Salem Lutheran Church P O B O X 1 2 8 H I T T E R D A L, M N 5 6 5 5 2 2 1 8-962- 3 2 1 3 J U L Y 2 0 1 7 Dear Friends, A Note From Pastor Ruth I will admit that this month, as I sat down to write my monthly article to you all, I had a hard time coming up with something to say; I had writer s block, something that I don t think Luther ever had, but I digress. So I asked at coffee hour at the Senior Citizen Center what folks might be interested in hearing about, and two individuals (I ll let you guess who they are) suggested that I write nothing. So I took their advice, and I have written nothing this month, but instead found a great list of 50 things you might not know about Martin Luther, from the ELCA s magazine Living Lutheran. This month, I ll feature the first 10, and depending on how following months go, there may be times the remaining 40 show up, but let s start at the beginning with what we may or may not know. 10 Things You May Not Know about Martin Luther Written by Timothy Wengert for Living Lutheran 2017 1. Martin Luther did not think of himself as a reformer of the church. He felt that that job belonged only to Jesus Christ; Luther was merely a John the Baptist, pointing to the Lamb of God. 2. Luther was not exactly from peasant stock. His father whose father was a farmer ended up a well-to-do mine owner, and his mother s family, the Lindemanns, included a mayor of Eisenach, Thuringia, in Germany. 3. The 95 Theses may or may not have been posted on the University of Wittenberg s bulletin board (the Castle Church door) on October 31, 1517 but they were posted in the mail to the Archbishop of Mainz, Albrecht von Brandenburg. 4. Luther s chief complaint in the 95 Theses was bad preaching and how it undermined the listeners faith in God. 5. In the 16 th century, Luther would ve posted a university notice like the 95 Theses with wax or paste, not hammer and nails. The depiction of Luther hammering the Theses first appeared in 1717. 6. During Luther s lifetime, the 95 Theses were only available in three Latin printings. Only with the publication of the German Sermon on Indulgences and Grace did Luther become the world s first living best-selling author. 7. In Luther s defense of the 95 Theses, called the Explanations, Luther first insisted that God s word, not our decisions or works, creates faith in us and makes us Christians. 8. When Luther insisted that Christians are righteous and sinner at the same time ( simul iustus et peccator ), he was not giving believers an excuse to sin but was providing a way to be honest about themselves (as sinners) and about God s mercy (as righteous). 9. Luther rarely used the phrase sola Scriptura ( Scripture alone ) because he also recognized other, lesser authorities in the church and because he preferred to use phrases like God s word alone, which implied proclamation of Scripture s commands and promises. 10. With the phrase faith alone, Luther excluded all human preconditions for receiving God s mercy, so that faith itself can never be a work we do for God but a relationship God establishes with us through word and sacrament. That is why his explanation of the third article of the Creed in the Small Catechism begins, I believe that I cannot believe. May you each have a blessed July, and never forget to always be re:forming. Blessings, Pastor Ruth 1
