CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, February 16, 2023

This Week's Pondering from Pastor Ken Nelson

"There he was transfigured before them. His face shown like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light."

Matthew 17:2

Transfiguration Sunday is the symbolic bridge between the season of Epiphany and the start of Lent. All the gospel accounts tell us it took place just after Jesus announced he was going to Jerusalem, where he would be arrested, convicted, executed, but then raised. Luke reminds us that Jesus was changed “as he was praying”. There is plenty for us to ponder right there. Whether Jesus “changed” because of his prayer, as some inventive scholars speculate is not clear and not the point. What is clear and is the point is that his appearance to Peter, James and John changed. The gospel of Luke adds the detail that Jesus was changed “while he was praying.” Prayer is intended to get us to see things differently, see them as they should be seen. God wants us to see Jesus clearly, correctly you might say, for a reason.

That reason is summed up in the New Testament book of James, where is says; “do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a person who looks at their face in a mirror and after looking, goes away and immediately forgets what they look like”. These are challenging words. Think about what you see if you can see at all that is, when at 6:00 AM you first look at yourself in the morning mirror. Does the phrase “bad hair day” ring a bell? The point of mirrors it to make sure we see ourselves as we are and get prepared properly for where we are going each day. James is right, we need to see what we look like spiritually, because we are going somewhere. We are going to school, to work, somewhere, to mirror, to look like Jesus.

The Transfiguration story is about how one day Jesus appeared differently to his followers. It was the event that opened their eyes to who he really was. And if Luke’s account (Luke 9:28-36) is instructive, it happened when he was praying. For us, prayer is practice for the Christian life, to be lived with eyes wide open to the tension between how the world really is and how God in Christ wants it to be. Prayer changes how we see Jesus. It follows that it will change the way we see and prepare ourselves for where we go every day.

Faith practices change us. By the rituals and traditions of worship, by conversations that start with “how’d you’re day go” but circle back to our faith, we’re changed. You’ve maybe had a spiritual moment in your life, that “blew you away”, and you felt a rush of excitement or peace like you’ve never felt before. Or maybe you’re someone with whom the Lord is taking his time. You’re someone of whom only he and those close to you could begin to say “this is not the man I married…this is not the girl I went to high school with…this is not the person I went into business with”. The transfiguration of Jesus to his disciples was a sudden thing. But you could just as easily say it was the culmination of three years of patient teaching on Jesus part. They’d seen him pray hundreds of times, but like the drop of water that suddenly causes the dish to overflow, this time they finally saw him as they should have. Remember that the first drop of water in the dish, and the next, and so on are just as important as the last one.

Transfigurations in our families and congregations happen when we pray and give some time and space to God’s word. By our faith practices in home and congregation, by conversations that aspire to become or just naturally evolve into faith talks, by prayer and the word, by not just hearing it but doing it, all of which we will emphasize in the season of Lent, we are transfigured. Dispositions change, aspirations alter, relationships renew, till in small but vital ways people start to wonder; “who is that person”. Well friend, like the old schoolyard tease went, “that’s for God to know and all the rest of us to find out”. But this much I do know…it will be a change you can more than just live with. It will be a change you’ll discover you can’t truly live without.

I hope to see you all in our worship this weekend.

Because of a cross,

PKN

Worship Resources

Calvary's Website

Live Stream Link

NALC Daily Devotion

This Week's Reflection from Martin Luther

So God does not want you to avenge yourself out of anger in any form or manner, be it with your heart, with your fist, or with your mouth, and thus do an injury to your neighbor, show him spite, give him unkind words, etc.

- Martin Luther

Sermon on Matthew 5:20-26

Online Resources

Note: If you give online to the Mission of the Month, your funds will be applied to the MOM recipient at the time of your gift.

See the monthly calendar by clicking on the image below.

Ash Wednesday Services

February 22, 2023

Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Fat Tuesday Dinner and Talent Show

Fat Tuesday dinner on

February 21 at

5:30 p.m.

Our youth will be cooking and serving a delicious dinner of pancakes, scrambled eggs, jambalaya, etc. for you to enjoy as you listen to New Orleans jazz and catch colorful strings of beads tossed by our youth.

It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss! Bring your friends, relatives, classmates, and neighbors!

