CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, June 8, 2023 | |
** Important Information for Saturday night **
If you will be attending the 5 p.m. service or Pastor Ken's Retirement Party at
6 p.m., please plan to enter the church parking lot from the Gebhardt Rd. entrance on the south side of the church. We will have volunteers stationed at that entrance to allow access to our parking lot for our guests and visitors.
St. John Vianney's festival will be in full swing and we will have our Calhoun Road entrance blocked to prevent their guests from parking in our lot during that time.
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“Tax collectors also came to him to be baptized. “Teacher”, they asked, “What should we do”? “Don’t collect any more than you are required to”, he told them.”
Luke 3:12-13
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.”
Matthew 9:10
I was a tax collector once - well sort of. I was a tax accountant, so actually I made my way in life not by collecting taxes but by trying to lower people's (legal) obligation to the government. I suppose you could say the lower we made their tax bills the more emboldened my firm was in “suggesting” a nice fee for our services! 😊 In Jesus's day, tax collectors made their way by overcharging people, padding their “quota” from the Roman authorities and pocketing the difference. For a vivid example of this, read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. In our lesson for this week from Matthew 9, I am going to reflect on 24 years of ministry with the aid of the call story of Matthew, the tax collector. I never really thought of myself in my CPA days as a “sinner” just because I tried to lower the IRS’s bite on a person’s checkbook. But one day, the Lord called to me (through my wife I might add) and took me away from the accountant’s chair and into the global mission of the ELCA.
That’s about where the comparisons between Matthew and I end. I never got to be an apostle . Never got to write a gospel, even if my weekly “Ponderings” over the years probably total more words put on the page than Matthew’s 28 chapters. But I digress. The reason this story from Matthew 9 is so fascinating for me is because of the fact that when Jesus got a hold of Matthew, Matthew somehow attracted his tax collector buddies and other “sinners” to Jesus. We don’t know how. It might just have been a dinner invitation, or Matthew may have been the quickest of the Apostle’s to evangelize.
Matthew's narration of the dinner party says nothing about the effect Jesus had on his tax collector and sinner buddies. They may have simply gone back to their old ways, thankful for a decent meal and a meet and greet with the guest of honor. We don’t know. What is certain is the degree to which this event got the religiously proud and righteous all bent out of shape. Pharisees (who else?) opined that Jesus was out of order even dining with these men (Matthew 9:11). My hunch, however, is some of them took heed of the advice of John the Baptist, who in Luke 3 charged recently baptized tax collectors to only take what was due, and be content with their wages.
This might seem like a small change, but a change in the right direction at least. We’re left to our imaginations on this one. Maybe Jesus changed these men at Matthew’s dinner party and maybe not. But that’s Jesus's part of the bargain … ours is to bring folks within earshot of the gospel. The real point of the story is Jesus changed Matthew - a sinner - whether the righteous like it or not. Jesus claims sinners all the time for the kingdom. And if there is any part of my faith story that lines up with Matthews, it is that I believe Jesus changed me once, too. Not sure what I would have been without that encounter, but I’m sure glad I had it. I hope, moreover, that because I did, I’ve brought a few folks within earshot of the gospel of Jesus, too. It’s really all a person can ask for.
I hope this finds you well. And I thank you for bearing with these ramblings of mine over the years.
Because of a cross,
Pastor Ken Nelson
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Graduation Recognition This Sunday | |
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Celebrate Megan Schatz's
High School graduation on
Sunday, June 11 in Fellowship Hall following the worship.
Megan will be graduating from Brookfield East High School next week and will be attending UW Stout in the fall with a major in Construction and a minor in Architecture.
We also thank Megan for her service as our Hospitality Coordinatior for the last several years.
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Calvary Clean Up - THANK YOU! | |
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Thank you to everyone who came last Saturday to clean up the Calvary property.
It was a beautiful day and we had 25 volunteers who cut down and trimmed trees and bushes, pulled weeds, power washed the garden bricks and other tasks around the grounds.
We have several tools that were left behind. They are in the Volunteer Room across the hall from the church office and can be picked up anytime.
If you need a little firewood, feel free to take what's left of the Ash tree that was cut down. You'll see the pile to the south of the playground, toward to the Parish House.
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Day of Pentecost
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Graduation Recognition
June 10-11, 2023
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
DEACONS:
- Saturday: Mary Ellen Thiede, Bill Graffin, Lenny Graffin
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Sunday: George Sedivec, Linda Thorpe (Nelson family to help with Communion)
ACOLYTES:
- Saturday: Noah Ciszewski and Sean Moritz
- Sunday: Kyle and Jackson Gall
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
USHERS:
- Saturday: Ed Ramthun and Ernie Kretschmann
- Sunday: Jane Krause and Keith/Karen Pierce
LECTOR:
ALTAR GUILD:
GREETERS:
- John and Mary Lau
- Keith and Karen Pierce
FELLOWSHIP:
FLOWERS:
- Fay Heyen in honor of her birthday and her family
POWERPOINT TECH:
- Cindy Rooks/Saturday
- Sue Rowe/Sunday
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Register today for this summer's VBS!
