The Dove |
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The Salem Dove OCTOBER 2005 FROM THE PASTOR: October is the month of Reformation and Halloween. I have noticed that Halloween is a very big day in the customs of Western New York - - it’s a high holy feast day in our area culture. Of course, this day was the eve (een) of all saints (hallow) day on November 1st. It’s also the day on which the reformation of the church is dated – the day when Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the church door of Wittenberg, Germany. These theses are about the teaching of the church. Luther looked through scripture and saw a very old and very new way of looking at the teaching of the church. Lots of people looked at the teaching of the church as a picket fence – creation is one picket, the commandments are another picket or pickets, baptism is another picket, etc. People could choose one picket or the other as a favorite on the basis of their own likes or dislikes. The center of the teaching of the church could easily end up the ego of the chooser. Choice, by the way, is the center word in the teaching of many in our world today. Luther had a different picture of the teaching of the church. He saw the teaching of the church as a wagon wheel. The center or hub of the wheel is the living Jesus Christ with victory marks in his hands. All doctrines or teaching are spokes in the wheel that lead us to Him and from Him into the world. In Luther’s Small Catechism you can see this pattern in the commandments. All commandments are grounded in the first Commandment – all meanings begin with “fear and love God.” Our God reveals himself in Christ Jesus. John writes his Gospel with this wagon wheel picture – the cross and Christ are the center of each section — and Paul does the same in Romans. This pattern of teaching has very practical application to our life in the world. It calls us to be Christ centered in all of life and not ego/self centered. Let me try to make an application with the 8th Commandment in our world.
Right after the hurricane Katrina hit there was
great damage and confusion. Politics was all over the
place, and many were putting the worst construction they
could on many things. Many early attacks came (con’t
next page) Salem Lutheran Church10 McClellan Circle
- Buffalo,
New York 14220
Rev.
David F. C. Wurster, Ph. D. – Pastor
Lois
L. Jones, Director of Music
Ernelle L. Poinivas, Secretary Stephen
Jarmusz Sr., Custodian
Claire Carlson, ‘Dove’ Editor Rev. Richard E. Blemaster, Pastor Emeritus
e-mail:
salemoncircle@yahoo.com
website: www.salembuffalo.com = = = Misson: SALEM/Peace -
As the Father sent me I send you.
= = = Vision:
Preach – Teach – Heal – doing what Jesus
does (con’t. FROM THE PASTOR) against the president from the media. My point is not to defend the president at this point – it’s to apply the teaching of the church to how we speak in the midst of crisis. In one interview with Governor Pataki (on 9/11) the reporter was talking about being prepared for disasters or attacks. Then the interviewer’s questions went “south” fast with clear bias. His whole intent was to get Gov. Pataki to criticize the president. The Governor’s answer came right out of the western – catholic – Lutheran teaching of the church. He said the fact is that George Bush is president for three more years and now is the time to unite for the good of the people of the country. When asked if he wanted to be the next president he said that he was now Governor and that was his job. I’m not defending either man nor saying proper criticism and public debate is wrong. But the fourth commandment commands that we honor those in authority and not despise them in their office. The eighth commandment clearly says we should fear and love God that we not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, nor defame our neighbor but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything. Breaking this teaching especially in time of crisis has consequences attacking leaders for self interest in time of crisis can make it more difficult to get help to those in need and can even cause loss of life. Let me give you an analogy. If during a fire someone begins to be a sniper, firing at the firemen doing the rescue work because they are not doing a perfect job as they see it, then the sniper or snipers hurt more than the firemen. They also hurt or even kill those whom the firemen are trying to rescue. Another