Growing Up

“Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith towards God …”  Hebrews 6:1Some people give God the same “dollar a week” in the Sunday offering that they gave years ago. Why is that? How does that happen? Perhaps you have heard about the boy who fell out of bed. His mother asked, “What happened, son?” He answered, “I don’t know. I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.”It’s easy to treat our faith in the same way, to stay where we got in and never move. We often see people whose faith seems not to have changed much over the years. We know many who exhibit little or no desire to grow in their faith. Sometimes we may not be motivated to grow in our own faith.Growth is required to live. Look at nature. We must remember Jesus is with us as we grow. For instance, Paul’s letter to young Timothy speaks of the new believer in Christ as being like a baby who needs milk. Later, a more substantial feeding in God’s Word is needed in order to mature—being a disciple calls for maturity.For many disciples leadership in financial matters occurs after substantial growth and maturity. It includes learning to manage one’s money wisely, as well as growing in giving away one’s money and one’s self. However, spiritual maturity is not the same as giving away a lot of money. Money leadership is not about how much money one gives. What is relevant to money leadership is how each of us grows in our giving from year to year.Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there you heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If you grow in giving, it seems you will grow in faith. Of course, this is not without struggle. Earlier devotions in this series have addressed some of these struggles. Whatever the level of giving, everyone can count on some distractions and temptations. But God tells us the struggle is worth it. It leads to a blessing, not because of something you did, but because of what God does in you.Pick a time from your past, any time. How does your prayer life now compare with your prayer life then? How about your giving? Have both the amount and the joy increased? What about Bible study? Are you learning to learn? Are you enjoying worship more every year? Remember, don’t stay too close to where you got in. It’s risky resting on the edge.Most everyone is familiar with the song, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” How does this song comfort you to the point where you are willing to step away from the edge and accept the challenge to grow in faith? Where have you found joy in doing so?Prayer: Lord God, create in me the clean heart for money leadership, and renew a right spirit of generosity within me. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Help me to carry everything to God in prayer. Connect my heart with the faith to give that leads to the faith to live. Amen.

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

From the Oversight Committee:

MISSION STATEMENT Under Construction Growing a Community in Christ

VISION STATEMENT Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church is a mission-driven and Christ-centered community. We welcome and celebrate our brothers and sisters in Christ by making God known through worship, education and outreach programs. While under construction, we allow Christ our “general contractor” to equip us as carpenters in building a Christian community filled with the Holy Spirit, love and grace. Trusting in the Lord’s foundation, we may not always understand the blueprint, but embraced by the Holy Spirit, we trust God’s grace to flow through us and do the rest.

PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY We are a congregation deeply rooted in Lutheran values and faith.We share the work of ministry operating as one united community.Our philosophy of ministry is based on biblical truths, directed by God’s purposes and commands and shaped by the giftedness of members in the church, filled with the Holy Spirit, beyond our individual focus.

“We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning - a step along the way. An opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.”  |Archbishop Oscar Romero|

On Sunday, January 23, 2011, our Annual Meeting for the Year 2010, took place following worship service and fellowship. It was well-attended by church members, with special guest being Rebecaa Alwin, a representative from the ELCA South-Central Synod Office. New Church Council members elected to serve are Helen Brausen, Gary Homuth, Wendy Kirkland and Jon Meyer, with Rebekah Heisig serving as the Youth Council Representative. Continuing on as Church Treasurer is Lisa Johnson, Financial Secretary is Betty Koenig, and Sugar Creek Bible Camp Representatives are Steve and Veronica Eicher. Bob Bruegger was also re-elected to continue as a member on the Norway Grove Cemetery Association Board.Many thanks to our ‘retiring’ Church Council members this year. There are Jim Simpson, Jackie Kelley, Sam Kirkland and Dave Pahl. Thanks also to Brad Urban, who served as the Youth Rep for 2010.

