MARCH 2005

 

FROM THE PASTOR:

            “He is risen from the dead and now is going ahead of you to Galilee, that is where you will see him.” That’s what the angel told the women on Easter morning. They were filled with fear and also awe and great joy. Then Jesus met them and said, “Don’t be afraid; go tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee and they will see me there.”

            There was a sense of fear and joy in these women. They saw and heard the risen Christ. They told the men and there was at first confusion and some stubborn unbelief. They thought the women were hysteric and telling tales. Later Jesus appeared to them and they believed as well. It took Thomas a while longer to see and Paul even longer to see and hear the risen Christ. There were others who never saw him and actively denied his resurrection even though he was and is present in their midst.

            The religious leaders were some of those who got into money and politics to deny his resurrection. When the guards that had placed him in the tomb went off to tell the leaders about what had happened, the priests and elders had a meeting and paid the guards a sum of money to tell people his disciples had come in the night and stolen his body while they slept. Then they had to cover that he had some politics with Pilate because the governor would execute irresponsible guards unless some favors and money changed hands in the process.

            Why all the cover up and denial of Jesus’ resurrection? They were afraid and we still are as afraid of a living Lord. If he is alive it means we are not in charge of our own destiny nor do we own our own bodies and life. It means that the Christian faith is radically different from all other religion in the world.

            Religion is based on teaching and principles. If you learn the teaching and principles you advance in the religion. Christianity has teachings and principles also and we learn these in scripture and catechism. But the teachers of religion like Moses and Mohammed are dead, and so people study the teachings of the late Moses or the late Mohammed. Too often Christians reduce Christianity to studying the teachings of the late Jesus and Easter becomes a spring celebration of a story about Jesus getting out of a tomb a long time ago.

            But the awesome part of our faith is that it is not about some teachings and principles that we can hold in our hands or heads. It is about a living Lord who holds us in his heart and head and hands and shapes us.

 

Salem  Lutheran  Church

10 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)

 

We cannot really understand the Bible or catechism until he opens them up and in doing so opens up our hearts and minds to hear him speaking to us. Life is not just relearning the same thing our parents did and living life just like they did - - just play it again Sam. When Jesus spoke to the women and to the men they were not going back to business as usual. Something new was afoot. They were going to be raised up to new life too.

            So what allowed them to see and hear the risen Christ when so many then and now are blind and deaf to the Living Lord? They had to die to be alive again. There is no life without dying first. Whenever the risen Christ appears we also see he has nail marks or death marks on his body. People who can’t see those death marks, which are victory marks now, cannot really see and hear the Living Lord even though he is Lord of their life and present among us all. You see, when we see death marks we see our own sin and death and realize we are the reason for the death marks. We stand naked before God. It’s only by his word of grace that we stand tall as sons and daughters of our God – but that word of grace is spoken by one who is alive and going on ahead of us in our daily life.

            In many ways we too get caught up in religion and end up with talk about the late Jesus instead of hearing the Living Lord. We miss Good Friday worship but want to have a big Easter. We then miss Easter because the single truth is there as no real Easter without Good Friday. In our piety we paint pictures of our risen Lord without death marks. We have a picture like that in the chancel of Salem. It’s a product of art of the 50’s in religious America. I’m not suggesting we denigrate our beautiful picture but to think of disciples who wouldn’t really know Jesus until he showed them the marks. Let that art and the story from John teach us anew. Many churches in our past dropped the frequency of communion to dreadful lows and raised sermons about communion as a means of God’s grace. Some even got into the habit of omitting communion on Easter Sunday because of the number of people or the church decorations. When I was younger I must admit I didn’t think about that very much. Now the somewhat irreverent comment comes to mind for those who don’t have time or space for the Lord’s Supper on Easter: - we really don’t have time or space for you to come out among us today, Jesus; please just stay put in the tomb until next Sunday when it’s more convenient for us to entertain you. I fear this is not a good way to talk to the Lord of all time and space – the one who calls us into death on his time and breaks the bonds of death on his time not ours.

            There is fear and good news both in that life is taken out of our hands. That scares us. As the hymn says, this grace taught our heart to fear. Also this same grace our fears relieved and leads us into the new chapters of our life as individuals and as a congregation. Jesus told them he’d see them in Galilee. Galilee is more than just a spot on the map for the disciples – it’s a chapter title for a new chapter of life. So where is your Galilee where he will meet you in the days ahead? So where is our Galilee as a congregation in the days ahead where he will meet us and reveal the new chapters of life. We cannot just take out an old script and do it over again – business as usual. We must set out for Galilee and be in the midst of doubts and fears and faith and joy.

