The purpose of a prayer group is to give members of the church the opportunity to engage in a ministry of prayer for the church, other members, specific concerns, and local and world events. Our prayer group will further the mission of being a church that listens for and serves God in prayer. The prayer group root the church in the purposes of God the Creator, prepare the church for the presence of God in Jesus Christ and opens the church to the power and work of the Holy Spirit.Our prayer group meets twice a month on Monday evenings at church to share with each other our prayer concerns. After sharing and caring for each other, we meet at the alter to pray to our Lord. We all take turns praying for whatever our concerns may be which where brought up during our sharing time. When our personal prayers are finished we pray the Lord’s Prayer together.  Come be a part of our group on the 2^nd or 4^th Monday of the month. We meet for approximately 1/2  hour and any personal  prayer concerns offered each week will be kept confidential. Our prayer group is committed to praying together, trusting that God will listen and bless those for whom we are praying for.September prayer group meeting dates are on Monday, September 12^th and Monday Sept 26^th , both nights begin at 6:30 and we gather at Norway Grove Memorial.Prayer does not change God, but changes him who prays. We invite you to come be a powerful part of prayer.

Blessings, Veronica Eicher

It was at first too bright. I could not look straight on. But then the orange wafer kissed the far horizon in communion with the chalice, Dipped, so slowly disappearing slipped into the sea.
There is so much that is happening right now in this last week before Labor Day. So much thought and planning, meeting and meaning … all filled with hope and expectation. We begin again. Sunday School for the 3 year olds through the fourth grade on Sunday morning and Kings Kids and Confirmation on Wednesday night. Plus opportunities for adult discussions on both Wednesday and Sunday!
I am on vacation … writing this from a condo on the beach in Florida. The evening is just perfect, the surf not too rough and while I know so much is happening at NGMLC, I am sitting here guilt free because the leadership has done and is doing what needs to be done. However, in just a few days the rest of us will be needed to activate the plans so carefully and thoughtfully prepared. We, too, each of us, has a part to play. We are God’s supporting cast, sometimes moving the plot along, sometimes just making the lunch, but we are each important and necessary to God.
It is easy to forget that God knows and cares for each of us. We can become so involved with the business of living, the demands placed upon us by others as well as ourselves that God’s love is rarely felt. This is particularly true as the fall schedule begins. I must admit, it could be where I am right now but it is now so clear to me that we must take time, we need the time to step away, rest and pray.  
So in that busy schedule … put it on your calendar, in your Day-book, add it to the list:  Stop, breath, look at the sky, sunrise, sunset …  This world was not begun by us and without us will go on spinning. God has assured us saying, “Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46. Verse 10.
While we are here, lets not miss the beauty of being alive.
God’s Love,
Pastor JoAnn

On Tuesday, August 16, the Bill and Steve group presented “ A Summer Night of Music” to a packed Norway Grove church. Church members Jill Buchheim, Brad Urban and Elaine Jaeke, along with violinist Pam Miller and woodwind expert Mike Welch, were members of the instrumental back up for singers Bill Frederick, Steve Johnson, Gail Wagner, Betty Hagen, Ann Simonson, and Barb Lancelle. What a wonderful climax to the summer!

A generous offering was received to benefit suicide prevention in the area. Thank you to all who helped with the reception afterwards and in the set-up and sound before and during the concert.Then, on Sunday, August 21, plans were approved by a congregational vote for the fall worship and education schedule. Beginning on Rally Sunday, September 11, the education hour for Sunday School and adult forum will be from 8:30-9:15, with church to begin at 9:30. Wednesday will still be the night for Confirmation and King’s Kids, with a possible worship service also to be held once a month.Adult choir will continue to meet on Wednesdays at 7:30. If you like to sing, please join us. All voices are welcome, even if you think your best singing is in the shower. When I was at Luther College, the choral director there said he would rather have a group of good, non-soloist singers as it makes for a better overall blend. However, if you are a fabulous soloist, “all God’s critters have a place in the choir.”  We will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 14.Adult tone chimes will begin rehearsals on Sunday, September 25, following the worship service. We would love to have some new members, so if you think you would enjoy learning to play the chimes, please come. Returning members, I’m looking forward to getting started once again. Jill recently purchased a book for using chimes to enhance the worship service, giving us more opportunities to use our chimes in the worship of God.Because of the time change for Sunday School, I will be contacting the members of the kids’ chime group to set a time for our rehearsal. This year, I want to emphasize learning to read music and playing multiple chimes.Band members, contact Jill for rehearsal updates.

