CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, June 22, 2023 | |
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As we patiently wait for the pastor God has chosen for us, we will be featuring a devotion or other commentary on a verse or section from the readings for each weekend. Each devotion will note its source.
This weekend, our Old Testament readings include Psalm 91:1-10 (11-16). This devotion, based on verses 1-6, is taken from The One Year Book of Psalms published by Tyndale House in 1999. The devotionals are written by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen.
“Terrorism has been a disconcerting reality of life recently --- Oklahoma City, the World Trade Center, the Unabomber. [Recall this was written in 1999.] Terrorists have various causes, but they share a common weapon --- fear. If you can get people worried about taking a bus, going to the market, or even opening their mail, then you’ve dismantled the normal systems of life. You don’t need an army to support your cause --- just terror.
All the media’s frightening coverage about the food we eat, the fluoride in our water, and global warming makes us want to just stay home –-- but then there’s probably radon gas building up in our house right now!
But the psalmist offers us a better response: Rest secure in God. Let Him protect you. The terrors of the night, the dangers of the day --- none of these are too great for the Lord Almighty. Trust Him to get you through.
That sounds great, but weren’t there any Christians who died in, say, the Oklahoma City bombing? Sure there were. But the people of God have a greater, eternal security. We know that death will just give us a new address even closer to God than we are now. With the apostle Paul, we say, “For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:21). With this assurance, we need not be terrified by anything or anyone. God is with us, and we are safe in Him, no matter what happens. We are safe forever in His protective care.
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Faith Formation - 2023 Mission Trip | |
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"FORGED" is the theme this week for our Mission Trip students. Here is a short description of the program:
We all know the destruction and pain that fire can bring, but God also presents fire as purifying and refining throughout Scripture. So why would God choose fire to refine us? It separates the impurities and leaves what is valuable. Friend, when God brings or allows the fiery furnace of discomfort in our lives, it does not burn indiscriminately. It burns intentionally to make us more like Him. We can trust that it is always for our refinement and never for our destruction.
Each day we’ll explore how God forges our faith. Through each powerful, transformational mission trip experience, your group will see how God wants us to know we’re justified through faith and given access to his perfect peace and grace (Romans 5:1-4). Join us this summer as we explore how we’re all FORGED by faith!
Sunday: Hope. (Romans 5: 1-4) The hope of God is confidence in who God is and in what God can do. So even though everybody suffers, there is hope. God uses our suffering to make us stronger, to soften our edges, to deepen our capacity to love others, and stir a sense of gratitude.
Monday: Suffering. (Matthew 8:1-3) Jesus doesn’t condemn the leper for his questions or his pain; He doesn’t turn away or judge him. And he doesn’t tell the leper to just tough it out. Instead, Jesus reaches out in the presence of the leper’s greatest suffering and touches him. He remains with him. And with compassion, heals him.
Tuesday: Perseverance. (Luke 5:17-20) When we are faced with rough times, God uses that experience and makes us stronger for the next time we suffer. God forges us and shapes us while we’re softened so that when we come through the suffering, we are ready to persevere.
Wednesday: Character. (Matthew 14:22-33) Character is not determined by how other people see you. It is the truth of who you are, and it’s the result of the choices you make.
Thursday: Return to Hope. (John 11:38-44) God hears your cries for help. God knows when your heart is breaking. God is already there. And wherever you are in your season of suffering, have hope that God is at work in and through you.
Friday: Forge Ahead. (John 4:5-42) When you’re faced with a season of suffering, know that there is hope and healing to come. God will use that time to shape you, transform you, and make you stronger. And every time you journey around that circle, it prepares you for whatever comes next.
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Our group of 10 youth and two chaperones spent the first night in Canton, Ohio for a little fun before heading to Pennsylvania for a week working with area residents to complete projects around their homes. |
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The youth gathered each morning before heading out for the day's tasks. The theme of the day was presented.
Thank you to our chaperones, Kyle Jones and Sue Meyer.
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Kyle Jones, Director of Faith Formation, conducted a Bible study with our youth each evening.
