The Dove |
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MAY 2005 FROM
THE PASTOR:
Pentecost and Mothers’ Day fall in the same month. Should
we be Lutheran about it and ask: what does this mean?
Well, it might not be such a bad idea. We might just
find some connections. If we ask, we might even be
surprised.
Often over the years I have heard people say that
as a Lutheran we can go directly to God with no one or
nothing in between. Often that’s said with passion and
vigor. Over the years I have learned from Luther and
others that the idea of going directly to God is
dangerous and also wrong from Martin Luther’s point of
view. He taught that if anyone tries to go directly to
God they will not ever find mercy but the law and naked
power of God - - this will just fry poor human beings.
He also said over and over again that the Spirit of God
comes to us in grace always through means –
(not immediately but always mediatly – to use
technical term.) A single way to say this about the Holy
Spirit is to say the Holy Spirit always comes to us
wearing a cross and a skirt or pair of pants. The Holy
Spirit always point to Christ crucified for us and comes
through the community of men and women speaking the
Gospel and passing the bread and wine. Other spirits
that come in other ways are not the Holy Spirit – we
need to test the spirits says John (1 John 4:1 ff).
So does the Holy Spirit coming from the Father
and the Son lead us to be more human or less human? Lots
of people think that the more spirit we have the less
human we will become or above human or super human. In
Lutheran teaching we have to say that the more of the
Spirit we have the more fully human we will be. We were
not created to be angels or super humans but real human
men and women. And where do we learn more about human
beings than in families? God cares for us and redeems us
from sin and death by pouring out the Spirit through
three areas of life. He uses the law in the state and
civil government to protect and preserve our lives. The
first right that government should protect is life. We
are citizens of the state.
God blesses and cares for us in families where we
are husbands and wives and sons and daughters and relatives
of all kinds. Broken marriages and families lead to
broken people and pain and crippling in life. We live 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) in
a society that is in a constant power struggle over men
and women’s rights and power – this power struggle
began with Adam and Eve and just changes acts in an age
old play. In family emotional systems, the mother has
the greatest power there is in human life. She carries
the baby in her body and there is no way to compete with
that kind of bonding power – for better or for worse.
But if that power is not tempered and balanced by the
presence of the father it can implode or cave in on
itself and suck mother and child down. That’s one
reason why God put marriage at the base of the family.
The old chess analogy still holds – the queen is the
most powerful piece in the game but when the king is
gone, the game is done.
We know that of Salem, we have lots of people
from crooked and broken family units. In fact, there are
no perfect families at Salem. The Holy Spirit that leads
us to Christ leads us to live in forgiveness and not
focus on and obsess with the sins, brokenness and pain
of others or ourselves but on the gift of forgiveness
and new life and freedom in Christ. Martin Luther once
gave a bit of advice to parents. If your children turn
out good and successful, don’t brag too much and thank
God for His gifts; if your children turn out to
disappoint you, don’t get stuck beating yourself up
but grasp God’s forgiveness and get on with living and
bless others with your life.
We hope to follow that advice at Salem as we call
a DCE or DCG and go further into ministry here. We have
said in the call committee that we want someone who has
a vision for families and for the community we live in.
We hope the Spirit sends us someone who will see
ministry as a way to challenge people in families to
pass the peace back and forth and into the community.
Above each part of the catechism Luther put the phrase:
“As the head of the house should teach in a simple way
to the family.”
We also need to see that the third way in which
the Holy Spirit comes to us as in the church where He
gives us the Gospel of forgiveness to redeem and free us
from sin, death and the devil. In the church we are all
the same – sinners and forgiven saints.
When we are free to be all the same in Christ we
can be free to be different as well – to be the men
and women, students and teachers, doctors, engineers,
grandparents and all those things we are called by the
Spirit to be. We can then enter into the community of
South Buffalo and the world.