example is much closer to home and very real in our day. Parents are the governors of family and children. There is a war going on in our world over parents’ authority to discipline and even over parents’ roles in life. Often parents who try to discipline and teach traditional morality become the objects or sniper fire in the form of ridicule from the TV and entertainment industry and even some media. Many times the “experts” in human development make parents feel like poor ignorant slugs needing experts to tell them just what to do – and grandma or grandpa won’t qualify as experts! Often the experts who are the snipers have not succeeded at marriage or raising children but they insist at being experts and snipers. The same is true with many snipers in times of crisis. Many of the experts have never governed or been leaders. They are like experts on aviation who have never sat is the pilot’s seat. If they were put in the pilot’s seat, you may not want to be on the plane. I thought of this as I walked through Pearl Harbor. From our vantage point of today, there were many errors made on that December day but people focused on a constructive vision and plan of action for the future and by and large did not snipe at leaders over and over. Just as Jesus is the middle of Christian teaching and life so he is in the middle of life then and now – too. He had lots of snipers around him, and we can learn from them the difference between constructive and destructive criticism. When the Pharisees came to ask about divorce (Mark 10) they were not there to seek learning or growth; they were there as snipers. They were there to test him or to destroy him because he was not fitting their picture or pace of life. They were very divisive people. But when the disciples came to Jesus and asked him how to pray (Luke 11), they were asking a positive question and ready to learn. To live with the mind of Christ and to be a good citizen in a democracy one needs to learn the difference between constructive criticism and good and honest political debate and being a sniper full of negative criticism and self centeredness. Snipers almost never grow in grace or gratitude, and their lives can get stuck just going in circles. Constructive critics learn to grow in love, grace, faith and community building. They are on a journey of life in tune (Salem) with the Lord of the church. Let’s celebrate the journey.
Pastor
Wurster WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW BIBLE
STUDY A Bible Study
is at 1 pm on Tuesdays led by Sally
McAlpine. All
are welcome. A Bible Study led by Ruth Carr is on Thursdays at 9:30 am. All are welcome. SUNDAY
MORNING ADULT
BIBLE CLASS Faith, Stories and Prayers Making peace with head, heart, tongue
and both hands Mission:
Salem/ Peace – As the Father sent me, I send you. Vision:
Preach, Teach, Heal/Care – doing what Jesus
does
Lutherans are people with One Lord and 3 books
(Bible, Catechism, Hymnal) Schedule may be revised for special topics and
forums
Each week we will choose a hymn, prayer and/or
psalm to begin the class. Bring a favorite to class and
we will use it. Date
Bible
Catechism Oct. 2
John 3
Commandments 9 -10 Conclusion Oct. 9
John 4 – Sign #2
Creed 1 Oct. 16
John
5
Creed 2 Oct. 23
John
6 – Sign #3 & 4
Creed 3 Oct. 30
John
7
Lord’s Prayer Intro. & Petition 1 Nov. 6
John 8
Lord’s Prayer Petition 2/3/4 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 MEMORIALS
AND GIFTS HANDICAP ACCESS
- -
- - -
In memory of:
Cliff Alfes by Bill Roth and Dorothy Rogers
FUND
In memory of: Julius Bogumil
by Violet Kelm and Ruth Carr.
In honor of: her grandson by Joyce
Vassallo. Gifts: Sally Krentz; Marilyn
Krentz; Chuck & Lynda Yung; Janilyn Kogut; George
& Jean Poniwas; Dorothy Weise; Gerald Monk; Ruth
Carr; Rich & Shirley Landseadel; Olga Kingsland;
Doris Baker; Mary Bartz; Nancy Thomas; Norbert Bialo;
Melvin Beyers; Ethel Berkhoudt; Kim & Russ Alessi;
Florence Daberkow, Lorraine & John McGill; Mark
& Monica Thomas; Paul Thomas; Arlene Ball; Fred
Bartz Jr.; David & Claire Carlson; Violet Kelm; Sue
Landwehr; Dorothy Putzman; Paul & Stephanie
Swierczynski; Sallie Langner (birthday); Lois Doll;
Allen & Judy Feltz CURRENT
FUND - - - - - - - - - -
Gifts:
William Wilke (birthday). MEMORIAL
FUND
---------------
In memory of: Lorraine Carr by the Estate
of Lorraine Carr
Gifts: Mary Eitler KATRINA RELIEF Salem as of this writing has three plans by which to send aid to the victims of Katrina.
