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

May 2007

From the Pastor’s Desk:

I’m not really big into scolding but there’s a strange phenomenon at work in our congregation that I would like to address. When the pastor is away, attendance at worship drops, sometimes dramatically. This is a concern for four reasons:

First, my absence usually means that someone else in the congregation is stepping up to the plate, taking on a new responsibility, stretching in their spiritual life. This is not an easy thing to do, and anyone willing to go there needs and deserves the support of a caring congregation. Your presence is the best way to encourage these people and to let them know that their efforts are appreciated.

Second, visitors do not know who will be leading ours service on any given Sunday. If they come on one of these Sundays when attendance is low, it gives a poor impression of our congregation, and they may never return. I am most often gone during the summer, and this is the time when many people choose to visit.

Third, choosing to stay away has long-term effects. In our congregation, worship attendance was on a steady rise until my vacation last July, during which attendance took a huge dive. That stopped our momentum cold, and we have not recovered it since, despite a steady influx of new members. Why? The more often we decide we can do without worship, for whatever reason, the easier it is to skip the next time. It erodes the discipline that attending to our spiritual needs requires.

Finally, choosing to stay away calls into question our understanding of worship. Do we attend to please the pastor, or because we think we’ll get more out of it when the pastor is there? How does that fit with the second part of our mission statement that we exist as a congregation “to overflow into a river of compassion for the world?” True worship is a matter of giving much as it is getting.

Salem is a wonderful place filled with good people. It certainly is not dependent on the presence of the pastor every Sunday to carry out its mission.

Pastor Nate

Salem Church Council Minutes

April 12, 2007

The meeting was called to order by President Warren Woods, with the following members in attendance: Joan Lienemann, Raquel Linch, Helen Mosman, Dennis Nardy, Sherri Nissen, Dave Riley, John Schlaht, Chuck Taylor, Chuck Eilers, Dave Riley, and Jodi Hitz. Pastor Nate and Margaret Kneedler were also in attendance. Warren Woods let devotions.

M/S/C by John Schlaht and Helen Mosman to approve the March minutes as written.

Correspondence: None at this time.

Pastor’s Report:

a) Pastor Robert Buschkemper from ELCA will give the service on June 10^th. A potluck will be served after the service followed by a meeting with the Endowment Committee and Pastor Buschkemper who is also a Planned Giving Counselor. Others interested may attend. M/S/.C by Helen Mosman and Raquel Linch to welcome Pastor Buschkemper.

b) A representative from Senator Harkin’s office will be at the church on Friday, April 27^th at 10:00 am to visit with congregation members.

c) Pastor presented his ideas about faith stories and is inviting members to concentrate on their faith and invites them to share with the congregation. He would like a video tape/recording of various stories to have in the library for check out.

d) Pastor Nate and Warren and Judy Woods will be attending Synodical Convention April 20-22 in Sioux City. M/S/C by Joan Lienemann & Sherri Nissen.

Treasurer’s Report was presented by Warren Woods in the absence of Mike Linch. M/S/C by Sherri Nissen and Joan Lienemann to approve the treasurer’s report.

Old Business: No old business to discuss.

New Business:

a) The Endowment Fund has a balance of $10,033.76.

The Capital Investment Fund has been renamed as Salem Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. The Selandar Account was moved to this account, and had a balance of $ 4,602.72. The Endowment committee recommends extending an invitation to Pastor Robert Buschkemper, Planned Giving Counselor, from ELCA to meet with the congregation.

b) Discussion was held on the number of people to serve each committee; it is recommended a minimum of six people and no maximum limit. Each will serve a two year term.

c) Greater Regional Hospital would like to rent the fellowship hall May 3^rd and May 7^th. M/S/C by Raquel Linch and Helen Mosman.

d) Changes in the Sanctuary will be taking place in order to make room for the sound booth. Removal and rearranging of church pews are also in the plans. M/S/C by Helen Mosman and Chuck Taylor.

