The Galilean LOG
November 2011
From the Pastor's Desk
Does One Size Fit All?
A man went to buy a new suit. He was looking through the racks and came across a fantastic suit marked $20.00. He was amazed at the low price, the fabric was just like that of other very expensive suits next to it. So he asked the clerk, why the suit was so cheap?“Ah,” said the clerk, “that is our 'One-Size-Fits-All' suit. You don't have to have it tailored on anything just wear it right off the rack.”
The man tried it on, and it seemed to fit except for two problems; the right sleeve was just a bit short, and so was the left leg. The clerk explained that if he hunched his right shoulder a little the sleeve would fall correctly, and if he hitched up his left hip the pant leg would do the same.
So the man did and sure enough the suit looked great. He had some trouble walking with his shoulder hunched and his hip hitched, but for a $20.00 suit he thought it would be worth the adjustment. So he bought it and decided to wear it out of the shop.
As he walked through the mall two women watched him walk by with his rather uneven gait. One said, “Oh, look at that poor man. He must have been in a terrible accident.”
The other replied, “Yes, it is tragic. But he's wearing such a nice suit.”
One of the things that came out of the Meet-and-Greet gatherings is that Galilean is just like every other congregation. We are the Body of Christ made of us many members, and each of us has different needs, wants, desires, priorities, opinions, etc. And the area of the life of the church where that is true more than any other is in our worship.
I truly enjoy the variety of worship styles we use at Galilean, it keeps me on my toes and I never get bored. However, it seems that there are many of you that would like to see things done differently. We have already begun to respond to some of the suggestions you made. We have spaced the chairs out a little to give more room for each worshiper. I have begun to dress a little more “Spiffy” (a word used by a number of Galileans to describe my attire lately :-). Karen is marking the large Bible so that the readers can read from the book rather than a piece of paper. We are including a preview of the next week's worship format in the bulletin each week to give people a heads up on special music, etc.
Thank you so much for your input. Your comments, questions and concerns are being considered very seriously. And thank you also for your patience and understanding. Some of you shared opposing opinions on a few topics which means I or one of the commissions or Council will have to make a decision between one thing or another. What makes being a leader difficult is having to make those decisions. I promise you I will make decisions based on prayerful deliberation and lead the council and commissions to do the same.
Part of what it means to live in community with one another is that we all need to be willing to make compromises for the good of the whole group. And the most important thing we need to do as a church is to seek God's guidance and will through prayer and conversation.
One question that came up during the gatherings was this: “Pastor Scot, what is your vision for Galilean?” That is the Million Dollar question. And that is the focus of much of my prayer time. Except I am asking that question of God: “Lord God, what is your vision for Galilean?”
I would like each of you to pray that question as well. And then spend some significant time listening for God's answer. “Lord God, what is your vision for Galilean?” How can we make the church responsive to the needs of such a diverse group of Christians? How can we walk with each other and care for each other as Christ did for us?
As we seek together to discern God's vision for Galilean, I would like to remind you of a favorite verse of mine. “In all things God works for good, for those who love God and are called according to God's purpose.” Romans 8:28
Your servant in Christ. Pastor Scot
Please
Remember in your Prayers
Our
Shut In
Dick
Becker
Ill
Barb Goettel
Recovering
from
a fall
Marilyn Chalgren
Those who Mourn
Gary
& Sally Litterer & family
on
the loss of Sally’s father
Dick
& Joyce Price & family
on the loss of Joyce’s mom.
Our Men in the Military
Cole
Fatland
Andrew
Branstad
Chris
Sorensen
Mathias
Morris
Calvin Bast ~ added to our list, he is the grandson of Dave & Joyce Clayton
From the President's Desk
Well, we are entering November and what a great October it
has been! November is the month of Thanksgiving and I am asking “what are you
thankful for?” Think of something every day and thank God for that something.
Some of the things I am thankful for our my family, my church family, my
friends, and my health. Not everyone in the world is able to say they are
thankful for these things. I feel very fortunate to be able to say this! This
month we will be getting out the box again for the children and families in need
at the Clear Lake schools, presented by Sally Dusenberg. A list will be posted
on the bulletin board. If you also believe that you are fortunate and would like
to help those out less fortunate, please bring items to put into this box.
