The Galilean Log

April 2013

From the Pastor’s Desk

The Gift of an Empty Tomb

The cross is a powerful image. You see it appear in the strangest places sometimes. I have seen it displayed as earrings, necklaces, tattoos, bumper stickers, window decals - in more configurations than I can count. In some cases it has been a statement of faith, in others nothing more than a popular decoration. Sometimes it has been meant to inspire faith, at other times it has even been used to incite hatred and violence.

But as powerful as the cross is as an image to inspire, the empty tomb bears witness to the true power and meaning of the cross. For the cross is a symbol of death, the empty tomb a symbol of resurrection. The cross is a symbol of sacrifice, the empty tomb a symbol of redemption. The cross is a symbol of grief and sorrow, the empty tomb a symbol of joy, rebirth, new life.

What we need to remember is that the cross and empty tomb are not two separate images, but must be seen together to truly understand either one. Without the empty tomb, the cross would have been the end of the story of Jesus. It would have been nothing more than a tragic story of injustice and cruelty in history and likely would have been forgotten centuries ago. And without the cross the empty tomb would be just that, empty, without meaning.

Together they are God's plan of salvation for us.

The cross is not Jesus' cross, it is mine. It is the cross that I deserved, not him. His death is in payment for my sin. His suffering is a result of my iniquity. His blood is shed for my transgressions. And there is nothing I could ever do that would make me so righteous as to deserve what Christ did for me on the cross.

Joy and amazement come in that if the cross is mine, then the empty tomb is mine as well. “For if we have been united with Jesus in a death like his, we shall surely be united with Jesus in a resurrection like his.” - Romans 6:5. The empty tomb on Easter Sunday morning is God's eternal gift of grace and love. And that gift is given to all.

God's love is unconditional: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9

Faith is the hand that receives the grace of God. The salvation that God accomplished through the cross and empty tomb is a gift for everyone who will receive it. It is water for those who thirst, food for the starving, clothing for the naked, shelter for the homeless, life for the dying. Easter is the breath of heaven breathed into our weary souls that brings us life.

May the joy and peace of the empty tomb be yours this Easter and every day of your life.

Pastor Scot McCluskey

Galilean Lutheran Church, Clear Lake

From the Stewardship Commission

The Stewardship Committee, consisting of Sandy Gunnerson, Dick Price and Fred Petersburg met with Pastor Nancy Larson of the Northeastern Iowa Synod on February 18, at the church. Janeil Olson was unable to attend. Also present were Billy Olson, Jerry Gunnerson, Paula Petersburg and Pastor Scot.

Pastor Larson was invited to share her thoughts on how an effective stewardship ministry could be developed. She shared her past experiences in various congregations and church roles regarding stewardship. One of the “take-aways” for me was that an effective stewardship ministry starts with a strong mission emphasis. In other words, the more members can be motivated to “live out” their faith, the more generous they will be in their giving of time, talent and money.

She warned against too much of an emphasis on asking members to give “to meet the budget” or to solve a financial issue. These strategies usually fail to motivate.

Pastor Larson left a number of issues of Giving magazine for our review and a copy of the book Ask, Thank, Tell. We have since purchased the book for the church.

Pastor Larson strongly recommended we consider joining the Ventures Workshop series sponsored by the Northeastern Iowa Synod. This is a four part series for ELCA congregations looking to build a strong biblical foundation for annual financial response and year-round stewardship ministry. This series starts with a five hour workshop on Saturday, April 6, and then is followed by three more workshops in August, November, and January. We have since gained approval from the Council to do this.