In talking with people around the country, it
appears that two things crop up in our discussion about
being the church in the city in the modern world;
identity and community awareness and conviction. Perhaps
that was evident on Good Friday on the cross walk. These
themes were raised over the whole afternoon. At Salem
the church was pleasantly full of priests, nuns,
Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans and other Christian
people. The 8 foot cross came down the center aisle
carried by a Roman Catholic priest and a nun. I led a
Lutheran service with a Lutheran Hymnal. Identity and
community were both evident. If we want to be a blessing
to this community we cannot and should not throw away
our identity as Lutherans – by comparison, a woman who
throws away her identity as a woman makes a poor wife.
We need to keep our identity as Lutheran people to keep
self respect, to be faithful to our Lord, and to make a
contribution to our community.
We also need to know things about our community.
It is changing from only white to more color. One third
of children born in the USA today are born out of
wedlock and our community has been largely Catholic (big
C) with a few Protestants. All these things are
important as we live in this community. I think it is
safe to say that Salem is gaining some recognition and
respect in the community. We pray the Spirit’s
guidance to be a blessing to others by being who we are
called to be in this community at this time.
Many Lutheran congregations have died in the
cities of our land. To give up one’s identity and just
go free floating on feelings and spirits of the present
moment is a good way to die. In Luther’s day, there
were people who did this. Martin Luther referred to them
as people who “swallowed the holy spirit feathers and
all.” They never asked, “what does this mean?”
Another way to die in the city is to lose
conviction with the community. Playing simple in-house
religious games in a changing community is a recipe for
death. Jesus was clear on this one: “save your life
and you lose it; lose it for His sake and the Gospel’s
and you get life.” People who don’t connect with the
community forget to ask: “what does this mean?”
The Holy Spirit in the heart does not shut off
the brain but turns it on more and more. When the Holy
Spirit is at work in us and among us will we be finding
ourselves asking, “what does this mean?” Asking that
question can mean the difference between phony peace and
the peace of God – Shalom/Salem.
Peace,
Pastor Wurster
HEALING
SERVICE
Jesus
went out preaching, teaching and healing. On May 22nd
we will have another healing service with anointing with
oil and a blessing. Those who desire the anointing and
blessing may come forward. Some of the things we pray
for healing from may be physical and some emotional and
spiritual. The old seven deadly sins of pride, anger,
sloth, greed, envy, lust and gluttony affect us all.
Sometimes simple worry and doubt can be very damaging to
our life and health. These services have been very
important for some in new ways. Some people have made
important life decisions after a service and some have
come by during the week to ask for a private anointing
and blessing in the quiet of the church on a midweek
morning. Those who desire may come forward and others
may sit quietly and pray and sing.
Pastor
Wurster yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
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. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 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 May
1st
Mark 8
Baptism II – Guest – Rev. Robert Klingebiel May
8th
Mark 9
Baptism III May
15th
Mark 10
Baptism IV May
22nd
Mark 11
Confessions/Keys May
29th
Mark 12
Sacrament of Altar “What” June
5th
Mark 13
Sacrament of Altar “Benefits” B A N N S Published “Carrie Radtke and Thomas Filjones
wish to enter the holy estate of matrimony according to
God’s ordinance and desire the prayers of the
Christian congregation on their behalf so that they may
begin in in God’s name and have it turn out well. Now
should anyone have anything to say against this, let him
or her speak at this time or hereafter remain silent.
God grant them His blessing. Amen.” (From Martin Luther’s Wedding Booklet)
Pastor Wurster DIRECTORY CHANGES Crystal Rylowicz, 549 South
Park Ave., Buffalo, NY 14204-2627, Phone #856-1507 Kimberly Zeltman, 46 Village
View, Lancaster, NY 14086 STRAWBERRY
SOCIAL SUNDAY,
JUNE 12TH 2005 SALEM
LUTHERAN CHURCH IMMEDIATELY
AFTER WORSHIP In
the social room Sponsored
by Thrivent for Lutherans Tickets:
Adults-$3.00
ages 2-5 - $1.50
under 2 free Tickets
are available from Kim Alessi, Renee Richards or Fred
Bartz. CHURCH
SPRING CLEAN UP DAY Saturday,
May 7th 2005 10
am - ????
