(From the Pastor – continued)  --  So how would a Christian define freedom and liberty?  At the heart of liberty for the Christian is a cross.  At the heart of liberty is our Lord who frees us from the insanity of bondage to self and frees us to received his good gifts of grace and to discover his will for us in our lives.  free people pray daily for thy name be hallowed in my life, thy kingdom come in my life, thy will be done in my life.  Do you see how radically different this is from some of the most popular ideas of freedom in the mystery clause?

There is a big challenge before us Christians to learn to talk about this and live it in the world.  At the Eastern District Convention, President John Brunner touched on the challenge when he said we don’t know how to talk the language of our world.  He said his whole education from child to adult was in church schools.  He learned church language.  We need to be able to hear and speak the language of the Bible and faith and the languages of the street as well.  If we do not learn to speak both languages we will not be able to talk about the gift of God’s freedom to people who are hungry for freedom in many cases, but know only the insanity of our world’s idea of freedom.

Let me give you one little example of learning to speak our language of faith and freedom.  I am glad to have Mrs. Stephanie Pittock on board as our called Director of Christian Growth at Salem.  You will see more of her and get to know her in the time ahead.  We will be having staff meetings on a regular basis as well.  Now for the speech lesson.  I hear lots of people in the church talk about pastors and other staff as people churches hire  for  a  job.  This language betrays a whole mindset in our world.  It shares in the insanity of the “mystery passage” and we don’t even think about it.  If we hire someone, they are to carry out our will.  We have called people at Salem to carry out our Lord’s will and because of that we will all pray and talk together to discover what the will of God is at Salem.      

You would quickly know something was wrong with someone’s thinking and language if he said, “I hired a wife,” or she said, “I hired a husband,”  to share life with have children with.  We marry a wife or husband.  Education is a big part of the mission of the church and the mission of Salem.  Let’s think about how we talk and what we are doing.  Together with Mrs. Pittock and all the staff and members, let’s celebrate the freedom we have in Christ and learn to talk about it across the generations.

                                                Peace,

                                                            Pastor Wurster

 

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S A L E M    C H U R C H    P I C N I C

 

On Sunday, July 27^th, Salem held its annual church picnic at the West Canal Marina in North Tonawanda.  Although the day started off on the rainy and windy side, the day got nicer with some sun late in the day.  We had a nice pavilion next to the Erie Canal with some boats seen along the waterway.  This event was attended by almost 50 picnickers.

After lunch, a large group (young and old) enjoyed a game of softball.  There was a piñata and other games for the adults and children.  For dinner we enjoyed BBQ chicken with numerous side dishes and desserts.  My thanks to all who brought a dish to pass.  The day ended with devotions led by Ray Yox.

Many thanks to all the people that helped to make this a nice day for all who attended, including:  George and Rose Ann Merkt, Jim Carr, Ray Yox, Paul Thomas Jr., Monica Thomas, Fred Bartz Jr., and Craig Miller (who spent the day at the grill cooking our chicken).

I encourage more of our members to attend this event next year as you sure missed a nice day together.

                                                                                    Thanks again,

                                                                                    Mark Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

S U N D A Y    M O R N I N G    B I B L E    C L A S S

9:00 a.m.

 

Sunday morning Bible Class is to help people carry out the mission of our Lord as Lutheran peacemakers in the church catholic in the world.  Lutherans are people with one Lord and three books (Bible, Catechism, and hymnal).  In the adult Bible Class we will learn about people, their faith stories and prayers.  In the classes we will pick up different Biblical characters, touch on the main themes of the catechism and a Biblical prayer.  Sunday morning Bible Class is the place where visitors and new people can explore becoming members of Salem congregation.  They can get acquainted with people of the Bible and people of the congregation and the Catechism and prayers.

People will get more out of the class if they read the stories ahead of time and also the Catechism.  It is also helpful if people have their own personal Bible (and Catechism even!) to read, mark, and learn from.  This is a challenge.  If adults challenged the kids by learning themselves and not griping about the kids, it might result in more learning and faith and prayer too.  Just a thought.

