CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Your Weekly E-Newsletter April 22, 2021
This Week's Pondering ...
Pastor Ken Nelson
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

There are few passages in the New Testament that rile people up more than this one. The exclusive claim to salvation in Jesus Christ pits the church against other world religion, and small but increasing numbers of Christians say they do not believe this to be true either.  That the apostles preached, and many accepted this message even when persecuted, is the “story line” of Acts. Persecution was often the event by which the Holy Spirit brought the Christian message to new cultures.  The Christian message (or methodology) is not “stand and fight” but “retain (the faith) and when necessary, re-locate.” Jesus said in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, “These things must happen".  

Division occurred within the church over matters of doctrine almost from its beginning (which Acts will get into in later chapters).  The parting of ways over practices in worship, the meaning of sacraments, the authority of Scripture, and what our moral teachings ought to be, have beset the church and often suggest the unity the early church enjoyed - when, Acts 4:32 says, “the believers had all things in common” - is a relic of history.  I write to you though from a passage that seems quite unrelated to the subject at hand, to commend you for your expression of unity (once again) in our congregation. 

Coming off of the exhilaration of our beautiful Easter worship services, and the encouraging news about vaccines, many of you have asked questions about our worship practices that begin with “When will we...?" , while some of you are asking “How will we know when…?” type questions.  To the latter, I cannot truly say. At our Council meeting this week we all agreed that statements which include the word “safe” should really say “safer”. Risk is something we can diminish, but not eliminate.  Unlike our certainty about salvation in Jesus, we possess no certainty over public health practices as they relate to public worship.

In respectful conversation, your Council adopted a proposed timeline for the resumption of some of our worship practices.  I will not go over the list of all changes that will be implemented in the coming weeks, but I will highlight some of the more frequently asked about issues.  Consensus was formed by Council about the following;

  1. Masks will continue to be required in worship - in kindness to others, we respectfully ask that your mask remain in place while in the building. The Council will monitor public health guidance for when we might consider making them optional.
  2. We will continue to have two services on Sunday through May. On either June 6th or June 13th we will return to one service - at a time to be determined.  
  3. We will keep in place our staggered seating (every other row open) to help with distancing.
  4. We will re-introduce congregational singing into our services starting the weekend of May 1-2nd.   Keeping the mask mandate and distancing in place gave us confidence that we can resume singing with a higher degree of safety.   We’ll begin with “service music” – Kyrie, Hymn of Praise, Offertory, Great Thanksgiving and Post Communion Canticle and build from there.  We plan to add congregational hymns, at least some stanzas, by the weekend of May 15-16th or thereabout.
  5. Communion distribution will remain the same as it has been, with the desire to resume kneeling at the altar and perhaps re-introducing the loaves instead of wafers later in the year.
  6. We will invite the congregation to kneel for the Confession of Sin at the start of service beginning May 1-2nd.    
  7. Fellowship with other members before and after services is welcome, but coffee hour will be considered later in the summer for possible resumption.

We acknowledge that not all are in agreement with past or these proposed changes. The willingness of you, our members, to bear with us through this is a source of great encouragement to our staff and Church Council.   You are a people formed by the grace of Jesus Christ, and we thank Him for you.

Because of a cross,

Pastor Ken
Worship Resources
Online Resources
Worship Information and Updates
Did you take home the wrong coat, by any chance?


A black coat is a black coat ... they all tend to look alike. Several members have reported that their coats were taken my mistake after worship over the past couple weekends.

Missing are a woman's black coat (Old Navy, size large) with a white knit scarf. A men's black coat is also missing. We have several pairs of eyeglasses that were left behind and they are on the upper shelf near the coat area in the Narthex. If you can claim or return any of these items, please leave them in the coat area. Thank you!


April 24 &25, 2021
Fourth Sunday of Easter

PRESIDING MINISTER:
  • Pastor Ken Nelson

ASSISTING MINISTER:
  • Pastor Jerry Wittmus

DEACONS:
  • Saturday (5:00 pm): Ed Ramthun
  • Sunday (8:15 am): Glori Kurth
  • Sunday (10:15 am): Diane Grundman

LECTORS:
  • Sunday (8:15 am): Sallie Schulz
  • Sunday (10:15 am): Peggy Langelin

USHERS:
  • Sunday (8:15 am): Keith Pierce
  • Sunday (10:15 am):Jane Krause
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
  • Larry Bonier

ALTAR GUILD:
  • Tom and Sue Sadowsky

ALTAR FLOWERS:
  • Glori and Eloise Kurth in memory of Arthur Kurth
  • Chuck and Jan Lukasik in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary

SPECIAL MUSIC:
  • Chris Dudzik

POWERPOINT TECHS:
  • Saturday (5:00 pm): Lydia Trudell
  • Sunday (8:15 am): Sue Rowe
  • Sunday (10:15 am): Sue Meyer
The Church Council met on April 20, 2021. The following are key outcomes that they would like shared with the Congregation:

  • A plan has been developed to reintroduce components of our worship services (singing, kneeling, etc.). More information about the implementation and timing of this plan will be shared in upcoming editions of the CONNECTIONS newsletter (see Pastor Ken's Pondering above).

  • The re-roofing building project is nearing completion, with installation of gutters occurring soon.  
Financials & Worship Attendance - April 17 & 18, 2021
Our Church Family

Nicole Nowicki, 4/22
Megan Sayas, 4/22
Ruth Brostowitz, 4/23
Lois Gehrke, 4/23
Bruce Steffens, 4/23
Jerry Wittmus, 4/234
Lee Tyne, 4/25
Mary Ellen Thiede, 4/27
Matt Powers, 4/29


Tom and Mary Ellen Thiede, 4/24 (45 years)
Chuck and Jan Lukasik, 4/25 (40 years)
Chuck and Norene Giuliani, 4/26 (41 years)
Ed Ramthun and Cathy Way, 4/27 (19 years)
Prayers of sympathy and God's peace to: the family of Ashton Simpson (grandson of Judy Kestly's cousin) who passed away on April 15, 2021.

Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Judy DeBruine; Ginny Cox; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Don Heyen; Morgan (cousin of Alex Baumgarten); Cannon Braatz (grandson of Caryl and Bob Braatz); Adam Olson (friend of Jonni Roush); Aggie Fingland (mother of Chuck Giuliani); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce); John Nielson (brother of Judy Kestly); Dave DeBruine (son of Judy DeBruine); Rebecca Cornell (niece of Pastor Ken and Marcella).

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, 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:  Diane Foley; Bill Jordan; Jeanette Ketelsen; Shirley Mahn; Nadine Schuelke; Marge Skarie; Lowell Sonderman; Donna Polizzi; Pat Treutelaar; and Janet Zastrow.

Non-members:  Debby (friend of Judy Sayas); Debbie and Jens Douglas (sister-in-law of Lynnae Douglas); Rose Luther (friend of Nicole Moritz); Judy Grospitz; Jan Janchan (friend of Jonni Roush); Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son); Karen (friend of Lydia Trudell)

If you have any new prayer requests, please contact the church office at 262.786.4010 or via email to office@calvarylc.com.
Faith Formation

Pastor Ken's Wednesday Bible Study
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Join Pastor Ken as the focus of his weekly Bible study will return to an in-depth look at the readings which will be used each weekend. Handouts are provided that provide some thoughts and questions that focus on the weekly lessons. (Due to COVID restrictions, refreshments are not provided, but you are invited to bring your own coffee, tea or water.) Please join us!

If you can't attend the Study but would like to read the Text Study handout, you can pick up a copy in the Narthex each week or access it from the Worship Resources at the top of this page.
Middle School Youth Group
Sunday, April 25, 5-7:00 p.m.

High School Youth Group
"Half Lock In", May 14, 6 p.m. - midnight
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
TONIGHT Thursday, April 22
6:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall

Come for fellowship, food and devotion time. Dinner will be provided. Invite a friend. Social distancing will be respected and practiced; face coverings are required.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ernie Kretschmann at kretschmann@att.net.
April Mission of the Month - Compassion International
Compassion International is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. The goal is for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult.
 
Compassion's work has grown from modest beginnings in South Korea in 1952 when American evangelist Rev. Everett Swanson felt compelled to help 35 children orphaned by the Korean conflict. Today it is a worldwide ministry where millions of children are now reaping the benefits of one man's clear, God-given vision. To learn more about Compassion's child sponsorship programs, please click HERE.

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



Saturday, May 22
Mitchell Park
9:00 a.m.



The Church Life Committee is sponsoring the second "Poker Walk for Water" on Saturday,
May 22 at 9 a.m. at Mitchell Park. (There is no rain date for this event.)

Join Pastor Ken as he kicks off the Walk at the South Pavilion at Mitchell Park. You will receive three playing cards to start you out, and through a safe and leisurely walk through a 1.6 mile designated path at Mitchell Park, you will pick up four more cards. At the end, you will get your final playing card. You will then submit your best five-card poker hand to try to win a prize for best hand. We will have winners in both youth and adult categories. It is a fun event for all!

Registration is $10/person or $25/family. All proceeds will be donated to Compassion International for its clean water programs. Light refreshments will be served at the Pavilion following the walk. Special thanks to Thrivent for their financial assistance for prizes and refreshments.

A sign up sheet and a map of the route is posted on the glass doors in the Narthex. If you'd like to volunteer to help at one of the stations where playing cards are handed out, please send an email to Sue Rowe at communications@calvarylc.com.
Community Outreach
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, May 13, 2021
8:30 am - 2:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall

If you're interested in donating, a link to sign up will be available in the coming weeks.. Volunteers are needed to help with pre-screening of participants. If you can help, please contact Sue Rowe at communications@calvaryl.com.
BRAIN HEALTH

Are you concerned about memory loss or having difficulty remembering things? Are you concerned about a loved one's memory?


The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County is sponsoring a ZOOM session regarding brain health. Learn about the difference between normal aging memory changes and memory loss related to mild cognitive impairment or dementia and what can be done for better brain health.

Jennifer Harders, Dementia Care Specialist, will share more on this important topic and what people of all ages can do.

The ZOOM meeting date is:
Tuesday, May 25, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

To register, please contact Jennifer at jharders@waukeshacounty.gov or (414) 519-1246. You will receive more information on accessing the ZOOM session once you are registered.
FREE MEAL PROGRAM
Elmbrook Schools, Waukesha County Food Pantry, and the Brookfield Elm Grove Interfaith Network (BEGIN) are providing free meals to families in our community, regardless of income status.

On Friday, April 30, registered families will receive meals provided by the Waukesha County Food Pantry. In addition, families with children ages 2-18 will receive breakfast and lunch meals per child, provided by Elmbrook Schools’ Food Service Team.

Pickup will be available at Burleigh Elementary School (16185 Burleigh Pl, Brookfield, WI) from 10:30am-12pm at entrance N-5 on the building’s north side. A delivery option is available for those not able to pick up their food or items. 

To ensure enough food is available, pre-registration is required. Register HERE by April 28 to participate in the April 30 event.

If you have any questions, please contact Laura Baritt at (262) 781-3030, X1175. Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested.
St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program
Donations Accepted
St. Vincent de Paul's meal program has significantly changed during COVID and serving of their nightly hot meals has been changed to ensure safe transfer of food. Food is now pre-packaged by St. Vincent de Paul staff and handed out to clients at the doors. Since the food is not donated as it was in the past, and their budget has had to incur this extra expense, they could use additional funding to purchase the food that is given out.

If you'd like to support this worthwhile cause, an easy way to do so is through your giving envelope, or online giving. Simply designate your contribution as "St. Vincent de Paul" and the church office will make sure it gets sent to SVDP. Last year we forwarded $1,345 of your generous donations to Saint Vincent de Paul - great job Calvary!
A few reminders ....
WORSHIP LIVE STREAM AVAILABLE EVERY SUNDAY!

Can't make it to worship? We are live streaming the 8:15 a.m. service on Sunday mornings, and it's almost like you're with us in person.


You can access it at any time from the home page of our website (www.calvarylc.com), or by using the link below. You'll also receive a link on Sunday mornings via email.
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.
Our Stephen Ministers are here for you!
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.
If you are choosing to remain at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, any Calvary member, regardless of age or health, can request consecrated bread and juice from the weekend worship service. A sealed communion "kit", along with simple instructions to prepare you for communion, can be dropped off at your home by a member of our home communion ministry team.

If you'd like to get on the schedule for this important ministry, please contact the church office at 262.786.4010 or via email to office@calvarylc.com.   You may set up a schedule of delivery weekly, or less often if you choose.
Flower Chart

Sanctuary Flowers Sign Up


We invite you to sign up for flowers to beautify our altar each weekend. The sign-up sheet for this year is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Flowers are $35 and you may take them home following the 10:15 am worship on Sunday morning. If you'd prefer, you can leave the flowers at church to be enjoyed by the office staff.
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