The Galilean Log

June 2013

Running From Malaria!!

Our 35^th Anniversary Celebration!

Sunday June 2, 2013

We will begin with our celebratory worship service at 9:15 am followed by a short program and a Powerpoint presentation, and a skit. There will be games for children and a meal. We are asking you to volunteer to make dishes. Recipes and Sign up Sheets are on the table in the back of the sanctuary.

Vacation Bible School

“Athens: Paul’s Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth”

A summer event will be hosted at First Congregational Church from Sunday June 2 through Thursday June 6 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Kids will step back in time at Athens, exploring adventures  the Apostle Paul faced. There will be Bible-times Marketplace, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, dig into Bible-time snacks, visit Paul and collect Bible Memory Makers. The evening will begin with a meal at 5:30 and will end at 8:00 with “Celebration”—a time of upbeat worship that gets everyone involved!

From the Pastor ~

35 years!

Why celebrate a 35^th Anniversary? What's the big deal?

Jesus Christ is the big deal. As we complete the final preparations for this celebration it is important to remember what we are really celebrating. We are celebrating all the people who have passed through the doors of Galilean since we started, from the transient who showed up one Sunday morning to worship and was welcomed as if he was Jesus himself, to our own families and friends who have joined us for special occasions and celebrations.

We celebrate each child who has learned about God's love in Jesus Christ at VBS, Sunday School, Confirmation classes. We celebrate those who have been baptized, confirmed, and married at Galilean. We celebrate those who have gone before us to the home Christ has prepared for all of us in heaven.

God has richly blessed Galilean to be a blessing to Ventura, Clear Lake and the world around us. God placed us here at this place and this time so that God can be actively present in the world. Galileans have been opening our arms to those in need for 35 years and that is something to celebrate.

We have opened our arms to the lost and grieving, newborns and children of God with many miles on their life's odometers, men, women, tall and vertically challenged, Galilean welcomes everyone. And that is a big deal, that is something to celebrate.

But our anniversary is not just about the past. We gather in celebration to rejoice at what God is doing among us today. We have an important mission to accomplish for Christ here and now. As Galilean's arms have been open in welcome in days gone by, we continue to be the welcoming presence of Christ in our community. As we have been about the ministry of spreading the good news of the Grace and Love of Christ, it is even more important for us to share the good news today with those who come to hear. As we have been a blessing in the past, God is calling us to the same mission of blessing today and into the future.

Our 35^th Anniversary is also about the next 35 years in Galilean's life. As we look back on how far we have come and the amazing journey on which the Holy Spirit has lead us, we also need to set our sights on the next part of our journey together. As Mike Fatland reminded me the other day, every journey begins with a single step. God has been faithful to the promise Christ made in his final words in the Gospel of Matthew, “Lo, I am with you always to the end of the age.” and God will continue to be faithful to that promise.

As we have been blessed, so will we be blessed to be a blessing. And it's exciting to think about what God might have in store for us.      - PS

Happy June Birthday to: 

1st ~ Lauren Simonson; 3^rd ~ Dick Becker; 6^th ~ Connie Bieber; 9^th ~ Lou Stealy; 12^th ~ Brenda Bonnstetter; 14^th ~ Mathias Morris; 18^th ~ Mason Wirtz; 19^th ~ Leah Bonnstetter; 22^nd ~ David Clayton; 24^th ~ Miriam Simpson; 25^th ~ Brock & Dalton Brandt; Sue Dwyer; 28^th ~ Hannah Whelan

Blessed Wedding Anniversaries to:

8^th ~ Mike & Deb Fatland; 9^th ~ Scott & Sue Brandt; 12^th ~ Jim & Marcia Latham;

18^th ~ Minh & Nea Lu (25 Years!); 19^th ~ Larry & Sue Eichmeier;

April 2013 Financial Statistics

Regular Giving: $7,914.30                                     Memorials Received: $197.00                                      Congregational Life: $125.33                                    Designated Giving: $278.80

