The Galilean Log
March 2011
Ash
Wednesday is coming… so is Lent…. So are our Lenten Soup Suppers and
Wednesday Worship services.
Some
information about these dates:
Ash
Wednesday, a day of penitence, marks the beginning of Lent. It’s a day when we
ponder our situation: we are sinners and like ashes before God. Ashes is also a
symbol of repentance to God.
Lent
is a 40 day countdown to Good Friday and Easter, but more than that it’s a
time to ponder, and meditate, on our sinful nature and the price that God paid
for us in Jesus. His suffering and death on the cross paid for us and for our
sin.
Ash
Wednesday is on March 9 this year, so it is finally coming. It’s late this
year, (3 weeks later than last year) and of course that means we are in for a
later Easter!
Let’s
get prepared for a meaningful Lent!
Well,
I have survived the first month as President. The church council retreat was
interesting, as we learned about each other and learned about Galilean! We had
an interesting devotion from Connie Bieber that I would like to share with all
of you.
In
our church during Sunday morning worship, the children come to the front for
a special children’s message. One Sunday, the speaker was using a maze with a
ball bearing rolling through it as a visual for his lesson. Five year old Hannah
had listened patiently but finally asked, “Just what has this got to do with
Jesus?” At that time, our response was gentle laughter. But since then, this
question has become an important part of our church community. It is a reminder
to every church leader, committee, or task force that may at times lose sight of
our true objective. It is also a personal question for every Christian.
When
we lose our focus, the simple question, “What does this have to do with
Jesus?” can help us to remember our reason for what we are doing. This
question can guide every thing we do and say. When we become distracted by
earthly concerns, we can remind ourselves about Christ and focus on him. This
puts everything in perspective and can give us peace.
“Whatever you do, in word, or deed, do everything in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Remember, when you are perplexed or wondering about
something, think, “What does this have to do with Jesus? And meditate about it
for awhile!
God Bless ~
President Leanne Hicks called the meeting to order. Members present: Jerry
Gunnerson, Bev Clapsaddle, Kelsey Litterer, Sally Litterer, Kelli Gapinski, Dan
Gapinski, Connie Bieber, Marilyn Chalgren, Jeff Stealy, Lisa Welper, Bob
Welper,Louanne Bonin and Pastor Randy Nielsen. Absent: CeCe Fuller,Amy
and Wayne Pralle, Sue Brandt and Vicki Whelan.
Sally Litterer made a motion for approval of the January council
meeting’s minutes and the February agenda with amendments to add that Dana
Sorenson was present at the last meeting.Jeff Stealy seconded the motion.Motion
carried..
The Pastor’s report was given by Pastor Randy Nielsen who updated us
about his pastoral visits /calls to our fellow congregational members:Sandra
Fisher, Joye Peterson, Paula Hicks, Adam Gustin and Gene Hanson. He updated the
council about our upcoming Ash Wednesday/ Lenten services and his meeting with
the worship commission.
Sally Litterer reviewed the treasurer report and stated that the money
for the Namibia tractor project was sent out.Marilyn Chalgren made a motion to
approve the treasurer’s report.Connie Bieber seconded.Motion carried.
Commission reports:
Congregational Life:Bev Clapsaddle shared about a project of sending
Valentine’s/ treats etc. to our college and military members.A Progressive
Dinner is planned on February 26 there is a sign up sheet on the information
table.Starting Thursday, February 10, 2010 @ 5:30 PM @ Galilean there will be a
quiet prayer centering time held every Thursday except during Lent this will be
announced in the Galilean Log.Janeil Olson will also be helping on the
Congregational Life commission.
Evangelism: representation not present
will occur where members can bring in their recyclable
cans and the money will be redeemed proceeds will go for the Heifer Project. The
Sunday school children have made small banks for those members of our
congregation to put their “coins for cows” in at home.
Property:Jeff Stealy reported that $200.00 was given to Clay
Starrett for his snow removal service he provided @ Galilean.A decision to not
proceed with the kitchen ceiling project as well as other kitchen issues were
discussed.Bids on a new roof will be occurring in the future and a Galilean
Lutheran sign stating when it was established idea was presented.The window in
the church office is in need of being fixed.
Social Concerns: representation not present.
Stewardship:Connie Bieber reported that pledges were up $22,000 more
than last year and that there was an excellent response to the time and talent
sheets that Galilean members filled out.An effort to use every name on the list
was discussedand that maybe some members are just waiting to be asked. the
Stewardship Commission is in the early planning stages of having small group
meetings with members inviting them into homes and visiting with them about
Galilean and things we can do as a congregation to improve and as a means of
fellowship of getting to know each other.Bev Clapsaddle shared an Excel spread
sheet that was designed with every members time/talent on it and copies will be
made available to those that want one.