All Commission Meeting

Sunday, April 7

11:00 am

This meeting is for ALL members of All Commissions to talk about upcoming events for the next three months. Topics will include: VBS,

Happy April Birthday to: 

1^st: Kevin Olson; 4^th: Al Foss; 7^th: Lori Jurgens; 12^th: Eric Hahn, John Sorensen; 13^th: Gene Hanson; 14^th: Angie Moore; 16^th: Jennifer Fuller; 18^th: Karlen Lu, Mike Eddy; 19^th: Amy Pralle;

21^st: Caeleb Branstad, Scot Sorensen; 24^th: Lauren Wirtz; 26^th: Lorraine Hoffman; 27^th: Pam Foss;

29^th: Zach Welper; 30^th: Brady Kuhlemeier

February 2013 Financial Statistics

Regular Giving: $9,959.25                                     Memorials Received: $270.00                                      Congregational Life: $44.85                                    Designated Giving: $798.70

Interest Income: $0

Total Incoming: $11,072.80

Operating Expense: $10,611.53                  CLB& T Prin Loan Paymt: $395.11

            Memorial Funds used: $0             Designated Funds used: $293.15

              Total Outgoing: $11,299.79

Designated Giving Received:  $26.55 World Hunger    $20.00 Praise Band/Music

$10.00 Offering Envelopes   $742.15 Lenten Service Offering

Designated Funds Used:  $276.55 World Hunger    $16.60 Global Barnyard

Checking Account Balance 2/28/2013: $4,409.71

LINE OF CREDIT LOAN: In February the Line of Credit Loan ($14,308.34) and the existing long term loan ($38,021.45) were rolled into a new loan with a lower interest rate (5.75%) allowing our monthly payment to remain at $600.00.

Memorial Funds Facilitator’s Report

February 2013

$10,094.76 Balance

February Memorial Funds Received:  $240 Roger Gulick    $20 Cliff Stephenson      $25 Arno Olson

The following funds are available:

$695.15 in the Memorial Fund is for Lenten supper giving. It was deposited in this account by mistake and will be moved to the General Fund in March.       

 Joyce Clayton, Janeil Olson, Sally Litterer

Here’s Who’s Doing What for Worship and Fellowship April 2013

Sunday, April 7

Accompanist: Brenda Bonnstetter 

Worship Assistant: Marilyn Chalgren

Reader: Jan Fynskov

Communion Prep: Janet Hahn

Communion Servers: Lou Stealy

Jerry Gunnerson, Brad Bonin

Usher/Greeters:  Gary and Janet Hahn

Coffee Hosts: Lu Youth

Sunday, April 14

Accompanist: Sonja Backer

Worship Assistant: Kelsey Litterer

Reader: Lisa Welper

Usher/Greeters:  Mike and Deb Fatland

Coffee Hosts: Brad and Louanne Bonin

Sunday, April 21

Accompanist: Jackie Swanson/Praise Band

Worship Assistant: Melinda McCluskey

Reader: Jerry Gunnerson

Communion Prep: Sharon Ryg

Communion Servers Marilyn Chalgren, Susan Starrett, Kelli Gapinski

Usher/Greeters: Ruth Topp

Coffee Hosts: Gary and Brenda Bonnstetter

Sunday, April 28

Accompanist: Megan Gapinski

Worship Assistant: Dale Kroon

Reader: Kelli Gapinski

Usher/Greeters: Rod and CeCe Fuller

Coffee Hosts: Vonnie Reicherts, Julie Rickard

Bread/Juice for the month: Ruth Topp

April Community Kitchen

Your help is needed! We are scheduled to serve for the Community Kitchen the week of April 8^th. Meals are served on Monday the 8^th and Friday the 12^th at Zion Lutheran and on Wednesday the 10^th at the Senior Center. Volunteers should arrive at 4:30 pm to prepare and serve the meal. Generally, you will be done by 6:15 pm. If you can help, please sign up at worship or call the church office by April 7^th. Two to three people are needed for each day. Thank youl.

                                                                        CeCe Fuller, Social Concerns Commission

Council Meeting Minutes March 12, 2013

The Galilean Church Council met Tuesday March 12, 2013. Meeting was called to order by President Jerry Gunnerson. Present: Jerry Gunnerson, Paula Petersburg, Cece Fuller, Fred Petersburg, Linda Hopper, Lisa Welper, Pastor Scot McCluskey. Absent: Deb Fatland, Sally Litterer, Kelsey Litterer, Bob Johnson, Jackie Swanson, Mike Eddy, Kelli Gapinski.

