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 A P R I L 2 0 1 6 Dear Friends, A Note From Pastor Ruth As April breaks upon us, we are one month away from Confirmation Day. On May 1, we will come together as two of our youth confirm their faith, but before we do so, these youth will have to write their own statements of faith. In order to do so they will have to examine what they have learned, but also their personal faith stories, and as I was thinking about this, I realized that many of us have not shared our own faith stories. And due to this fact, I would like to encourage you to tell your own faith story, and I will start by sharing with you some of mine by answering some questions that came out of our Faith Talk Cards, which are a part of the Vibrant Faith Ministries. What is one question you would like to ask God? If I were to ask God one question, I think I would ask him, What is the reasoning behind creating the mosquito? What items do you own that symbolize your faith? I have two cross necklaces that are very important to me. One was given to me by my parents, on my own Confirmation Day, and the other was given to me by my grandmother the day I graduated from college. Both remind me of the great cloud of witnesses that surround me in my faith. I also two candle sticks in my home that are actually crucifixes, and those help to symbolize my faith by reminding me that there is light even in the darkest of places. I care for others when I I try to understand their lifestyle and choices, even if they are not what I would choose for myself. I believe that by trying to understand others and where they are coming from helps to grow relationships and bonds that are not easily broken. I may not always adapt someone else s lifestyle as my own, but I will do my best to understand it. What is the most caring thing someone could do for you? The most caring things that someone can do for me is to respect me and my story. I know I have a lot of differences in lifestyle and upbringing, especially in the upper Mid-west, and having someone realize that I might do things differently or in a new way and see that as an opportunity to learn more about each other and to share, but also to show a little grace and help me learn as well. So now it is your turn. I have shared a bit more about myself, and encourage you to do the same. Look at these questions, and answer them about yourself and then discuss them with your own family, see where it leads you. Each month, there will be new questions listed in the newsletter for you to think about and discuss. My hope is that as we each think about and discuss these questions with our families, we will also begin to share our responses with each other, and begin to learn each other s stories. May you have a wonderful beginning to your Spring and a fulfilling conversation this month. Blessings, 1 Pastor Ruth
Regular Council Meeting Salem Lutheran Church Council Minutes, Wednesday, March30, 2016 at 8 p.m. Carolyn Juell, Council Secretary Council members present: Susan Dunham, Warren Dunham, Chris Ellingson, Charlie Johnson, Carolyn Juell, Craig Mattson, Roger Mattson, Kris Mickelson, Gary Peterson, Pastor Ruth Popkin, Mitch Syverson. Chris presented devotions. The secretary s report was read. Craig made a motion to accept the report as read. It was seconded by Kris. The motion carried. Treasurer s report was read. Mitch made a motion to accept the report as read. The motion was seconded by Roger. Motion carried. A motion to pay the bills was made by Craig. It was seconded by Chris. Motion carried. Next month confirmands will give their faith statement to council. Pastor Ruth will be attending continuing education on April 10-17. Jackie Lawson will be the supply pastor. Pastor Mike from Ulen will be available for pastoral care. Painting north and south basement walls and installation of new carpet in basement was discussed. Landscaping was discussed. Work which needs to be done includes replacing plants that have died, replacing mulch, weeding and replace some of plywood on the ramp. Kris will present devotions at the next meeting. Motion to adjourn was made by Charlie. Motion was seconded by Chris. The meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer. Communion Helpers for April April 3: Craig Mattson 17: Charlie Johnson Communion Helpers for April 2016 Attendance and Stewardshi p Date Attendance Offering 2/24 39 $ 1,900.00 2/28 75 $ 1,480.42 3/2 25 $ 338.05 3/6 75 $ 1,325.00 3/9 27 $ 300.00 3/13 68 $ 1,353.84 3/16 37 $ 400.00 3/20 85 $ 1,615.87 3/24 38 $ 262.00 3/27 166 $3,379.00 Thrivent Choice Dollars + Interest = $11.56 BUDGET INFORMATION Budget for 2016 is $114,755.47. Offering needed to meet the budget monthly is $9,562.96. Total income for the month was $10,865.15. Total income available for BUDGET is $10,489.71. Total Disbursements for March council meeting on 3/30/16 was $9,157.66. YEAR TO DATE: In meeting the budget for 2016, we are ahead for the year by a total of $2,659.87. 2 Reader List for April 2016 Readers for April April 3: Carol Crose 10: Gary Peterson 17: LeRoy Peterson 24: Erin Ellingson Acolyte Schedule for April 2016 Acolytes for April Apr. (Com.) 3: Keenan Syverson & Austin Aranda 10: Haidyn & Karsyn Peterson (Com.) 17: Trey Peterson & Luke Mattson 24: Anna Hanson & Ariana Aranda Thrivent Choice Dollars Thank you to the Thrivent members who have chosen Salem Lutheran as a recipient of Thrivent Choice Dollars. Salem received $9.00 in March.