Worship:Marilyn Chalgren discussed that for our Lenten Services
we will be using the “Voice of Lent/Mt. Vespers”. Our youth will be
participating as a specific character during the service.
Youth:Bob and Lisa Welper announced about the “Butter Braid”
fund raiser.A Formal Dinner a “Galilean Gala” will be held @ Galilean on
Saturday , March 26Look for more information about this in the Galilean
Log.Tickets will be $15.00.Reserved seating is available.A ski trip is being
planned for Mt. Kato. LYO is being held in Mason City the first weekend of
March.
Youth at Large:Kelli Gapinski shared the menu that will be served @ the
“Galilean Gala”
Leanne Hicks announced that there was no new
correspondence.
Old Business:
The council meeting time will be on the second Tuesday of
each month @ 7PM..Pastor Randy Nielsen will write a written report for these
meetings and will be available by his cell phone.
New Business:
Jeff Stealy discussed our current children sermon and a
discussion occurred with the council how we could encourage all youth to come up
during this time in our service to participate.Lisa Welper offered to discuss
that at the next youth meeting.
Discussion about our memorial fund and who was in charge
of itwas made.Dan Gapinski suggested reviewing the current policy. This
discussion was tabled.Leanne Hicks will put this on the agenda for our next
meeting.
Connie Bieber discussed the current process of sharing
commission reports with the President and the secretary and the other commission
members
Our next Council meeting will be Tuesday March 8, 2011 @
7:00 PMKelli Gapinski will lead us in devotions.
The meeting was adjourned with Connie Bieber sharing a
reflection from Colossians and a prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Louanne Bonin
Secretary
The Stewardship Commission would like
to update you on the recent commitment campaign. Galileans are indeed
Generous People. You have committed $22,000 more to God this year
than in 2009, our last commitment figures. Thirty six units pledged which is 9%
of the congregation. We appreciate your willingness to commit your gifts so the
budget committee has some basis for planning the expenses for the coming year.
We are also grateful for those who continue to give even though do not commit a
certain amount.
As part of this year’s campaign we
included Time & Talent sheets and the response was overwhelming. Karen has
complied this information and made it available to every commission chairperson.
It is also available for anyone needing help with a particular task. We are
grateful you took the time to fill out this form and plan to make every effort
to use this information. Don’t be discouraged if you are not called
immediately, we are committed to use every name on the list at some point.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture”.
Psalm37:3.
With heartfelt thanks, Jan Fynskov, Jackie Swanson and Connie Bieber
Regular
Giving: $12,586.75
Designated Giving: $10.00
Memorial Received: $0
Congregational
Life Received: $66.40
Interest Income: $0
Total
Incoming: $12,663.15
Operating
Expense: $10,575.96 CLB&
T Prin. Loan Pymt.: $352.52 Designated
Giving Paid Out: $160.
Memorial
Funds Used: $0
Average
Attendance 2010: 91
Average Attendance 2011: 82
Sunday,
March 6
Accompanist:
Brenda Bonnstetter
Acolyte:
Krystle Lu
Worship
Assistant:
Leanne Hicks
Reader:
Lisa Welper
Communion
Prep:
Joyce Price
Communion
Servers:
Wayne & Amy Pralle, Larry Eichmeier
Usher/Greeters:
Brad & Louanne Bonin
Coffee
Hosts:
Litterer Youth
Ash
Wednesday, March 9
Accompanist:
Kelli Gapinski
Communion
Prep:
Janeil Olson
Communion
Servers:
Jim Latham, Dan Gapinski
Sunday,
March 13
Accompanist:
Jackie Swanson
Acolyte:
Jenna Hanson
Worship
Assistant:
Dick Olson
Reader:
Jerry Gunnerson
Usher/Greeters:
Rod & Cecilia Fuller
Coffee
Hosts:
Gary & Janet Hahn
Sunday,
March 20
Accompanist:
Sonja Backer
Acolyte:
Ben Litterer
Worship
Assistant:
Deb Brastrom
Reader:
Marilyn Chalgren
Communion
Prep:
Kim & Sue Dwyer
Communion
Servers:
Dick Price, Jerry Gunnerson, Ian Davis
Usher/Greeters:
Julie Rickard, Ruth Topp
Coffee
Hosts:
Nea Lu, Vonnie Morris
Sunday,
March 27
Accompanist:
Linda Hopper
Acolyte:
Bryce Olson
Worship
Assistant:
Kelsey Litterer
Reader:
Louanne Bonin
Usher/Greeters:
Bob & Donna Buol, Maggie Smith
Coffee
Hosts:
Gary & Brenda Bonnstetter
Video
Cam for March: Kelsey
Litterer
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Volunteer Staff of
the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, we wish to thank you for your generous gift of
food donations. The Food Bank is committed to providing food assistance
to individuals and families in need and with your gift and support we will be
able to continue our efforts to provide emergency assistance to residents of
North Iowa. The Food Bank is proud of the fact that we are 100% volunteer
staffed and have been for 30 years. We are also proud of the community we live
in and the surrounding communities that make our services possible. We are
always in need of gifts from caring people such as you so that we may continue
to help those in need around us. As a note of interest, the Food Bank
distributed food boxes to 3,748 families, providing 107,004 meals to 8,917
individuals last year. Unfortunately, during these current economic times we do
not expect to see these number diminish. We are grateful to you for your
generosity and continued support—every gift makes a difference to those who
are struggling to feed their families.
