The Galilean Log
October 2010
Thoughts from the President’s Desk
We are winding down another
year here at Galilean Lutheran. Many changes have taken place in the last nine
months. The months have been good ones with some sadness mixed in. It is time to
move on and start planning for the year 2011.
A few weeks ago the Nominating Committee was activated.
Those on the Nominating Committee are: Karen Hernes, Sharon Ryg, Vicki
Whelan, Jeff Stealy and Sandy Gunnerson. For the next few months they will be
canvassing the congregation for candidates to fill the vacant chairs on the
council.
I came across this inspirational message and prayer some time ago
and this is an appropriate time to share it with you.
Creator
of all, could you be calling me to be a leader? Do you not see my faults and
frailties? Do you not see my trembling legs and sweating palms? Thank you for
thinking of me, but could you please find someone else? Perhaps tomorrow I could
help, but not today. Yes...tomorrow.
Omnipotent
Lord, again, you call and ask me to lead. You are persistent. These are tough
times to be a leader in the church. There is so much conflict in our world,
country and yes, even in the church. It is hard to know which direction to turn,
let alone to take the responsibility to lead someone else. There is bound to be
another person who wants to lead.
Unrelenting
pursuer, I hear your call and I say “OK.” With your guidance I will try to
lead. But let me repeat—my abilities are limited. Sometimes I cannot find my
car keys, or I forget what I am doing. But here I am. If you can use me to bring
your reign, then, Holy One, here I am. Send me.
Redeeming
Christ, reach out and find others to walk with me on this journey. Bless me with
partners in ministry and mission. Care for us, feeding us with your word and
giving us rest after a long day of labor. Teach us to trust you, know your voice
and rely on your direction. Help us savor with joy and celebrate the
opportunities to serve you.
Almighty
Savior, there is so much to do and such need. Sometimes I am not sure of
priorities. Remind me to pause for prayer as I serve you in mission and
ministry. Renew my spirit and clarify my vision of your will.
Gracious
shepherd, grant me a compassionate, loving spirit to respond to the needs of
others, especially on days when I am tired. Give me patience and understanding
for those who disagree with me or doubt my leadership. Sometimes their
complaints hurt—deeply. So grant me patience...quickly.
Eternal
God, I now understand the privilege to serve as a leader. Forgive my hesitation
to respond to your call. Indeed, it is an honor to lead your people. Fill me
with your passionate and bold spirit. Give me courage to faithfully follow you
each day.
The First Letter of each part of this message, when put together spell
the words
COURAGE.
I
believe every one of you have that gift and the God given talent to lead.
When you are called please answer that call with a resounding “YES,
SEND ME, LORD”
In
Christ’s Love,
“Everyone
is Someone”
Yours in Christ,
Council Minutes ~ September 14, 2010
Meeting was called to order by
President, Bob Johnson. Devotions were given by Jo Ann Shallberg.
Roll Call: Present: Bob Johnson, CeCe
Fuller, Dana Sorenson, Marilyn Chalgren, Leanne Hicks, Sally Litterer, Kelsey
Litterer, Wayne Pralle, Sue Brandt, Amy Pralle, Dan Gapinski, Susan J. Starrett,
Jan Fynskov, and Jo Ann Shallberg.
Sally Litterer moved the minutes of
last meeting be approved without reading, Marilyn Chalgren seconded.
Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Motion to approve by Wayne Pralle, seconded by Jan Fynskov, motion
carried.
Youth: Sixteen
young people attended the meeting held Sunday, Sept. 12th.
Stewardship: Estimate-giving cards will be
sent to congregation to be returned November 14th. There will be a celebration pot luck dinner after church
services that day. There will be
three “Time and Talent” temple talks in October.
ELCA would like to see an increase from 4.7% to 5.5% for Galilean’s
mission contributions. Reported
that Sundays’ attendance has been averaging just over 1/3 of the members.
Evangelism:
Discussion
on visits to shut-ins during the church’s lack of pastor was held.
Suggested finding congregation members willing to make the calls.
Worship: Marilyn Chalgren moved that we
dispense with name tags until a better system of tracking members is found.
Kelsey Litterer seconded, motion carried.
Marilyn moved that guest pastors be paid $150 for two services (Saturday
night and Sunday), Sally Litterer seconded, motion carried.
