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Fall Kickoff

Forecaster

September 2016 Volume 28, Number 9

In This Issue:

•Fall Kickoff

•The Storms of Life

•Worship—Letters to Timothy: Life in Christian Community

•Calendar

•Welcome New Staff

•Mission-CWS Blankets+ and CROP Walk 2016

•Missionaries to Visit Salem

•Church Work Day

•Leadership Board Report

September Is a New Beginning for Ministries

Each Fall, after summer vacations have come and gone, we kickoff a new year of ministries at Salem. It’s an exciting time, filled with anticipation of many opportunities to grow in faith and follow Jesus. He invites us to follow him, to be with him. As we begin this new season, we invite you to join us as we journey together, in his grace, mercy, and love!

Children’s Sunday School begins on September 11. Our Sunday School Co-superintendents have been busy planning a wonderful year for our children, ages Preschool through 8th Grade. Classes will meet from 10:10 to 10:55 AM on the lower level.

Also beginning on Sunday, September 11 is the 9 AM Lectionary Class, taught by Dorothy Higdon. It will meet in Lower Level Room 6.

A new Youth Group team is in place, and they are excited for an impactful year with our youth. Youth Group will gather in the Youth Room weekly on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM, beginning September 14. All middle school and high school youth (6th-12th Grade) are welcome. Bring a friend or two, or a carload, with you!

Small groups and Bible studies resume this same week as well: Tuesday Night Bible Study meets

in the Parlor at 6:30 PM, led by Judy Thomas.

Our Emmaus Reunion Group, Salem Son Walkers, meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in the Parlor at 6 PM. All who have attended a Walk to Emmaus weekend are invited to attend. Ron Andreasen (319-325-6303 or [email protected]) leads this group.

Join the choir! Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:30 PM in the Music Room, with our new Choir Director, Linda Curson (319-651-8029 or at [email protected]). Regarding our discipleship process, more information can be found in our menu of items on the Welcome Center. It’s looking to be a great Fall, growing in the grace of Jesus Christ!

Jesus woke

up and rebuked the

wind, and said to the

sea, “Peace! Be still!”

Mark 4:39

John Louk, Pastor

The Storms of Life

I ran around the neighborhood for a half hour, searching for the lost dog.

As I was looking for the dog, our church’s administrative assistant, Julie Lefebure, contacted me and said we had no phone or Internet at Salem. Turns out we were struck by lightening and had several important items damaged and destroyed.

As soon as I finished that conversation, one of my best friends in ministry, Gary Hoyt, texted me and said his wife’s brother had just died, unexpectedly.

Jesus, wake up. We need you. We’re going down!

We all experience storms in our life. Some are little, like a lost dog. Some are bigger, like the damage done to a house from a storm. And some can be terrifying, like the death of a loved one. Some are like the violence, flooding, and fires we’ve experienced this summer in our country and around the world. We all need Jesus to calm the storms in our lives and in our world.

Here’s the thing: the disciples got to experience the storm being stilled in their lives because they were with Jesus. Being with Jesus is what discipleship is all about. We have to be with Jesus.

How do you stay with Jesus in your life?

We’re each responsible for our own discipleship, but Salem is here to help, offering many opportunities for you to be with Jesus and the body of Christ. We offer worship, Sunday school, Youth, small groups, Bible studies, outreach events, mission projects, and more. The important thing is to be intentional about living life with Jesus and the body of Christ. Because we all need to be with Jesus so he can still the storms around us and bring us peace.

Grace and peace to you,

John Louk

P.S. The dog came back to Mara that night, who took her to a shelter.

My family and I vacationed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Lake Superior is quite massive and is capable of powerful storms. One day we were out on the water on a glass bottom boat, touring shipwrecks, the result of powerful storms.

The gospels tell a story about Jesus and the disciples out on a lake in a boat in the midst of a great storm (Matthew 8, Mark 4, Luke 8). The waves were crashing into the boat. Jesus was asleep. The disciples woke him up, fearing they were going to drown. Jesus immediately calmed the storm and the disciples were amazed.

We all experience storms in our life. This past week, my daughter, Mara, found a lost dog in our neighborhood. She chased the dog down and took care of her. By the time my wife, Joy, and I got home, the shelters were closed and the police wouldn’t send anyone to pick up the dog until the next day. So we created a shelter the best we could in our backyard. I love dogs but I didn’t want to bring a stray into our house. There was a strong thunderstorm during the night. We were up at two in the morning checking on the dog. It was a restless night.

