CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, July 13, 2023 | |
Reflection on this weekend's Scripture reading | |
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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 lesson is Isaiah 55:10-13. The devotion this week is on the preceding 2 verses, very familiar to all of us, and a good introduction to the lesson. It is taken from Best-loved Passages of the Bible and was written by Rev. Henry Gerike. Rev. Gerike is an accomplished conductor, composer, editor, teacher, and writer. He is recently retired, and his vibrant career included serving as kantor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, where he directed all campus choirs; and serving as a writer and editor for Concordia Publishing House.
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God’s Way
One of the most haunting questions we face is: Why? Why did this relationship fall apart? Why did that accident have to happen? Why did my loved one have to suffer and then die? Each of us can add our own complaints to the catalog of charges against God.
If we were in charge, life would be quite different. We would make certain that neither we nor our family and friends would have to suffer. In fact, we would do all that we could to make certain that we would enjoy the good life with no troubles at all.
The morning alarm clock, however, awakens us to the realities of life. There are bills for us to pay. We are getting older and more susceptible to illness and disease. Loved ones or we ourselves do suffer from a cancerous invasion or the mysterious ravages of Alzheimer's disease. And the old question still remains: Why?
The life of suffering and disease is not God's way, either. For God designed a life for us that was free from all that. When sin ruined God's perfect creation, God designed a way to recreate the world. That design focused on his Son, Jesus the Christ, who took on our human flesh and bone, fulfilled the law of God perfectly, and then died and rose again for us. All this was done in God's way because there is no way we could have done it for ourselves. Thank God, His ways are not our ways nor His thoughts our thoughts.
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To all Calvary Lutheran Church members and friends,
The leadership of Calvary Lutheran Church has ended the employment of Kyle Jones, Director of Faith Formation as of July 7, 2023. This decision had been reached after much discussion and prayer.
To be perfectly clear this comes not from any illegal or inappropriate actions upon Kyle’s part, but rather a desire of the leadership within the congregation to take our Faith Formation program in a different direction. Rest assured that the leadership is exploring contingences to continue Faith Formation’s activities and programs until a permanent solution is obtained. The Vacation Bible School will be held as planned.
Kyle will remain in the parish house for a period of time. Please remember Kyle, Lauren, and Elliot in your prayers during this period of transition.
Scott J. Grossman
Church Council President
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Day of Pentecost
7th Sunday
after Pentecost
July 15-16, 2023
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Caleb Douglas
SERMON: Lynnae Douglas
ASSISTING MINISTER: Larry Bonier
DEACONS:
- Saturday: Mary Ellen
- Sunday: Diane Grundman, LInda Thorpe, Judy Kestly
ACOLYTES:
- William Dudzik and Noah Ciszewski
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
USHERS:
LECTOR:
ALTAR GUILD:
GREETERS:
- Diane Grundman
- Marilyn Hermann
- Everett Lambert
- Joanne Schultz
FELLOWSHIP:
FLOWERS:
POWERPOINT TECH:
- Jeanette Kalupa/Saturday
- Sallie Schulz/Sunday
LIVESTREAM:
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Church Life Committee Events | |
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SIGN UP NOW -- STARRY NIGHTS
Friday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center
CHICKEN WIRE EMPIRE
We will take your chairs over to the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center so that we can all sit together for a night of fun music and fellowship. A sign-up sheet is posted on the Opportunities kiosk in the Narthex.
Chairs should be taken to classroom #103 the week of July 31st. You will be responsible for taking your chairs home after the Starry Nights performance. In the event of rain, you will be contacted by a member of the Church Life committee.
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A possible new event!
BATTER UP!
Lake Country DockHounds baseball game
Sunday, August 27 at 1:35 p.m.
So that we can determine interest when ordering group tickets, please let us know if you'd be interested in attending by using the survey link below.
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| Would you be interested in attending the Dockhounds game? | | | |
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The Call Committee requests your presence at an all congregation meeting on Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Snacks, lunch and daycare will be provided. The meeting will be facilitated by Rev. Thomas Reiff, Co-Dean of the NALC Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Mission District. The Committee will share information about the recent survey results. There will also be open discussion about the congregations insight into wants/needs in a new Pastor.
