If any of you were around the state capitol early this year I am sure that the Question WHO’S HOUSE frequently proceeded a thundering reply of “OUR HOUSE”, the house of the people of Wisconsin. Should the question be asked here at Norway Grove what would be the reply? I would guess the most common answer would be GODS HOUSE.From this I began to consider the question and ask just where is GODS HOUSE? When Christ taught, just where did he teach? When early Christians met, where did they meet? When early Lutherans met where did they meet? When we meet for Bible study, is it always in a church? Where is GOD, and just where is His house?  I believe Jesus answered that by saying “Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them”. 

Because we care for this place that holds us together in worship and fellowship, we are reminded that God is outside these walls … comforting the homeless, sitting with the sick and lost ones… Our stewardship goes with God, where ever there is need. Our church budget is divided between the needs of our congregation and the Church beyond. The ELCA has sent $25,000 to aid the tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri. Part of that is from us here at Norway Grove. Stewardship is more than our building, yet we need this very building to gather our ideas, prayers and hopes, so that together we can do more than we can do alone. The offering you give goes where God goes.

I hope you have noticed that our world did not end. The good people I know are still here. They have not  disappeared into Heaven or anywhere else. Yet, the threat caused us to take notice, didn’t it? Back in Seminary, when I was facing my final exam in Greek, I was hoping for the Second Coming. But it didn’t happen and I had to take another semester of Greek. There was no “easy way” out. But neither is our time here on earth a designed punishment or sentence we are condemned to serve until our time is up and we are taken “home”.

In an odd way, this little episode generated by an old huckster brings us all back to that big question “What’s it all about?” Why life? And what are we supposed to do with it? Is there one right way? And I was asked if I thought the world would end. Scientists have suggested that the sun will eventually burn itself out and there isn’t enough long underwear to keep us warm if, or when that happens. Within it all I hear “are ya comin’ soon? Come Lord Jesus, come soon.” I should confess, I too, look for an easier way out.

I received a letter in the mail about a conference for Spiritual Renewal. Well, goodness knows I could use a little renewing. It said that Christians were angry and they had a reason to be angry. I immediately thought of newspaper articles I’ve read recently about homeless people getting less care, medical services eliminated, and schools struggling to provide basic education to our children … Yeah, I’m … well, I’m more puzzled than angry. So maybe this conference isn’t for me. As I read further, I found that the conference wasn’t concerned at all about the things I’m puzzled about. These good folks are angry about the very people I believe God loves and welcomes. But I hope we all get spiritually renewed. Goodness knows, we need it.

We need to walk with Jesus, see others through his eyes, see this earth, these fields of tender green promise, this place with all its need as our opportunity, our place to be, to make our mark while we are here so that there will be a better place for those who come after us. Because they will have their own tasks. Here, there is always opportunity. The Second Coming isn’t the easy way out, it is the Helper coming in. Goodness knows  She’s more than Welcome – She’s Necessary.

Blessed Pentecost! God’s Peace and Joy, Pastor JoAnn

As we move into the quieter summer months, I wish to express my THANKS to all who have participated in the music programs at NGMLC throughout the past year! We are blessed to have an amazing group of volunteer musicians at this wonderful place! Your dedication to practices and performances has been wonderful, and the talents you have shared have been appreciated! Our music groups happily welcome all new members, whether experienced musicians or beginning performers, so if you have not participated in music groups in the past, please know we love seeing new faces as our programs expand. There are no auditions for membership, just a willingness to serve God and the church community. If you are interested in being involved with the following groups, please contact Elaine Jaeke or myself.Praise Band and Vocals  We are a group of vocalists and musicians from middle school through adult performing music in a Contemporary Christian style. We lead musical worship approximately 2 Sundays a month. This is an exciting and energetic group to be a part of, and we welcome all new members enthusiastically. Weekly practices are held Sunday nights at 7:00 during the school year, and we meet informally throughout the summer months. Chancel Choir  We’re a mixed choir that has grown to approximately 15 members. We always welcome new faces! The Chancel Choir sings once a month, September through May, at the Sunday morning worship services, as well as additional performances during Lenten/Easter and Advent/Christmas seasons. Every other year we perform an Easter or Christmas Cantata. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 7:30, beginning again in the fall.Children’s Choir  Children attending Norway Grove’s Sunday school programs have the opportunity to learn fun Christian songs during the Sunday school hour. We perform our songs for the congregation about every 6 weeks, and work hard on an annual Christmas program that we proudly present during a church service in December. This year we have added a 4^th Grade Recorder Group that started up in January and has already performed twice during services. This has been a ton of fun for the kids and their teachers!  (Donations of recorders or other small instruments are always appreciated!)Tone Chimes  We currently have eight members playing in three octaves. Participants are taught tone chime technique as well as learning and preparing a nice variety of traditional Christian music and hymn accompaniments. Performances are primarily during Lenten/Easter and Advent/Christmas seasons. Practices are held at 10:30 on Sunday mornings. Join us!Youth Tone Chimes  Practices are now under way for our newly formed youth tone chime group. Students of all ages are invited to take part in this exciting musical opportunity. Students will learn basic note reading and counting along with beginning tone chime technique. Practices are on Sunday mornings following the Sunday school hour. Performances will be planned in the future as readiness allows.Special Music Solo and Ensemble Groups  Soloists and small groups regularly perform at our church services. We are blessed to have several volunteer musicians who share their talents with the congregation and enhance our worship experience. We also welcome student musicians to provide prelude, offertory and communion music. If you are interested in performing as a soloist or as part of a small ensemble, please contact Jill or Elaine.

