The Dove |
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The Salem Dove SEPTEMBER 2005 FROM THE PASTOR: Education is big business in our land and in our church as well. It governs to a large extent our regular calendars and our church calendars as well. We shop for kids going to school and we know our families are changing when someone goes off to college and leaves home. All of these things also affect what we do at Salem too. Since we are Lutheran we should just stop and ask a simple but profound question as we get caught up in the project of education: What does this mean? This question should lead us to ask: What is the point of all this effort, cost and activity? Confirmation has been an important part of education in our tradition. Have you ever just stopped and asked: What is the point or the purpose of confirmation? On Memorial Day, we host a breakfast for clergy and spouses – not all Lutheran. About thirty people show up and we have a good time beginning the summer by talking about all sorts of things. A Lutheran pastor, who is serving as an interim pastor of a dying congregation, began talking about how badly pastor-centered the place became and that he was struggling with doubts about it could ever recover life. A Roman Catholic priest in the discussion quipped: “You guys are becoming way too Catholic!” At a table over food pastors, wives, a priest and a nun, who was an educator, began talking about confirmation and the changes over the years. Everyone in the discussion readily agreed change was a fact of life and was necessary, but change should be determined by the point or purpose of confirmation. There was no disagreement that the point of confirmation – and all Christian education – was to equip people to affirm their baptism in a life of service to Christ and community. So the point of confirmation is ministry or VOCATION (calling) as the Salem Confirmation Handbook says it. This is the point of all Christian education. We now ask how we get to this goal. What elements are needed in education today? (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) One big change in education today is evident in a big symbol of technology that has invaded all of life: the computer. It has replaced books in the lives of many people. You can take a course on-line now. Learning facts and information is an important part of human knowledge and education, but can such learning alone get to the goal, the point of vocation? No, it cannot. Many of the facts on the screen are disconnected facts of equal weight and value. So we also need to hang on to the books of Lutheranism: Bible, Catechism and Hymnal. If we read and share these books we will find that the facts are all connected in story form around a clear and present center: The risen Christ who leads us into the mystery of the Trinity where Vocation begins and ends. All of these books have the same center and the same goal; the center is Christ. The goal is praising the Trinity in vocation. Vocation or service is something we cannot do alone. That’s why leader and people even pray in service to each other: Leader: The Lord be with you. – People: And also with you. The living Lord gathers us into community so we can practice forgiveness and service on each other and grow deeper in our baptism and out into the world of service. We are beginning this year with a new Director of Christian Growth to help us go in the direction of service in education and mission at Salem. I am looking forward to working with Mrs. Lynn Scarpine in a team ministry in Christian growth here. Lynn brings much training and experience to us. In Confirmation we will continue to build on work begun by Mrs. Stephanie Pittock and also Mrs. Deann Sheppard who gave us a major shift toward depth and service with a mentoring program. Lynn and I will team teach and work with Deann and the mentors and the Salem Board of Christian Education to expand and deepen the whole experience with programs and materials Salem has been acquiring. Are you interested? Come visit us. I hear discussions among the Sunday School staff about how they want to experiment with different approaches to meet of the goal of vocation and the needs of children in today’s world. Lynn will be connecting with the Sunday School and youth as well to help them create new forms of educating. They may well use the computer, but they will be doing things as creative people that computers cannot do. They will be going beyond information. When I as Pastor look at and listen to the Sunday School, I see a group of talented and creative people who will create in the Spirit some good things. I’m also glad to see that a relationship of trust and “can do” attitude is growing between the Sunday School and the Salem Board of Christian Education. These people are passing back and forth talent, ideas and a spirit of service. We are blessed at Salem. Do we have crises and challenges ahead of us at Salem? Of course, we do. We are a changing congregation in a changing city. Many congregations have died in the city. But there is another reason we will have crises and challenges at Salem; Jesus Christ our Lord leads us right into them and makes us his disciples right in the midst of them. Our Lord will carry out his missions through us in the midst of it all and his words ever ring true: Save your life and lose it – Lose your life for Christ’s sake and the Gospel and you find it. That is really the point of Christian education.
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. ‘THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE”
Attention: All are invited to attend a
Bible Study on the award winning book “The Purpose
Driven Life” by Rick Warren.
This book has been used in many Lutheran Churches
as a Bible study. It is a greatly acclaimed, spirit
filled, best selling, extremely popular book.
The Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, September
27th at 1 pm and continuing every Tuesday
thereafter.
It is recommended that you have your own copy of
the book so you can make any notations. Most book stores
in the area do carry this best selling Christian book.
We expect lively discussions and hope to see you
on September 27th. Sally
McAlpine TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT 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 Sept.
18
John 1
Commandments 1 – 4 Sept.
25
John 2 – Sign #1
Commandments 5 – 8 Oct. 2
John 3
Commandments 9 -10 Conclusion RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR MEMORIALS
AND GIFTS HANDICAP ACCESS
- -
- - -
In memory of
our parents by Allen & Judith Feltz.
FUND
In memory of Julius Bogumil
by Alice Bogumil and Kay Burns.
In honor of: Marilyn Krentz by Veronica
Dapp and Linda DiDio.
Gifts: Mary Bartz; Fred Bartz
Jr.; Donna Brady; Mr. & Mrs. Richard Landseadel;
Sallie Langner; Mr. & Mrs. George Poniwas; Nancy
Thomas; Paul Thomas Jr.; Ethel Berkhoudt (birthday); Mr.
