email salem@salemluth.net

website www.salemluth.net

Had last winter been like this one, Linda and I would have thought that winters in southwest Iowa aren’t too bad. But after being spoiled by last year, we find ourselves complaining about the cold and snowy road conditions. We occasionally have to remind ourselves that such challenges are not some bizarre conspiracy of the nature; it’s winter. It is a season, a cycle of the year, a pattern on which we have come to depend, and on which we plan our activities. And it has a beauty and a meaning all its own. One of the benefits of winter is that it helps us to appreciate spring.

Just as nature takes us through a regular pattern of seasons, culture creates its own rhythm of seasons. We have summer where we go on vacations, spend time outdoors and ease back on our schedule. We have autumn, where we gear up for a new school year and return to routine pattern of life. We have the holidays, where we enjoy a burst of celebration, tradition and social activity. We have the hunkering down months of winter where we dial down the energy level and pass the bleak months through diversions such as sports (Super Bowl, state tournaments, March Madness: or escape it altogether by heading south. And we have spring, where we wind up the affairs of the winter and celebrate our release from the long cabin fever.

The church year takes us through its own regular pattern of seasons. It is a pattern on which we have come to depend, and on which we plan our activities. As with the seasons of the year, and those of our culture, there are seasons that we like better than others. But we learn to flow with the rhythm of the seasons.

We are flowing toward the most serious of the church seasons—Lent. This is the spiritual equivalent of winter. Like winter, it may sometimes be a challenge to endure. But also like winter, it has a beauty and meaning all its own.

Lent is the time of year when we focus on the serious side of our faith. We focus on the sacrifices that Jesus made, on the challenges of being a disciple and on the disciplines that help us to be better followers. Lent is a different time of year, with a different pattern. We adjust to those patterns. We find extra time for worship on Wednesday evenings and for reflection in our lives.

In keeping with the changing patterns, our worship will make some adjustments to stay in the flow of Lent. Lent is a time of turning our lives around. So in our confession, we turn and face the back to remind ourselves of this. Lent is a time when we focus on the disciplines of faith. One of these disciplines is prayer. I ask those in the adult ed class who showed a willingness to assist in the prayers of the church on Sunday come forward, so that we can do this during Lent. Lent is a time when we rededicate ourselves to purpose. At Lenten services, we will focus on faith stories from the Bible. It is a prelude to next year, when we hope to focus on faith stories from Salem. For in sharing our stories, we reveal to ourselves and to others, especially the young, that we are not just here passing time, but that we have a reason for living in a community of faith.

One of the benefits of winter is that it prepares us to appreciate spring. People who live in perfect, unchanging climates never know the joy that comes with a sunny, 60-degree day in April. In the same way, Christians who never walk through the garden of Gethsemane never know the true joy that comes with Easter morning.

In North Dakota, they say they is no such thing as bad weather; there’s only bad dressing for the weather. Bundle up, it’s Lent!!

Salem Church Council Minutes

January 11, 2007

The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Bert Henry, Joan Lienemann, Mike and Raquel Linch, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy, Sherri Nissen and Dave Riley, John Schlaht, Chuck Taylor. Pastor Nate and Margaret Kneedler were also in attendance. Linda Aaseng attended briefly. John Schlaht led devotions.

M/S/C by John Schlaht and Helen Mosman to approve the December minutes.

Correspondence:

Life Line requested use of the church for one of the following days in May 2^nd, 16^th and 30th from 8am to 5pm. Margaret will respond with approval and new fee lists. M/S/C by Sherri Nissen and Helen Mosman.

Vi Johnson has requested use of the church February 11^th, for her 90^th birthday open house. M/S/C by Warren Woods and Chuck Taylor.

Pastor’s Report

a) Christmas Eve services went very well and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

b) New equipment is working well and a great asset to the services. It has been used for

Sunday school and Confirmation classes as well.

c) Three baptisms have been performed in December, with more scheduled the next few

months. January 7^th attendance was up.

d) There is a need for the nursery to be staffed each week, possibly with confirmation

students, youth or a worship team member. Salem women purchased a changing

table for the nursery.

Treasurer’s Report was presented by Mike Linch with M/S/C by Helen Mosman and John Schlaht to approve with the following presented:

a) Finances are positive for the ending year balance.

b) Donations were received for the MP3 players—for shut-ins and complete.

c) Rural Iowa Crisis Center was given $400.00 from Christ offerings.

d) Junior LYO used $415.00 from the Haunted Barn to pay fees to attend Youth Quake.

They also used $100 from their Soup Supper fundraiser to supply a backpack and

contents for Youth Quake.

Old Business

a) M/S/C by Bert Henry and Chuck Taylor to use memorial funds from the Crawford

Family, Lucille Ossian and Don Reick for the purchase of bulletin boards and lighting

for the south entrance totaling approximately $332.95. The remaining balance will

come from replacement fund, as the bulletin boards are replacing the current

display. Nissen’s and Henry’s will put up the boards with Troy Schroeder installing

the lights.

b) Pastor has a working list for the council and members for various committees.

New Business

a) Linda Aaseng spoke on the church library. She and Lynn Schlaht have spent time

weeding out old books and organizing the shelves. The books have been cataloged

by categories and alphabetized with each book, video, CD or DVD having a

corresponding letter inside each flap. The library will be self serve with a notebook for

checking materials in and out, asking each person to return the material in the proper

location for the next person. The library is in need of current books under the

categories of Life Problems: divorce, illnesses, rebellious children and financial

difficulty. Devotions: families and personal. Fiction, Teen & Young Adult,

Music—Cd’s and Diversity: What other religions teach. There are workbooks about

families and volunteerism that can be handed out for use. Christian Ed. will take care

of this.

b) M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Joan Lienneman for request by Sandy Hysell, County

Auditor, use of the church, November 6, 2007 for city elections.

c) Request by Mike Linch to close the Selander account and combine it with special

funds. The account currently is an unused checking account. This would allow fewer

accounts to be managed. M/S/C by Chuck Taylor and Helen Mosman.

d) Warren Woods requested a petty cash fund be established for approximately $50 to

allow Margaret to use when coffee, cups or other small items need to be purchased.