Elaine Jaeke, Choir Director

You may have heard that NGMLC is going digital with our member directory. The directory will reside on the church website, but will require a password to get in if you are accessing it from the website. Once it is completed, a direct link will be emailed to all families so that you may add it as a favorite to your internet browser, so you don’t have to enter a password when you  access it directly.A secure link has been emailed to most families, where you can enter your family information as you want it published, including uploading your own photo.  DO NOT share this link with anyone else.  Laura McGoveran (and I) will have a list of all the family links in case you lose yours; the idea is that you can continue to access this link anytime you have changes you would like to make (new phone number, address, etc.).At the bottom of your publishable information, there is a spot for a name, phone and email.  This is for our information only; it will not be shared or published. So if for some reason you do not want your email address accessible to other members, you do not have to list it in the publishable section, but you do need to list it here so we can contact you if there are issues.

Please email or call me if you have any questions, did not receive a direct link via email, or are experiencing trouble with the link sent to you.

Wendy Kirkland

by N. Graham StandishFORMING A CHURCH OF SPIRITUAL PURPOSE, pRESENCE AND POWER”        Chapter 7 - Leading the Blessed Church  Most good leaders have a variety of qualities that make them effective, but the best - especially the best spiritual leaders - appear to share seven specific qualities. Such a leader has become trusting, encouraging, compassionate, visionary, able to articulate that vision, sacrificially selfless, and committed to outreach. Leaders who nurture these qualities usually  accomplish a great deal. They enable people to feel safe amid turmoil, crisis, transformation and change. They let people know that they are valued and supported, despite mistakes and failure. They help people to glimpse possibilities beyond what they had been able to grasp on their own. They give people a sense of purpose and meaning. They lead people to become selfless and sacrificing. They lead people to make reach out to others the main goal of their lives.Quotes from Chapter 7:1. The most fundamental leadership skill is the ability to trust and to build trust.  Leaders who trust others create the conditions for positive things to happen.  A leader who comes to a church, honors what is already in place, praises the members and leaders of the church, generally seems to embrace the church and its members will sow seeds of trust that help the church to grow. 2. Good leaders know how to get the best out of people by continually encouraging them to take steps of faith in their service to God in the church and elsewhere.  An encouraging leader helps people to believe in themselves, and instills in them a sense of        confidence—-for confidence literally means to have faith with another person.3. Compassionate leaders recognize that people don’t fail on purpose.  They fail for a variety of reasons, including not knowing how to do something, trying to do to much, losing sight of the goal, or lacking confidence.  Good leaders have a compassion and let people know it is OK to make mistakes or fail, that a new opportunity will eventually present itself, and that the person is still valued and important.4. Great leaders are those who not only have a vision, but also can articulate that vision simply and clearly. The more often leaders articulate a vision, especially one grounded in God as Purpose, the more the church will become a living reflection of that vision and of God’s purpose.5. The sacrifice of leaders becomes the ground that allows other leaders and the church to become increasingly focused on outreach to others through ministry and mission.  Sacrifice for God in our leadership leads others to experience God’s purpose, presence and power in their lives.  It leads them to serve God the Creator, Christ and the Holy Spirit.6. The final goal of all spiritual leadership, even if it takes years to accomplish, is to lead others to reach out to others in love,     compassion, and God’s grace.  They lead people to acts of love in response to God’s call and presence in their lives. Good leaders lead people slowly, gently, patiently, and lovingly toward outreach.  Good spiritual leaders understand that true ministry and   mission are grounded in faith—a faith that genuinely seeks out God’s purpose, embodies God’s presence, and acts passionately with God’s power. When we lead people to faith, mission emerges on its own.Next month we will cover the final chapter of the book “Leading the Church to Blessedness.” There are no quick, sound-bit ways to grow spiritually. Leaders who want to lead their churches to blessedness must be aware that leading their congregations to spiritual depth means calling people to a life of commitment–a commitment to prayer, faith, love and God—and to the transformation that comes with this kind of commitment.

God’s Peace be with all of you … Veronica Eicher