There will be shoe boxes to fill for Operation Christmas Child again this
year. Marilyn and Bob Johnson will
be working with Pastor Gerriets to obtain interim pastor.
Social Concerns:
CeCe Fuller collected school supplies for Salvation Army.
Youth-at-Large:
Kelsey Litterer is checking on possibility of Youth having a fishing pond
for children during Christmas at Lake. Also
the possibility of a Harvest Dinner was raised.
Correspondence: Letter
from Kristi Leonard seeking facilitator from Galilean for her and ten young
people from Forest City to visit Labyrinth.
Letter from Mirror Reporter concerning
renewal of ad. Leanne moved we
continue the ad, Susan Starrett seconded, motion carried
New Business:
Motion to approve Chuck and Bev Clapsaddle as new members made by Jan
Fynskov, seconded by Leanne Hicks, motion carried. Motion to approve Billy Olson as a new member by Marilyn
Chalgren, seconded by Sally Litterer, motion carried.
Dana Sorenson reported that a possible
program to have a shared Youth Pastor with Christian Church, Church of Christ,
Congregational and Galilean is in early planning stage.
Bob Johnson has initiated the
Nominating Committee for new council members for next year.
Church cleaning will be in October on
second weekend.
Galilean will have Community Kitchen
and Meals on Wheels duty in October.
Leanne Hicks will give devotions for
October meeting of Council.
Leanne Hicks moved meeting be
adjourned, Sally Litterer seconded. Meeting
was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully
submitted by
Jo
Ann Shallberg, Secretary
Treasurer’s Report ~ August 2010
August
Regular Giving: $13,312.16
August Designated Giving: $1,220.50
August
Memorials Received: $386.00 August
Congregational Life: $67.20
Total
Incoming for August: $14,985.86
August
Operating Expense: $10,081.73 August
CLB & T Prin. Loan Paymt.: $359.94
August
Designated Giving Paid Out: $150.00 August
Memorial Funds used: $0
Total
Outgoing: $ 10,591.67
Checking
Acct. Balance 8/31: $11,138.24 Memorial
Acct. Balance 8/31: $5,826.81
Loan
Balance 8/31: $49,306.72
Designated Giving Received: $1,024.50 RAGBRAI $146.00 VBS $50.00 World Hunger
Average
Attendance 2009: 101 Average
Attendance 2010: 87
Respectfully
Submitted ~
Sally Litterer, Treasurer
Attention All Sunday school Students!!
The month of October is here! The
Treasure for this month is “The Giving Earth”.
Here is the schedule for this month, we
hope you can come and join in on the fun!
Oct. 3: Seed, plant and harvest. What
kind of seed have you planted?
Oct. 10: Tree-mendous
Growth. Why is a tree like Christ and his followers??? John 15:5-10 (If weather
permits we will be outside).
Oct. 17: Halloween
Party presented by the Galilean Youth Crusaders
Oct. 24: A
Bible Time Harvest. Come join in on the fun! Taste some food that you have never
had before. Deuteronomy 8:1-8
Oct. 31: The
Sower and the Seed. Learn how your faith can grow in the strangest places.
Matthew 13
Hope to see everybody there!
The Learning Commission would
like to thank Jeff Stealy for grilling the hot dogs and to everyone else who
volunteered their time with the kids or in the kitchen on Rally Day! You really
made the day run smoothly.
Please remember in your Prayers
Our
Shut Ins
Dick
Becker
Sandra
Fischer
Those
who are ill
Karen
Barrett
Betty
Wind
Barb
Goettel
Our
Men in the Military
Cole
Fatland
Andrew
Branstad
Chris Sorensen
7th & 8th Grade Confirmation Students! Classes are beginning Wednesday, September 29 from 6 to 7 pm. Jim Davis & Sue Branddt will be your instructors.
Let’s Talk
St.
Luke’s Prayer Team or “Prayer Care” Chapter. Basically, I had never heard of St. Luke Prayers, until my friend,
Babette Brenton, started attending Galilean in the summer. She said, “she did
prayers”, which certainly seemed “noble” to me.
Then, she volunteered to do prayers for anyone who wanted prayers at
Galilean. Pastor Jeff and Kelli Ungs were the first in line.
Ultimately, she said she thought Galilean needed it’s own St. Luke
Prayer Chapter. Not knowing any more about this than I did in paragraph one, I
said, “okay, Jack and I will do this.”
