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
November 2006
From the Pastor’s Desk:
A common nugget of wisdom tells us, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
There is wisdom in reminding ourselves that we can get into trouble by over managing and overanalyzing. However, churches have a tendency to embrace this attitude far too enthusiastically, almost as if this were our mission statement. When a congregation becomes satisfied that its primary role is simply to mind the store, it leads to decline.
In biology, there is a principle known as homeostasis. The term simply means that living things and systems tend to seek a stable condition. For example, when the body gets hot, sweat glands swing into action to bring the temperature down. When the body gets cold, shivering generates activity to raise the body temperature. The body’s goal is to keep everything at a fixed unchanging, normal phase.
That’s good for a body, but not for a congregation. Our natural tendency to ease into the “life-as-normal” phase, where as little as possible happens, doesn’t work for a church. Because a church is meant to be a place where things happen. It has to be a place of growth, of ideas, of new commitment, of energy. Jesus did not come in order that everything might keep running the same as it was; he came to change lives!
I think the church would do well to temper our embrace of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” with a lesser-known subhead of Murphy’s Law: “If things seem to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.”
The energy and momentum of the past year will not maintain itself. Left to its own course, homeostasis will pull us back toward a state where little happens. It takes commitment to work against homeostasis and keep things moving.
So, Salem Lutheran, it’s time to thrown down the challenge. God has big things in mind for this congregation. But they won’t just happen; they require commitment.
Regular worship does not just happen. Funding the work of the church to the point where it can change lives does not just happen. Shaping the church into a more active force in the community does not just happen. Passing on an active faith to the next generation does not just happen.
This year, we are going to challenge each other to make a commitment to keep the church moving to accomplish what God intends.
Salem Church Council Minutes
October 19, 2006
In the absence of President Warren Woods and Vice President Bert Henry, Council Secretary Sherri Nissen, chose Past President, Chuck Taylor to conduct the meeting. The following members were also in attendance: Tim Kinkade, Dennis Nardy, Pastor Nate, Margaret Kneedler, Annette Boswell, Helen Mosman, Mike and Raquel Linch. Annette Boswell led devotions.
M/S/C by Tim Kinkade & Annette Boswell to approve the September minutes as presented.
Pastor’s Report:
a). Pastor reminded everyone that Pastor Mark Holmer will be at Salem on October 23rd at 7:00pm. He will do a presentation on, Mission and More, through the Synod.
b). Pastor would like to invite young adults from Riverside Bible Camp and Dana College to present a Youth program and worship service. He would also like to invite Joyful Noise to come back and be a part of worship service. M/S/C by Sherri Nissen and Raquel Linch to have Pastor talk with the above mentioned parties and set something up.
c). Gideon’s would like to be more visible in the Southwest area and are asking to do a service in Pastor’s absence.
d). Stewardship is the 3rd week in November; the committees need to meet for discussion.
Treasurer’s Report was presented by Mike Linch with M/S/C by Tim Kinkade and Sherri Nissen to approve with the following presented:
a) There is memorial money from the families of Alta Kuhl and Anna Swanson, as well as
special funds to be used towards the sound system.
b) Harold Roberts and Reva Roeder memorial money is to go toward Christian Education.
c) It was reported that the church has a decent cash flow at this time, with a surplus M/S/C Tim
Kinkade and Sherri Nissen to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
Old Business:
a) Tim Kinkade reported that Hy-Vee offered a low bid of $25.00 per pair of floral arrangements for service each week, as needed. They will also come out during the week to freshen the arrangements. Worship teams members will be responsible for contacting HY-Vee when it is their turn. M/S/C Annette Boswell and Raquel Linch to use Hy-Vee for floral arrangements.
b) M/S/C Helen Mosman & Annette Boswell – 2- CD players for Sunday school classes will be purchased with the interest and memorial money. Mike Linch offered to take care of the purchases as presented by the Christian Ed committee at approximately $35.00 each from Wal-Mart.
c) M/S/C by Raquel Linch and Tim Kinkade to use $600 from replacement fund to purchase a new TV/DVD combo for upstairs.
d) M/C/S by Tim Kinkade and Helen Mosman to use Justin Byers to replace the sign at Hwy 34 with a blue background and yellow reflective letters. The same format will be used with the church phone number added. Mike Linch will assist with this.
New Business:
a) Mike Linch will contact Marty Heimke at Pre Cast about snow removal.
b) M/S/C by Tim Kinkade and Helen Mosman to stay with the same company as last year for offering envelopes. 140 total booklets will be ordered with all special offering envelopes placed in the front and color coded. A few extra envelopes will also be added for special donations, to be filled in by the donor.
c) M/S/C by Annette Boswell and Sherri Nissen: Committee assignments will be tabled until the November council meeting when President Warren Woods can attend.
d) Evangelism and Stewardship committees will be meeting to discuss membership and discuss having Revelations and Year Book coincide.
e) Warren Woods, Mike Linch and Chuck Taylor will review the By Laws.
