The Galilean Log
April 2011
From the Pastor
One of my
favorite days of the year is the first day of Spring. It’s not so much the day
itself that I like, or even the fact that it means that the
cold winter days are behind us. it’s more about favorable weather
ahead. Just the thought of being outdoors in the spring (filling my eyes with it
and breathing in the fresh air) gives me a bit more zip and energy.
In fact last
week I was able to for a walk in the woods for almost an hour. What a great
feeling that was. It felt so good to my body and for that while I felt
rich—like I as in paradise. And I realized again that our wealth comes in the
things that God gives.
Spring is here
now! The robins are already back. The grass is starting to turn green. Soon the
famers and gardeners will be busy in their fields/gardens. And I can’t help
but marvel at all ~ just like the psalmist who wrote in Psalm 8:
“O
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I look at the
heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have
established; what is the human being that you are mindful of us and care for us?
Yet you have made us little less than God and have crowned us with glory and
honor. You have given us dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all
things under out feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the
birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of
the sea. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!!”
Look around
you and enjoy the spring time ~ if you look, you can see God recreating the
world around us.
Pastor Randy
The Joyful Noise Community Ringers of
Clear Lake is a handbell ensemble which exists for the purpose of joyfully
sharing their love of handbells within, as well outside, our community. We seek
excellence in music making and are committed to bringing the message of
community to others through ringing joyfully!
The choir was started 4 years ago by
Diane Widick and Linda Jacobs who wanted to play handbells in other places
besides church. There are currently 10 members in the choir.
Be here!! Sunday, April 10th! They
will be ‘ringing out music to our ears’ during our 9:15 am worship service
with 2 songs: “Let All Things Now Living”; “On Eagles Wings”.
One of our own Galileans is a handbell
ringer with this group, Ruth Topp. We are excited about this event happening and
hope you will be too!!! It will definitely prove to be a morning full of music,
praise and glory.
Thanks!! The Worship Commission ~ Dan Gapinski, Marilyn Chalgren,
Karen Holm
and
Accompanists Brenda Bonnstetter,
Linda Hopper, Sonja Backer &
Jackie Swanson
As I sit and watch March Madness, I think how
quickly some people’s lives change. Some of these teams thought they were
going to be around playing for a long time. Some change is due to luck, some is
due to skill, some is just due to the circumstances. This is just like when the
Tsunami came through. I am sure that those people did not wake up in the morning
thinking that would be their last day. My hope is that the people that died in
Japan were at peace in their lives and ready to meet their maker, as we all
should be.
This all just makes me think that we should all
live every day to the fullest. My challenge to you is this: Pay It Forward! Do
something nice for someone. Let us all help someone in need this month, just
because. Be a good Samaritan and live life to the fullest!
Please read Luke 10:25-37.
God Bless!!
Thank
You for your continued support of the Soldiers of
B
Co. 334th BSB,
2nd
BG, 34th ID,
Iowa
Army National Guard!!!!
Gavin
Sandvig ~ Bagram Airfield, APO, AE 09354
The
Socks for Soldiers went to this unit last fall from the funds
raised at the Fall Harvest Festival Dinner!!
Please
see the personal signatures from the troops and the card and picture on the
front entry bulletin board here at church!!
THANKS
YOU GALILEANS!!!!
Our
Shut In
Dick
Becker
Those
who are ill
Barb
Goettel
Paula
Hicks
Ardee
Ahrendt
In
Mourning
The
family and friends of Sandra Fischer
Newborn
Jasper
Chipman
Son
of Andrew & Jamie (Sorensen) Chipman
Expecting
Eric
& Kim Reicherts
Our
Men in the Military
Cole
Fatland
Andrew
Branstad
Chris
Sorensen
Mathias
Morris
President Leanne Hicks called the meeting
to order. Members present: Connie Bieber, Louanne Bonin, Sue Brandt, Bev
Clapsaddle, Ce Ce Fuller, Sally Litterer, Wayne & Amy Pralle, and Jeff
Stealy.
Devotions were give by Connie Bieber.
Sally Litterer gave the Treasurer’s
Report. Wayne Pralle made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report and Sue
Brandt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
There was no Pastor’s Report.
Commission Reports:
Congregational Life: Bev
Clapsaddle reported that Valentines were sent out to our college youth and
servicemen. 15 members participated in the Progressive Dinner held on Feb. 26.
Another Progressive Dinner is planned for the end of April for all Galileans! An
upcoming event “Gals with Galilean” will be held on Saturday, May 21st with
a featured Ventriloquist, “Susie Q” as the program.
Evangelism: No Report
Learning: Sue Brandt reported that the
Sunday school children will be making hanging window decorations this year
instead of the window painting during the Easter season. Due to low numbers in
Sunday school and last year’s Vacation Bible School and the cost of
the EWALU team coming to help with VBS... rising to $1,200; this year’s plans are being made to
combine Vacation Bible School with the Christian Church this summer.
