Wednesday, November 26, at 7:30 p.m.

~ Sunday, December 7 ~

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.Our congregation’s finance committee has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday  encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?” During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, December 7, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and governing board members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.

Pete Bachman, Council President

Grace and Peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.Worship is central to our being together, and there is lots going on in Worship this month! We have a lot to be thankful here at Norway Grove! November 2^nd, we celebrate All Saint’s Sunday. You are invited to come and worship and give thanks for all of God’s Saints, especially those who have gone before us during this past year. As in years past, you will have an opportunity to come forward during the service to light a candle in  memory of a loved one. And, if you would like, you may also sign their name in the “Book of Life” on that day.November 9^th, is “Volunteer Thanks” Sunday. So many things would not happen if it were not for  volunteers to pitch in. We thank those who we know about, and those who work behind that scenes that we don’t know about. God knows of your generosity and giving heart intended for the well being of the Body of Christ here in this place. We celebrate things that we can see on this day, that have gotten done this year. We think about the landscaping projects and the windows, and all of the  people who have worked together through these projects. We think of the SOSS, “Save Our Sunday School” project that has helped the Sunday School program start re-energized this fall.On November 16^th, we give thanks to God for all that we have been given…..we think about using our gifts wisely, and for all the things that we thank God for in our lives and in Church. On this day, you will be invited to write on sticky notes, and bring them up to the altar area, and have them stick.  “I give thanks to God for…..”The final Sunday of the Church year comes November 23^rd, Christ the King Sunday! We give thanks to God on this day for sending Jesus Christ to walk in our midst, to be there as our King. To show us the way to navigate through the world in ways that are pleasing to God.On Wednesday evening, November 26^th, at 7:30 p.m., we have the distinct pleasure of hosting the DeForest Area Ecumenical Worship Service. You are invited to sing in the choir, be a worship assistant, and worship together with members of the Body of Christ within the community of faith here in the DeForest area.Let us spend the month giving thanks to God and thanks to each other for all the ways that God brings us together to live and grow in Christ’s love for us!Thanks be to God.

Pastor Kathy

It seems we cannot turn on the TV or any media source without hearing of the financial crisis that we are in.  No doubt it has affected many if not all of us in some way.  Not having lived through the “Great Depression” I can only rely on stories from my grandparents of how difficult life was back then.  But how did we get into this mess?  We are reminded of the tenth commandment. Though shall not covet they neighbor’s house; though shall not covet they neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.Looking back, we’ve seen greedy corporate executives, predatory lenders and frankly, even everyday Americans living beyond their means.  But how will God help us through this crisis?  We must remember that contentment is a great gift from God.  In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul the Apostle states: ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength.It’s in these times that we may be tempted to hold back on giving. However that might be the wrong view of economics.  God has made it clear that as we give, he gives to us. So as we watch our 401K and IRA’s decline, remember that God is our security and our provider!As we enter the last couple of months of 2008, Council is busy dealing with the topics outlined in last month’s Newsletter.1.  Debt – We have begun working on the 2009 budget.  Knowing that we have had six years of a budget shortfall, we are attempting to put the most realistic, cost-conscience budget together.  However, in these challenging financial times, this will be more difficult than ever.2.  Committees – We held an All-Committee Night on October 3^rd.  This meeting was well attended and we had 13representatives from various committees.  We talked about structure, finances, budget  participation and communication.  We hope to hold another meeting toward the end of the year and   continue to empower and promote committees.3.  Conflict –  As we address some of the conflict in the congregation, Council has entered into a “Behavioral Covenant” which states, “As members of the Christian community of NGMLC, we are sinners and fall short, but with the help of God, we agree to relate to each other, through Christ, and hold ourselves and each other to:  Listening to each other, respect the privacy of those who confide, challenge each other with the truth, deal with people directly and don’t complain to others, strengthen each other, be gentle with one another, do not speak ill will of others in the fellowship, do not judge e ach other, pray for one another, confess one’s wrongs to another, forgive one another, freely participate in the Body of Christ according to our gifts and talents and create a safe environment for communicating differences.Vision and Strategy - As we begin to shape our Vision, Council is conducting a Ministry Review. It’s essential we review Norway Grove’s ministry and outline opportunities for and actions to drive improvement in our congregation. We look forward to input from several key areas of the Church, including Pastor Kathy, Council, Committees, Education and the congregation.Best Regards,

Pete Bachman, Council President

It is good to remember how it is that we relate to one another in Jesus Christ for the sake of community. Martin Luther, as well as the Apostle Paul, were well aware that, “we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God.” Even Mother Teresa lived within this reality. Relating through Christ alleviates the difficulties of  living in community with one another.Over the next months, points from the recently adopted Behavioral Covenant will be lifted up to help us remember to deal with each other in positive and Christ like ways. No one is expected to get it perfect every time, but these are goals to strive for. We still greatly rely on God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness in all that we do.1.  Listen to each other.  “Let everyone be quick to hear and slow to speak….”  James 1:10. Dietrich Bohnhoeffer has stated: “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of      listening to them.”  Life Together p. 97.2.  Respect the privacy of Those who Confide.  “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy  person keeps a secret.”  Proverbs 11:13.For ways in which the council may have fallen short in listening to members of the congregation, to which leadership is accountable, we are sorry. Here are the best ways to have your voice heard:* Contact the pastor, or a council member, and explain your concern.* Attend a council meeting on the second Thursday of the month, at 7:00 p.m.*     Ask to be on the agenda, if you would like to speak to the council.*     Meetings are open to the public.With this covenant we vow to listen to you, and expect to be listened to in return.Your Servant in Christ,

Pastor Kathy

Pete Bachman, President; Lisa Blaski, Secretary; Lisa Johnson, Treasurer; Mike Switzky, Don Schultz, Betty Koenig, Financial Secretary; Tom Buchheim; Diane Hewuse; Anne Staniforth; Jackie Kelley; and Bryn Goldberg, Youth Rep.

