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M A R C H 2 0 0 4 ================================================================================= FROM
THE PASTOR:
March
brings in the first day of spring.
I am writing this, it is Groundhog Day, a day full
of lots of snow, so I am looking forward in hope to
spring. Schedules
make us write
things ahead and also make us think ahead and even
think with hope sometimes.
As I
look out the sky is blue and the sun is out, so I
suppose Phil, the groundhog, has seen his
shadow. After
a discussion with a man preparing for ministry, I began to
wonder if Phil
is a catholic – one who lives with universal laws
and truth. In our discussion we began to wonder and think that people in our world today are very anti-catholic not just in religion, but in life and nature as well. The word catholic means universal, so the opposite is private/particular. For many people today truth is my private and particular feeling. Truth for you may be very different. There are as many truths as there are people, so everyone should just be doing their own thing. Folks who think this way argue against – get upset – at the suggestion that there is Truth with a capital T or a universal or catholic truth. Let
me illustrate with people of two different creeds.
In Las Vegas the creed on the street was often:
Live with no limits.
The hymn of the strip:
I did it my way.
People with this creed and hymn are very
anti-catholic. They
fight the idea of universal truth.
The individual self struts like a prince or
princess and lady luck is goddess.
By the way, if you have the chance to go there, go
and see and think. There
are spectacular sights and images.
But also think and wonder about the image of man,
woman, and God that is there. We
had the chance to go to the Grand Canyon.
That is much bigger than the strip.
The Grand Canyon is a very catholic place –
it’s full of universal truth or at least the reflection
of universal truth. The
creed there was heard often:
Know your limits.
The hymn there could be: “How Great Thou Art”
because people are pressed to see beyond the self. Psalm 90 comes to mind:
“Before the mountains were born or you brought
forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to
everlasting you are God.” Up
on the canyon rim you think about catholic/universal
truths. Gravity
is one such catholic truth; it is universal throughout the
universe no matter how I feel about it. These
catholic truths are very upsetting to us modern people
because they hold up a mirror to us to show us how small
and human we are. They
also show us how mortal we are.
The second most universal or catholic truth there
is says that we all die – death is for us all, and there
are no exceptions. Isaiah,
the prophet, was told to cry out that all humanity is
grass and all its’ beauty like the wild flowers.
The grass withers and the flower fades, but the
Word of the Lord remains forever. (Isaiah 40).
On Ash Wednesday we hear the words:
Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.
These are words that we fight.
We fight seeing our limits and death.
We want to be special.
We are very anti-catholic in this sense.
(continued on next page) =============================================================================== Salem Lutheran Church - 10 McClellan Circle - Buffalo, New York 14220Rev. David F. C. Wurster, Ph. D. - Pastor Rev. Richard E. Blemaster, Pastor Emerituse-mail:
salemoncircle@yahoo.com
- website:
www.salembuffalo.com Mission: SALEM/Peace – As the Father sent me I send you.Vision: Preach – Teach – Heal – doing what Jesus does.(FROM
THE PASTOR
continued) – There is a greater, in fact the greatest, universal or catholic truth that is more powerful than death. Life is more powerful than death, but it rises up out of death. Isaiah said “The Word of the Lord remains forever” and Peter says “that this Word is the Good News that is preached to us.” (I Peter 1:25); he means the message of Christ. We Christians do not believe this is just for those who feel good about it, but then not true for those who don’t like it or feel good about it. We believe that Gospel is true for all – it is universal or catholic. Jesus said “I am the Life” and also “I am the Truth” with a capital T. When we say these things it means I am not the center of my world nor are you the center of your world – Jesus Christ is Lord of all life and the center of all things. There were and are lots of anti-catholics who put him on a cross for claiming such universal Lordship. During Lent we focus on and meditate on these universal truths for our life. It should lead us to look out in life and ask about what is really truth and what is not and what is really universal and what is not. We do have a sample case before us in our world today. Is marriage a catholic truth – universal truth – or is it just a private or particular truth. Is and has marriage been the union of a man and woman in all living cultures and in the Word of God or is it just a personal life preference for individuals and voters. Some say it is very catholic/universal and others in the media and entertainment are very anti-catholic or anti-universal. We believe that our Lord is the Lord of all life. We meditate on that in Lent and celebrate it at Easter. We also celebrate it when spring comes after a Buffalo winter. Now, regarding Phil, the groundhog, maybe he doesn’t get concerned about these things at all. But it would be nice if he wakes up a bit early this year. Peace, Pastor Wurster >
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> Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class – Spring 2004 Faith,
Stories and Prayers Making
peace with head, heart, tongue and both hands (March Bible
Studies led by Stephanie Pittock, Director of Christian
Growth) Mission: Peace/Salem – As
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) Date
Bible
Catechism
Hymns/Prayers Mar. 7 Jeremiah 31:31-34 – the new Creed 1covenant is promisedMar. 14 Luke 22:7-20 – the new Creed 2covenant is madeMar. 21 Hebrews 10:15-39 – life in Creed 3 Psalm 116:12-19
the
new covenant Mar. 28 Luke 22:19-20, 23:34 & 43; Baptism 1/Altar 1 & 2John 19:25 – last will and
testament
of Christ Lutheran
‘30’
Broadcast Schedule:
33rd YEAR, 2004
Each
Sunday at 9:00 a.m. on WXRL (1300 AM), Lancaster, N. Y. March 7 – St. Mark, North TonawandaMarch 14 – Immanuel, North TonawandaMarch
21 – Calvary, Buffalo MARCH 28 - SALEM >
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> PRE-MARRIAGE
and NEW MARRIAGE
WORKSHOP Story
Swapping for Those Risking the Adventure of Marriage ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-marital
and new marriage Workshop Retreat for couples planning
weddings at church or who have been recently married -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When:
Saturday, March 20, 2004
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Where:
Cleveland Heights Christian Church (Samaritan Center
Satellite Office) – 4774 Union Road,
Cheektowaga, New York 14225 – (phone: 632-3332) Leaders:
Rev. Dr. Erwin Brese Sponsor:
Call to register:
Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center - 716-743-9117 Cost:
$50.00 per couple
- make checks payable to Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center
– SPCC. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * S O M E T H I N G N
E W ! ! !