Committee reports were presented:

a) Christian Education: Lori Paup is removing herself from the committee and Christian Education Director. Raquel Linch will be the new chairperson. The committee is looking into new curriculum for the fall. Confirmation is April 29th with Keristan Henry, Alec Paup and Issac Sedlmayer being confirmed. Camp kids have been working at HS concession stands to raise money to attend camp. Adult Ed will be sponsoring a new child. The next meeting will be May 1^st, at 4:00pm.

b) Evangelism did not meet.

c) Church Property will meet May 3^rd at 6:30pm, as well as Social Ministry.

d) Worship & Music: 196 attended church on Easter Sunday. Joyful Noise will be assisting with the Sunday service on April 15^th.

e) Stewardship and Finance: Will be setting a meeting to discuss summer cash flow.

M/S/C Raquel Linch and Joan Linemann to adjourn the meeting.

The next council meeting will be May 10^th at 6:30pm. Opening devotions will be led by Jodi Hitz. Meeting adjourned. Closing with Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted;

Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary

May Adult Ed

In May we will take a look at the phenomenon of cults. Week 1 will be an overview of religious cults: who they are, how prevalent are they? Week 2 will examine more deeply the definition of a cult by looking at one particular group that straddles the line between cult and accepted religion. Week 3 will look at where Christianity fits into the discussion of cults.

Breta Kinkade, Terry Taylor, 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 1^st 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.

MAY BIRTHDAY’S

Frances Jungst 05/01 Tim Kenyon 05/09

Donna Swanson 05/02 Betty Wager 05/15

Jason Peppers 05/04 Coral Smith 05/23

Abagail Wuebker 05/05 Janice Peterson 05/24

Michael Miller 05/06 Helen Herzberg 05/27

Elizabeth Kenyon 05/07 Brenda Sedlmayr 05/30

MAY ANNIVERSARIES

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Don & Eleanor Toycen 05/01 Arlan & Carolyn Biere 05/19

Brooke & Skip Tyler 05/03 Gene & Coral Smith 05/25

Troy & Donna Schroeder 05/04 Mike & Lacy Richardson 05/27

Don & Helen Mosman 05/06 Jeremie & Heather Peterson 05/27

Gary & Carol Peterson 05/12 Dick & Sue Bergstrom 05/30

Brenda & Richard Slight 05/12 Marc & Deb Roberg 05/31

Bill & Sara Bolinger 05/18

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE

Avg. April’s Attendance

Sunday: 103

April’s Offerings (April 1-30) Financial Report for April 1-30)

Current & Loose $ 11,640.48 Beginning Balance 4/1/07 $ 4.42

Easter 781.50 Income

Replacement 55.00 (current & loose) 11,640.48

Sunday School 7.00 Expenses 9,269.02

Sound System 1,500.00 Balance 4/30/07 2,375.88

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

The Monday Afternoon Bible study has finished the 10 Com1andments and is starting on The Apostles Creed, First Article. They meet in the Fellowship Hall on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 1:15pm. Anyone who wishes to come is welcome.

An addition to the church’s library has been made by Gene and Coral Smith. They have donated The 36-Hour Day (4^th Edition) by Nancy L. Mace, M.A. and Peter V. Rabins, M.D., M.P.H. This is a Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias and Memory Loss in Later Life. The book is memory of Coral’s grandmother, Mary Ellen Shouse and Coral’s father, Robert Edward Shouse. Both of them were victims of Alzheimer Disease.

The family of Arlan and Carolyn Biere are hosting an Open House in honor of their parents’ 50^th wedding anniversary. The Salem congregation is invited to this event on Sunday, May 20^th from 1:30 to 4:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Thanks to the April Worship team for a job well done. Also thanks to those from other teams who helped out.

John Schlaht

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Spring Sale in anyway. The bake sale ($235), kitchen ($404), 2 quilts auctioned ($65) and sale items ($500). It was a special effort by many women and men to make this our best year. The items that didn’t sell were donated to Rectory Rerun Shop. Thrivent Financial will supplement $800 to Salem for church projects. More details in the Women of the ELCA news. Thanks again.

