New Salem Lutheran Church 7491 Island View Dr. NE Turtle River, MN 56601

Pastor Terry Hagensen E-Mail Address: newsalem@paulbunyan.net

Web Site; newsalemlutheran.org Church Phone: 218-586-2262

Upcoming Events

Sept. 14, 21, 28 Bible Study

@ 9:30 am

Sept. 7

Sept. 13

Day of Service

Sept. 13

Sept. 21 Church Council Meeting @ 6PM

Sept. 22 Autumnal Equinox

New Salem family, beloved of God, greetings in the name of Jesus our risen Lord.

How long has it been since our New Salem family has gathered for worship and fellowship? The calendar says five months, but to our hearts it seems much long-er. Gathering for worship, sitting next to our sisters and brothers in Christ, sharing in the Lord’s supper, listening as our voices singing hymns of praise and thanks-giving, seeing the smiles of our children and the thunder of coins being dumped each month. The heart ache of missing coffee, conversation and the room filled with chatter and laughter.

We have been asked to set aside these ways we have found love and support from our family. Never let it be said the New Salem family stops sharing God’s love with each other because we can’t come together. Nope, we’ve kept in touch, car-ing for each other, providing support and encouragement through cards, phone calls, delivering goodies and remembering your New Salem family in prayer. I’m truly thankful each time I hear how God’s love is being shared through the loving hearts and hands of our family. I confess I haven’t been the best at keeping in touch.

I remember as a kid hearing, Country Western singer, Lynn Anderson, preforming at our county fair, singing “I never promised you a rose garden,” and that’s the only line I remember of the song. You won’t often hear me quote a County West-ern song as an illustration of our relationship with God, but it speaks well of it now. Isaiah 43:1b-3a Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

God has never promised us a “Rose Garden” in life, but what God has promised is to always be present reminding us, though it may feel overwhelming, God’s hand is always outstretched for us to take hold. Thanks be to God; we have been called to be part of God’s rescue mission for each other and the wider world. Beloved of God, God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, even when the weeds in our garden start taking over.

SEPTEMBER 2020

New Salem is joining with other ELCA congregations with the Fairgrounds Worship Sunday Mornings @ 10:00, we will also con-tinue to record a service on YouTube. Each of the pastors will

have part in the service sharing with the preaching.

Join New Salem's online worship! newsalemlutheran.org/online-worship.html

Each week, we will post a YouTube link to our mini-service and the companion worship guide PDF.

New Salem Lutheran Church Council Minutes August 17, 2020

Present: Howie Schultz, Marge Danielson, Linda Wolden, Mike Moen, Katrina Gregor, Lisa Hofstad. Absent: Janet Tiegen, Carol Daniels, Dave Johnson.

Approval of Agenda Howie asked to add lawnmowing to the agenda. The revised agenda was approved. Marge Danielson/ Linda Wolden. Approval of Meeting Minutes The July minutes were approved. Lisa Hofstad/Mike Moen. Pastor's Report No pastor’s report as Pastor Terry is on vacation. Financial Report - Linda Wolden, Treasurer Linda submitted the written financial report. Mike requested the additional financial report in the format showing our actual income/expenses versus budgeted income/expenses. Linda will ask Traci to prepare that and send it out via email. There was discussion about reaching out personally to the congregation checking in and let them know how we are doing financially. We are currently in a good place financially. Financial Report Approved. Mike Moen/Marge Danielson PPP Loan: Regarding the forgiveness of the loan, the SBA has everything on hold. The bank will send a message when there is an update. We still do not know if any or all of the loan will be forgiven. Even if it is not forgiven, we are hold-ing our own financially. Last month, we approved $250 to Pathways camp because of the hardship brought on by the pandemic and cancelled programming. This was an exception to the decision we made in February to keep benevolence out of the general fund. This was a one-time gift due to the current situation. There was discussion and agreement that we should make a plea for benevolence giving in October. Old Business: No old business. New business: Traci received a complaint about the church lawn and lack of mowing and upkeep. Howie and Pastor Terry visited the individual that made the complaint to ensure them that we would resume cutting more of the ditches/easement as had been done previously. Howie is meeting with the housekeeping staff at Sanford Health to get information on how to clean/disinfect appropri-ately when church resumes. Howie is also reaching out to MN Dept. of Health, Sanford Health, and Beltrami County Public Health to determine best time for opening New Salem. There was a suggestion that we could do the rummage sale, as many have given items ready. There was discussion that we did not want to encourage gathering at the church for the rummage sale when we still did not have services. Lisa Hofstad made a motion to hold off on planning a rummage sale until next spring/summer. Linda Wolden seconded; motion carried. Mike Moen made a motion to adjourn the meeting/Linda Wolden seconded. Submitted by Lisa Hofstad

On Sunday, Sept. 13, congregations will observe “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. This year our church — and our world — are living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing has changed the way we worship and serve. But the need is great, and God’s church is at work.

Acts of service can happen anywhere: you might contribute to an online project from your home or volun-teer in person, keeping a safe physical distance and wearing a mask. As church, we are guided by our life in Christ to share the love of Jesus and serve our neighbors — even if such acts of service look different this year.

In these days of COVID-19, instead of focusing on a single “day” of service, we’re going to offer you some opportunities to be of service during September. Unless you’ve been living on another planet these past 6 months, you know of many, many groups/organizations that can use your help during the pandemic. Please reach out to one or more of them this month and offer your helping hands or your financial support as we all do God’s work.

