The Church Bell. Salem Lutheran Church PO Box 136, Longville, MN Volume 36, Issue 1 Pastor Trisha Jorgenson January 2016

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1 Telephones Worship (218) (office) Sunday: Pastor Trisha Jorgenson ( (218) (Kitchen) (218) (fax) Carol Raines, Secretary/Bookkeeper (Pastor s cell) Jan Elliott & Eunice Benson, Organists Office Hours Charlene Olson, Choir Director address: salem@arvig.net Monday Thursday 5:00 p.m. Web: Friday 3:00 p.m. The Church Bell Salem Lutheran Church PO Box 136, Longville, MN Volume 36, Issue 1 Pastor Trisha Jorgenson January 2016 As with many others, each New Year, I make some sort of New Year s Resolution. My resolution usually involves something I would like to change about myself. During the first few days of the New Year, I am fairly devoted to my resolution and begin to feel as if this year will be the one I stick-to-it and make my resolution a reality. This year, I have carefully considered all the possible New Year s Resolutions I could make and have decided to be resolved to NOT make a New Year s Resolution. Not because there are not things I would like to change about myself, but because I am tired of setting myself up to fail and feeling disappointed in myself. So, instead of searching for the number one thing I want to change about myself, I will instead focus on things I like about myself talents, passions, joys and skills that make me feel good about myself gifts God has given in my life that I would know God more fully. I enjoy visiting with people and learning their stories, so I resolve to focus on visiting with members of our Salem family and friends and getting to know them better. I enjoy worship, so resolve to focus on ways in which I not only lead worship but am able to worship as well. I hunger for a deeper prayer life, so I will focus on spending more time in prayer. Being in nature has always restored my soul, so I will find ways in which I meet God in creation. And I truly delight in time I spend with children and youth, so I will seek ways in which I might volunteer at our schools and find ways to connect more with our little ones Not just each new year, but each new moment, God gives us opportunities to start a new. Our lives are gifts from God but God doesn t stop there. The true gift is God s presence and love surrounding us, sustaining us and making all things new. God draws us near and we experience The Holy in beauty, love, forgiveness, wonder, awe, and peace and gives purpose to each beat of our heart and the blood flowing through our veins. Have you ever stood in the sunlight on a cold winter s day and watched the snowflakes come to life and twinkle like a million tiny stars blanketing the ground? Have you ever laid on the evening dew and watched as the sky became a watercolor canvas of purples and pinks? Held a new born baby or been held by one who loves you unconditionally and so fully it felt as if your two bodies might melt into one? Or marveled at the delicate petals of a flower and wondered what joy simple sight must bring its creator? Then you have been touched by The Holy God delights in now only giving us life, but in taking our breath away with wonder and beauty in creation and in one another. As we begin another year, let us resolve with Isaiah (58:2b) to delight to draw near to God, and to love and cherish, nurture and protect, God s creation in ourselves, our neighbors and the world. Blessed New Year, Pastor Trish

2 January 2016 THE CHURCH BELL Page 2 A Special Thank You to our Sunday School Children for leading worship and telling us the story of Jesus birth on Sunday, December 20, 2015 Our Angels, Shepherds and Magi leading us in Away in a Manger Our very wise Princess Magi sing a special version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Shepherds keeping watch...for their turn to share the good news of Jesus birth! COLUMBARIUM UPDATE What will be the cost to reserve a Niche Single Niche for church Members $1200 Double Niche for church Members $1400 Single Niche for non-church Members $1800 Double Niche for non-church Members $2000 Single Niche for former Members $1400 Double Niche for former Members $1600 The Columbarium Committee would like to thank Marcus Siewert for his generous donation.