To be a St. Luke’s Prayer person, we studied and thoroughly discussed
all twenty healings in the Bible. Here’s the thing, Jesus knows each one of
us, and he knows our needs for prayer. Besides your prayers, a St. Luke’s
person listens to your need for prayer, and prays to Jesus for you too. We ask
Jesus to lay his healing hands upon you and bring healing to you, in his
precious name. We can’t heal you, but we can offer to pray for you. Who
among us can say “No, thanks, I don't need prayers.” No one can have too
many prayers, the more the better. Once we know your prayer needs, we continue
to pray for you in our daily prayers.
No prayer is too small or too unreasonable. If you have a concern or
something that is troubling you, it is a prayer concern. Praying for our adult
children who are having marriage problems or financial problems is every bit as
important as praying for a hip replacement, or a stroke. If it’s a concern to
you, we will pray for you, asking God to take this “heavy yoke from you” in
the precious name of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely, Sandi Davis
New Member Recognition Sunday, October 17th
We will be welcoming New Members here at
Galilean on Sunday October 17th during our worship service acknowledging their
wishes and to welcome them into our family!!
If you would like to become a member
please call Karen in the church office, 357-2296 or Bob Johnson, 357-6793.
We will be serving a cake in their honor
during fellowship and having a reception for them…
Thanks!!
Your Worship
Commission
~
Attention High School Youth!! Grades 9 –12
Wednesday
Evening Bible Study will be held from 6:00
to 7:00 pm beginning on
Wednesday,
October 6th.
Bring
your bibles!
Time for Fall Church Clean Up!!
We
will be cleaning our church from the inside to the outside on 2 mornings in October.
The
dates are Friday, October 8
from 9 am until Noon
And
Saturday, October 9
from
9 am until Noon.
We
need your help!! If would are able to work only one morning or both mornings it
would be appreciated, we will even be happy with one or two hours that you can
spare!
The
sign up sheet is on the table in the back of the
sanctuary.
Mark your calendars and remember to sign up here at the church!!
From the Stewardship Commission
Think
about the “offering” collected during services at the church. Do you
experience this moment in the liturgy as an act of worship, or does it just seem
like an occasion for taking care of business?
Dr.
Mark Alan Powell.
Angelfood Ministries for October
In person ordering is Saturday, October 16 from 9 am until noon. Forms of payment accepted in person: Credit & Debit cards, cash, check, EBT or money orders. Order On Line: with a credit or debit card @ www.clafm.com until 10:59 pm Tues. October 19. There is a processing fee for card transactions. Mail In Orders: mail completed form (they are on the table in the back of the sanctuary) along with a check payable to the Clear Lake United Methodist Church. Designate Angel Food in the memo line. It must be at the host site by Mon. October 18. Distribution day is Saturday, October 23 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. New this month: Order Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes this month for delivery in November and December.
2010
Operation
Christmas
Child
Galileans are invited to participate again
this year for filling Christmas boxes for needy children around the world!
Last year 9 million shoe boxes were distributed worldwide to needy
children (including the U.S.) This year’s collection week is November
15—22. Empty shoe boxes will be coming to the church the last week in
October. Look for a table in the church entryway. Last year we sent 50 boxes
to the collection center in Mason City, what a great response! This is a great
project for anyone who wants to bring love and joy to children who are less
fortunate than we are. Its is a “simple gift with a simple message”. If you
need more
information, contact
Marilyn Chalgren. Thanks!
Time
to Celebrate our Harvest and our
Veterans!!
On
Thursday,
November
11 (Veterans Day) we will be serving our Fall Festival Dinner!! More information
and details will be forthcoming!! Stay tuned!!
Here’s Who’s Doing What for Worship & Fellowship in October.
