SHALOM. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don t know. Albert Einstein

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1 602 W Townline Creston, IA SHALOM The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don t know. Albert Einstein Martin Luther speaks of a similar sentiment in his preface to The Large Catechism. His aim in writing both of his catechisms wasn t that people would presume they had mastered it in a classroom setting for two or three years of their life and then set it aside for the rest, but instead that they would return to it again and again with an ever deepening and widening relationship with their creator. With this same aim in the faith life we head into our third year here at Salem with one official confirmation student, Emma Pantini. While Emma is in effect, the only student, you, as a congregation, as a church of Jesus Christ, have agreed to be a part of her education. But when did I do this!?! you say. Read on! On each person s baptism day, God s people gather to add their yes! to God s yes! This means that if you are a baptized Christian and part of a congregation, you have promised to receive other baptized people as wanted, loved, forgiven, and chosen people. Furthermore, you have made promises to be in relationship together with God s people as they develop in Christian faith and life. These are among the promises of baptism made by parents, sponsors, and this congregation (see your red hymnal page 227 for even more!): Continued. Pastor: Brian Jack pastorbrian@salemluth.net Church Website: Phone: Secretary: Clicia Farnsworth office@salemluth.net Phone: The office is closed on Wednesdays

2 Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism: to live with them among God s faithful people, This is your call to be at worship and to participate in education, fellowship, and service with your church. Young people need to see how a great diversity of people engage the world around them in faith, and you are part of that plan. to bring them to the word of God and the holy supper, All baptized people need to regularly hear God s Word (see the Third Commandment!) and receive God s promises in Holy Communion. It is both for you and so that those you are with can see what God s gifts means for you. teach them the Lord s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer, These are the tools of the church that help us put our faith into context and action. so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, God calls us to talk about faith and why it matters using both our words and actions. By speaking about and acting on your faith, you help others learn how they can do likewise. care for others and the world God made, You serve God at home with the people you call family, at work with your colleagues, at school with your peers, while having fun with friends, and beyond. By wondering aloud about and sharing examples of the way you seek to serve others because of faith in Jesus Christ, you give others a broader imagination about ways they can care for God s people. and work for justice and peace. Sometimes striving for justice and peace is as simple as offering words of comfort or a meal. Other times it is developing a larger project and action plan. No matter what, you are called to show up and thereby help others recognize their part in bringing God s justice and peace to bear right in your own community. Page 2

3 Hay Western Iowa, We Can Help!! Wild fires have destroyed the majority of the hay fields in Montana. With winter quickly approaching and no time for another crop to grow until late next spring the cost of a round hay bale is skyrocketing to over $250! Many in Western Iowa have agreed to donate hay to this project but we're in need of funding to support the transportation of that hay. If you'd like to help financially please use this link (see web address below). If you or someone you know has a drop deck semi-trailer that could be used for this project please contact (numbers below). donatelsi?code=disasterrelief Simply choose the amount you wish to donate, and go to the bottom of the page and select the designation 2017 Montana Haylift. If you are interested in helping through a donation of hay or with transportation needs, please contact Western Iowa Synod disaster response network coordinator Bill Peters at or Sam Jacobs at Thank you for being the church and responding to needs as you are able! Page 3

4 Wednesday, October 11 th 6:30-8pm Salem Lutheran Church 602 W. Townline Peace Not Walls--an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America initiative for peace, justice, and freedom for ALL people in the Holy Land! Please plan to join us at Salem Lutheran Church, 602 W. Townline on Wed., Oct. 11 from 6:30-8 for an engaging presentation on the holy sites of Jesus Christ amid the socio-political struggles in the area via the seldom heard voices and perspectives of the Palestinians. We are asked to come and know the living stones there--i.e., the people! Let us attempt to do so by hearing their stories, attempting to understand the complex context of today as well as USA complicity in it, engaging in opportunities for advocacy at this crucial time and more! We'll also be sharing about an opportunity to travel to the Holy Land in the Spring of 2018 with a mixed group of Protestants and Catholics led by local Palestinian Christians. We'll be spending Holy Week in Jerusalem with very special opportunities for: Walking the Via Doloroso. Mass at the site of Golgotha on Good Friday. Easter Vigil/Morning at the site of the tomb and/or at other nearby denominational places of worship. All are welcome! Feel free to contact Pr. Brian Jack ( ) with any questions or needs. Shalom~~Peace~~ Salam. Page 4