The next morning, Mara was out in the backyard, drying the dog off. She and Joy said they were bringing her into our garage. I relented. They made a plan to take the dog to a shelter after school.

When Joy had to leave for work, the dog was resting comfortably on a cushion in a box in the garage. I opened the garage door and the dog bolted. I tried to entice her back, but when she got beyond the door and realized she was free, she took off. She ran around the house. I ran through the house and out the back door. I called to her. She stopped and looked at me for a moment. Then she called over her shoulder, “Sucker!” and took off and was gone.

My family was not happy with me. They let me know we didn’t do all we did to take care of the lost dog just so I could lose her again. After they left for school and work,

In September we are midway through the Season After Pentecost, which is Ordinary Time. On September 11, our Fall kickoff, we begin a new lectio continua (Latin for continuous reading) series, that is, reading Scripture in sequence. We’re focusing on Paul’s letters to Timothy in the New Testament. Paul writes, “I hope to come to you quickly. But I'm writing these things to you so that if I'm delayed, you'll know how you should behave in God's household. It is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

These letters address life in the Christian community. “Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:7b-10).

The liturgical color for this season is green, symbolizing growth in Christ. Come and worship!

Sept 4 Ordinary Time Jeremiah 18:1-11 The Potter and the Clay Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 The Inescapable God Philemon 1-21 Paul’s Plea for Onesimus Luke 14:25-33 The Cost of Discipleship Holy Communion

Sept 11 Letters to Timothy: Life in Christian Community Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Sorrow for a Doomed Nation Psalm 14 Denunciation of Godlessness 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Gratitude for Mercy Luke 15:1-10 The Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin Sept 18 Letters to Timothy: Life in Christian Community Jeremiah 8:18–9:1 The Prophet Mourns for the People Psalm 79:1-9 Plea for Mercy for Jerusalem 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Instructions Concerning Prayer Luke 16:1-13 The Parable of the Dishonest Manager Sept 25 Letters to Timothy: Life in Christian Community Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Jeremiah Buys a Field During the Siege Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 Assurance of God’s Protection 1 Timothy 6:6-19 The Love of Money and The Good Fight of Faith Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus

Worship—Letters to Timothy: Life in Christian Community

Come and Worship!

Sundays

9 AM—Contemporary

11 AM—Traditional

“First, the holy

Christian people are recognized by their

possession of the holy word of God.”

Martin Luther (1541)

September 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Salem Office hours:

Monday—Thursday

9 AM to 4 PM

(closed holidays)

1

2

3

4 Ordinary Time

9 AM Contemporary

Worship

10 AM Fellowship

10:10 AM Adult Sunday School

11 AM Traditional Worship

5

Labor Day

Church Offices Closed

6

9:30 AM Prayer Room

9:30 AM Staff Meeting

7

10 AM Wednesday Morning Bible Study

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

8

11 AM Luncheon with Larry & Jane Kies

5:55 PM UMW Rachel Circle

9 10

8 AM UM Men’s Breakfast

11 AM Baby Shower

11 Ordinary Time

Fall Kickoff

9 AM Contemporary

Worship

9 AM Lectionary Class

10 AM Fellowship

10:10 AM Sunday School


12:30 PM Women’s Care Group

12

11:30 AM Golden Links

13

6:30 PM Tuesday Night Bible Study

14


6 PM Salem Son Walkers Emmaus Reunion Group

6:30 PM Youth Group


15 16

17

18 Ordinary Time

9 AM Contemporary Worship


10 AM Fellowship



2 PM Pine Ridge West Association

19

10 AM Books without Borders Global Work Day

October Forecaster

articles due to

church office

20

9:30 AM Prayer Room

5:15 PM Leadership Board


21


6:30 PM Youth Group


22

23

24

9 AM Church Work Day

25 Ordinary Time

9 AM Contemporary Worship


10 AM Fellowship

10:10 AM Connecting Point



26 27

12:30 PM Cards & Fellowship


28


6 PM Salem Son Walkers Emmaus Reunion Group

6:30 PM Youth Group


29 30

Birthdays: 1 Myron Williams 1 Becky Johnson 1 Ben Holcomb 2 Charlene Harrison 2 Roger Newhard 2 Kaye Briesemeister 3 Caleb Meyer 4 Kathy Valenta 8 Jan Johnson 8 Lucas Oltman 9 John Thompson 10 Kathy Walker 14 Marilyn Ward 14 Abbi Holcomb 15 Susan Heald 17 Archer Ayers 19 Deb Valenta 19 Dick Talbott 22 Grace Wittstruck 22 Kayla Brownfield 23 Dawn Fouch 24 Dan Kendall 24 Nancy Wittstruck 25 Kathy Schooley 25 Dennis Valenta 25 Casie Meyer 26 Tom McMillen