Total Incoming: $8,515.43

Operating Expense: $12,306.43                  CLB& T Prin Loan Paymt: $326.51

            Memorial Funds used: $0             Designated Funds used: $496.22

              Total Outgoing: $13,129.16

Designated Giving Received:  $178.80 Malaria Campaign,             $100.00 World Hunger

Designated Funds Used:  $217.42 Heifer Project, $178.80 Malaria Campaign, $100.00 World Hunger

Checking Account Balance 4/30/2013: $7,851.16

Memorial Account Balance 4/30/2013: $10,142.28

Average Attendance 2012: 88                      Average Attendance 2013: 74

Respectfully Submitted ~ Sally Litterer, Treasurer

Memorial Funds Facilitator’s Report      April 2013

$9,945.28 Balance

March Memorial Funds Received:  $60 Maxine Shropshire, $122 Della Grieme, $15 Roger Gulick

Memorial Funds used in April: $0

The following funds are available:

Galilean Women   $1,281.37          Landscaping  $1,847.44      World Hunger $172.00

Property   $2,432.11            Undesignated  $3,484.00   

Lutheran World Relief $695.15    from Lenten Services

 Janeil Olson, Sally Litterer

Here’s Who’s Doing What for Worship and Fellowship

Sunday, June 2

Accompanist: Brenda Bonnstetter

Acolyte: Vanessa Olson

Worship Assistant: Brad Bonin

Reader: Fred Petersburg

Communion Prep: Mike Fatland

Communion Servers: Dan & Kim Gapinski,

Kelsey Litterer

Usher/Greeters:  Ron & Sonnee Steveson

Power Point: Brock & Dalton Brandt

Sound System: Dan Gapinski

 Sunday, June 9

Accompanist: to be determined..

Acolyte: Ben Litterer

Worship Assistant: Youth

Reader: Youth

Usher/Greeters:  Mary Ann Flaten &

Rakel Smith

Coffee Hosts: Gary & Sally Litterer

Power Point: Andrew Davis

Sound System: Gary Bonnstetter

Bread/Juice for the month:

Rakel Smith

Sunday, June 16

Accompanist: Linda Hopper

Acolyte: Luke Brandt

Worship Assistant: Jim Latham

Reader: Dan Gapinski

Communion Prep: Janeil Olson

Communion Servers: Sonnee Steveson, Fred Petersburg, Leanne Hicks

Usher/Greeters: George & Miriam Simpson

Coffee Hosts:  Jeff & Mary Stealy

Power Point: Jessica Fuller

Sound System: Jacob Welper

Sunday, June 23

Accompanist: To be determined

Acolyte: Ethan Starrett

Worship Assistant: Sonnee Steveson

Reader: Vickie Whelan

Usher/Greeters: Gary & Sally Litterer

Coffee Hosts: Kevin & Vicky Olson

Power Point: Eric Hahn

Sound System: Clay Starrett

Sunday, June 30

Accompanist: to be determined….

Acolyte:  Hannah Whelan

Worship Assistant: Dick Olson

Reader: Brad Bonin

Usher/Greeter: Lori Jurgens & Jackie Swanson

Coffee Hosts: Lauren & Kayla Simonson

Power Point: Kelli Gapinski

Sound System: Mike Fatland

Council Meeting Minutes May 14, 2013

The meeting was called to order by President Jerry Gunnerson. Those in attendance were: Jerry Gunnerson, Karen Holm, Pastor Scot McCluskey, Sally Litterer, Kelsey Litterer, Bob Johnson, Mike Eddy, Paula Petersburg and Linda Hopper.

Bob Johnson gave the Devotions. The Agenda was approved as written.

