The Galilean Log

February 2011

From the Pastor

 

I heard a joke a while back: A Catholic priest, a Baptist pastor and a Lutheran pastor went out fishing in a boat one day. After fishing for several hours, the Catholic priest stood up and said, “Boy, I’m getting tired. I think I’ll take a walk." He stepped out of the boat, walked across the water, and after awhile came back.A bit later the Baptist pastor stood up and said “I’m getting tired too. I think I’ll take a walk.” So he stepped out of the boat and took a walk on the water.

Well, the Lutheran pastor didn’t want to appear to have little faith. So he mustered up all the faith he could, stood up, and announced that he was getting tired and was going to take a walk too. But when he stepped out of the boat he sank like a rock. At that point, the priest turned to the Baptist pastor and said, “Do you think we should tell him where the rocks are?”

Like that Lutheran pastor, we too try to muster up the faith to face our daily lives and we never seem to have enough. Our faith and works simply are not enough and therefore, as we realize this, it makes us all the more dependent on Christ.

As the hymn by Edward Mote says:

“My hope is built on nothing less Jesus’ blood and righteousness; merit of my own I claim, but wholly lean on Jesus” name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”

At every age in our life, there are new challenges and struggles that can bring us down. it is always helpful to keep our Christian perspective on life and trust that God will see us through.

Our hope comes in Jesus, thank God (We can lean on Him). As we step out on the waters of life, so to speak, the rock that hold us up is Jesus Christ. He paid with His blood that we might be set free!

Have a good day as you look to the solid rock of Jesus Christ!

Randy

From the President’s Desk

As I have sat down to write this article, I am contemplating the thoughts that are running through my head “what have you gotten yourself into?” Now that I am President, I must admit that I am overwhelmed. I keep thinking to myself “How am I going to know what to do? What if I forget something?” Then I think to myself, “This is Galilean!” I have been part of Galilean for over 20 years (minus a 3 year absence!). I have been a part of the council with Pastor John Beck, Pastor Peter Narum, and Pastor Jeff Ungs. I know first hand how great, forgiving, helpful, and compassionate Galileans are! So, as I step into my role of President of Galilean, I ask for all of your help with prayers, advice and guidance. Please help me with this important role! I look forward to serving this church, assisting Pastor Randy Nielsen, and helping in any way that I am able. As this will be posted on our webpage, I will not be putting my cell phone number here, but Karen will have it in the office. Please feel free to call me anytime with questions or concerns. Leave a message if I don’t answer, as I will not be available 24/7, but I do check messages frequently throughout the day.

I leave you with Psalm 25:1—5 ~

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord: teach me your paths: Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.”

 

God Bless,

Leanne Hicks

 

Council Minutes 1.11.2011

Present: Bob Johnson, Janeil Olson, Leanne Hicks, Kelsey Litterer, Sally Litterer, Susan Starrett, Amy Pralle, Wayne Pralle, Marilyn Chalgren, Connie Bieber, Pastor Randy Nielsen, Jeff Stealy, Sue Brandt, Vicki Whelan and Cece Fuller.

Absent: None.

 

The meeting was called to order by President Bob Johnson. Devotions were given by Bob Johnson.

 

Secretary’s Report: December council minutes were read by Kelsey Litterer and approved with Jeff Stealy’s motion, Sally Litterer seconded. Motion was approved.

 

Pastor’s Report: Pastor Randy has visited many of the shut-ins over the past month and oversaw the funerals of Karen Barrett & Dorothy Thomsen. Confirmation classes have once again began. The Confirmation kids will be studying the Small Catechism and will be serving at Community Kitchen.

 

Office Report: Karen thanks everyone for turning in their annual meeting reports. The Time & Talent sheets will be completed before the 2011 Council Retreat. Karen will be gone January 21 and January 24.

 

Stewardship: The committee has been planning events for the coming year. The Time & Talent sheets will be shared with the commissions.