Steve Jarmusz Sr., our custodian, has been
working diligently for the past few 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 Fred Bartz as soon as possible. A checklist of
duties will be provided. Your cooperation is greatly
appreciated.
Fred Bartz ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; DCE/ DCG CALL COMMITTEE
The DCE/DCG Call Committee comprising of Monica
Thomas, Chairman; Jim Carr, Claire Carlson, Stephanie
Carlson, Sue Landwehr, Deann Sheppard, Paul Thomas and
Pastor Wurster met again on April 20th.
Meetings are scheduled for May 4th and May 18th.
Members of the committee will be presenting updates at
each of the church’s organizations’ meetings. The
next sheet is the job description for the position. If
anyone has any comments or questions, please contact any
committee member.
Claire
Carlson All
non designated envelopes will be going to current not
to Synod as in the past. As always, you may
still designate which fund you would like to
contribute to by indicating it on your envelope.
Fred Bartz Jr. CHURCH
RECORDS Wedding: Molly Ueblacker and Leroy Overhoff – Saturday, April 16,
2005 Transfers
out: Request
by: Mrs. Tracie Brombos and baptized son, Benjamin to
St. John Lutheran Church (LCMS), Orchard Park, NY
Request by: Aaron Stisser to The Lutheran Church
of the Holy Trinity (LCMS), Tampa, FL
Request by: Martha Ocker to St. John Lutheran
Church (LCMS), Depew, NY nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn 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 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa NOTES FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The week before confirmation, all of the students
presented their essays of faith. Each student was
introduced to the congregation by his/her mentor. We are
including the essays of Jennifer Carlson and Anthony
Whipple, our two students confirmed this year. We ask
God’s continued blessings on these two young people.
See next page for essays. Other Board News:
Monica Thomas, who has been acting superintendent
of the Sunday School, has officially been named the
Superintendent.
A Spiritual Gifts Workshop will be held on
Tuesday, May 17th for all of our church’s
confirmed young people at 6:00 pm. Additional
information will be in the bulletin.
College Fund Applications are now available.
See enclosed flyer.
Deann
Sheppard, Chairman, Salem Board of Christian Education CONFIRMATION ESSAYS WHAT I BELIEVE
I believe in God, Jesus and that humans are
incapable of faith by themselves. I believe that God
made everything around me. God has given me everything I
need including my friends, family, food, a house and
that I am able to go to church. I believe in the Trinity
and that God is three in one. I believe in Jesus and
that he saved me from my sins and everyone else’s. I
also believe that the Holy Spirit and that it helps me
keep my faith. I believe also that God helps me be nice
and kind to other people.
I believe that everyone can’t believe in God
without the help of God. I believe that the old Adam in
me causes me to have a sinful nature. I believe that I
need God’s forgiveness. I believe that I have no other
gods, I should not take His name in vain and remember
the Sabbath. I believe that we should honor our father
and mother and should not kill, steal or commit
adultery. I believe also we should not bear false
witness, covet your neighbor’s house or anything that
is your neighbor’s. The law also speaks to us and also
tells us what we should and shouldn’t do. I believe
God speaks to us in many ways. He speaks to us through
prophets like Moses and Elijah. He can also speak
through dreams like he sent dreams to Daniel and Joseph.
I do believe He sends messages through ordinary
people and the leaders of today. I believe that God’s
will for me is that I should follow all his laws and
commandments. I believe that God wants me to live in his
Word forever. I believe that God wants me to be active
in church and serve His will. I also believe that I will
try to be in His grace for the rest of my life. I
don’t know what God has planned for me but I will try
to follow Him anyway. I think and believe that
I should get confirmed. I believe that confirmation is
an affirmation of my baptism. I believe that it is to
make baptism complete because it is my decision and what
I want to do. I believe that confirmation is a way to
get closer to God. I want to be able to take communion
with my parents. These two years have been a lot of fun
and I am happy to get confirmed.
