June 2006

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Summer Break?

When you think of summer, what comes to mind? Camping, vacation, travel, picnic, swimming, fishing, watermelon, sweet corn, concerts in the park, Fourth of July?

How about church?

Okay, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of summer. In fact, it may seem that summer time is a break from church, a time when we shut down our congregation and keep just the basic services going until we start up again in the fall.

It’s true that we cut back some in our regular activities in summer. We recognize the seasonal patterns of life—that there are times for business and full-blast energy and celebration and projects, and there are times to slow down the pace and for relaxation, recreation and recharging of our batteries.

So where does church fit in with summer? I hope that it remains a strong part of your life even as we adjust for the realities of the summer season. While it’s a good to take a break from a number of programs and activities, and to change the pace of our lives and schedules, three important needs remain in our lives:

1) The need to pass along the faith to others, particularly the younger generations

2) The need to encourage others in the faith

3) The need to stay spiritually connected with the source of our life

None of that can happen effectively if we let church connection to slip in our priorities.

1) Because we don’t have Sunday School, summer is a time to make an extra effort to the young, by our

example, the importance of our faith.

2) There are others in the congregation who need our presence and support even in the summer.

3) God promised to be especially present to us in worship within a community of believers. We need

that in our lives.

The new summer schedule starts on June 4th. It will be the same as last year with a more traditional service at 9:00 Sunday, and a more contemporary service at 6:30 pm on Wednesday evening, using a beautiful Holden Evening Prayer service. Have a great summer; keep the faith!

Your partner in ministry,

Salem Church Council Minutes

May 11, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Warren Woods with the following members present: Sherri Nissen, Tim Kinkade, Claudia Peppers, Helen Mosman, Raquel Linch, Joan Lienemann, Warren Woods, Bill Kunert and Mike Linch (Treasurer). Also in attendance were Pastor Aaseng and Margaret Kneedler.

Warren Woods led us in devotions.

M/S/C by Helen Mosman, Claudia Peppers to approve the April council minutes.

M/S/C by Helen Mosman, Sherri Nissen to renew a CD at 5% for 5 months.

M/S/C by Tim Kinkade, Joan Lienemann to approve the April Treasurer’s report.

Pastor’s Report

a. The confirmation students wrote letters to the council stating how they would like to stay involved in the church.

b. Pastor presented an evaluation for the blended service. The average attendance has been up during the last several months. The surveys will be put in everyone’s boxes during the May 14 service.

c. Pastor would like to see the 2 panels removed from the former children’s choir area, so members can feel they can sit there. M/S/C by Tim Kinkade, Joan Lienemann to take the front panels out. He also would like to see the plaques at the back of the church “reserved for families with small children” be removed so that families don’t feel they are supposed to sit in the back. M/S/C by Sherrie Nissen, Helen Mosman to remove the plaques

Old Business

a. The July services are all taken care of when Pastor will be on vacation.

b. Photos taken for the pictorial directory will be delivered to church on Sunday.

New Business

a. M/S/C by Raquel Linch, Joan Linenemann to allow Suzi Strofferahn use of 5 old tables and 25 chairs graduation weekend.

b. M/S/C by Bill Kunert, Sherri Nissen to approve purchase of a PDF translator for the computer that would translate Word documents into PDF format allowing more members to read the email newsletter. Cost is approximately $175.

c. Warren expressed his thanks to the council members going off of the council in June.

d. The old phone and printer didn’t make it on the spring sale but are for sale.

Committee Reports

Christian Ed: May 14 is the last day of Sunday School. April 30 was Confirmation Sunday. VBS will be July 16-21.

Church property: Jerry Nissen will build a picnic table for the playground area.

The next council meeting will be Thursday, June 8 at 6:30pm. Pastor Nate will lead devotions. Meeting adjourned. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted:
Raquel Linch, Council Secretary

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE

Avg. May Attendance

Sunday: 106

May Offerings (May 1- 28)

Current & Loose $ 5,862.87

Replacement $ 134.00

World Hunger $ 10.00

Sunday School $ 18.50

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR May (5-1 to 5-30)

Beginning Balance 5/1/06 $

Income

(current, loose,) $ 5,862.87

Expenses $ 4,418.23

Balance 5/30/06 $ 1,444.64

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

June Anniversaries

04 Betty & Vic Wager 19 Jane & Tim Youngdahl

21 Bev & Don Butler 21 Lynn & John Schaht

23 Joyce & LaVerne Anderson 23 Ella & Chuck Groff

24 Jan & Chuck Eilers 26 Joan & Richard Staples

27 Donna & Lanny Herzberg 30 Barb & Dave Riley

June Responsibilities

Sunday, June 4, 2006 Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Greeters: Carolyn Biere, Breta Kinkade Acolyte: Warren Woods

Ushers: Arlan & Carolyn Biere Ushers: Judy & Warren Woods

Flossie Roberts, Todd Stofferahn Communion Assistant: Warren Woods

Acolyte: Donovan Richardson Reader: Tim Kinkade

Communion Assistant: Tim Kinkade

Youth Assistant: Donovan Richardson

Cookies & Coffee: Carolyn Biere, Flossie Roberts, Breta Kinkade

Sunday, June 11, 2006 Wednesday. June 14, 2006

Greeters: Breta Kinkade, Tim Kinkade Acolyte: Ron Johnson

Ushers: Arlan Biere, Flossie Roberts Ushers: Ron & Bonnie Johnson

Todd & Suzie Stofferahn

Acolyte: Sean Snodgrass

Reader: Tim Kinkade

Cookies & Coffee: Carolyn Biere, Breta Kinkade

Sunday, June 18, 2006 Wednesday, June 21

Greeters: Flossie Roberts, Breta Kinkade Acolyte: Ron Johnson

Ushers: Arlan & Carolyn Biere Ushers: Ron & Bonnie Johnson

Todd & Suzie Stofferahn Communion Assistant: Ron Johnson

Acolyte: Sean Snodgrass

Reader: Tim Kinkade

Communion Assistant: Tim Kinkade

Youth Assistant: Sean Snodgrass

Cookies & Coffee: Carolyn Biere, Breta Kinkade, Bonnie Johnson

Sunday, June 25, 2006 Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Greeters: Breta Kinkade, Flossie Roberts Acolyte: Ron Johnson