Please sign up in the Narthex on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk by the glass doors so we know how much batter to make! Free will offerings will be for Calvary Youth, Mission Trip, and Camps.

Forms are on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex by the glass doors.

During and after the meal, we plan to present a "Calvary Has Talent" at the south end of Fellowship Hall. Your talent need not be musical, but music is welcomed as part of the whole. Each presentation should be between 2-4 minutes long. See some suggestions listed in this article.

All ages are encouraged to participate!

We invite everyone to come enjoy fellowship, a good supper and fun! If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Moritz at music@calvarylc.com.

Tran

Transfiguration of Our Lord

February 18-19, 2023

PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson

ASSISTING MINISTER: Larry Bonier

DEACONS:

Saturday: Terry Bzdusek
Sunday: Larry Bonier, George Sedivec, Lisa Grossman

ACOLYTES:

Amelia Evert and Ava Morris

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:

Kyle Jones

USHERS:

Caryl Braatz and Jane Krause

LECTOR:

Sallie Schulz

ALTAR GUILD:

Jan Lukasik

GREETERS:

Diane Grundman
Marilyn Hermann
Everett Lambert

SPECIAL MUSIC:

Psallite Choir and Celebration Ringers

FELLOWSHIP:

Mark and Diane Knappe

FLOWERS: Kalupa family in memory of Heidi Hummel

POWERPOINT TECH:

Cindy Rooks/Saturday
Sallie Schulz/Sunday

Faith Formation

Looking for a daily devotional? There are several options available on the tables in the Narthex. Portals of Prayer and Christ in Our Home are available in small and large sizes.

The North American Lutheran Church also offers a daily online devotional. The link to this resource is always available through the CONNECTIONS under the Worship Resources section at the top. Here's a link.

Looking for an online devotional? Between work, family, friends, and more, it can be hard to find time to dig into your Bible. Daily Bread Ministries’ Daily Video Devotionals make it easy to engage with God’s Word, featuring short faithful messages sent to your email inbox every day.

Watch on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and know that God is always with you, no matter how chaotic life gets. Link HERE to sign up to receive a daily link.

Lent Devotionals

Watch for Lent devotionals in the Narthex. Loved and Freed is from the NALC. Also available is New Life Rising: Easter Season Devotional 2023. Use these resources to enrich your faith during Lent in addition to weekly Lenten Worship at noon on Wednesdays.

Pastor's Weekly Bible Study

NOTE: No Bible Study on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22

Pastor Ken invites you to join him every Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for his weekly Bible Study. He will present the readings for the upcoming weekend, followed by discussion and insight.

Care Net Pregnancy Center -- URGENT NEED!

Care Net Pregnancy Center is in need of new or gently used size 18-24 month and 2T WINTER CLOTHES to keep these little ones warm. Warm inside clothing is needed more but outside clothing is also appreciated. A bin is in the Narthex. Thank you!

Women's Ministry Book Group

Women’s Book Group – Monday, March 13

Harnischfeger Room -Brookfield Public Library

12:30 – 2:00 pm

The Paris Bookseller

Our Church Family

Lydia Trudell, 2/16

Wayne Johnson, 2/18

Carolyn Gillespie, 2/19

Connor Voss, 2/21

Robert Vollmar, 2/24

Jim Brostowitz, 2/25

Luther Himsel, 2/25

Josh Brooks, 2/26

Sandy Voerman, 2/29

Bryant and Nicole Moritz, 2/20 (14 years)

Kyle Jones and Lauren Beeson, 3/1 (11 years)

Rick and Chris Spangenberger, 3/16 (24 years)

Craig and Michele Schmidt, 3/28 (53 years)

Wayne and Pat Dieck, 3/30 (60 years)

New prayer requests: Elaine Wempen (aunt of Ed Ramthun); Robin Johnson (friend of Grace Gunnlaugsson)

Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Pastor Jerry Wittmus; Maxine Weisbrodt; Ellie Sayas; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Tom Kurtz; Jonni Roush; Dale Solberg (friend of Pastor Ken and Marcella Nelson); Andy Jacobs (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Mary (sister-in-law of Jane Taufner); Jake (friend of Glori Kurth); Mae Easton (friend of Glori and Eloise Kurth); Lynn Strickland father of Nicole Moritz); Kira (daughter of a friend of Jessica Dudzik); Susie Barnhart (friend of Megan Scott); Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum); Ray-Ann, granddaughter of David Ernst; Elizabeth Stem (niece of Evelyn Ceci); Sarah Green (sister of Andy Schatz); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus)

