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

 

December 2007

 

 

From the Pastor’s Desk:

 

One of the fascinating things about living in Iowa is the accessibility of the political process, especially when it comes to presidential politics. Attend any of the local appearances by national candidates and you get a close-up view of the nuts and bolts of the campaign process.

            I have been especially intrigued by the advance work done on behalf of the candidates before the event takes place. So many preparations have to be made, so many details attended to, and last-minute hitches cleared up, before the candidate makes his or her appearance.

 

            It got me thinking about Advent. Advent is a time of preparation for the arrival of a major influence in our life—the arrival of Jesus. How did the original preparation for that arrival happen? Who were the advance people and how did they function? What groundwork had to be laid, what details had to be taken care of, what last-minute hitches had to be cleared up before Jesus made his appearance.

 

            That is the approach we are going to take in our Advent services this year. Due to the Live Nativity occurring at Salem on Dec. 19, we will have only two Wednesday evening (7:00) Advent services this year, beginning on Dec. 5. The first will deal with the advance preparations for that first Christmas. Perhaps a look at how the originals did it will help us in our annual Advent preparation for the Christmas season.

 

            The second service will include a press conference to see if that will help us clear up some of the confusion, questions, and perhaps inaccuracies surrounding this major event of Christmas.

 

            As any advance person knows, solid preparation is the key to making the most out of any event. May this Advent season provide each of us with the advance work for a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salem Church Council Minutes

November 8, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Bert Henry, Mike Linch, Joan Lienemann, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy, Sherri Nissen, Flossie Roberts, John Schlaht and Church Eilers.  Also in attendance were Pastor Nate and Margaret Kneedler.

John Schlaht led devotions.

M/S/C by Chuck Eilers and Helen Mosman to approve the November minutes as presented.

 

Correspondence:  none at this time.

 

Pastor’s Report

            a)  Pastor presented each council member with the 2008 Worship Teams

            b)  Three new families will be joining in December.

            c)  Pastor presented information on health coverage. He and Linda can get a

                 couples plan, with Evan getting a single outside plan, at a savings to

                 the church of approximately $200 per month.  M/S/C Chuck Eilers and

                 Flossie Roberts.

            d)  The Presbyterian Church is inviting Salem’s youth to join them on Sunday

                 afternoons at 4:00 pm for activities and fellowship.

            e)  Pastor is involved with the community coalition on Drug Awareness.

 

Treasurer’s Report was presented by Mike Linch.

M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Sherri Nissen to approve the treasurer’s report.

            a)  To date there is approximately $ 15,747.00 towards the roof/gable repair

                 project.  This includes $ 4,607.00 from the Selander account.

            b)  Money in the Nativity Fund will help pay expenses for the project.

            c)  There is a $ 500.00 credit from Alliant Energy.

 

Old Business:

            a)  Mike Linch reported a new church sign has been installed at the East

                 entrance of Creston on Highway 34.  Cost was $ 74.90, which will come

                 out of the replacement fund.  Back ground on the whole sign is in need of

                 paint.

            b)  Roof repair will start the week of November 19^th.

 

New Business:

            a)  LouAnn Snodgrass will replace Gene Smith on the council, finishing out his

                 2 ½ year term.

            b)  Bert Henry, Joan Lienemann, Helen Mosman and Sherri Nissen council term

                 expires in July.  Members will need to notify the council before the annual

                 congregational meeting in January if they are not running again.

            c)  Christmas offering will be split between the local food bank and the 

                 Ministerial Alliance to assist with winter heating bills for those in need.

                 M/S/C by Chuck Eilers and Helen Mosman.

            d)  The order to pay bills was discussed with salaries, payroll, and taxes first,

                 followed by associated costs and utilities.

 

 

 

 

Committee reports were presented:

            a)  Christian Education: The youth will participate in the Christmas lighted parade

                 on November 29^th.  The Sunday School Christmas program will be held on

                 December 16^th under the direction of Judy Woods and Linda Huffman.  The

                 Live Nativity and Soup Supper will be on December 19^th.  The next meeting

                 will be on December 4^th at 4:30 p.m.

            b)  Evangelism: has not met.

            c)  Social Ministry: A craft sale will be held on Sunday November 18^th & 25^th for

                 African Ministry.  The church will sponsor 2-3 families this year for

                 Christmas.

