SLC News www.slcmonte.org 320-269-7624 slcelca@msn.com Calendar Highlights: Nov. 5: All Saints Sunday Nov. 18: Stewardship Steak Supper at Salem Nov. 19: Stewardship Sunday Nov. 22: Worship at The other day, someone asked me: Where do pastors get the text suggestions they preach on and print in the bulletin each week?this is a very good question, which actually has a number of answers. For mainline Christians (Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Reformed and some others), we all follow a church calendar, which starts four Sundays before Christmas with Advent, and continues with the seasons of Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the Sundays after Pentecost. Interspersed throughout the year are holy days we recognize, which include but are not limited to, Christmas, Jesus Baptism, Transfiguration, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week and Easter, Pentecost, Holy Trinity, All Saints, and Christ the King. The church calendar has developed over the centuries as a way for us to cycle through the events of Jesus life and the Church each year. Non-mainline churches (broadly speaking, most Baptist, Assemblies of God, Pentecostal, evangelical, and so called non-denominational churches), still observe this calendar, although it is pared down to mainly Christmas and Easter. Mainline churches follow what is called a lectionary, or a cycle of readings, that has been prepared to follow this church year. The most common is called the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), which was publicly released in 1994 after a nine-year trial period by a large assortment of denominations. This means that for the most part, any mainline church you attend on a given Sunday will be in synchronization with this liturgical church calendar. It also allows pastors to do sermon study together on a regular basis, and even share resources across denominations. At the same time, it is not as though churches are lockedin to this schedule. For instance, a congregation might have a celebration on a Sunday when the scheduled RCL text simply does not lend itself to the day. In those cases, pastors will select appropriate texts. The RCL does offer a choice of three texts, Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel. It is also in a three year cycle: A is Matthew, B is Mark, and C is Luke, and John is interspersed throughout all three years. The RCL, however, is not set up well for teaching about the Bible. It jumps around, and there is not time in a sermon to explain the reasons for why certain texts appear together on any particular Sunday. A number of years ago, I began using Luther Seminary snarrative Lectionary (NL). The NL allows observance of the traditional liturgical calendar of the church, but follows the larger story of the Bible. It also allows the congregation to focus on a single text each Sunday, with either a supporting Gospel verse or a Psalm. Pastor s article continued on page 5...
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8am Choir Practice 8:30am Sunday School OCT. 29 Reformation Sunday Worship Service Choir Sings Reformation Potluck OCT. 30 OCT. 31 NOV. 1 9:15am MOMA open group at Salem ELCA Community Confirmation Class 7pm Sr. Hand-bell Prac. NOV. 2 6:30am Men's Breakfast at The River s 7pm Santa Lucia Planning Meeting NOV. 3 NOV. 4 5 8:30am Sunday School Traditional Worship Service with Holy Communion 5 th Grade Milestone Baby Baptism Milestone 6 7 Quilters 8 11:30am Salem Women's Luncheon ELCA Community Confirmation Class LSS Senior Care open group at Salem 9 10 11 12 8:30am Sunday School Christmas Program 1 st Rehearsal Traditional Worship Service 13 14 2pm Salem Communion at Brookside 3:30pm Salem Communion at Luther Haven 6pm Worship & Music Committee Meeting Quilters 15 9:15am MOMA open group at Salem Sr. Hand-bell Prac. ELCA Community Confirmation Class 7pm Salem Committees 7:30pm Salem Council 16 17 Stewardship Steak Supper at Salem 18 19 8:30am Sunday School Christmas Program Rehearsal Thanks for Giving Blended Worship Service with Holy Communion 2 nd Gr. Milestone Sunday School Sings Sr. Hand-bells Ring 20 21 Quilters 22 Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service at Salem 23 Happy Thanksgiving! 24 25 8:30- Free Community Breakfast at Salem 26 Blended Worship Service Noisy Offering 27 28 Quilters 29 ELCA Community Confirmation Class 30 DEC. 1 DEC. 2
Staying Connected with the ELCA & SWMN Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Keep informed with church-wide news, events, pictures and video across many platforms. The ELCA Website: www.elca.org; The ELCA on Facebook: Facebook.com/Lutherans; @ELCA on Twitter; @ELCA on Instagram and YouTube.com/ELCA. Join this online community of Lutherans! For SWMN Synod News: SWMN Synod news can be found on their website here: www.swmnelca.org/category/synod-news/ A Message from Salem s Stewardship Committee Because of God s Great Mercy is the title of our stewardship emphasis this year. The scriptural basis of this focus on our stewardship of all that God has entrusted into our care is I Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. We begin by proclaiming all that God has done for us, hence the title Because of God s Great Mercy. God has made us God s own people. We will also consider how generous giving is an important part of every Christian s life, and how our combined generosity can make even greater things possible through our congregation. We will think together about how our giving to Salem Lutheran Church is an important part of our Christian faith, and how Salem Lutheran Church uses our offerings to do God s work within the congregation s walls, in our community, and around the world. Because of God s Great Mercy will ask you to do two things. First, you will be asked to increase your giving to Salem Lutheran Church by at least ½ of 1% of your household income. Second, you will be asked to consider using an automatic funds transfer program that Salem Lutheran Church already has in place for your giving. Because of God s Great Mercy will use mail, e-mail, and time in worship to share information with you. Please make a special effort to watch for material during this important time in our congregation s life. Thank you from the Stewardship Committee
Announcements Additional Worship Service This Month: Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wednesday, November 22 at Other Special Worship Services: Sunday, November 5 is All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 19 is Thanks for Giving Stewardship Sunday Save the Dates: Salem s Annual Stewardship Steak Supper will be Saturday, November 18 Santa Lucia at Salem on Sunday, December 10- Santa Lucia is Salem s annual traditional Swedish celebration. Our roots at Salem Lutheran run deep in Swedish ancestry, so each year we recognize the Swedish tradition of Santa Lucia, the Festival of Lights. Ross Sutter, Marya Hart, and Cheryl Paschke will be back to lead us in music and dances during our church service and coffee fellowship. November Council Meeting: November 15 at 7:30pm For the latest Council Minutes, visit Salem s website: www.slcmonte.org/council.html The Table Is Now a Ministry of Salem! The Table is a free community breakfast held at Salem on the last Saturday of each month, from 8:30-10 a.m. Everyone is welcome! The Table is also looking for volunteers! Please contact Amanda Blom about how to get involved: amandab@ montevideoschools.org Sr. Hand-Bell Practice: Wednesdays November 1 at 7pm & November 15 at Ring for church on November 19 Worship & Music Committee Meeting: November 14 at 6pm Noisy Offering on Sunday, November26 2017 Stewardship Report Through September Year to Date Income: $100,967.97 Year to Date Budgeted Income: $113,125.00 Year to Date Expenses: $117,902.35 Year to Date Budgeted Expense: $122,386.00 A full financial report is available in the Church Office
Pastor s article continued from page 1... It may sometimes appear that the NL selected readings are long, but the RCL would be three readings totaling about the same (Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel). Unlike the RCL, the NL scripture readings encourage a repeated teaching cycle: September through May covers the biblical narrative, repeating after four years. June through August covers one series from the Old Testament, one series from the New Testament, and one catechetical series (Ten Commandments, Sacraments, Creeds or Lord s Prayer). Different private publishers produce supplementary materials, such as the worship resources I use with Diane for planning. These are purchased once a year for the entire year. In addition to the texts, these resources include the Confession and Forgiveness, Prayer of the Day, Litany, Prayers of Intercession, hymn and music suggestions, and even extras like a dramatic reading of the text or a skit. Diane and I plan about 2-3 weeks ahead so that Ally can have a working draft ready for us the Tuesday before, at which point we read again through the entire service and edit accordingly. I often re-word parts of prayers or the litanies to better fit our context. Diane thoughtfully selects hymns based on the message of the of the scripture text as well as familiarity and style. Ally then figures out how to make it all fit neatly in a bulletin plus announcements and inserts. While most of the other materials that go into a Sunday worship service are available through third party sources, the sermon itself is a product of the preacher. A sermon is not a lecture or a speech that can be prepared by someone else and read by you, it is proclaiming God s Word in a particular moment and place and letting the Holy Spirit take it from there. A sermon is prepared in the reading of the text, discussion and reflection with others, looking at where God is at work in the world, and trusting that the Holy Spirit is at work to proclaim Christ. The NL also has a personal connection for me. One of the collaborating biblical scholars behind the Narrative Lectionary is Dr. Rolf Jacobson, professor of Old Testament of Luther Seminary. He was one of my favorite professors and happens to be a relative of Salem member Jackie Lindvall. I recall visiting with Rolf around 15 years ago about enhancing biblical literacy through preaching. He was thinking about the NL back then (it has been out for about 5-6 years) and it is fun to support this growing endeavor. Preaching is not easy, but it is easier thanks to things like the lectionaries that give pastors a map to show where we ve been, where we are, and where we re going in proclaiming God s Word. Blessings, -MP Christian Education Announcements Upcoming Milestones: November 5 (All Saints Sunday) will have two Milestones: 5th Grade ( Baptism Sponsor Milestone) and babies baptized at Salem since last All Saints (Baptism Anniversary Milestone). November 12 (Stewardship Sunday): Milestone for 2nd Grade Stewards of Money Milestone Salem s Sunday School Christmas Program Rehearsal Begins November 12 Salem Sunday School Sings During Worship on November 19 No Confirmation Class on Wed. November 22 (Thanksgiving Eve): Please Attend Worship No Sunday School on November 26 (Thanksgiving Break)