Regular Council Meeting Carolyn Juell, Council Secretary Salem Lutheran Church Council Minutes, Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 8 p.m. Council members present: Raynelle Anderson, Susan Dunham, Warren Dunham, Charlie Johnson, Carolyn Juell, Roger Mattson, Pastor Laurie Natwick, Gary Peterson, Pastor Ruth Popkin. The secretary s report was read. Raynelle made a motion to accept the report. The motion was seconded by Charlie. Motion carried. Treasurer s report was read. Charlie made a motion to accept the report as read. The motion was seconded by Raynelle. Motion carried. Motion to pay the bills was made by Charlie. It was seconded by Raynelle. Motion carried. Pastor Laurie Natwick from the synod office talked about the process of considering if we want to remain single point parish or join with another parish or parishes. She will return in fall to facilitate a discussion and answer questions at a congregation meeting. Karsyn, Haidyn and Trey Peterson applied for Bible Camp scholarships. Charlie made a motion that we would pay $400 for each person to attend Bible Camp from the Bible Camp Scholarship fund. Warren seconded the motion. Motion carried. Pastor s Report: Pastor Ruth made 30 visits, conducted 2 funerals and attended a Synod Assembly meeting so far this month. Pastor Ruth will be taking vacation the end of July. Pastor Greene from Rollag will cover pastorial care and Mary Wallum will conduct services. The meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer. Attendance and Stewardship Date Attendance Offering 6/4 65 $ 2,115.85 6/11 64 $ 1,309.96 6/18 47 $ 1,171.00 6/25 50 $ 1,335.00 TOTAL $ 5,934.13 Thrivent Choice Dollars Thank you to the Thrivent members who have chosen Salem Lutheran as a recipient of Thrivent Choice Dollars. Salem received $0 in June. BUDGET INFORMATION Budget for 2016 is $115,579.50. Offering needed to meet the budget monthly is $9,631.63. Total income for June was: $ 5,934.13 Total disbursements for June was: - $10,956.06 (-$ 5,021.93) Thrivent Choice Dollars + Dividend + Interest = $2.32 2 Communion Helpers July 2: Raynelle Anderson 9: 16: Kris Mickelson 23: 30: Reader List July 2: Penny Herzog 9: Cade Jepson 16: Gary Peterson 23: Kris Mickelson 30: Larry rose Acolyte Schedule (Com.) 2: Raegan Oberg 9: Ariana Aranda (Com.) 16: Karsyn Peterson 23: Luke Mattson 30: Austin Aranda
Salem Lutheran Women & Quilters CIRCLE MEETINGS July 12, 2017 9am - Morning Circle: Circle at church with a Potluck Brunch and Bible Study will be done together. 2pm - Afternoon Circle: Circle at church with Audrey as hostess and Bible study will be done together. 7pm - Evening Circle: Circle will meet at Val s home and Bible Study will be together. SALEM LUTHERAN WOMEN NEWS The Synod Women's Convention is September 14-15, Thursday and Friday, at Fair Hills near Detroit Lakes. The theme is "Be Kind...The Power of Kindness Can Change the World." Keynote speaker is Kevin Wallevand, reporter from WDAY, Fargo. If you are interested in attending as a delegate, let Val know. There is not yet information about cost or registration deadline, so watch for more information in bulletins or newsletter. The women would like to replace the coffee servers with better insulated ones. If you would like to help pay for replacements, donations can be given to Susan Dunham, SLW treasurer. The women have quilts for sale---several different sizes, including baby quilts. If you are interested in buying one, see Lavern or Wanda. Bits & Pieces of Salem Lutheran s Past....... Val Johnson Church roof repair was also discussed at 1989 annual meeting. It would be about $16,000 to re-shingle only, and $26,000 to insulate and re-shingle. A show of hands vote was taken; the majority voted to insulate and re-shingle. It was also decided we should have $10,000 for project before it was started. From the 1989 meeting: The church is now locked at night. The annual meeting lasted two hours. (!!) 3
