CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | |
Your Weekly E-Newsletter - November 7, 2024 | |
This Week's Devotional - Listening for the Promise | |
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“Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live... Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God... The Lord sets the prisoners free.” - Psalm 146:2-3, 5, 7b
Psalm 146 is the first of the final five hallelujah or praise psalms. The closing chapters of the book of psalms conclude with promises of the LORD, but there are also words of warning to mankind who have a habit of putting our trust in the wrong places. The First Commandment and the words of warning expose our misplaced trust. This is then followed by lavish words of promise of what the LORD has done, does, and will continue doing to deal with sinners and our wayward hearts. Inevitably, following the general election cycle in our nation, people will begin to post on social media platforms, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation” (Psalm 146:3). In a cursory observation, this is most commonly posted by those whose candidate lost. It reveals that one had put their hope in a human being to help improve their life and their nation. Should we not have put our trust in the LORD for all things before the election? Should this not be a word to those whose candidate won even more so than to those whose candidate lost? Indeed, this is a word to all of us who vote. We all have fallen short of the First Commandment and our particular political desires disclose that we had less trust in God regarding our earthly life and believed that some human being will at least make up the difference.
In an eschatological turn in verse 5, the LORD blesses us who demonstrate that we do not fear, love, and trust God above anything else. In mercy, he has come to us who need help and salvation. He who made the heaven and earth and sea, promises “keeps faith forever.” We do not keep faith; we give up faith in the LORD by putting our trust in anyone who we believe will open the door to f inancial and political freedom. We cannot by our own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ that he has, is, and shall keep us in true faith forever. This belief in Christ is the work worked in us by the Holy Spirit alone. Before his ascension, Jesus Christ told us that even the psalms are written about him (see Luke 24:44). This psalm declares the end of all earthly regimes and political winners and losers. Jesus Christ is exposing the reality that we are all imprisoned by the fact that we have put our trust in our politics. But our LORD Jesus Christ is king of a kingdom not of this world, for it is a kingdom ruled by the gospel apart from the law. He is the only one who has the power to keep us in true faith and to set the prisoners free. While the earthly rules perish one after another, he rules his kingdom forever. In Christ alone do we have our salvation.
Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2024, Sola Publishing
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All Saints
November 2-3, 2024
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jeanette Thorp
ASSISTING MINISTER: Lee Tyne
DEACONS: Saturday: None
Sunday: Andy Foy, Everett Lambert, Sue Rowe
ACOLYTES: Noah Ciszewski and Sean Moritz
LECTOR: Lenny Graffin
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE: Lizzy Dudzik
USHERS: Andy and Matt Schatz
ALTAR GUILD: Lorna Reiter
GREETERS: John and Mary Lau, Keith and Karen Pierce
FLOWERS: Diana and Robert Streicher in memory of Bruce and Ruth Steffens
FELLOWSHIP TREATS: Brooks Family
POWERPOINT OPERATORS:
Saturday: Jeanette Kalupa
Sunday: Sallie Schulz
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Chris Dudzik
This weekend's hymns: "Blessed Assurance" WOV #699; "Lord, I'm Gonna Live So You Can Use Me"; "For the Fruit of All Creation" WOV #760
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Altar of Remembrance
The communion of saints is a theme that runs throughout the month of November. An "Altar of Remembrance" will be in the Narthex by the Angel windows where people may bring in pictures and mementos that the tell the stories of all the saints in your lives, both living and dead. This table will be available on November 1st and will remain until November 30th.
You may bring your pictures and mementos any time throughout the month and place them on the "Altar of Remembrance" for all to see, read, enjoy and remember.