Immediate and pressing needs are: Laundry Soap, Toilet Tissue, and 4 to 6x
Sweatpants for small children. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts that you
all have and have a Blessed Thanksgiving season!!
Leanne
Hicks, President
Operation
Christmas Child Update!!
The
collection week for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes is November 14 – 21.
Beginning October 30 empty boxes will be available at the church for you to take
and fill. Brochures on how to pack a box and labels will be out then also.
Filled, labeled boxes will need to be returned to Galilean by Monday, November
21. On that date, they will be taken to the Mason City drop off site.
Council Meeting Minutes 9/13/2011
President Leanne Hicks called the
meeting to order. Members present: Louanne Bonin, Connie Bieber, Marilyn
Chalgren, Bev Clapsaddle, Joyce Clayton, Dan & Kelli Gapinski, Sally
Litterer, Pastor Scot McCluskey, Wayne & Amy Pralle, Jeff Stealy and Vicki
Whelan.
Devotions were given by Jeff Stealy. A motion was made to approve the
agenda, seconded and motion carried. August council meeting minutes were
approved, seconded and motion carried. The parish office report was read by
Leanne Hicks. Our new Galilean address directory has been updated and placed in
council boxes.
Pastor Scot reported that he has met with each commission. A motion was
made to accept 5 new members ~ Jim Leasure, Taylor, Angie, Landon & Dylan
Moore into our congregation. The motion was approved and seconded and carried.
Pastor Randy Baldwin, of the NE Iowa Synod, Lake Conference will be at our next
meeting. New computers for the offices will be delivered on Sept. 14. Sally
Litterer presented the Treasurer’s report. A motion was made to approve the
Treasurer’s report, seconded and motion carried.
The following Commissions were present and reported ~
Congregational
Life:
Bev Clapsaddle reported that a dinner for new members and their mentors from
Galilean will be held on Sat. Sept. 24. Our new member Sunday will be held on
Sept. 25. A discussion about having a game night with the congregation was
presented.
Learning:
Vicki Whelan reported that the Learning commission has met twice with Pastor
Scot to plan the Sunday school curriculum and additional youth/children
activities for the school year. A “One Room Sunday school” will be used.
This curriculum includes crafts, music, room decorations and lectionary
materials that are reproducible. Memorization of the Lord’s Prayer will be a
special project that they intend to work on. Rally Sunday was held on Sept. 11
with a carnival theme based on the 10 Commandments. Additional projects were
discussed.
Property:
Jeff Stealy reported that the sound system committee has met and a bid was
received for the system. Our hearing devices are now available and members are
now using them. A new glass window with the GLC Logo on it has been installed in
the church office. The outdoor cross in the front of the church will be painted.
Dave Hopper will be planting new shrubs around the cross.
Social
Concerns:
Marilyn Chalgren reported that Operation Christmas Child boxes are due the week
of November 14. A date has been reserved for Nov. 30 in Minnesota from 11 to 3
for any Galileans to help assemble the boxes at a warehouse. Everyone is
encouraged to assist with this project. Marilyn needs to know how many will be
going.
Stewardship: Connie Bieber reported
that our Meet and Greet meetings will be Sept. 18-25 at various times and
locations. She reminded each commission to hand in their 2012 budgets which are
due in November.
Worship:
Marilyn Chalgren reported that the worship commission would to like thank Jeff
Stealy for grilling the meat for Rally Sunday and for Kelli Gapinski for making
the signs. New member Sunday will be Sept. 25 with a Fellowship reception
following the service. Each new member will receive a pin or certificate. On
Oct. 2 a reception will be held for all of our accompanists. Jane Taylor and
Sandy Gunnerson will be retiring. Jackie Swanson will be preaching on Sunday
Sept. 18. Pastor Scot was thanked for his Sept. 11 Memorial Service held in the
city park.
Youth:
Wayne Pralle reported that the Youth have set up their calendar for the next 3
months. On Sept. 24 from 9 a to 12 p they will be picking up apples for Ruth
Topp as a fund raiser. On Sat. December 3 @ Christmas by the Lake they Galilean
Youth Crusaders will have another fishing booth for the children. The Galilean
Youth will have a bake sale on Sun. December 4th. The Youth Gathering
in New Orleans registration date will be on October 9.