Also basic points of disaster assistance and support plans for the weeks ahead are: Prayer: Pray for people, leaders, churches, communities. Presence: Some people from our area have been and will be sent. Work: People can volunteer for work crews in the devastated area. We can help make connections.
Pastor
Wurster TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT Tid
Bits from the Church Council
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR DIRECTORY
CHANGES Catherine
Nagel, 69 Burbank
Dr., Orchard Park, NY 14127, Phone: 662-8292 Kenneth
Huss, 1122 NW
Market St., Apt. 5, Seattle, WA 98107-3702
OUR SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF CLIFFORD C. ALFES
WHO DIED TUESDAY, AUGUST 30TH 2005. 5555555555555555555 CHURCH RECORDS WEDDINGS
– Bret Thomas Enser and Kelly Marie Barrio on
Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 1317 Elton Rd.,
Farmersville Station, NY by Pastor Wurster.
Marjorie Nagel and Sam Zawada on Saturday, August
6, 2005 in Salem, by Pastor Wurster.
Jennilyn Lillie and Stephen Jarmusz Jr. on
September 17, 2005 in Salem by Pastor Wurster. FUNERAL: Clifford C. Alfes, died August 30, 2005 at the age
of 88 years, 5 months and 4 days. Funeral: Friday,
September 2, 2005 in Sieck & Mast Funeral Home by
Rev. Ronald R. Sprehe; Burial: St. Matthew’s Cemetery,
West Seneca, NY. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& CHURCH COUNCIL POSITIONS
NEEDED!!!
Salem is looking to fill 3-year terms as of
January 1, 2006 VICE
PRESIDENT TREASURER MUSIC AND
WORSHIP New
position: STEWARDSHIP (if approved by Voters in the
Fall)
If you have any questions or interest, please
contact Mark Thomas.
Mark
Thomas, Salem Council VP
Please remember the deadline for the Dove is
always the third Sunday of the month.
Articles may be placed in my basket in the
church secretary’s office or email to patchtroop546@aol.com.
Thank you.
Claire
Carlson HOMEMADE SOUP SALE
Quarts of homemade soup made by Salem Choir
members will be on sale during the Roast Beef dinner on
October 5th. All proceeds to be donated
toward the purchase of new chairs for the choir room.
Sally
McAlpine 5555555555555555555 MEETINGS
All women are invited to our annual dinner
meeting on Thursday, October 27th 2005.
Please see the bulletin for more details. qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq WOMEN’S GUILD Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11th at 12:00 noon. All women are invited to join us. Dessert, tea and coffee will be provided by the committee. Bring your lunch. If ANYONE would like to donate baked goods, candy or crafts for our sale at the Roast Beef Dinner, Wednesday, October 5th, it would be greatly appreciated by the Women’s Guild. Cakes and cupcakes do not sell. Please leave items in the kitchen marked “Women’s Guild Bake Sale” by Tuesday, October 4th or Wednesday morning, October 5th.
Fran
Wiedemann, Vice President MEETINGS (con’t.) GOLDEN AGERS The next meeting of Salem Golden Agers is Thursday, October 6th 2005. Please bring a bag lunch. Future meetings are November 3rd and December 1st.
Norma Krug qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq YOUTH Our
first meeting of the year, tied in with Rally Day went
off well. We
are starting off the new church year with lots of
energy. But
first of all, the Salem Lutheran Youth (SLY) Group would
like to welcome our new Director of Christian Growth,
Lynn Scarpine. She
will be a welcome addition to our staff here at Salem.
Our
first scheduled event this year is to participate in the
Roast Beef Dinner on October 5th.
Look for our table.
We will be auctioning off gift baskets.
You can have your own “Game Night”.
If you want to “pencil” us in, you will have
to stop by. The
youth will be scheduling a lock-in sleepover,
tentatively in November.
There are plans for a movie night, also.
