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
April 2007
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Sharing the Journey
We are nearly through our long walk through Lent on the road to Emmaus. It is a road that begins in as many places as there are people, and it winds through the vast terrain of human experience.
We have traveled many of these roads in recent weeks as we have listened to the faith stories of men and women of the Bible. We have seen how the foundations of our faith have been forged and passed on, not in documents and lectures and abstract philosophy, but in the lives of real people traveling toward the place where all these roads come together—on the outskirts of a distant little town called Emmaus.
We tell these stores not as studies in ancient history, nor as hero tales from a bygone era, nor as morality plays that teach life’s lessons. We tell them because they help us discover what faith is and how it came to be. We tell them because that is how faith is passed on. We tell them because they remind us that we are all traveling the road to Emmaus, to the place where all journeys end and where new life begins.
As we complete our look at faith journeys of the Bible, we are asking everyone to reflect on their own faith journey. We began this project in Adult Education recently and we will continue it now through the year. We would like everyone to tell their faith story—in church, to our confirmation class, on videotape—whatever feels most comfortable. The end result will be a library of faith stories from the people of Salem Lutheran Church.
The first step is to take some time to reflect on this journey. The enclosed questions are designed to help you do that. Your answers to these questions will help you shape the faith story of your journey on the road to Emmaus. Spend time thinking about where you have been and what you have learned on your faith journey, so that you can pass it along.
Faith Journey
How were you brought up in the faith? (Family, church)
What 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
March 15, 2007
The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods with the following members present: Helen Mosman, Raquel Linch, Warren Woods, Dennis Nardy, John Schlaht, Chuck Taylor, Jodi Hitz, Chuck Eilers, Joan Lienemann, Bert Henry and Mike Linch (Treasurer). Also in attendance were Pastor Aaseng and Margaret Kneedler.
Raquel Linch led us in devotions.
M/S/C by Chuck Eilers, John Schlaht to approve the February council minutes.
Treasurer Mike Linch shows that some things are divided out monthly in the budget but he corrects it to reflect the correct budget per month. M/S/C by Helen Mosman, John Schlaht to approve the February Treasurer’s report.
Pastor’s Report:
a) Joyful Noise will perform April 15th.
Old Business:
a) Committees are still being added to and consistent meeting times established.
b) M/S/C by Helen Mosman, John Schlaht to approve use of the fellowship hall by Lifeline providing they pay the $100 hall usage fee.
New Business:
a) M/S/C by Joan Lienemann, Chuck Eilers to approve the $61 Easter ad in the CNA.
b) M/S/C by Raquel Linch, Chuck Taylor to approve Lori Paup’s request to use the church for occasional guitar lessons.
c) M/S/C by Chuck Taylor, Bert Henry to allow a company to come in and set up a piano display for one day providing they pay the $100 hall usage fee.
d) M/S/C by Helen Mosman, Chuck Taylor to allow Riley’s to use the fellowship hall on May 19th for Jessica’s graduation party.
e) M/S/C by Raquel Linch, Bert Henry to allow the prom committee to use the old tables for post prom party at the High School on April 21st.
Committee Reports:
Christian Education: Lori Paup was elected has chairperson. Eddy, the boy the Sunday school had been sponsoring, is know longer in the program. The committee decided to support local service projects for the younger children and encourage the adult Sunday school to support a worldwide mission project. May 13th will be the last day of Sunday school. April 29th will be confirmation, and May 20th we will recognize the four graduating seniors.
Church property: An inventory has been taken have things that need fixed.
Social Ministry: Linda Huffman was elected has chairperson. The committee is looking to expand their focus.
Worship & Music: The committee will be working on a “job description” for each of the responsibilities of the worship teams.
Finance: M/S/C by Helen Mosman, Chuck Eilers to follow the recommendation of the finance committee to renew the Selandar CD for less than a year.
The next council meeting will be Thursday April 12th at 6:30pm. Warren Woods will lead devotions. Meeting adjourned. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted by Raquel Linch.
Terry Taylor, Brenda Cook, Breta Kinkade, Gene Smith, Charles Foster, Ella Groff, Marge Hanson, Shirley Loos, Janice Peterson, Helen Schadde ,Don Swanson, 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 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.