Property: Jeff Stealy reported that 3
circulating pumps had a power surge and had to be fixed. He will be meeting with
an electrician to install a power surge protector to prevent this from happening
again. New shelving off of the kitchen in the furnace room, have been installed
by Dave Bauer & Dick Olson. A meeting with the janitor to review her duties
was held. We will be keeping our janitor informed of church activities being
held; i.e. funerals, etc. An anonymous donation was made to replace the bathroom
sinks and counters in the bathrooms. Jeff will be meeting with Scot Sorensen in
regard to hanging a Galilean Lutheran Established sign. We will also be having
the church sprayed for bugs.
Stewardship: Connie Bieber reported that the
committee did not meet.
Parish Office: Leanne
Hicks reported that Karen Holm gave the deadline for April LOG articles to be
March 18.
Youth: Wayne Pralle reported about the
Youth’s Butter Braid sales and the Younker’s Community Days booklets. 3
Galilean youth attended LYO in Mason City. Galilean Youth will be having the
“Galilean Gala” Dinner @ Galilean on Sat. March 26. Tickets are available
until Sunday, March 13.
Correspondence: Leanne
Hicks shared a letter written by Sandy Christ in regard to IFCA and needs
identified by Sally Dusenberg in regard to needs of personal supplies for member
of our Clear Lake community. Leanne will contact Sally Dusenberg to possibly
come speak some Sunday @ Galilean.
New Business: Leanne Hicks reported that there
was no new business to discuss.
The next council meeting will be held
Tuesday, April 12 @ 7:00 pm. Leanne will contact Kelli Gapinski to lead
devotions.
The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s
Prayer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Louanne Bonin, Secretary
Regular
Giving: $12,586.75
Designated Giving: $20.00
Memorials
Received: $714.53
Congregational Life: $75.66
Interest
Income: $0
Operating
Expense: $12,889.05
CLB & T Principle Loan Payment: #354.34
Designated
Giving Paid Out: $20.00
Memorial Funds Used: $0
Memorial
Giving: $644.53 Galilean Women ~ Dorothy Thomsen
$30.00
Memory of Bob Ungs, Undesignated
$15.00
Memory of Myrt Hanson, Undesignated
$25.00 Memory of Myrt Hanson, Youth Group
Average
Attendance 2010: 98
Average Attendance 2011: 70
Respectfully,
Sally Litterer , Treasurer
The
month of April and Spring is upon us ~ come join in on all the fun
Lent/Easter Crafts we will be doing!!
April
3: Come
help decorate Sun Catchers for the front windows.
April
10: Come
help made the stained glass crossed for the front windows.
April
17: Palm
Sunday ~ come and make your own Palm Leaf. And we will be having a Easter Egg
Hunt!
April
24: Easter
~ NO Sunday school
Come!!
And join in on all these activities!
Youth
Notes to Note!!
Easter
Breakfast!! The
Youth will be serving an Easter morning Breakfast between the Sunrise & Main
Worship services (7:45 am) on Sunday, April 24. Yours to devour and enjoy will
be pancakes, little smokies, cinnamon rolls, coffee, milk & juice.
Thanks
to everyone who
bought Butterbraids or a Younkers Coupon Book! The Youth made $432 form the
Butterbraids sales and $340 from the Younkers Coupon books. Younker will also be
donating about $300 to the Youth Group!! The youth are raising money to go to
the 2012 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA. Your continued support
allows us to do much for Christ! Thanks!
You
are invited to an Eagle Court of Honor for Drew Sorensen on Sunday, April 17 at
4:00 pm at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave. N., Clear Lake, Iowa.
Save
these Dates!!
Progressive
Dinner on Saturday, April 30 for
Galileans! A sign up sheet will be on the back table. We will go to 3 or 4
homes, one for each course.
Spring
Luncheon for Galilean Women and their guests,
Saturday,
May 21 @ 12:30 pm. Special presentation by a Ventriloquist.
Watch for upcoming details!!
From IFCA
Sandy Christ is the new representative for IFCA
from St. Patrick’s Catholic church here in Clear Lake. She & her husband
have respected the work that IFCA does to support community action in a
cooperative way among the churches.
At the last IFCA meeting, the group heard a
presentation from Sally Dusenberg, Student and Family Services Provider from
Clear Lake Schools. Sally works on a one-to-one basis as a support for
struggling families with young children. Many of these families are in need of
assistance in accessing community services. Currently she is setting up an
inventory of supplies that can be used as needs arise. Her service to families
helps to insure that more children come to school without barriers to learning.
The IFCA representatives contributed $250 to
the Fund for Students and Families in Need in Clear Lake schools. The needs are
ongoing.
Sally will be at Galilean on Sunday, March 27
to give a Temple Talk on this to the congregation.
A list of needed supplies is posted on the
bulletin board in the front entry of the church, as well in the Bulletins as
inserts for March 27th.
Clear Lake has an excellent reputation for
volunteerism and a spirit of giving. Sandy is pleased to be a part of this
caring spirit. For more information and or questions, please call Sally
@641-357-5288 or Sandy @ 641-357-5568.