5 Salem Church Council Minutes September 14, 2017 President: Tim Kenyon Treasurer: Randy Cook V. President: Judy Woods Secretary: Sherri Nissen Joni Cook Wayne Pantini Dennis Nardy Chuck Taylor Gail Peterson Phyllis Keuter Sandi Sickels Carol Ott Claudia Peppers The meeting was called to order by President, Tim Kenyon The following council members were present: Carol Ott, Claudia Peppers, Dennis Nardy, Gail Peterson, Joni Cook, Randy Cook, Phyllis Keuter, Sandi Sickels, Sherri Nissen, and Wayne Pantini. Devotions were led by Wayne Pantini. M/S/C by Wayne Pantini and Claudia Peppers to approve the August council minutes. Treasurer s Report by Randy Cook $8,500 in the general fud after August; at 95% of the budget $1,600 behind last year s budget at this time Expenses are $1,700 less this time last year, approximate $134 difference M/S/C by Phyllis Keuter and Joni Cook to accept the treasurer s report. Pastor s Report: See attached notes Old Business: New members for Finance Committee are still needed By-Laws Section 7, Item G Tabled until October meeting M/S/C by Sandy Sickels and Claudia Peepers for Congregational Benevolence to go to Lutheran Disaster Relief Organ: Elaine Fargo and Tim Kenyon have spoken with Arndt finding the Instrument itself is sound, problems are with the keys, etc. as noted in August meeting minutes. A true estimate will be prepared for any repairs and upgrades needing done. Constitutional Review Ch M/S/C by Sherri Nissen and Gail Peterson as model reads with the change in to read by 2/3 majority vote of a meeting of the congregation. Table Ch. 20 to October meeting. New Business: September Benevolence tabled to October meeting. Welcoming Congregation continue discussion regarding possible committee members. Hardship Financial Fund tabled to October meeting. Committee reports: Christian Education: ordered new pieces for the playground equipment, plans for Rally Sunday. Church Property: No meeting Jerry Nissen repaired the playground equipment. Outreach Ministry: Helped at the Food Pantry on God s Work Our Hands Sunday Page 5

6 Worship & Music: Continuing organ repair Finance: no meeting Memorial: no meeting Long Range Planning: continuing Faith Five worship style study Endowment: no meeting Internship: as needed Other: Working with community (currently Bunn + Crest Baptist, also UCMA?) to bring a speaker on the subject of peace note hate. The next council meeting will be October 12, 2017 at 5:30 pm. Opening devotions will be led by Joni Cook. Meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Sherri Nissen, Council Secretary Visitation: 10 Pastor s Report for August - September 2017 Wedding: Miah Thatcher + Asa Denton 9/9/17 (offsite) 8/17 Attended UCMA meeting at MATURA to learn more about the variety of services that are offered at MATURA. The UCMA s emergency fund officially closed on September 3 rd with the remainder of the funds distributed to MATURA s friendship fund. Those seeking financial aid through the congregations are directed to MATURA at this time for finances. 8/22 Met with Mary O Riley for planning for building usage of the O Riley Center for the ALPHA course. 8/24 First Call Continuing Education Reviewed learnings from stewardship course offered earlier in the year. This meeting completed my continuing education requirements. 9/5 Traveled with ALPHA hosts of Salem s course to Hope Lutheran in West Des Moines for host training. 9/10 Participated with members of Salem for God s Work, Our Hands Sunday serving at the Creston Area Food Pantry. 9/11 Began an ALPHA course at Creston Nursing and Rehab. Will run for 10 weeks on Monday at 10a.m. 9/13 Did absentee ALPHA host training for the remainder of hosts for Tuesday evening ALPHA program starting 9/19 Page 6

7 1st Luke 1; John 1:1-14 2nd Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38 3rd Matthew 2; Luke 2: th Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3 5th Matthew 4; Luke 4-5; John 1: th John 2-4 7th Mark 2 8th John 5 9th Matthew 12:1-21; Mark 3; Luke 6 10th Matthew th Matthew 8:1-13; Luke 7 12th Matthew 11 13th Matthew 12: th Matthew 12; Luke 8 15th Matthew 8:14-34; Mark th Matthew th Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9: th John 6 19th Matthew 15; Mark 7 20th Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27 October Chronological Bible Readings 21st Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9: nd Matthew 18 23rd John th John 9:1-10:21 25th Luke 10-11; John 10: th Luke th Luke th Luke 16-17:10 29th John 11 30th Luke 17:11-18:14 31st Matthew 19; Mark 10 Warren Woods, Jaxie Luther, Linda Wyant, Floyd Bowen, Carolyn Kessler, Calvin Young, Janna Steed, Mike Cary, Larry Kimball, John McNaught, Tony McNaught, June Eshelman, Alice Swanson, Becky Keuter, and Flossie Roberts. We pray for those people who are hurting and going through some unimaginable circumstances. We pray for those who want their lives to be better and to be free from those things that may be holding them back. We may not know them, but God knows their situation. Amen. Erica Rutledge, Mike Crigger, Str. Airman Travis Mathis, SRA Zacary Sedlmayr and Isaac Sedlmayr. Lord, hold our troops in Your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen. Page 7

8 Arlan Biere 10/03 LaVerne Anderson 10/05 Becky Nardy 10/07 Barb Bjorn 10/09 Gary Kessler 10/09 Amanda Nissen 10/10 Hannah Hagle 10/11 Daeton Abildtrup 10/14 Kathy Kendrick 10/14 John Schlaht 10/16 Khalil Sherrod 10/16 Deb Roberg 10/17 Larry Peppers 10/18 Alma Swanson 10/19 Mike Linch 10/20 Christine Sherrod 10/24 Eric Neeley 10/25 Darrel Wilson 10/25 Kyle Schlaht 10/27 Isaac Sedlmayr 10/28 Joshua Peppers 10/28 Christopher Cass 10/30 Russ & Judith Wachter 10/16 Dave & Barb Abildtrup 10/23 October 7:00pm Hostess: Cari Jack Location: Fellowship Hall Bible Study: Judy Eklund Facilitator: Joyce Anderson Miriam Circle Budget Requests for 2018 are Due to the office By November 6th To be included in the Nov 7th Finance agenda. Page 8