Sunday,
October 3
Supply
Pastor:
Barbara Spaulding
Accompanist:
Linda Hopper
Acolyte:
Ben Litterer
Worship
Assistant:
Larry Eichmeier
Reader:
Louanne Bonin
Communion
Preparers:
Kayla Bonnstetter & Kelsey Litterer
Communion
Servers:
Louanne Bonin, Leanne Hicks, Susan Starrett
Usher/Greeters:
Bob & Donna Buol, James & Maggie Smith
Coffee
Hosts:
Welper Youth
Sunday,
October 10
Supply
Pastor:
Barbara Spaulding
Accompanist:
Jane Taylor
Acolyte:
Bryce Olson
Worship
Assistant:
Deb Brastrom
Reader:
Bob Welper
Usher/Greeters:
Eric & Kerri Gustin, Scot & Dana Sorensen
Coffee
Hosts:
Jerry & Sandy Gunnerson
Sunday,
October 17
(New
Member Sunday)
Accompanist:
Brenda Bonnstetter
Acolyte:
Juel Hanson
Worship
Assistant:
Marilyn Chalgren
Reader:
Dick Olson
Communion
Preparer:
Sonnee Steveson
Communion
Servers:
Janeil Olson, Marilyn Chalgren, Jim Latham
Usher/Greeters:
Larry & Lorraine Hoffman, Dick Olson
Coffee
Hosts:
Bob & Lisa Welper, Rakel Smith
Sunday,
October 24
Accompanist:
Linda Hopper
Acolyte:
Emma Whelan
Worship
Assistant:
Sonnee Steveson
Reader:
Dick Price
Usher/Greeters:
Monique Pinheiro,
George
& Miriam Simpson
Coffee
Hosts:
Allen & Karen Holm
Sunday,
October 31
(Confirmation)
Accompanist:
Brenda Bonnstetter
Acolyte:
Haley Suby
Worship
Assistant:
Dan Gapinski
Reader:
Leanne Hicks
Communion
Preparers:
Wayne & Amy Pralle
Communion
Servers:
Confirmands
Usher/Greeters:
Confirmands
Coffee
Hosts:
Scot & Dana Sorensen
Video
Cam for October:
Jacob
Welper
Let’s Talk
St.
Luke’s Prayer Team or “Prayer Care” Chapter. Basically, I had never heard of St. Luke Prayers, until my friend,
Babette Brenton, started attending Galilean in the summer. She said, “she did
prayers”, which certainly seemed “noble” to me.
Then, she volunteered to do prayers for anyone who wanted prayers at
Galilean. Pastor Jeff and Kelli Ungs were the first in line.
Ultimately, she said she thought Galilean needed it’s own St. Luke
Prayer Chapter. Not knowing any more about this than I did in paragraph one, I
said, “okay, Jack and I will do this.”
To be a St. Luke’s Prayer person, we studied and thoroughly discussed
all twenty healings in the Bible. Here’s the thing, Jesus knows each one of
us, and he knows our needs for prayer. Besides your prayers, a St. Luke’s
person listens to your need for prayer, and prays to Jesus for you too. We ask
Jesus to lay his healing hands upon you and bring healing to you, in his
precious name. We can’t heal you, but we can offer to pray for you. Who
among us can say “No, thanks, I don't need prayers.” No one can have too
many prayers, the more the better. Once we know your prayer needs, we continue
to pray for you in our daily prayers.
No prayer is too small or too unreasonable. If you have a concern or
something that is troubling you, it is a prayer concern. Praying for our adult
children who are having marriage problems or financial problems is every bit as
important as praying for a hip replacement, or a stroke. If it’s a concern to
you, we will pray for you, asking God to take this “heavy yoke from you” in
the precious name of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely, Sandi Davis
Reminder:
we are looking for those interested in
joining into this group. Please contact Sandi or Joyce Carew if you are
interested.
Care & Share Team
We are in need of your special talents!! During
this time of transition, we are in need of volunteers to help out with making
hospital visits, nursing home visits, assisted living visits, and visits to shut
ins. At this time I am asking for a list of people who would be willing to be
put on a list to help out in these areas. We need 3 coordinators to be the ‘go
to person’ in charge. If you are caring and like to talk (and I know that
includes every member here!), then please consider helping out. Please talk to
Janeil Olson for myself if this sounds like something you would be willing to
put your special talents into. As soon as we get a list of volunteers, we will
put together lists and name the coordinator for each list. This will be
published in the monthly LOG’s and in the Bulletins so everyone will know who
to call if they or a family members would like a visit. Thank you in advance for
prayerfully considering this.
Community
Kitchen & Meals on Wheels!!
Our Thanks go out to:
To ~ All the Commissions members and the
Council for keeping the church running like a fine tuned automobile in the
absence of a pastor!! Everyone has been phenomenal in seeing that their church
is ‘keeping on, keeping on’!!
Thank
you!!
Click here for the October 2010 Calendar