The Council regretfully accepted the resignation from two Council members as of September 1^st:  Tom Kreis and Troy Janisch. Two new council members have been appointed until the annual meeting in    January: David Pahl and David Midthun.

Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner! We know that the first Thanksgiving was a feast to celebrate the successful second growing season for the pilgrims in their new home.

Because they would not have survived had not the local Indians taught them how to grow crops, they invited the natives to their feast. It wasn’t declared an official holiday, to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November, until the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.What are you thankful for? My list is too long to include here, but in general, I’m thankful for all the things God has given us - family, friends, food, clothing, freedom, home, talents, abilities… the list goes on. Foremost, however, must be thanks to God for all our being, for all God has made.The most familiar hymns of thanksgiving are “For the Beauty of the Earth”,  “Now Thank We All Our God”, “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”, “Praise and Thanksgiving”,  and “Sing to the Lord of Harvest”. The first two hymns are included in the “Praise, Thanksgiving” section, but the last three are found in the “Stewardship” part of the hymnal. Part of thanksgiving involves recognizing God’s gifts and taking care of them.  D.A.N.N. does this for the people in DeForest, Habitat for Humanity does it for needy people in other parts of the country, the Peace Corps helps those world-wide. We are all charged with taking care of each other and our surroundings.We praise God with our actions as well as our voices and our words of praise. On Wednesday, November 26, the community of DeForest will once again come together for an ecumenical service of thanksgiving. As the pilgrims and the native Americans once joined to celebrate a successful  harvest, the different churches for this one day put aside their differences and theological disagreements to join together in praising God and thanking Him for another year. Even though the economy is on shaky ground this year, God is still there watching over us all, and we thank him for those gifts he has given us – the gifts of life, of home, of family. As a musician, I would also add the gift of music and the talent to use that gift in praise of our Lord. If you would like to also use your gift of music, join us in the ecumenical choir which will practice on the two Tuesdays before Thanksgiving and sing at the ecumenical service. Happy Thanksgiving!

- Elaine Jaeke

Have you been thinking about becoming a member here at Norway Grove? We would love to have you check out what it means to belong as a member here. Please let Pastor Kathy know if you have any questions about this. An introduction to Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church will be held on the following Sundays, between the worship services, (9:15a-10:15a):  November 9^th, 16^th, and 23^rd.  On November 23^rd, at the 10:30 service, new members will be welcomed.

Norway Grove’s first-ever Youth Rock! event was held on Saturday, September 20^th, and it was amazing!  We had 70 YOUTH, ages 5 to 17, come to experience a positive message which was presented through music led by the Norway Grove Praise Band, group building activities led by Jenna Ziemer, karate instruction from Tony Armstrong, and inspirational speaking from Fran Hewuse.  About half of the kids opted to stay for an overnight lock-in, which included gathering around a campfire for songs and a skit, coming in for quiet song time in the sanctuary, participating in Guitar Hero tournaments, watching the movie “Evan Almighty”, enjoying a delicious breakfast, and attending the 8:00 church service on Sunday morning.  It was an inspiring evening for everyone involved, and we really felt a strong connection to the youth of our congregation and community.   We hope this will be the first of many Youth Rock! events to come!  We have so many people to thank for the success of the evening!  Big thank you’s go out to Pete and Nichole Bachman for grilling burgers and hot dogs and serving the evening meal, to Steve Eicher for helping set-up the sanctuary and running the sound system and screen, to Veronica Eicher for helping set-up, getting kids registered and for staying overnight, to Kris Smith for coming in at 6:00 Sunday morning to help make breakfast, to Beth and Randy Krey for helping clean-up after the breakfast, to Kris Urban for making the nametags and keeping the lemonade jug filled all night, to Karen Kreis and Diane Hewuse for helping set-up and providing an extra hand throughout the night, to Dave Midthun, Jim Buchheim, and Tom Buchheim for helping with the candle lighting prayers, to Carol Janisch for participating with the group building activities and keeping the kids energized, to Teresa Midthun for staying overnight and helping pop the popcorn for the movie, to Kathy Williams for helping with basement clean-up, to the band members for all of their hard work, enthusiasm and ideas about how to make the big night a success, to Jenna, Fran, Joe, and Tony for sharing their talents and inspiring the youth, to Laura McGoveran for her help with all of the mailings and publicity, and to all of the parents who shared a few extra minutes with us helping organize kids, cleaning up rooms or sending along food and drinks to share. Your volunteerism was awesome and you helped make this a memorable night for so many kids!  Thank you!!

Jill Buchheim, Tom Hewuse, Tom Kreis, Troy Janisch, and Pastor Kathy

Received in the church office following the funeral for Ruth Manke … Thank you for all of your help after the service with the lunch. We appreciate your kind support during this time of grief, and all of the food donations.Sincere thanks,

The Manke Family