CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, July 19, 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 New Testament lesson is from Romans 8:18-27. This devotion is based on verse 18 and comes from Best-loved Passages of the Bible. It was written by Donald W. Sandmann, an author with Concordia Publishing House.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. -- Romans 8:18
The Wrong Question
The disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). In effect they asked, “Why did this happen to him?” Why is a question that always drives me back to myself -- my pain, my sorrow. And the more I become wrapped up in myself, the more wretched I become.
“But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” Is this answer any better? Am I a pawn of God, a plaything he enjoys knocking around to see how I bounce? No, a thousand times no. The sacrifice of His only Son on the cross has paid for all our sins and has redeemed the world, which was condemned by our sin. That sacrifice demonstrated His love to us. He cannot negate that love by toying with our lives.
That is why Jesus’s answer is liberating. He teaches us to ask, “To what end?” The answer to this question draws our attention away from ourselves to God's plans for our future. We are given a new direction, for we know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). We are hopeful even in the worst situations because we know that we are headed for the best that a loving God can plan for us. We know that our present sufferings, no matter what they may be, lose their significance in light of the glory that will be revealed in us at the last day.
Prayer:
Holy God, You know Your thoughts toward us, thoughts of good and not of evil. Fix our eyes on Jesus so that we trust Your plans and await Your deliverance by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Message from our Church Council President | |
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Hello to my fellow members in Christ,
Prior to the Council's June meeting, a "mini retreat" was held with the assistance of Pastor Nelson. The purpose of that retreat was to conduct a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) of our congregation. The end purpose of the SWOT exercise was to identify and enact actions with the goal of enhancing the positives and mitigating the negatives. The Council met again in early July to complete the analysis.
The link below, Council SWOT Analysis, will take you to a synopsis of our work and views. Printed copies are also available on the table in the Narthex. Please take a few minutes to review this document. If you have any comments or anything you'd like to add, please submit them in a written email to the Council (via email to me at slgrossman@hotmail.com.)
Yours in Christ,
Scott Grossman
A REMINDER: The Call Committee's workshop will be held on Saturday, July 29 from 9 am - 2:30 pm. Lunch and child care will be provided, so be sure to sign up on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex. Be there to make your voice heard.
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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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Day of Pentecost
Eighth Sunday
after Pentecost
July 22-23, 2023
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
ASSISTING MINISTER: Pat Foy
DEACONS:
- Saturday: Larry Bonier
- Sunday: Diane Grundman, Lenny Graffin, Bill Graffin
ACOLYTES:
- Xavier Griese and Sean Moritz
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
USHERS:
LECTOR:
ALTAR GUILD:
GREETERS:
- Wayne and Bonnie Johnson
- Bill and Lenny Graffin
FELLOWSHIP:
FLOWERS:
POWERPOINT TECH:
- Jeanette Kalupa/Saturday
- Chuck Lukasik/Sunday
LIVESTREAM:
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Church Life Committee Updates | |
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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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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).
God's grace and peace to: the family of Sue Rowe on the passing of her mother, Dorothy Kealey, on July 15.
New prayer requests: Marilyn Hermann; Becky (friend of Jane Taufner)
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 Dieck; Bev Lawson; Sue Rowe; Maxine Weisbrodt; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Courtney Cook (friend of Lenny Graffin); Dennis Krupa, Nate Kreiter, Matti Beilfuss (friends of Rick Kegel); 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); 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: Mary (sister-in-law of Jane Taufner); 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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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
Karla Zimmerman, 8/2
Evelyn Ceci, 8/5
Helga Willett, 8/5
Donna Schroeder, 8/6
Linda Berger, 8/7
Sophia Peters, 8/7
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Cable and Sarah Gall, 7/29 (17 years)
Keith and Karen Pierce, 7/30 (35 years)
Brad and Sue Meyer, 8/3 (21 years)
Doug and Sue Ranger, 8/3 (4 years)
Curtis and Judy Klade, 8/4 (61 years)
Philip and Jill Voss, 8/4 (11 years)
Garry and Carolyn Gillespie, 8/5 (56 years)
Bill and Jane Krause, 8/6 (57 years)
Josh and Emily Brooks, 8/9 (9 years)
Matt and Heidi Powers, 8/10 (4 years)
Jim and Ruth Brostowitz, 8/13 (40 years)
Thomas and Lucy Dallmann, 8/1 (54 years)
Hugh and Jane Taufner, 8/16 (54 years)
Jim and Nancy Marsho, 8/17 (55 years)
Larry and Susie Bonier, 8/18 (50 years)
John and LIndsey Peters, 8/22 (14 years)
Bob and Mary Smith, 8/22 (53 years)
Gerhard and Sallie Schulz, 8/23 (48 years)
Ed and Carol Witzke, 8/24 (55 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 - please put a note on the outside of the backpack indicating ELEMENTARY or HIGH SCHOOL.
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/Giving 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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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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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. There will be four open Deacon positions in 2024.
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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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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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