A new porch and steps were created for a resident in Imperial, Pennsylvnia
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A skit each day emphasized the theme for the day (see day by day recap above). Youth were invited to participate in the skit.
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Happy Retirement, Pastor Ken! | |
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160 people attended Pastor Ken's retirement party on Saturday, June 10th.
It was a wonderful send off for both him and Marcella.
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Pastor Jerry Wittmus gave a prayer and blessing over Pastor Ken and his family at the end of the services on June 10-11. | |  |
Pastor Ken invited his daughters to join him in delivering the Children's Message on Sunday, June 11. His family all participated in the service either by lectoring, ringing the bells or serving Communion. | | |
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A MESSAGE FROM KEN AND MARCELLA NELSON
On behalf of our family, I would like to thank you all who came to join us this past weekend in celebrating Ken’s retirement. A special thank you to the party planners for the lovely celebration. We are thankful to you, the Calvary Congregation for these past 6 and and a half years. We appreciated the Calvary staff who were a joy for Ken to have served alongside. We also appreciate the many kindnesses to our family over the years here in Brookfield. A heartful thanks for the going away presents and precious cards we received this past weekend.
We as a family feel privileged to have served in many settings from rural to suburban. Between the two of us we have worked in a dozen churches and been members of a couple more besides that. I have to say there are good people wherever you go but the blessing of God’s faithful people bearing witness as they serve out their callings in life has been a remarkable experience and a joy for us. Through the years we have encountered people from all walks of life and have seen God’s creative side in all the personalities we have worked with.
Chiefly we give our thanks to each of you for the witness to your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We have had the privilege of walking beside you the faithful in your joys and sorrows. Ken has presided over 269 baptisms, 300 confirmations, 107 weddings and 271 funerals in 23 years in the parish. Thank you for sharing that holy ground with us as our Christian family.
I have seen God at work in the changes in my husband these past 38 years. There was a time when we first were married that he wasn’t quite sure if he wanted to volunteer to read scripture in church. The call to Africa was much stronger for me than him in the beginning but as we like to say in our family every kite needs a tail and eventually, we came together on this. In our time in Africa, he began studying and reading the Bible in earnest and that sparked in him a calling to additional studies at Bible school and seminary. To put it mildly I was reluctant to have him pursue ordained ministry. Eventually I was convinced and convicted by the Lord that the calling to ordained ministry was to be the path for him to follow.
Then came seminary and that experience prepared him for ministry, theologically. However, on the practical side, one of our seminary professors’ quotes about the reality of parish ministry was that “one has to turn off a lot of lights, plug in a lot of coffee pots and flush a lot of toilets to get the chance to preach the gospel once in a while.” However, I can say with confidence that Ken has been a faithful shepherd in these past 23 years with his reverence for preaching, administering the sacraments and the teaching of God’s Word. I am thankful for his diligence in bringing God’s word to his congregations in all the places we have served.
When we were in Tanzania as young missionaries, the old missionaries would say “God didn’t call you to be successful, He called you to be faithful”. This we can truly understand now that we are the age of those who first said it to us. Pastor Ken Nelson has been a faithful servant leader. Our family has a practice of praying Psalm 121 whenever we start out on a car trip out of town. It is known as the traveling psalm. I think it appropriate to close with this as we travel on the next adventures God has in store for us. This is our prayer for Calvary and for us as we take leave….
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
With Deep Gratitude from the Ken and Marcella Nelson Family.
Because of a cross,
Marcella Nelson (The Rev. Mrs. KJ Nelson)
P.S. See you soon!
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High School Graduate Recognition and Blessing
Megan Schatz graduated from Brookfield East High School and will be attendng University of Wisconsin-Stout in the fall. She will be majoring in Construction with a minor in Architecture.
Special thanks to Megan for serving as our Fellowship coordinator each Sunday.
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Church Council Bullet Points | |
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The following are the key items from this week's Church Council meeting:
- Council is coordinating schedules for utilization of supply pastors and congregational pastoral care needs
- Council approved an additional $8,000 from the building fund to be utilized by the property committee for already known projects
- Reminder from the Call Committee to plan on attending and participating in the Congregational Workshop on Saturday, July 29th (8:30am to 2:30pm) to discuss our congregation’s past, present and future. Everyone's thoughts, feelings and input is desired as an important step in navigating the call process.