Adult Education
April 1, 15, 29
Passages:
Young, Old and In Between
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
Avg. March Attendance
Sunday…102
Wednesday Lenten…44
March Offerings
Current & Loose $ 8859.00
Replacement 145.00
Sunday School 18.50
World Hunger 10.00
Easter 357.00
Lent 104.00
APRIL
04/04 Barb Kenyon 04/10 Randy Cook 04/21 Donna Cunningham
04/05 Kriss Luddington 04/11 Sara Bolinger 04/22 Olivia Tyler
04/06 Evan Aaseng 04/17 Dennis Nardy 04/25 Donna Schroeder
Adrienne Miller 04/18 Alan Peterson 04/25 Jo Levine
04/07 Emily Miller 04.19 Linda Huffman 04/26 Jodi Hitz
04/29 Alex Kenyon
April Anniversaries
04/10 Dorine & Alan Peterson
04/12 Allie & George Faust
04/19 Dorothy & Clinton McNaught
If
anyone would like to donate a lily
for Easter in memory
of someone, please let the office know,
to make sure they are recognized.
Worship & Music Committee
February 27, 2007
Those in attendance were Bert Henry, Elaine Fargo, Carolyn Biere, Lori Paup and Pastor Nate.
Bert Henry was welcomed as a new member of the committee.
Pastor distributed a copy of the proposal for committees for Salem. A discussion was held about the suggested dates and times. It was brought to the attention of those in attendance that Miriam Circle also meets on the first Thursday of each month and that this would cause a conflict with some committee members. This will be brought back to the council and discussed. A question as to what the suggested number of members for each committee was discussed. A minimum of six members per committee seemed to be the consensus. Pastor also mentioned that he would like to see some committees merged.
Changes in some responsibilities of the Worship & Music committee include the overseeing of monthly worship teams. It was discussed that a “Job Description” be put together for each of the responsibilities of the worship teams. Lori mentioned that she had seen some in a file in the office. Pastor said that he would look for these and we would update them at the next meeting.
Pastor also distributed the worship themes for the month of March. It was agreed that we would use the same templates as in the past months. Pastor said that the sermon hymn for the Wednesday Lenten services would be the same each week “Spirit of the Living God”.
Holy Week and Easter services were briefly discussed. Pastor would like to have Holy Week services be similar to last year. Palm Sunday will be trumpets and a palm procession. Lori mentioned that she had a song “The King is Coming” that would be a good choral anthem. She will get that to Elaine. Maundy Thursday will have the choir singing and with communion. The cross will be put up, covered with red carnations and veiled; nailing of sins on Good Friday and then burning of them at the end of the service; decorated on Easter morning with lilies, crown of thorns and unveiled. Lori said that she would assist the April worship team with these things.
Confirmation will be held on April 29th, which is the Fifth Sunday. We will be using the 5th Sunday template for that service.
Elaine mentioned that she had purchased a “Boom mic stand. It has been discussed previously that we needed an additional mic stand. She also mentioned that she had spoken to Mike at Rieman music about a pickup for Lori’s guitar. Lori will contact him and find out more. It was brought to the attention of the committee that Dorothy Henry’s memorial was designated to purchase items for music. Pastor mentioned that he would like to see a bass guitar play added to the accompanists. Lori said that she would talk to Donovan Richardson and see he was interested. Any other suggestions of a bass guitar player would be welcomed. It was suggested that Warren talk to Karen Simpson (niece of Dorothy’s) to see if the money could be used for more equipment such as mic stands or possibly toward a bass guitar.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Paup
To our Salem friends:
We have been members of Salem church for approximately 40 years and have always felt at home, until the last few years. We have both had a lot of health problems and couldn’t get to church. But now, things have turned around! Pastor Nate calls regularly and brings communion. And a great thanks to him, Don & Helen Mosman, and Warren & Judy Woods for getting a copy of the sermon to us. Even though we have never been very active in the church-you are sure helping us now. God Bless you all!!
Janice and Top Peterson
Creston Respite Center is in need of volunteers. The program is held on Tuesday and Friday’s from 10:00am to 2:00pm. They are located in the lower level of First Baptist Church. If you would be interested in helping please call, Jaleyn Dobbs, program director, 641-782-2568.
Confirmation will be held on April 29th. We have three youth preparing to be conformed this year. Please keep them in your prayers as they confirm their baptism in Christ. They are: Keirstan Henry, Alec Paup and Isaac Sedlmayr.
Sunday school attendance has been down the last few months. We would like to encourage all of you to attend our educational classes. There is something for everyone. Sunday school will NOT be held on Easter Sunday. However, join us for breakfast between the worship services for some wonderful fellowship time.
We are saddened to inform you that our mission child from the Dominique Republic, Eddy, is no longer being sponsored by us. He had attended several camps and received great support from us over the past several years. The Christian Education Committee is looking into other mission projects for our youth.
April is Organ Donor Month
There are over 100,000 men, women and children in the United States waiting for a life-saving organ or tissue transplant. Sadly, this number increases each year. There are three easy ways to make your wishes known; check the box on your drivers’ license, talk to your family and carry an organ donor card. It’s not just organs that can be used; they can also use eyes, skin, bone, heart valve and tendons. A very loving and caring family gave me a second chance at life when I got the Gift of Life.
