Thomas Kirkland is a member of the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, which is currently serving in Afghanistan. This unit is scheduled to return ‘home’ to Germany in late October. Thomas’ dad, Sam, shared with the church office a letter asking for support with a project in expressing how much they’ve been missed and how proud we all are of them. (The full letter is posted on the kiosk in the church narthex.)

What can we do to help? Postal boxes are available at church - these boxes can be filled with as much as you can get in them, it ships for one price, regardless of weight. You are invited to take a box, and fill it with requested ‘Welcome Home’ items. You can do this by yourself, or grab a friend to help you fill it. Donations will begin to be coordinated on September 1, 2010. Please keep in mind that shipping to the post usually takes about 10-14 days, so you may want to ship by mid-August. Monetary donations are accepted as well - please write checks payable to the Battalion Family Readiness Group fund, called the 173^rd STB FRG.  All donations can be mailed to:

Regina MichaelCMR 459 Box 06306APO, AE  09139

Some things that would help fulfill the goals of this “Welcome Home” project are: Twin sheet sets (new, white or neutral color); Blanket or throw (new, white or neutral color); Pillow (new, standard size); Laundry basket; Hand towels/Bath towels/wash cloths (new, standard size, white or neutral color); Toiletry items (travel size preferred); Candy/snacks (non-perishable); Personalized cards, letters, signs, posters and children’s artwork.  A complete list (with suggested toiletry & snack items) is available on the kiosk in the church narthex.

The history book is nearly complete - if you still have information to include, please submit articles! The program schedule for the music concert on the Saturday evening, September 25^th, includes the Unkalung group with director Betty Mansfield. It will include music by Steve Johnson and Jim Erickson (former Norway Grove Memorial Music Directors) as well as Bill  Frederick. A coffee hour with bars or cookies will follow and baking offers are needed - there’s signup sheet on the usher’s table at church. The officiating pastor for Sunday’s church service, September 26^th, will be Rev. Brenda Lovick. The program following the church service is still in the planning stage, but a pot luck dinner will follow. We are looking for someone to supervise the kitchen for that day. The Grape Harvest Festival is also in need of volunteers.  Please contact the church office to volunteer (846-9711).                                 - The History Committee

We are looking for items to be included in the Silent Auction which will be held in conjunction with the Grape Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 26^th. Last year, if you remember, we had many donations of gift certificates, scrapbooking materials, wine baskets, different theme baskets, even guided tours, like fishing or kayaking! It was all great fun!

We would like things to be donated by September 15^th. Please contact Kris Smith or Rick Johnson to donate - or if you have any questions.  Thank you!!

Bringing back a special tradition to know that NGMLC is a family who celebrates one another by remembering the birthday of its members. This, being the year of celebrating our 60th Anniversary, is the right time to carry on John Voegeli’s ‘Ministry of Caring’ by sending birthday greetings from the church to you.How can you be a part of this ministry?  Supplying cards – several of you do stamping as a hobby. Perhaps you are in a club already, but how about getting together as a small group at the church? Can you come on Sunday afternoon, August 22, at 1:30 p.m. (fun time) for making and supplying the birthday cards?  Everyone is welcome.  If you have extra birthday cards, or old cards sitting around that can be used, or parts of cards used for making a new card, that would be wonderful. Elaine will help start us off, by bringing her stamping supplies, and if anyone else wants to do that, it would be wonderful.  Contributions of forever postage stamps would be most welcome. The price is soon changing. Or be responsible for a month of sending out the cards. Already signed up is Elaine Jaeke, Pat Lovick, and Ginger Pippert who will each take a month.  We need a total of 12 people.The Evangelism Committee thanks each of you who choose to participate in celebrations of birthdays. You are the church. We can do all things, by faith, love, and hope.  We want everyone to be involved in  “GROWING THIS FAMILY OF GOD!”

Your ideas and gifts are appreciated and welcome.  Come to the table – the board is spread. All ye who are able, come and feast. The love we have for one another will be felt by this whole community. It is with pleasure that WE SERVE a risen Christ. GET ALL EXCITED –GO TELL EVERYBODY THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! We will get this ministry flying again.  Thank you!

Following Rally Sunday Lunch - September 12!With Professional Storyteller Don Falkos …EXPLORING THE BIBLE by TELLING ITS STORIESIn the first hour together, we will explore a short Bible story through strictly oral methods. Professional storyteller Don Falkos will tell the story. Then, through fun, interactive exercises you will become familiar with the story in a way you have never experienced before. By the end of the hour, you will be able to tell the story in your own words.In the remainder of our time together, we will learn and tell another short Bible story, this time starting from the Biblical text. You will explore and analyze the text in order to learn its content without having to memorize anything. The end result will be your ability to tell the story in your own words with confidence that your story honors the original text and accurately reflects its contents.You will be surprised how much better you understand this Bible simply by learning and telling its stories. The methods used in this practical, hands-on-workshop are transferable to any story you choose to learn to tell and to any ministry setting in which you wish to pass a Bible story on to others.

