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 8-9 6 2-3 2 1 3 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 A Note From Pastor Ruth October 2015 Dear Friends, I hope you have had a blessed October and a safe harvest season, and I hope that you are ready as we all prepare for the many holidays that seem to fill the entirety of November and December. This month I want to step a bit away from heavy theology and talk a bit about something that has become very personal to me in that last months. As many of you have probably noticed, I have not been eating very much at church functions, despite the food looking delicious, and the reason for that is that I have, in the last three months, found out that I am gluten-intolerant. What this means is that my body has a very hard time digesting foods that contain gluten, which is often contained in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, but which also means that I can no longer eat foods cooked with regular wheat flour, like cakes, cookies, pasta, certain sauces, or anything held together with bread crumbs or containing bread. I share this with you because food is so central to our fellowshipping, and is often center stage at our many various meetings and events, but also because I have had people ask me why I no longer want to eat food at church. To be clear, I very much do want to eat the food you all prepare, and it is often hard to have to say no to that delicious home baked cookie, but I know that if I do eat something with gluten I will not feel well afterwards. And in not feeling well, I will not be able to devote 100% to the ministry that you and I all share together. So what does this mean for all of us? What this means is that I will often be bringing my own food from home to supplement what I can eat at church dinners, but also I will probably be asking what the ingredients are in certain dishes so that I can make sure they are safe for me to eat. What this does not mean is that I will not stop coming to dinners and other events surrounding food, and I will still do my best to be as present as I have always been at community meals. What I do ask, though, is for patience and understanding as we all learn how to live and work through this together. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask; I feel it is important to offer as much information as possible so that we are all on the same page. I look forward to sharing a blessed end of the season after Pentecost as well as a beautiful beginning to Advent with all of you. Blessings, Pastor Ruth 1
Regular Council Meeting Salem Lutheran Church Council Minutes, Wednesday, October 28, 2015. Carolyn Juell, Council Secretary Members present: Nile Anderson, Jeff Bettels, Susan Dunham, Chris Ellingson, Carolyn Juell, Dustin Hanson, Roger Mattson, Gary Peterson, Pastor Ruth Popkin, and Dennis Weerts. Roger presented devotions and Jeff shared a Vibrant Faith experience. The secretary s report was read. Jeff made a motion to accept the report as read. It was seconded by Nile. The motion carried. Treasurer s report was read. Roger made a motion to accept the report as read. The motion was seconded by Chris. Motion carried. A motion to pay the bills was made by Gary. It was seconded by Dennis. Motion carried. In order to follow the updated synod recommendations for offering counting procedures, Gary made a motion that following the trustees and treasurer counting the offering it will be place in a locked bag. Motion was seconded by Nile. Motion carried. Pastor Ruth will be gone November 25-29. Pastor Jackie Lawson will conduct the Sunday service. Next council meeting will be Tuesday, November 24 at 8 pm. Nile will do devotions and Dustin will share a Faith At Home experience. Meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer. Attendance and Stewardshi p Date Attendance Offering 10/4 65 $ 1,970.25 10/10 $ 2,286.50 10/11 71 $ 1,770.25 10/18 89 $ 3,740.75 10/25 110 $ 1,556.50 TOTAL $11,473.08 BUDGET INFORMATION Simply Giving + Thrivent Choice Dollars + Interest = $148.83 Budget for 2015 is $110,923. Offering needed to meet the budget monthly is $9,244. Total income available for budget is $11,473.08. Total Disbursements for September council meeting on 10/2815 were $8,095.28. YEAR TO DATE: In meeting the budget for 2015, we are behind for the year by a total of ($7,737.21). 2 Reader List for November 2015 Readers for November November 1: Val Johnson November 8: Gary Peterson November 15: Michelle Jepson November 22: Michelle Bettels November 29: Andrea Hanson Acolyte Schedule for November Acolytes for November Nov. 1 (Com.): Haidyn & Karsyn Peterson Nov. 8: Trey Peterson & Luke Mattson Nov. 15(Com.): Anna Hanson & Ariana Aranda Nov. 22: Keenan Syverson & Austin Aranda Nov. 29 (Com.): Haidyn & Karsyn Peterson Thrivent Choice Dollars Thank you to the Thrivent members who have chosen Salem Lutheran as a recipient of Thrivent Choice Dollars. Salem received $13.00 in October.
