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 2006
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Advent: What If God Never Showed UP?
“God is dead.”
So claims a philosophical movement that gathered some steam about 50years ago. The statement meant, basically, that there was no reason to believe in God in the modern world.
Contrast that
with the one of the names that Matthew used for Jesus.
“They shall call his name Emmanuel, which means, ‘God is with us”’ Mathew 1:23
Advent is a time when we ponder the meaning of the second of the above statements. I suspect that we in the church have come to take that statement for granted. When we take something for granted, it is difficult to ponder, much less get enthused about it. I have yet to hear a prayer of the church in which we thank God for the laws of gravity. We don’t often go around celebrating the process of photosynthesis.
Nonetheless, we are absolutely dependent upon those two things. If they were not in existence, life as we know it would be impossible. The only way we can every truly appreciate something like gravity is by trying to imagine life without it.
Maybe the same process is true of Advent, of the statement that God is with us. Maybe the best way to really appreciate the concept that we have come to take for granted is to try imaging life without the truth. What if Jesus did not come at Christmas? What if God decided not to be with us? What if God isn’t there at all?
That sort of imagining is what we will do to prepare ourselves for Christmas during our midweek Advent services this year. We will imagine life without God. We will see what difference Christmas makes in our world by looking at a world where Christmas never happened. Perhaps Emmanuel may turn out to a more crucial event than we ever fully understood.
The midweek Advent services will be on Wednesday’s at 7:00. The service we will use to frame our study will be the beautiful and peaceful Holden Village Evening Service that we used this past summer.
December 6th “The Universe Without God”
December 13th “Society Without God”
December 20th “Me Without God”
I invite you to join us to get a better idea of why the “Come, O Come Emmanuel” of Advent is such a big deal.
Church Council Minutes
November 9, 2006
The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Bert Henry, Joan Lienemann, Mike & Raquel Linch, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy, Sheri Nissen, Dave Riley, John Schlaht, Chuck Taylor, Pastor Nate and Margaret Kneedler were also in attendance.
Helen Mosman led devotions.
M/S/C by Chuck Taylor and Helen Mosman to approve the October minutes with a change to amend the minutes stating Tim Kenyon as being on the Endowment Fund committee, not Tim Kinkade.
Pastor’s Report
a). First Communion will be held Sunday, November 12, 2006
b). Pastor reported on the church goals he set last year when he became full time pastor.
* A new mission statement was written and recognized,
* One unified worship service implemented
* Updated equipment installed – some is complete with others still in progress
* Empowering membership – working on/moving forward
Treasurer’s Report was presented by Mike Linch with M/S/C by Chuck Taylor and Joan Lienemann to approve with the following presented:
a) Thank you notes will be sent to the families of Alta Kuhl and Anna Swanson, for memorial money that was spent towards the sound system. The remaining balance of $2,735.12 was paid with the following break down. Alta Kuhl memorial fund - $579.96, Anna Swanson memorial fund $ 1,738.00, $ 299.50 paid to the electrician and $ 8.65 from interest.
b) Harold Roberts and Reva Roeder memorial money is to go toward Christian Education. $ 76.64 was spent on CD players for Sunday School rooms.
c) M/S/C Chuck Taylor and John Schlaht to move the Mission CD to local CD
Old Business
a) The updated Policy and Procedure for church use for was presented by Dave Riley, adding that Non-member weddings fee by paid in full prior to the wedding rehearsal. M/S/C Joan Lienemann & Bert Henry.
b) Mike Linch reported snow removal will remain the same.
c) The sound system is complete and people have been trained. Chuck Taylor and Warren Woods reported on the wish list: Permanent Projector, Laptop and MP3 players for shut-ins. All items will be used to enhance the worship service. M/S/C – Chuck Taylor and Sherri Nissen to change the $ 600.00 allotment to $1200 for a TV with money coming from the Replacement fund.
