Wednesday, November 26, at 7:30 p.m.

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

Yes, it is still happening next summer. An organizational meeting will be happening soon. Rick Johnson has agreed to lead this team again for next summer! By the way, youth - did you know that you could participate in both the Church-wide youth gathering in New Orleans, (8^th-post 12^th grade), doing a Habitat Project, as well as going to Marquette,    Michigan, (9^th grade and up), for Habitat? Organizers will do everything possible to make both trips affordable for all. Interested? Contact Jim Simpson or Tom Hewuse for the Youth Gathering, and Rick Johnson for Marquette, Michigan.

The Holidays are just around the corner!  Simplify your gift giving with Norway Grove’s Scrip program. For your friends, relatives, employees or even your boss - gift cards make great gifts! Ordering cards from the extensive list of Scrip merchants is easy, and your cards arrive in a week. The best part? Norway Grove receives a percentage of each card purchased at no additional cost to you. The next time you’re at church, take a look at the list of businesses who participate in the Scrip program. The list and order forms are located on the ushers table, outside the office. Orders are placed on the first and third Sundays, so order soon. Questions? Contact Renae Buchheim or Anne Staniforth.

The DeForest Area Needs Network is gearing up for their Annual Giving Tree Program. As in the past few years, Norway Grove will participate by having a decorated Christmas tree on display in the narthex area. ‘Ornaments’ will have various requested items for individuals written on them. The idea is that you pick an ornament or two (or how many ever you’d like) purchase the item(s) and return the gifts, wrapped, to the church. The gifts will then be delivered by D.A.N.N. in time for Christmas. Thank you for your interest in this program! Questions? Contact Carol Potter at 846-5148.

Long anticipated … the new pictorial directory has arrived at Norway Grove! You may pick up your copy anytime - they are located on the usher’s table. Just look for the one with your label on it. Can’t find it? Speak with Pastor Kathy or Laura in the church office, and we’ll get you your copy!

The Adult Forum class, originally scheduled to begin in September, will now begin on Sunday, October 26th, during the Sunday school hour, beginning at 9:15 a.m.

Bud Buchheim will lead this class, and will follow the book, Practicing Our Faith, by Dorothy C. Bass. If you would like to get a copy of this book, you can find one at Madison Church Supply, in Madison.

The basement windows have just been ordered …. THANK YOU to all who have purchased windows or partial windows! If you’ve wanted to participate in this ’Window Project’ - but just haven’t yet - there’s still 7 one-quarter windows available. Each quarter of a window can be adopted for only $75. (Yes, we’re just $450 shy of our goal!!)