Launch kids on a cosmic quest where they’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Stellar rockets kids on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun.
Volunteers can also sign up via the link below. We couldn't do our VBS without the help of so many wonderful volunteers. Please consider helping us again this year!
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Vacation Bible School
July 31 - August 4
9:00 a.m. - Noon
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New prayers requests or any updates to this current list should be directed to Cindy Zilske in the Church office (office@calvarylc.com).
New prayer requests: Bev Lawson
Please continue to pray for: God’s guidance and support for our Call Committee, and that the Holy Spirit is working in the heart of the pastor He wishes to call as the next pastor of Calvary.
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Shirley Mahn; Sue Rowe; Maxine Weisbrodt; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Laura Burger (Calvary member and twin sister of Linda Richmond); Ron Parker (brother of LInda Thorpe); Laura (daughter of Hugh and Jane Taufner); Sharon Anderson (mother of Deron Anderson); Lou Dangler (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Andy Jacobs (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Kim (daughter of Maxine Weisbrodt); Paul Mahn (son of Shirley Mahn); Hunter Green (nephew of Andy and Angie Schatz); Tom Schatz (father of Andy Schatz); Susie Barnhart and Amy Clark (friends of Megan Scott); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce); Karen (daughter of Linda Thorpe's neighbor); Gary Zikmund (friend of George Sedivec); Mary (sister-in-law of Jane Taufner); Lynn Strickland (father of Nicole Moritz);Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum); Ray-Ann, granddaughter of David Ernst
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; Tom Kurtz; Beverly Lawson; Donna Schroeder; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Jan Janchan (friend of Jonni Roush); Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); 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); Susan Petropoulos (sister of Wayne Johnson); Tom Dallman (husband of Lucy Dallman); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus)
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Mary Smith, 6/8
Claire Gall, 6/9
Curtis Klade, 6/9
Fay Heyen, 6/17
Tom Kurtz, 6/18
Rebecca Warber, 6/23
Jan Tschetter, 6/24
Glori Kurth, 6/25
Keith Pierce, 6/25
Caryl Braatz, 6/26
Harold Rose, 6/30
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Lee and Marge Tyne, 6/9 (61 years)
Ken and Marcella Nelson, 6/15 (38 years)
Don and JoAnne Krause, 6/17 (62 years)
Randy and Sue Wizner, 6/18 (41 years)
Dale and Marty Altmin, 6/19 (58 years)
Terry and Sandy Moths, 6/20 (42 years)
Ray and Jan Chesner, 6/21 (65 years)
Gordy and Grace Gunnlaugsson, 6/25 (57 years)
Deron and Lynnette Anderson, 6/26 (29 years)
Bob and Ann Jazgar, 6/27 (58 years)
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June Mission of the Month
NALC International Mission
through the World Mission Prayer League
The World Mission Prayer League (WMPL) is an official ministry partner of the NALC. WMPL grew out of a God-given burden to pray for the unreached interiors of Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the 1930’s. A band of students, pastors and friends in the Minneapolis area joined together in prayer that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into his harvest.
WMPL says of itself … we are committed to pray, as Jesus commands his followers in Matthew 9:38 – “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” We are a … community of men and women who are committed to prayer - the “working method” of our mission.
The World Mission Prayer League exists to see that populations with limited or no access to the Gospel experience the love of Christ and that believers and communities of believers in the Americas and elsewhere engage in active and collaborative participation in living out their roles in the great commission.
This month, we are supporting missionaries from WMPL who will be our guests at Calvary in worship the weekend of June 24-25. The Nelsons met our missionaries in 1995 while studying at Luther Seminary.
Our Mission of the Month offerings will:
1. Directly support the work of the World Mission Prayer League;
2. Support a “Ministry Fund” for our missionaries and support for orphans whose parents died of
COVID.
We hope you will learn more about WMPL – their website is www.wmpl.org, and generously support the mission work Calvary does in India through this wonderful Lutheran ministry.
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.
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Janet Zastrow, expert seamstress, invites the women of all ages to join her for Sewing Circle this summer (date and time to be determined). Janet has been teaching Amruth Busi, daughter of Radha Vaddavalli, how to sew. Several examples of what they have made together are pictured here.
Janet is looking for adults who sew to participate, as well as donations of patterns, which have become quite expensive to purchase!. There is a bin in the Narthex to collect the patterns, This is a great opportunity for inter-generational fellowship.
If you're interested in helping Janet with this wonderful ministry, please send an email to her at janetzastrow@att.net.
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Worship Attendance and Giving Options | |
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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.
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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.
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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. | |
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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!
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Fellowship Hall
Thursday, June 15
6:00 p.m. Supper
Study to follow
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
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Facing tough times? Need a Christian Friend?
Stephen Ministry is here to help. Free, just like God's love.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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