Galilean
is once again on the schedule to serve at Community Kitchen in April.
The
dates are: Monday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 20. There is NO Community Kitchen on
Friday,
April 22 as it is Good Friday.
The
sign up sheet will be on the table in the back of the sanctuary on April 10.
Thanks!!!
Birth
Announcement!!
Andrew
& Jamie (Sorensen) Chipman for Davenport, Iowa are pleased to announce the
birth of their son, Jasper Andrew, born February 18. He weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz and
was 20 1/2” long.
Grandparents are Scot & Dana Sorensen and Great Grandpa is Gene Hanson.
Everyone is doing well. Congratulations to all!
Thanks
Galileans’
A
heartfelt thank you to all who helped with the Myrt Hanson funeral. And to
Pastor Randy for officiating over the memorial service. Your love and support
of our family has been so comforting. Thank you for all the cards, kind words
and the hugs. God reminds us that he has a plan. “For everything there is a
season, and a time for every matter under heaven….” Ecclesiastes 3:1.
Having a church family has been such a blessing.
The
Myrt Hanson Family
Gene
Hanson
Dana
& Scot Sorensen Family
Steve
& Lori Hanson Family, Montana
Greg
& Deb Hanson Family
Tim
& Kelly Hanson Family, Kentucky
Sunday,
April 3
Accompanist:
Brenda Bonnstetter
Acolyte:
Luke Brandt
Worship
Assistant:
Vonnie Morris
Reader:
Kim Gapinski
Communion
Prep:
Kayla Bonnstetter, Joyce Carew
Communion
Servers:
Jack & Sandi Davis,
Deb
Fatland
Usher/Greeters:
Allen & Karen Holm
Coffee
Hosts:
Brandt/Stealy
Sunday,
April 10
Accompanist:
Linda Hopper
Acolyte:
Juel Hanson
Worship
Assistant:
Kayla Bonnstetter
Reader:
Billy Olson
Usher/Greeters:
Kim & Sue Dwyer
Coffee Hosts: Jim & Marcia Latham
Sunday,
April 17 ~ Palm Sunday
Accompanist:
Jackie Swanson
Acolyte:
Emma Whelan
Worship
Assistant:
Marilyn Chalgren
Reader:
Fred Petersburg
Usher/Greeters:
Jim & Denise Davis
Coffee
Hosts:
Jerry & Sandy Gunnerson
April 21 ~ Maundy Thursday
Accompanist:
Linda Hopper
Communion
Prep:
Kelsey Litterer
Communion
Servers:
Marilyn Chalgren,
Karen
Holm
Usher/Greeters:
Marilyn Chalgren, Joyce Carew
April
22 ~ Good Friday
Accompanist:
Brenda Bonnstetter
Usher/Greeters:
Bob & Lisa Welper
Sunday,
April 24 ~ Easter
Accompanist:
Brenda Bonnstetter
Acolyte:
Krystle Lu
Worship
Assistant:
Kelsey Litterer
Reader:
Jeff Stealy
Communion
Prep:
Mike Eddy
Communion
Servers:
Janeil Olson, Deb Brastrom,
Dick
Olson
Usher/Greeters:
Scot & Dana Sorensen
Video
Cam for April:
Brock & Dalton Brandt,
Eric
Hahn
Allen
& Karen Holm are this month’s Service Group Task leaders. If you have a
scheduling conflict please call Karen in the church office. Thanks!
The
Just Desserts Bible Study Group will not be meeting in April due to conflicts. They
will meet on Tuesday, May 3 @ 6:30 pm here at the church.
Jerry
& Sandy Gunnerson will be presenting information and pictures from their
recent trip to Israel!!
ALL ARE INVITED!!
A
huge thank you for everyone’s prayers, thoughts, concerns, and cards and
especially to the Prayer Shawl Ministry for the beautiful prayer shawl. I can
feel the prayers from you as I cover myself in the shawl.
My
new address is:
4513
Lisa Court, Montgomery, Al. 36106.
Sincerely, Ardee Ahrendt
To ~ Dave Bauer & Dick Olson for
their fine carpentry work building the new shelving on the wall in the furnace
room off of the kitchen!!
To ~ The anonymous donors for having
the installation of new bathroom counters and sinks to be done in the restrooms
soon!
To ~ Janeil Olson, Marilyn Chalgren
and any others who are coming in on Wednesdays and setting up the tables for our
Lenten Soup Suppers!!
To ~ Joyce Clayton, Janeil Olson and
Joyce Carew for covering the office the first week in March while I took
a refreshing vacation!! Karen Holm
From ~ A
very heartfelt thank you to my Galilean family for their prayers, cards and
support. It means so much! Also to Pastor Randy for his calls and coming to give
me communion. Love & Blessings to you all ~
Paula Hicks
From ~ Thank
you for the Prayer Shawl blanket. It is perfect for our new little girl, Mahlynn
Olson. Jennifer & Rusty Olson
Click here for the April 2011 Calendar