Jennifer
Carlson +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WHAT I BELIEVE I believe that God is
real. That He is the creator of earth and the heavens. I
believe that He also created me and all creatures on the
earth and that He gives us everything we need to live
our lives. I believe that God gave His only Son, Jesus
to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. I
believe that God is eternal, and that He is the one and
true God. I believe that God gave
me and all creatures free will. I believe that God has
given us freedom of what we want to do. But that he
wants us to lead godly lives. He has given us rules to
live by. God also gives us the Bible, parents and
teachers to guide us. God speaks to us so that
He can help us. He speaks to people in many ways. One of
the ways He speaks to us is through the Bible. He also
speaks to us through people, through music and through
nature. God also speaks to us when we pray and through
our conscience. God speaks to us to guide us in His will
and tell us right from wrong. I believe God’s will for
me is to help people in all the ways that I can. And
that I should be faithful to God in every way possible.
And in my calling in life, I believe that I should try
to be Christ- like, - nice, patient, kind and caring to
all others. I want to be confirmed
so that I can continue growing and maturing in the
Christian faith. I also want to be confirmed so that I
can take communion, which is the body and blood of
Christ given to us for the remission of sins.
Anthony
Whipple MEETINGS GOLDEN AGERS
Upcoming meeting dates are May 5th and
June 2nd. See
enclosed flyer on upcoming Lancaster, PA trip.
Norma Krug mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm See enclosed flyer about the Buffalo Zone Spring Workshop STAMPS FOR MISSIONS
Please save your cancelled stamps for LWML. Each
must have at least ¼ inch of envelope around the stamp
to be useful. Stamps are then turned into the Canadian
Bible Society who redeems the stamps for Bibles. One
pound of stamps equals one Bible. Please give to a LWML
officer or leave in the narthex.
Gladys
Matson FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF WOMEN’S
GUILD
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 10th at 12
noon. Please bring your lunch. Dessert, tea and coffee
will be served by the committee. At this meeting, we
will be electing a new correspondence secretary.
Our BAKED GOODS AND CRAFT SALE will be during the coffee hour on
Sunday, May 15th. Outside donations would be
appreciated. Coffee cakes, pies, breads and cookies are
the best selling items. Cupcakes and cakes do not sell.
Please price your items, mark them WOMEN’S GUILD Bake
Sale and leave them in the kitchen.
June 15th is our SALAD
BAR LUNCHEON at 12 noon. Tickets are $6.00 which
includes 50 numbers for the penny sale. Tickets may be
purchased from any member of the Guild.
Thank you to Gretchen Putzman for making two
veils, two corporeals and three napkins for our
communion services. She did a beautiful job. Also thanks
to Mary Bartz for donating one of the veils.
Fran
Wiedemann, Vice President qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq YOUTH GROUP May 1, 2005 -
Salem Youth Meeting after service May 6, 2005 –
Salem Youth Bowling Party – Sahlens Sports
Park, 7 – 9:30 pm May 20-21, 2005 – Youth Lock-In Sleepover at
Salem ( 7 pm – 10 am)
Paul Thomas Pioneer Sponsorship Program
This summer, Stephanie Carlson will be working at
Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center as a counselor. Pioneer
has a sponsorship program for its entire staff to
increase partners in their ministry. Each employee is
asked to obtain pledges from sponsors for any dollar
amount. These donations are tax deductible contributions
to Pioneer. Checks may be made to Pioneer Camp and
Retreat Center and may be given to Stephanie or any
Carlson family member. Employees are encouraged to
contact members of their congregation regarding this
sponsorship program. Thank you for your support of Salem
youth and Pioneer.
Claire
Carlson ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss THEME BASKET
CHINESE AUCTION WOODSIDE
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 675
ABBOTT RD., BUFFALO
#826-4334 SATURDAY,
MAY 14TH
6 – 9 PM NUMBERS
DRAWN AT 7:30 PM Admission
$4 includes 1st set of numbers, beverage and
dessert Additional
tickets: $3 or 2 for $5 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Network
of Biblical Storytellers – WNY Guild UNEXPECTED
GUESTS Saturday,
June 4th 2005 9
am – 4 pm St.