Devotions were led by Linda Hopper.

Agenda was approved with flexibility.

Reading of the February minutes was waved, minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report was presented and approved.

Office Report: Marilyn will cover Mondays and Tuesdays while Karen is recuperating. Pastor Scot will contact Shelley Turner about doing the April Log and see about the bulletins.

Sunday evening worship was discussed. The attendance at the evening service has been very low for a number of years (averaging 4 or 5 in worship, including the pastor). In an attempt to encourage more people to attend we moved the service to Thursday nights in 2012. Because of complaints it was moved back to Saturdays in June of 2012. The worship commission recommended discontinuing the evening service due to continued low attendance. At the August council meeting it was decided to have the evening worship service on Sundays at 5 pm on a 2 month trial basis for September and October. At the September council meeting Pastor Scot encouraged the council to extend that trial for 6 months saying 2 months was not enough time to see if Sunday evening would be a viable option. Because attendance at the evening service continued at the same level, a motion was passed to continue the Sunday evening worship through Palm Sunday then discontinue.

Property Report: We need to add breaker boxes to handle the power load to the furnace in the Education Wing. Mike and Jerry are working with electricians to come up with a plan to make sure our building is safe.

Financial Secretary/Stewardship Report: Fred will order offering envelopes for 2014 from a different company to save money, also will include GLC logo and specific “Debt Reduction” envelopes. Our Thrivent rep. has offered to meet with Thrivent members during coffee some Sunday to explain the “Thrivent Choice” program through which members can dedicate their fraternal benefit dollars to Galilean. We discussed that this cannot be a sales pitch but is intended to help Galilean benefit from this Thrivent program. The stewardship commission met with Pastor Nancy Larson from the Synod office to talk about how to improve our stewardship program. Motion was passed to authorize the $350 fee to participate in the “Stewardship Ventures” program of the Synod, first meeting will be Saturday April 6^th.

Worship and Music Report: Plans are being made for Holy Week and Easter, volunteers are being recruited for a dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel for March 24^th, the choir will practice the 20^th after service to sing on the 24^th, Linda is looking for volunteers for special music. Look for ads in the Mirror Reporter, we have asked that they appear on the lower right portion of the back page of either section.

published a study titled “UN-Christian” that concluded that youth in America view Christians as “hypocritical,” “insensitive,” and “judgmental;” saying that in their view Christians don’t act very much like Jesus. The latest research comes from “The National Study of Youth and Religion:” a multi-year, multi-phase study designed to help understand the religious lives of American youth from adolescence into young adulthood. The Lutheran magazine has recently included numerous articles describing results of these studies and helping congregations understand their implications. Pastor distributed information regarding all this to the council and asked them to read it in order to continue the discussion at the April meeting.

New Business: Jackie Swanson has resigned as Learning Commission rep. on the council, and due to Melinda McCluskey’s job at Our Savior Lutheran in Mason City we are greatly in need of someone to head the learning commission. Council members were asked to help recruit someone for this position.

Lenten Offering will go to Lutheran World Relief to be used where needed most.

Next meeting will be Tuesday April 9, 2013. Lisa Welper will lead devotions.

The meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Old and New Testament  Bible Study of Women who have changed  lives

The third Tuesday of each month 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Galilean Lutheran. All are welcome to join in at any time. The next study is April 16.

Weight Management

Support Group

will meet once in April  - Thursday, April 4 from 3 – 4:30 pm.

Care Providers Support Group

will meet Monday, April 8 from 3 – 4:30 pm.

 Please remember in your prayers

Terri Austin, Dick Becker, Dave Clayton, Sandi Davis, Mary Ann Flaten, Pam Foss, Karen Holm, Dale Kroon, Marlys McCluskey, Maxine Shropshire

Our Men in the Military  

Cole Fatland    Andrew Branstad  Mathias Morris            Calvin Bast

Click here for the April 2013 Calendar