Parish Office Report: Memorial Services were held on Saturday, April 27 for Maxine Shropshire. The telephones were out of order for 3 days, in investigation from CL Tel the tables were put in the closet a little too hard and snapped off the plug-ins to the outlet ~ they repaired this and made mention of being more careful putting the tables away. The Internet was down for almost a week; the heavy snow of May 2 caused the antenna to fall as well become completely soaked. A new antenna was replaced on May 8 and ‘a waterproof’ box was placed around it so hopefully this doesn’t happen again. June LOG articles are due into the church office on Monday, May 20. The office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. Karen will be working Tues-Fri that week in preparation for the Sunday June 2, 35^th Anniversary Celebration.

be on vacation June 16-July 2. “Running from Malaria” ~ 2 men are running across Iowa to raise funds for the Malaria Campaign. They will be in Clear Lake on June 22 and we were asked along with the United Methodist Church to host these men on their stop over here, to give them an ice bath, supper, housing for sleeping and breakfast the next morning before they leave. Mike Eddy has agreed to communicate with the Methodist church, more info will be forthcoming.    

The Treasurer’s Report was given by Sally Litterer. Giving of Offerings for the month of April was down and there is concern with coming into the summer months, as giving is as history dictates, is down. January – April statistics leaves the church at a -$8,594.77 figure. The motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the Treasurer’s Report.

Commission Reports:

Worship: They will be meeting soon to finalize the accompanists for the latter half of June and all of July. Also, they will be asking for laymen to lead the worship services and give a sermon while Pastor Scot is out on vacation the last 2 weeks in June. This was decided to ask Galileans to help with the services instead of hiring Supply Pastors, to save on the cost of such. New Member Sunday is June 2 along with our 35^th Anniversary celebration. On the table in the back of the sanctuary are: A Flowers Sign Up sheet… this is if anyone would like to decorate the altar with flowers during the summer months we would appreciate it! And a Special Music Sign Up sheet, again if you would like to give us special music for the summer months… sign up! Outdoor Worship Services for the Summer: The first service was changed from June 29 to June 15 as Pastor Scot will be on vacation the 29. The other dates are July 27 and August 24. These are held at State Park Beach beginning at 5:00 pm and a potluck dinner will be had after.

Social Concerns: Highway Ditch Clean up took place on Sunday, April 28. 6 people did this ~ thanks to Nea Lu, Lisa Welper, Jessica & Jennifer Fuller and a friend of theirs for helping Cece with this!

Youth: The year-end picnic was held here at the church instead of the park due to inclement weather. They held their first Youth Service and it went well. They are now making plans for the summer months. June 1 & 2 Wayne & Amy Pralle will be camping at State Park, all youth and their families are welcome to camp also, or come and enjoy the evening around the campfire and Wayne’s famous potatoes! This will also be a Farewell and Thank You to Wayne & Amy as they are stepping down as youth leaders. We are searching for another couple to join Bob & Lisa Welper to share the Youth Commission’s responsibilities. The youth will be giving the Worship service on Sunday, June 9.

Evangelism: It was previously reported that we have identified 130 + churches in the area and that we would send an invitation to each church welcoming them to visit our Labyrinth. The postal service was unable to deliver 10 of those letters. We consider this mailing project a great success and will look forward to hearing from a number of those churches that did receive our invitation. On May 5 Bob Johnson attended the special workshop held at Galilean titled “Quality Customer (Church) Service. A very interesting program and worthy of passing the information along to the entire congregation. 

Property: Mike reported that the cost of repairs on the furnaces to make the electrical systems more efficient will be done. A motion was made, seconded and approved to close the charge account at Kramer Hardware. A new charge account has been opened at Superior Lumber. Our janitor Kathy Spilman will no longer have the responsibility of making sure there is toilet paper and garbage bags on hand, these items are on the Congregational Life “Supplies Needed List” that is posted on the refrigerator for anyone who notices, to make a note of, to let the commission know it is needed.

Learning: Sunday school will wrap up the year on May 19. Melinda & Stacey give a huge thank you to all who helped this past year! Vacation Bible School is June 2-6! We are joining with the First Congregational church this year. More info will be coming!!

Old Business: Still in need of a Learning Commission Chairperson.

New Business: A motion was made, seconded and approved for Karen Holm to be the Interim Council Secretary until such time a permanent Secretary is found.

The next council meeting is Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00 pm. Karen Holm will give the Devotions.

