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

 

November 2008

 

 

We have an unusual stewardship challenge this year. Very seldom in life do we have to address issues of complacency and fear at the same time.

 

            First of all, Salem Lutheran Church deserves congratulations for what we have accomplished. We set a very high goal for giving this year. It was not an arbitrary goal; it was a realistic statement of what we need to be the healthy, functioning church that God has called us to be.

            While many of us may have swallowed hard before voting for this budget, we have come very close to accomplishing that lofty goal. Through the first eight months of the year, even through the summer months, contributions have been right where we needed them to be. In fact, I don’t know when Salem has been in a stronger position in recent history.

            Here’s the dicey part.

            First, we have to remind ourselves that this is not a short-term, one-time effort. Again, our budget reflects what we need to be a vibrant church. Not just for this year, but for the foreseeable future.

            Second, we are in a position to finally resolve a problem that has plagued Salem for decades: the leaky, flat roof. The availability of some insurance money, together with matching funds from the Eleanor Nelson gift, makes this the most affordable time for us to fix this problem. Yet we will still require contributions above and beyond our regular giving to accomplish this.

            Third, we are living under the shadow of economic troubles. Since the crash of the stock market, our giving has dropped off slightly. We know that in uncertain times, we are under pressure to circle the wagons, think only of our own personal or family survival, and neglect our call to mission in the world. Such times test our commitment to the Gospel, and our trust in God. But they can also help us to focus on what is really important in life.

            Light shines most brightly against a dark background. We can use this economic downturn to the glory of God by providing a witness to the truth of salvation in Christ that will shine all the more brightly in a fearful world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salem Lutheran Church Council Minutes

October 16, 2008

 

The meeting was called to order by President Chuck Taylor, with the following members in attendance: Church Eilers, Rayma Frank, Bert Henry, Jodi Hitz, Gary Kessler, Mike Linch and Sheri Nissen.  Other council members present were Flossie Roberts, John Schlaht, LouAnn Snodgrass and Warren Woods.  Pastor Nate and Margaret Kneeder also attended.

 

Devotions were led by Sherri Nissen.

M/S/C by Flossie Roberts and John Schlaht to approve the September minutes.

 

Correspondence:  none at this time.

 

Pastor’s Report:

            a)  The confirmation students and Pastor Nate attended a Synod gathering  in

                 Atlantic on October 15^th.

            b)  Pastor has set a meeting with the area school board members, administrators,

                  and the ministerial alliance for October 21^st at Salem to discuss extra

                 curricular activities and church time.

            c)  Lists of new worship teams were handed out.

            d)  Healthy Congregations workshop will be held at the Presbyterian Church,

                  October 31^st, 6:30-9:30 pm and November 1^st from 8:00 4:00 am.  Cost is

                  $ 30.00 for those wishing to attend.

 

Treasurer’s Report

            a)  There was a $ 408.39 carry over from the building repair that has been placed

                 in Replacement fund.

            b)  Copier fees are a little bit higher—this will show on the Financial Report.

            c)  The budget is falling in place, no concerns at this time.  Expenses are down a

                 little from last year.

            d)  M/S/C by Warren Woods and Chuck Eilers to approve the cost of  $ 675.00

                 for a new set of blue prints from Robert Torson, architect. 

M/S/.C by Chuck Eilers and John Schlaht to approve Treasurer’s report.

 

Old Business:

            a)  M/S/C by Sherri Nissen and Gary Kessler to accept the Long Range Planning

                 Committee members Mike Linch, Flossie Roberts, Warren Woods, Becky

                 Nardy, Ron Johnson, Chris Lane, Stacy Wood, Gail Peterson, Alan Shaffer

                 and Jack Keuter.  Know meeting has been set yet.

            b)  Thank to Tim Kinkade for the new high rise toilet and grab bars installed in

                 the upstairs restroom.

 

 

 

 

New Business:

            a)  Proceed with the Roof  bid:  approximately $ 55,000 from Hedberg and Son

                 Roofing of Des Moines.  A November start date has been scheduled.

                 M/S/C by Warren Woods and Bert Henry.

            b)  Donation of old microphone/equipment to Mark Kinkade for music ministry

                 in the community.

                 M/S/C by Warren Woods and Flossie Roberts

            c)  Thanksgiving offering will go to Ministerial Alliance

                 M/S/C by Warren Woods and Rayma Frank

            d)  Finance Committee to proceed with closing out the Continuing Education

                 account.