New Business
a) Warren Woods presented a committee sign up sheet for council members
b) Warren Woods reported Tim Kinkade will be moving and Tim is actively seeking a replacement for his council position.
c) Sherri Nissen, Bert Henry and Margaret Kneedler requested placing bulletin boards in the south entry hallway with lighting. This will be used for church communication, rather than the doors. Total cost of lighting and boards will be presented at the December council meeting. A request was also made for playground lighting. Troy Schroeder will give an estimate for both playground and hallway lighting.
Committee Reports
a) Christian Education – The youth raised $ 1,140.00 after expenses with the Haunted Barn. Many thanks to all who volunteered and a huge thanks to Tim Kinkade for the use of his facilities. There will be no Kid’s Squad November 22 or Sunday school November 26 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Sunday School Christmas program will be December 10, during worship service. There will not be a Live Nativity this year. The youth will be doing a soup supper during Advent services.
b) Evangelism & Stewardship met and a letter was sent to members about yearly giving.
c) Church Property - Work will be done on a new sign to place on Highway 34.
d) Social Ministry – reminder Salem is signed up to serve at the Open Table on December 5th.
e) Worship & Music working on templates use for bulletins. Most services will have one guitar player and one pianist. The second Sunday of the month will also have an organist added.
f) Finance –
g) Other –
M/S/C Raquel Linch and Bert Henry to adjourn the meeting.
The next council meeting will be December 14th at 6:30pm. Opening devotions will be led by Pastor, meeting adjourned, closed with Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted:
Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
NOVEMBER OFFERINGS (NOVEMBER 1-30) FINANCIAL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER
Current $ 8,565.96 Beginning Balance 11/1/06 $ 1,523.86
World Hunger 25.00 Income
Replacement 130.00 (Current & Loose) 8,565.96
Sunday School 61.00 Expenses 8,828.81
Thanksgiving 200.20 Balance $ 2,044.81
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, Paul Grumley, Greg Cook, Dave Ossian, Shirley Loos, 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, 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 of our military in your prayers.
December Birthdays
12/02 Levi Hitz 12/19 Lois Olsen 12/28 Matthew Buck
12/06 Mary Jo Schroeder 12/23 Betty Krogh 12/29 Clinton McNaught
12/11 Bill Ott 12/24 Sherry Taylor Nancy Taylor
12/13 Regan Wolverton 12/25 Alyssa Cook 12/30 Barbara Riley
12/13 Jace Wolverton 12/28 Joyce Anderson 12/31 Marc Roberg
December Anniversaries
12/01 Francis & Ed Jungst 12/19 Linda & Rodney Mahn
Julie & Alan Shaffer 12/20 Pastor & Linda Aaseng
12/06 Wanda & Willard Peterson 12/24 Carolyn & Gary Kessler
12/11 Kriss & Mike Luddington 12/28 Linda & Jerry Huffman
12/12 Nancy & Kenton Groth 12/30 Bert & Chuck Henry
Adult Ed for December
December 3th “A Hospice Home in Creston”
Ask anyone who has had any experience with a hospice home and they will tell you it is one of the great blessings of our time. Come hear why this concept is such a God-send and what plans are afoot to bring this a Hospice home to Creston.
December 10th No Adult Ed
The Sunday School will need the Fellowship and Sanctuary to prepare for the Christmas program.
December 17th “A Brief History of Christmas”
How did the holiday celebrating Christ’s birth come to be what it is? Whose influence has been greater: Dickens or Matthew, Hallmark or Luke? Join us for an enlightening trip through the past.
Gary & Carolyn Kessler have moved to their home at 1401 N. Elm St. in Creston, phone number is 641-782-0127. We would like thank everyone who kept us in their prayers during this change in our lives. A big thank-you to Don Swanson, Jack & Phyllis Keuter and Betty Wager for helping prepare for our sale and helping with the move.
Thanks again and God Bless
Gary & Carolyn Kessler
Flossie Mosman has moved to the Afton Care Center. Her new address is:
Afton Care Center
508 W. Pearl
Attention: Florence Mosman
Room #109
Afton, IA 50830
641-347-5042
There were four students who received First Communion on Sunday, November 12th. They were Skylar Cook, Jesse Rathe, Hunter Sickels and Regan Wolverton.