September Birthdays and Anniversaries

If you have an open midday schedule, come join your church friends for Cards and Fellowship! Every last Tuesday of the month we meet in Fellowship Hall at 12:30 PM for a deli-cious potluck lunch, a short devotional, and lively board games and cards. This month we meet September 27. We would love to see you then!

26 Carole Beaton 27 Erin Archambeau 28 Robert Thompson 28 Kyle Drahozal 29 Percy Caviness 29 Linda Nolan 29 Doug Whitmer 29 Wilma Livermore

Anniversaries: 1 Justin & Kristin Jacobus 2 Chuck & Linda Curson 3 Bud & Bev Carnahan 3 Evelyn & Bill Schultz 4 Doris & Warren Holst 15 Marty & Jodi Anderson 18 Pam & Curt Moore 19 Steve & Teresa Thompson 21 Mark & Dawn Fouch 25 Kellie & Mike Lauderdale 26 Kathy & Larry Wittmer 30 Charlene & Tom Harrison

All Are Invited to Cards and Fellowship

United Methodist Women Sharon Busch, President

Sarah Circle will NOT meet this month due to the presentation by Larry & Jane Kies, missionaries from Africa, at 11 AM on September 8. Members are encouraged to attend this event.

Rachel Circle will meet on September 8 at 5:55 PM for fun, fellowship, and something chocolate. A light meal will be provided by Marlene Anderson.

Our Shepherdess, Pat Jacobson, will be our guest speaker. The devotion topic will be “How to Overcome Being a People Pleaser” from Joyce Meyer Ministries. A brief business meeting will follow.

All Golden-Agers Welcome! Golden Links will meet 11:30 AM, Monday, September 12, at Pizza Ranch, 2450 Westdale Dr. SW. Dave Higdon will give the program. Call Jeff Cook (393-9180), Judy Thomas (390-6574) or Dick Talbott (247-9919) for info.

This month’s United Methodist Men’s breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, at 8 AM at Oakland Road Hy-Vee. Order your breakfast and tell them you are a part of the Salem Men’s group. We will meet in a room toward the middle of the store. Our program will be on 3-D copying, presented by Brad Mohwinkle of Rapid Reproductions.

All men are invited! RSVP to Jeff Cook at 393-9180.

United Methodist Men Mark Minger

Women’s Care Group

Women’s Care Group meets monthly to encourage and care for one another, and to extend that care beyond the walls of Salem.

All women are invited to our next gathering on Sunday, September 11, at 12:30 PM, in Fellowship Hall. We will have a potluck meal, fellowship, and uplifting encouragement.

Gratitude

Our hearts have soared to the highest realm of glory, with how you have blessed us in ways that leave us speechless! The beautiful cards and your written words we have received have left heart prints that can never be erased! The prayers spoken on our behalf have been mighty and powerful! Prayers like this will heal my cancer more quickly than anything else. A very special thanks to Judy Arruda and Sharon Busch for their special blessing! The church

ladies taking care of our nutritional needs are so appreciated. Because of our risen Savior, Sally & Chuck Rohrer

Julia Titus joins our music team this month as Salem's organist and accompanist to the choir. She comes to us after having served at several Cedar Rapids parishes as organist/accompanist, as director of handbell choirs, and as percussionist in festival/cantata orchestras.

Currently a member of the music faculty at Coe College, Julia has taught both music history and music theory. Now entering her 20th year at Coe, she is specializing in keyboard studies and choral accompanying. Her teaching duties at the piano also include a private studio, affectionately called the "Juliart School of Music." Julia enjoys working with young musicians and accompanies many instrumental and vocal soloists at festivals and in recitals.

She is also a fitness enthusiast (aka "gym rat"), and a big fan of her family's Goldendoodle dog, Twinkle. This month, as Julia celebrates 40 years of marriage to her husband, Rick Titus, and 26 years of being "Mom" to their daughter Jenny, she is excited to become a part of the Salem faith community, serving God through the blessing of music.