                 M/S/C by Bert Henry and Warren Woods

            e)  Review/update of church by-laws at next council meeting.

 

Committee reports were presented:

            a)  Christian Education: met on October 7^th

                *MS School Hang Out started October 8^th with eight students attending

                *There will be no float in the Christmas Parade this year

                *The Sunday School Christmas program will be December 14^th and the

                 Live Nativity and Soup Supper will be on December 17^th

                *The next meeting will be November 4^th at 4:30

            b)  Evangelism:  New members will be joining on October 26^th.

            c)  Church Property: move forward with the roof repair

            d)  Worship & Music: met on October 14^th, preparation for Reformation Sunday

                 and Advent were discussed.  As well as Christmas program and Live

                 Nativity.  The next meeting will be on November 1lth at 4:30 p.m.

            e)  Stewardship:  will be setting a meeting

            f)  Finance Committee: will begin budget process for next year

            g)  Social Ministry will be serving Open Table on November 4^th.

 

M/S/C by Bert Henry and John Schlaht to adjourn the meeting.

 

The next Council meeting will November 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., opening devotions will be led by Rayma Frank.  The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted:

Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary

 

 

 

                

 

 

 

 

           

November Birthdays

 

11/02   Nicky Burg                      11/11     David Ekblad                11/21   Elaine Fargo

            Tammy Wolverton           11/13     Bonnie Johnson             11/22   George Faust

11/05   Kaleb Cook                    11/15     Dorothy McNaught      11/24  Lanny Herzberg

11/07   Thad Sickels                    11/17     Tim Kinkade                             Duane Schmidt

11/08   Keristan Henry    11/19     Brittany Linch                 11/27  Todd Wolverton

11/09   Dorine Peterson               11/20     Bev Courtney                 11/29  Bert Henry

 

 

November Anniversaries

 

11/08 Floyd & Janet Nesbit

11/18  Mike & Deb Springer

11/23  Roland & Janice Peterson

11/25  Jason & Nicky Burg

 

 

Mary Jo, Foster, Breta Kinkade,  Ella Groff, Marge Hanson, Janice Peterson, and Willard Peterson.     We ask God to send his Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen these individuals.

 

 

 

Pfc Emily Cruise, Pfc. Matthew Cruse, Major David Cruse, Pvt. Aaron Cunningham, Chief Msgt. David Groff, MGY Sgt. Mark Kinkade, Str. Airman Travis Mathis, SN Tony McNaught, SWCN Beth McNaught, SRA 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.

 

Thanksgiving offering will be given to Ministerial Alliance.

Notes from the Christian Education Committee:

 

Calling all Middle School Students!  The next Middle School Hangout will be November 5^th and 19^th from 1:30 to 3:30p.m.  This is for students in grades 6^th, 7^th and 8^th from our church and their friends.  Come and hang with your friends!

 

Parents:  Mark these dates on your calendar:

          We will not have Sunday school on the following Sundays; November 30^th, December 14^th, 28^th and January 4^th.

          We will not have Kid Squad on November 26^th, December 17^th, 24^th and 31^st.

          The Sunday School Christmas Program will be on Sunday, December 14^th.  We will have program practice during Kid Squad on December 3^rd and 10^th at 6:00 p.m. and during the Sunday School hour on December 14^th.

          The Live Nativity and Soup Supper will be on December 17^th.

 

Thank you parents/grandparents for bringing your children to Sunday School and Kid Squad.  We are enjoying them in our classrooms and hope they continue to learn more about God’s word.

 

 

 

 

Adult Education for November: “Race & Religion in America”

 

          One of the great paradoxes of 21^st century America is the fact that the most segregated places in our country are the church pews on Sunday morning. Given the spirit of unity and equality in the Gospel of Christ, and given the fact that the churches were the driving force that ended official racial segregation in the 1960s and 1970s, how is this possible? Why is there so much fear and distrust between predominantly white and black church members?

          We will spend three weeks looking at the factors in our history that have led to this situation, and look for ways in which trust and community can be restored in the church universal. 

 

 

 

 

 

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

 

            Miriam Circle will meet on Thursday, November 6^th at 7:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall.  Rayma Frank will be hostess and Joyce Anderson will lead the Bible study.

