CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, February 3, 2022
Pastor Ken's Pondering .....
“Go into your room, close the door, and pray…”  
Matthew 6:6 
 
 “I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'”  
Psalm 122.1

“If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  
I John 1:8   

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,
think about these things.” 
Philippians 4:8
 

What is a godly life?  As a matter of first importance, it is faith in Jesus Christ – knowing and accepting correct doctrine, rejecting false ones, and believing the truth as revealed in the Bible.  It is accepting as true, and true for you, your need for God’s forgiveness and that the atoning, forgiving sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was made for you and is sufficient for your forgiveness and salvation.  But a godly life is also correct living – it is consciously, actively and willingly adorning your life with “godly things” including:

  • Prayer,
  • Worship,
  • Social or charitable concern and action,
  • Bible study (directed or devotional),
  • And, as Paul says in Philippians, even correct “thinking”.  

That last one trips a lot of people up – it sounds so much like “mind control”, and nothing bothers people more these days than having their thoughts “monitored” or shaped. For good reason.  The world increasingly monitors and tries to shape our thinking.  In our culture that seems to be limited to such benign things as advertisers popping up on our computer or phones shortly after we’d visited a website inquiring about camping equipment, or mentioning in our kitchen that maybe it was time to think about upgrading the appliances.  No few countries subject their citizens to this kind of monitoring and attempted controlling of their political and religious views.  

But it is important, nonetheless, to take Paul’s words seriously in the context of all the other Bible verses I’ve listed above that help us understand what godliness is. And while Paul is certainly concerned about correct doctrine, proper worship or the need and benefits of personal confession and prayer, he was quite well aware (for an ancient thinker no less) that actions flow from thoughts. So our faith should influence the sorts of things our minds occupy themselves with. 

Could anyone who is trying to be a godly person quarrel with Paul's list? Being a godly person is many-faceted.  Paul says there is contentment in godliness.  When we think about these things Paul mentions, all of these activities stir in a person a sense of God’s presence. We sense in them, in their own unique ways, the beauty and reliability of God.  These are special graces and deeply personal assurances that help us live a godly life.  

Being a godly person is the ultimate exercise of faith. Like any form of exercise, we may not always "be into it", but no matter, it always benefits us.

I wish you a very pleasant day,


Pastor Ken Nelson
Worship Resources
Online Resources
Ash Wednesday Services - March 2, 2022
Ash Wednesday is on March 2, and two worship options are available:
Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Midweek Lenten services will be held at 7:00 p.m. beginning on March 9th. The focus for each of the five Wednesday services will be on the Ten Commandments.

We hope you will join us for these reflective and meaningful midweek services as we prepare for Easter.

Fifth Sunday
after the Epiphany
February 5-6, 2022
PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Lee Tyne
DEACONS:
  • Saturday: Larry Bonier
  • Sunday: Lisa Grossman, Diane Grundman, Mary Ellen Thiede
ACOLYTES:
  • William Dudzik and Matt Schatz
USHERS:
  • Gordy Gunnlaugsson and Andy Schatz
LECTOR:
  • Marcella Nelson
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
  • Kyle Jones
FELLOWSHIP TREATS:
  • Sheila Kershek
ALTAR GUILD:
  • Marge Tyne and Shirley Brodell
POWERPOINT TECH:
  • Saturday: Lydia Trudell
  • Sunday: Grace Gunnlaugsson
LIVESTREAM TECH:
  • Kyle Jones
Our Church Family
Tina Baumgartner, 2/5
Jim Marsho, 2/5
Erwin Ramthun, 2/5
Johanna Nelson, 2/7
Diane Speth, 2/7
Garry Gillespie, 2/8
Bryant Moritz, 2/11
Diane Knappe, 2/13
Philip Voss, 2/14
Eleanor Koster, 2/15
Lydia Trudell, 2/15
Wayne Johnson, 2/18

Sue and Mike Rowe, 2/14 (41 years)
Nicole and Bryant Moritz, 2/20 (13 years)
Sympathy and God's peace to: Cindy Zilske and family on the recent passing of her uncle, Dale Keeler.

New prayer requests: Dwayne Hanon (Broomtree Ministries)

Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Shirley Brodell; Jim Rupnow (friend of Sue Rowe); Jan Sperry (friend of Judy Sayas); Dennis Reich (friend of John and Mary Lau); Ray Anderson (friend of the Grossman's); Marc Kapke (friend of Linda Thorpe and Jane Taufner); Larry Waldhart Jr. (Ed Ramthun's sister's stepson); Curt (friend of Larry Bonier); Pastor Mark Gehrke (son of Lois Gehrke); Barb Anderson (friend of Lisa Grossman)

Serving in the Military: Dan Berger (serving in the U.S. Marines); Kevin Butler (son of Heidi Powers, serving in the U.S. Army); Ben DeYoung (son-in-law of George and Kay Sedivec, serving in the U.S. Air Force); Alex Olson (U.S. Air Force, grandchild of Ardath Olson); Kyle Pierce (son of Karen and Keith Pierce, serving in the U.S. Army); Karmen Thomas (friend of Tony and Krista Dentice serving in the U.S. Army); Nicole Wahlgren (serving in the U.S. Army National Guard); all military chaplains; and all veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
 
For All Men and Women Serving: Police Officers, Firefighters, Health Care workers and First Responders.   