In support of those in need, the youth plan on
working at a local soup kitchen.
Mrs. Scarpine will lend her vast background
working with youth to assist in some of our projects.
For
those that have been asking and waiting, the youth
decided to postpone the Garage Sale until the spring
2006. So
hold your things or think of us during your spring
cleaning. The
next Youth meeting is Sunday, October 16th
after service in the lower parish hall.
All youth are reminded we are asking for a canned
good for the needy to share with others what they
don’t have or need.
The canned goods can be placed in the barrel in
the narthex before service. Our meeting is open all youth 5th grade and up.
We are always looking for adult volunteers.
All ideas, time and talents are welcome.
If anyone would like to donate a 6-pack of
annuals, it would be greatly appreciated.
Paul
Thomas, Salem Lutheran Youth Leader THANK YOU
I would like to say thank you all my friends at
Salem who remembered me during my accident with their
calls, cards and prayers. A special thank you to Lynn
Scarpine for her visit.
Lorrie Ross *********************************** Dear
Mrs. Sheppard and Salem Board of Christian Education:
Thank you so much for granting me the Christian
Education Scholarship. I appreciate it greatly. College
is going well and I’m learning a lot. God has opened
many doors for me and I can’t wait to let Him guide
me. Thanks again for everything. God bless. Love, Stephanie Carlson ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The
Salem Choir would like to thank everyone who supported
and helped with the “Mid Summer Night’s Dance”
held August 12th:
Thanks to all who came and made the evening a
success.
Special thanks to all “helpers” who are not
choir members but cheerfully added their hands (and
backs) to the set up and clean up efforts.
Thanks to all the choir members especially the
planning committee.
We happily and gratefully report that $625.00 was
raised for the purchase of new Salem Church Choir
Chairs. Thanks be to God and his people.
Our fund raising efforts, will continue with the
Choir Soup Sale to be held in conjunction with the Roast
Beef Dinner on October 5th. We are also
planning a Valentine’s Day music/ dancing/karaoke
night on Feb. 11th. Save the date and join us
for another fun filled evening.
Dave &
Barb Bartholomew 5555555555555555555 2ND
ANNUAL WINE TASTING & SILENT ART AUCTION Sunday,
November 6th 2005 3
– 6 pm Greenfield
Health & Rehabilitation Center Auditorium 5949
Broadway, Lancaster For
tickets, please call 688-4064 Rev.
David Young, Chair, Lutheran Campus Ministries of WNY A
NEW ARRIVAL
Salem Lutheran has been blessed with a wonderful
new addition to our kitchen equipment inventory! A
Berkel slicer has been purchased from Buffalo Hotel
Supply Co. This is the same company who delivered our
new refrigerator. The Health Department would no longer
give us a seal of approval on the old slicer and we
would be taking a serious risk if we were to slice
anything to serve the public. By all accounts it was
made in the 1930’s.!
There have been so many ladies and men over the
years who have worked in the kitchen preparing meals.
They would spend hours and days in Christian
companionship cooking wonderful food to raise money for
the Lord, the needy and Salem church. We all have
stories to tell of our mothers and grandmothers; the
“fry cakes,” breakfasts, dinners, picnics and bake
sales; the laughter, the cooking, the sharing (yes, even
the squabbles!) that went on as they worked.