            Rebekah Circle will meet on Thursday, November 13^th at 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  Flossie Roberts will be hostess and Dorothy McNaught will lead the Bible study.  Rebekah Circle has shut-ins for November.

            Our circle meetings are open to all ladies of Salem and hope you can join us.

            Early in 2008 Thank Boxes were placed in all mail boxes, so everyone could participate in Giving Thanks for all our many blessings.  There boxes were collected on Sunday, October 26^th.  But if you were not in church the Thank Boxes can still be collected at the circle meetings in November.  All proceeds will go to Global Health Missions.

            Thank you to everyone who donated items for the Church In-Gathering of Kits for Lutheran World Relief.  We had 2 sewing kits, 20 baby layettes and 63 school kits to send to World Relief.

            There will be a women’s meeting after church on Sunday, November 9^th.  This is open to all ladies.

 

Bev Butler

 

 

 

Thank you to all of the people who so generously donated to make our Lutheran World Relief Drive successful.  There were monetary donations used to buy supplies as well as many donated items.  Thank you to the Sunday School kids and their teachers who worked very hard by putting 63 school kits together.  Betty Wager sewed all the bags for them, so we thank her also.  In addition we had 81 quilts, 20 baby layettes and two sewing kits taken to G&H Shipping in Greenfield.  Thank you to all the people who worked so diligently on them.  Many people pitched in with helping after church also, to get everything packed, so thank you for that.  Pastor Nate always makes the dedication a special time, too.  It takes many hands to get this all accomplished and Salem is blessed with many willing workers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship Teams November 2008-October 2009

 

           

 

 

Team #1 Warren Woods & Judy                                          November 2008

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 LuAnn Snodgrass & Bob( Sean)                          December 2008

Dave & Barb Abildtrup

Paul & Pat Grumley

Lanny Herzberg & Donna Cunningham

Linda Hulquist

Mike & Emily Miller

Mike & Lacey Richardson (Donovan)

John & Lois Rose

Troy & Donna Schroeder (Mary Jo, Emily)

Mike & Deb Springer

 

Team #3 Flossie Roberts                                                      January 2009

Mark & Judy Kinkade

Shirley Loos

Jane McKinney (Ryan, James)

Don & Helen Mosman

Dillard & Lois Paxton

Judy Pringle

Brenda Sedlemeyer (Isaac)

Kris Sherrod (Khy, Kalil))

Alan & Julie Shaffer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team #4  John Schlaht & Lynne                                           February

Dick & Sue Bergstrom

David Ekblad

Gabe & Christina Flores

Ben & Helen Herzberg

Dina Jaggers

Bill Kunert

Larry & Claudia Peppers

Michelle Folland (Zach)

Frances Roberg

 

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

Arlan & Carolyn Biere

Mike Henry (Keirsten, Travis)

Ron & Bonnie Johnson

Floyd & Janet Nesbit

David & JoAnn Rathe (Cory, Jesse)

Brenda Slight (Andrea, Jerica)

Todd & Suzie Stofferahn

Loyal & Liz Winborn

 

Team # 6 Gary Kessler (Carolyn)                                        April

Bill & Barb Bjorn

Carole Fox

Dick & Jane Johnston

Chris & Sara Lane

Tim & Barb Kenyon (Liz)

Clifford & Lois Olsen

Duane Schmidt

Phil & Alma Swanson

Galen Zumbach

 

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

LaVerne & Joyce Anderson

Dave & Gwen Buck

Jack Freese

Bill & Carol Ott

Alan & Dorine Peterson

Lola Strausser

Molly Vander Linden

Vic & Betty Wager

Joe & Erin Walkup (Madison)

 

 

 

 

Team #8 Sherri Nissen & Jerry (Amanda)                          June

Don & Bev Butler

Dale & Judy Eklund

Jack & Phyllis Keuter

Mike & Raquel Linch (Dylan, Brittany)

Chuck & Dawn Logston

Mark Saylor

Donna Swanson

Todd & Tammy Wolverton (Regan, Jace)

 

Team # 9 Chuck Eilers & Jan                                                July

Lamona Bilderback

Tony & Peggy Cass (Chris)

Ron & Jo Levine

Larry & Gracie Otten

Don & Eleanor Toycen

Russell Wachter

Stacy Wood (Grant)

 

Team #10 Dennis Nardy & Becky                                        August

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                                                    September

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