                The next meeting will be held on December 4^th at 6:30 p.m.

            d)  Church Property:  Roof/Gable repair will start the week of November 19^th,

                  pending weather.  The committee suggested coming up with a prioritized

                 maintenance check list. 

            e)  Worship & Music: met on October 24^th.  The budget was discussed.  The next

                 meeting will be November 20^th at 4:15 p.m.

            f)  Stewardship reported discussing having an emphasis on giving, pledge

                 sheets will be in boxes and committee members will discuss Stewardship

                 on a few Sundays in November.

            g)  Finance:  continues to work on the 2008 budget.

            h)  Other: discussion was held on the possibilities of having automatic bank

                 deductions set up for giving.

 

M/S/C Dennis Nardy and John Schlaht to adjourn the meeting.

 

The next council meeting will be on December 13^th at 6:30 p.m.  Opening devotions will be led by Chuck Eilers.  The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted:

Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary

 

 

 

               

Adult Education for December

 

            Due to the Christmas program on December 16, adult education will meet only on the first and second Sundays of this month. The topic will be Holiday narratives: what do we know about the national celebration just finished and the religious celebration that is upcoming?

 

            Dec. 2  Thanksgiving--Where did this holiday come from? Who were the Pilgrims

                        and what do they have to do with our Thanksgiving celebration?  How have the

                        story and the lore surrounding the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock influenced

                        not only our culture but the American view of Christianity?

            Dec.9   Christmas—What do we know about the details of the first Christmas and how

                        do we know it?  We will be looking at each of the four Gospels to see exactly

                        where our information and our traditions about Christmas come from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/02   Levi Hitz                      12/19   Lois Olsen                    12/29  Clinton McNaught

12/06   Mary Jo Schroeder       12/23   Betty Krogh                            Nancy Taylor

12/08   Michael Sherrod           12/24   Sherry Talor                 12/30  Barbara Riley

12/11   Bill Ott             12/25   Alssa Cook                  12/31 Marc Roberg

12/13   Regan Wolverton          12/28   Joyce Anderson

             Jace Wolverton                       Matthew Buck

 

 

 

 

12/01   Ed & Francis Jungst                              12/20   Pastor Nate & Linda Aaseng

            Alan & Julie Shaffer                              12/24   Gary & Carolyn Kessler

12/12   Kenton & Nancy Groth                        12/28   Jerry & Linda Huffman

12/19   Rodney & Linda Mahn             12/30   Chuck & Bert Henry

 

 

Clint McNaught, Mary Jo Foster, Ella Groff, Marge Hanson, Janice 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, MGY Sgt. Mark Kinkade, Str. Airman Travis Mathis, SR Tony McNaught,  Cpl. James Paup, Airman 1^st Class 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.

 

 

 

 

         

You are invited to donate a Poinsettia to decorate the altar for the 

Advent/Christmas Season.  If you would like to make the donation in honor or memory of a family member or friend, please contact the church office at 782-2920 so that it can be put into the church bulletin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE

 

            October 2007                                                  January to October 2007

Contributions                $ 8,164.65                                           $ 90,377.88

Expenses                      11,018.08                                           105,481.18

Difference                    ($ 2,853.43)                                          ($15,103.30)        

 

 

 

Building Repair up to 11-30-07

 

                                                Goal                 $ 20,000.00

                                                Contributions     11,565.19      

                                                Still Need         $   8,434.81

 

AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE

                        119

                            

 

A special thank you to Pastor Nate and Linda for their visits and communion during Chuck’s illness.  Your prayers were a great comfort to us.  To the church circles and the ladies who served the luncheon, a special thank you.  God bless you.

                   Mary Jo Foster & Family

 

          Thank you so very much for your kind hospitality.  On behalf of the Y.A.C.C. organization I wanted to thank you so very much for the use of the church.  I know that it was short notice, but you were very accommodating and I really appreciate that.  The entire group really liked the atmosphere and thought that it was a great place to be able to work and accomplish our tasks.  Thank you again so very much for everything and if you ever need help with a project or would like to partner on a community task let us know and we be glad to help or lend assistance in any way we can. Thank you so very much again.  May God be with you.