Here are a couple of ways that you can help while wearing your mask and physically distancing:

Donate cake mixes and frosting to our Birthday Bag Project (see P. 4 of this newsletter)

Help with the Highway clean-up

Write cards or letters, or send care packages. Express your gratitude for emergency workers, teach-ers, frontline health care workers, postal and delivery workers, those in the military, and all essential workers, remembering especially members of our congregation.

Call or video-call seniors or those who are homebound or isolated.

Do yard work around the church grounds.

Do a “virtual” Alzheimer’s walk. (see P. 6 for more details.)

Watch the weekly announcements for dates and times for activities.

Lutheran Disaster Response Wild Fires Fueled by a heat wave and ignited by lightning strikes, dozens of wildfires have erupted across California. At least four people have died, tens of thousands of people are under evacuation orders and more than 1 million acres have burned. Lutheran Disaster Response is in engaging with Lutheran Social Services of Southern California and Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, along with the three California synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California and Pacifica), to assess the situation and determine the best ways to respond. We expect immediate needs to include food and other life necessities, as well as emotional and spiritual care for those who have been traumatized. Hurricanes It’s shaping up to be one of the most active hurricane seasons on record. Hurricane Laura is the 4th hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast this season. NOAA says that the nation should prepare for between 13 and 19 named storms -- an abnormally active hurricane season -- threatening lives and homes. Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to ac-companying hurricane survivors on the long road to recovery. We provided long-term recovery to survivors of many hurricanes that have struck over the last few years. Long-term recovery for hurricanes often includes helping people rebuild their damaged homes and providing other support. Please pray for the communities that lie in the paths of wildfires in California and hurricanes along the coast. May God's healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Pray that God will deliver comfort to those who mourn and strength to those working diligently to care for communities affected by fire and hurricanes. Your gifts will support wildfire and hurricane survivors.

To give: Make checks payable to Lutheran Disaster Response. Write “U.S. Wildfires” or "Hurricane Response" on your check's memo line and send to: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America OR send checks to New Salem and we’ll send it on for you P.O. Box 1809 OR Call 800-638-3522 to make a donation with a credit card. Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 Operators are ready to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central Time.

Remember all the fun we had last year making Birthday Bags for our Food Shelf?!

Well, we’re going to do it again .. COVID-19 style. Despite the pandemic, people still have birthdays and it’s even more important to brighten

their days and let them know that folks still care. But because we can’t physically be together, we’re going to do things a bit differently this time.

We still have lots of empty bags and we already have bottles of oil and birthday candles for the bags. The Food Shelf supplies eggs.

What we need from YOU are cake mixes (9x13 size) in

chocolate, yellow, or white and tubs of frosting (15-16 oz size).

We prefer the frosting be Funfetti so it comes with sprinkles (chocolate, white, fun colors).

Bins will be available just inside the church doors so you can safely

drop off your donations. Hours are Tues-Fri 9AM—3PM We’ll be collecting until Friday, September 25th

with a goal of filling at least 75 bags!

Thanks to Thrivent Financial for their Action Team support.

Readings for the Sundays in September SEPTEMBER 6: Ezekiel 33:7-11; Psalm 119:33-40; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 SEPTEMBER 13: Genesis 50:15-2; Psalm103:1-13; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 SEPTEMBER 20: Jonah 3:10-4:11; Psalm 145:1-8; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16 SEPTEMBER 27: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32

Who are these masked people and can you identify them?

August 5th, we gathered for cupcakes and ice cream to celebrate Kevin’s retirement.

Bring your bible and folding chair and come join us at 9:30 AM on Mondays to discuss the readings for the following Sunday. See P. 4 for a list of the readings for the month. While the weather is nice, we can be outside with appropriate physical distancing. In case of rain, we can move inside to a large area that still allows distancing.

New Salem’s Highlighted Mission Partner for September 2020

God’s Work, Our Treasure—September 2020

This month New Salem is lifting up the work of The Walk to End Alzheimer’s and

the Alzheimer’s Association. New Salem is pledging its support to John’s Team,

composed of Jason, Jaimee, Parker, and Crosby. Walking in memory of their

recently departed father/grandfather, John Hendrikson, this team is hoping to

raise at least $1,000 to support the work of the Alzheimer’s Association.

To give to this important cause, you can link to their Walk to End Alzheimer’s pledge page

OR you can, during the month of September, write a check to New Salem Lutheran Church,

noting “Alzheimer’s Walk” in the message line, and mail it to New Salem Lutheran Church, 7491

Island View Drive NE, Turtle River, MN 56601.

Please prayerfully consider how you might support the work of this important cause.

This month we highlight the upcoming (Saturday, September 19) Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the many people who walk to raise money to support the work of the Alzheimer’s Association. A global organization, working to advance care, support and research across the world the Alzheimer's Association:

• provides care and support to all those facing Alzheimer's,

• drives research toward treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure, and

• speaks up for the needs and rights of people affected by Alzheimer's.

You can support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Alzheimer’s Association in several ways:

• Start (or join) a team that plans to participate in the September 19 Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

• Pledge your financial support to a participant in the September walk.

* * Every dollar raised benefits those affected by Alzheimer's disease in our community. * *