PARISH ACTIVITIES
Your First Coffee All are welcome to join us each Wednesday morning from 9 to 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall at First Lutheran.
Strength and Balance Training for (not just) seniors looking to improve their balance and strength are invited to join on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran. We look forward to helping you take the next step towards a healthier, stronger you!
The Blessing of the Animals Service will be held on Sunday, October 4, at 1 p.m. outside at First Lutheran Church. This is in commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi. All are welcome to this celebration of God’s good creation!
Families are invited to bring their feathered and furry friends to church…on leashes, kennels, and cages. Or you may bring pictures of past or present pets. Stuffed toy animals are also welcome! What a great way to celebrate the gifts of God’s good creation. All are welcome!
Francis of Assisi was a man of God who renounced his wealth and devoted himself to serving the poor. Under his leadership the Franciscan Order was formed. They understood literally Jesus’ words to his disciples that they should take nothing on their journey and receive no payment for their work. Francis had a spirit of gladness and gratitude for all God’s creation. His commemoration has been a traditional time to bless pets and animals, creatures Francis called his brothers and sisters. This service will be a time of scripture, songs, blessings, and prayers. All God’s creatures are welcome!
PARISH ROADSIDE CLEANUP is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10 (Please note day and time) beginning at 10 a.m. A light lunch will be served following the cleanup. Join us as we care for God’s creation and put our faith into action through faithful stewardship of the land. Many hands make light work!
THE SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE will be collecting a NOISY OFFERING for Food for Kidz packaging event on Sunday, Oct. 11, 18 and 25.
EAST NORWAY LAKE QUILTING will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, Wednesday, Oct. 14, Monday, Oct. 19 and Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome!
ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY is November 1, a day where we commemorate all of the saints who have gone before us this past year. During the service there will be a time to light a candle in their memory signifying their memory still lives on.
JR HIGH YOUTH GATHERING is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 20-21. The theme is “Refuge in the Chaos,” based on Psalm 46:1-2. Registration closes on October 17. One adult is needed for every four youth. This event is for 6th-9th grade youth. The cost is $90 per person. For any youth interested in attending, the Jr./Sr. will cover the cost of registration and hotel. Please call Katie in the parish office if you would like to attend.
FIRST ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT at Norway Lake Parish will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church. The Education and Youth Committees invite you to participate. We are looking for at least 10 vehicles/groups. Decorate your car, trunk, or truck—or come in costume—and hand out candy or treats for an afternoon of smiles and surprises. This is a wonderful opportunity for rural members who no longer have trick-or-treaters at their homes to come together.
For example, the Your First Coffee group will participate by serving cookies, hot coffee, and lemonade. You do not need to decorate a vehicle; there will be plenty of room for everyone to take part. If you would like to join this safe, family-friendly event, please call Katie in the parish office by Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Please spread the word – invite your family and friends, neighbors and youth groups, let’s continue to show that the Norway Lake community is active. Please feel free to hang the poster, in this newsletter, to help us get the word out.
Thank you to all who helped with the meatball dinner, basket blessings, produce and bake sale at First on Sept. 27. Thank you to all who donated supplies, food, basket blessings, crafts, baked goods and produce. Also thank you to those who helped with setting up, decorating and clean up. A special thank you to the Sunday school kids and adult leaders for providing dinner music. We really appreciate all the help from the men and youth! Everyone did a great job. We all had a wonderful day of working together! Mange Takk!
BIBLE STUDY
“GATHER” Women’s Bible Study” will meet on Tuesday, October 20 at 1 p.m. at East Norway Lake. All are welcome.
Journeying Through Grief Together: We will continue to offer a time for sharing, encouraging, providing assurance and hope for all who may be grieving. We will be using Stephen Ministries “A Time to Grieve” book to facilitate our walk together. All are invited to join this group (men and women), on Monday, October 5 at 1 p.m. at East Norway Lake.
EVENING BIBLE STUDY
An evening Bible study is held on Wednesdays at East Norway Lake in October at 6 p.m. We will be continuing the study entitled “Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World” by Max Lucado. This study is very easy to join at any time and is a very casual study group and we would love to have you join us.
Looking Ahead:
Nov. 1 – “All Saints Sunday” a service to remember those saints who have gone before us this past year.
Nov. 11 – Food for Kidz packaging event at First
Nov. 25 – Thanksgiving Eve Worship; 5:30 p.m. meal served by the parish youth; 7 p.m. Joint Worship at First
The East Norway Lake and First Lutheran Women of ELCA are collecting items for School Kits for the Lutheran World Relief mission project in October Donation boxes will be placed at each church through October. Thank you.
* Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper, approximately 8” x 10 ½ “; no loose-leaf paper
* One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
* One pencil sharpener
* One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
* Five black or blue ballpoint pens (No gel ink)
* One box of 16 or 24 crayons
All items should be new and in good condition.