 

Property: This commission is considering a $350-400 suspending ceiling over the kitchen area to alleviate the noises heard while church is still in session. Dan Stealy & Jeff Stealy will be installing the ceiling. Roofing may also be re-done this year. It was moved by Sally Litterer and seconded by Kelsey Litterer to have Culligan supply the water bottles. Motion was approved.

 

Evangelism: Nothing to report.

 

Learning: The commission has asked for the congregation’s opinion on whether the church should have an Advent or a Christmas Program for this year. Sue Brandt & Vicki Whelan are open to suggestions. Louanne Bonin will teach Sunday school in January with a focus on the Heifer Project.

 

Young Adult at Large: The youth group met on Sunday January 9. they are planning a formal dinner, christened “A Galilean Gala”. The date is set for March 26.

 

Youth: They will be selling tickets for the “A Galilean Gala” event. It was motioned by Sally Litterer and seconded by Kelsey Litterer that church that evening be held in the study so the youth can use the sanctuary. Motion was approved. The youth will also have a Butterbraid Fundraiser and will sell Younker’s Booklets at Younkers on Feb. 26.

 

Congregational Life: No report.

 

Social Concerns: The Oakwood Birthday party in December was a success!

 

Worship: No Report.

 

Correspondence: a young woman wrote to us about her mission she’ll be having in Tunisia. She asked for a donation towards food, education, etc. Connie Bieber made a motion and Leanne Hicks seconded to give her a $250 donation for one time. Motion approved.

Adam Starrett’s parish asked for donation towards a Christmas offering. It was motioned by Wayne Pralle and seconded by Leanne Hicks that we pass on donating. The motion was approved.

Leland Lutheran Church asked for a donation towards a $17,000 tractor to give for farming in Namibia to the Namibian Tractor Supply. On Feb. 6 from 12:30—1:30 pm an informational meeting will be at the church. Marilyn Chalgren moved and Jeff Stealy seconded that we give a $150 donation toward this. The motion was approved.

The ELCA will not have a synod disaster coordinator and will not fund local communities for the coming year.

Martin Bros. of Mason City will give Galilean a discount for having a line of credit.

 

Old Business: The Profile was endorsed as corrected by the council.

 

New Business: The topic of nametags has been tabled until the next meeting.

Dorothy Thomsen’s family gave a memorial fund to the church and the council discussed ideas on how to use it.

The Nominating committee 2012 will be Janeil Olson as chairperson, Bev Clapsaddle, and Mike Eddy.

Kelli & Dan Gapinski will be attending the Synod Assembly in June.

The next council meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 6:00 pm with a retreat here at the church. All NEW and OLD council members are invited!! There will be food!

 

Pastor Randy closed the meeting in prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted, Kelsey Litterer

 

Here’s Who’s Doing What for Worship in February 2011

Sunday, February 6

Accompanist: Brenda Bonnstetter

Acolyte: Luke Brandt

Worship Assistant: Dale Kroon

Reader: Dick Olson

Communion Prep: Wayne & Amy Pralle

Communion Servers: Kelsey Litterer, Louanne Bonin, Marilyn Chalgren

Usher/Greeters: Rae & Connie Bieber

Coffee Hosts: Drew Sorensen/Kassidy Hanson Youth

 

Sunday, February 13

Accompanist: Jackie Swanson

Acolyte: Jade Hanson

Worship Assistant: Dan Gapinski

Reader: Juel Hanson

Usher/Greeters: Jim & Denise Davis

Coffee Hosts: Bill & Janeil Olson

 

Sunday, February 20

Accompanist: Brenda Bonnstetter

Acolyte: Mary Andrews

Worship Assistant: Larry Eichmeier

Reader: Lisa Welper

Communion Prep: Janet Hahn

Communion Servers: Jim Latham, Janeil Olson, Leanne Hicks

Usher/Greeters: Leanne Hicks,

Dennis & Barb Rinnels

Coffee Hosts: Dave & Linda Hopper

 

Sunday, February 27

Accompanist: Linda Hopper

Acolyte: Hannah Whelan

Worship Assistant: Jim Latham

Reader: Janeil Olson

Usher/Greeters: Kevin & Mary Hanson

Coffee Hosts: Bob & Rosalie Olson

 

Video Cam for February: Drew Sorensen

& Kassidy Hanson

Special Thanks To ~

To ~ All who helped in any way for the funeral and luncheon of Dorothy Thomsen. Thank You!!