                   Donovan Richardson.

                  

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salem Social Ministries Committee will again be collecting gifts for Christmas families.  Please watch your December bulletins for more information

 

There were four students who received First Communion on Sunday, November 4^th.  They were Kaleb Cook, Cory Rathe, Vincent Soda and Ryan Vasquez.

 

Yearbook.  It’s time to begin gathering material for the church yearbook.  Please be thinking about your information to be submitted and turn it in to the office as soon as possible.  The church council has requested the 2008 Yearbook be ready to hand out at the congregational meeting in January.

 

We hope to see you at the Live Nativity and Soup Supper on Wednesday, December 19!

 

          The Live Nativity will be presented from 5:45 to 7:00 p.m.  The soup supper will be on from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  To help us prepare fro the soup supper we need some supplies.  You can help by selecting a slip of paper from the board in the back of the church and bring the items to the church by December 16^th.  Thank you!  Thank you!

Kids of all ages are wanted for the Live Nativity.  We’ll try to rotate children so they get a break from the cold.  Be sure to dress them warm.  The first presentation is at 5:45 p.m. so be sure to come early.  For questions contact Joni Cook.

 

Sunday School Christmas Program

The Sunday school Christmas program is Sunday, December 16^th during the 10 a.m. church service.  All children are invited to participate.  Practices will be during Sunday School and Kid Squad.  Other practice times will be announced.

 

There will be know Sunday school on December 23^rd and December 30^th.  Kid Squad will not meet on Wednesday December 26^th or January 2^nd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

 

            Miriam circle will meet on Thursday, December 6^th, 6:00 p.m. at the home of Becky Nardy for a salad supper.  Carolyn Biere will lead the Bible study.  Rebekah circle will meet on Thursday, December 13^th at 12:30 p.m. at the home of Pat Grumley for a potluck luncheon.  There will be Christmas sharing of readings and thoughts. Our circle meetings are open to all ladies and we hope you can join us.

            New coffee cups have been purchased with funds from Betty Schoening memorial.

            Early in 2007 Thank Boxes were placed in all mailboxes so everyone could participate in giving thanks for all our many blessings.  These boxes have been collected with a total of $ 327.73, which will be forwarded to Global Health Missions.

            During the month of November, each year, we have the church In-Gathering of Kits for Lutheran World Relief.  These include sewing kits, sewing fabric, baby layettes, school kits, health kits and soap.  Our goal was 10 of each item and this has been accomplished and maybe more.  I will give a final total in the next newsletter.

 

SALEM WOMEN OF ELCA DONTIONS FOR 2007

1/22—Women of Tanzania                                                                   $  24.00

3/21—Women of Tanzania                                                                       25.00

3/21—Women of ELCA—Convention offering                           200.00

6/18—Domestic Assault Outreach                                                            50.00

6/18—1^st half of General offering                                                              53.65

9/29—Tanzania Girls School                                                                    25.00

Total                                                                                                  $  377.65

 

2007 Additional Donations were:

Prison Mission                                                                              50.00

Story Book Project                                                                                  50.00

Lutheran Lakeside Camp                                                                          50.00

Green Valley Hospice                                                                               25.00

Matura—Food Bank                                                                                25.00

Habitat for Humanity                                                                                 50.00

WELCA Scholarship Fund                                                                     100.00

Lutheran Social Services of Iowa                                                            100.00

Appalachia Project                                                                                   50.00

Meals on Wheels                                                                                      25.00

Rural Crisis Center                                                                                 100.00

Beloit Lutheran Children’s Home                                                            100.00

                                                                                                              725.00

 

Grand Total                                                                                     $   1,102.65

 

            A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to Thank Boxes, Lutheran World Relief Kits and all other projects during 2007.  It takes all of us to make Salem the special place it is.

