The Galilean Log

July 2010

From the  Pastor

Farewells are very difficult when you have been blessed with many wonderful relationships. This will be my final newsletter article for Galilean. As I shared in my letter of resignation, leaving Galilean is one of the hardest things I have had to do in my ministry. Ecclesiastes writes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before.” These words of scripture are very near to me right now as it is time for me to resign as your pastor and go where I believe God has sent me. God has blessed Galilean with marvelous pastors before my arrival, and God will continue to send faithful messengers after me to share His good news. St. Paul writes to the Church in Phillipi whom he had served as Pastor, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart.” (Phil. 1:4-7) It has always been my prayer as your pastor that I remain faithful to God's calling so that I can find great satisfaction in all the work God gives me to do. So I must remember that when I am faithful, all that God does will endure forever.

            When I accepted a call to Galilean eight years ago, there were many who referred to Galilean as a mission congregation. I shared with the call committee that if called as Galilean's pastor, I believed my call was to help Galilean move from the mindset of being a mission congregation to becoming a congregation in mission. As I reflect back on the eight marvelous years that Galilean has given me, the partnership we have shared has been a gift from God. Together, we have grown in faith. Galilean is truly a congregation that is focused on mission- your mission and your calling. Growing in-Living out-and Celebrating, the grace and love of Christ Jesus our Lord. Galilean is a place where people – including pastors – are given the opportunity to grow in faith. Galilean is a place where people learn to live out their faith through the many active ministries at Galilean. And finally, Galilean is a place where God's children gather together to hear God's Word, receive the gifts of the Sacraments, and celebrate together God's grace and love for God's children. Galilean is no longer a mission congregation dependent on income from others for survival, nor is it seen as a small mission congregation in the Clear Lake community and surrounding area. Galilean is seen as a congregation that is busy doing what God has called it to do. Galilean is perceived by the community as a place where Christ's peace and love is known and demonstrated. Galilean is a place where all are welcomed with the love of Christ. Galilean is, and will continue to be, a community of faith in mission. I have been blessed to be a part of that for eight years.

            In closing, I want to thank all who have faithfully served the church council or the church in any capacity while I served as Pastor. There are far too many faithful servants at Galilean to name in this article, but I am thankful for all of you. The council members currently serving are very capable leaders who will carry the mission of the church forward as they prepare to receive your next Pastor. Be supportive of them and the trust in the call process. The support I have received is phenomenal, and I want to thank you all. I also want to make it clear that the reason I am leaving is the same reason that I came to Galilean. It is about listening to God's call, and being faithful by responding to that call no matter how difficult it may be. I have seen many blessings in my life when I am faithful to God's calling even when it makes no sense at the time. May you also continue to follow God's calling and be faithful to God's Word as individuals and members of Galilean. And may the peace that passes all human understanding guard and keep your hearts and minds on Christ Jesus our Lord until we meet again.

Pastor Jeff

Thoughts From your President

A History Lesson in Patriotism

In 1895, at the age of 33, Katherine Lee Bates, an English Professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, had taken a train trip to Colorado Springs, Co., to teach a short summer school session at Colorado College. After visiting Zebulon’s Pikes Peak she thought of the many beautiful sights she had seen along the way. They inspired her so much she sat down and penned a poem called “Pikes Peak”. Two years later the Poem was published in a church periodical The Congregationalist, to commemorate the 4th of July. It quickly caught the public’s eye.

            Several existing pieces of music were adapted to the Poem. Some years earlier, an organist and choir director, Samuel A. Ward, adapted a tune he had composed a few years before the poem was written, for the old hymn “O Mother Dear Jerusalem”. Ward’s music combined with Bate’s poem was published in 1910.

            Samuel Ward died in 1903 not knowing the national status his music would attain.

            The song I am referring to is now known as “America, The Beautiful”. This may sound like a Paul Harvey “Now you know the rest of the story” commentary, except that I will further add that there are eight stanzas in the song and in every stanza the word “God shed His Grace on Thee” appear.

            How very true those words are. “By the Grace of God” we are truly blessed to be citizens of a great country.

            In addition to celebrating our great national holiday, July Fourth, Independence Day, we should honor it with an early thanksgiving celebration, giving thanks for all that we enjoy now and have enjoyed in the past.