In the class we will first summarize the story and themes for about half of the time and then discuss questions for half of the time.  The schedule of readings will appear each month in the DOVE.  A full schedule will be available in class.  Below please see the September schedule.

Date                           Bible                              Catechism                              Hymns/Prayers

Sept.   7                        Sin & Promise – Gen.                         Commandment 1 –3                        Psalm 100

Sept. 14                        Jonah                         Commandment 7 – 10                        Psalm 32

Sept. 21                        Tradition – Mark 7:1ff.                        Creed 1                        Psalm 1

Sept. 28                        Joseph – Gen. 37 – 50                        Creed 2                        Psalm 117

 

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The annual Reformation Service, previously held at Slee Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo, will be held at Salem on Sunday, October 26, 2003 at 4:00 p.m.

The Rev. Dr. Eric W. Gritsch, author and Luther scholar, Emeritus professor of church history, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, will be the guest speaker.  A mass choir, including our Salem choir, will participate.  There will be a reception in our lower parish hall following the service.

The Reformation Service is sponsored by The Lutheran Campus Ministries at Buffalo.

The Rev. Dr. Gail V. Riina is Campus Pastor.

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THANK  YOU  FROM  -  La Santa Cruz Lutheran Church  -  “Dear Pastor and Church members:

                                                We appreciate your response to us as an extension of your love for Hispanics and for our Lord Jesus.  Thank you for your generous help.  Some of you have joined us for a service or an activity and added to our joy.

                        May the Lord bless you and guide all of us in following Him with devotion. 

                        In His love, La Santa Cruz Lutheran Church”

 

 

 

W O M E N''S         G U I L D

 

 

                     We had a wonderful time at our picnic supper on

                         Tuesday, August 12^th.  The food was delicious.  We

                         played a game, socialized with our friends, and

                         everyone won a prize.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.  Dessert and beverage will be provided by the committee.

Deann Sheppard will give us a book review on  “The Red Tent” at our October meeting.

 

    Fran Wiedemann

                                                                       Vice President

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

L. W. M. L.

 

A  B I G    T H A N K    Y O U  to all who gave to the National L.W.M.L. Convention Mission Pledge Walk.  Both Claire Carlson and Melissa Banas walked at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning; and each did 2 miles with over 1,000 fellow walkers/runners.  Over $60,000.00 was raised for mites, which will go to mission projects throughout the world.

 

Thanks again.    -  -  -  Claire Carlson and Melissa Banas

 

#############################################################################

 

G O L D E N      A G E R S

 

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2003 at noon.  If you wish, you may bring your lunch.  Dessert and beverage will be provided by the committee.  If you are 55 years and over, join us.

 

                                                                                    Ann  Nicosia

                                                                                    Secretary

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

                       

                        It’s as Easy as:  1)  Collect Box Tops  (Start collecting box tops coupons

                        from participating General Mills products – cereals, fruit snacks,

                        Lloyd’s, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Progresso, Green Giant, Old

                        El Paso, Totino’s, and Gold Medal products.   Ask your friends and

                        neighbors to start collecting too!

2)  School mails them to General Mills.  Earn up to $20,000.00 per school.

3)  Your School Gets A Check!  General Mills sends your school a check, which your school can use to buy computers, sports equipment, or reach whatever goal they set.  The more Box Tops coupons, the more cash!!!

NOTE:  We will send them to Bethesda Lutheran Home with the Campbell labels.

 

W O R S H I P    N O T E S   -  -  -

From THE LUTHERAN FORUM

“Approaching  the  Throne  of  Grace”

-- Raymond J. Brown (a regular columnist, is a retired United States Coast

Guard Captain living in Londonderry, New Hampshire.)

 

“There is something important about how we proceed to God’s house on Sunday.  And many of us do not do it that well.