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, EMT's; 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: Pat Corcoran; Ron Foster; Beverly Lawson; Shirley Mahn; Myrna Mavroff; Donna Schroeder; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Ruth Young; Janet Zastrow

Non-members: Gerry Fosdal (friend of Linda Thorpe); Tom Bruns (brother of Carol Rooney); Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); ; Joe Dentice (father of Tony Dentice); Mike Andrae (husband of former Calvary member Luisa Andrae); Nicole Sayas (daughter in law of Judy Sayas); Dennis Reich (friend of John and Mary Lau); Curt (friend of Larry Bonier); Pastor Mark Gehrke (son of Lois Gehrke); Barb Anderson (friend of Lisa Grossman); Gareth George (cousin of Judy Sayas); Rose Luther (friend of Nicole Moritz); Judy Grospitz; 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); Tom Dallman (husband of Lucy Dallman); 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.

Worship Attendance and Giving Update

Online giving provides options!

While cash and checks are always welcome, the “Give Online” button on the Calvary Lutheran Church website provides another option. And, with the expansion of our vendor’s software, the options are now expanded and customized. In addition to giving to the General Operating Fund, Building Fund and Mission of the Month, you can now specify contributions for Altar Flowers, Sunday Morning Fellowship Treats, NALC, etc.

Please note that contributions to the Mission of the Month are allocated to the organization for the month in which the donation is made

If you have any questions or would like to make a pledge, please contact Cindy Rooks, Finance Secretary, via email at finance@calvarylc.com or (262) 786-4010.

Online Giving Link

Giving to the NALC Campaign

Just a reminder that contributions to the NALC's 20/20 Vision Campaign need to be designated as "NALC" either on your giving envelope or on your check. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Rooks at finance@calvarylc.com.

Mission and Outreach

February Mission of the Month

Lutheran Bible Translators

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, until her death.

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: l lbt.org. Join us on February 25 and 26 to meet the Federwitzes and hear more about their mission work.

To support this important Mission of the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope or designate the donation as "Mission of the Month" in your online giving.

Men's Ministry

Weekly Men's Breakfast

RESUMES March 15, 2023

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

Thursday, February 16

Fellowship Hall

If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com

A few reminders ....

Do you need a new Church Directory?

The Calvary Church Directory is available electronically or in paper format. If you'd like an electronic copy, please send an email to Sue Rowe at communications@calvarylc.com.

There are also printed copies available in the church office.

If there are any changes to your phone, email or address, please advise the Church office. Any updates should be submitted to Cindy Zilske at office@calvarylc.com.

CLICK HERE FOR Imposter Scam Info from State of Wisconsin

Scam Emails from "Pastor Ken"

You may have recently received an email from Pastor Ken (or another member of the Calvary staff) requesting assistance for an important matter. These are NOT from Pastor Ken and are imposter scams. You will never receive an email from Pastor Ken or staff requesting your assistance in this way.

Please take a minute to check out the information from the State of Wisconsin which contains very helpful information about Imposter Scams.

Copies of this information is also on the Resources kiosk in the Narthex.

Severe Weather Announcements

With winter in full swing, 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.

Sanctuary Flowers

A wonderful way to celebrate a special occasion or remember a loved one is by sponsoring flowers at our altar. The cost is $35 and you may take them home following the Sunday morning worship. (If you'd prefer, you can leave the flowers at church to be enjoyed in the church office.)

The sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex, near the door to Fellowship Hall.

We invite you to provide

Hospitality Treats on Sunday

We invite you to stay after worship on Sunday mornings and enjoy fellowship time and a treat/cup of coffee in Fellowship Hall.

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 (six 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.

The sign up sheet for 2023 has been posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!

Live Stream Attendance Link

If you watch our services via the Live Stream, please take a minute to let us know. There is now a link called "Online Worship Attendance" on the page where you access each week's service.

We appreciate you taking the time to complete this each week. It helps us know that our Live Stream is being viewed and by whom.

Thank you!

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.

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.

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