To ~ our Youth and their parents for their scrumptious soup and sandwiches they served us the day of the Annual Meeting, January 16th. Thank you!!

To ~ our incoming 2011 Council Members for saying ‘yes’ to serving Galilean this year!! Thank you!

 

Our Thanks Go Out To ~

The Galilean LOG

 

Our Homebound

Dick Becker

Sandra Fischer

 

Those who are ill

Barb Goettel

 

 

 

 

Recovering

Jim Latham

 

Recovering from surgery

Joye Petersen

 

 

In Mourning

The family of Myrt Hanson

The family of Betty Wind

 

Expecting

Eric & Kim Reicherts

 

Our Men in the Military

Cole Fatland

Andrew Branstad

Chris Sorensen

Mathias Morris

December 2010 Treasurer’s Report

Regular Giving: $8,443.00 Designated Giving: $425.56 Memorials Received: $0

Congregational Life: $26.54 Interest Income: $8.80

Total Incoming: $8,903.90

 

Operating Expense: $6,622.34 CLB&T Principal Loan Payment: $358.72

Designated Giving Paid Out: $1,786.57 Memorial Funds Used: $25.00

Total Outgoing: $8,792.63

 

Designated Giving Received in December

$179.75 Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank $220.81 Heifer Project

$25.00 Sunday school

$421.56 Total Designated Received

 

Average Attendance 2009: 104 Average Attendance 2010: 56

 

2010 Monthly Regular Giving:

January: $11,492.00; February: $11,857.12; March: $9,559.77; April: $13,720.00; May: $11,656.58;

June: $10,318.00; July: $11,837.55; August: $13,312.16; September: $8,751.66; October: $11,294.00;

November: $9,337.75; December: $8,443.00

 

Respectfully Submitted, Sally Litterer ~ Treasurer

Galilean Youth Crusaders Notes to Note

Feb. 20th: All interested youth will go skiing at Mt. Kato at Mankato, MN. We will leave right after church (10:30). Cost of skiing with rental and lift ticket will be $59. Bring food or money. Coolers are welcomed. Let Pralle’s or Welper’s know if you are going. If we have 15 or more ~ the price drops to $43.

Butterbraids are back! There are 8 flavors to choose from. They are $12 each. Orders will be collected until Feb. 6. Delivery will be Feb. 23. Butterbraids are simple to prepare and very delicious. Place your order with a member of the youth. I am challenging each youth family to sell at least 10 Butterbraids. Our goal is 250.

Community Day Event Coupon Books: these are on sale for $5. Younkers Community Day Event is Sat. Feb. 26, starting at 7:00 am. There is a coupon for $10 off a purchase plus many more deals. Your $5 goes directly to support the Youth Group ~ they get 100% of the sales from the coupon book. Our last Community Day Fundraiser the Youth

made $660! Our goal is to sell 200 booklets.

The Youth will be holding a formal dining experience on March 26th for all Galileans and friends. Tickets will be sold ahead of time. Stay tuned for more info. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to take your sweetheart and or friend out for an evening of elegant dining. (You’ll be helping the youth raise money for the Youth Gathering besides).

The 2012 Youth Gathering will be in New Orleans. Registration will start this year and we could have 12 or more youth attending from Galilean. We could need about $7,000 to cover registration, hotel, and transportation costs. It is an incredible experience for all who go.

 

Thank you!!

Wayne & Amy Pralle,

Bob & Lisa Welper,

Dana Sorensen

February 2011 Sunday School

Learn about all of God’s love! Visit Sunday School for an exciting month!!