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New prayer requests or any updates to this current list should be directed to Cindy Zilske in the Church office - office@calvarylc.com
New Prayer Requests: Linda Richmond
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Judy Kestly; Shirley Mahn, Ka Thao; Nadine Schuelke; Pat Treutelaar; Sue Dindorf; John Schwartz; Laura Burger; Micaela (daughter of Scott and Lisa Grossman); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce); Paul Queck (sponsor of Ka Thao); Chris Bogusch (son-in-law of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus); Nate Kreiter (friend of Rick Kegel); Bonnie Nelson (former Calvary member); Barbara Runge (friend of Jeanette Kalupa); Nancy Berth (friend of the Calvary Knitting Group); Jack Banker (brother-in-law of Mary Lau); Brian Nowak (cousin of Ernie Kretschmann's niece); Creig Moritz (brother of Bryant Moritz); Taylor (granddaughter of Lenny Graffin); Edward Hermann (son of Marilyn Hermann); Larry Larsen (brother of Kris Larsen); John Kretschmann (brother of Ernie Kretschmann); Jean (friend of Linda Thorpe); Matti Beilfuss (friend of Rick Kegel); Lou Dangler (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Paul Mahn (son of Shirley Mahn); Amy Clark (friend of Megan Scott)
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.
The Hindi-speaking Yadav Hindus in India, who have limited or no access to the Gospel, with our partners at the World Mission Prayer League.
The victims of hurracane Helene
Serving in the Military: Marshall Owen (nephew of Ken Miller serving in the U.S. Marines); ITC Agustin Juarez (son-in-law of Ken Miller serving in the U.S. Navy); 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 (grandchild of Ardath Olson serving in the U.S. Air Force); Kyle Pierce (son of Karen and Keith Pierce 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.
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: Jan Chesner; Pat Corcoran; Wayne Dieck; Jonni Roush; Sue Rowe; Jan Tschetter; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Kathy (friend of Judy Sayas' sister); Christine (cousin of Judy Sayas); Jan Sperry (friend of Judy Sayas); Ron Parker (brother of Linda Thorpe); 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); Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son); Karen (friend of Lydia Trudell); Tom Dallman (husband of Lucy Dallman); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus)
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Andy Foy, 11/7
Kent Klade, 11/7
Lesly Evert, 11/8
Phil Hanson, 11/12
Karen Pierce, 11/12
Peggy Langelin, 11/14
Chuck Lukasik, 11/14
Paula Altman, 11/16
Gael Hirth, 11/17
Darlene Louison, 11/17
Rich Baumgartner, 11/18
Pat Dieck, 11/23
Terry Bzdusek, 11/24
Bonnie Johnson, 11/26
Sarah Gall, 11/27
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Harold and Shelby Rose, 11/11 (57 years)
Bill and Lenny Graffin, 11/24 (35 years)
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Welcome to our newest member!
Welcome to our newest member Phil Hanson. What brought Phil to Calvary? He was seeking a more traditional Lutheran congregation. He is currently a part-time delivery driver for Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse. He is an avid Wisconsin teams sports fan, has volunteered at several community organzations and has served on many ministries at his former churches.
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F3 Youth Group (1st - 5th Graders)
Duck Pin Bowling
Saturday, November 9
10:45 a.m. - Noon
Meet at Thirsty Duck in Sussex at 10:45 a.m.
Duck Pin Bowling is just like regular bowling except everythng is quarter-sized. Cost is $5.
We will bowl for an hour - it's super easy and super fun!
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4:12 Youth Group (Middle School 6-8th Grade)
Saturday, November 9
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
A time to hang out, catch up, eat dinner, discuss a devotion and play video games. Bring a friend!
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Outreach Ministries - Operation Christmas Child/Disaster Relief | |
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The NALC Disaster Response Task Force met to talk about how we can respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Immediate needs are gift cards from Lowe's, Walmart, Home Depot and Tractor Supply. Your generous gifts really make a difference. Please mail these gift cards to:
NALC Disaster Response Warehouse
16500 Noble Ave
Caldwell, OH 43724
Financial gifts to The NALC Disaster Response are also badly needed. The rebuilding from this storm is going to be a long process and the destruction that's taken place is huge. Make checks out to Calvary with a notation of Disaster Response in the memo line. Calvary will collect and forward all donations to the appropriate location.
Your on-going prayers are needed both for those in crisis and for all those responding to all the chaos and destruction. Our Lord hears our prayers and does act. Thank you for being God's hands, feet and heart to those in need.
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Stewardship Campaign
Did you know the Bible never refers to the “church” as a building? So too is Calvary not a building but “A Community of Believers in Jesus Christ”. As part of this Community, we have received time, talents, and treasures from God. The Lord reminds us in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Calvary believers in Jesus Christ can share their time, talents and treasures in this year’s stewardship campaign. If you didn't get a chance to pick up your packet of information, it was mailed to you this week. Commitment forms can be returned in the offering basket, in the mail or dropped off in the office.