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Message from Pastor Jerry Wittmus
The Council's decision regarding supply preaching and congregational pastoral care (see Council Bullet Points above) is deeply appreciated. I will preside and preach the first weekend of every month, and any other time as needed. I will also be providing pastoral care, as outlined below:
- Pray for Clavary, its members, and the mission of the church.
- Call/visit members who request pastoral care, hospitlized, family death, etc.
- Consult with Visitation Committee
- Preside over Funerals, weddings, baptisms
- Attend the monthly Stephen Ministry meetings
- Provide monthly communion to Calvary members at Ruby Commons apartments
- Any other duties/responsibilities as directed by the Council.
If you have any pastoral needs, I am the pastor on call and can be reached in the following ways:
- My cell phone is (262) 818-6792 (call or text)
- My email is nanjer248@hotmail.com
- Through the Church office (262) 786-4010
My motto is "We do ministry together". With the Holy Spirit guiding us, God's work will be done and ministry will continue here at Calvary Lutheran Church. Good communication is the key as we serve and help each other.
Peace and blessings to all.
Pastor Jerry Wittmus
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Pastor Ken and Marcella purchased two trees as a gift to Calvary.
One is placed in the berm on the west side of the church (pictured here) and the second tree is planted by the playground on the east side of the church property.
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Day of Pentecost
4th Sunday
after Pentecost
June 24-25, 2023
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
ASSISTING MINISTER: Ed Ramthun
DEACONS:
- Saturday: Mary Ellen Thiede
- Sunday: Linda Thorpe, Pat Foy, Judy Kestly
ACOLYTES:
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
USHERS:
LECTOR:
ALTAR GUILD:
GREETERS:
- George and Kay Sedivec
- Bob and Donna Siderits
FELLOWSHIP:
FLOWERS:
POWERPOINT TECH:
- Jeanette Kalupa/Saturday
- Chuck Lukasik/Sunday
LIVESTREAM:
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4th of July Hospitality Tent | |
Bottled Water, Cookies & Help
are Needed!
Calvary's 4th of July hospitality tent is a great outreach opportunity appreciated by many. Please sign up on the kiosk in the Narthex to bring bottled water, cookies, and/or to help. Bottled water should be dropped off in Room 103.
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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).
Prayers of sympathy and God's peace and grace to: the family and friends of Tom Kurtz, who passed away on June 17. Funeral arranagments are pending and will be shared with the congregation once they are finalized.
God's grace and blessings for: Stella Elizabeth Hewitt who will be baptized at the Sunday service. Stella is the daughter of Brian and Brooke (Duckett) Hewitt
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: Bev Lawson; Shirley Mahn; Sue Rowe; Maxine Weisbrodt; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Sis Kealey (mother of Sue Rowe); 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); 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; 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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Rebecca Warber, 6/23
Jan Tschetter, 6/24
Glori Kurth, 6/25
Keith Pierce, 6/25
Caryl Braatz, 6/26
Harold Rose, 6/30
Ruby Himsel, 7/2
Jeff Friese, 7/3
Sophia Liu,7/3
Kyle Gall, 7/4
Elliot Jones, 7/5
Judy DeBruine, 7/6
Mady Peters, 7/6
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Gordy and Grace Gunnlaugsson, 6/25 (57 years)
Deron and Lynnette Anderson, 6/26 (29 years)
Bob and Ann Jazgar, 6/27 (58 years)
George and Carol Rooney, 7/1 (55 years)
Dave and Paula Altman, 7/2 (45 years)
Jackson and Tiffany Schlieve, 7/12 (8 years)
Wayne and Bonnie Johnson, 7/15 (33 years)
Scott and Peggy Langelin, 7/18 (41 years)
Jerry and Nancy Wittmus, 7/18 (35 years)
Cable and Sarah Gall, 7/29 (16 years)
Keith and Karen Pierce, 7/30 (34 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 this weekend. 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, July 20
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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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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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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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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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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