The Galilean Log
August 2011
By
Faith He Set Out
It
is so good to be here, to be settling in as pastor of Galilean. I was planning
to get my feet wet testing out the waters here in Clear Lake, but God had other
plans. So I am jumping in head first trusting that God is faithful always
and all ways.
Coming
to Galilean has brought to mind Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham obeyed when
he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance;
and he set out, not knowing where he was going.” Not that I can compare to
Abraham in faithfulness, but like Abraham I have answered God’s call to go (or
in this instance come) to Galilean.
The
advantage I have over Abraham is that I heard a great deal about the wonderful
people of Galilean. I had the opportunity to come to Clear Lake, tour the town,
meet the call committee, make a decision based on a great deal of information.
But like Abraham, the most important thing was this: God said come to Galilean.
So here I am. And I am very glad to be here.
Some
items of information, and answers to a few questions people have asked.
I
will be taking Monday as my day off. On occasion I will need to take a different
day off, depending on what is happening at Galilean. For instance, if someone
requests to schedule a funeral on a Monday I would then take a different day off
that week. The most important thing for you to know is that if you need me, I am
here for you. My cell phone # is 563.580.8194 and our home phone # is
641.357.0360. If you have an emergency please do not hesitate to call. If I
don’t answer, please leave a message.
A
few people have asked why we changed from having the congregation pray the
Prayer of the Day together. The “Prayer of the Day” traditionally known as
the “Collect,” is the opening prayer of the worship service. This prayer is
designed to bring us together (collect us) and focus our worship on the Word of
scripture for the day. Traditionally there was a single set of prayers, one for
each Sunday of the year. In the new hymnal (the ELW) there are three years worth
of prayers written to lift up the focus of the day for each of the Sundays in
the 3-year lectionary. When the worship leader prays the prayer on behalf of the
congregation it unites us as a single worshipping body in prayer.
Another
difference you may notice is: I prefer to receive communion first rather than at
the end. Two reasons for this, I need the forgiveness of the sacrament as much
or more than anyone else. It gives me joy to know that having been forgiven I
can then share that blessing with you in worship. Also, Barclay wrote in the
“Daily Study Bible” that in Roman times spies infiltrated the Christian
gatherings and would seek to arrest the leaders to try to get rid of the
Christian “Movement.” In Roman culture the most important person was always
served first at any meal. So they surmised that whoever took communion first
must be the leader, and would arrest that person and take them away to prison.
This had the effect of making everyone afraid to be the first to commune, and
therefore no one would receive the sacrament. So the leaders began communing
first to both protect the others and insure that they need not fear to receive
the gift of grace in the sacrament.
It
always takes time to get to know each other. I will be working hard to fit in at
Galilean, but I know that there are some things I will do differently than they
were in the past. Please feel free to ask me if you notice that I am doing
something different. It may simply be that I don’t realize I have changed
something. Thank you to those of you who have already been of great help getting
me acclimated to Galilean.
Your brother in Christ, Pastor Scot.
I would like to begin by welcoming Pastor
Scot, Melinda and Anna to Galilean! Sorry that the LOG is a little later this
month. There were many things going on here at Galilean that took priority.
Pastor Scot began his call with two funerals in the same week. My thoughts and
prayers go out to Ilse & Jo Ann’s families during this time. I would not
have been able to write this last week, as I also lost a dear friend during the
week. As I contemplated things, I looked at my bible that I got from the ELCA
Youth Gathering and found this scripture: Romans 8:26. “Likewise the Spirit
helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that
very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”
God Bless each and every one of you and your
families ~
Leanne Hicks
Our
Shut In
Dick
Becker
Those
who are ill
Barb
Goettel
Those
who Mourn
The
Family of
Ilse
Bruntjen
The
Family of
Jo
Ann Shallberg
Our
Men in the Military
Cole
Fatland
Andrew
Branstad
Chris
Sorensen
Mathias
Morris
Vice President Jerry
Gunnerson called the meeting to order. Members present: Connie Bieber, Louanne
Bonin, Cece Fuller, Dan Gapinski, Kelli Gapinski, Bob Johnson, Sally Litterer,
and Wayne & Amy Pralle.
A motion was made to approve the agenda,
seconded and motion carried. May’s council meeting minutes were approved,
seconded and motion carried with the following additions: 4 new members were
accepted into our Galilean Family. Mark & Twylah Kragel, and Lauren &
Kayla Simonson.
Jerry Gunnerson read
the Pastor’s report by Randy Nielsen
Sally Litterer presented
the Treasurer’s report. A motion was made to approve the treasurer’s report,
motion seconded and carried.