Bev Butler

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 8^th and 9^th, beginning at 6pm on Friday and ending at 6am on Saturday. Please help us fight this terrible disease. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for those who would like to donate/sponsor our walkers or if you would like make a contribution. 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.

Quilters…

105 quilts were delivered to G&H Shipping in Greenfield. We appreciated their continued delivery of them to Lutheran World Relief in St. Paul, MN. Four more were taken to the Rural Iowa Crisis Center.

Thank you to all who contributed to the quilting project for LWR, whether it was packing the quilts, making the quilts or helping with supplies. It takes many hands to accomplish this.

Lucille Lundy donated 16 baby quilts. Ten of these will go to the ABC project & donated to Broad lawns’ Birthing Center in Des Moines. Six were given to the Rural Iowa Crisis Center.

Apologies to Linda Huffman for her name being omitted from the quilter’s list.

We will continue quilting through May and then take a summer break until September.

Joyce Anderson

May Worship Teams

May 6, 2007 May 13, 2007

Greeters: Flossie Roberts, Janet Nesbit Greeters: Todd & Suzie Stofferahn

Ushers: Arlan Biere, Floyd Nesbit Ushers: Arlan Biere, Floyd Nesbit

Andy & Jodi Hitz Andy Hitz, Ron Johnson

Reader: Carolyn Biere Reader: Carolyn Biere

Acolyte: Acolyte:

Communion Assistant: Arlan Biere

Coffee & Cookies: Bieres & Hitzs Coffee & Cookies: Bieres & Hitzs

May 20, 2007 May 27, 2007

Greeters: Arlan & Carolyn Biere Greeters: Flossie Roberts, Janet Nesbit

Ushers: Ron Johnson, Floyd Nesbit Ushers: Ron Johnson, Floyd Nesbit

Andy Hitz, Mike Henry Mike Henry

Reader: Bonnie Johnson Reader: Cathy Lents

Acolyte: Acolyte:

Communion Assistant: Cathy Lents

Coffee & Cookies: Flossie Roberts, Janet Nesbit

Creston Respite Center

a safe caring program for Adults affected by Alzheimer’s disease

The respite center is in need of volunteers—

The program is held on Tuesday and Fridays from 10a-2p

We 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

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

MAY NEWSLETTER

Miriam Circle will meet at the home of Carolyn Biere on May 31^st at 6:00pm for a cookout supper. Linda Aaseng will lead the bible study. Please note this is a change of date.

Rebekah Circle will meet in the Fellowship Hall on May 10^th at 1:15pm. Dorothy McNaught will be hostess and Barb Bjorn will be bible study leader.

Joyce Anderson, Carolyn Biere, Bev Butler and Judy Woods attended the spring Cluster 13 meeting on Saturday, April 14^th at Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Stanton. Carolyn Biere was installed as Chairperson of Mission Action, replacing Joyce in that capacity. Salem donated $25.00 to a special offering for Tanzania Girls School in Africa.

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the Spring Sale in anyway. It was a great effort on everyone’s part that we were able to make $1204.00, we will clear $1140.00 after paying for the newspaper ad, and this total includes sale items, bake sale, kitchen food sales and sale of two quilts. This in the only money making project that Women of the ELCA have for the year. The total for 2006 was $916.40 and 2005 was $753.00 so this year was a HUGE success. Again Thanks!!

Thrivent Financial will supplement $800 to Salem for church projects. The expense of building the cabinet for the new Sound System and elevated floor will be paid out of the $800.00.

The 20^th Annual convention of Western Iowa Synodical Women’s will be Saturday, June 23re at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Humboldt. Joyce Anderson will be our voting delegate and Judy Woods will also attend.

There is a flyer on the new bulletin board for an Extraordinary Women 2007 conference in Raytown, MO. on October 26-27, 2007.

Bev Butler, Co-Chairperson

Salem Women of the ELCA