Parents with young children –
There are Bible Activity Bags in the narthex for your
children to borrow during the worship services.
They contain crayons, coloring books, story books,
activity books, pads and pencils.
The contents of each bag may vary slightly. Please pick up the bag before the service begins and return the bag, with contents, to the narthex after the service ends.
These bags were designed, made and equipped by your
“Salem Piecemakers.”
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
It is our sincere hope that these bags will help you
as a family to share the joy of worship and the Word of God. =============================================================================== L.
W. M..L. The L.W.M.L. held a breakfast meeting on Saturday, January 24, 2004. Joyce Vassallo and Elinor Jentsch were chosen as our delegates to the Eastern District Convention in Owego. Gretchen Putzman and Deann Sheppard have been working on cataloging all the books, tapes, videos, and CD’s in the library. Books can be donated to the library that are fairly recent and in good condition. Our mini-retreat will be held March 5th
and 6th at the Hampton Inn on Main Street in
Williamsville, N. Y. Please contact Gretchen Putzman (674-8859) if you would like to order the Quarterly. Our next meeting will be held in April.
Julie Diehl
Secretary P
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P P R E C Y C L E f o r H A B I T A T Here’s
anew way you can raise money for Habitat Buffalo and improve
the environment at the same time.
Save your spent printer cartridges and copier toner
cartridges and turn them into Habitat.
A cartridge drop off box has been setup at Cleveland
Heights Christian Church.
The church is located at 4774 Union Road, Cheektowaga
(near Cleveland Drive).
Inside the entrance way door (off of the parking lot,
in back of the church), there is a wooden box labeled
“Spent Printer and Copier Toner Cartridges Only!!”
Groups of printer cartridges can be enclosed in a
plastic bag and placed in the wooden box.
Copier cartridges should be well wrapped to prevent leakage of loose
toner. Original
boxes are NOT
needed for the cartridges. The entrance way door at Cleveland Heights is generally open during weekdays and weekday evenings. If the door is locked, please leave your plastic bag with spent cartridges outside the door. It will be placed in the recycling box when the building is reopened. Habitat for
Humanity – Buffalo will receive between $1 and $2 for each
cartridge. All shipping costs will be paid by the cartridge recycling
company. This
is a great way to support Habitat and recycle at the same
time. You may want to invite people in your church or business to save cartridges for Habitat. When you have collected several cartridges, drop them off at Cleveland Heights and we will ship them to the recycler. Happy printing and copying! To contact Habitat:
716-213-2001 or
www.habitatbuffalo.org
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¨ SOUTH BUFFALO ECUMENICALL ASSOCIATIONThursday,
March 11, 2004 – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. An
afternoon of Reflection – at South Park United Methodist
Church, 72 Ashton Place (at South Park) For reservations, call 822-1255 by Friday, March 5. (Anyone who cannot come at 10:00 a.m. for the period of recollection, feel free to arrive at noon to join us.)
U P C O M I N G
E V E N T S:
BRASS
BAND CONCERT
- Friday,
March 19, St. Luke Lutheran Church, 900 Maryvale Drive (at
Union Rd.)
Cheektowaga, N. Y.
Tickets are $10.00, available by reservation at
743-9117 or at the door.
This event will benefit the Congregation-based
Clinical Pastoral Education Program.
The Rev.
Robert C. Spilman is the certified supervisor with 15
years of experience leading the program.