Please sign up on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex so that the Committee knows how many people will be attending.
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Three of our youth are attending summer camp at Lutherdale this week. Xavier Griese, Addie Meyer and Ellie Sayas are enjoying fun and fellowship in a beautiful camp environment in Elkhorn, WI. Please pray for them as they grow in their faith this week. | |
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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 are needed! Please 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: Courtney Cook (friend of Lenny Graffin)
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: Wayne Kieck; Bev Lawson; Sue Rowe; Maxine Weisbrodt; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Dennis Krupa, Nate Kreiter, Matti Beilfuss (friends of Rick Kegel); Sis Kealey (mother of Sue Rowe); Laura Burger (Calvary member and twin sister of Linda Richmond); Ron Parker (brother of LInda Thorpe); Sharon Anderson (mother of Deron Anderson); Lou Dangler (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Andy Jacobs (friend of Evelyn Ceci); 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); Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum)
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; Shirely Mahn, 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); 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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Alexis Peters, 7/15
Robert Zimmermann, 7/19
Radha Vaddavalli, 7/20
Lindsey Peters, 7/21
Sandie Rupnick, 7/21
Bill Clayton, 7/22
Emily Berger, 7/23
Barb Snyder, 7/25
Helga Miedtke, 7/25
Marty Altmin, 7/26
Ben Blobaum, 7/28
Chuck Giuliani, 7/29
Melissa Griese, 7/29
Harriet Polzin, 7/30
Megan Schatz, 7/30
R.J. Budnick, 7/31
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Wayne and Bonnie Johnson, 7/15 (34 years)
Scott and Peggy Langelin, 7/18 (42 years)
Jerry and Nancy Wittmus, 7/18 (36 years)
Cable and Sarah Gall, 7/29 (17 years)
Keith and Karen Pierce, 7/30 (35 years)
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School Backpack Collection for NALC Disaster Response
Calvary will again be collecting school backpack supplies. These are distributed to families who have experienced natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and fires. The empty backpacks and lists of needed school supplies are in the narthex. If you have a gently used backpack to fill and donate feel free to use that as well. Filled backpacks can be placed into the plastic tubs under the tables in the narthex.
The school supply shopping list is shown below and copies are on the table in the Narthex.
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HOPE STREET MINISTRY
a Greenhouse for People on 26th and Capitol
Hope Street Ministry helps broken men, women and children cultivate hope and provides protection from the outside elements, and most importantly, supports growth together in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Hope Street Ministry is home to about 40 men, women and children whose lives have been profoundly affected by the toxic environment they grew up in, their own poor choices, or drug and alcohol abuse.
Empowered by the active Grace of Christ, the staff, volunteers, and members create a nurturing community for people to live, learn and develop new habits to flourish.
Their programs include:
- Integrative Wellness: Improving diet, sleep, exercise and managing stress
- Addiction support with AODA counselors and group work
- Forgiveness
- Education with GED assessment and tutoring
- Family Dynamics - relational boundaries and parenting skills
- Life Skills and Job Preparedness
- Healing from Trauma-including sexual abuse
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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Do you know who your Deacon is? Check out the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall - there is a photo of all the Deacons, along with a listing of their respective alpha groups.
Your Deacon is there for you! To pray for you, to answer any questions you may have about Calvary or to just get to know you. They are a valuable part of our ministry here at Calvary!
If you'd like more information about serving as a Deacon, please contact Mary Ellen Thiede or George Sedivec.
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Message from Pastor Jerry Wittmus
The Council's decision regarding supply preaching and congregational pastoral care 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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NEW WORSHIP RESOURCE!
To help navigate the summer weekend worship (Now the Feast and Celebration from the maroon Hymnal Supplement), a one-page "bulletin" has been produced, outlining the Order of Worship and the Scripture readings.
They will be available on the stands near the entrance to the Sanctuary or from an usher on Sunday mornings.
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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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