May 2008
Do you believe in the Bible?
That’s a loaded question. The Bible is not a yes or no statement. It is a marvelous, complex, nuanced, and often mysterious collection of writings. More claim to believe in the Bible than actually know what is in it.
The important question is not so much do you believe in the Bible but rather what do you believe about the Bible.
Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God?
Another loaded question. What does it mean that the Bible is the Word of God?
Do you really know your Bible?
Yep, another loaded question. Does being able to quote chapter and verse to back up certain opinions qualify as knowing your Bible?
The Bible is the source of our faith and our understanding of God. Yet Lutherans as a whole really don’t know much about it. We don’t spend much time with it. Outside of worship, it isn’t really a part of our lives.
The ELCA would like to change that. The 2007 Churchwide Assembly adopted an initiative called Book of Faith to invite the church “to become more fluent in the first language of faith . . . in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the Word.”
The purposes of the Book of Faith initiative are:
1. To encourage us to open the Bible and discover the many ways the Bible is the source and norm of our faith.
2. To make a commitment as individuals and congregations to talk together, to join in Bible-centered conversations.
3. To increase Bible literacy and fluency in the church.
4. To deepen our understanding of the Lutheran insights that ground our faith and shape our approach to the Bible
5. To renew and enliven the whole church through deeper engagement with the Bible.
In other words, the ELCA is proposing that we take some time to find out what we believe and why we believe it. I am encouraging this congregation to make a commitment to being part of this effort.
Adult Education for May
Do the mass media have a bias against Christians? Do they accurately depict Christianity? Is there any such thing as objective reporting? Do the media have a greater influence than the church on our children? Have the media contributed to an erosion of standards and values in our country? Is there any way for a Christian to reverse this influence and erosion of standards and values? How can we as Christians use such a powerful and easily abused tool as the mass media and make it work for the glory of God?
These are some of the questions we will be exploring in our final three-week adult education session of this year. Please join us, and bring a friend!
Salem Church Council Minutes
April 10, 2008
The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Chuck Eilers, Bert Henry, Jodi Hitz, Mike Linch, Joan Lienemann, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy and Sherri Nissen. Also in attendance were Flossie Roberts, John Schlaht, LouAnn Snodgrass, Chuck Taylor, Gary Kessler, Pastor Nate and Margaret Kneedler.
Joan Lienemann led devotions.
M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Flossie Roberts to approve the April minutes.
Correspondence: none at this time
Pastor’s Report:
Pastor reported on summer months. Starting the first Sunday in June, services will be 9:00 am and 7:00 pm on Wednesday evenings. Pastor will be gone Sunday, June 15th and 22nd with Pastor Jane Willan filling in. On Wednesday, June 18th and 25th, possibly members of the congregation would share their faith stories. Joyful Noise will be singing Sunday, April 27th.
Treasurer’s Report was presented by Mike Linch.
a) $893 was divided between the Ministerial Alliance and Rural Iowa Crisis
Center from the Easter offering.
b) The men’s Easter breakfast collected approximately $286.00.
c) M/S/C by Helen Mosman and John Schlaht to approve the Finance committee
recommendation to move Special Funds such as: Building repair, campers,
Youth Quake and nativity to a money market account. Special funds will also
be used to sponsor our passion child.
d) Memorials: Reva Roeder to the Well program in Tanzania, Ray Hanson
possibly to landscape and the family of Don Swanson has no preference other than not for the building/roof repair funds.
M/S/C by Chuck Taylor and Helen Mosman to approve the treasurer’s report.
Old Business:
a) Altar flowers: Worship committee is responsible for these. Sherri Nissen
will look into the cost of silk arrangements for the four seasons.
b) Synodical Convention is June 6th and 7th. Salem would like to send two
people. Linda Aaseng has requested to attend.
c) The cost of replacing the lights and signs was $715. Thrivent will match
$900 and the church will also receive a rebate from the electric company.
