make the adjustment without altering the

operating budget.

b) M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Chuck Taylor to hold the Congregational meeting on

January 27 following 10:00 Church services. We will check with Bev Butler to see if

Thrivent will serve the chicken and rolls as usual. The Social Ministry will be in charge

of organizing the serving details.

c) Mike Linch investigated how long old records should be kept and reported that the Year

Books are kept forever. Financial records need to be held 5 to 7 years. The contribution

envelopes need not be saved more than a year or two as they are not proof of anything.

d) Mike reported that Heimke charges $25 for each snow removal. The council agreed

unanimously to retain his services.

e) Mike reported that the Picture Book is almost completed.

f) Counters have new instructions to keep deposit money for Youth Sunday School and

Adult Sunday School separated from Current and other contributions, making a total of

three separate deposits.

g) Chuck Taylor reported the desire of the Choir to have music holders installed in the Choir

area. M/S/C by Flossie Roberts and Chuck Eilers to purchase 9 holders, estimated to cost

approximately $150 including tax and freight, using funds from the Dorothy Henry

memorial.

h) Automatic withdrawal for Pastor's insurance premiums was discussed, but it costs less to

pay it by check quarterly.

i) Following discussion M/S/C by Jody Hitz and Dennis Nardy to install "Group Norton" on

the computer system to be paid as an office expense.

Committee reports were presented:

a) Christian Ed: Plan to get High School students more involved in Sunday school

b) Evangelism: No report.

c) Church Property: Ice-damaged tree needs to be cleared away. Some members want to

paint the Sunday School classrooms. Chuck Taylor will contact Alliant Energy to have

them conduct an audit of our energy efficiency and possibly provide programmable

thermostats.

d) Social Ministry: Many Christmas family ornaments have not been picked off the tree,

perhaps due to the bad weather last Sunday, so the deadline will be extended so that more

ornaments may be picked up next Sunday.

e) Worship & Music: Christmas Eve services will be 5:00 and 10:30, with communion at the

10:30 service.

f) Stewardship: Pastor will contact those who have not submitted their pledge envelope.

Margaret conducts follow-up contacts with visitors on a regular basis, and she will make

new name tags in larger print.

g) Finance: No report.

M/S/C John Schlaht and Flossie Roberts to adjourn the meeting.

The next council meeting will be January 10, 2008 at 6:30pm. Opening devotions will be led by Pastor Nate. The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted:

Helen Mosman, Secretary pro tem

January Adult Education

It’s time to take a closer study of a book of the Bible. Galatians is believed to be the oldest of Paul’s letters to the early churches. It is theologically one of the most important. Nowhere else in his letters does Paul vent as much steam as in this short epistle. Why is Paul so angry and why is this letter so important to Christianity?

Join us at adult education at 9:00, the first three Sundays of January.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

01/02 Alice Swanson 01/14 Lynne Schlaht 01/25 Jesse Rathe

01/04 Dick Bergstrom 01/15 Nancy Groth Deb Springer

Karisa Stuchlik 01/18 Chuck Groff Warren Woods

01/05 Sue Bergstrom Hunter Sickels unt

01/26 Jeremie Peterson

Ben Herzberg 01/20 Helen Mosman 01/27 Dick Johnston

01/06 Gene Smith 01/21 Damian Richardson Adrian Richardson

01/07 Ann Levine 01/22 Paul Grumley 01/31 Brenda Slight

01/08 Kyle Shaffer 01/23 Cory Rathe

01/10 Khouri Sherrod 01/25 Aaron Paup

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

01/10 Ron & Bonnie Johnson

01/20 Michael & Christine Sherrod

Don Toycen, Ella Groff, Marge Hanson, Janice Peterson, Helen Schadde, Don Swanson, and Maxine Whan. We ask God to send his Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen these individuals.

Pfc. Matthew Cruse, Major David Cruse, Pvt. Aaron Cunningham, Chief Msgt. David Groff, Sgt. Luke Kinkade, MGY Sgt. Mark Kinkade, Str. Airman Travis Mathis, SR Tony 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.

CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING

January 27 2008

Following the Worship Service

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE

November 2007 January to November 2007

Contributions $ 9,893.85 $ 100,271.73

Expenses 9,835.16 115,316.34

Difference $ 58.69 ($ 15,044.61)

AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE (12/02-23)

ADVENT WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

CHRISTMAS EVE ATTENDANCE

5:00 Service…136

10:30 Service..117

The Social Ministry Committee would like to thank the congregation for their generosity towards our needy families. Would also like to thank the Salem Quilters for all the lovely quilts they donated to the families and also Galen Zumbach for donating fruit to distribute to the families. Thanks again to everyone for helping our three families have a merrier Christmas.

JANAURY WORSHIP TEAM SCHEDULE

Sunday, January 6^th Sunday, January 13^th

Greeters: Donna Schroeder, Helen Mosman Greeters: Lois & John Rose

Ushers: Paul & Pat Grumley Ushers: Donna Cunningham,

Don Mosman, Troy Schroeder Lanny Herzberg,

Reader: Pat Grumley Barb & Dave Abildtrup

Acolyte: Emily Schroeder Reader: Lois Rose

Communion Assistants: Helen Mosman Acolyte: Ryan Cook

Mary Jo Schroeder Coffee & Cookies: Lois Rose

Coffee & Cookies: Donna Schroeder Helen Mosman

Pat Grumley

Nursery: Emily Schroeder Nursery: Helen Mosman

Sunday, January 20^th Sunday, January 27^th

Greeters: Linda Hultquist, Donna Schroeder Greeters: Linda Hultquist, Helen Mosman

Ushers: Don Mosman, Troy Schroeder Ushers: Donna Cunningham,

Emily & Mike Miller Lanny Herzberg,

Reader: Mike Miller Barb & Dave Abildtrup

Acolyte: Emily Schroeder Reader: Elaine Fargo

Communion Assistants: Helen Mosman Acolyte: Kaleb Cook

Mary Jo Schroeder Coffee & Cookies: Barb Abildtrup

Coffee & Cookies: Emily Miller, Linda Hultquist Donna Cunningham

Nursery: Emily Schroeder Nursery: Helen Mosman

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

Miriam Circle will meet Thursday, January 3^rd at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Judy Woods for a soup supper. Becky Nardy will lead the Bible study. Rebekah Circle will meet Thursday, January 10^th at 1:15 in the Fellowship Hall. Eleanor Toycen will be the hostess and Pat Grumley will lead the Bible study. Our circle meetings are open to all women and hope you can join us.

A donation of $ 100.00 was received from Mary Jo Foster for serving the luncheon at Chuck’s funeral. An additional $ 10.00 was received from Chuck’s sister Eleanor McGriffin from Winterset.

The church’s In-Gathering of kits for Lutheran World Relief were: 10 sewing kits, 14 baby layettes, 16 school kits, 14 health kits, 23 bars of soap and 2 blankets. We far exceeded our goal of ten of each item. So many thanks to everyone who contributed. Joyce and LaVerne Anderson delivered these kits to Lutheran World Relief in Minneapolis.

Bev Butler, Co-President