 

Feb. 6th: Jesus Loves You ~ John 15:13

Feb. 13th: Happy Valentines Day: God’s Love ~ Mark 12:31

Feb. 20th: Jesus heals the paralyzed man ~ Mark 2:1-12

Feb. 27th: God’s Book: About the Bible ~ Psalm 119:105

Women’s Bible Study

The Women’s Bible Study and Sharing Group will be starting a new study in February. They did not get the opportunity to meet as scheduled in January because of weather and sickness, so thus the new study will begin in February. The dates are: Tues. Feb. 8 and Tues. Feb. 22, from 9:30 to 11 am. They welcome new members to the group!! Thanks!

Namibia Tractor Project

We recently received a letter from the Leland Lutheran Church, Leland Iowa, concerning a project that has been ongoing for some time. The project deals with the ELCA involvement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia. This is a mission church sponsored by the ELCA.

Leland’s Our Savior & West Prairie Church’s will be co-sponsoring this project by purchasing a farm tractor for the Namibia Parish to help them work in the fields in the village. Several good tractors were located and would cost about $17,000.

This project will culminate at West Prairie Lutheran Church in Leland on Feb. 6, 2011. A program from Noon until 1:30 pm will be held. Pastor Nancy Larson, Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Missions for the N. E. Iowa Synod, will present information and many pictures relating to our companion relationship with the 3 Namibian Lutheran Churches.

The church council has approved a contribution to the project in the amount of $150 and would welcome any private donations to the project. For those not able to attend, contributions may be sent to:

Namibia Tractor Project

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

P.O. Box 10

Leland, IA. 50453

Or

Namibia Tractor Project

N.E. Iowa Synod

P.O. Box 804

Waverly, IA. 50677-0804

A letter w/more information is posted on the entry bulletin board.

Bob Johnson

Community Kitchen

We are scheduled to serve for Community Kitchen on Monday, February 14,

Wednesday, February 16

and Friday February 18.

The Sign Up Sheet is on the table in the back of the sanctuary at the church.

 

Thanks!!

The 33rd Annual Council Minutes from January 16, 2011. The meeting was called to order by Bob Johnson. It was determined that a quorum was present. 

Pastor Randy led devotions with an opening prayer. Meeting agenda was motioned by Jan Fynskov and seconded by Sharon Ryg to be flexible. The motion passed. 

Kelsey Litterer read the previous year’s minutes. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Wayne Pralle and seconded by Joyce Carew. The motion was carried. The commission reports were accepted. 

Gary Bonnstetter gave the annual Financial Secretary report. The congregation was asked to please use offering envelopes accordingly and to report any errors in the report. Giving was reported to be down in the last year. The congregation was encouraged to use Simply Giving and to make giving rates go up. 

The 2011 Spending Guide was introduced by Sally Litterer. The budget for the 2011 year was made lower because of the interim pastor. Property was giving more spending money because of all the projects the church needed. 

The Council Rep Nominations were motioned to be accepted by Dan Gapinski with a second from Paula Hicks, with Evangelism and Congregational Life left open. Synod Assembly added Kelsey Litterer as the female member and Dan Gapinski as the male member. Marilyn Chalgren filled the Northeast Iowa Synod Rep position. One position was left open on the nominating committee. The motion was carried. 

Dan Gapinski presented the congregational profile and asked the congregation to endorse it. The congregation accepted the profile with the corrections made by the council. Janeil Olson had the congregation thank Dan Gapinski and all the members of the Call Committee for their work. 

Bob Johnson thanked the council and congregation for all the support that was given to him. Jan Fynskov also thanked Bob for all his duties. The gavel was passed then to Leanne Hicks. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Dan Gapinski and seconded by Karen Holm. The motion passed. Pastor Randy closed the meeting in prayer.

Respectfully submitted, Kelsey Litterer, acting secretary

Thank You to..

Our outgoing Council Members for their dedication, effort and sharing of their talents on the council for 2010. They are:

Janeil Olson, Susan J. Starrett, Jo Ann Shallberg, Kelsey Litterer, and Dana Sorensen.

Thank You!!!!

Click here for the February 2011 Calendar

(the church's printer was a little low on ink)