Memorials & Gifts RHODA JAHR FOUNDATION Gift from Don Jahr SALEM LUTHERAN WOMEN from Friends from Family from Warren & Susan Dunham REPAIR FUND from Earl & Marcy Hillstead from Carolyn Juell SALEM QUILTERS from Morrie & Helga Nissen from friends from Russell & Ramona McDougall SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH In memory of Stan Grothe from Rick & Evie Wenner In memory of Jim Erickson from Rick & Evie Wenner from Rick & Evie Wenner from Warren & Susan Dunham from Betty Jacobson from Carl & Wanda Erickson from Lance & Janice Schultz from John & DeAnn Amundson from Bernice Brogren from Lorraine Nelson from Ron & Beverly Rohweller from Lin Drewes from Kathy Nornes from Brian & Audrey Langerud from Howard & Harriet Smedshammer from Chris & Jenny Anderson from Vergil & Adrienne Luthi from Floyd & Mary Lou Anderson from John & Julie Anderson from Marvin & Joyce Langerud from LeRoy & Ardee Peterson from Marilyn Agnew from Dakota Warehouse, Inc. from Dakota Bumper & Body Supply from Carolyn Juell from Jeff & Susan Schultz from Nolan & Beatrice Young SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH - cont. In memory of Verdon Rodewald from Ardell & Lana Whaley In memory of Marjorie Brant from Ardell & Lana Whaley In memory of Lloyd Burnside from Ardell & Lana Whaley In memory of Phyllis Grabow from Betty Jacobson from Jeff & Susan Schultz from Betty Jacobson from John & DeAnn Amundson from Carl & Wanda Erickson from Pam Rudolf from Ellen Anderson from Lance & Janice Schultz SALEM CEMETERY from Troy & Michelle Jepson from Nile & Raynelle Anderson from Dean Melbye from Barry & Gwynn Langerud from Lyle & Bev Schultz from Roger & Ona Langerud from Troy & Michelle Jepson from Nile & Raynelle Anderson from Floyd & Mary Lou Anderson BIBLE FUND from Dave & Carol Kronbeck Upcoming Events & Reminders People who need a visit: Pastor Ruth can use your assistance in knowing if there is anyone who might be in need of a pastoral visit. If you know of someone who has become ill, is dealing with a particular issue, or just someone who has difficulty coming to church regularly, please pass that information on. A particular reminder for those in the hospital, because the hospital will not notify clergy. Vacation Bible School: This year s VBS theme is God s Promises written by Pr. Ruth. Mark your calendars for August 7, 8, 9 & 10 (Mon-Thurs.), 2017. Hours are from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for Pre-school through those entering 6 th grade. ALL ARE WELCOME!!! BRING A FRIEND! 4
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Birthday & Anniversary Calendar 1 Sheryl Halvorson Rick & Lisa Mattson 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cam Schroeder Dana Klemetson Carol Rodewald Rick Selseth Lance Schultz Casie Wolfswinkel Michael Agnew Avva Hanson Jason Jensen Ariana Aranda 9 10 16 Jacob Nelson 23 Sophie Fuglie 17 Cam & JoAnn Schroeder Lily Langerud 24 Pr. Ruth Popkin Barb Agnew 11 12 Floyd Anderson Sherry Nelson Hayzen Amundson Sara Hitteral 18 Luke Mattson Brady & Kayla Fuglie 19 25 26 John Amundson Janet Yarbrough 13 Brandi Aranda Tom Nelson Richard & Julie Klemetson 14 15 Mary Lou Anderson 20 21 22 Diane Klemetson 27 Brilyn Agnew 28 29 Brad & Robbi Oberg Roger & Ona Langerud 30 31 Russell McDougall Jade Anders John & Holly Erickson 5
Salem Lutheran Church Worship & Event Calendar SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 2 4th Sunday after 3 4 5 6 7 1/8 9am Worship w/ H.C. 9 5th Sunday after 9am Worship 10 11 12 Circle Meetings 9am Morning Circle 2pm Afternoon Circle 7pm Evening Circle 13 14 15 16 6th Sunday after 9am Worship w/ H.C. 17 18 19 20 21 22 P a s t o r R u t h o n v a c a t i o n. 23 7th Sunday after Pr. Mary Wallum 9am Worship 24 25 26 27 28 29 8pm Church Council P a s t o r R u t h o n v a c a t i o n 30 8th Sunday after Pr. Mary Wallum 9am Worship 31 1 P a s t o r R u t h o n v a c a t i o n Salem Lutheran Church P.O. Box 128 Hitterdal, MN 56552 218-962-3213 E-mail: salemchurch@feltontel.net Web: www.salemhitterdal.com Pastor Ruth Popkin Cell #: 508-450-9860 E-mail: pastor.popkin@gmail.com Office hours: Tues.-Thurs: 1:30-4:30pm Penny Herzog, Secretary Cell #: 701-361-0593 Home: 218-596-8602 or Work: 596-8853 E-mail: pherzog54@gmail.com Office hours: Thurs: 2:00-4:00pm 6