Salem Lutheran Women & Quilters Bible Study Leaders meeting is at 4:30, November 4th. Circle Meetings for November 11, 2015 1pm - Morning Circle: Circle will meet at 1pm at Viking Manor for a short meeting. 2pm Coffee and birthday recognitions for the residents. (Note change of time!) 2pm - Afternoon Circle: Circle will meet at church with Lorraine as hostess and Ardee the Bible Study leader. 7:30pm - Evening Circle: Circle will meet at church and Bible study leader will be done together. Salem Lutheran Women Reminder to pay $5.00 for your Lutheran Women s Quarterly either to your circle treasure or to Megan Schreiner. REMINDER: The Moorhead Center Mall Church Bazaar is Friday, Nov. 13th and Saturday, Nov. 14th. The hours are from 10am to 9pm on Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday. This is a large part of our SLW fund raising for our Fall Benevolences. Baked goods sell extremely well, and of course crafts are welcome too. All your donations are greatly appreciated. Please drop your donations at the church by Thursday, Nov. 12th @ 6:00pm. Thanks for your participation! Men s Breakfast Bible Study The Men s Breakfast Bible Study will be meeting again on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 7am. So guys.november 5th and 19th at 7am (put it on your calendars) meet together for food, fellowship and study! No experience necessary!! Salem Saints & Confirmation for 2015 Confirmation will run Wednesday evenings in Fellowship Hall from 6:30-7:30pm. All 7th & 8th graders are invited. The topics & memory work for November are as follows: November 4: Deborah Memory Work (MW): Commandments 1-10 November 11: Sampson MW: Apostles Creed Part 1 November 18: Ruth MW: Apostles Creed Part 2 November 25: No Confirmation THANKSGIVING BREAK Sunday School Schedule & News for November 2015 November 1: Sunday School at 10am November 8: Sunday School at 10am November 15: Sunday School at 10am November 29: No Sunday School THANKSGIVING BREAK 3
Upcoming Events & Reminders Website updated: Check out the updated church website at www.salemhitterdal.com. People who need a visit- Pastor Popkin 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. Flowers for the altar vases: Do you have an anniversary, birthday or other special event coming up that you would like to acknowledge? How about flowers for the altar vases at church? There s a sign-up sheet in the Narthex by the elevator or you can call the office and let Susan or Penny know. Please consider: If you would like to give thanks to the Lord, you may want to consider doing so through the following gift(s): Sponsoring the newsletter for a month ($50), Sponsoring the cost of oil for the altar candles for a month ($5), or Sponsoring Bulletins for a week ($20). You could give these gifts In Honor or In Remembrance of an event or special people. Make checks payable to Salem Lutheran Church and mark the gift on the memo line or you may also call the office and leave a message. Memorials & Gifts REPAIR FUND/LIGHTING In Honor of Evan & Kristen Jansen s Wedding Day from Gary & Marie Wang from John & Julie Anderson from Russell & Ramona McDougall from Earl & Marcy Hillstead from Kathy Johnson from Brian & Audrey Langerud from Lon & Diane Volrath from Lance & Janice Schultz from Ernie & Adeline Klemetson from Ardell & Lana Whaley In memory of Mabel Thorson from Bernice Brogren SALEM CEMETERY from Nile & Raynelle Anderson from Donna Anderson from Roger & Ona Langerud from Lawrence & Florence Aakre from Jewell Wenner In memory of Louise Moe from Leo & Yvette Hogetvedt In memory of Denver Lien from friends SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH from Warren & Susan Dunham from Floyd & Mary Lou Anderson from Darvin & Arlene Landa In memory of Luella Steinbach from Orlin & Jan Herfindal CARPET FUND from Carl & Wanda Erickson from Troy & Michelle Jepson In memory of Denver Lien from Jeff & Sue Schultz RHODA JAHR FOUNDATION Gift from Don Jahr from Don Jahr Bits & Pieces of Salem Lutheran s Past.................. Val Johnson The budget for 1965 was $11,121.84. This included: Pastor s salary of $3180, fuel oil - $85, telephone - $45, electricity - $400. Pastor Norson sent a letter of resignation dated July 26, 1965, after six years with us. He had accepted a call in Crystal Lake, Iowa. 4
Salem Lutheran Church November 2015 Birthday & Anniversary Calendar SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 Mike Anderson Megan Schultz 5 Lindsey Halverson Laurie Wolfswinkel Jennifer Drewes Ashley Halvorson 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Jacob Brooks Verdon & Carol Rodewald 15 16 Jeremy Hamre 17 18 Jason Halvorson 19 20 21 Dean Klemetson 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Laurie Mattson Audrey Langerud Jarett coulter Ron & Helen Knutson Arwen Anderson John & Julie Anderson THANKSGIVING Dan Selseth Braxton Jacobson 29 Kay Toczek 30 Wanda Erickson 1 2 3 4 5 5
Salem Lutheran Church November 2015 Worship & Event Calendar SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 ALL SAINTS DAY 9am Worship w/ H.C. 2 3 4 4:30 Bible Study leaders meeting 6:30pm Confirmation 5 7am Men s Breakfast Bible Study 6 7 8 24th Sunday after Pentecost 9am Worship 9 10 Study 11 Circle Meetings 9am Morning Circle 2pm Afternoon Circle 7:30pm Evening Circle 6:30pm Confirmation 12 13 Moorhead Center Mall Bazaar 14 Moorhead Center Mall Bazaar 15 25th Sunday after Pentecost 9am Worship w/ H.C. 16 17 18 6:30pm Confirmation 19 7am Men s Breakfast Bible Study 20 21 22 CHRIST THE KING 9am Worship w/ H.C. 23 6pm - Items for Newsletter need to be in! 24 Study 8pm Church Council 25 Newsletter printed 26 THANKSGIVING 27 28 29 1st Sunday of Advent 9am Worship 30 1 2 3 4 5 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 6 Penny Herzog, Secretary Home #: 218-596-8602 Cell #: 701-361-0593 School #: 596-8853 E-mail: pherzog54@gmail.com Office hours: Wednesdays : 4:30-9:00pm Office hours: Thursdays : 4:30-6:30pm Saturdays - as needed