Message - Galilee Lutheran Church

OCTOBER 2008

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. " (Proverbs 22:6)

DEAR FELLOW-GALILEANS,

I'm starting to get worried about the next generation.Oh, it's not because of politics. I believe our nation is strong enough to withstand the differences between Republicans and Democrats (and the barbs they throw at each other during the political season), and will remain as the standard of freedom and liberty for our world. And it's not the financial crisis we are facing as a nation. Yes. many banks and mortgage companies are in trouble clue to overwhelming debt and unwise lending practices. but we are being told by those who should know that our economy remains basically strong and the prospect of a recovery is on the horizon.

But I'm starting to get worried about the next generation because of their faith-or lack of it. You see, I was brought up (as I'll bet most of my generation was) in an active church family. Religion was a very important part of our lives. We went to church every Sunday, and my brother and sister and I always went to Sunday School. Yes, I'll admit that I sometimes didn't want to, but it really wasn’t up for discussion. We were going--that was it! As a result (obviously), it's still important to me now (and not_.just because I get paid to be there).I hope it's not too late. I believe we can still be positive influences on our families of God's presence and love, of the joys of honoring him through our worship, and of the strengthening and deepening of our faith that comes from Bible study. We offer opportunities to do that every Sunday at Galilee, and several times during the week as well. Check the Calendar included with this Newsletter for all our scheduled activities, and our church's Website (www.gaiileelutherancom) for any changes during the month. And so I challenge our parents to make every effort to bring their children to church with them, and to stay with them for Sunday School. And I encourage our children, if your parents are not doing that, to call me: I will do all I can to find someone to give you a ride (with your parents' permission, of course). )

But I've seen in my own children---and the children of our church-that that "training" (to use the word from Proverbs) is missing. And I consider mvself (and those of my generation) responsible. We have failed to set a good example for our children. We have not strongly encouraged their faith and their worship. We have not given them the background and the foundation that we received from our parents. And as a result, many of our children and our children's children are missing out on the blessings and guidance and strength that are so much a part of our lives.

Let's make sure that our generation is not the last generation of Christians, and that those who come after us keep the faith alive and active in their lives and in their homes, As always, be assured of my prayers for each of you and your families, and for all of us at Galilee (as I am sure my family and I are in yours). May the Holy Spirit continue to bless us, guide us, and use us in his service.Pastor Chuck

"A Healthy, Caring Community in Christ, Reaching Out with the Gospel to Those Around"Us

SEPTEMBER 2008

"Wash me, and I wi11 be whiter than snow " (Psalm 51 :7b)

DEAR FELLOW-GALILEANS,

You should know by now that our Church Council authorized the cleaning of our church's roofs. The black smudges which marred the appearance for the past couple of years were due to mold spores and fungi which were growing on the shingles. And nothing short of a professional application of carefully-mixed chemicals was able to get rid of them and improve the look of our church building (and actually help to preserve the roof itself in the process).

Have you seen it? Doesn't it look great? I think it is a great sign to those in our community who drive by (and to any guests who join us for worship) that we care about the appearance of our church. Our thanks to Jay Ballentine and his family for allowing us to use funds which had been donated in memory of Ruth to get this job done. We can all hope and pray that this will be a positive witness of our love and our commitment to our church and its building.

And yet we all would certainly agree that what happens INSIDE the building is even more important. Because it is in there that God himself encounters us through his Word and Sacraments, and we honor and praise him through our worship, and together we grow in our faith and our service to one another. That's why we want to put on a really big push this Fall, beginning with the exciting "Block Party" on Saturday afternoon, September 6 and the RALLY DAY SERVICE the next day. Our goal is to get more of our members to join us. We hope you and your family will remember how much you can receive-and how much you can give to each other-by being here for our Worship Services and Sunday School, and for many of the programs and activities which are scheduled throughout the month.

I suppose most people will likely not even notice the clean roofs (although I had heard several comments about how bad it used to look). Just as the temptation is to take for granted God's blessings--to assume that they will always be there and so we don’t have to do anything about it. But like the roofs, we too need the "cleansing" of God's love and forgiveness. We need that over and over as a continual reminder and receiving of his goodness and blessings. And we want to give that same assurance to those around us.

You can help make that happen. I hope and pray you will. Together we can accomplish great things because God is great. As always, be assured of my prayers for each of you and your families, and for all of us at Galilee (as I am sure my family and I are in yours). May his Holy Spirit continue to bless us, guide us, and use us in his service.

Pastor Chuck

"A Healthy, Caring Community in Christ, Reaching Out with the Gospel to Those Around Us ^"