& Mrs. John McGill; Fran & Bob Wiedemann;
Dorothy Weise; Florence Daberkow; David & Claire
Carlson; Gladys Matson; Olga Kingsland; Mark &
Monica Thomas; Lois Doll; Doris Baker; Arlene Ball;
Dorothy Putzman; Paul Swierczynski; Mel Beyers; Russ
Alessi; Diana Walker; Carl Radtke. CURRENT
FUND - - - - - - - - - -
In memory of: George Ruhland by Joyce
Ruhland
Gifts:
Janice Kingsland (birthday) and Sandra Mulvaney
(birthday).
SALEM
ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC AND ORDINATION CELEBRATION! The annual church picnic was held on Sunday, July 10th. In conjunction with the picnic we celebrated Pastor Wurster’s 35th anniversary of his ordination. Following our church service, there was a chicken BBQ that was prepared by Craig Miller with side dishes prepared by a host of chefs. Approximately 130 people participated. Following dinner we enjoyed German music on the front lawn. It was the perfect Sunday afternoon. Special thanks to Craig Miller for grilling the chicken, Deann Sheppard and the kitchen crew, Fred Bartz, Steve Jarmusz, Monica Thomas, the Music Committee and any I may have missed who helped make this a success.
Mark Thomas ggggggggggggg DIRECTORY
CHANGES Stephanie
Carlson, 1187
Caine Student Center, 1325 Williams St., Adrian, MI
49221-2563 Mrs.
Marjorie Schermerhorn, 74
Flohr Ave., West Seneca, NY 14224 222222222222222222222222222222 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 ST.
JOHN’S COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL 3512
Clinton St., West Seneca Four
different classes for children ages 3 & 4 Monday,
Wednesday, Friday – 4 years old – 9 -11:30 am or
12:30 – 3 pm. Tuesday
& Thursday – 3 years old – 9-11:30 am or 12:30
– 3 pm.
Openings are available for classes beginning
September 2005 and we are reaching out to the area
churches to fill these openings. For more information,
please call Sandy Hasse, Director at 674-8109.
SSSSSSSSSSSSS LUTHERAN
LAYMEN’S LEAGUE REGIONAL CONFERENCE
In place of
the annual Eastern District convention of the Lutheran
Laymen’s League, a Regional Conference will be held at
the Carmel Retreat Center in Mahwah, NJ starting Friday
evening, September 16 and concluding at noon on the 18th.
Region 1 of the LLL consists of the Eastern, Atlantic
District and the New England District. The conference
will be a chance to meet and exchange ideas with members
of other LLL districts and to join together in
fellowship, worship and Bible Study. Reservations must
be made by September 2, 2005. Registration forms are
available in the church office. We hope to see you
there. Thank you. Paul
Fromm, Erie Zone LLL President THANK YOU
I would like to thank everyone for their
thoughts, prayers and cards during my illness. I would
also like to say thanks to the Prayer Committee for
praying with me before my surgery.
Judy
Hoffmann ********************
Thank you so much for the donations in
sponsorship you gave me for working at Camp Pioneer. The
experience was amazing, rewarding and unforgettable. God
really worked through me this summer. My faith was
strengthened so much and this experience has changed my
life. I have become closer to God because of it. Thank
you again for all the love, prayers and support. God’s
blessings always.
Stephanie
Carlson ***********************
I want to say a public thank you for all
those who planned and carried off the celebration of the
35th anniversary of my ordination. In some
ways it’s been a long time since that summer in
Valparaiso, Indiana for ordination and then in Grand
Island, Nebraska for a wedding. In other ways I wonder
where the years have gone. It was a good day with the
picnic, concert and a voters’ meeting full of power
and wisdom. It’s good to be called to the right place
at the right time. Thanks to all as we look forward to
the Spirit’s guidance and peace on the road ahead.
Pastor
Wurster *********************** VBS
Now
VBS is a memory as you read this. Again it was quite a
success and both children and adults came back and
brought friends to have fun and share the Good News of
God’s love. I want to say thanks again to the leaders
and all who were involved – four generations of people
– to make VBS a good summer event. Thanks and
blessings to you all as you go all over Western New York
and farther in God’s calling to you this fall.
Pastor
Wurster MEETINGS A special thank you to Claire Carlson who again hosted our picnic meeting on July 28th at her home. Thanks to all members for the delicious “potluck” and help in making this meeting a success. Reminder: Have you mailed your reservation for the Eastern District Retreat? If so, we will see you at Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center Sept. 16-18. Please ask your family and friends to save “Box Tops for Education” and cancelled stamps for our mission projects. Mark your calendars: Sunday, October 2nd – LWML Sunday Thursday, October 27th – Dinner Meeting Joyce Vassallo, President qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq WOMEN’S GUILD Our next meeting will be on September 13 at 12 noon. Please bring your lunch. Dessert and beverage will be provided by the committee.
Fran
Wiedemann qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq GOLDEN AGERS The next meeting of the Salem Golden Agers will be Thursday, September 1, 2005. Future meetings are October 6th, November 3rd and December 1st. Come to our meetings and hear all about the interesting things we’re doing.
Norma Krug qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq YOUTH The next Youth meeting will be Sunday, September 11th immediately following worship.
Paul Thomas
Jr.
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