Salem Bridge HARVEST TIME IS DRAWING NEAR IN THIS ISSUE. Encountering God...Equipping People Extending the Gospel...

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1 Encountering God...Equipping People Extending the Gospel... Salem Bridge Monthly Newsletter of Salem Covenant church August 2016 HARVEST TIME IS DRAWING NEAR IN THIS ISSUE P. 1-2 A Word from Pastor Dave 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He *said to His disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. (Matthew 9: 36-38) Those of you with gardens or farm lands have worked very hard to produce the best result for your crop this year. You have tilled, planted, fertilized, watered, pruned and weeded. The result and reward for all that is the opportunity to harvest. We are thankful at our house for an abundant yield of raspberries this year. We have also already harvested some peas, lettuce and cilantro. We must wait a few more weeks to gather the fuller harvest of beans, tomatoes, beets and carrots. P. 3-4 Council Meeting P. 5 Hope tour Schedule P. 6-7 Announcements P Parent Connect P. 11 Calendar Spiritually, we also see a harvest some now but some must wait. As we consider the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Gal. 5:22-23), we know that God has grace to help us enter into growth in this virtues now. Yet the greater crop of the fruit of the Spirit will come later and also will be ongoing. Article continues on page 2

2 The Salem Bridge Article continued from page 1 I shared during Week 1 of the sermon series The Fruitful Disciple, that fruit is a metaphor which can have several meanings in the Bible. Fruit is the produce or the output or some activity or other source...usually a living source. In the Bible, we see bearing fruit as an illustration of 1. The output of our hard labors. (Psalm 128:2) 2. The blessing of children. ( Psalm 127:3) 3. Good works. (Col 1:10, Titus 3:14) 4. The character traits of a godly life. (gal. 5:22-23, Eph. 5:9-10, Phil. 1:11) 5. The making of new converts to Christ. (col. 1:6, Rom. 1:13) The making of new converts to Christ should always be high on our list of priorities as individuals and a church. We always want to see more fruit for the kingdom of God and for His glory (John 15:8). Yet this evangelism emphasis is very vital for us at Salem this August as we send the HOPE South Africa Tour on its way from August We are looking for and praying for a fruitful harvest from the hard labors of evangelism, service, compassion, worship and outreach. The prayers of God s people back home will only enhance the potential of an abundant yield through the HOPE tour. The schedule for the HOPE South Africa Tour has been provided to you through the August Salem Bridge newsletter. You will also be given other resources and opportunities to inform and enrich your prayers for this team as they go. Our Lord, through Salem Covenant Church and other sources of support, is sending out laborers into the harvest in South Africa. Let s pray for and believe for a very fruitful harvest. Pastor Dave Peterson Page 2

3 Members Present: Wally Abbott, Heidi Bohlmann, Dennis Dagger, Robin Dagger, Kathy Hughes, Jeff Johnson, Peg Johnson, Lee MacInnes, Brandon Marini, Pastor Steven Osborne, Pastor Dave Peterson, Alan Van Loon Absent: Darrell Johnson, Mark McGrew Call to Order: Peg Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. FIRST HALF OF MEETING FOCUS ON FUTURE Peg started with a devotional from Finding Jesus. Members introduced ourselves and our positions/ time on council and the makeup of each commission. We discussed recruiting and the importance of a personal conversation/ask. Concerns/Prayers: Council members prayed for each other and known prayer needs. SECOND HALF OF MEETING FOCUS ON PRESENT Approval of Minutes: M/S/P (motioned/seconded/ passed) Changes/Corrections to Agenda: none. Exec: did not meet tonight. Financial Secretary: Mark McGrew, absent. Treasurer: Alan Van Loon presented the treasurer s report and explained that the balances are somewhat fluid. In June we were down $ This was one of the best months in the past few years, especially considering we had three payrolls for that month. We are behind approximately $6500 for year-to-date against expenses. Our spending is a little above budgeted amount; income is a little below. Alan asked the commissions to check their accounts for accuracy. Lead Pastor: See written report. Pastor Dave thanked Steven for preaching on Sunday. He reported that Rosa is liking the administrative assistant position and her duties. He said that year-to-date attendance is down about 7%, more during summer sessions. Dave expressed wonder about that and looked for feedback. Members suggested this may be due in The Salem Bridge COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES July 18, 2016 Page 3 part to the way of recording attendance (i.e., pew books vs. slips), several larger families traveling more this summer, the beautiful weather/holidays this summer during weekends, etc. We have been having some new faces, but some have moved on to other churches/locations. We will continue to discuss whether to return to the friendship pew pads, the attendance slips, or another method of recording attendance. Peg reminded the Council that personal connection is the most important way to encourage attendance. Youth Pastor: See written report. Mission update. Pastor Steven was impressed with the testimonies from the last mission meeting at Dagger s. Megan Noska got her passport today, and Randi Brown-Komanti is still waiting. All other members have them. Future activities include a send off for the missions trip on August 7, the South African mission trip August 12-25, and September 11 for the mission report during the worship service. HOPE Members had a missions meeting July 8 at Dagger s then spent a long day taking tickets for the Duluth Air Show as a fund raiser. As of this time, totals are not known. Family camp was held July 9/10. 5-day Club kicked off today. There were eight kids at Salem in the morning, most from the community. Seven kids were at Memorial Park in the afternoon. Steven connected with one of the grandmothers, encouraging her to check out Salem on Sunday. A team member at the Encounter will see about bringing more kids this week. Upcoming events: Pastor Steven is hoping to start a college ministry Bible study. We have five students registered for M.U.U.U.C.E. Brandon Marini and Julie Borchert will chaperone. MERGE is coming up in September. IHOP is in October. Pastor Steven will be speaking at the Senior High Camp at Covenant Park in August before the mission trip. Article continues on page 4