3 January 2016 THE CHURCH BELL Page 3 Office Notes For more information about becoming a full member, associate member or friend of Salem, please contact the church office or talk with Pastor Trish. All are welcome here! RUTH CIRCLE Because of quilting, the months of Jan, Feb & March, Ruth Circle s Bible Study has been changed to the 2nd Tuesday of Jan, Feb & March at 1 p.m. ALL the women of Salem are welcome to join us at Bible Study. CHRIST IN OUR HOME DEVOTIONALS You may pick up your January, February and March 2016 devotionals from the stand by the entrance. Take one for a friend. We also have Our Daily Bread devotionals. COLUMBARIUM DONATION Thank you to Marcus Siewert for the donation to complete Phase 1 of the 20 unit Niche columbarium and cost and laying of pavers Salem Vacation Bible School Planning Meeting January 14th All are welcome to help us begin planning for another great VBS for our children ADULT BIBLE STUDY 4:00-5:00 p.m. - Martin Luther Room Led by Pastor Trish All are welcome! SALEM S MONTHLY NIGHT OUT Our monthly dinner out will be on Sunday, January 31 at Patrick s at 5:00 p.m. Call Dale Foss or him - fossd3@gmail.com if you plan to attend. All are welcome! The Quilting Party every Thursday from to 3:00 p.m. January February March All women are invited to attend. No experience necessary! Bring a dish to pass for the noon meal. Great 2016 The 2016 Envelopes are in your mailbox and ready to be picked up. Envelopes not picked up will be held until next spring unless you contact the office to have them mailed. Don Waldera, Financial Secretary Emergency Weather Announcements For notice of Salem s weather-related cancellations and postponements please tune to: KLIZ (Walker) KTIG (Pequot Lakes) KBLB 93.3 (Brainerd)

4 January 2016 THE CHURCH BELL Page 4 General Fund FINANCIAL REPORT November 30, 2015 Beginning Balance $ 6,753 Contributions Rec d to $ 16,722 Transfers/Journal Entries $ 1,254 Expenses to $ (19,055) Gen Fund Bal $ 5,674 Just an FYI: to maintain our current financial position Salem needs approximately $3500 a week in contributions to the GENERAL FUND. EXPENSES 2015 ANNUAL BUDGET GENERAL FUND NOV YTD APPROVED REMAINING Staff Expense $ 9,510 $107,299 $ 116,425 $ 9,126 Church Bldg Exp 2,608 37,021 42,000 4,979 Worship Expense 1,411 17,060 19,650 2,590 Growth in Faith Exp 2,968 4,228 10,325 6,097 Expense 220 4,235 1,100 (3,135) Administration Exp 1,238 11,163 16,550 5,387 Total Regular Exp $17, ,006 $206,050 $25,044 Local Benevolence $ 2,567 3, Synod Benevolence 1,100 12,100 13,200 1,100 Lutheran Social Service 0 0 1,200 1,200 World Hunger 0 4,445 With God s Blessing, Ardis Aagard, Treasurer December Update from the Servant Leadership Council (SLC) Meeting A task force has been setup to research how other churches handle contracts. We are trying to make sure all large contracts are handled in the same format. This research will help us with that. In the visioning for Salem the SLC discussed moving back into our neighborhood. How do we help people who live in the greater Longville area. What are the needs? How do we help our neighbor in a positive way? What is God calling us to do now? The SLC supported the Serving Ministry Team and gave a one time $500 donation to Luther Dell Camp in memory of Caitlyn Daudt. This memorial will be funded by the auction fund.

5 January 2016 THE CHURCH BELL Page 5 January s Special People 1 Jackie Senst 2 Bill Fischer 3 Donna Kohanek 3 Alyssa Semmler 3 Irene Schires 3 Hannah Hardinger 4 Harland Johnson 5 Phil Mix 5 Tia Lucas Lilyquist 6 Dawn Hicok 6 Ken Schleif 7 Melanie Mix 7 Stuart Rath 8 Sharon Galvin 10 Zachary Nornberg 11 Justin Wicks 11 Adam Hicok 12 Logan Gross 12 Barbara Kostial 13 Lori Daudt 15 Ellie Wheeler 17 Doris Schmidt 17 Carole Houghton 19 Joan Antonson 24 Grace Gilsrud 25 Troy Loren 25 Judy Owen 26 Diane Wiehle 28 Ardis Aagard 31 Darlene Konrad 1 Connor and Sharon Galvin 11 Dennis & Elsie Hagen 24 Dennis and Dorothy Weaver 27 Bob and Donna Kohanek 27 Gile and Beverly Bixby SHELL January Kathy Callies Judy Johnson Anastasia Miller Karen Nelson Margit Tormondsen Ruth Circle Tuesday, Jan. 12th at Salem Hostess: Marilyn Lilyquist Hospitality Team Captain for January Doris Schmidt A scallop shell, pointing downward with three drops of water falling from it, is often used to symbolize baptism and the washing away of sin. The three water droplets stand for the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

