January 2010

Once again I find it hard to believe that another year has past. So many things have happened, and yet, in some ways it seems like it was only yesterday that I wrote about beginning a new year at Galilean. That is the funny thing about time. It keeps on marching forward whether we are aware of it or not. Some days go by quickly without much thought, and some days are painful reminders of what we have lost and grieve. New Year's eve and celebrating the New Year is a reminder that time has marched on, and we are all getting older. I know that many of you have heard of the poem “The Dash” by Linda Ellis, but I wanted to share it with you to help you think about how you spend the time God has given you on earth.

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more. And love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

The goal for many of us as we approach the new year is to make resolutions to change our lives for the better. We want to start afresh. We want our dash to make a difference in the world. That is why we need to listen to God's words of hope found in scriptures. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor 5:17). The book of Revelation 21:5 reads, “Behold, I make all things new.” God has made all things new in Jesus Christ. He has suffered death so that we might have life. God wants us to change the things in our life that are not life giving. God wants us to have life and have it abundantly. But all too often we fail God and turn away from God's life giving plan for us. We sin against God and against others and it takes the life right out of us. We become more interested in our love for power and the things of this world, than the power of love found in Jesus Christ and the people God has given us to love. At some point, God will personally deal with the question of evil in God's creation. On that day, for those who have chosen to reject the gift of life in Jesus Christ, there will be no second chance. For those who freely receive the gift of life that God has given us in Christ Jesus, there will be no need of a second chance. There is an eternity prepared for each of us. Where we spend it is entirely up to us.

By now, you probably have opened all your Christmas presents. There is now only one left for you to open. It is the gift of life given to you at Christmas in the manger. God became human and lived among us. For God so loved you he gave his only Son, so that believing in Jesus, you might have life. God gave you the gift of faith and life in your Baptism. It is yours to keep, and no one can take it away from you. It will not wear out like the other Christmas presents. It will not depreciate in value like the other gifts you have received. The more you use this gift, the more it is worth. The best part about this gift is that you can open every day, and it will be something new and exciting. If you are working on a new year's resolution this year, may it be that you are resolved to draw closer to the one who has given you the gift of life, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Have fun opening your gift, and have a blessed New Year!

From the President’s Desk

Advent, Christmas and Epiphany—-three special seasons for Christians. Do you realize these three seasons are all special parts of the joy we know in the birth of Jesus?

During the four weeks of Advent, we prepare our hearts for the coming Savior. We live with the hope that Christ will grow in our hearts and guide us to be messengers of his love and peace in our world. Advent is a waiting time, a time to watch in silence and to hope. We wait for the Lord, whose coming brings new life, light and warmth to all the earth and for our lives to be renewed.

The youth of Galilean, reminded us during the four weeks of Advent, how to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child, by sharing the Angels message of God’s gift to us, Jesus. It was the angels heralded in the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. We lit the Advent candles set within a green wreath. The candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world. The wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection. It was the love of Galilean angels during Advent, as they shared this love of affection in carols at Oakwood Care Center, a senior housing community, and at Apple Valley Assisted Living. The young adults of Galilean donated gifts for the Angel Tree. During Advent we read scriptures from Jeremiah, Isaiah, Zephaniah, Luke and Matthew.

During Advent, we light the candles as we wait and like the shepherds we listen to hear the angels proclaim the birth of God’s Son. So it is with Epiphany, we share the joy of Jesus with others as we continue with our lives. A five pointed star symbolizes Epiphany. This versatile symbol reminds us of this special season of joy. The star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a savior for the world, and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise.

Advent, Christmas and Epiphany are three separate seasons but they all focus on God’s love in Christ. May this abounding love of Christ strengthen and preserve you in true peace in this new year, 2010. Amen!

Council Minutes 12.13.09

The regular council meeting was postponed due to the snowstorm. The council meeting was held in conjunction with leadership appreciation dinner following worship on Sunday, December 13. The meeting was called to order by President Janeil Olson at 12:15 pm.

Roll Call: Janeil Olson, Bob Johnson, Dana Sorensen, Wayne Pralle, Amy Pralle, Sally Litterer, Kelsey Litterer, Louanne Bonin, Sue Brandt, Jeff Stealy, Karen Hernes, and Pastor Jeff Ungs. Absent: Leanne Hicks, Marcia Latham, Jo Ann Shallberg and Sharon Ryg.