John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3512
Clinton St. West
Seneca, NY A
multi-denomination conference to enable you to learn and
share Biblical stories to use them in a variety of ways.
Biblical storyteller and NOBS Program Director Dennis
Dewey will be the keynote presenter at this day-long
event. www.nobs.org $30 includes deli
lunch. Please send check and reservations to NOBS-WNY
Guild, 182 Presidio Pl., Williamsville, NY 14221,
626-5254 STEWARDSHIP
COMMITTEE IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 100TH ANNIVERSARY
COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE SUNDAY, MAY 22ND 2005 3 PM 7147 RIDGE RD., LOCKPORT DR. JOHN BRUNNER, LCMS EASTERN DISTRICT PRESIDENT – SPEAKER Reception/ Dinner – 5 pm – Wright’s Corners Fire Co., 4043
Lake Ave., Lockport RSVP 434-0521, 772-7246, 772-2297 as soon as possible. All are
invited. LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRIES at Buffalo is accepting applications for the position of
“peer minister” for the 2005-6 academic year. The
position pays of stipend of $2000. For further
information, contact the Rev. Dr. Gail Riina at 688-4064
or riina@buffalo.edu.
Students at any Erie or Niagara County college or
university are invited to apply. Lutheran Campus
Ministries at Buffalo is operated by LCMS and ELCA
congregations through the Inter-Lutheran Commission for
Campus Ministry on the Niagara Frontier.
Rev. Gail
Riina
KELLY SWARTZ, a Salem member from Lake Shore Senior High
School attended a music festival at the College of
Staten Island with her Symphonic and Concert bands. One
highlight of the tour was a workshop at Riverside Church
(part of Columbia University) conducted by the musical
director of the Boardway play, “Chicago.” An award
ceremony abroad the aircraft carrier “Intrepid”
presented both bands with first place gold.
Upon arrival, they were given a rousing welcome
home by a fire and police escort with sirens blaring.
Joyce
Vassallo NICK AND MIKE RANDALL ARE COMING TO
WOODSIDE WOODSIDE
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 675
ABBOTT RD., BUFFALO
#826-4334 SATURDAY,
MAY 21ST AT 7 PM. ADULTS:
$8, CHILDREN UNDER 12: $4 Your
toes will tap as Nick entertains us with coffee house
style music on his guitar. Mike will dazzle us with his
magic and a puppet show. A fun and entertaining evening
for all ages. Refreshments will be available.
Reservations: Kathy – 825-2331 or Sandy – 674-5011. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk WANTED: COOK & KITCHEN AIDE
Personal Touch Food Service at Mercy Center, 625
Abbott Rd., Buffalo, NY is currently seeking highly
motivated employees at our facility for cook and kitchen
aide positions. Interested applicants can send a resume
to the address above or may call 825-5531 and ask for
Ron Thomas at ext. 104 or Barbara Kozlowski at ext. 111
for an application. Thank you.
Ron Thomas,
Food Service Manager SOUTH BUFFALO ALIVE is
presenting the Fifth Annual South Buffalo Garden Walk on
Sunday, July 17th 2005 from 9 am – 4 pm. We
would like to showcase the beautiful and unique gardens
in our South Buffalo Community. If you would like your
garden included in the Walk, please contact Michelle
Donovan at 825-0577. The deadline for entries is June 1st
2005. Any questions, please contact Ann Kalinowski at
826-5968.
Ann
Kalinowski, Chairperson
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 (LW = Lutheran Worship
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal
WOV = With One Voice
SH = Supplemental Hymnal) Hymns
and liturgy are being chosen by Pastor, the Music
Director, and the Worship Committee.
Comments are invited for future growth.
Lutheran
‘30’ Broadcast Schedule: 34TH
YEAR – 2004-5 Each
Sunday at 9:00 am on WXRL (1300 AM), Lancaster, NY May
1 – Immanuel, Tonawanda May
8 – Calvary, Buffalo May 15 – Salem, Buffalo May
22 – St. John, N. Tonawanda May
29 – Redeemer, Colden June
5 – Trinity, W. Seneca |