Therefore, in appreciation for those who have
gone before us, we, the following, dedicate this slicer
to their memory. It is hoped that the next generation
will have kind thoughts about us as we continue the
Salem traditions witnessing for the Lord and serving the
South Buffalo community. Name
In memory of Shirley
Banas - Grandmother, Katherine
Edinger Ethel
Berkhoudt-Mother, Mabel Engelbert Lois
Doll
-Grandmother, Amanda Krentz
-Parents, Robert & Lillian Doll Elinor
Jentsch-Mother, Florence Ulrich Delores
Landwehr-Husband, Carl Landwehr Gladys
Matson – Husband, Kenneth Matson
-Parents, Ed & Flora Ulrich Norrine
Nagel – Grandmother, Bertha Lange
- Mother, Eleanore Engelbert Jean
O’Keefe – Grandmother, Clara Grotke -
Mother,
Mildred Schutt Gloria
Pfohl
-Mother, Minnie McNatty Bill
Pietz
- Mother,
Amelia Pietz Roy
& Deann Sheppard – Mothers, Florence
Sheppard & Louise Goodreds Ray
& Lois Yox
- Mother, Emma Mast Lutheran
‘30’ Broadcast Schedule: 34TH
YEAR – 2004-5 Each Sunday at 9:00
am on WXRL (1300 AM), Lancaster, NY October 2nd – Trinity, West Seneca October 9th – Salem, Springville October 16th – St. Luke, Cheektowaga October 23rd – St. Mark, North Tonawanda October 30th – Redeemer, Colden November 6th – Immanuel, Tonawanda 125th
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IMMANUEL
LUTHERAN CHURCH, EAST
AURORA, NY Saturday,
October 22nd 2005 Hospitality:
4 – 5 pm Dinner:
5 pm Cost:
$20 per person Ismallia
Shrine Temple 1598
Southwestern Blvd. West
Seneca, NY RSVP
by October 12th at 652-4240 JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On behalf of our Rector, The Rev. Ralph Strohm, the Wardens and Vestry, I would like to invite you to join us for our Centennial Anniversary Service Saturday, October 22nd 2005 at 5 pm at St. Simon’s Church, 200 Cazenovia St.. Our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison will be preacher and celebrant of Holy Communion.
Judy
Elliott, Parish Administrator 5555555555555555555 ANNUAL FALL RUMMAGE SALE Friday,
October 7th from 6 – 8 pm Saturday,
October 8th from 9 – 11 am St. Paul’s UCC 49
Indian Church Rd., Buffalo 823-4077 ANGELS HAVE WHEELS
All Medicare recipients should now be aware that
that if they suffer from conditions such as arthritis,
cardiovascular disease and respiratory disorders and
have difficulty walking or propelling a standard
wheelchair, they may be eligible to receive an electric
wheelchair paid for by Medicare.
For more information on Medicare eligibility,
contact Gregory Coleman at 1-800-810-2877. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa The Lutheran Service Society of New York invites
you to attend a celebration of our Adoption Program’s
100th year of …… “FINDING LOVING, HEALTHY, FAMILIES OF
CHILDREN” On October 2nd 2005 At the Buffalo Marriott From 4 – 7:30 pm Cost - $25.00 per adult Keynote speaker–Dr. Kenneth Condrell, PhD For tickets, please call LSS AT 631-9212 FINNAN’S 5K RUN To benefit the Lutheran Service Society of NY’s
Counseling Program SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH 2005
Location: Finnan’s Restaurant 1191 Lincoln Ave., Lockport 438-2363 Time: 11 am 5K Fun Walk & 1 mile Fun Run 11:30 am 5K Run Entry Fee: $16 Pre-registered, $20 on 10/16 For entry forms, call LSS at 631-9212 or Finnan’s
or go to www.score-this.com . HAPPENINGS
AT ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 3512
CLINTON ST, (near Union Rd.) WEST SENECA FAMILY
STYLE ROAST BEEF DINNER WED.,
OCTOBER 12TH 4
PM PRICE:
ADULTS - $7.50, CHILDREN- $4 AND UNDER 3 FREE TAKE
OUTS AVAILABLE bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb CHILI
DINNER SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 6TH 4
– 7 PM Traditional
style as well as vegetarian will be offered. Proceeds
will go to: Jean Borchert Memorial Garden Fund. Prices:
$6 per person or $20 for a family of 4 bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb ELECTION
DAY LUNCHEON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 8TH 11
AM – 2 PM ROAST
BEEF SANDWICHES, TUNA SALAD, HOMEMADE SOUP, FRESH BAKED
DESSERTS AND MUCH MORE
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