Jill Buchheim, Music Director

Death  If recognizing and sharing God’s blessings is the apex, then death is certainly a steep fall to a very low step. Have you met people who have made this fall? Perhaps it was someone who took God’s abundance for granted or simply took the wrong path and went beyond gluttony.Further reflection on Luke 16:19-31 takes us from gluttony to death. As Jesus tells it, not only does the glutton, the rich man, receive punishment, but also his desire to warn his brothers is declined—”They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” In these verses Jesus is telling us how God has already revealed to us how to live. One can struggle to live in righteousness and pursue justice for the poor, or you can be a glutton and meet the same fate as the rich man. If you do not hear God’s Word, “neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”These words may seem harsh, yet this example is intended to be a warning. How are you at listening to warnings? Especially ones that come from God? This is where the struggle occurs. The promise of eternal life is made possible through Jesus Christ. It is up to each person to open their heart and mind to God’s Word and will. How have you done so in the last month?Prayer: O God of abundance, save me from death. Let me not lose this struggle against selfishness, neediness, greed, and gluttony. Keep me from seeking false securities in this world. Guide me to new understandings of trust and responsibility based on a loving relationship with you. Amen.

Money Leadership devotions are developed by the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit of the ELCA.

 South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

                                       God’s work. Our hands.

The annual synod assembly was held May 14-15 at the Madison Marriott West Convention Center in Middleton. Here are some fast facts:  

Theme - “Telling a Better Story”

Keynote Speaker Dr. David Lose, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Luther Seminary and author. Lose asked the assembly if we have learned how to see God in our everyday lives and suggested that the key to seeing God is to live into the biblical story and reconsider some of our assumptions that cause us to separate our lives in and out of the church.  As one attendee shared, “Thank you for the inspiration, and for engaging my heart and imagination!” Bishop Burnside: “What If?” Bishop Burnside asked the question, “What if…?” What if we had what-ever resources are necessary to launch or expand or revitalize; to do something entirely new in Jesus’ name in this synod? What would … What could … What should . . . it be?  “What if . . .?”  What if we gathered up and then released the imaginative and abundant gifts of the Holy Spirit to be a witness and to do ministry in new ways? What might we do that we are not currently doing? What could happen that is not happening now? Share your thoughts with him via email at bruceb@scsw-elca.org.  “The Bishop’s Keynote on connecting to Jesus stirred me up!”

Total Attendance: 423

Photos of the Assembly are available at http://bit.ly/AssemblyPhotos2011Synod Assembly 2012  May 5-6, 2012  at Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI For more information on the assembly, visit the synod website at www.scsw-elca.orgRESOLUTIONS #1- A Memorial & Resolution on Energy Stewardship - passed #2 - The Church to Speak & Act to Prevent Bullying, Harassment & Related Violence - passed #3 - Macedonian Spiritual Discipline - passed #4-Resolution of Thanksgiving for Mission Support-passed #5-Protection of Collective Bargaining - passed #6-Calling the Church to Implement the Message on Disabilities - passedSynod CouncilSynod Treasurer - Bruce Hutler Synod Council Clergy - Rev. Erik JelinekSynod Council Lay Female - Hope Seeger Synod Council Lay Male - Ryun BibroSynod Council Lay Male - Del Norland Synod Council Youth - Lily Zeich

Offering

Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India ELCA World Hunger $9,086.13 as of 5/16/11. Of that, $855 was online.Newborn and AIDS/Hospice Kits 2,072 were sent to Global Health Ministries so that we might be helping hands that heal.

Macedonia Project The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin received a $15,000 ELCA grant to connect God’s young adults more deeply to Christ: growing as disciples, increasing their personal generosity and their congregation’s mission support. Based on 2 Corinthians 8, we will be encouraged and equipped to be more like the Macedonian Church which exhibited faithful generosity beyond its means. Initiatives will include: Education Events, Leadership Coaching and Equipping, Telling the Story (at Dane County Farmers’ Market and other), Community Building (including social networking), Electronic Giving, Mission Funding.  All congregations in the synod are welcome to participate.