CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, January 26, 2023

Sunday, January 29, 2023

10:30 a.m. - Sanctuary


Copies of the Annual Report are available

on the table in the Narthex.

Calvary Has Talent!


To the good folks of Calvary:


Following the established tradition, we will have a pancake supper on “Fat Tuesday” (February 21) served by the youth of our congregation.


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 are looking for early sign ups - the sign up form for the Talent Show will be on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex. A separate sign up for the pancake supper will be posted soon. 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.


Fat Tuesday

Talent Show

February 21

5:30 p.m.



Some talent ideas include:


  • magic tricks, juggling
  • stand-up comedy (family-friendly!)
  • skits (may include others)
  • solo acting or monologue
  • hula hoop, yo-yo tricks, ball-handling skills
  • story-telling, lip-syncing, karaoke
  • creating a dress out of toilet paper
  • dancing, cheerleading, gymnastics
  • face-painting
  • imitating a famous person
  • painting or drawing a picture while we watch (perhaps with narration!)
  • singing/playing an instrument with or without accompaniment. Using pre-recorded music is fine.

This Week's Pondering from Pastor Ken

As he taught, Jesus said “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be judged most severely.” -- Mark 12:38,40





In the November 18, 2021 CONNECTIONS, I wrote about a book entitled Unceasing Prayer by Debra K. Farrington.

(Here's a link to that issue.) Yes, it was quite a while back, but a few of you appreciated the reflection, so with the promise I won’t wait 14 months again, I’ll offer a few more thoughts from Ms. Farrington’s book.  


As you can see above, Jesus was rather critical of folks who “for a show make lengthy prayers…”  Our Lord’s context, however, was the flamboyant behavior of some religious folk whose prayers were pretentious - and to make them all the more pretentious they were long!   What’s more, (or worse) their zeal to publicly pray was not matched by their personal and public morality.  If they were Texans, they’d have been accused of being “all hat and no cattle.” 


It would be tempting to sway (and err) in the opposite direction and consider prayer unimportant – an ‘if I can get around to it’ ritual.   Whatever else can be said about a Christian, it must be said they are someone who prays.  Prayer books, the church’s rich tradition of “the daily offices” (morning and evening prayer especially), and even the prayer at the end of your daily devotional book are all very important.  Ms. Farrington is interested not in overburdening consciences by insinuating that we must pray often, (and especially not unceasingly). Nor in relegating prayer to a few uttered (or muttered) sentences when you are in a pinch of some kind during the day. But it is about making prayer a rhythm of life and something to which we return.  


That is why she generously sprinkles in Bible verses (nothing I commend more than Bible memorization) to spur our prayers. Let me share a brief quote from her book.  In chapter three, titled “All My Works Praise You, O Lord”, she writes “Thanks to those who have taught us in recent years about our Celtic heritage, we have discovered that the practice of noticing God’s presence, even in our daily tasks, is an ancient and revered practice.  The Celts had prayers for stoking the fire in the morning, herding the animals, for blessing the kitchen before cooking, and many other ordinary activities of their day.  God was found in the mundane details of their world, not just in church on Sunday.”    


Quoting a book by Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French Monk, Ms. Farrington adds (Lawrence) “found no more excellent means of going to God than the ordinary actions prescribed to him by obedience … It is a grave error to believe that fixed prayer times are different from any other time, for we are obliged to be united to God through our duties in their appropriate time as by prayer in its time.”  (From “The Practice of the Presence of God).  


So before starting the day's work, pray Psalm 90:17 “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and prosper for us the work of our hands.”  


When answering a text or email, pray Proverbs 15:23 “to make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and word in good season, how good it is


When experiencing a delay (how many times a day does that happen?), pray Isaiah 33:2 “O Lord be gracious to us; we wait for you.”  


Practice the presence of God in the mundane – that is prayer that is unceasing. So is persistence in those struggles of life that seem to not be momentary. The Lord may not care so much for pretentious, showy prayers, but He never tires of hearing what’s on your heart (and maybe has been for a while).


The name of the book is Unceasing Prayer – A Beginner’s Guide (copyright 2002) by Debra K. Farrington and is published by Paraclete Press – Brewster, Maine. 


In my prayers I never cease giving thanks for you.



Pastor Ken Nelson 

Worship Resources
Calvary's Website
Live Stream Link
NALC Daily Devotion

This Week's Reflection from Martin Luther

(God) is now reminding them of past blessings- first, the rescue from the wretched slavery of Egypt. He wanted to show them this external example as a sign to admonish them to remember divine goodness. He has given us, too, those external signs of grace, Baptism and the Eucharist, by which He encourages us to remember those things which have happened to us through the gospel.



- Martin Luther -

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.

It's only three weeks away!

Calvary's Fourth

Soup and Chili Cook Off

Saturday, February 11

6:00 p.m.


It's time to start looking through those cookbooks and recipe cards for that winning entry! Entry forms and sign up sheets are on the Opportunities Kiosk in the Narthex. There is a limit on the number of soup/chili entries (eight per category), so be sure to sign up as soon as possible. Entry forms are due by January 30th.


We invite everyone to join us to come eat and judge! Bring a friend or neighbor for what is always a great time of friendly competition, yummy food and fellowship!


Who will take home the coveted prize ladle this year? Here are the prior Cook Off winners ....


Soup:

2018: Sue Rowe

2019: Lydia Trudell

2020: Lydia Trudell


Chili:

2018: Erica Zipp

2019: Carolyn Schuelke

2020: JoAnne Krause


There will be a free will offering with 100% of money collected donated to Calvary's Youth Programs. Special thanks to Thrivent for financial support to offset the costs of this event.


Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

January 28-29, 2023


PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson

ASSISTING MINISTER/SERMON: Pastor Jerry Wittmus

DEACONS:

  • Saturday: Terry Bzdusek
  • Sunday: Mary Ellen Thiede, Sue Rowe, Diane Grundman

ACOLYTES:

  • William Dudzik and Addie Meyer

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:

  • Angie Schatz

USHERS:

  • Scott and Lisa Grossman

LECTOR:

  • Cathy Wahlgren

ALTAR GUILD:

  • Norene Giuliani

GREETERS:

  • George and Kay Sedivec
  • Bob and Donna Siderits

FELLOWSHIP:

  • Keith and Karen Pierce

FLOWERS: Joel and LInda Richmond

POWERPOINT TECH:

  • Jeanette Kalupa/Saturday
  • Sue Meyer/Sunday

Faith Formation

Pastor's Bible Study


Pastor Ken's Mid-Week Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, January 25 at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. He will present the readings for the upcoming weekend, followed by discussion and insight.


Please note that there will not be a Bible Study on February 1 as Pastor Ken and Ben Blobaum will be at a Pastor's Conference.

Women's Ministry Book Group

Women’s Book Group – Monday, February 13

Harnischfeger Room -Brookfield Public Library

12:30 – 2:00 pm

 

This Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing

by Jacqueline Winspear


Book summary from Amazon.com:


After 16 novels, Jacqueline Winspear has taken the bold step of turning to memoir, revealing the hardships and joys of her family history. Both shockingly frank and deftly restrained, her story tackles the difficult, poignant, and fascinating family accounts of her paternal grandfather’s shell shock; her mother’s evacuation from London during the Blitz; her soft-spoken animal-loving father’s torturous assignment to an explosives team during WWII; her parents’ years living with Romany gypsies; and Winspear’s own childhood picking hops and fruit on farms in rural Kent, capturing her ties to the land and her dream of being a writer at its very inception.


An eye-opening and heartfelt portrayal of a postwar England we rarely see, This Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing chronicles a childhood in the English countryside, of working class indomitability and family secrets, of artistic inspiration and the price of memory.


The Bridges library system owns 14 copies plus two CD versions.


Join us for interesting conversation – and bring a friend!

Our Church Family

Diane Iverson, 1/27

Tony Dentice, 1/28


Josiah Blobaum, 2/2

Nancy Marsho, 2/2

Tina Baumgartner, 2/5

Jim Marsho, 2/5

Erwin Ramthun, 2/5

Johanna Nelson, 2/7

David Ernst, 2/8

Garry Gillespie, 2/8

Diane Knappe, 2/13

Philip Voss, 2/14

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



Jiafu and Sophia Liu, 1/27 (23 years)

Joel and Linda Richmond, 1/30 (41 years)


Mike and Sue Rowe, 2/14 (42 years)

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)




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.

Prayers of joy and thanksgiving to: Tony and Krista Dentice who welcomed Joseph Anthony, born on January 16 at 10:41. Joining Joseph at home is big brother Donnie.


New prayer requests: Ellie Sayas; Mae Easton (friend of Glori and Eloise Kurth); Lynn Strickland father of Nicole Moritz)


Ongoing short-term prayer requests:  Dave DeBruine, Judy DeBruine, Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Tom Kurtz; Jonni Roush; Bob Varvaro (friend of Sue Rowe); 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; Pastor Tim Peterson (friend of Ken and Marcella Nelson); 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-membersGerry 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

Contribution Statements


Thank you for your generosity in 2022. Contribution statements were mailed last week. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Rooks at finance@CalvaryLC.com or (262) 786-4010. 


As a reminder, if you use online giving and changed your pledge for 2023, please remember to update your information accordingly. There is a link to the online giving site in the article below.

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, 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

"The Handmade Connection"


Are you a knitter, crocheter or loomer? Would you like to participate in a group of crafters who meet to create neck scarves, hats, mittens, cowls, baby items, prayer shawls and lap blankets which are given to those in need of such items? If so, we invite you to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry which meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. If you would like more "Handmade Connections", this ministry also meets on all other Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria at Spring Creek Church. You will enjoy the fellowship of like-minded crafters as they work on our projects and share suggestions and ideas to grow this ministry.


If you would like additional information, please contact Pat Dieck at 262/790-1298 or Evelyn Ceci at 262/389-7251.

January Mission of the Month AbleLight

(formerly Bethesda Lutheran Home)




Mission Statement: Enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that share the good news of Jesus Christ

 

  • AbleLight is a national Christian non-profit organization headquartered in Watertown, Wisconsin that provides support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at program locations across the U.S. They are in eight counties in Wisconsin.
  • They work to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by giving them the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest. They seek to be a champion of change by supporting independence and community inclusion.
  • They make a difference every day in the lives of those they support though advocacy, raising awareness and promoting independence.
  • They ensure communities understand the unique abilities people with disabilities have and encourage everyone to become advocates for people’s rights and independence.
  • Some of their current and future initiatives include:
  1. Smart home technology to enhance daily living
  2. Financial Support Services (they currently provide financial management for more than 700 clients)
  3. Bethesda College of Applied Learning
  4. Independent housing choices that offer true community inclusion
  5. Behavioral Support Services (for people of all ages)
  6. Faith resources made available online and free-of-charge through Concordia Publishing


For more information about AbleLight, please click here.


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 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 ....
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