Salem News       - April 2008

 

From your pastor…

I want to talk with you, God’s saints at Salem, about money and offerings and the economy.  No, this is not at all a stewardship appeal.  Too often we only address the money issue when we have the pesky problem of income lagging way behind expenses.  “HELP!” is our urgent cry at such a time.  “PLEASE GIVE!”  is our strong appeal when in a financial crisis. Of course, in such stewardship letters we say things like “Jesus died for you.” and “God lovingly provides for you.”  But the typical reaction of the typical member reading such a typical stewardship letter is, “Yep, the church needs more money again.”

 

We’re in a strange and amazing situation at Salem currently.  We have a surplus of dollars in the general fund.  Our treasurer tells us offerings are up 6.3% while expenses are down 7.4%.  We even have a nice balance in the debt retirement fund because we’ve had no debt to pay off.  Amazing!

 

My amazement is heightened when I consider our present economic conditions.  You and I know how the basics like milk, flour and eggs have soared in price.  We cry “Ouch!” at the gas station as we see the price to fill our tanks.  And we have to wonder, “How high will it go?”  Then there’s the unstable job market and the collapsing housing market.  Times are tough and seemingly getting tougher. Yet offerings are stable, even better than stable.  What’s going on?

 

What’s going on?  God is at work in us through his Gospel in Word and Sacrament.  That message of forgiveness empowers us to give first-fruit, freewill, proportionate and consistent offerings to the LORD who loved us and rescued us from the pain and shame of spiritual bankruptcy.  God’s promises remain unshaken and unshakable no matter what leg of the ride the economic roller coaster is on.

 

I praise God for allowing us to enjoy this time of financial health as a congregation.  And I thank you his redeemed people for your faithful and fearless giving to the glory of your living Savior. 

 

Pastor James Bare

 

Church Council Update

 

Here is information on items discussed at the April Church Council Meeting.

 

The Treasurer presented the following report:

 

General Fund Report – March 2008

 

 

Month

Y-T-D

Offerings

58,538.95

431,796.17

Tuition/FEF/Registration

1,665.00

27,634.00

Other

158.76

21,996.86

Line of Credit

0.00

0.00

   Total Receipts:     

60,362.71

481,527.03

 

 

 

   Actual Expenses:

48,527.02

453,398.78

 

 

 

   Balance:

11,835.69

28,128.25

 

 

 

   Budget:

51,546.75

463,920.75

 

 

 

Other Detail

 

 

Thrivent

0.00

11,000.00

Miscellaneous

158.76

996.86

Debt Retirement

0.00

10,000.00

    Other Total:

158.76

21,996.86

 

 

The Board of Elders requested and received approval of the following changes in membership:  Transfer in – Pauline White from Emanuel Lutheran (WELS), Zephyrhills, Florida.  Transfer Out – Tera Havard to St. John’s Lutheran (WELS), Pigeon, Michigan; and, Nancy Bishop to Grace Evangelical Lutheran (WELS), Falls Church, Virginia.

 

The Board of Christian Education Chairman, Mike Conklin, informed everyone that the School Operations Fund, which receives the Thrivent Financial match funds, continues to do well.  The Board told Church Council that the Shiawassee County Department of Health will begin charging a $351 fee for its annual inspection of the school kitchen.  Prior to this, there was no fee associated with this service.  Details on the remodeling work proposed for the Church kitchen was presented. This same information will be presented for consideration at the April Voters’ Meeting, scheduled for April 22, 2008.  The Church Council will be recommending to the Voters that they approve the purchase of the 2007 and 2008 versions of the Shepherd’s Staff software.  This is the main software used in completing management operations for the Church.

 

Pastor Bare announced that The Ladie’s Aid and Altar Guild are considering changes to their organizations, which is centered on the possibility of combining into one group.

 

––  Wayne Maybaugh, Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

From the Principal…

Just this last month the Board for Christian Education and Salem’s staff met to discuss the long term plan that we put together in March of 2006.  Long-term plans can be great guides for progress and effective tools for growth if used properly.  They can also be vivid reminders of our unfinished projects and failed efforts.  Thankfully, our meeting was a positive one during which we were able to talk about our long and short term goals and make changes where necessary.  It was also a reminder of what the Lord has led us to accomplish over the past two years and refocused our attention on some things to consider for the future.

I do not personally keep a “blessings list”, but wonder sometimes if it wouldn’t be wise to keep such a list.  It would be a great reminder for me of our purpose and how the Lord blesses our efforts, especially during those times when it feels like we are spinning our wheels.

 

A few notable examples of how God has blessed us are:

Ø      We have a school in which God’s Word is at the center of everything.

Ø      We have a safe school building for our students, families, and staff.

Ø      We have a computer room with ten computers that are all internet accessible.

Ø      We have at least one computer in each classroom that is all part of a building network.

Ø      We have a computer program that is an effective administration tool for attendance and grades.