6 January 2016 THE CHURCH BELL Page 6 THE MEANING OF EPIPHANY Epiphany, which comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, means an appearance or a revealing. Centuries ago, the church set aside January 6, the 12th day after Christmas, to mark the revealing of Jesus as Christ to the wise men, who were Gentiles. Jesus and his first followers were Jewish, so the revelation of the divine Christ to the non-jewish magi reminds us that Jesus came to earth to save the whole world. Symbols of Epiphany include light, a star, a crown (or three crowns) and a globe or stylized portrayal of the world. The color of Epiphany is green to symbolize life, growth, hope and eternity. On the church calendar, the Epiphany season lasts until Ash Wednesday, which is determined by the date of Easter. ELCA SCHOOL KITS The In Kind offering for the Women of he ELCA this year is School Kits. While you are out shopping it would be wonderful if you would pick up a few items for these kits. Things needed are : Crayons (boxes of 16 or 24...Crayola preferred) 12 inch rulers Spiral bound notebooks (70 sheet, wide or college ruled) Black or Blue Ball Point Pens (NO gel ink) Scissors (Student sized - 4 inch) Pencil sharpeners We have LOTS of pencils, so no pencils are needed at this time. Thank you very much! Mary Schmid Ginger Minske A DEFINITION OF THE NEW YEAR The new year is a door by which we reach new fields of service for God and fellow man: A door by which we can explore wide spheres of usefulness our world to bless, And reap the sheaves God s word of witness yields. The new year is a task set by the Master of our souls, a little part of our life s work below: And so we ask holy wisdom which alone controls our labor, teaching what and where to sow: That the year, at its end, may show God s glory and man s profit blend. The new year is a book with many pages, and as yet all white on which to write The history of thought, and deed, and word in this new group of days. We pray thee, Lord, As thou shalt look upon the book, when written over, may all be to Thy praise.

7 January 2016 THE CHURCH BELL Page 7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Office Closed 3 Communion Worship 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Sunday School 4 10:30 a.m. Finance Team Busy Needles 5 (co-ed) 3:00 p.m. Pastor s Text Study 6 Epiphany 10:00 a.m. Video Tech Meeting 4:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study 5:00- WATW Meal Choir Rehearsal Confirmation Class 7 Quilting Party Property Team Meeting 8 8:45 a.m. Staff Meeting LMT Meeting 9 10 Worship 11 Busy Needles 12 9:30 am SMT Meeting 3:00 p.m. Pastor s Text Study 13 WMT Meeting 4:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study 5:00 p.m. WATW Meal Choir Rehearsal Confirmation Class 14 Quilting Party Ruth Circle VBS Planning Meeting 15 8:45 a.m. Staff Meeting SLC Meeting Communion Worship 18 Busy Needles 19 (co-ed) Living Waters Pastors Conference 3:00 p.m. Pastor s Text Study 20 4:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study 5:00- WATW Meal Choir Rehearsal Confirmation Class 21 Quilting Party 22 8:45 a.m. Staff Meeting Worship 31 Worship 25 Busy Needles 26 (co-ed) 3:00 p.m. Pastor s Text Study 27 4:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study 5:00- WATW Meal Choir Rehearsal Confirmation Class 28 Quilting Party 29 8:45 a.m. Staff Meeting 30

8 SALEM SUNDAY SCHOOL JANUARY 3 All 3 year olds 6 th grade students are invited and welcome to join us the first Sunday of each month from 11:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m. for Sunday School. This month s theme is Light & Hope Watch for your Family Faith Formation Kit in the mail. For more information or to volunteer to help with lunch, crafts, music, games, or lessons please call the church office County Road 5 P.O. Box 136 Longville, MN Prepared especially for: