CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, November 17, 2022 | |
Pastor Ken's Pondering This Week .... | |
Annual Thanksgiving Pie Social
Join us for a piece of pie and cup of coffee after the Thanksgiving Eve worship on Wednesday, November 23. Worship will begin at 7pm, followed by the Pie Social in Fellowship Hall. Our youth will be helping to serve the yummy treats.
If you plan on attending, there is a sign-up sheet posted on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex. There is also a spot on the form to indicate if you are able to bring a pie.
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Advent
Holden Evening
Prayer Services
Midweek Worship
Please join us for our Wednesday night Advent services
at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates.
November 30, December 7, December 14, December 21
Light refreshments will be available in Fellowship Hall following the service.
We invite you to bring treats for this fellowship time - a tray of cookies, cheese and crackers, etc. Pastor Ken and Marcella will provide the beverages. The sign-up sheet is on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the narthex. There are two open spots for each week.
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Advent Devotional Materials Are Available
This year’s devotional — entitled
And He Shall Reign — was written by sixteen members of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) staff and based on words in Revelation 11:15.
The readings each day are based upon the daily lectionary provided in the NALC Devoted To Prayer daily prayer and reading guide, which is also an adapted version of the daily lectionary in the Lutheran Book of Worship. You can access these devotional materials through the link below.
The season of Advent is upon us, and it is time, once again, to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus and His eternal reign. It is our hope that this devotional will aid and bless your personal reflections during this season.
NALC Advent Devotional Link
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Christ the King Sunday
November 19-20, 2022
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Jessica Dudzik
DEACONS:
- Saturday: Ernie Kretschmann
- Sunday: Nancy Wittmus, Mary Ellen Thiede, Linda Thorpe
ACOLYTES:
- Ava Morris and Ellie Sayas
USHERS:
- George Sedivec and Jon Sayas
GREETERS:
- John and Mary Lau
- Keith and Karen Pierce
LECTOR:
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
ALTAR GUILD:
MUSICIANS: Psallite Choir and Gutenkunst Flute Ensemble
FELLOWSHIP TREATS:
ALTAR FLOWERS:
- Julie Matthes in memory of Fred
POWERPOINT TECH:
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Saturday: Cindy Rooks
- Sunday: Chuck Lukasik
LIVESTREAM TECH:
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Gutenkunst Flute Ensemble
November 20 at 9 a.m. service
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Thursday, December 1 at 7 p.m.
You're invited to join us for a free Holiday Concert featuring Peter Thomas, MSO cellist. He's not your ordinary cellist. He will play holiday tunes on his electric cello.
You don't want to miss this one to get you in the holiday spirit! Bring a friend.
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Harpist Janelle Lake to play on
Christmas Eve at the 10pm service
Janelle Lake plays harp professionally throughout Chicagoland and the United States. Her days are filled performing, teaching, and traveling. Performances include her positions as principal harpist of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra since 2005 and the Southwest Symphony Orchestra since 2007 working under many batons including Dr. Alltop, David Crane, Jay Friedman, Ricardo Muti, and Cliff Colnot (Civic Orchestra). Memorable experiences include performing with Van Dyke Parks (song writer for the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson), playing the daily tea and demitasse at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island (audience included Rudy Guillani and Mitt Romney), and regular performances at Julius Meinl, and the Drake Hotel in Chicago (audience included President Obama).
Janelle Lake served as the Artistic Director at the Venus Harp Factory for eight years where she tested each new harp before it was sent around the world. Liz Cifani, retired Lyric Opera harpist, taught Janelle Lake at Northwestern University during her course work for Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Music Performance.
Janelle recently released her first CD of French and Czech harp music titled Moonlight in a Pool.
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Council Meeting
Bullet Points
11/15/22
Council was made aware of upcoming holiday worship schedules:
- Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday (November 23rd) evening at 7:00pm
- Mid-week Advent services on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm (November 30th, December 7th, 14th, and 21st)
- Christmas Eve services on Saturday (December 24th) at 4:00pm and 10:00pm
- Christmas Day service on Sunday (December 25th) at 9:00am
- New Year's Eve service on Saturday (December 31st) at 5:00pm
- New Year's Day service on Sunday (January 1st) at 9:00am
Notified by Church Life/Fellowship Committee of dates/times to assist with preparing the church for the Christmas season (Volunteers are encouraged to let the church office know if available to help).
- Putting up Christmas decorations will take place Sunday, November 27th at 1:00pm
- Removal of Christmas decorations will take place Sunday, January 8th at 1:00pm
Approved Worship Board's proposal to adopt utilization of the ESV translation of the Bible in place of the currently utilized NIV translation for the lessons and gospel readings during worship services
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Adult Bible Study - Lutheran Next Steps | |
A new Adult Bible Study class - THE LUTHERAN NEXT STEPS meets on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. This eight-week course meets in the Media Room at 10:30 a.m. and will be facilitated by Pastor Ken Nelson. This course was created a few years ago when Pastor Ken was engaged in the “Life to Life Discipleship” initiative of the Navigators and the NALC.
The course is a solid, basic overview of the Christian faith. It encourages participants to increase their Bible reading, includes some memorization of key passages, and will culminate in the opportunity to create and share (in groups of 2 or 3) a personal “faith story” (or what some traditions called “testimonies”). The goal of this study is to present the Christian faith in a straight-forward, Biblically sound way to deepen our knowledge of those beliefs. This will equip participants for those moments when they may be presented an opportunity to witness to someone about our faith and the Lord Jesus.
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Pastor Ken's Weekly Bible Study
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
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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.
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November Mission of the Month | |
Care Net Pregnancy Center of Milwaukee
Care Net Pregnancy Center is a newer mission for Calvary and we are thrilled to be part of those helping to fund and spread its good work. Several of us have visited and volunteered on site and have witnessed the work of God that this group does. Below is the PURPOSE and MISSION of CareNet:
PURPOSE: To uphold the sanctity of human life and share the love of Christ and the hope of the Gospel with women and their families facing an unplanned pregnancy.
MISSION: To encourage women to choose life by offering spiritual and practical care during and after pregnancy.
In 2021, our Learn to Earn program blossomed!
- 110 women took 517 classes: To prepare for their babies, to be in fellowship with others and to be encouraged in their faith.
- After taking classes, women go shopping in our beautiful Counted Sparrows Boutique. In Matthew 10, Jesus tells his disciples "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God?" We share this truth with our clients that they are valuable to God and are not forgotten by Him!
- We believe the beauty of the Counted Sparrows Boutique reflects this teaching
Please consider supporting Care Net in their godly work, as well as possibly volunteering at the site. Click here to be directed to their website for more information. 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.
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Thanks to Calvary from the Mission and Outreach Committee
We are grateful for the participation from all of you in 2022. Through the Mission and Outreach funds Calvary supports a variety of ministries. In 2021, over $35,000 was collected in offerings for Missions the Month. We support the international, national and local ministries described below with your Mission of the Month offerings.
International missions:
· Lutheran Bible Translators provide Bible translation and literacy work in more than 100 language communities throughout the world.
· Compassion International programs provide health care, Christian teaching, education and vocational training opportunities for children in 27 countries.
· World Mission Prayer League Global Workers provide training, support Seminary Education for church workers along with christian education for children in India and many other countries worldwide.
· Opportunity International provides micro loans and banking services to people helping them to build sustainable livelihoods and access to quality education for their children to break the cycle of poverty.
Internationally these groups spread the gospel to the unreached, and provide education, training and health improvements and economic opportunities for families in struggling nations.
USA missions:
· Seminary Support for students preparing for the ministry.
· AbleLight is a ministry for people with physical and intellectual disabilities and provides numerous support services for these folks in several states including Wisconsin. Formerly known as Bethesda, this mission has roots in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
· NALC Disaster Response has provided 2.9 million dollars’ worth of in- kind donations in 2022. Calvary participated in the (Stuff the Truck event) in October sending backpacks, quilts, fleece blankets, health kits, Bibles, Children’s Bibles and gift cards for families suffering from natural disasters. Calvary hosted a training event for disaster response which was attended by 15 people from Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.
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· Broom Tree and Shepherds’ Canyon Retreats focus on restorative and healing retreats to pastors and their spouses from across the USAGreater Milwaukee area missions:
· Serenity Inn is a residential center for men striving to overcome addictions.
· Hope Street provides housing and healing the people whose lives have been affected by drug and alcohol abuse by providing a nurturing community life.
· Brothers and Sisters in Christ Serving (BASICS) is an umbrella organization for dozens of ministries in Milwaukee providing a variety of Christian care and outreach to the city including prison ministries, community outreach and recovery programs and youth activities.
· Care Net Pregnancy Center of Milwaukee provides support to pregnant women. Pregnancy and parenting classes, Bible studies, ultrasounds, baby supplies, after abortion counseling and ongoing care is provided to women and children. This past year Janet Zastrow’s birthday celebration included a baby shower to collect baby items for Care Net.
Other Missions:
Calvary collected 43 Christmas Child Boxes for Samaritans Purse International Relief and Evangelism Ministry. An offering was taken for Spiritual Orphans Network for the Ukraine Crisis. Vacation Bible School children rolled bandages for Global Health Ministries, tied fleece blankets for Care Net and collected backpacks for NALC Disaster Response. The collection of winter clothing items is ongoing to be distributed to our local mission partners for the winter season.
Thanks and Praise! All of these missions are the hands and feet of Jesus working through Calvary. The variety of ways and places Missions of the Month serve our neighbors is impressive.
Our 12 months of financial contributions to these groups spread the love of Christ to the city, the nation and the world. We are thankful for all the ways you have contributed to these efforts in 2022.
A Blessed Thanksgiving to you from Calvary’s Mission and Outreach Committee!
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Marcella Nelson, Chair
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Winter Clothing Collection
Cleaning out your closet as we transition to winter? Calvary's Mission and Outreach Committee is collecting winter coats, sweatshirts and sweaters, caps, gloves and scarves for all ages. Please put your items in the tub in the narthex. Items can be new or gently-used condition.
Thanks for helping those who are without winter clothing.
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Gael Hirth, 11/17
Darlene Louison, 11/17
Rich Baumgartner, 11/18
Bob Branston, 11/21
Pat Dieck, 11/23
Jacklyn Warber, 11/23
Terry Bzdusek, 11/24
Bonnie Johnson, 11/26
Allison Mayer, 11/26
Sarah Galll, 11/27
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Matt and Heather Wirtz, 11/19 (6 years)
Bill and Lenny Graffin, 11/24 (33 years)
Elton and Joanne Juno, 12/4 (36 years)
Al and Rhonda Rodriguez, 12/23 (50 years)
Ron and Jean Holman, 12/26 (69 years)
Bob and Donna Siderits, 12/26 (62 years)
Jeremy and Nicole Nowicki, 12/28 (12 years)
Rick and Carol Treadwell, 12/29 (49 years)
Ken and Amando Olstinski, 12/31 (1 year)
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Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Grace Gunnlaugsson; Jonni Roush; Jonathan Roe (son of Carol Roe); Susie Barnhart (friend of Megan Sayas); Pastor Tim Peterson (friend of Ken and Marcella Nelson); Torrie and her unborn daughter (cousin's daughter of Lisa Grossman); Tom Bruns (brother of Carol Rooney); John Gregory (friend of Scott and Lisa Grossman); Elizabeth Stem (niece of Evelyn Ceci); Dennis Heimdahl (son-in-law of Marilyn Hermann); Julie Niederbaumer (friend of many Calvary members); Sarah Green (sister of Andy Schatz); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus); Gerry Fosdal (friend of Linda Thorpe)
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; Shirley Mahn; Myrna Mavroff; Donna Polizzi; Donna Schroeder; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Ruth Young; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); Isabelle George (wife of Judy Sayas' cousin); 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); Joseph Franko (friend 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.
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Financial Update/Worship Attendance - November 12-13, 2022 | |
Women’s Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 10, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Marcella Nelson’s Home
19245 McAllister Lane Unit A, Brookfield
Come and bring your daughters or a friend
(Non-Calvary women are also welcome)
Come when you can, leave when you must
Stop in and have some cider or coffee with our Calvary sisters.
If you have questions or need directions,
call Marcella at 701-833-5157
nelskog@juno.com
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Severe Weather Announcements
With winter coming, 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.
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NEW! 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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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, etc.
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We can also include other limited-time event payments such as the Disaster Response Training and the WI & Upper MI Mission District Convocation being held at Calvary on October 28 and 29.
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.
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Hospitality Treat Sponsors
Are Needed!
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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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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Monthly Men's Gathering
Thursday, November 17
6 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mark Trudell at mtrudell@reagan.com.
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Updated Church Directory Available |
The Calvary Church Directory is available electronically or in paper format. If you'd like an electronic copy, please send an email to communications@calvarylc.com requesting it. There are also printed copies available in the church office.
Any corrections or 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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Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.
The link to the Live Stream is available on the home page at www.calvarylc.com
If you watch the livestream service, please take a moment to log your presence via the link that is available above the livestream link.
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Sanctuary Flowers
We invite you to sign up for flowers to beautify our altar each weekend.
The sign-up sheet for 2023 is now 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.
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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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Regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - noon 262.786.4010
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