Ø      We have a computer station on wheels with a projector that is used daily by teachers to enhance lessons.

Ø      We have implemented new programs that encourage all of our church families to visit our building and volunteer in the classrooms.

Ø      We have a more implemented way to use Thrivent’s Giving Plus program.

 

We also discussed areas on which we want to continue working, such as:

Ø      Continue to focus our efforts on the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.

Ø      Continue to work with families to bring God’s Word into the homes as the most effective tool to raise our children.

Ø      Continue to seek ways of promoting the importance of a Christian education to the members of our own congregation and our community.

Ø      Upgrade our computers and computer software as often as possible in an effort to offer our students diverse curricula.

Ø      Consider accreditation through our synod’s WELSSA program.

Ø      Offer opportunities for our staff to attend classes and workshops for professional and spiritual growth.

 

This is not an all-inclusive list and doesn’t even begin to list the many blessings Salem enjoys, but it does show the importance of our church’s educational ministry.   

None of these things would be possible without God’s direction and faithful servants who are willing to use their gifts to His glory. I want to thank everyone who has volunteered and given of their time and talents to help at the school and for all of your prayers.  I also want to thank the staff for all their hard work.  Our teachers continue to faithfully serve in and out of the classroom.  Thanks to them we have been able to continue many of the extra-curricular activities despite more classroom teaching responsibilities. Our pastors, secretary, lunch staff, maintenance person, and board and council members also faithfully serve and support our ministry.  Praise to God for all of their gifts and their willingness to serve Him.

            The 2007-2008 school year will end with a flourish of activities.  I encourage you to look at the school calendar for the months of May and June and join us for some of the many activities.  A few noted events are the choir and band concert, which will be held in the school’s gymnasium at 7 PM on May 11th, the awards banquet for 3rd-8th grade is on May 19th at 6:30 PM, and our eighth grade graduation during the 10:30 church service on June 8th.

As another school year ends, we thank the Lord for his blessings and begin to look forward to the next year.    

 

In Christ’s Service,

Anthony Perry

 

You’re Invited

The ladies of Salem are invited to come to the church on Saturday, May 17th at 9am to see what the Altar Guild ladies do to prepare the altar for each service.

This will be a nice refresher course for current members and an introduction for ladies interested in joining.  Light refreshments will be served.

 

 

Youth Confirmation

We have three youth being confirmed at Salem on May 4th during the 10:30am service.  Communion will be served to all at this service.

 

 

 

Ladies’ Golf

Ladies who are interested in golfing once a week, or as your time allows, are asked to contact Carol Chapko.  This is not a league, just a time for our ladies to meet and enjoy the game of golf.

 

 

 

 

Ladies’ Aid News

This is a “year of many decisions” for the Ladies of Salem.  At the April meeting, the Ladies Aid talked about the possibility of merging the Altar Guild and Ladies Aid into one group with a new name.  Confirmed ladies of Salem would be eligible to join.  The members of this new organization would be able to pick and choose which areas of service they would wish to help with.  Examples are: Monthly Altar preparation, funeral dinner helpers, funeral dinner food donation, fruit baskets, and special events such as mother-daughter tea and the Christmas pot-luck.  Before any real decisions can be made, we want the input of as many ladies as possible.  Therefore, we are asking you to complete this survey and return it to the church by June 1st.

 

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I am currently a member of either the Altar Guild or Ladies Aid.

 

I would like us to merge the two groups together.

 

I do not want to merge the two groups together.

 

I would like to see this activity or idea in the planning process.

 

I am not currently a member of either, but would consider joining.

 

Any additional comment you may have:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Also discussed at the April meeting was the sauerkraut supper.  Are we going to continue with these suppers or will last years’ be our last?  If we plan to continue with them, the steam table at the school will need to be fixed (if it can) or replaced.  Also, one of the ovens at the school needs to be fixed. Last year, we had a hard time getting enough people to work the kitchen and lunchroom.  While our cooks do a wonderful job fixing all the good food, they are not getting any younger.  We need new people willing to come “learn the ropes” if we are going to continue hosting these meals.  A long discussion was held and the ladies present at the meeting wanted to inform all the Ladies’ Aid members about the possibility of not having the sauerkraut supper.  This will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting which is May 7th at 7pm.  If you can not attend the meeting, please speak with one of our elected officials.

 

 

The ladies (and young ladies)

of the congregation are invited

to a bridal shower

for Sarah Friztler

 

     The Bride:  Sarah Fritzler

          The Date:   May 31st

          The Time:   9:30-11:00am

          The Place:  Salem School

 

The couple is registered at Target, J.C. Penny’s and Sears.

 

Sarah and Pastor Boehringer will be united in marriage at Salem on June 28th at 2:30pm. 

 

So that we have an idea how many will be able to attend the shower, please fill out the RSVP below and drop it in the box in the back of church by the elevator by May 20th. You can also email your RSVP to the church office at church@salemowosso.org.