A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted ~ Karen Holm, Interim Secretary

Vacation Bible School!!

“Athens, Paul’s Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth”

Sunday June 2 – Thursday June 6

5:30 to 8:00 p

A meal will be given at 5:30 p

Being held at

1^st Congregational Church, Clear Lake

Registration forms are on the table in the back of the sanctuary ~ 

 Please remember in your Prayers

Dick Becker

Dave Clayton

Sandi Davis

Pam Foss 

Our Men in the Military  

Cole Fatland    Andrew Branstad

Mathias Morris         Calvin Bast

From the desk of your Evangelism Commission

Quality Customer (Church) Service. What are successful companies in America doing right, and how can the church learn from their success?

If everyone says, “I’m going to change one person at a time” ~ before you know it we’ve changed a neighborhood, we’ve changed a town, we’ve changed a city, we’ve changed a nation. These words are attributed to a Blair Taylor. I do not know who Blair Taylor is but I think those words could be a catch phrase for Starbucks Coffee Company.

Since the first Starbucks Coffee Company store opened in 1971, they now have 18,000 stores in 60 countries. Based on those figures they must be doing something RIGHT.

I feel the key words are “Customer Satisfaction”. But before we can provide that satisfaction we must first get customers. I know this sounds a bit commercial but soon these customers could be members of a church.

We all have friends and family members who might be un-churched. That is not a derogatory word. It is our calling as Evangelists to encourage these people, in whatever way it takes, to attend a church. It would be nice if their choice were Galilean Lutheran Church but the very fact that you have approached the subject and planted the seed is the most important step in Evangelism. We will soon be holding New Member Sunday. It would be nice to be able to have a New Member Sunday on a more frequent basis. You can help by “changing one person at a time”.

Blessings to You ~

Bob Johnson, Commission Chairperson

College Graduates to Congratulate!!!

Recently we honored our High School Graduates and one College Graduate during a Sunday worship. Following that worship, we ‘discovered’ that we had more members with College Degrees in Hand!

And here they are:

Drew Sorensen ~ NIACC ~ A.A. in Industrial Technologies. Son of Scot & Dana Sorensen

Ben Welper ~ University of Northern Iowa ~ Bachelor’s Degree in Sports & Recreation Business.  Son of Bob & Lisa Welper  

Lindy Brastrom ~ Iowa State University ~ B. S. in Genetics. She is a member of Beta, Beta, Beta National Biological Honor Society. She is pursuing an M. S. in Biology with emphasis on Paleontology at the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio. Daughter of Kim & Deb Brastrom

Kelsey Litterer ~ NIACC ~ A. A. in Journalism. Headed for Iowa State to continue Journalism major. Daughter of Gary & Sally Litterer

Softball!

The 2013 Co-Ed Church League Softball is happening!

If you are interested in playing please contact Kelsey Litterer @ 641-923-1745.

All games are played at Fredrick Hanford Park, 23^rd St. SW, Mason City.

Our Thanks go out to:

To ~ Marilyn Chalgren, Rae & Connie Bieber, Cece & Jennifer Fuller, the Confirmation kids, Jan Fynskov & Mary Ann Flaten for serving at Community Kitchen in April!

To ~ Mike Eddy, Marilyn Chalgren, Jan Fynskov, Karen Holm, Jerry & Sandy Gunnerson, Johnathon, Allison, Sam, Kate & Tess Klaassen, Pat Anderson, Sharon Ryg, Ruth Topp, Leanne Hicks, Nice Leasure, Fred Petersburg, Jeff Stealy, Sally Litterer, Ardee Ahrendt and George & Miriam Simpson for all of the hard work on Spring Cleaning of the Church day… be it cleaning, baking, cooking, serving the refreshments… Thank You!    

From ~ Dear Galileans, Thank you very much for your support and prayers during my mother’s illness. It is so wonderful to be a part of a loving, caring community like Galilean. Also, thank you for the beautiful flowers you sent ~ The Family of Marlys McCluskey ~ Pastor Scot, Melinda & Anna

Click here for the June 2013 Calendar