Another Columbus Adventure: Probably a One-Time Chance

During my second week at seminary, an email began to circulate from Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger seeking a musician to play for a “contemporary-ish” service on a Sunday morning.  I had already made plans to attend an Episcopal church with a very fine organist, but it sounded like the regular keyboardist was out of town, and someone who had promised to substitute had backed out.  I was sympathetic (it had just happened to me) and agreed to play – as long as I didn’t have to put in a lot of preparation time. (My work load was already pretty heavy and practice instruments aren’t always easy to come by at Trinity.)

Pastor Shelley promised a ride and lunch (in addition to a stipend), so I offered to help.  As the week went on, I found myself looking forward to it!  This would probably be my only chance to ever visit this church and town.

Sunday morning we left at 7:30 – our destination was 70 miles outside of Columbus.  We were headed for Galilee Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Russells Point, Ohio where Pastor Shelley serves as the Interim Pastor.

The service consisted mostly of standard praise choruses from the 70s and 80s, along with the traditional Lutheran liturgy.  Galilee Lutheran, named because of the proximity of Indian Lake, is a homey little church built in 1975.  A captain’s wheel and painting of a lake behind the altar enhances the identity of this lakeside congregation.

Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger

The singing was ably led by Pastor Shelley and Michael while the assembly happily joined along. After the service, I found the congregation to be friendly and welcoming.  If you are ever in the area, I encourage you to visit this congregation.  “Contemporary-ish” worship is offered on the first and third Sundays of the month and traditional worship is offered on the second, fourth, and fifth Sunday of the month. Their website is http://galileeatindianlake.com/.

After church, we drove around Indian lake.  Years ago, there were several small lakes and streams in the area. In the late 1800s, a project was undertaken which included the building of a dam and connecting the small lakes to form a single lake that fills more than 6,000 acres.  There are inlets and islands at every turn.  For a few moments, I thought I was in a seashore town like Brunswick, Georgia.  (I would love to know how many millions of dollars in annual boat sales are made in the small Ohio town.  It must be quite a business.)

The worshiping community at Galilee Lutheran Church

Lunch was at the Tilton Hilton, a charming lakeside (dockside service provided!) restaurant which, over the years, has developed floors that slant so much the tables actually have legs on one side that are longer than the other side.  It felt like a fish camp on the way to Amelia Island, very casual, with a menu of great sandwiches and appetizers.  (I enjoyed my grilled chicken wrap and we shared an order of fried onion petals.)

The Tilton Hilton - from their Facebook Page

This was probably a one-time chance to meet Lutherans in this part of the country and I am so glad that I was able to go!  Thank you, Pastor Shelley, for inviting me and for a delicious lunch! It was a pleasant and unexpected break from my studies.