            This is being written a few weeks before the 4th of July. We will be conducting outdoor services that day. I am hopeful that the song will be included in the worship service. It tells so much about our great nation.

Peace and Blessings to you.

“In Christ’s Love, Everyone is Someone.”

            Bob Johnson

Please remember in your Prayers

Struggling with Illness

Dick Becker

Sandra Fischer

Karen Barrett

Betty Wind

Barb Goettel

Our Men in the Military

Cole Fatland

Andrew Branstad

Chris Sorensen

Pray for ~ those who are hungry

Pray for ~ those who are oppressed

Pray for ~ those who are lost to be found again in Christ

President Bob Johnson called the meeting to order. Devotions were given by Sue Brandt. Roll Call: Present: Sue Brandt, Cecilia Fuller, Susan Starrett, Dana Sorensen, Karen Hernes, Connie Bieber, Leanne Hicks, Sally Litterer, Jeff Stealy, Wayne Pralle, Bob Johnson, Janeil Olson, Pastor Ungs, Kelsey Litterer, Marilyn Chalgren. Absent: Amy Pralle, Jo Ann Shallberg. Special Guests: Chryl Bervig, Margo Underwood.

Approval of minutes of last meeting with correction of adding the names of those baptized, with a motion by Pastor Jeff and seconded by Marilyn.

July devotions will be given by Pastor Jeff. The meeting adjourned with motion from Wayne Pralle and seconded by Jeff Stealy with prayer from Pastor Jeff and the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectively submitted,

Leanne Hicks,  For Jo Ann Shallberg, Secretary   

May 2010

Regular Giving: $11,762.64

Designated Giving: $2,690.00

Memorial Giving: $20.00

Total Incoming: $14,472.64

Operating Expense: $12,602.27

Designated Giving Paid Out:

$2,800.00

Memorial Funds Used: $0

Total Outgoing: $15,402.27

$4,000 is still owed for the Parking Lot and $500 is due for Synod Support as of 5/31/2010

As of 5/31/2010 $7,500 has been borrowed from our line of credit and is the limit we can borrow.

Designated Giving Received in May:

$250 Outdoor Worship

$2,200 Parking Lot

$240 World Hunger

5/31/2010 Checking Account Balance: $4,088.33

Memorial Savings Account: $5,404.25

Bills due June 1, 2010

$3,085.68

Average Attendance May 2009:

109

Average Attendance May 2010:

115

Sally Litterer, Treasurer

RAGBRAI XXXVIII

Well, it’s official! Galilean is in charge of Can Redemption at Ragbrai XXXVIII. Thank you to everyone who showed interest in this fundraiser. This will be good, as there is no expense and anyone can help. For you whom has not heard yet, this is what is going on ~ It was brought to my attention that the Rummage Sale may not be our best fundraising option this year. The Sale takes a great deal of volunteers, work before, during and after, and very little revenue for all of our time & effort. We discussed the option of selling pies at Ragbrai, but found out they would have to be made at the church and then taken where our spot would be. So, Galilean was approached with a different kind of fund raiser. This was to redeem cans in City Park on Tuesday, July 27 (this is the day the riders will be in Clear Lake). We would be in charge of the 50 recycle containers that will be set up around the park, from 10 am until around midnight when the music in the park ends. We will be in charge of sorting the cans and making sure the water (non-recyclable) bottles are separated from the cans. When the sacks or containers are full, we will then deliver them to a truck, which will be at Bill & Janeil Olson’s place, by the water treatment plant. I believe we will use two-wheel carts to do this.

Community Kitchen!!

Community Kitchen is ours to serve again in July ~ the dates are: Monday, July 19, Wednesday, July 21, Friday, July 23; Monday, July 26, Wednesday, July 28 and Friday, July 30. The Sign Up Sheet will be on the table in the back of the sanctuary beginning Sunday, July 11. So check your schedule and see if you can help out with this important community function that helps others in need.

Registration Forms for VBS are on the table in the back of the sanctuary! We need a confirmed head count of children that will be attending this year’s VBS that is being held from Sunday, July 25 through Thursday, July 29. Please complete the registration form and turn it in to Sue Brandt or Vickie Whelan at your earliest convenience.