                        Bev Butler—Co President

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship Teams 2008

 

 

Team #1 Warren Woods & Judy                                           December 2007

Linda Aaseng

Randy & Joni Cook (Ryan, Kaleb, Jacob)

Kenton & Nancy Groth

Linda Huffman

Gary & Jannene Jorgenson

Clinton & Dorothy McNaught

Dave & Barb Riley (Daniel)

Marc & Deb Roberg

Darrel & Rosalie Wilson

 

Team # 2 Helen Mosman & Don                                          January

Dave & Barb Abildtrup

Paul & Pat Grumley

Lanny Herzberg & Donna Cunningham

Linda Hulquist

Mike & Emily Miller

John & Lois Rose

Troy & Donna Schroeder (Mary Jo, Emily)

Mike & Deb Springer

Galen Zumbach

 

Team #3 Flossie Roberts                                                      February

Laverne & Joyce Anderson

Shirley Loos

Dillard & Lois Paxton

Judy Pringle

Mike & Lacy Richardson (Damian, Donovan)

Brenda Sedlemeyer (Isaac)

Kris Sherrod (Khy)

Alan & Julie Shaffer

 

 

Team #4  John Schlaht & Lynne                                            March

Dick & Sue Bergstrom

David Ekblad

Ben & Helen Herzberg

Bill Kunert

Larry & Claudia Peppers

Michelle Foland (Zach, Keirstan, Travis Henry)

Willard Peterson

Frances Roberg

Zach & Karisa Stuchlik (Eli)

 

 

 

 

Team #5 Jodi Hitz & Andrew (Jake, Levi)                              April               

Arlan & Carolyn Biere

Mike Henry

Ron & Bonnie Johnson

Floyd & Janet Nesbit

David & JoAnn Rathe (Cory, Jesse)

Brenda Slight (Andrea, Jerica)

Todd & Suzie Stofferahn

Loyal & Liz Winborn

 

Team # 6 Joan Liennemann                                                  May

Bill & Barb Bjorn

Carole Fox

Dick & Jane Johnston

Chris & Sara Lane

Tim & Barb Kenyon (Liz)

Clifford & Lois Olsen

Duane Schmidt

Don & Alice Swanson

 

Team #7 Bert Henry & Chuck (Josh, Nick)                           June

Dave & Gwen Buck

Jack Freese

Gary & Carolyn Kessler

Bill & Carol Ott

Alan & Dorine Peterson

Frances Roberg

Lola Strausser

Vic & Betty Wager

Joe & Erin Walkup (Madison)

 

Team #8 Sherri Nissen & Jerry (Amanda)                             July

Don & Bev Butler

Chuck & Dawn Logston

Jack & Phyllis Keuter

Mike & Raquel Linch (Dylan, Brittany)

Mark Saylor

Donna Swanson

Terry & Sherry Taylor

Todd & Tammy Wolverton (Regan, Jace)

 

Team # 9 Chuck Eilers & Jan                                                August

Tony & Peggy Cass (Chris)

Ray Hanson

Ron & Jo Levine

Kris Luddington

Larry & Gracie Otten

Robert & Luann Snodgrass (Sean)

Don & Eleanor Toycen

Russell Wachter

Stacy Wood (Grant)

 

 

Team #10 Dennis Nardy & Becky                                        September

Jason & Nicky Burg (Payton, Colby)

Ray & Bev Courtney

Dick & Marilyn Engleson

Rayma Frank (Tim)

Kirk & Ann Levine

Rodney & Linda Mahn

Alan & Lori Paup (Aaron, Alec)

Jeremy & Heather Peterson

Gail & Roxie Peterson

 

Team #11 Chuck Taylor & Nancy                                         October

Greg & Brenda Cook (Codie, Skylar, Abbie, Alyssa)

Elaine Fargo

Kerry Grumley

Roberta Henry

Gary & Carol Peterson

Top & Janice Peterson

Thad & Sandi Sickels (Hunter, Gavin)

Dorothy Vanella

Chuck & Jean Western

 

 

 

December Meals on Wheel Drivers

 

December 3, 2007                                           December 24, 2007

Don & Eleanor Toycen                         Bill & Barb Bjorn

Floyd & Jan Nesbit                                          Don & Helen Mosman

Ron Levine                                                       Ron Levine

 

December 10, 2007                                         December 31, 2007

Pat & Paul Grumley                                          Bill & Barb Bjorn

Carolyn Kessler & Flossie Roberts                   Jan & Chuck Eilers

Ron Levine                                                       Ron Levine

 

December 17, 2007

Pat & Paul Grumley

Jan & Floyd Nesbit

Ron Levine