The Bible often uses the image of trees in a vineyard bearing fruit to describe us as people and the relationship we have with our creator. The owner of the vineyard plants a specific tree to receive a specific fruit. You plant an apple tree and expect to receive apples. You plant a pear tree and expect to receive pears. A lemon tree gives you lemons, a banana tree bananas, etc.

But the vineyard owner doesn't stop there. She waters and feeds the young seedlings. He makes sure no weeds grow up to choke out the new tree. She prunes it and tends it as it grows. He gives it everything it needs to become a strong mature tree with the goal of fruit that the tree will produce. And when the tree is old enough and ready it produces beautiful fruit to make the vineyard owner proud and pleased. It is the purpose of the tree to honor the one who planted it.

So, using this image of God as the vineyard owner and you and me as the trees, what kind of trees are we? What fruit does God expect to receive from our planting? It is our purpose in life to honor God who created us and sustains us on a daily basis, and we do that by producing the fruit that God desires to receive from us.

The answer to the questions above are found in God's holy word, the Bible. There are many places we could look, but the verses I would like us to focus on are Galatians 5:22-23.

“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

As we journey together with Christ this Lent, these verses will be our focus for our Wednesday evening worship times together. Lent begins Ash Wednesday, February 22^nd. Again this year we will gather for Soup Supper at 6 pm followed by worship at 7. During Lent many people give up something as a sacrificial offering to God. I would like to suggest that what you give is the thing that for many of us is most precious, your time. Come share with your Galilean family in food, fellowship and worship, and in so doing you will bring honor to God who created you, planted and nourishes you, and has confidence in the fruit you will produce.

Dick Becker, Barb Goettel, Jill Starrett, Dave Clayton

The following commissions reported to the council ~

Property: Jeff Stealy reported that the sound system is installed and completed. Training is now taking place. A cross was made by Jeff for Pastor McCluskey which was used at Christmas Day service. The nativity set has been put away with the help of Dave Hopper. Book shelves will be installed in Pastor Scot’s study.

A motion was made, seconded and approved to make Leanne Hicks our new Church Historian, which was graciously held by Jan Fynskov for several years.

A motion was made, seconded and approved to make the pay periods on the 1^st and 16^th date of the month for church staff.

A motion was made, seconded and approved to change our next council meeting to Tuesday, February 21. The Council Retreat will be held on Saturday, February 25.

The meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Louanne Bonin, Secretary

I feel very honored to be chosen as the new president for Galilean. Even though we as a council face many challenges during the coming year, I feel that we will rise up and meet these challenges if God is willing. There are also many opportunities to be explored and I am looking forward to the coming year. If you as members of the congregation of Galilean have anything that you feel that the council needs to know, feel free to contact myself, Pastor Scot, or any other member of the council. I am looking forward to serving the members of Galilean and helping them to do their work to further God’s kingdom and the mission of Galilean Lutheran Church.

Operating Expense: $13,024.71 CLB& T Prin Loan Paymt: $366.01

Designated Giving Paid Out: $915.31 Memorial Funds used: $30.00

$185.16 Heifer Project – Sunday school Cans for Cows $288.00 Haiti Relief

$489.31 ELCA World Hunger $30.00 Youth Group

$308.00 Disaster/Haiti Relief $599.31 ELCA World Hunger

$8.00 Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank

$5,902.33

A History Committee is in the process of being formed with Leanne Hicks as our new Historian for Galilean. It has been 10 years since the church history has been updated. Anyone interested in helping continue with putting together the past 10 years in scrapbook form is invited to an organizational meeting after worship on Sunday, February 19. It takes to organize, sort, compile information, get materials and create pages for the album, so many hands will be needed!! On the 19^th we will also be looking at meeting dates and times to get together to work on this project, so have your calendars ready. If you cannot be there on the 19^th, but would like to be involved, please let Leanne know of you interest before that date. Thanks!!