Devotions were led by Dana Sorensen. Motion to approve the agenda with flexibility by Sally Litterer, seconded by Bob Johnson. Motion passed.

Sally presented the Treasurer’s report. She has been working on using Quick Books to make reports more user friendly and more accurate. She discussed how Memorial funds have been used over the past few months for special projects such as new tables, church siding and building project, Bibles for S.S., refurbishing the Bells, new Advent Candles and oil for the Eternal Candle. Upon further discussion, it was determined by the council that a memorial committee be formed to track memorial funds and send acknowledgements for memorials as well as invitations for dedication of memorials during worship. Paying bills continues to be a struggle as income has not been keeping up with expenses. Sally reported that we still have $4,000 in an operating loan and may have to borrow more if income does not increase soon.

Pastor Jeff gave his report. There were no Baptisms, funerals, wedding, or membership changes. Jeff discussed a recent Northeaster Iowa Synod council resolution that was passed that is an attempt to reverse the Churchwide vote within our Synod. This resolution will be debated at Synod Assembly this summer. He is available for conversation and information for anyone wanting clarification on these matters. There are some ELCA congregations in our Synod who are struggling with the policy changes adopted at Churchwide 2009. Jeff asked the council for prayers for Zion Lutheran Church as they discern if they want to remain members of the ELCA. The first two congregational votes took place at Zion the day of Galilean’s council meeting.

Correspondence: Information regarding Waldorf College and Church Mutual insurance was presented. Insurance premiums will increase for 2010.

Old Business: Oakwood Birthday Party scheduled for December still needs volunteers. Nominating Committee is busy getting confirmation from nominees.

New Business: Budget proposals (Spending Guide) for 2010 was discussed and approved with amendments that included higher allowances for higher insurance costs, increase salary for janitor, and include operating loans. A motion was made by Dana Sorensen and seconded by Jeff Stealy for Advent soup supper proceeds to serve as a fundraiser for the Resource Center in Clear Lake. Motion passed.

Updates on the Constitution will be discussed at our Annual Church Meeting. These changes will be presented by Pastor Jeff and Janeil.

Next council meeting is January 12 @ 7:pm. Kelsey Litterer will lead devotions. Motion to adjourn by Wayne, seconded by Sally. Meeting closed with singing the Lord’s Prayer.

Youth Notes to Note!!

The Youth bake sale raised $260! Galileans are just the best! The youth bought Christmas presents for 2 local youth. They also donated
$100 to the IFCA Christmas Dinner & they bought a goat for the Heifer project. Youth will be serving a free meal during the Annual Meeting January 17.The youth meeting will also be on January 17 (not January 10), when Youth Encounter, a musical group, will be at our church. Youth will be selling Butterbraids again - more information coming.

Youth Encounter will be sending the Captive Free Central Plains Team to Galilean to give a Program on Sunday, January 17 beginning at 6:00 p., with a Free Will Offering. We will need to serve these young people dinner that evening, house them overnight and on Monday, January 18 and provide Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner on Monday, January 18, Breakfast/Lunch on January 19. If you are willing to help with a meal or give them a place to spend the night please contact Dana Sorensen or Pastor Jeff by Sunday, January 10.

Operation Christmas Child Update

Dan Gapinski, Connie Bieber, Jan Fynskov and I traveled to Eden Prairie, Mn., On Wednesday, December 2, to volunteer at the Distribution site. We arrived early, but we didn’t wait very long for the orientation process to begin. We watched a video and listened to a brief explanation of what to expect ‘on the line’. All the lines were full until about 11:45 and then we were placed as a team in a section. Prior to that we did some sorting of donated items that would be used as fill for some of the boxes. We all had a specific job, from locating money, to examining box contents, to taping, and sorting into packing boxes. The time went very fast, and somewhere along the way Dan lost count of how many we had processed. There were people of all ages there, school kids to the retired. By 3:00, our feet and backs ached, but our hearts had swelled 3 sizes. The boxes on that day went to Congo and Niger. From the list on the wall, all the boxes this year went to warm climates. Will we go again? You bet! Hopefully we will need at last 2 vans next year! Thanks to everyone who participated this year and helped break the record at collecting 50 boxes!! Good Job, Galileans!!