M/S/C by Joan Lienneman and Sherri Nissen.

e) New council members are needed to fill the vacancies of Dave Riley, Raquel Linch,

Tim Kinkade and Annette Boswell. The following have agreed to be placed on the

ballot: Flossie Roberts, Jodi Hitz, Warren Woods, possibly Gary Kessler and Gene

Smith. Two council members will need to fill the immediate openings of Tim

Kinkade and Annette Bosweel, as they have moved out of town.

f) M/S/C Dave Riley and Chuck Taylor for the Endowment Committee to oversee the

Capital Investment Fund. This will allow the fund to be looked at quarterly. The

wording will be changed to be the following:

Restricted Account Title: Capital Investment Fund

No principal may be distributed from this account except for Capital improvements or

a Parsonage for Salem Lutheran Church. There shall be no distributions from the principal without specific approval of the congregation. Said approval shall be obtained by 2/3’s vote of the congregation at a dully authorized congregational meeting pursuant to Article X of the Church Constitution.

Growth of account value may be distributed up to a maximum of 6% of account value per year. Excess earnings and market gain will stay in the account. Distribution may not at any time decrease the fund below the original balance of $ 10,000. This was determined by the balance on December 31, 2006. To protect this value it is suggested no more that 50% of Growth be distributed per year until 110% of the balance (_$ 10,000) is achieved. The Endowment Committee will determine the amount of available for distribution.

g) The annual Congregational meeting January 28, 2007 will take place after the 10:00

service with a potluck to follow. Thrivent will provide the meat.

Committee Reports

a) Christian Education—five youth and one adult attended Youth Quake in Des Moines

January 5-7, 2007

b) Evangelism & Stewardship—no meeting at this time.

c) Church Property—The stable will be stored at Rodney Mahn’s. The old TV and Fax

machine will be placed on Trading Post. The men’s restroom needs a new faucet.

d) Social Ministry—Shut-ins were happy to receive services through the use of MP3

players. Some members have volunteered to deliver these each week.

e) Worship & Music—Lent will begin February 21^st. Everyone seems pleased with the

new system.

f) Finance—Reports giving has been up and 2007 has started well.

g) Other—Randy Cook, Bill Kunert, Bev Butler and Helen Herzberg have agreed to

audit the books on Wednesday, January 17^th. M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Bert

Henry.

M/S/C Bert Henry and Joan Lienneman to adjourn the meeting. The next council meeting will be February 15^th at 6:30pm. Opening devotions will be led by Sherri Nissen. Meeting adjourned with the Lord’s prayer.

Respectfully submitted;

Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary

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 1^st 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 the families in your prayers.

Budget for January, 2007 $ 8,612.90 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE

Offering 11,161.00 101

Over Budget $ 2,548.10

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

02/01/17 Edward Jungst 02/10/12 Viola Johnson 02/25/57 Kenton Groth

02/02/43 Terry Taylor 02/12/97 Vincent Soda Judy Pringle

02/03/86 Denise Roberg 02/14/86 Michael Buck 02/26/49 Barbara ABildtrup

02/04/34 Donald Butler 02/17/54 Michael Richardson 02/26/58 Joan Staples

Phyllis Keute Charles Western 02/27/62 Dave Riley

02/05/54 Kirk Levine 02/19/54 Roxanna Peterson 02/25/51 Jane Johnston

02/05/00 Rosalie Wilson 02/20/49 Carol Peterson Raquel Linch

02/09/04 Raymond Hanson Andrea Slight Claudia Peppers

Alec Paup 02/24/34 Donald Swanson

Gary Peterson

02/04/67 Jean & Charles Western 02/16/57 Rosalie & Darrel Wilson

02/24/63 Nancy & Chuck Taylor 02/27/53 Lois & Cliff Olsen

02/27/54 Alice & Don Swanson

February 4, 2007 February 11, 2007

Greeters: Linda Aaseng & Jessica Riley Greeters: Linda Aaseng & Dorothy McNaught

Ushers: Marc & Deb Roberg Ushers: Randy & Joni Cook

Dave & Barb Riley Dave & Barb Riley

Reader: Linda Huffman Reader: Linda Huffman

Acolyte: Dan Riley Acolyte: Ryan Cook

Communion Assistants: Dave Riley & Dan Riley

Nursery: Jessica Riley Nursery: Linda Aaseng

Coffee & Cookies: Roberg’s & Riley’s Coffee & Cookies: Aaseng’s & Riley’s

February 18, 2007 February 21, 2007—Ash Wednesday

Greeters: Kenton & Nancy Groth Ushers: Dave Riley & Linda Huffman

Ushers: Marc & Deb Roberg Acolyte: Dan Riley

Dave & Barb Riley

Reader: Marc Roberg

Acolyte: Jessica Riley

Communion Assistants: Deb Roberg & Jessica Riley

Nursery: Dan Riley

Coffee & Cookies: Roberg’s & Huffman’s

February 25, 2007 February 28, 2007

Greeters: Darrel & Rosalie Wilson Ushers: Linda Aaseng & Dave Riley

Ushers: Randy & Joni Cook Acolyte: Dan Riley

Linda Huffman & Linda Aaseng

Reader: Dorothy McNaught

Acolyte: Kaleb Cook

Nursery: Jessica Riley

Coffee & Cookies: Riley’s & Aaseng