Youth
at Large:
Kelli Gapinski reported that Rally Sunday went well with the youth helping. An
election of officers for the Galilean Youth Crusaders was held. Kelli Gapinski
is President, Brock Brandt is Vice President, Jessica Fuller is Secretary and
Jacob Welper is the Treasurer.
Leanne read correspondence from the
Faith Lutheran church in Miller thanking us for the use of Galilean. An update
from Jessie Bohn in mission service in Turkey will be available to read on the
bulletin board.
Old
Business:
Pastor Scot has met with all commissions. A goal has been set to develop our
existing commissions to include more members on each commission. Material was
given to each council member explaining each standing commission and their
responsibilities. After discussion a motion was made seconded and approved to
hold a separate meeting about our commissions. The date will be determined by
the executive committee. Service Groups have had the leaders removed from them.
members are to find their own replacements or make other arrangements if they
are not able to fulfill their assignment. The new sound system bid in the amount
of $10,668 was presented, and discussed. A motion was made, seconded and
approved to use the undesignated memorial money in the amount of $5,634.35 and a
memorial gift in memory of Myrt Hanson in the amount of $3,100 towards our new
sound system. A motion was made, seconded and approved and any donations that
will come in to cover the remaining expense of $1,933.65. A motion was made,
seconded and approved to let the Cub Scouts meet at Galilean on Mon. Sept. 19.
New
Business:
The Memorial Committee presented information on Memorial Records Facilitation.
Joyce Clayton reported that there is a Memorial box available in the church
office. Joyce Clayton was thanked for assisting as our church secretary when
Karen is out.
A motion was made, seconded and
approved for the executive committee to determine an amount of money for Joyce
when she fills in as secretary. Discussion was made to staff our Nursery on
Sundays. Volunteers will be asked
to do this. The new sound system will be made available in the Nursery. Pastor
Scot requested that this year’s salary be designated as his housing allowance
and $35,000 to be designated toward housing for 2012. A motion was made,
seconded and approved.
Our next council meeting will be on
Tuesday, October 11 @ 7:00 pm. Devotions will be given by Marilyn Chalgren.
Respectfully
Submitted ~ Louanne Bonin, Secretary
Fall Church
Cleaning!!
Will be held on Saturday, November 12
from 9 am until Noon.
Financial Statistics ~ September 2011
Regular
Giving: $9,387.25
Designated Giving: $600.00
Memorial
Received: $3,130.00
Congregational Life: $31.95
Total Incoming:
$13,149.20
Operating
Expense: $17,680.09
CLB&T Prin Loan Payment: $352.57
Designated
Giving Paid Out: $600.00
Memorial Funds Used: $5,515.25
Total Outgoing:
$24,147.91
Designated
Giving Received: $600.00 for the Sound System
Memorial
Giving Received
$3,000
In Memory of Myrt Hanson ~ Sound System
$115.00
In Memory of Ilse Bruntjen ~ $100 to Sound System ~ $15 undesignated
$15
In Memory of Jo Ann Shallberg ~ undesignated
Designated
Giving Paid Out:
$600.00
Sound System
Memorial
Funds Used
$5,515.25
~ Sound System
Average
Attendance 2010: 96
Average Attendance 2011: 86
Respectfully
Submitted ~ Sally Litterer ~ Treasurer
Fall Bazaar!!
You are invited to a Fall Bazaar
being held here at Galilean on Sunday,
November 13 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The Youth will be serving refreshments and
holding a bake sale with all the proceeds going toward their trip to the
National Youth Gathering next July 2012. Members of Galilean and outside vendors
will be offering gifts for sale and a portion of these sales will go to the
Youth towards their trip next July. Each vendor will also pay a fee for their
table and those fees will all go to the youth.
The
Council approved this event since it will bring awareness in the community of
our church. It provides an opportunity for members to bond over planning the
event. And it will support our
Youth and the gifts and talents of vendors participating.
If
you would like to participate, please contact Mary Stealy, Amy Pralle or Lisa
Welper.
The Christmas
Program is Coming!!