Serving in the mission field: Our NALC missionaries and missionaries everywhere bringing the gospel to the ends of the Earth.

Long-term prayer list: Calvary members: Ginny Cox; Don Heyen; Eloise Kurth; Shirley Mahn; Donna Polizzi; Nadine Schuelke; Ruth Young; Janet Zastrow

Non-members:  Lisa Haggadone (daughter of Sallie Schulz); Janice Stem (sister of Evelyn Ceci); Taylor Czerwinski (granddaughter of Bill and Lenny Graffin); Gareth George (cousin of Judy Sayas); Joseph Franko (friend of Judy Sayas); Tom Frank (brother of Mary Ellen Thiede); Nancy Myers (friend of Judy Sayas); Paige Yeager (friend of Sallie Schulz's family); Rose Luther (friend of Nicole Moritz); Judy Grospitz; Jan Janchan (friend of Jonni Roush); Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son); Karen (friend of Lydia Trudell); John Nielson (brother of Judy Kestly); Susan Petropoulos (sister of Wayne Johnson); Matt (friend of Larry Bonier); Tom Dallman (husband of Lucy Dallman); Marie Traxler (mother of Sue Meyer); Eric (friend of Larry Bonier); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce);


If you have any new prayer requests, please contact the church office at 262.786.4010 or via email to office@calvarylc.com.
Attendance - January 29-30, 2022
Women's Book Group - February 14 at 12:30 p.m. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)
Delicious!
A novel by Ruth Reichl

Billie Breslin has traveled far from her home in California to take a job at Delicious!, New York’s most iconic food magazine. Away from her family, particularly her older sister, Genie, Billie feels like a fish out of water -until she is welcomed by the magazine’s colorful staff. She is also seduced by the vibrant downtown food scene, especially by Fontanari’s, the famous Italian food shop where she works on weekends. Then Delicious! is abruptly shut down, but Billie agrees to stay on in the empty office, maintaining the hotline for reader complaints in order to pay her bills.
 
To Billie’s surprise, the lonely job becomes the portal to a miraculous discovery. In a hidden room in the magazine’s library, Billie finds a cache of letters written during World War II by Lulu Swan, a plucky twelve-year-old, to the legendary chef James Beard. Lulu’s letters provide Billie with a richer understanding of history, and a feeling of deep connection to the young writer whose courage in the face of hardship inspires Billie to comes to terms with her fears, her big sister and her ability to open her heart to love.

Join us for time to discuss this warm character-packed tale. If you'd like a copy of the discussion questions for this book, view a copy via this LINK. Treats will be served.
Monday Afternoon Movie - February 21 at 1 p.m.
Media Room
Join us on February 21 at 1pm for an entertaining movie, "New In Town" starring Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr.

Synopsis: High-powered consultant Lucy Hill, who loves her upscale Miami lifestyle, is sent to New Ulm, Minnesota, to oversee the restructuring of a blue-collar food manufacturing plant. The factory is meant to add Japanese automation, and reduce staff by at least 50 percent.

After enduring a frosty reception from the locals, icy roads and freezing weather, Lucy warms up to the small town's charm, and eventually finds herself being accepted by the community. Specifically the head of the workers' union, Ted Mitchell and she gets off on the wrong foot. But Ted rescuing Lucy from a snowbank and later her helping his 13 year old daughter get ready for her first dance, causes them both to see the good in each other.

Come to the movie and see what might develop! Bring a friend.
Faith Formation
New Sunday Morning Adult Study Begins February 20th
“Jesus in Me - Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion"
Begins Sunday, February 20, 10:30 a.m.

We are very excited to offer this opportunity to learn (or re-learn) things about the Holy Spirit, who lives in each of us – not just on Sunday mornings, but every minute of every day – “24/7” as the catch phrase of the ‘90’s would say.

We may come to realize that we have been missing some pretty powerful gifts. Have we been settling all these years for a 2/3 God? Oh, what an adventure awaits. We hope you can join us for at least a few of these sessions!

This video-based Bible study will be facilitated by Pastor Ken and Grace Gunnlaugsson and will be held in the Sanctuary. You do not need to sign up to attend. A study guide that accompanies this Study (at no cost to you) can be obtained by signing up on the glass doors in the Narthex. A copy of this guide, as well as a brochure that outlines the study components, are available on the table in the Nathex for you to view in advance.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Grace Gunnlaugsson (gracemc@mac.com) or Pastor Ken (pastor@calvarylc.com).
Calling all families! Don't cook on a Friday night! Come for dinner and stay for the fun, fellowship and faith formation with other Calvary families.