Our
Shut in
Dick
Becker
In
Hospice Care
Sandra
Fischer
Those
who are ill
Barb
Goettel
Paula Hicks
Recovering
Joye
Petersen
Expecting
Eric
& Kim Reicherts
Our
Men In the Military
Cole
Fatland
Andrew
Branstad
Chris
Sorensen
Mathias
Morris
From the Galilean Youth Crusaders!!
“A
Galilean Gala”
Is
being held on Saturday March 26!
Would
YOU like to take your loved one or special friend, out for a special evening of
dinner and entertainment? Well, here is your chance!
Dinner
Seating times are at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm, your choice, here at the church.
The
cost is $15 per person.
Menu
choices:
Chicken
Parmesan
Roasted
Boston Pork
Braised
Beef in Red Wine
Also
potatoes, salad, dessert and beverage will be served with your main dish.
The
youth is going to serve you in a candlelight setting.
Proceeds
will be going toward the Youth Mission Trip in the summer of 2012.
Deadline
to reserve your time and table is Sunday, March 13.
Please
see one of the YOUTH to make your reservation!!
Thanks!!!
Prayer
Shawl Group
Is
meeting on Monday, March 28 here at the church at 3:00 pm.
From
Congregational Life:
Thursday, March 3 at 5:30 pm will be a time for
Quiet
Reflection.
Note: 5 p Worship Service will be held in the Study
To
the Congregation of Galilean Lutheran:
Thank
you for your very generous donation of $150.00. Your contribution will help the
purchase of a
Tractor
for the community of Namibia.
Sue
Hoeft, Treasurer
Wednesday
Lenten Services
Something
NEW is about to take place with our worship this year!! We will be singing and
doing our service from a new booklet called Mountain Vespers. This service came
from Matt & Karen Hernes. The worship commission has been spending the last
6 months looking this over and getting prepared and ready for this change to
take place! The Youth had requested doing something new, so this is it! We have
been doing the Holden Evening Prayer for over 15 years, and as the commission
listened and reviewed the Mountain Vespers, it is very much like the Holden
Evening Prayer, with the song lyrics very much same, only set to different
music. It is quite fun to sing and play! Brenda has been gracious in learning
this new service, along with her counterparts learning it as well, guitar (Dan
Gapinski), flute (Kelsey Litterer) and bass (Leah Bonnstetter).
Also,
Marilyn Chalgren has chosen Readings for the service and has lined up some of
our Youth to give these during the service.
This
new service should prove to become another one of our ‘favorites’ on our
list of worships we so enjoy taking part in!! We thank Matt & Karen Hernes
for their willingness to share this with us!!
So…
be here for our ‘new’ enjoyable
and meaningful Lenten services this year!!
The new Angel Food Ministries Order Forms for
March are on the table in the back of the sanctuary. In Person Ordering:
Saturday, March 12 from 10 am until Noon. Order On Line: until 10:59 pm Tuesday,
March 15. Mail In Orders: must be at host site by Monday, March 14.
Distribution Day is Saturday, March 19 from
12:30 to 1:30 pm.
The
month of March is upon us and the Lenten Season is beginning. Come and join on
all the fun bible stories, crafts and many other fun things!
Learn about God’s love for all people.
Here
is the schedule for the month of March:
March
6th: Come
and learn about Ash Wednesday and help open the doors on our new Lent Calendar.
March
13: Temptation
of Jesus, Matthew 4:1-11 ~ Have YOU ever been tempted?
March
20: Nicodemus
visits Jesus
John
3:1-17
March
27: The
Samaritan Woman
John
4:1-42
We
have missed everyone that has not been coming!! Please come and
join in on the fun!
To ~ Marilyn Chalgren, Cece Fuller,
Confirmation Students, Pasto Randy Nielsen, Jan Fynskov, Joanne Stollenwerk and
Mary Andrews for serving at Community Kitchen this past month!!
To ~ All those who sent Cookies and
Valentine Cards to our College Students!!
Click Here for the March 2011 Calendar