4 The Salem Bridge Commission Reports/Action Items: Properties: Wally Abbott Members: Wally Abbott, Bryan Noble, Tim Younggren; approved. Others still need to confirm. Next meeting is tomorrow. They will discuss the Facilities Use Permit. Any changes will be brought to council for approval. Worship: Brandon Marini Members: Julie Borchert, Randi Brown-Komanti, Brandon Marini, Katrina Marini; Daniel Van Loon; approved Peg happily reported that they were able to hear the service clearly in nursery this last Sunday. Mission & Outreach: Dennis & Robin Dagger See written report. Mission & Outreach met with CE for two meetings. Family camp. We brought in a little over $600 but are charges were $1000. This included Sunday lunch and minimum fee for overnight. People were very generous with their payments for lunch. Members discussed how to handle camp next year, whether we attend only for Sunday, have a minimum number of people in order to reserve the camp for Saturday night, or same as this year. Further discussion is needed. Robin & Dennis will discuss whether they can get in a commission meeting before/after the mission trip. Finance: Jeff Johnson See written report. Members: Brad Bohlmann, Mark McGrew, Loren Peterson, Alan Van Loon, David Van Loon; approved The committee had a brief meeting last week Next meeting is tentatively August 9 at 6:30 at church. Congregational Care and Nurture: Kathy Hughes See written report. Members: Cheryl Bloomquist, Carol Bloomquist, Dick Bloomquist, Cindee Johnson, Debbie Johnson, Jan Peterson, Angie Smith, Vicki Wetter; approved Flowers were sent for memorials and births. The church celebrated Graduation Sunday May 22. Christian Education: Lee MacInnes No written report. Members: Jim Johnson, Graham McGrew, Heather McGrew, Connie MacInnes, Lee MacInnes, Shari Van Loon; approved The committee is discussing Kids Quest being expanded to older kids. They have been working on planning for 5-Day Club. A Volunteer Training (nursery, Awana, Kids Quest, and TEXT) is scheduled for Sept. 7 at 6:00-7:30 P.M. This will include some first aid, use of building, and safe place. Old Business: none New Business: Upcoming meetings: Aug. 15: council meeting Sep. 19: council & executive meetings Oct. 17: council meeting Nov. 14: council meeting Dec. 12: council meeting We discussed whether to have ad hoc committee for computer/i.t. Peg suggested Finance Commission invite interested parties to their meeting for further discussion. Alan brought up a small expenditure for softball equipment expense being covered by the church. Concerns/Prayers: Council members prayed for each other and known prayer needs. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:00 with prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Heidi Bohlmann Council Secretary Page 4

5 The Salem Bridge Friday Aug 12 -Leave from Minneapolis to South Africa Sunday Aug 14 -Land in South Africa 8 am. -Visit Rhema Church in Johannesburg. -Travel to Durban. About 6 hours. Monday Aug 15 -Ministry at Sinakekele Home for Abandoned children and community house. -Evening barbecue with locals. Tuesday Aug 16 -Sinakekele home and Ministry with Subz pads in school. -Beach time. Wednesday Aug 17 -Ministry in local township and food packets. -Leave for Kruger National Park. About 8 hour driving. Thursday Aug 1 -Morning Kruger Park -Afternoon drive to Welkom. About 7 hours. Friday morning 19 -Visit schools, nursing home, Charlotte Moll outreach. -Evening praise and worship outreach in community. Saturday 20 -Children home, prison and government hospital. -Evening outreach in township. Sunday 21 -Worship service with N.G. Harmony Church -Lunch with church. -Leave for Johannesburg airport about 3 hours. -Evening fly to Cape town. About 2.5 hours. -Drive another hour to Bridges of HOPE. Monday 22 -VBS with kids at Bridges of Hope. -Ministry with Bridges Youth Program about 250 high school kids. -Visitation and outreach in the evening. Tuesday 23 -VBS with kids at Bridges of Hope. -Ministry with Bridges Youth Program about 250 high school kids. -Visitation and outreach in the evening Wednesday 24 -Leave for Johannesburg airport. -Explore Johannesburg -Fly back to USA. Thursday 25 -Arrive in Minneapolis Please pray daily for Spiritual growth, Good health and safety, Missionary success of God s will, and Financial support. Page 5

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11 The Salem Bridge Visit our website at for the most up to date calendar of events. Plan Ahead September 7 September 10 September October Volunteer Training Men s Fraternity Golf & BBQ Day Women s CPBC Retreat Salem Fall Adventurous Christians Retreat Gunflint Trail Page 11

12 Salem Covenant Church 339 N. 59 TH Ave. W. Duluth, MN August 2016 Salem Covenant Church Bringing Hope to the Heart of Spirit Valley Church Office Hours: 9am-1pm Monday - Friday Check us out on Facebook