Salem Lutheran Women & Quilters Bible Study Leaders meeting April 6, 2016 at 4:30pm. Circle Meetings for April 13, 2016 9am - Morning Circle: Circle will meet at church with a pot luck and Bible study together. 2pm - Afternoon Circle: Circle will meet at church with Ardee as hostess and Carolyn will be Bible Study leader. 7:30pm - Evening Circle: Circle will meet at church with Val as hostess and do the Bible study together. SPRING CLUSTER 5 GATHERING The Spring Cluster 5 Gathering will be Saturday, April 30, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hendrum. The theme is We Are Called. Kelsey Shepley will speak on her mission trip to Ethiopia. Pastor Lori Pankrantz will provide devotions and homily. Brunch is $7, collected at the door. Registration is at 9:00, program and brunch at 9:30. Let Val know if you would like to go by April 22 nd. QUILTER S PROJECT DAY Project Day will be April 5th. Come and help us finish up LOTS of quilts. 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.april 7th and 21st at 7am (put it on your calendars) meet together for food, fellowship and study! No experience necessary!! Salem Saints & Confirmation for 2016 During the Lenten season, confirmation students will be participating in the Lenten Bible Study from 7-8pm. April 6: Topic: Mary Magdalene Memory Work: Review 10 Commandments April 13: Topic: Faith Statements (8th grade only) Memory Work: None April 20: Topic: The 12 Disciples Memory Work: Review Apostles Creed April 27: Topic: Saul/Paul Memory Work: Review Lord s Prayer (Trad. & Comp.) 8th Graders will present their Faith Statements at the Council meeting. (4/27) May 1: Confirmation Day with Worship at 10am. Sunday School Schedule & News for April 2016 April 3: April 10: April 17: April 24: Sunday School at 10am. Sunday School at 10am. Sunday School at 10am. Sunday School at 10am. Kids sing in church 3
Upcoming Events & Reminders Quilters Project Day: The Quilters have scheduled Tuesday, April 5th as their Project Day. They will begin at 9:00am, everyone is welcome...(i think they would even appreciate help from some of you men! If you didn t want to quilt you could serve them lunch!) Moving Day: Alex and Pastor Ruth will be moving into their new home on April 22nd and April 23rd. They would appreciate any help you would be willing to offer. Senior Night: This year it is Salem s turn to host the Senior Night. On this night, we recognize the Seniors of our congregation and Bethlehem s congregation, who will be graduating this year from Ulen-Hitterdal School, Lake Park - Audubon School, and Hawley School. Confirmation Day: Confirmation will be on Sunday May 1st, with worship at 10am. Memorials & Gifts CARPET FUND In memory of Wayne Drewes from Sue Ristvedt from Heather Capistrant from Friends from John & Julie Anderson from Nile & Raynelle Anderson from Ardell & Lana Whaley from the Family from Carl & Wanda Erickson from Randy & Val Alland from Greg & LaVaun Sahlberg from Elmer Sahlberg Family Connie, David, Dale, Evelyn, Esther In memory of Leslie Erickson from Nile & Raynelle Anderson In memory of Arlis Wagner from Ardell & Lana Whaley SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH In memory of Wayne Drewes from Jake & Megan Schreiner from Greg & Brigid Pender from Betty Jacobson from Robert & Patricia Lewis from Lyle & Barbara