When I read in the Scriptures of the tribes making their way to Mount Zion to keep holy day, I sometimes wonder if there is a practical theology about making one’s way to Sunday worship.  For most of us the experience of safe and timely arrival is probably less frequent than it should be.  We are late, cannot find parking, forgot the offering, have a child who seems better dressed for a hay ride, are still hungry . . . you know the story.  Somewhere in my childhood memory are some take-home items from Sunday Church School (you know, the ones that wind up littering the back seat of the family car) which spoke of contemplative preparation for worship.  But how that aligns with the reality of getting everyone up and ready and out on Sunday morning is none too obvious.

Yet that getting oneself to God’s sanctuary with reverence and awe is not idealistic gas from the Bible.  The procession to divine service is real and important, not some bygone Song of Ascents.  It just seems that doing so with any edifying spirituality is in the “too hard box” for many of us, one of those someday items, remembered at most once a week.  But here are some thoughts about avoiding frazzled nerves, late arrival, and domestic tension, and entering into the Presence – none with any assurance of inerrancy.

Getting out the door.  Make timely departure for worship, with the necessary backup of preliminaries of rising, ablutions, fast-breaking, and collection of offerings a priority.  If living or traveling with others, make it a known priority with no surprises.  Back up the necessary time of departure with the marks that need to be hit prior to then.  Lay out the clothes and books the night before.  Write the check then, too.  We do this sort of prep every workday, but often wing it on Sunday morning.  Not good.  (I will confess to having once, in the spirit of encouragement, pulled the bed covers off my teenage son Sam and let them fly when his response to my kind paternal entreaties to rise went seemingly unheeded.)

The day of rest can start early for the long-haired mess cook (also known as the Lady of the House).  I did not learn much, because there was not much positive to learn, from my father or grandfather about making the mother’s load lighter on Sunday or any other day with perhaps one exception.  On Sunday mornings they always went to the bakery to bring home fresh breads and doughnuts for breakfast, easing my mother’s responsibilities (there were three sons close in age, all aspiring football players).  I have continued that custom since my own marriage, getting up before others, and arriving back home with breakfast and newspapers before anyone else has stirred.

Insofar as possible, avoid worldly music in the car.  Silence in the car en route to the sanctuary is a good idea, but an issue I have not chosen to engage.  Still, I always have the family car in launch position prior to embarkation of spouse and progeny with the radio off.  Someone else is going to have to make that move.  Happily, my wife controls the dial, and the station of her choice is National Public Radio, often with Will Shortz’  “Puzzler.”  Not the best preparation for worship, but the broadcast selection could be a whole lot worse – particularly if Sam were allowed to pick the station – which isn’t happening.  If the radio has to be on, my preference is Paul Parent’s gardening show (St. Augustine’s oft quoted statement of being closest to God in a garden), but that isn’t happening either.

Keep competing commitments to a minimum.  Clear the Sunday slate for everybody as much as can be done.  There should not as a routine be places to rush to immediately after worship.  Similarly, the church has its business, too.  But if you have a congregational office or a responsibility, try to keep the related “Oh, by the way . . .” out of the way on Sunday.  Most people will eventually respond to this outlook, though there is always someone in every congregation who has some concern that cannot wait.  And when that someone either passes on to glory or just moves to another geographic locale, it is one of those immutable laws of both physics and biology that another will rise up to take her place.  Study to avoid business, at least on Sunday morning.  Park the car tactically, and be wary of office spaces.  Get thee to the sanctuary for sanctuary.

Know the ecclesiastical calendar.  Ever been surprised by a festival day or a seasonal change?  Well, most of us have at one time or another.  The Scripture says  “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).  Knowledge of where we are in the story of God’s ways among his people does ready us to meet him.  Mention of these things during the work week and especially in the thirty-six hours before the weekly trek to church can set priorities for self and family, and perhaps give the slip to the ideas of competing rest, recreation, or work that might interfere with orderly procession.

