SEASONS OF THE CHURCH YEAR - The Church calendar has a flow that  centers around the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the beginning it may have mirrored the secular and lunar festivals, but it has deep Christian meaning all its own. We put an increased emphasis on Christmas and Easter, while in the early Church, the seasons following our chosen favorites, Epiphany and Pentecost, took on greater significance.Both the Seasons of Epiphany and Pentecost call us into action. With Epiphany, the Season of light, (January 6th - February 24th this year), people are called to action in response to the birth of the Christ Child. This is the season we are headed into now, following the 12 days of Christmas that began on December 25th. Pentecost happens 50 days following Easter and signifies the Holy Spirit coming into the Church, and a time of growing in the teachings of Jesus and of our faith until near the end of the Church year.Traditionally, Epiphany Day, (January 6th), kicks off the Season of light with a bonfire. Everyone gathers up their Christmas trees and burns them together in an effort to bring forth the dispelling of darkness and bring in opening of our eyes of the Christ child working in the world. It could be a ‘hot’ event.The church year flows on in contrast to what is happening in the world. Advent, the waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ happens for 4 weeks before Christmas even gets here, and in culture, this season has been virtually totally eradicated. In an experiment this season, I found out that Advent is losing ground in the world as being a respected and honored season of the church year. It is such a wonderful time to slow down in the midst of a busy season so that the meaning of the Christ Child coming into the world can be more fully appreciated, but as a culture, we have so many pressures on us to buy and to attend parties and events, that the intent may still be there to wait and prepare, but the living out our Advent schedules can drive us crazy with stress. So, lets move on in our focus just a bit to Epiphany and the Christ Child actually arriving in our lives:  What do we do in response to the little tiny baby being born into the world that has come to dispel darkness, release captives, and bring peace and justice here on earth? This question in combination with the devotional statement from this month’s Stewardship message, “both giving and receiving depend on begin able to focus on something other than oneself,” can help us to form the vision that we need to move forward into the new year in Christ’s name.May you take time to contemplate what it means to have the Christ Child born again into your lives and into the world, and my you take time to tend to the needs of others as they intersect in your life.Have a Blessed and happy 2009Pastor Kathy 

This is the third month that we are looking at points from the behavior covenant of Norway Grove. It truly helps us to relate to others as Christ relates to us and by following this covenant will make Norway Grove stronger and stronger.5. Strengthen each other. “(Speak) only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29. Likewise, the test of true fellowship is to “make the individual free, strong and mature,” not “weak and dependent.” Bonhoeffer, p. 88Looking at ‘the needs of others’ instead of at ‘our needs being placed on others’ is something that may go contrary to our human nature. Usually, we want to tear others down because they are not following what our needs our. If we suspend our needs only briefly, we can then build others up to meet their potential, and it will not take away from us getting what we need. It actually helps us to get what we want and need since others will be getting what they need. Empowering people to live out their faith, and follow their destiny, makes them strong. Forcing our needs on others makes them weak and dependent….which is something that builds false relationship and binds us also to dependency. 6. Be gentle with one another. “My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don’t be tempted yourself.”  Galatians 6:1 We all are Spiritual beings. Sometimes all of us stray from the straight and narrow path and need to have the community gently lead us back into the fold.  Let us be open to God speaking through this Christian community as we get to know ourselves and each other better.With the New year comes a new opportunity to treat ourselves and each other better…..May 2009 be the best year ever in your personal lives and in the Community of Christ that we call Norway Grove.Your Servant in Christ,Pastor Kathy 

In the coming months, the Stewardship Team is providing you with devotions to read and to contemplate. These devotions have been developed by the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit of the ELCA. They are provided as prayerful reflections about money leadership. Based on years of personal struggles and experiences in  congregations, these devotions have been written to address receiving, struggling, and giving.

Money leadership begins by recognizing that everything we have comes from God and belongs to God. This begins by recognizing the gift of life and the gift of Jesus Christ. Yes, each person has first received, and this is where the process begins. Once a gift is received, one often struggles with how to use or manage these gifts. The struggle is the second part of the process. Some familiar struggles are shared, along with guiding Scripture. The third part is giving. This is our response to God’s giving, yet a response that often does not become a generous spirit without fir experiencing some struggles. Each devotion offers some questions for personal reflection … Devotion number 1.

Being open to God’s will - Sometime people contrast giving with receiving. In fact, it seems that learning to give often depends on having first learned to receive, both giving and receiving depend on being able to focus on something other than oneself. Who has taught you to be good at receiving? Mary is a good example. In Luke 1:26-38, we read the account of the annunciation. In the last of these verses, (v. 38), we hear Mary’s response, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Like many others in Scripture, Mary’s heart is open to God and God’s purposes. Because her heart is open, she does not oppose God’s will with her own will. To receive Gods’ gifts we must first be open to God’s will. Our will must be subjected to God’s will. Our will must not stand in the way. How are you opening your heart to God’s will today? Prayer: O God of abundance, open my heart to receive your good will for my life. Amen.

A total of 77 giving units (husbands and wives or single persons) completed Estimate of Giving Cards this year. A total of 43 of these giving units increased their financial commitment above their last year’s amount. A total of 70 giving units filled out Estimate of Giving Cards, and committed a total of $122,200 for 2009. Based on last year’s giving records, we can expect to receive $25,000 during the coming year from people who have consistent giving patterns during the past twelve months and were not present on Consecration Sunday or did not submit an Estimate of Giving Card.

Based on the average total of loose offerings during the past three years, we can expect to receive $2,300 during the coming year from that source. Church income from non-donor sources such as interest, rentals, and fees $2,160. This gives us a grand total of $151,160 anticipated income for the next twelve months. The total income for our general operating budget during the last twelve months was $162,000.  2008 pledges totaled $125,120.