The
greatest celebration is just right around the corner. The Birth of our Lord,
Jesus! We are planning something new and exciting this year for Sunday school -
- - we will be having a Christmas Program on Sunday, December 18 during our
normal Sunday worship service. We plan to practice for this program during
Sunday school starting the week after Thanksgiving. In order for us to plan
appropriately, please let Sue or I know if you can participate in the practices
and the program. We’d love to see you there, to help us celebrate this
glorious event!
From Evangelism
When I think of Evangelism, I think of sharing
the word of God. When I was approached about being on this commission, I
thought, “Yes, I like greeting and welcoming people into our church I can do
that!” After I joined and saw the list of all there was to do, I honestly
thought, “I can’t do all that! Why did I agree to be on this commission?”
I now realize I won’t be able to do all the things on the list, but
that’s why we have other people on this commission. I was overwhelmed by all
the things on the list to be done, but through prayer and meditation, I
remembered how Jesus reached out to His disciples and the disciples reached out
to the masses to spread the good news. We each have our own talents and can
contribute in some way.
I do believe we ALL have a big part in Evangelism and our church is
blessed in welcoming people in.
In know a gal who says she believes in God but whenever something about
church is brought up, she says she wants nothing to do with the church and that
church just wants money. I try hard not to judge her and pray God will
work in her to change her thinking. I can sit in a garage for 6 months. That
doesn’t make me a car. In can sit in church for 6 months. That doesn’t make
me a Christian.
I pray God works in each of our lives with the talents he’s given to us
to reach people with the Good News of Christ. There is nothing better than to
have the Lord in our lives.
My challenge to everyone is to find the strength to go out and spread the
word of God.
On the Table in
the back of the Sanctuary
Christ in Our Home
for October, November and December
The Lutheran Digest
~ Fall 2011
Upper Room
Devotionals for
November & December
Alive Now
Devotionals for November & December
These
items are for your picking up and keeping for your reading of and enjoyment in
your home. If you would like to please take one or all!!
Thanks!!
Here’s Who’s Doing What for Worship and Fellowship, November
Sunday, November 6
Accompanist: Brenda Bonnstetter
Acolyte: Luke Brandt
Worship Assistant: Karen Holm
Reader: Fred Petersburg
Communion Prep: Janeil Olson
Communion Servers: Janeil Olson, Karen Holm, Louanne Bonin
Usher/Greeters: George & Miriam Simpson
Coffee
Hosts: Lu Youth
Sunday, November 13
Accompanist: Jackie Swanson
Acolyte: Hannah Whelan
Worship Assistant: Dick Olson
Reader: Janeil Olson
Usher/Greeters: Kerri Gustin family
Coffee Hosts: Jackie Swanson &
Rakel
Smith
Sunday, November 20
Accompanist: Jackie Swanson &
The
Praise Band
Acolyte: Mary Andrews
Worship Assistant: Larry Eichmeier
Reader: Jeff Stealy
Communion Prep: Mike Eddy
Communion Servers: Leanne Hicks, Mike Eddy, Jerry Gunnerson
Usher/Greeters: Dick & Joyce Price
Coffee Hosts: Kevin &Vicky Olson
November 27
Accompanist: Linda Hopper
Acolyte: Ben Litterer
Worship Assistant: Dale Kroon
Reader: Kelli Gapinski
Usher/Greeters: Jeff & Mary Stealy
Coffee Hosts: Gary & Sally Litterer
Video Cam:
Karlan
Lu
Bread/Juice:
Rakel
Smith
Our Thanks go out to ~ and Thanks from ~
To ~
CeCe Fuller, Sandy Gunnerson, and the
Confirmation kids for serving at Community Kitchen in October!!
To ~
Marilyn Chalgren, Rae & Connie Bieber, Leanne Hicks, Nick Leasure, Ron &
Sonnee Steveson, Sue Brandt, Lou Stealy, Jan Fynskov and Joyce Price for doing
Meals on Wheels in October!
To ~
Dave Hopper for finishing up the décor around the outside cross!
From ~
Thank You for delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly. Without your help most
of them would not have warm meal at noon. I really appreciate you taking the
time to do this. June Johnson, Senior Citizens Center
From ~
I would like to thank my Galilean Church Council for my gift card. It is very
much appreciated! Thank you very much! Joyce
Clayton
Click Here for the November 2011 Calendar