Friday, February 18th
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Our goals are to grow in relationships with one another as Calvary families and learn from one another as we parent in faith together.

  • Dinner will be provided; come any time after 5:30. We'll eat until about 6.
  • Afterward, children and parents will head to separate spaces to learn and grow.
  • We'll wrap up around 6:45 p.m. so we can get home to put younger ones to bed (and maybe us too!).

Please sign up below so we can ensure we have enough food for everyone
Sign up below for the February 13 High School Youth Night!
Sign up below for the February 27 Middle School Youth Night!
Pastor Ken's Weekly Bible Study
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Pastor Ken's weekly Bible study is held each Wednesday from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. He will lead discussion around the Scripture lessons that will be read in worship the following weekend.

Please bring your Bibles - other materials will be provided. Copies of the text study sheets will be available on the table in the Narthex if you can't attend the Bible study, but would like to refer to it for the weekend worship.
February Mission of the Month
The February focus of the Mission of the Month is support for Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT). We support the work of the Federwitz families involved in Bible Translation work in West Africa and Papua New Guinea.

Our monetary gifts in February will support bringing The Good News and literacy to those in great need of hope, love, peace and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Please pray for all those involved in Lutheran Bible Translators.

Fifty-one years ago, Reverend Dale and Alvina Federwitz began their missionary career with LBT among the Mandigo people in Liberia. In 1980 they began their work translating the New Testament into the Kuwaa language. This was completed in 1988. They served as advisors and coordinators in Liberia and Cameroon until Dale's death in July of 2002. Alvina continued to work with 16 language groups in Ghana.

As the four Federwitz chiildren finished their education in the United States, they, in turn, have worked as missionaries in West Africa and Papua, New Guinea. Nathan Federwitz completed his pilot training in North Carolina, following his father Jonathan's footsteps to be be a missionary pilot. And the beat goes on ...

You can also find out more on their website: lbt.org. The video below also includes more about the work of Lutheran Bible Translators. To support this important Mission for the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope or designate the donation for Mission of the Month in your online giving.
Men's Ministry
Weekly Men's Breakfast Wednesdays at 7 a.m.
Maxim's Restaurant
18025 W. Capitol Drive
Brookfield

The restaurant seating has been reconfigured in compliance with social distancing requirements.

All men are invited to attend!
Monthly Men's Gathering
Fellowship Hall

Thursday, February 24
Thursday, March 24
6:00 p.m.

Come for fellowship, food and devotion time. Dinner will be provided. Invite a friend. Social distancing will be respected and practiced; face coverings are required.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ernie Kretschmann at kretschmann@att.net.

A few reminders ....
Hospitality Treats NEEDED!

We invite you to stay after worship on Sunday mornings and enjoy fellowship time and a treat/cup of coffee in Fellowship Hall. We are taking great care to provide safe food items for you (poured cups of coffee and plated breakfast snacks).

If you'd like to provide treats (donuts, bagels, etc.) for Sunday hospitality time, there is a sheet on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. You may bring the treats (3-4 dozen) and drop them off in the kitchen, or simply add a “P” behind your name, pay $30 to the church office and the treats will be purchased for you. 

For the time being, we are asking that any donated food be something that can be easily cut and placed on individual plates for serving.
Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.

The link is available on the home page at www.calvarylc.com
Sanctuary Flowers
We invite you to sign up for flowers to beautify our altar each weekend. The sign-up sheet for 2022 is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Flowers are $35 and you may take them home following the 9 a.m. worship on Sunday morning. If you'd prefer, you can leave the flowers at church to be enjoyed by the office staff.
Severe Weather Announcements

With winter here, we are reminded that weather can definitely impact traveling to church. And with that, inclement weather could necessitate the cancelling of worship.

In the event this should happen, you will receive an e-mail stating that the church is closed. We will also be sharing this with WISN-TV 12 and FOX6 so that it will be included in their scrolling list and on their website of closures.
Facing tough times? Need a Christian Friend?
Stephen Ministry is here to help. Free, just like God's love.
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. A Stephen Minister usually provides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour. 

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this important ministry, please contact Scott or Peggy Langelin at 262.853.0018.
The right side of the Sanctuary (as you face the altar) is equipped with a hearing loop system which transmits an audio signal directly into a hearing aid via a magnetic field. This greatly reduces background noise, competing sounds, reverberation and other acoustic distortions that reduce clarity of sound.

Most hearing aids are equipped with a t-coil and connecting to this system is an easy switch on the hearing aid. If you need assistance during worship with this system, please reach out to an usher or any staff member.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. The door that is closest to the office (NW corner) will be open during those hours.

Please check in with the office staff so we know you are in the building.

The office phone number is (262) 786-4010. Feel free to leave a message if you call after hours and we will contact you the next day.
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH www.calvarylc.com
Regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - noon 262.786.4010
Questions or comments? Email Sue Rowe at communications@calvarylc.com