No prior storytelling experience is needed! More information will be in bulletins & September newsletter!

November 5-7!

November, 5-7, (Friday, 5:30 p.m. - 11:30 a.m., Sunday) - total cost for the weekend is $80 – which includes 2 nights, plus 4 meals, craft supplies for a Victorian Christmas tree ornament, learning session, and lots of fun and conversation. Learning sessions will be led by Gayle Brecke, director of YWAM. Gayle led parts of our last retreat, and she is great. 

Location: “Youth With a Mission” learning center in HamptonWhat to bring: Sleeping bag, or blanket; pillow; toiletries; Bible; pad for notes.

Registration forms are available at church. Please fill one out and turn in to Betty Koenig, Retreat Registrar, or put in the Evangelism mailbox in the church office. Please include a down payment of $20 - remainder to be paid by October 10. All ladies are invited!  Friends are always welcome too! We always enjoy fun games, and are open to new attendees - bring your ideas. Thank you and we’re looking forward to a great time!

YOUTH ROCK! ‘10

Saturday, October 2nd, 6:00 p.m.What do you get when you combine 100 DeForest-area Youth with a band of traveling college Christian musicians? One of the best lock-in musical events in Wisconsin!! Led by Youth Encounter’s Captive Free West Lakes Team, a group of young adults who minister throughout the United States with a faith-encouraging program of music, testimonies, and group building activities to inspire kids of all ages, your kids are sure to have a memorable and spirit-filled evening!

So kids, mark your calendars, tell your friends, and plan to join us for an evening of friendship, faith, and fun!

Several ladies have requested we make plans for another Women’s Retreat. We are awaiting a return call next week, to see what dates might be available. In the meantime, our ladies have been invited to an event beginning at 9am, coffee and registration, Saturday, June 12 at Living Water Church. The focus of this event is being the light of the world. Meryl Bishop, a devotional writer, will present “Keepers of the Light.” There will be a lunch at noon, program ends at 2:30pm.  Cost is $10 for advance registration, or $12 at the door. Call Betty Olson at 347-6407, for more information. This could be like a mini-retreat.

Future plans for couples - who are interested - 4 to 6 couples becoming a group for a year, and go out a couple times for dinner – purpose being to become more acquainted. We look forward to your input and participation!

“Reflections of Faith - Building A Firm Foundation”  books are now available. Cost is $10 per book, but for those who cannot afford that, the charge is negotiable. These make wonderful gifts, and a keepsake for many years. All of us have need of encouragement in our “walk with God.” These are hard times. As you can see by the stories in this book, there were hard times in the past, but with perseverance, dedication, and love, we overcome. We will have a new  publication after June 14, for those who wish to yet contribute. Many thanks for all those who have contributed. This is an amazing book. Thanks be to God for you!

Evangelism Committee

Mark your calendars now for September 26^th! Plans are well underway for the 60^th Anniversary Celebration here at Norway Grove.  Worship begins at 9:00 a.m. At 10:00 we will have a program. At 11:00 am, there will be a potluck meal.  Former pastors are planning on returning for the event and it will be a celebration you will not want to miss!!! Rally Sunday we will take a group photo, special music is being lined up, and historical information and faith stories are being well documented.  There is still room for you to help with the planning of this event….send or email your photos, history, stories, that you would like to share.  Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. is the time to meet at the Church to help out.

Last year was a grape start to the annual Grape Harvest Festival. This year, the festival will be in conjunction with the Anniversary Celebration, so we anticipate even more people here to enjoy the fun time.

At 12:00 p.m. on September 26^th, the Harvest festival begins. Again, we are looking for your contribution of home canned goods for the harvest booth, and baskets and items for the silent auction. Art work was a big hit last time, so bring on in those quality paintings and prints that you don’t currently have a place for in your home.

The grape harvest was fine this past fall, and the wine of 2009 is going to be another good year, so come and bid early and often for this rare opportunity to have Norway Grove vineyard wine in your home.

Adventure trips went over so well last year that we are encouraging you to think of an adventure trip that you would like to auction off this year. Hunting, fishing, kayaking, canoeing….whatever kind of trip you would like to take someone else on, (maybe you have a cottage that you would like to auction off for a week end????) Its all for a good cause, (the Ministry of Norway Grove), so thanks in advance for your generosity.   Contact Rick Johnson, Kris Smith for the Silent Auction, or pastor Kathy with any questions you may have.