Committee Reports:
a) Christian Education—Youth will be hosting the Haunted Barn Friday, October 27, 8—11pm, Saturday, October 28, 7-11:30pm and Tuesday, October 31, 7-10pm.
b) Evangelism—No Report
c) Church Property—the mower has been repaired. The west door in Fellowship Hall needs repair and eves need cleaned.
d) Social Ministry—Reminder Salem is signed up to serve as the Open Table December 5. Also they will be planning for a Christmas family again this year.
e) Worship & Music—No Report
f) Stewardship—No Report
g) Finance—Budget proposal was discussed. The committee will review and bring it to the executive committee to discuss.
h) Other—An Endowment Fund Committee has been formed with Tim Kinkade-Chair, Helen Mosman and Helen Herzberg.
M/S/C Raquel Linch and Annette Boswell to adjourn the meeting.
The next council meeting will be November 9th at 6:30pm. Open devotions will be led by Helen Mosman. Meeting adjourned. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted;
Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
OCTOBER OFFERINGS (OCTOBER 1-31) FINANCIAL REPORT FOR OCTOBER
Current $ 9,609.59 Beginning Balance 10/1/06 $ 2,779.58
World Hunger 31.00 Income
Replacement 95.00 (Current & Lose) 9,609.59
Sunday School 81.35 Expenses 6,503.64
Balance $ 5,885.53
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
101
Troy Schroeder, Chuck Foster, Dorothy Henry, Wanda Peterson, Marge Hanson, Helen Schadde, Maxine Whan, Ella Groff, Liz McClain and Gwen Skaggs. 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, Spec. 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 of our military in your prayers.
Thank you for all the cards, calls of concern and prayers for my health issues.
Paul Grumley
Shirley Loos recently had a stroke. She is doing her rehab in Kansas. Her address is:
Shirley Loos
Emporia Rehab Center
221 Logan
Emporia, KS 60801
620-342-4212
November Birthdays
11/02 Nicole Burg 11/19 Brittany Linch
Tammy Wolverton 11/20 Beverly Courtney
11/05 Kaleb Cook 11/21 Elaine Fargo
11/07 Thad Sickels 11/22 George Faust
11/08 Keirstan Henry 11/23 Rees Tyler
11/09 Dorine Peterson 11/24 Lanny Herzberg
11/11 David Ekblad Duane Schmidt
11/13 Bonnie Johnson 11/27 Scott Levine
11/15 Dorothy McNaught Todd Wolverton
11/17 Tim Kinkade 11/29 Bert Henry
November Anniversaries
11/08 Janet & Floyd Nesbit 11/23 Janice & Roland Peterson
11/18 Debra & Mike Springer 11/25 Nicky & Jason Burg
ADULT ED
Adult Ed met on October 29th and will not meet on November 5th. They began a 3-week series on the Parables of Jesus. They will meet again on November 12th & 19th.
If you have missed any of Pastor’s sermons, you can find them at: http://www.salemluth.net/SermonLinks.htm
November Worship Team Responsibilities
November 5, 2006 November 12, 2006
Ushers: Gail & Roxie Peterson Ushers: Gail & Roxie Peterson
Rodney & Linda Mahn Dennis & Becky Nardy
Greeters: Dennis & Becky Nardy Greeters: Bev Courtney, Alan Paup
Reader: Lori Paup Reader: Lori Paup
Acolyte: Alex Paup Acolyte: Alex Paup
Coffee & Cookies: Flossie Mosman Communion Assistant: Alan Paup & Aaron Paup
Gail & Roxie Peterson Coffee & Cookies: Bev Courtney, Nardy’s
November 19, 2006 November 26, 2006
Ushers: Kirk & Ann Levine Ushers: Rodney & Linda Mahn
Rodney & Linda Mahn Gail & Roxie Peterson
Greeters: Dennis & Becky Nardy Greeters: Dennis & Becky Nardy
Reader: Lori Paup Reader: Becky Nardy
Acolyte: Alec Paup Acolyte: Dennis Nardy
Communion Assistant: Alan & Aaron Paup
Coffee & Cookies: Paup’s and Nardy’s Coffee & Cookies: Peterson’s & Mahn’s
Miriam Circle will meet at 7:00P.M., November 2nd at the home of Joyce Anderson. Becky Nardy will lead the Bible study.
Rebekah Circle will meet at 1:15 P.M, November 9th, in the Fellowship Hall with Jo Levine as hostess and Pat Grumley leading the Bible Study. Rebekah Circle will also be visiting with the shut ins during the month.
A Women of the ELCA meeting will be held after church on November 19th. We will be voting on the amended Constitution. and election of officers will be held. Thank Offering boxes will be collect on November 19th. Salem WELCA will determine where to disburse the collection at the meeting following worship service.
We are still gathering items for our health kits, layettes, sewing kits, fabric kits and school kits. You may bring items for these kits until November 5th. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
A big Thank You to G&H shipping of Greenfield for taking all of the quilts to St. Paul, MN for Lutheran World Relief.
Thank you to everyone who worked on the committees to make our Cluster meeting a success. The table decorations, the food, the music and the program made the day most enjoyable. A special thanks to Lois Olsen for the delightful table decorations.
Quilting will be on Wednesday, November 8th due to the voting taking place here at Salem on November7th.