The following commissions were present
and reported:
Congregational Life ~ Bev Clapsaddle reported the
Galilean Gals luncheon was held with a good turn out. Graduation and New Member
cakes were ordered from Hy Vee where there is a account available.
Evangelism ~ Bob
Johnson reported that the Evangelism committee is looking out for visitors at
Galilean and to welcome them, visit with them and invite them to our fellowship
after the service. Also the committee will be doing a follow up with the in a
personal way, dropping them a note and welcoming them to Galilean. The committee
is open for new ideas to make our church more visible to the public. Suggestions
made were having a movie night or having a booth at “Thursdays on Main” in
Clear Lake. Bob offered to do a Temple talk on Evangelism.
Learning ~
Louanne Bonin reported that “Cans for Cows” will be held the month of July
for our Heifer Project. Galileans are encouraged to drop off old pop cans each
Sunday in July. The Sunday school children have made banks for our church
members to collect “Coins for Cows”. They will be distributing them to
anyone interested in helping us out with this project. We select the animals we
ant to purchase for Heifer International in December.
Property ~
Jerry Gunnerson shared a written report by Jeff Stealy. The work day was a
success inside and outside the church. The shrubs have been trimmed down around
the cross and will be removed by Dave Hopper. New plantings will be placed. The
cross and the bell will be painted. The roof project will be done on July 15.
Members are needed to help tear off the old shingles and help with the clean up.
Wayne Pralle will be assisting this project. Our youth are encouraged to
participate.
Social Concerns ~ Cece Fuller reported that the
ditch clean up with be on June 26. the DOT has furnished us with new vests this
year.
Stewardship ~
Connie Bieber share that the Stewardship Commission is planning in home meetings
for every adult member of the congregation the week of September 18-25. These
meetings will allow us to become better acquainted in a small group setting.
They will be limited to 10 people. Refreshments of cookies, bars and coffee will
be served. We will ask Pastor Scot to hopefully attend each one giving him an
opportunity to meet members of the
congregation on a more personal level. It will also provide a comfortable
setting for members to share their dreams and concerns for Galilean. A
Stewardship commission member will be at each meeting to facilitate
conversation.
Financial facts and the new Time &
Talent sheets will be available. Posters and sign up sheets will be made
available for these meetings. The commission members will be calling all members
who do not sign up.
Worship ~
Dan Gapinski reported that the next worship schedule is completed.
Youth ~
Wayne Pralle reported that registration for the Youth Conference for next summer
is October 9th. A possibility of 15 youth may be attending. The cost is $315/per
youth… In June the youth went miniature golfing and out for ice cream.
Overnight camping @ Galilean is planned for July 9-10.
Youth at Large ~ Kelli Gapinski reported on the
NE Iowa Synod Assembly and Malaria project. She may be attending a youth
conference at Luther College with an emphasis on how to get more youth involved
in your church.
Old Business ~
Bob Johnson reviewed the policy of renting Galilean.
New Business ~ Dan Gapinski reported on the NE Iowa Synod
Assembly sharing more information on the “Anti-malaria” campaign. Dan has
CD’s to share on various topics such as world hunger, bullying and our
veterans. They are available for anyone’s use.
Events to look forward to at Galilean in July
are: July 10 an outdoor worship and potluck picnic. July 17, Pastor Randy
Nielsen’s farewell. July 24, will be the installation of Pastor Scot McCluskey
at Galilean. Worship and a catered brunch are planned. Post cards will be sent
out.
Our next council meeting will be
Tuesday, July 12 with Marilyn Chalgren leading devotions.
The meeting was adjourned with the
Lord’s prayer.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Louanne Bonin, Secretary
Regular
Giving: $10,294.00
Designated Giving: $655.80
Memorials Received: $1,685.00
Congregational Life: $226.83
Interest Income: $9.36
Total
Incoming: $12,870.99
Operating
Expense: $8,513.14
CLB&T Prin. Loan Pymt.: $361.89
Designated Giving Paid Out: $383.30
Memorial Funds Used: $0
Total
Outgoing: $9,228.13
Designated
Giving Received
$355.80
Mosquito Nets for Malaria Project
$100.00 Order of St. Luke
$200.00 Roof Project
Memorials
Received
$1,060.00
In Memory of Betty Wind
$75.00 In Memory of Lois Wangberg
$550.00
All
of these Memorials are undesignated
Designated
Giving Paid Out
$355.80 Mosquito Nets $27.50
Order of St. Luke
Average
Attendance 2010:
92
Average Attendance 2011:80
Respectfully
Submitted, Sally Litterer, Treasurer
From Stewardship
The Stewardship Commission is thankful
for those people who agreed to be hosts for our September Meet and Greet
gatherings. These meetings will be
held September 18-25, and will be in private homes or at the church and will be
limited to 10 adults per home. They will provide an opportunity for sharing, for
getting better acquainted with the people beside us in worship and we will also
have the chance to meet with Pastor Scot in a small group setting. We hope to
involve every adult member of the congregation. There will be Sign Up Sheets
available SOON!