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. Committees, fellowship groups, etc. is your information ready to submit?
Crop Walk, figures are almost complete from the walk held on October 8. Twelve Union County churches and a non-denominational youth group brought in a total of $4,321.30. A little more money is expected which may raise the total to nearly $4,400 – the best we have done for years. This also includes a $500 donation from Thrivent. Salem raised $417.50. Thanks to all who contributed!! Twenty-five percent of the total will stay in Union County to help the needy.
Salem’s walkers included the following: Pastor Nate & Linda Asseng, Cathy Lents, Claudia Peppers, Stacy Wood, Marilyn & Dick Engleson, Alec, Alan & Lori Paup, Joan Lienemann and Lynne Schlaht. Many thanks to this year’s walkers who collected pledges.
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 and newsletter.
The 2006 Haunted Barn was a huge success for the Salem Lutheran Church Youth Organizations! We have deposited $ 1,140.00 after expenses. Funds will be used to assist the Junior High students attending Youthquake in January, youth attending summer camp in 2007 and other events not yet decided upon. It couldn’t happen without many, many people willing to do whatever is needed. Great thanks goes to the following people who helped in one way or another from planning to set-up to props to participation to refreshments to clean-up:
Jerry, Sherri and Amanda Nissen Stacy and Grant Wood
Lori, Aaron and Alec Paup Sean Snodgrass
Bob & Wendy Pringle, Zadie and friend Emma Brightwell
Randy, Ryan and Kaleb Cook Andy, Jodi and Jacob Hitz
Cathy Lents Ty & Peggy Rogers, Sydney & friend Casey Stuart
Codie & Skylar Cook Ben Rafter
Zach, Kierstan and Travis Henry and fiend Jacob Johnston
Kathy, Pete and Frances Myers Claudia & Larry Peppers
Tim Kinkade Tammy & Ragan Wolverton
Garrett Schneider Joan Lieneman
Mike & Donovan Richardson Don & Bev Butler
Daniel Riley Issac Sedlmayr
Mike Linch Jim Bryant
Bert, Josh and Nick Henry
We will not be hosting the Live Nativity this year. However, we are looking for a “stationary” nativity scene to put into the crčche for this year. If you know of one that is available or where we can acquire one, please contact the church office.
Christmas Program will be on Sunday, December 10th during the worship service at 10:00am. Practice will be as follows:
Dec. 2 Saturday @9am for all parts
Dec. 3 Sunday @9am (speaking parts only)
Dec 6 Wednesday @5:30pm (speaking parts only)
Dec. 10 (Sunday @8:30am for dress rehearsal
There will be no Sunday School on December 24 or December 31st.
JR LYO INFO
The Jr. LYO will meet on Sunday, December 10th at 4:00pm. They will be discussing Youth Quake and making bars and cookies for the soup suppers.
The Jr. LYO will be serving soup prior to the Advent services on December 13th and December 20th. Soup will be served from 5:30pm until 6:45pm. They will be accepting donations which will go towards their trip to Youth Quake 2007 which will be held in Des Moines on January 5-7. Your appetite and support will be greatly appreciated.
Rebekah Circle will meet December 14th at 12:30 at Pat Grumley’s for their annual pot luck.
Miriam Circle will meet December 7th at church for their salad supper at 6:30pm. Claudia Peppers is the hostess and Carolyn Biere will lead the lesson.
A meeting of the Women of the ELCA was held November 19th following worship service. The amended constitution was approved. Thank you to the nominating committee for their fine job. Officers elected were as follows: co-leaders: Bev Butler & Nancy Taylor; secretary: Linda Huffman; treasurer: Helen Mosman. The thank offering boxes were collected and will be sent to the Global Health Missions as well as in 2007. A real thrust for involving families to participate in the thank offering will be made in 2007. Watch the January newsletter for more details. We voted to disperse our funds with a detailed list to appear in the yearbook.
Thank you to all of you who were so generous in your donations for the Lutheran World Relief kits. A total of 18 layettes, 7 health and 13 school kits were assembled. Also this fall 10 adult and 9 baby quilts were given to the Rural Iowa Crisis Center. Fifty one quilts were also sent to the Lutheran World Relief. Ten more were sent to Mississippi with Dick and Peg Anderson to their sister church. Forty pounds of bandages were sent to Global Health Missions.