Ushers: Arlan & Carolyn Biere Ushers: Ron & Bonnie Johnson

Flossie Roberts, Todd Stofferahn

Acolyte: Sean Snodgrass

Reader: Tim Kinkade

Cookies & Coffee: Carolyn Biere, Breta Kinkade

Counter for the month: Tim Kinkade

Salem Lutheran Quilters.

Thank you for the beautiful quilt! It was very generous of you to put your time and talent into this quilt. I will be taking it to college with me and it will be a good reminder of my hometown. Thanks again! Love, Jaimie Stofferahn

Lutheran Day at the I-Cubs. Join over 4,000 Lutherans on Sunday, June 25^th for Faith, Fund and Service. The Tickets are FREE! The Thrivent Branch is buying 100 tickets, 50 for Salem and 50 for Trinity. Before the game you can tour the Thrivent Builds mobile parked at the I-Cubs stadium. See Bev or Don Butler for your free tickets! Don’t miss out on a great afternoon of fun!

Those collecting stamps for Bethphage remember to leave ¼” on all sides of the canceled stamp in order for them to be usable. The container is in the kitchen.

If you haven’t returned the survey that was in your mailboxes, take a few minutes a do so. Return it to the church office as soon as possible. Your opinion does matter. There are extra copies in the church office.

This Nissen family would like to thank everyone for the prayers and kindness during Diane’s illness. Jerry’s sister, Diane has completed all treatment and her cancer is in remission. She is doing well and working again.

The last day of quilting, until fall, will be on Tuesday, May 30^th at 1:30pm. They will be cleaning the quilt closet and the kitchen on Tuesday, June 13^th at 1:30. All ladies are welcome to come and help. As the saying goes “Many hands make light work”.

Vacation Bible School 2006 - Fiesta: Where Kids are Fired Up About Jesus!

Salem Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church are in the planning stages for a Vacation Bible School that will provide fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for kids.

This year’s theme is Fiesta: Where Kids are Fired Up About Jesus! Our church will be jumping with excitement as we have a Fiesta! Fiesta is July 16 through 21 from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Presbyterian Church.

Right now we are seeking volunteers. We need volunteers to lead our different stations (games, snacks, Bible adventures, and preschool), supervise and guide the kids to different stations (crew leaders), and generally just help out the leaders or provide nursery care for our other volunteers. This Bible School program from Group makes it very easy to help plus we will have leaders from the Presbyterian Church as well. If you think you could help out even for a few nights please call VBS Director Raquel Linch at 782-5482. THANK YOU!

Joyce Anderson and Carolyn Biere will be attending the Tri-Synodical convention, June 23-24, at Wartburg College in Waverly. The article below tells of things they could use in their In Kind Offering: Kit-List.

The American Cancer Society RELAY FOR LIFE will begin at Panther Field on Friday, June 9 at 6pm and finish at 6 am on Saturday, June 10. We have a team of youth put together who will be walking and participating. If you would like to make a donation or purchase a luminary in memory or honor of someone with cancer, please stop at the table in the narthex, following the worship service today. If you would like to participate with our youth and join them on the relay we would love to have you! If you have any questions, please contact Lori Paup at 782-5748.

Congratulations to Heather Soda and Jeremie Peterson, who were united in marriage, on May 27, 2006 here at Salem. May God bless this union.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SALEM’S GRADUATES

From Creston High School:

Sam Abel, son of Terrie & Tannie Abel, plans on attending SWCC for 2 years and then transferring to a four year college.

Joe Otten, Larry & Gracie Otten, will be attending William Penn college, majoring in history education,

Damian Richardson, son Michael & Lacey, will be attending SWCC for 2 years and transfer to ISU to major in Horticulture.

Kyle Shaffer, son of Alan & Julie Shaffer, plans to attend SWCC and then transfer to Grand View College.

Steve Shaffer, son of Alan & Julie Shaffer, will be attending SWCC.

Jaimie Stofferahn, daughter of Todd & Suzie Stofferahn, her plans are to attend ISU, majoring in Liberal Arts-Pre-Professional program.

From Lenox High School:

Blaire Baker, daughter of Chuck & Dawn Logston, plans to attend SWCC and then transfer to Northwestern.

From Southwestern Community College:

Scott Levine, son of Kirk & Ann, and grandson of Ron & Jo Levine, with Scholastic honors will be attending NW University in Maryville, majoring in journalism. This summer he will be interning at Metro Sports television network.

From University of Iowa:

Jaimie Johnson, son of Ron & Bonnie Johnson, graduated from the School of Medicine; he will be doing his residency in Iowa City.

June 2006

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

9:00 Worship/w Communion

Installation of newly elected council members

Election here/Salem

6:30 pm Worship/w Communion

6:30 pm Council

Relay for Life

Panther Field

Relay for Life

Panther Field

9:00 Worship

1:30 pm Quilters

6:30 pm Worship

1:30 pm Yesterday’s Teens

18 FATHER’S DAY

9:00 Worship/w Communion

NEWSLETTER DAEDLINE

6:30 pm Worship/w Communion

7:15 pm Worship & Music

WIS Women’s Meeting @ Wartsburg College in Waverly

9:00 Worship

I-Cub Ball Game

6:30 pm Worship