If you know individuals that we should mail a registration form to, please provide the names and addresses to Sue or Vickie and we will ensure that a form gets mailed to their home. Registration forms need to be in to us no later than Saturday, July 10th. Cost is $15 per family, or $6 for one child.  Fees will not be due until the first night of VBS.   Any questions please call Sue @ 829-3674 or Vickie @ 357-2199. Thanks!!

Sunday, July 4

Outdoor Worship   

Accompanist:

Brenda Bonnstetter

Acolyte: Hannah Davis

Worship Assistant:

Larry Eichmeier

Reader: Kayla Bonnstetter

Communion Prep: Sharon Ryg &  Joyce Carew

Communion Servers: K C Lu, Isaac Ungs, Deb Brastrom

Note: There will be Fellowship as normal with the Ungs Youth as Coffee Hosts.

Sunday, July 11

Accompanist: Jane Taylor

Acolyte: Juel Hanson

Worship Assistant: Deb Brastrom

Reader: Jan Fynskov

Sunday, July 18

Accompanist: Brenda Bonnstetter

Acolyte: Alisha Ungs

Worship Assistant: Kelsey Litterer

Reader: Dick Olson

Communion Prep: Kayla Bonnstetter,

Kelsey Litterer

Communion Servers: Jan Fynskov, Louanne Bonin, Wayne Pralle

Sunday, July 25

Accompanist: Sandy Gunnerson

Acolyte: Jenna Hanson

Worship Assistant: Sonnee Steveson

Reader: Louanne Bonin

Video Cam for July:

Isaac Ungs

Please Note:

I do not have the list of who is Usher/Greeting, Coffee Hosting or providing Bread/Juice for Communion for the month of July. I have been putting the list of the persons responsible for these functions in this section of the LOG the last several months. My apologies for not having this in for this month. Please, please check your mail box and on the front entry Bulletin Board, to see if you are scheduled for any one of these tasks for July. A reminder card, email or phone call will be done for you too, if you are scheduled.

Attention: We are missing Communion Cloths again ~ if you have been a communion preparer or coffee host that has ‘possibly taken them home to launder’ the past months… it would be appreciated if you would check to see if you have them, and would bring them back. We spent quite a bit of time gathering new complete sets of communion cloths this last winter...and now…. some are missing out of these sets. Thanks!!

I am your flag

I was born on June 14, 1777

I am more than just cloth shaped into a design.

I am the refuge of the World’s oppressed people.

I am the silent sentinel of freedom.

I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth.

I am the inspiration for which America Patriots gave their lives and fortunes.

I let your sons and daughters into battle from Valley Forge to the desert sands of the Middle East.

I walk in silence with each of your Honored Dead, to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses, row upon row.

I have flown through Peace and War, Strife and Prosperity, and amidst it all I have been respected.

My Red Stripes…..symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation.

My White Stripes…..signify the burning tears shed by families who lost their loved ones.

My Blue Field…..its indicative of God’s heaven under which I fly.

My Stars…..clustered together, unify 50 states as one, for God and Country.

“Old Glory” is my nickname, and proudly I wave on high.

Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes.

Never let my enemies tear down from my lofty position, lest I never return.

Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy,

And I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind.

I ~ am…. Your Flag.

God’s Blessings to you all as we celebrate our independence this,

the year of our Lord, 2010.       

Our Thanks go out to…… and Thanks from….

To ~ Sue, Dalton, Brock & Luke Brandt for taking the time to spend a warm afternoon weeding the flowers in the cross ~ thank you!!

To ~ Pastor Jeff, Kelli & family: you may be leaving us but you will never leave our hearts here at Galilean… thank you seems such a small way to let you know how much we have appreciated you and all that you have done the past 8 years…. We wish you many blessings as you continue on spreading God’s word! Thank you!! 

From ~ Dear Galileans, you have helped and sustained our family immeasurably with prayers and support during these days following Rich’s mortal death. Your versatility with serving a perfect picnic lunch is greatly appreciated. The Central Gardens filled us all with the joy, life and glory we share with God now and forever. Blessings to the Prayer Shawl Ministry for the beautiful gift made with love and care.

In Christ, Jackie Swanson

1990 John Deere 260 Riding Lawn Mower that belongs to the church. Since we are having our lawn mowed by a lawn service, we have no need for this mower. Interested? Contact Jeff Stealy. Thanks!

Click Here for the July 2010 Calendar