C.P. E. is a continuing education opportunity for
both clergy and lay ministers which promotes the health of
both the pastor and the congregation.
It is designed for experienced pastors and for
ministers and seminarians new to pastoral work.
Pastoral and leadership skills are strengthened, and
tension and conflict in the church are creatively addressed.
The program focuses on in depth systemic change that
reduces congregational anxiety and addresses long-term
issues in the church.
A
Chinese auction, with a variety of art prints, will be held
at 6:30 p.m. in the church parlor.
At 7:30 p.m., the Buffalo Silver Band (with an
eighty-year history in the area & is a member of the
North American Brass Band Association) will perform the
concert. HADDOCK
FISH DINNERS
- St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Dash & Macamley
Streets, Buffalo – Friday,
March 12 and March 26, 2004, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.;
cost: Adults - $6.50; children under
12 - $3.50; children under 5 – free; take-outs
available for $6.75; theme baskets and baked goods also
available. Friday,
April 9 – take-out only from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on a
pre-order basis. Orders must be received no later than Tuesdy, April 6 –
call Jan Liebner – 824-2246 or Barb Stackpoole –
824-7242 for pre-orders – cost - $6.75. 2nd
ANNUAL LUTHERAN NIGHT AT THE THEATRE -
“Les Mis’erables,” Sunday, April 4, 2004,
Shea’s
Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo;
showtime: 7:00 p.m. (see information on our
church’s bulletin boards).
For more information, call Lutheran Charities at
632-2623. FREE ANXIETY
AND DEPRESSION SCREENING – offered by The Lutheran Service Society of New York,
for any interested individuals.
If you or someone you know think you may be suffering
from anxiety and/or depression, and would like it
professionally assessed, please contact Jolie Giardino, CSW,
CSAP at 631-9212 for an appointment. A N N O U N C I N G
- Eastern
District Student Aid Program – Those entering freshmen and other
students who are preparing for a full time church
profession (must be members of the Eastern District);
completed applications deadline:
APRIL 23, 2004.
and
Eastern District President’s Scholarship - $1,000
per year – four years - awarded
annually to those who have demonstrated academic excellence
and have participated in school, church and community
activities. Completed
application deadline – MARCH
26, 2004. For more
information, see Pastor Wurster or church office, or
bulletin boards. * * *
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* * * D I R E C T O R Y C H A N G E S Miss Rosemary Battle Mrs. Florence Sheppard1144 Kenmore Ave. – Apt. 7
c/o Greenfield Center – Room 121 D Buffalo, N. Y. 14216
5949 Broadway Phone: 873-7198
Lancaster, N. Y. 14086 Mrs. Carol Engelbert (temporary residence)
If anyone has a change of name, address, or Greenfield Center – Room A117
telephone number, please notify the church 5949 Broadway
office – 824-2787.
Thank you. Lancaster, N. Y. 14086
P R O P E R T Y M A I N T E N A N C E R E P O R T There have been some complaints that people cannot hear Pastor, particularly during the last two funerals. The sound system has been evaluated and is in good working order. However, if anyone is still having problems hearing the service, please let me know as soon as possible. There are individual devices that can be purchased by Salem to help you. The city of Buffalo has notified us that we have had three avoidable alarms of our security system since July. The church will be charged $50.00 for each occurrence if we have more than 3 false alarms within a 12 month period. If we have more than 7 avoidable alarms within a year, we will be fined $100.00. Just a kindly reminder, upon entering or leaving the building, you only have 2 minutes to disarm or arm the alarm. If the alarm does go off, wait by the phone and give the operator the password. I have some disappointing news. Noah’s Ark Nursery School has decided to move into St. Ambrose School for the coming school year, rather than Salem. After prayerful consideration, Miss Sue Jackson has decided that St. Ambrose facilities were a better fit than ours. We would be open to future tenants if the opportunity arises. The voting booths will be her on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Finally, Steve Jarmusz Sr., our custodian, has been working diligently for the past couple of years doing an excellent job. However, because of his full time job, plus overtime, he has been averaging less than 20 hours per week at our church. It takes at least 26 hours to thoroughly clean every “nook and cranny” in our large building. Therefore, I’m looking for volunteers of any age to assist in taking care of our property. This is a good opportunity for the youth to receive community service hours. Anyone interested should contact me as soon as possible. A checklist of the list of duties will be provided. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank you! Fred Bartz Jr. Property Maintenance Chairman
W O R S H I P The
Worship Committee has developed a page for the DOVE that
will communicate to the congregation the themes,
liturgies, sermon texts and titles and other points of
worship. WORSHIP TIME
- 10:30
a.m. ( LW =
Lutheran Worship
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal
WOV = With One Voice) Hymns
and liturgy are being chosen by Pastor, the Music
Director, and the Worship Committee.
Comments are invited for future growth.
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