Copies of the 2010 Annual Report of the Congregation are still available at church, and can be found at the usher’s table. Please pick up a copy if you’d like!

The Council is very encouraged in the strength of the congregation, the support that is happening in every area and the renewed Holy Spirit that is with NGMLC.  We have been working on starting the call “process” and continue to search for ways to have most if not all of our congregation play an active part in choosing our next permanent Pastor.  We are excited to have the opportunity to work with a very experienced consultant at a modest cost.  Dr. Jon Huegli will help guide us through the process,  along with the Synod.  Mary Weber has been agreed to take on the brunt of the workload functioning as the Internal Resource Person in preparing the way for his workshop on November 13^th.  Please thank Mary if you have the opportunity and if possible, make time to be part of this ever important “process” at this critical junction of NGMLC’s future.  We have also been working to secure our future Pastoral needs with Pastor Bud Buchheim, the Synod and likely our next Interim Pastor.  Our hope is to have a contract (approved by the Interim Pastor and recommended by Council) ready for a vote at the Congregational meeting on November 14.  As I’ve  mentioned recently, God works in wondrous ways.  I have witnessed the Holy Spirit in action 3 times in my life…this is one of those times.  I have no doubt that God is currently at work in our Congregation.  Please come to the Congregational Meeting for the official announcement of our next interim Pastor.  I’m sure you’ll be pleased.Council continues to be cautiously optimistic about our current attendance and finances but still concerned for the future.  I personally feel we have turned a corner (but now we need to hit the gas).  There may be some positive trends emerging, but more work needs to be done to ensure these trends become engrained.  We must have increased income to have a 2011 budget that reinstates our programs and provides for the hiring of a permanent Pastor.  Even a small increase in your monthly giving and pledges will make a big impact by finishing 2010 on a positive note and helping to move into 2011 with a faith mission instead of continual concern over income.  It would be great if we all are able to share more of our financial successes with NGMLC.  But…also don’t forget to share words of encouragement to your friends and family by letting them know they are always welcome to join our vibrant, spirit-filled Congregation.And finally, Council and others are continuing to look for volunteers in many roles.  Some volunteer opportunities we’ve recently discussed are:  Volunteer Coordinator, Publicity Team Members, Webmaster, Capital Drive Campaign Team Members, Nursery Coordinator and Nursery Volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer for any of these roles or any others, please let us know.

Respectively submitted by Jim Simpson, Council President

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

“I have never been anywhere but sick … In a sense sickness is a place, more instructive than a long trip to Europe … Sickness before death is a very appropriate time and I think those who don’t have it miss one of God’s mercies. In contract success is almost wholly negative — it isolates, breeds vanity and distracts from the real work that brought it on in the first place.”  —Flannery O’connor, well-known author, died at the age of 39 from Lupus.

Council continues to be very active, trying to do what is best for our Congregation and serve God the only way possible (with all our hearts and the knowledge that we do not know his plan). In June and July we had many meetings (five or more), some highlights of these meetings are listed below:¨ We worked with Pastor Kathy during her departure in an attempt to make sure no balls are dropped or loose end untied. There will likely be some things we’ve forgotten, for those I apologize.  Please let us know if you have any concerns that may need our attention.  Especially, if you know of someone in need of counseling or maybe just a friendly ear (because of confidentiality that knowledge isn’t necessarily passed from Pastor to Pastor).¨ We’ve been reviewing our financials. Although we still have some difficulty paying our current bills, we are starting to see some positive signs. It is too early to speculate but we are hopefully that some negative trends have turned around. Thank you all for your giving and please keep up the good work.¨ Bud Buchheim has agreed to be our Interim Pastor for July, August and September. This agreement is a great gift to our congregation. Not only has Bud offered to be our Pastor for a meager salary he also brings with him his vast array of experiences as a Congregation Pastor, Interim Pastor, Wartburg College Professor and Past Bishop. Bud also brings an assortment of ideas and youthful enthusiasm that has brought inspiration to staff, Council, and many others. Please join me and thank him for his leadership at every opportunity possible.¨ We’ve discussed plans for a future Pastor. With the help of Bud and our entire congregation (including you) we are hoping that by our September Council meeting our path will become clear. We may be able to continue with Bud Buchheim as our interim Pastor or we may choose to contract with another interim   recommended by the Synod based on our Congregation’s needs. Either way at that time we will also be looking for individuals to be part of the “Call Committee” to find our next permanent Pastor. If you are   interested please let a Council members know.¨ We completing all the employee performance reviews.¨ We started preparing for an exciting and busy fall season at Norway Grove with Rally Sunday (September 12^th), the 60^th Anniversary Celebration (September 25^th & 26^th), the Grape Harvest Festival (September 26^th), Youth Rock (October 2^nd & 3^rd) and even more to come.During the month of August your Council members will continue to work on revitalizing the committees, watch the financial situation closely and create a “Gathering Committee” to contact our Congregation to gather ideas and let you all know how important you are to the family that we know as Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church.