New Business:
a) M/S/S by Chuck Taylor and Sherri Nissen to use money from Harry Kinkade
and Dorothy Henry memorials for special music.
b) The office was contacted about placing an ad for $80 in the Union County
Directory. Council voted No on the issue.
c) M/S/C by Sherri Nissen and Joan Lienemann to sell the piano in the basement.
Interested members should leave an offer in the office.
Committee reports were presented:
a) Christian Education:
* Vacation Bible School will be in July
* The Thursday afternoon High School program has ended until fall, at
which time we will look at ways to increase attendance.
* The last day for Sunday School is May 18th.
b) Evangelism—has not met.
c) Social Ministry—St John’s Episcopal Church is hosting a “Water of Hope”
bike ride May 2nd and 3rd and would like Salem to help, with more details
to come.
d) Church property—Insulation is done and roof repair will begin as soon as
possible. Exit signs, bulbs and switches are ready to be installed.
e) Worship and Music—Requesting to sell the piano in the basement with the
money going into Special funds. They are looking for volunteers for special
music during the summer months. There are three interested in getting trained
on the sound equipment.
f) Stewardship
g) Finance
h) Other—Bert Henry reported that the youth are no longer able to work the
concession stands for school activities. This was their major money
project for camp. They will be serving a meal May 19th at the Farmer’s
Market. This will be at McKinley Park. More details to come.
M/S/C John Schlaht and Dennis Nardy to adjourn the meeting.
The next council meeting will be May 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Opening devotions will be led by Flossie Roberts. The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted:
Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
March, 2008
Contributions $ 12,316.75
Expenses 11,793.08
Net Income $ 523.67
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 114
Mary Jo Foster, Ella Groff, Marge Hanson, Janice Peterson, Willard Peterson and Helen Schadde. 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, SN Tony McNaught, SWCN 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.
Notes from Christian Ed Committee:
Mark these dates on your calendar—
The last day of Sunday School will be Sunday, May 18th.
Kid Squad last day will be Wednesday, May 21st.
Vacation Bible School will be July 13-18, with the theme Power Lab.
Thanks to all parents/grandparents for bringing the kids to Sunday School and Kid Squad. We love seeing them in our classes.
Thanks,
Christian Education Committee
MAY BIRTHDAYS
05/01 Frances Jungst 5/09 Tim Kenyon
05/02 Donna Swanson 05/15 Betty Wager
05/04 Jason Peppers 05/23 Coral Smith
05/05 Abbie Wuebker 05/24 Janice Peterson
05/06 Michael Miller 5/27 Helen Herzberg
05/07 Liz Kenyon 05/30 Brenda Sedlmayr
MAY ANNIVERSARIES
05/01 Don & Eleanor Toycen
05/04 Troy & Donna Schroeder
05/06 Don & Helen Mosman
05/12 Gary & Carol Peterson
05/12 Brenda & Richard Slight
05/18 Sara & Bill Bolinger
05/19 Arlan & Carolyn Biere
05/25 Gene & Coral Smith
05/27 Jeremie & Heather Peterson
05/27 Mike & Lacey Richardson
05/30 Dick & Sue Bergstrom
05/31 Marc & Deb Roberg
May thanks to our Salem family for the many expressions of sympathy at the time of my father’s death. Your support with cards, phone calls, hugs and kind words have helped us through a difficult time.
Sincerely,
Lynne & John Schlaht
Marge Hanson has moved to a nursing home in Conrad, Iowa. Her address is:
Oak View Home
Attention: Marge Hanson
511 E. Center
Conrad, IA 50621
641-366-2212
We welcome Wyatt Hitz to our family here at Salem through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Wyatt is the son of Andy and Jodi Hitz and his sponsors are Cindy Doerr and Annie & Scotte Hansen.
Piano for Sale – The Salem Council has decided to sell the piano which is located in the basement Sunday School room. It is a Story & Clark, console size, in good condition. Bids may be submitted to the church office. If you have questions, please contact Jane McKinney, choir director.
