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
March 2007
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Faith Journeys
“But enough about me. Let’s talk about you.”
That statement usually comes as sort of an embarrassed acknowledgement that the speaker has gone on too long, telling his or her story. It happens frequently because everyone has a story to tell. Everyone needs to share the story of who they are and what they have experienced. The story of ourselves is a story that we know far better than anyone else and so it is an easy story to tell.
Talking about ourselves is often viewed as self-centered and egotistical and so we apologize when we catch ourselves doing it. Human beings, however, communicate best through stories.
Most communication is an impersonal exchange, sort like playing catch. One person tosses the information and the other tries to catch it.
A story, though, is personal and that is what makes it more effective. A good story comes from deep inside the speaker. And a well-told story does not come at the listener like a ball to be caught; it comes up through the listener as he or she experiences the storyteller’s world. A story does not drag or push or bully its listeners. Rather, it carries them to a place where they could not travel on their own.
That is why faith stories are so important. We are called to proclaim the good news of the Gospel. We do that most effectively not by impersonally tossing information for someone to catch, but by telling a story that comes from deep inside us that comes up through the listener.
During this Lenten season we are focusing on stories of faith journeys from the Bible, both in our worship services and in our adult education. They are valuable stories that come up through us and carry us to a new understanding of God.
These stories remind us that the stories we know the best, and can tell the best, come from our lives. From our own faith journeys. It is not self-centered or egotistical to share them.
One of my goals in the coming year is to help each of us tell the story of our faith journey—for there is no greater privilege nor more important task for a Christian than to share the story; with those who don’t know it, with those who need to be reminded of it, and especially with the younger generations.
Salem Church Council Minutes
February 15, 2007
The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Mike and Raquel Linch, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy, Sherri Nissen and Dave Riley. Chuck Taylor, Pastor Nate, Margaret Kneedler, Chuck Eilers and Jodi Hitz were also in attendance. Sherri Nissen led devotions.
M/S/C by Dave Riley and Helen Mosman to approve the January minutes, with the change of Viola Johnson’s 95th birthday was celebrated, not 90th birthday.
Correspondence: None at this time.
Pastor’s Report
a) The baptism of Eli Stuchlik, son of Zach and Karisa Stuchlik will be Sunday, February 18, 2007.
b) Joyful Noise will be participating in the Sunday, February 25th worship service.
c) Lenten Service begins with Ash Wednesday, February 21st. Salem will be hosting a service again this year.
d) With new council members coming on board, worship teams will have the following changes: Warren Woods—March, John Schlaht—April, Jodi Hitz—May and Chuck Eilers—September.
e) There has been an increase of $180.00 per year for the renewal of worship service material from Augsburg Sundays and Seasons. There is currently $400.00 budgeted.
f) Pastor and President Warren Woods handed out a proposal of Congregational Committees, as well as addresses and phone numbers for council members.
Treasurer’s Report was presented by Mike Linch with M/S/C by Chuck Taylor and Helen Mosman to approve with the following presented:
a) There has been $420.00 in memorials from Dorothy Henry’s family, with funds requested to go to the church choir.
b) Petty cash fund of $50.00 has been set up.
c) Cancelled Selandar checking account, and moved to Special Fund account.
d) Removed Parsonage accounts from reports since congregation approved the Endowment Committee to control the funds.
e) Benevolence was up during the month of January.
f) Youth group has reimbursed the general fund from their fundraisers for Youth Quake.
Old Business
a) M/S/C by Chuck Eilers and Sherri Nissen to approve the council committees and responsibilities from Pastor Nate and Warren Woods. There will be five standing committees meeting regularly, on a monthly basis. These meetings will be held the Thursday proceeding council at 6:30pm to include: Worship & Music, Education, Finance, Property and Social Ministry.
b) M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Chuck Taylor to approve the check from treasurer’s gift certificate.
New Business
a) M/S/C by Chuck Taylor and Sherri Nissen to approve Pastor Nate and Warren and Judy Woods to be the Synodical Delegates in Sioux City, April 20-22. Pastor anticipates no housing expenses as they will be able to stay with his in-laws.
b) M/S/C Chuck Taylor and Dave Riley for Easter Special Giving be for the Well Drilling program in Tanzania.
c) Eddie, the child Sunday School has sponsored is no longer in the program. Christian Education will need to discuss sponsoring a new child.
d) There will be a $5.00 charge for all CD’s made for a wedding or funeral service.
e) Choir would like to purchase 3 microphone/music stands with a portion of Dorothy Henry’s memorial. M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Chuck Taylor.
f) The following have requested the use of the Fellowship Hall:
Women—Spring Rummage Sale—April 13, 2007
Bridge Marathon—May 5, 2007
Celebration Iowa for State Fair auditions—March 1, 2007. $50.00 charge
PEO—Elaine Fargo—March 6, 2007
Raquel Linch—Scrapbooking—April 28, 2007
M/S/C by Raquel Linch and Helen Mosman
No committee reports were presented.
M/S/C Dave Riley and Dennis Nardy to adjourn the meeting. The next council meeting will be March 15th at 6:30pm. Opening devotions will be led by Raquel Linch. Meeting adjourned. Closed with Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted:
Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary
ADULT EDUCATION
In March, Sunday School adult education will be exploring the same theme as the Lenten services—the stories of faith journeys, from both the Old and New Testaments, men and women—and how we can use these stories as a model for our own witness.