The Table Free Community BreakFast Weekly & Treats In Salem s Strombeck Room Friday Mornings At 10 a.m. Last Saturday of Every Month 8:30-10 a.m. Salem Lutheran Church 631 N. 7th St. Montevideo Salem Prayer Chain The Salem Prayer Chain is a volunteer group of Salem members who pray by request for the needs of others. Prayer requests may be for yourself or someone else, and may be for healing or other challenges in life. Requests can remain anonymous if you wish, and privacy of individuals is always respected. Please contact Ruby Flickinger at 269-2220 or 226-8591, or Arlys Tilberg at 269-8440 with any requests you may have. This is different from the Sunday prayers listed in the bulletin. To be included in the Sunday prayers, please call: 269-7624 or e-mail: slcelca@msn.com. Bible Study The Men s Breakfast and Bible Study is an open men s group that meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 a.m. at The Rivers in Montevideo. Together, they eat breakfast, have conversation and then Bible Study. The Bible Study is usually about the Bible text for the upcoming Sunday with conversation about how it applies to current events and daily life. The Women s Luncheon and Bible Study is an open women s group that meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. in the Social Hall of Salem. Lunch is provided for a small donation and is followed by Bible Study and discussion. Moms of Montevideo Area This open group for moms of young children meets at Salem on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month, September - May. Morning Out: LSS Senior Care Respite Group This open group for Senior caregivers meets at Salem on the second Thursday of each month from - Noon. Salem Quilters Open Group: Every Tuesday At 6:30 p.m. If you have a scissor, needles and are able to tie a knot, you can join the Salem Quilters! They would love to have more people join them! The quilters have invited jr. quilters to join them to learn more about quilting - refer to the sign-up sheet available on Sunday mornings. For those who would like to help the quilters from home: The Salem Quilters need volunteers to sew fabric squares together to make quilt tops - they will provide the fabric!
Staying Connected with Salem Salem s Weekday Office Hours Mondays: 4:30 - Tuesdays: - 12pm Wednesdays: - 2:30pm No office hours on Thursdays Fridays: - 2:30pm Salem s Office Administrator (Ally Buseman) is the main contact for questions, announcements, scheduling, etc. You can reach her by e-mail any time (slcelca@msn.com), or call/ stop in during her office hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Outside of her office hours, you can leave her a message and she will get back to you promptly! Tuesday office hours are fulfilled by an office volunteer. Salem s Monthly Worship Schedule 1st Sunday: Traditional service & full Communion 2nd Sunday: Traditional service without Communion 3rd Sunday: *Blended service & Communion 4th Sunday: *Blended service without Communion *A blended service is a more contemporary-style service Wednesday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. is our Thanksgiving Eve Service Salem is on Cable Access Channel 180 Salem s days and times are: Wednesdays at 9 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Fridays at 9 a.m. Find Salem on the web at: www.slcmonte.org Salem s website is updated frequently with current news, announcements and event information! If you are not yet receiving Salem news e-mails, please send us an e-mail with your name to: slcelca@msn.com to be added to our e-mail list! If you have done this, and are still not seeing the e-mails in your inbox, please check your junk folder. Stay connected on Facebook by following our page: www.facebook.com/slcmonte/ Once on the Salem Lutheran Church, ELCA Facebook page, click Follow in the header to see our posts in your news feed! Salem also has a Facebook group; find Salem s Facebook group by searching slcmonte in the Facebook search bar and click Join. We will see your request and add you to the group! Salem has also made use of an app called remind which helps to keep you informed by sending texts directly to your phone. These texts are not frequent, likely only a few per month depending on what Salem has going on. We currently have two different remind groups - one is for Salem Sunday School and the other is Salem Announcements. Salem Announcements is used mostly to notify about worship or event changes, whereas Salem Sunday School helps to remind Salem s Sunday School families about special events, such as Milestones. To join the remind groups, please do the following: For announcements, text this: @slcmonte to: 81010 (or to the number 320-334-2145). For Sunday School, text this: @salemsu to: 81010 (or to the number 320-334-2145). Salem News Deadlines: Sunday Bulletin Announcements: Fridays at ; December Newsletter Announcements: November 20; Calendar changes and website/facebook posts can be submitted any time (may not post same-day)
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