Hansen from Ray & Ruby Solum from LeRoy & Ardee Peterson from Margaret Sellin from Lonnie & Susan Anderson from Lorraine Nelson from Wayne & Sylvia Nelson from Ronald & Hazel Butenhoff from Kathy Johnson In memory of Ervin Dahl from Chris & Jenny Anderson In memory of Armaryllys Thompson from Lyle & Barb Hansen from Mr. & Mrs. Jack Hansen SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH cont. from GA & Kathleen Brandt In memory of Mar Gerhardson from Rick & Evie Wenner In memory of Ervin Dahl from Kenneth & Katherine Dahl from Lloyd & Janice Alm In memory of James Oss from Warren & Susan Dunham In memory of Leslie Erickson from Warren & Susan Dunham REPAIR FUND from Earl & Marcy Hillstead from Vergil & Adrienne Luthi In memory of Ervin Dahl from Vergil & Adrienne Luthi from John & Julie Anderson RHODA JAHR FOUNDATION Gift from Don Jahr from Don Jahr SALEM CEMETERY (Memorials for the cemetery will be included in next month s Newsletter) Bits & Pieces of Salem Lutheran s Past....................... Val Johnson The congregation recommended to the trustees to insulate, panel, heat, and light the bomb shelter at the annual meeting in February, 1971. 1971 expenses reported at the 1972 annual meeting were $13, 388.89, $1,045 less than 1971 receipts. $501.65 had been donated for Latin American Missions. A motion was made, seconded, and carried to accept and welcome all members from the Keene congregation, which has been dissolved, to be admitted as members of Salem if they desire. 4
Salem Lutheran Church April 2016 Birthday & Anniversary Calendar SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 Val Johnson Andrea Hanson Mark Hamre Blake Dauner 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Denise Halvorson Cade Jepson Jordan Nelson Julie Klemetson Kari Hitterdal Joe & Laverne Gerner 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Travis Johnson Dru Dauner Jake Nelson Dave & Penny Herzog Chris Langerud Vaida Nelson Barry & Gwynn Langerud 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Shari Schreiner Coltyn Pender Jane Anderson Jeff Nelson Richard Klemetson Emma Mattson Susan Dunham Landon Bettels Orlin & Jan Herfindal Jerry & Mona Rae Erickson 24 Jenna Dauner Holly Erickson Paul & Karrie Rohweller 25 Stephanie Hamre Brandon Klemetson 26 Colton Langerud Danny & Lori Busby Jeff & Susan Schultz 27 Bob Schultz Brianne Stevens 28 29 Madison Stumbo Ashley Mattson Keith & Kris Mickelson 30 5
Salem Lutheran Church April 2016 Worship & Event Calendar SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 2nd Sunday of Easter 9am Worship w/ H.C. 4 5 6 7 7am Men s Breakfast Bible Study 8 9 10 3rd Sunday of Easter 9am Worship 11 12 6:30 Confirmation 13 Circle Meetings 9am Morning Circle 2pm Afternoon Circle 6:30pm Confirmation 7:30pm Evening Circle Bulletin printed 14 Bulletin printed 15 16 17 4th Sunday of Easter 9am Worship w/ H. C. 18 19 20 21 7am Men s Breakfast Bible Study 22 Pastor s moving day 23 Pastor s moving day 6:30 Confirmation Bulletins printed 24 5th Sunday of Easter 9am Worship Kids sing in church 11am Church Council 25 26 27 7pm Senior Night 6pm - Items for Newsletter need to be in! 28 Bulletin printed Newsletter printed 29 30 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: Tuesdays: 4:30-9:00pm Office hours: Thursdays : 4:30-6:30pm Saturdays - as needed