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
Budget through February $ 18,450.00 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
Giving through February 18,087.10 Sunday…91
Over Budget $ 362.90 Wednesday…50
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
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
03/01 Marilyn Engelson 03/13 Carole Fox 03/21 Jerry Nissen
03/03 Ryan Cook 03/14 Linda Mahn Donovan Richardson
03/04 Sandy Gross 03/15 James Paup 03/23 Peggy Cass
03/06 Lori Paup 03/16 Suzie Stofferahn 03/25 Nick Henry
03/09 David Abildtrup 03/19 Gail Peterson 03/29 Roland Peterson
03/10 Ray Courtney 03/20 Zach Henry Eleanor Toycen
03/12 Steve Shaffer Janet Nesbit
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !
03/25 Mike and Raquel Linch
Brenda Cook, Gene Smith, Luke Kinkade (Maleria), Charles Foster, Ella Groff, Marge Hanson, Shirley Loos, Janice Peterson, Wanda 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, Sgt. Mark Kinkade, Str. Airman Travis Mathis, Cpl. James Paup, Airman 1st Class Zacary Sedlmayr, Sgt. Matt Tysdal, Col. Vic Wager III---We ask God to lead and protect our young men and women who are protecting our country and serving in the Middle East. Please keep our servicepersons and their families in your prayers.
Proposals for Committees at Salem
By Pastor Nate Aaseng 2/15/07
1. We have five standing committees that should meet regularly, on a monthly basis:
Worship & Music
Education
Finance
Property
Social Ministry
a. ideally, these committees should meet at a consistent time (for example, the 1st Thursday of every month). This streamlines communication and provides a structure that ensures that these meetings will take place. When meeting times are left open-ended, odds are much higher that meetings will not take place.
b. each committee should have a designated chair. This person is responsible for preparing an agenda and leading the meeting.
c. the church constitution and bylaws should be followed as far as membership of the committees. Each member is on a 3-year term, with some turnover each year. While people can go back onto a committee, there should be some turnover each year. No one should be assumed to be on a committee for life.
d. each meeting should begin with prayer—a task to be rotated among the members (and the pastor). Prayers do not have to be elaborate. One sentence asking for God’s presence and guidance in this meeting is enough. This church believes in the power of prayer and this church seeks God’s guidance and an understanding of God’s will; therefore there is really no excuse for not having a prayer.
e. a suggestion to improve efficiency and communication: have all the standing committee meetings take place the week before council. Ideally, have all the committees meet at the same time, on a specified day. This promotes efficiency and allows for some communication and coordination between committees.
f. in the ELCA church structure, the pastor does not lead any committee but serves as an advisor to all committees.
2. We have six committees that do not need to meet on a regular basis:
Stewardship
Evangelism
Auditing
Ministry Partnership
Pastoral Support
Endowment
a. Stewardship, Auditing and Ministry Partnership are seasonal tasks and should meet. Stewardship’s work can be accomplished in October and November. Auditing and Ministry Partnership are end-of-the-year tasks.
b. I propose putting the pastor in charge of Stewardship and Evangelism, to develop a program and call meetings as needed. The Ministry Partnership committee should be the Council’s executive committee.
3. Standing Committee Responsibilities
In accordance with the bylaws and the needs of the congregation, I propose the committees take responsibilities for these areas of ministry:
Worship & Music Education Social Ministry
Worship services Sunday School Community Outreach
Music program Youth program Nursery
Worship teams Confirmation Synod and ELCA
Finance Property
Budget Facilities maintenance
Treasurer Janitorial
Replacement needs
4. The annual report and directory should be available to the congregation at least one week prior to the annual meeting.
2007 LENTEN SCHEDULE
DATE CHURCH PASTOR
February 25 First Presbyterian Rev. Dan Moore
March 4 First Christian Rev. Nate Aaseng
March 11 Salem Lutheran Rev. Diana Leaf
March 18 United Methodist-Afton Rev. Clark Finehout
March 25 United Church of Christ Rev. Karen Garrison
April 1 Cromwell UCC Rev. Jerry White
April 6 (Good Friday) United Methodist-Creston Rev. Jane Willian
Daylight Savings begins on March 11th. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. You don’t want to be late for church on Sunday morning.
Thank you so much for all the memorials and messages of sympathy we received when my mother, Dottie Zimmerman, passed away. Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.
Carolyn Biere and family
A huge “Thanks” to our Salem family for your prayers, phone calls and visits.
Coral and Gene Smith
Kid’s Squad will not meet during Lent.
Congratulations to Jeremie & Heather Peterson on the bird of their son, Alexander, born on February 20, 2007. Proud Grandparents are Gail and Roxie Peterson and very proud Big Brothers are Vincent and Samuel Soda.
Your 2007 Yearbooks are in your mailboxes.
Women of the ELCA
Miriam Circle will meet at the home of Bev Butler on March 1st at 7:00PM. Linda Huffman will lead the Bible study.
Rebekah Circle will meet in the Fellowship Hall on March 8th at 1:15pm. Barbara Bjorn will be Hostess and Flossie Roberts will be Bible study leader.
We would like to thank the family of Vi Johnson for their donation to Salem women for serving her 95th birthday party.
Salem quilters have sent a quilt for an auction in April with proceeds going to Lutheran Lakeside camp. Another quilt will be sent for another auction benefiting Riverside camp, which Salem students attend.
Mosaic at Bethphage Village at Axtell, NE has asked us NOT to send cancelled stamps any longer. They are asking us to send Campbell Soup UPC labels (front panel product labels are no longer accepted). Check the sheet on the bulletin board for all eligible products. There are several.
Salem will host the Ecumenical church service on March 11th. A light supper will follow the service.
Salem’s Spring Sale will on April 13th. When you are doing your spring cleaning and find any clothing or other items you no longer need, save them our Spring Sale.
Bev Butler
Co-Chair, Salem Women of the ELCA
Spring Sale
April 13, 2007
8:00AM—5:00PM
Bake Sale and Luncheon