Calling all peoples who love to sing
and want to be in our Choir!! We will be practicing at 7:45 am, and sing
at the 9:15 am worship! Here are the dates for you to mark on your calendar and
join us: Sunday, August 21; Sunday, September 11; Sundays October 16 and 30;
Sunday November 20 and Sundays December 11 and 18. All are welcome!!
Thanks!! Jackie Swanson
Bell Choir will
begin practices on Wednesday evening September 14th at 7:00 pm. All members are
welcome to join us… it is a lot of fun!
We
will be collecting filled shoeboxes staring in November! Now is great time to be
on the lookout for deals on school supplies. Check your Sunday newspaper ads and
stock up! I will also be calling in August to set a date to work at the
distribution site in the Minneapolis area so if you are interested in going this
year let me know asap. I will keep you posted on the date chosen. It is usually
the week before or after the week of Thanksgiving. The only restriction is you
must be 14 years old.
Happy
August Anniversary!!
Bob
& Rosalie Olson ~ August 2
Dave & Linda Hopper ~ August 6
Randy
& Lezlee Ohrt ~ August 14
Kim & Deb Brastrom ~ August 15
Ron
& Sonnee Steveson ~ August 17
Fred & Paula Petersburg ~ August 19
Kevin
& Vicky Olson ~ August 23 Clay &
Susan Starrett ~ August 31
Sunday,
August 7
Accompanist:
Brenda
Bonnstetter
Worship
Assistant:
Larry Eichmeier
Acolyte:
Luke
Brandt
Reader:
Dick
Price
Communion
Prep: Joyce
Price
Communion
Servers: Wayne
& Amy Pralle, Larry Eichmeier
Usher/Greeters:
Greg
& Deb Hanson
Coffee
Hosts: Bonnstetter
youth
Sunday,
August 14
Accompanist:
Linda
Hopper
Worship
Assistant: Kelsey
Litterer
Acolyte:
Bryce
Olson
Reader:
Jim
Latham
Usher/Greeters:
Duane
& Joye Petersen
Coffee
Hosts: Rae
& Connie Bieber
Sunday,
August 21
Accompanist:
Brenda
Bonnstetter
Worship
Assistant: Dale
Kroon
Acolyte:
Zachary
Suby
Reader:
Karen
Holm
Communion
Prep: Mike
Eddy
Communion
Servers:
Joanne Stollenwerk, Joyce Price, Louanne Bonin
Usher/Greeters:
Dick
Olson,
Lauren
& Kayla Simonson
Coffee
Hosts: Dave
& Linda Hopper
Sunday,
August 28
Accompanist:
Jane
Taylor
Worship
Assistant:
Dick Olson
Acolyte:
Hannah
Whelan
Reader:
Sonnee
Steveson
Usher/Greeters:
Dennis
& Barb Rinnels
Coffee
Hosts: Bill
& Janeil Olson
Video
Cam for August: Leah
Bonnstetter
The
Prayer Shawl ladies will be meeting on
Monday,
August 8 at 3:00 pm here at the church!! Do you love to knit or crochet? This is
the group for you!! All are welcome!
From
the Christian Church ~
Our Thanks go out to...and Thanks from …..
To ~ Mike
& Deb Fatland, Fred Petersburg, Gary & Brenda Bonnstetter and Cecilia
Fuller for doing the Highway Ditch clean up in June!!
To ~ Fred Petersburg, Bob Johnson, Joanne
Stollenwerk, Rae, Connie & Mark Bieber, Chuck & Bev Clapsaddle, Dick
Olson, Jerry Gunnerson, Louanne Bonin, Al Oines, Kelli Gapinski & Marilyn
Chalgren...and any others who helped! With the roofing project in July!!
To ~ Thanks to all who helped with the
farewell service of Pastor Randy and for the welcoming brunch for Pastor Scot
& his family!! We had a great turnout and great food. In the midst of losing
Ilse, we still could celebrate. I think she would have appreciated it!
To ~ Marilyn Chalgren, Cece Fuller, Sonnee
Steveson and Sharon Ryg for serving at Community Kitchen in July!!
To ~ Rosalie Olson for her project of
recovering the chair pads on the chairs that sit at the front of the church!!
Thanks!
To ~ Bob Johnson, Bev Clapsaddle, Leanne
Hicks, Sharon Ryg & Louanne Bonin for your help in the IFCA Ice Cream
Social!
Click here for the August 2011 Calendar