The campaign will conclude the weekend of November 16 and 17th with a celebration of commitment. Thank you!
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Weekly Bible Study with Pastor Jerry Wittmus
Pastor Jerry's weekly Bible Study is held on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. You will be studying the scripture readings for the coming weekend. Study text will be placed in the Narthex prior to the Study.
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Women's Bible Study
First and Third Tuesday of the Month
Janet Zastrow has resumed a Women's Bible Study on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. The Study is based on the book "The Battle Plan for Prayer".
"The Battle Plan for Prayer" begins with prayer’s core purpose, its Biblical design, and its impact throughout history. Participants will be guided scripturally through the fundamentals of how effective prayer works. They will be inspired towards a closer, more intimate relationship with God, while being shown how to develop specific prayer strategies for each area of life. Prayer can accomplish what a willing God can accomplish. It should be our first plan of attack in all of life’s battles, not our last resort. If you want to experience the joy of mightily answered prayer, then it’s time to engage with God at another level.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Janet Zastrow at janetzastrow@att.net.
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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. A representative from CareNet will be with us on Sunday to share more information on the important work they are doing.
Mission: To share the love of Christ and the hope of the Gospel with women facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Services: Pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, life-affirming options counseling, material support for mom and baby, classes and groups for pregnant and new moms and post-abortion counseling.
Last year they performed 904 pregnancy tests and 967 ultrasounds. They gave out over 60,000 diapers and met with 1,474 different women.
So far this year they have had over 160 women take classes, and each woman takes an average of about 10 classes.
Approximately 70% of women considering abortion choose life after visiting Care Net.
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To support this important Mission of the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope (designate donation next to Mission of the Month) or select the donation as "Mission of the Month" in your online giving.
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Women's Book Group
Monday, November 11
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Media Room
"Someone Knows My Name"
by Lawrence Hill
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Abducted from Africa as a child and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata Diallo thinks only of freedom―and of the knowledge she needs to get home. Sold to an indigo trader who recognizes her intelligence, Aminata is torn from her husband and child and thrown into the chaos of the Revolutionary War.
In Manhattan, Aminata helps pen the Book of Negroes, a list of blacks rewarded for service to the king with safe passage to Nova Scotia. There Aminata finds a life of hardship and stinging prejudice. When the British abolitionists come looking for "adventurers" to create a new colony in Sierra Leone, Aminata assists in moving 1,200 Nova Scotians to Africa and aiding the abolitionist cause by revealing the realities of slavery to the British public.
This captivating story of one woman's remarkable experience spans six decades and three continents and brings to life a crucial chapter in world history.
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Weekly Men's Breakfast
Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.
Maxim's Restaurant
18025 W. Capitol Drive
Brookfield
All men are invited to attend!
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Monthly Men's Gathering
Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 21
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
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Worship Attendance and Giving | |
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Your gifts to Calvary Lutheran Church are gratefully appreciated. On Friday, November 1, your 2024 Contribution Statement showing pledges and contributions through October 31, 2024, were emailed to you. The email was from automail@360members.com. Please contact Cindy Rooks, Finance Secretary, at 262-786-4010 or Finance@Calvarylc.com with any questions.
Once again, thank you for your generous commitment to the work of Calvary Lutheran Church.
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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 your taking the time to complete this each week. It helps us know that our Live Stream is being viewed.
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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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Your 2024 Board of Deacons
Front row (l-r) Lenny Graffin, Sue Rowe, Darlene Louison, Joanne Schultz, George Sedivec
Back row (l-r); Ed Ramthun, Judy Kestly, Andy Foy, Pat Foy, Ruth Brostowitz and Bill Graffin. Not pictured: Everett Lambert
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Your 2024 Church Council
Front row (l-r) Joanne Schultz, Peggy Langelin, Jan Lukasik
Back row (l-r); Ernie Kretschmann, Andy Schatz, Scott Langelin, Pat Dieck, Keith Pierce Not pictured: Chris Dudzik
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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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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.
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 is posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!
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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 that 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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