Thanks to the April Worship Team for your help during the Worship services! I really appreciate all your work and willingness to participate.
Jodi Hitz
Dedication of quilts was held April 20th. There were 127 quilts on display. Sixteen smaller ones were made by Bev Page of Prescott. Ninety one of the quilts were taken to G&H Shipping of Greenfield to be delivered to Lutheran World Relief in St. Paul, MN. The remaining ones will be distributed to Bremwood and other areas.
In addition, 26 baby quilts were donated to us by Lucille Lundy of Orient, ten of them were given to Rural Iowa Crisis Center and 16 went to the nursery @ Greater Regional Medical Center.
We will continue meeting through May. On May 29th the quilters will meet at 12:30 p.m. for a potluck. Thank you again to all who have contributed in some way to the support of our quilting. We especially thank G&H Shipping of Greenfield for their valuable role in shipping the quilts. We’re grateful to the many people participating in this project to help others around the world.
WOMEN OF THE ELCA
Miriam Circle will meet at the home of Carolyn Biere on May 29th at 6:00 pm for a cook-out. Bev Butler will lead the Bible study and Linda Huffman will preside.
Rebekah Circle will meet in the Fellowship hall on May 8th, at 1:15 pm. Dorothy McNaught will be the hostess and Barbara Bjorn will lead the Bible study.
All women are welcome to attend either circle.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated food, time and sale items for Salem’s Spring Sale, which was held Friday, April 4th. It takes a lot of time and effort by many people to make the day a success. The Women of ELCA cleared $ 1200.00 which will be used for donations to various organizations. In addition Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will give $800 to Salem, which will be applied to the insulation and other energy efficient costs.
Joyce Anderson and Flossie Roberts attended the Spring Cluster meeting on Saturday, April 19th, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak. Salem women donated $25.00 to the Girl’s School in Tanzania.
The 21st WISWO Convention will be June 28th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, IA. Joyce Anderson and Carolyn Biere will be attending. If anyone else is interested in attending, contact either of them or Bev Butler.
Bev Butler
Co-Chair, Salem Women of ELCA
MAY WORSHIP TEAMS
Sunday, May 4th Sunday, May 11th
Greeters: Barb Kenyon, Sara Lane Greeters: Barb Kenyon
Ushers: Tin Kenyon, Chris Lane, Ushers: Tin Kenyon, Duane Schmidt,
Duane Schmidt, Joan Lienemann Joan Lienemann
Reader: Tin Kenyon Reader: Tim Kenyon
Communion Assistant: Joan Lienemann Coffee & Cookies: Bjorns, Joan Lienemann
Coffee & Cookies: Olsens and Alice Swanson
Sunday, May 18tb Sunday, May 25th
Greeters: Barb Kenyon, Barb Bjorn Greeters: Sara Lane
Ushers: Tim Kenyon, Duane Schmidt Ushers: Chris Lane, Duane, Schmidt,
Chris & Sara Lane Joan Lienemann, Cliff Olsen
Reader: Tim Kenyon Reader: Joan Lienemann
Communion Assistant: Joan Lienemann Coffee & Cookies: Bill & Barb Bjorn,
Coffee & Cookies: Dick & Jane Johnston, Joan Lienemann
Joan Lienemann
Volunteer medical people needed at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp. If you are a nurse, EMT, paramedic or a doctor, your services are welcomed and so appreciated! The responsibilities include overseeing the medical needs of the campers and the staff. Our volunteer medical people are known for their TLC!
We have a medical person on site for each week of the summer and for each Recharge weekend in the fall.
When you serve you may enjoy as many of the camp activities as you choose, one of your children comes to a FREE week of camp and others come for HALF PRICE—a week of your chose! Your housing includes air conditioning and a private restroom with a shower.
Please call the camp office soon if you are interested in serving in this way. You WILL have a blessed week!
515-733-5271 or 1-800-372-7748