            When he met them on a mountain in Galilee he said, all authority in heaven and earth is given to me. Therefore as you go out making disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And look, I am with you always to the end of the age. Does that sound like the late Jesus? It’s a lot more than that.

            One final thought. As we see conflict and wars going on and peoples struggling for democratic freedom, including people in our own country. I am struck by how many religious and secular people are enemies of freedom and act like the religious leaders on that first Easter day. The one who speaks to the sun telling it to shine and broke the bonds of death will breaks all bonds that enslave people in his world. He is risen – these words echo from the beginning of time to beyond the end of time. People who hear them from a living Lord will sense deep fear and unending joy and hope.

                                                                        Peace,

                                                                                    Pastor Wurster

 

 

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)

 

      Date                           Bible                             Catechism

 

LENTEN SERVICES

 

            After a almost a year’s discussion and effort by the Salem worship committee we will have a series of Wednesday evening Lenten worship services in different churches of the South Buffalo Ecumenical Association. Each Wednesday evening we will have worship and fellowship at a host church. The theme is “The way of the cross with our risen Lord.” At each church you will hear a character tell about the way of the cross. The schedule is as follows:

Mar. 9  -   7:00 p.m. – Woodside Methodist (Abbott Rd.) is our host and we will hear St. Mary, Jesus’ mother.

 

Mar. 16 – 7:00 p.m. - St. Martin R.C. (1140 Abbott) is our host and we will hear Lydia.

 

There will be fellowship and refreshments after each service. There will be the regular MORNING services at Salem on Wednesdays in Lent at 10:30 a.m.

 

MAUNDY THURSDAY – March 24^th – 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Salem.

 

On March 25^th,GOOD FRIDAY – There will also be a South Buffalo Ecumenical Association Cross Walk. Theme is Creating Community.

12 Noon – Cazenovia Park; 12:30 pm – Grace Lutheran; 1 pm – Woodside United Methodist; 1:20 pm – Salem Lutheran; 2 pm – South Park Presbyterian; 2:30 pm – Good Shepherd Baptist; 3 pm – St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic.

 

EASTER SERVICES – March 27^th

                                                7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service of Worship

                                                8:15 a.m. Easter Breakfast in the Social Room

                                                9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes

                                                10:30 a.m. Festival Service of Communion

(Bring Lenten coin folders in special envelopes and deposit them in the purple container in the narthex, NOT in the offering plates, because of the bulk.)

 

Pastor Wurster

                                  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 SCHOOL NEWS

Fastnachts were made in the kitchen with care

Elinor, Noreen, Joyce and Anna were there

Family and friends at Salem, they purchased a share

This event we look forward to every year!

 

Sunday School would like to thank the bakers for their time and talent.  We hope everyone enjoyed a share of these yummy pastries and thank them for their support.

 

WANTED: Primary Department Teacher – Please contact Judy Hoffmann if interested.

 

Our children are getting ready for the following Spring events:

 

Feb 14 – Mar 21              March 21                            April 10

Building Cereal Mountain           
Children will sing in Church             Spaghetti Dinner

                                                            Monica Thomas, Acting Superintendent

 

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Our SYMPATHY to the family of Judith pietz who died february 21, 2005. Our prayers for god’s comfort are with the pietz family.

 

 

MEMORIALS   AND   GIFTS

 

HANDICAP  ACCESS  -  -  -  -  -        In memory of: Norma Jindra by Ruth Carr; Lois Doll; Allen & Judy Feltz; Gladys

FUND                                        Matson; Mr. & Mrs. George Poniwas; Dorothy & Gretchen Putzman; Nancy Thomas; Paul Thomas; Fran & Bob Wiedemann; Robert Wolf; Fred Bartz Jr.; Mr. & Mrs. Mark Thomas; Ethel Berkhoudt; Nancy & Richard Wesner; Ruth Kray; Elinor Jentsch; Walter & Arlene Forbach; Vincent Cunbo; Mr. & Mrs. Bob Wiedemann; Sallie Langner and Kim & Russ Alessi.

                                                     

                                                      In memory of: Rev. Ralph Krueger by Dorothy Putzman.

                                                       

Gifts: Dorothy Putzman (87^th Birthday); Arlene Ball; Mr. & Mrs. Paul Swierczynski; Mel Beyers; Eleanor Senechoway  (Friend, R. Kessler); Doris Baker; Ethel Berkhoudt; Mr. & Mrs. David Carlson; Luane Goodman; Mr. & Mrs. Rich Landseadel; Lorraine McGill; Betty Radke; Mr. & Mrs. Mark Thomas; Carol Engelbert, Jim Carr; Marjorie Schermerhorn and Donna Brady.