Linda Curson is excited to be our new Choir Director. She has been a member of Salem since 2000, and has been active in many areas. She has led the Leadership Board, the Building Committee, and the Salem Rising Capital Campaign. She currently serves as our Treasurer, and has sung in the choir for many years. She now has the opportunity to return to her passion and direct the choir. Prior to moving to Iowa, she directed a church choir in Michigan for 13 years. She looks forward to the new choir season and how the anthems sung will enhance the worship experience.

Welcome New Staff!

Mission Focus: Church World Service Blankets+ Joni Salazar

For many people in the U.S. and around the world, struggling against the bitter cold is a daily challenge. Homeless per-sons in the U.S. seek shelter and warmth all winter. Around the world, disasters force people from their warm homes, sending them to shelters and refugee camps. CWS is there. The CWS Blankets+ program provides warmth, hope, and care during cold and trying times. A gift of just $10 provides a sturdy, comforting blanket to those struggling and in need.

For over 60 years, Church World Service has worked in partnership with local communities to identify their needs and help them access the resources they need to build the foundation for a more viable future, including:

Blankets, tents, food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster

Tools and seeds for refugees returning home to replant their fields

Wells for families living in drought prone areas to provide clean, safe water to drink and to irrigate crops and gardens

Literacy training and micro-credit for women struggling to realize their potential

A special offering will be received on Sunday, September 25, at both worship services.

CROP Hunger Walk 2016 Joni Salazar

Even though the CROP Walk isn’t until October, we at Salem are starting ear-ly! This year’s 5K CROP Hunger Walk is on October 2, at 1:30 PM, held at Thomas Park.

CROP Hunger Walks help to support the overall ministry of Church World Service, especially grassroots, hunger-fighting development efforts around

the world. Each local CROP Hunger Walk can return up to 25% of the funds it raises to hunger-fighting programs in its own community. Salem’s Mission Team challenges our congregation to raise $1000 for Team Salem to help fight hunger. You can be a registered walker, donate to a Salem walker, or do-nate online at https://www.crophungerwalk.org/cedarrapidsia/Team/View/25794/Salem-UMC. There are great incentives to the person who has the raised the most donations.

Contact Joni Salazar (319-573-3943) or Evelyn Prasil (319-366-3683) for more information.

https://www.crophungerwalk.org/cedarrapidsia/Team/View/25794/Salem-UMC

https://www.crophungerwalk.org/cedarrapidsia/Team/View/25794/Salem-UMC

Missionaries to Visit Salem, September 8

Larry & Janie Kies will be visiting Salem, September 8 at 11 AM in Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy lunch (please bring a salad or dessert) and learn how Salem’s support makes a difference.

Larry is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries, serving as technical advisor to the African University Farm at Mutare, Zimbabwe in southern Africa. Larry was raised near Jesup, Iowa, where he learned his love of farming.

Jane is a United Methodist missionary teaching Intensive English to students from non-English speaking countries at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, southern Africa. Jane was born in Ndola, Zambia and grew up in southern Africa and England.

In 1994, the Kies family went to live and work at Nyadire Mission in Zimbabwe. In 2002, they transferred to African University in Mutare.

Larry’s duties involve working with the farm manager to develop an agricultural program that makes the university farm more efficient in its roles of teaching and research. In addition, he is involved in student agricultural practicals, and teaches classes in crop production and farm management.

Jane teaches English to students from diverse cultures and peoples on the African continent. She helps the students apply teachings to their lives and experiences at Africa University.

For more information, please contact Dorothy or Dave Higdon at 319-294-1161.

Books without Borders Work Days Momodu Kamara

A Books without Borders’ shipment will be heading to Africa soon. Your

help is appreciated! Volunteers of all ages are needed to sort and box books, and to palletize the boxes. Would you be willing to serve anytime between 10 AM—3 PM on any Saturday through the end of September? These work days take place at the warehouse located at 1124 1st St NW.

Please contact Momodu Kamara at 319-310-3123.

Mark your calendars! It’s time again for our semi-annual all-church work day! Saturday, September 24, from 9 AM to around Noon, come to the church and not only be a blessing, but be blessed in serving.

Many hands are needed to complete our projects to keep God’s house and grounds in good shape, as well as beautify our community. Please bring tools necessary to complete the projects listed below. If you have questions, please contact Kathy Wickham at 319-573-9427, or Louis Busch at 319-396-1643.

