God’s Grace - - the Bridge to GratitudeOne of the many legacies left to this congregation by Rod Nilsestuen, was his emphasis on building bridges: between people, between old people and young people, between people and problems,  between people and issues. In large part, motivated by the memory of his bridge-building life, this congregation has made some significant progress in our bridge-building efforts - namely the volunteers who this past month made a serious effort to connect with every member of this congregation. For various reasons, contact was not made with every member, but the attempt was made and the message conveyed that all members are important in this body of Christ, called Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church.Bridges are being built or rebuilt in our Sunday School and in our High School youth. Nor can we  forget the work of the Anniversary Committee and the important bridge they built to our past, reconnecting us with our history. It is good to see all the bridge-building that is going on, but as we all know, many bridges remain yet to be built or repaired. This time of the year, we are reminded about the “bridge to gratitude.”Experience tells me that ingratitude is probably the most common of all human failings. Blow, blow thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude.” (- Shakespeare). For me, conversation about a “grateful life” bring to the surface any number of personal “why” question. Why have I lived so long? Why have I deserved my good health? Why was I born into a family that loved and cared for me? Why do I remain part of a family that loves, respects and continues to cheer me on? Why was I born in this country and not Pakistan? Why was I so fortunate to be engaged in meaningful and satisfying work so that not one day of my adult life have I been unemployed? Why, even in old age, am I invited to occupy Norway Grove’s pulpit? Why do I need two television sets? Why do I need two rooms in which to place them? Not one of the above noted gifts and many more, have I in any way deserved. It is not how good I am, but how great God is.Where self-love imprisons the soul, it is set free by the love of God. This unbelievable love of God has the power to draw us out of our selfishness. God’s love changing us to people God wants us to be - - grateful people leading grateful lives.Why this emphasis on gratitude at this time? Because there is a bridge that we haven’t heard much about these past few months and that is the bridge to financial stability for this congregation. As indicated in Jim Simpson’s article - - construction on this important bridge is about to begin. Gratitude is the foundation.

Pastor Bud

“A Music Director’s Beatitudes”Written by John Clayton, a retired minister and former concert singer, who wrote the Beatitudes for a newsletter, but found others were interested in them also. They have been reproduced many times.Seeing the long Church Year before them, and knowing the awesome role that music must play in the worship services that lay ahead, the Music Director called together the singers and spoke to them, saying:Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who are willing to blend their voices into a harmonious ensemble, for theirs is the music of heaven.Blessed are they that mourn when forced to miss rehearsal, but call to inform the Director of their anticipated absence, for in these faithful few shall the Director find comfort.Blessed are the meek, who submit themselves to following the Director, for they shall merit great worth.Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after rehearsals are concluded, bringing with them neither gum nor goodies, for they shall be filled with music.Blessed are the merciful, who take pity on the music’s composer, careful to read the original  notes, follow the original time, proclaim resoundingly the original message, for they shall obtain mercy from discriminating critics.Blessed are the pure in pitch, in tone, in enunciation, for their voices shall blend in moving harmonies, enabling others to envision God.Blessed are the music-makers, for they shall be called the heralders of God.Blessed are ye singers when the Director shall seem to persecute you for the sake of the final rendition; be patient and rejoice, for of such perfection is the music of heaven.                                                                                                    Blessed are ye when other choirs shall revile you, and turn their ears from you, and say all manner of evil against you jealously.Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heavenly satisfaction that you have sung faithfully and well - for so disparaged they the great singers who were before you … perhaps even that Bethlehem choir of Angel voices! Music groups are getting back into the swing of things at Norway Grove following our summer break. Consider joining in! Our groups are open to all, and we would love to have you!  Solo and small group opportunities are available as well. Contact Elaine Jaeke or myself if you have any questions. Performance Groups Rehearsal Schedule:Tone Chimes – Sundays at 10:30 a.m.Children’s Music – During the 10:15 a.m. Sunday School hourChildren’s Tone Chimes – Sundays at 11:30 a.m. (beginning soon)Praise Band – Sundays at 7:00 p.m.Chancel Choir – Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Jill Buchheim, Music Director

Council has been busy doing what we pray is God’s will and yours. In August and September we had a few meetings, some highlights are listed below:

A group of congregation members were assembled to contact as many other congregational members as possible. This group, called “Bridge Builders”, was to call each household of our congregation to collect information on how our church can better serve them and reiterate how important each individual is to our church family. The notes from these discussions will be summarized for Council’s information and as information for the start of the Pastoral calling process. If you haven’t yet been contacted, please feel free to contact me.

Bud Buchheim has volunteered and Council graciously accepted his offer to extend his Interim Pastoral Leadership through the end of December. If anyone ever doubted, they have quickly learned how valuable Pastor Bud’s services have been. Please join me and thank him for his continued leadership at every opportunity possible. Pastor Bud’s leadership will likely be followed by a different Interim Pastor (recommended by the Synod) then, as God continues to shine on us, a tremendously talented and gifted permanent Pastor.

We also aided where possible for our recent activities (Rally Sunday, the 60^th Anniversary Celebration, the Grape Harvest Festival and Youth Rock). We hope you were all able to participate and celebrate your life here at Norway Grove.

While reviewing numbers, Council has noted some positive trends are emerging. Our weekly service attendance is consistently higher than last year at the same time. Our giving has also increased. As of August 31^st our income is $5200 over budget (i.e. our giving is 4.6% more than last years giving). You all played a part in this turn around and not only does it make our job as a Council easier it is also greatly appreciated.

We’ve starting planning for a fall stewardship drive and discussing next year’s budget. We want to stress the importance of continued giving this year and pledging for next year. It is these numbers and trends that Council will look at when projecting next year’s income, deciding which programs we can afford to reinstate into the budget, at what percentage we can hire our next interim Pastor, and what salary level we can offer our next permanent Pastor.

Mark your calendars: We tentatively scheduled a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, November 14^th. The likely agenda will include approving an Interim Pastor’s contract and further information on the “Call Process” potentially including a request for volunteers to be members of multiple task-specific teams.In October and November Council will be working on organizing and setting up the call process.  If you would like to be part of this process please let us know as soon as possible. We will also be starting the budgeting process and looking for our next Interim Pastor. Thank you all for your outpouring of support. Please call me or email me if you have any questions or concerns.

Respectively submitted by: Jim Simpson