 

MEMORIAL  FUND                      In memory of: Norma Jindra by Olga Kingsland.

                                                     

CURRENT FUND                         Gifts:  Kate Webster (birthday) and Violet Kelm (birthday).

 

TUNSAMI VICTIMS                     Gifts: Lois Doll and Sheree Krol.

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DIRECTORY CHANGES

 

Marjorie Nagel, 1118 East Main St., East Aurora, NY 14052,  Phone #997-6791

Iris Suleski, 12 South Ryan St., Buffalo, NY 14210

Sarah Yung, 3525 Genesee St., Cheektowaga, NY 14225

 

Addition: PFC Jesse Blazynski SVCBTRY; 2-114-FA155 BCT; APO – AE – 09325

        Jesse is stationed in Karbala, about 75 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq. He is the son of Karen Smith and the grandson of Marie & Carl Radtke.

 

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PREACHING COURSE

            Mr. Neil Guda is taking his seminary preaching course at Salem under the supervision of Pastor Wurster. Please consider making a contribution to this course by attending the class and letting Neil teach us how he gets from text to life. Classes are from 5:30 – 7:30 pm on Monday evenings – see dates for March below. You can bring a brown bag for supper if you like. Drinks will be available. Basic materials for instruction will be available also.

MARCH  7^TH –   Luke 24;    14^TH – Romans 10;    21^ST – text of Neil’s choice to be announced;    28^TH – Easter Monday – no class                                                         Pastor Wurster

MEETINGS

 

Women’s Guild

 

            Our next meeting will be March 8^th at 12 noon. Lunch will be provided by the committee. Our guest speaker will be Susan Lichtenthal from the Lutheran Service Society. All ladies are invited.

 

            Our Ecumenical Luncheon was on February 10^th. It was attended by 33 people and a profit of $81.18 was made.

           

                                                                                    Fran Wiedemann, Vice President

 

 

 

Golden Agers

 

          The next meeting of the Salem Golden Agers is March 3, 2005. Won’t you join us at 12 noon? Thank you.

                                                                                    Norma Krug

 

 

 

Youth

 

            Youth Meetings will be after church on March 6^th and April 27^th.

                                                                                    Paul Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            The Eastern District LWML Board of Directors will be having their annual meeting at Salem on March 11^th and 12^th. The Salem LWML is hosting their Friday dinner.

                                                                                    Claire Carlson

 

 

 

 

DCE/ DCG Call Committee

 

          The DCE/ DCG Call Committee met for the first time February 24^th. Committee members are Jim Carr, Pastor Wurster, Paul Thomas, Monica Thomas, Deann Sheppard, Sue Landwehr and Claire Carlson. The next meeting is March 15^th.  A few openings for this committee are still available. Please see Jim Carr if you are interested.

                                                                                                Jim Carr

 

THANK YOU

 

The Music and Culture Committee of Salem wishes to express profound thanks to each and every member of Salem, as well as “friends of Salem” who assisted in so many ways to feed and house the members of “Kapelle,” the choir from Concordia University, on February 25^th. The students and their director were so appreciative of your efforts and your hospitality, and we, in turn, were blessed by the music and interaction of the young men and women in the group.

 

Thank you to everyone for all the beautiful cards and gifts I received for my 87^th birthday. God has been good to me all these years and I thank Him. I also thank everyone at the Voter’s Assembly for singing “Happy Birthday” to me and I had love floating through my veins to my heart. God bless us all.

 Olga Kingsland

 

 

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CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION

Presents

MICHAEL W. SMITH

 

Friday, August 12^th – 8:15 pm.

Chautauqua Amphitheater

 

Advance order group tickets 

 Phone 357-6262 or 357-6269

Email: lpaterniti@chautauqua-inst.com

 

Ticket price $35

Children 12 and under - free

 

SOUTH BUFFALO CHURCH BASKETBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE

 

March 5, 2005             MAKEUP GAME

March 12, 2005           PLAYOFFS

March 19, 2005           PLAYOFFS

March 26, 2005           ALL STAR GAME

 

            Games are held at Trinity Lutheran School, Reserve Rd., West Seneca beginning at 6 pm..

 

 Please come and support the TWO teams of Salem’s young men.                                               

Jim Carr

 

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SOUTH PARK HIGH SCHOOL

 90^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION     1915-2005

 

Saturday, March 19^th 2005

 

Lucarelli’s Banquet Center

1830 Abbott Rd., Lackawanna

 

Formore information, please call Peg Hannon at 816-4828 or Marianne Dixon at 824-4980.