Margaret K.
Easter Story Cookies…to be made the evening before Easter
1 cup whole pecans zip lock bag
1 teaspoon vinegar wooden spoon
3 egg whites tape
Pinch salt Bible
1 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 300 F.
Place pecans in zip lock bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t. vinegar into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain, this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetness part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8, John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18, John 1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bit. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Notice of changes in Circle meeting dates. Rebekah Circle will meet on April 5th at 1:15 in the Fellowship hall. Donna Swanson will be hostess and Dorothy McNaught will be Bible study leader. Miriam Circle will meet April 19th at 7:00pm in the Fellowship hall. Claudia Peppers will be hostess and Becky Nardy will be Bible study leader.
We would like to thank the family of Wanda Peterson for their donation for serving her funeral luncheon.
Salem’s spring sale will be Friday, April 13th, 8:00-5:00. Rebekah Circle will be in charge of the bake sale. Carolyn Biere and Joyce Anderson will be in charge of the kitchen serving coffee, homemade rolls, pies and sloppy Joes. All items can be brought to the church starting April 10th; the church office will be open in the mornings. A full work will be Thursday, April 12th. Please price your items. If you have any questions give Bev Butler a call at 782-4050.
Creston United Methodist Women invite the women of the church to Guest Night on Thursday, April 12th. The salad supper begins at 6:30pm. The program entitled “Daisy Girl”, Crèmes, Lotions, Soaps by Carrie Peterson. RSVP by April 7th by calling the church at 782-2427.
The Spring Cluster 13 meeting will be Saturday, April 14th at Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Stanton from 9:00am till noon. We will pool rides leaving Salem at 8:00am. Call Carolyn Biere if you have any questions 782-5110.
The 20th annual convention of Western Iowa Synodical Women’s will be Saturday, June 23rd at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Humboldt. Joyce Anderson will be our voting delegate and Judy Woods will also be attending.
Bev Butler
Co-Chair, Salem Women of the ELCA
American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Salem will once again have a team for the Relay for Life. This year’s Relay will be held on June 8th and 9th, beginning at 6pm on Friday and ending at 6am on Saturday. Please help us fight this terrible disease. A sign up sheet will be available for walking. For those who would like to donate/sponsor our walkers, donation sheets will also be available. Luminaries will again be available for purchase at $5 each. If you would like to participate in the Relay or have any questions, please contact Lori Paup at 782-5748.
APRIL WORSHIP TEAMS
April 1, 2007 April 5, 2007—Maundy Thursday
Greeters: Ben & Helen Herzberg Greeters: Ben & Helen Herzberg
Ushers: John & Lynne Schlaht Ushers: Ben & Helen Herzberg
David Ekblad, Laverne Anderson David Ekblad, John Schlaht
Reader: Joyce Anderson Reader: Pastor Nate
Acolyte: Emily Schroeder Acolyte: Alex Cunningham
Communion Assistants: John Schlaht Communion Assistants: John Schlaht
Mary Jo Schroeder Alex Cunningham
Cookies & Coffee: Mosman’s & Anderson’s
April 8, 2007--Easter Service, First Service April 6, 2007—Good Friday
Greeters: Ben & Helen Herzberg Greeters: Larry & Claudia Peppers
Ushers: David Ekblad, John Schlaht Ushers: David Ekblad, John Schlaht
Ben & Helen Herzberg Sue Bergstrom
Reader: Lynne Schlaht Reader: Pastor Nate
Acolyte: Keirstan Henry
Communion Assistant:
April 8, 2007—Easter Service, Second Service
Greeters: Sue Bergstrom
Ushers: LaVerne Anderson, Sue Bergstrom
Don & Helen Mosman
Reader: Joyce Anderson
Communion Assistant:
April 15, 2007 April 22, 2007
Greeters: Larry & Claudia Peppers Greeters: Gene & Coral Smith
Ushers: John & Lynne Schlaht Ushers: John & Lynne Schlaht
David Ekblad, LaVerne Anderson David Ekblad, Gene Smith
Reader: Joyce Anderson Reader: Lynne Schlaht
Acolyte: Keirstan Henry Acolyte: Keirstan Henry
Cookies & Coffee: Herzberg’s and Anderson’s Cookies & Coffee: Vi Johnson, Frances Roberg,
Stuklik’s
April 29, 2007
Greeters: Gene Smith, Sue Bergstrom
Ushers: Joyce & LaVerne Anderson
Gene Smith, John Schlaht
Reader: Lynne Schlaht
Acolyte: Keirstan Henry
Communion Assistants: Confirmands and Pastor