How are your prayers?  The trip to church is something worth praying about.  And for the table grace of Saturday night and Sunday morning, a petition that our worship might be acceptable to God might be both enabling and instructive.

Across the years I have noted that in most houses of worship the chatter before Sunday service has kept on growing, now even competing with the musical prelude.  The recovery of the Lutheran, Western, universal liturgical heritage, which has been a salutary development of the last few years, has not seemed to include silence and reverence upon entering God’s house.  Perhaps if the trip to church were considered a part of the worship, this oversight might change: for the glory of God and the sanctification of His people.

 

 

 

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)

Hymns and liturgy are being chosen by Pastor, the Music Director, and the Worship Committee.  Comments are invited for future growth.

SUNDAY         LITURGY                  lst Hymn                    Sermon                               Communion                       Last                               Text & Title

                                                                                         Hymn                                   Hymns                           Hymn

September 7  Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (green)	LW 158 Communion Rally Day		LBW 554 – “This Is My Father’s World	“Come Holy Spirit” “Holy Is The Lord” “I Am The Bread of Life” “Seek Ye First”	LW 256 – “Yours Forever God of Love”	John 6:51-58 – “Can Lutherans Dance?”
September 14 Holy Cross (red)	LW 158 WORD		WOV 770 – “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry”		LW 272 – “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”	John 6:60-69 – “Cross and Crisis”
September 21 St. Matthew (red)	LW 158 Communion Gospel Procession		LW 192 – “Behold a Host Arrayed in White”	“More Precious Than Silver;”  “Let Us Break Bread Together;” “Spirit of the Living God;”  LW 245 – “O Jesus Blessed Lord”	LW 247 – “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”	Matthew 9:9-13 – “Recovering Bureaucrat”
September 28 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (green)	Contemporary – Youth Music		WOV 651 – “Shine, Jesus, Shine”	LW 278 – “Crown Him With Many Crowns”		Mark 7:31-37 – “Speech Therapy”

FROM  OUR  NEW  DIRECTOR  OF  CHRISTIAN  GROWTH  -  Stephanie  Pittock . . .

                        In the future I hope to share some thoughts about ministry at Salem, but for now an introduction into my life will suffice.  I grew up in a pastor’s family and attended a parochial elementary school in Nebraska.  I was confirmed in 1991 and continued to grow in faith through high school (in Iowa), though I was saddened by the number of my peers who chose sleep over church.

            I went to college at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, choosing the school for its Director of Christian Education program.  While I switched to a double major in theology and English, I held on to the desire of doing ministry at some point in my life.  When I graduated in 2001, my immediate concern was finding a job in St. Louis while I planned for my wedding to Pastor Travis, then a seminarian.  I worked as an administrative assistant while he completed his final year, and in April of 2002, just five months into our married life, we learned we would be coming to Buffalo, New York.  Excited and a little uncertain, we packed up our few belongings and made the trek to Western New York.  What a change for a Midwest girl like me!  Yet there are similarities.  Instead of cornfields for miles on end, we find vineyards and orchards.  Dairy cattle replace beef, and the friendliness of the people is reminiscent of the cities I knew, like St. Paul and St. Louis.

            Best of all, we found congregations of loving people who invited us into their homes and hearts.  We found a place to live at Trinity in West Seneca.  We found friends at Faith in Elma, St. John in Orchard Park, Our Savior in Buffalo, and countless other congregations in the area.  And we found you, the members of Salem, who made a place for us in many more ways.  You gave my husband a place to work, and you asked me to serve in your midst, giving me a chance to be a part of ministry in your congregation and to be blessed by your presence.

            I have joked with others that I’m not sure why you called me, because I see so much being done at Salem already.  Children were touched by one of the best Vacation Bible Schools I have ever seen.  If I did not know about the history, I would never have guessed that this was once (very recently) two separate congregations, which is an enormous endeavor.  The leadership I have seen at the meetings I have begun to attend is amazing.  I pray that God blesses us all as we work together to share the Good News with His children around us.