We received 100 yards of new (free) material from P & B Textiles in California. Many of you have donated material for tops and backs. We are grateful for this and other support you to continue to give us.
Flossie Mosman has retired from quilt making after sewing hundreds of tops for us in the past 11 years. What a dedicated person to help those in need. We thank her for her years of service. We will miss here quick wit and smile, but we will not forget her. Enjoy your retirement, Flossie.
Joyce I Anderson
Co-cordinator of Women of ELCA
CHRISTMAS FAMILIES
Salem has four Christmas families this year. The Social Ministry committee has placed a small tree in the narthex. There are “ornaments” on the tree that list the family #, family member and needed gift. Please take an ornament (or ornaments) for the item that you will be purchasing. It will help the committee very much if you will wrap your gift, put on a tag stating the family number, what family member the gift is for and place it under the tree. This year only one family gave information for the parent, the others declined saying they only wanted things for their children. I have included their Wish List below to give you extra time to shop for the families. These will need to be brought to the church by Sunday, December 17th. Thank you so much.
Family #1
#1 SC: Mom—she likes tiger figurines and knick knacks for the home
#2 SC: Boy age 15—Size 32-36 jeans, size men’s large shirts, likes movies & games
#3 SC: Boy age 10—Size 10 husky jeans, size 12-14 shirts, likes wrestling characters & games
#4 SC: Girl age 8—Size 8 jeans, size 8-10 shirts, likes Bratz dolls and games
Family #2
#1 NH: Boy age 10—Size 10 regular jeans, size 17 shirt, likes legos & games
#2 NH: Boy age 3—Size 4T pants, size 6 shirt, likes cars & dinosaurs
#3 NH: Boy age 2—Size 2T shirt, 2T pants, any toys will be fine or books
Family #3
#! AN: Boy age 6—Size 8 sweat shirts or long sleeved shirts, size 6 pants, any cars, trucks or
learning toys
Family #4
#1 BF: Boy age 2—Size 3T, any clothing is greatly needed. Mittens, hats, also enjoys legos and
cars
December Worship Team Responsibilities’
12/0/3/06 12/06/06 (Advent Service)
Greeters: Jan & Chuck Eilers Greeters & Ushers: Jan & Chuck Eilers
Sandi & Thad Sickels
Ushers: Jan & Chuck Eilers 12/13/06 (Advent Service)
Chuck & Dawn Logston Greeters & Ushers: Jan & Chuck Eilers
Communion Assistants: Chuck Taylor & Alex Cunningham
Acolyte: Hunter Sickels 12/20/06 (Advent Service)
Reader: Cathy Lents Greeters & Ushers: Jan & Chuck Eilers
Refreshments: Sickels & Greg & Brenda Cook
12/10/06 12/24/06 (Christmas Eve Service)
Greeters: Sunday school Kids Ushers: Greg & Brenda Cook
Ushers: Sunday school Kids Acolyte: Codie Cook
Acolyte: Skylar Cook Communion Assistants: Brenda & Codie Cook
Refreshments: Eilers & Taylor’s
12/17/06 12/31/06 (New Year’s Eve Day)
Greeters: Greg & Brenda Cook Greeters: Chuck & Jan Eilers
Chuck & Dawn Logston Rayma Franke & Kerry Grumley
Ushers: David & Joann Rathe Ushers: Gary & Carol Peterson
Chuck & Nancy Taylor Chuck & Nancy Taylor
Acolyte: Hunter Sickels Refreshments: Eilers & Western’s
Communion Assistants: Chuck Eilers & Zach Henry
Refreshments: Rayma Franke & Taylor’s
12/24/06
Greeters: Rayma Franke & Kerry Grumley
David & Joan Rathe
Ushers: Chuck & Jan Eilers
Sandi Sickels & Cathy Lents
Acolyte: Hunter Sickels
Refreshments: Cathy Lents & Western’s