Respectively submitted by: Jim Simpson (Jim.Simpson@charter.net)

May’s Council Meeting was held on the third Thursday, due to scheduling conflicts. The meeting was productive. We conducted many items of business and discussed much about the life of our church the most notable items are listed as follows:

· We discussed the financing and attendance of the Habitat for Humanity Trip.

· Finances: Last year by this time, we had borrowed additional funds from our line-of-credit. This year we have not, mainly (as many of you know) because there are no additional funds to borrow from. Council continues to be cautiously optimistic but also uncomfortable going into summer when giving usually decreases. So if you have the means and the heart, please consider keeping your giving consistent (or maybe increasing) this summer.

· Number of services per Sunday: There are positive aspects to having either one or two services. Ultimately, Council recommended going temporarily to one service per Sunday and giving the Worship and Music Committee authority to hold multiple services when capacity may become an issue (Confirmation, the Christmas play, etc.). This recommendation, if approved at the upcoming Congregational meeting, would stay in effect till the 2011 Annual Meeting in January (at the latest). At the Annual meeting if desired we could have another Congregational vote on the number of services. If not desired we would revert back to two services as soon as possible.

We also discussed actions of the committees.During the month of June, your Council members will continue to work on revitalizing committees, complete all performance reviews and prepare for the upcoming Congregational meeting on June 13^th.

Respectively submitted by: Jim Simpson

To My Dear Friends at Norway Grove,

Thank you so much for your attendance and support at my ordination service on April 11. It was a joy to see so many people there from Norway Grove! Thank you for all of the cards with beautiful messages and the gifts to me, especially the beautiful cross! Thank you, Pastor Kathy, for your presence as my “sending” pastor. You have been a blessing to me over and over again. Words cannot describe my gratitude for you all. We are well here at Trinity in Manlius, Illinois. Cally is growing fast and keeping Steve and me on our toes. We are preparing for a busy day coming up on June 6 when I will be installed as the pastor at Trinity. I keep you in my prayers with joy and thanksgiving, and I pray that Norway Grove’s ministry continue to be a place that reflects God’s love and grace in the community. I am looking forward to Norway Grove’s 60^th anniversary celebration!

Peace!
Pastor Brenda Lovick

The May Council meeting has been rescheduled for 7:00 pm, Thursday May 20^th. At the May meeting, the Council will be making a recommendation to the Congregation on the number of services starting in fall of 2010. Please contact a Council representative to voice your opinions or come to the meeting. Sunday, June 13^th, NGMLC will be having a Congregational Meeting after service. At this meeting, the Congregation will vote on the number of services starting in fall of 2010.  We will also be giving updates, answering questions and conducting some other items of business (including voting on possible changes to our Bylaws). If you’d like to review the Bylaw modifications prior to the meeting please contact Laura McGoveran or myself for a copy.

Respectively submitted by: Jim Simpson