Marilyn Chalgren

Want to save money on your grocery shopping? Angel Food is for YOU! The Angel Food Program is available to everyone and there is NO income guidelines. You only need to eat, to qualify! Be at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church at 5028 2nd Ave. N. to place your order in person at the following times: Wednesday, January 6 from 4 to 7 pm and Friday, January 8 from 3 to 6 pm; or at the Clear Lake Church of Christ at 2010 14th Ave. on Tuesday, January 5 from 2 to 4 pm and Thursday, January 7 from 5 to 7 pm. Forms of Payment accepted: Credit & Debit Cards, Cash, Check, EBT and Money Orders. You may also order on-line with a credit/debit card at www.clafm.com until 11 pm Wednesday, January 13. Mail-in Orders: mail completed order form along with a check payable to host site of your choice. Designate Angel Food in the Memo. Order form and payment must be to the host site by Wed Jan. 13 to be included in the January order. Distribution Day is January 23. Your host site where you placed your order will have the times to pick up your order. The food is absolutely wonderful!! You don’t have to order the signature boxes, as you can order whatever you decide. There are order blanks on the back table of the church and if you have any questions please feel free to contact Joyce Clayton @ 357-8955.

Here’s Who’s Doing What for Worship in January

Please note the change in having Communion from January 3 until January 10. If you are scheduled for the 3 and have a problem with doing it on the 10 please contact Karen in the church office asap.

Please stay tuned in the upcoming bulletins for those who are scheduled to Coffee Host, Usher/Greet and provide Bread for communion for

Did you Know?

On the table in the back of the sanctuary are lots of things for you to pick up, take home and enjoy! What? You ask? Well there is the Christ In Our Home booklets full of scriptures for each day and devotionals. The new ones for January, February & March are here! There is also Devotional Booklets of Alive Now and The Upper Room. The Upper Room has a copy of ‘large print’ in a magazine size as well the regular print if you would choose that you would like the large print version. These come every 3 mos. and the January, February & March editions are here. There is also the magazine Lutheran Woman Today, and the NE Iowa Synod Newsletter, that come every month. Also from time to time we have other numerous pamphlets and booklets that are available for you to pick up and have. So, check out the table for more than just picking up your Bulletins on Sunday!! These are all items for you to take, keep, read and enjoy!! Thanks!!

As some of our Poinsettias came in after the Bulletin for December 20 was already in print, I decided to let all the congregation know where all of our beautiful Poinsettias adorning our church sanctuary came from!!

Jeff Brattrud and Cindy Mann In Memory of their parents, Gaylord & Shirley Brattrud, Ralph & Mary Lou Mann and brother , Laverne Brattrud

Jeff & Mary Stealy In Memory of their Fathers, Leo Stealy, and Warren Nitzschke

Vonnie & Mathias Morris (Red, White & Blue Poinsettias) In Honor of our Service Men ~ Cole Fatland, Andrew Branstad, Chris Sorensen

Pastor Jeff & Kelli Ungs & Family In Memory of Kelli’s Father, Ray De Geus

Billy & Janeil Olson In Honor of Billy’s parents, Arno & Alma Olson and In Memory of Janeil’s parents.

Thanks so much to all of you for decorating our church and remembering and honoring loved ones!!

Just Desserts Bible Study

will meet Monday,

January 18 beginning at 6:30 pm

here at the church.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Group

will meet on Thursday, January 28 at 3:00 pm here at the church.

To ~ all who stayed following our Advent worship service on Wed. Dec. 2 and helped decorate our Christmas Trees and Sanctuary for the season!! Thank you!!

To ~ those you gave us special music at worship services in December!! Thank you!

From ~ We give our special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to all Galileans who have so generously given to our family for Christmas and over the past year.

From ~ Thanks to those who gave Christmas gifts to me this year! And to all who so wonderfully support me and your church all year long!!

From the President’s Desk

Please remember in your Prayers

Council Minutes 12.13.09

Youth Notes to Note!!

Operation Christmas Child Update

Angel Food Ministries!!

Here’s Who’s Doing What for Worship in January

Did you Know?

Poinsettias