1. Grounds and street clean up. Bags are provided by the city.

2. Flower beds division—bring spades and forks to dig up bulbs.

3. Trim around bushes alongside of kitchen. Weed eater and clippers needed.

4. Move mulch from around garage.

5. Clean chair legs, dust song books, clean mop boards in sanctuary.

6. Move old kitchen cabinets to storage facility (nursery building). Screw drivers needed to remove switches.

7. Put dishes in cabinets or repack to put on shelves.

8. Clean and sort through pictures in old SS classroom.

9. Polish brass candlesticks.

10. Dust top of stained glass window housings in Fellowship Hall.

11. Put knobs on kitchen walk-through doors.

12. Replace door in parlor.

13. Wash outside windows.

Thank you in advance for your service!

Church Work Day: Saturday, September 24

Bill Heald Retires After 20 Years

A special reception was held on August 21 to honor Bill Heald, who has served as Salem’s Director of Traditional Music for twenty years. We are grateful for Bill and for all his contributions to Salem and beyond. He has helped us sing and make melody to the Lord! (Psalm 27:6C)

SPRC – Lorrie Prasil-Holcomb wants to step down from her position as custodian. All agreed that she has done a fantastic job. This job opportunity will be posted. Percy Caviness and Evelyn Prasil have agreed to serve as Sunday School Co-Superintendents. Ronda Drahozal, Joy Louk, Kory Thomas, Pastor Louk and Julie Lefebure will form the team for youth group this year. Youth Group is scheduled to begin September 14. Three Year Capital Campaign – The Stewardship Committee with work with Pastor Louk to form a team to help facilitate and direct a three-year capital campaign, to begin next year after the Salem Rising Building fund campaign has concluded. Plans are to introduce the campaign to the congregation in October. Other Items – The church was struck by lightning in the storm on August 23. Many of our electronic devices, including the phones, internet, smoke detectors, and the elevator, were affected. Service for the phones and the internet has been restored. *Acoustic tiles for the sanctuary arrived but were not made correctly so they are being redone. New tiles should arrive next week. *The shingles on the bell enclosure will be changed to match the shingles on the church building. Closing – Anna Dunnwald closed with prayer. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM.

Report of the Leadership Board Meeting Notes 8-24-16

Following the subcommittee meetings at 5:15 PM, the full board met at 5:44 PM. LB Chair Anna Dunnwald opened with prayer and led the meeting. Sharon Busch and Brian Schooley shared their faith experience testimonies. Goals Update – The Participation Team is off to a good start and headed in the right direction. Apportionment payments are on track with the church’s 2016 payment goal. Much needed upgrades to the church’s IT systems are underway. Treasurer’s Report – The church’s finances are in good order. Nominations and Leadership Development – The LB offered nominations for new Leadership Board members for terms beginning in January. Inactive Members – A list of inactive members will be compiled for action by the Board. Fall Charge Conference – The LB will begin to work on reports that need to be filed in conjunction with the Fall Charge Conference. Trustees – *An inspection of the church elevator has been conducted by the State. We are awaiting the results. *A storage area in Fellowship Hall for tables and chairs will continue to be pursued. *A survey of occupied handicapped spots and of handicapped vehicles parked in regular areas will continue to be conducted on Sunday mornings to help determine if additional spots are needed. *A meeting with neighbors who have lots backing up to the church’s property was held to discuss water run-off during heavy rain storms. *A church clean-up day will be held on September 24 at Salem and there are several tasks to complete, both indoors and out. Stewardship – A draft version of written procedures for handling money received by the church has been completed. A memorial gift policy will be discussed at the next meeting.

9:00 AM Contemporary Worship Sanctuary

9:00 AM Lectionary Class Lower Level Room 6

(Resumes September 11)

10:00 AM Fellowship Time Fellowship Hall

10:10 AM Sunday School Lower Level

(Children’s Sunday School resumes September 11)

11:00 AM Traditional Worship Sanctuary

Nursery for infants through 4-year-olds is available on the Lower Level

during worship services and Sunday School.

Salem Office hours: Monday—Thursday 9 AM to 4 PM

September 2016 Forecaster

3715 33rd Avenue SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404

319-362-6178

[email protected]

www.salemchurchcr.com

www.facebook.com/salem.cr

RETURN SERVICE

REQUESTED

Salem’s Sunday Morning Schedule

Salem’s mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. “connecting people, building community, transforming lives through Jesus”

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