9 Rehearsals are on Sundays Following Worship Service. All Are Welcome! Salem will be serving the free Open Table community meal on October 17th. We ask for your help providing food items for our meal. Please sign the list in the Narthex if you can help. Food items need to be brought to Salem's kitchen by October 17th at 1:00. Thank you for helping others! Salem WELCA is having an in-gathering of supplies for Lutheran World Relief during September and October. Supplies needed include: Personal Care Kits 1 light-weight bath-sized towel (20 x 40 to 52 x 27 ), dark color recommended 2 bath-size bars of soap (4-5 oz.) any brand in original wrapping 1 adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging (Multipacks may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope. No plastic baggies, please) 1 metal nail clippers Fabric Kits 2 spools of matching or neutral-colored general purpose thread, yards each 2 pieces of cotton or cotton-blend fabric. Each piece should be one of the sizes below: 2 1/4 yards of 60 wide fabric, or 3 yards of 44 wide fabric, or 4 yards of 36 wide fabric Baby Care Kits 2 lightweight cotton T-shirts (no onesies) 2 long-or short-sleeved gowns or sleepers (without feet) lightweight yarn, up to 52 square) 1 jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with a hood, or include a baby cap 2 pairs of socks 1 hand towel, dark color recommended 2 bath-size bars (4-5 oz.) of gentle soap, in original wrapping **Thanks to overwhelming donations in the past, blankets, diapers & diaper pins are not needed at this time. Page 9

10 This little book, "Random Acts of Kindness," caught my attention on our church book shelf. The title rang a bell with me, and I was sure a day has been set aside with this same title. Every day, it seems, is a special day of some kind and, sure enough, there is a National Random Acts of Kindness Day which is celebrated on February 17 of each year. Well, I told myself, why not wait until the February newsletter and review this book? I decided, however, that if ever we needed to do random acts of kindness, it's RIGHT NOW! As our country and our world swirl in a myriad of distrust, hatred and bigotry - among other things - there's no time like the present. Just think: if everyone did one act of kindness everyday, what an amazing world we would have. There are plenty of ideas to get you started in this 158 p. book. This is a compilation of stories gathered by Dawna Markova, Ph.D of Burlington, VT. Dr. Markova interviewed people who told stories of times when they were on the receiving end of an act of kindness. The stories are short but powerful and inspirational. Also included are quotes by famous people such as the following: - "When strangers start acting like neighbors...communities are invigorated" - Ralph Nader - "Kindness is the noblest weapon to conquer with" - American Proverb And scattered throughout the book are ideas for giving acts of kindness: - Next time you go to the ice cream parlor, pay for a few free cones to be given to the next kids to come in. - Open the phone book and select a name at random and send that person a greeting card. This book is meant to inspire - and it does! Here are some new titles recently added to our church library: - "Chosen to Live" by Jerry Schemmel - "Beauty in Bent Grass - a Memoir" by Ruth Ada Clark - "A View from the Porch Swing: Musings on a Complicated Search for the Simple Life" by Becky Freeman - Lynne Schlaht Page 10

11 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9am Sunday School 10am Worship & Communion With Rev Carroll Lang 11:15 Choir Practice 6pm Financial Peace 7pm Youth Group 2 4:30 Outreach Mtg 3 1:30 Quilting 6pm ALPHA (O Riely Center) 4 5 7pm Miriam Circle CROP WALK 9am Sunday School 10am Worship 11:15 Choir Practice 6pm Financial Peace 7pm Youth Group :30 Finance 1:30 Quilting 6pm ALPH (O Riely Center) Hall Reserved for Habitat Potluck Dinner :30 Council Mtg am Sunday School 10am Worship & Communion 11:15 Choir Practice 6pm Financial Peace 7pm Youth Group Open Table 1:30 Quilting 6pm ALPH (O Riely Center) am Sunday School 10am Worship 11:15 Choir Practice 6pm Financial Peace 7pm Youth Group :30 Quilting 6pm ALPH (O Riely Center) am Sunday School 10am Worship 11:15 Choir Practice 6pm Financial Peace 7pm Youth Group :30 Quilting 6pm ALPH (O Riely Center) Page 11

12 SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH 602 W Townline Creston, Iowa :00 am 10:00 am 7:00 pm Sunday School Worship Service Youth Group (Adult & Elementary) Communion : ( JH & HS ) 10/1 & 10/15 AV BOOTH 1st Hitz 8th Lane 15th Burg 22nd Linch 29th Pantini Linda Sandi Hultquist Sickels Chuck & Nancy Taylor Mike & Lacey Richardson Dave & Barb Riley Marc & Deb Roberg John & Lynne Schlaht AJ & Jane Warner Arlan & Carolyn Biere Janna Steed Lanny & Dona Herzberg