CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday February 1, 2024

Music Ministry

Would you like to get familiar with the modern songs used in our worship ahead of the busy weekend?


We have two options to listen to the upcoming weekend's hymns that aren't found in our hymnals.


The worship song for February 3-4 is “I Run to Christ”.


Simply click this link to go to our Spotify playlist, called “Songs for Sunday.” It's free to sign up and you'll find our music under “Calvary Lutheran Brookfield.”



Or another option is to watch it on YouTube. Here's the link.


Do you have a musical talent to share? Or a favorite hymn to suggest that could be included in the weekend litergy?

Do you have a song or piece of music you'd like to sing or play at Calvary? We'd love to have you be a part of the service. Please sign up on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex and you'll be contacted by Nicole for a date to perform.


Do you have a favorite hymn you'd like included in a weekend worship? A HYMN SUGGESTION BOX has been placed on the table in the Narthex for your suggestions! The cards to list your requested hymn(s) are next to the suggestion box.


Questions? Contact Nicole Moritz at (414) 625-0318.

Reflection on this weekend's Scripture reading

We feature a psalm again this week, and a welcome reminder of the power we have on our side.


The One-Year Book of Psalms

Psalm 147:1-11



“The Greatest Power”


They called him “Hot Steam Schmidt”. As a boy, Wilhelm Schmidt had trouble in school, but he enjoyed machines of all kinds. Locomotives fascinated him, and he frequented railroad stations, trying to find engineers who would answer his questions. Schmidt eventually focused his interests on high-compressed steam machines and received patents for twelve hundred inventions.


Every invention Schmidt perfected was a gift from God, as he saw it. Over and over again on his drawings, or on his diaries was scribbled, “I thank you, O God, I thank you. “


Though Schmidt often lived on the brink of bankruptcy, he opened his home to the needy. Because of his genius and his ability to harness power, Schmidt often received visits from military and political leaders, and they found themselves seated alongside the poor at Schmidt’s table. He was never overawed by human abilities. “The decisive things of life,“ he said, “come not through our powers of intelligence, but through God, the highest power. “


The Psalmist knew that the power of horses or humans could not compare with the power of God. So whatever power you are battling today, know that God is even greater.

Special Thanks to our Council President Scott Grossman



Pastor Jerry Wittmus took the opportunity to extend special recognition to outgoing Church Council President, Scott Grossman. 2023 was a busy year at Calvary, and Scott did an excellent job navigating through the many changes and challenges.


Thank you Scott!



Fifth Sunday after

the Epiphany


February 3-4, 2024



PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus

ASSISTING MINISTER: Pat Foy

DEACONS:    

Saturday: Larry Bonier

Sunday :Diane Grundman, George Sedivec, Judy Kestly

ACOLYTE:

  • Sean Moritz

USHERS:

  • Andy and Matt Schatz

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:

  • Lizzy Dudzik

LECTOR:

  • Lynnette Anderson

ALTAR GUILD:

  • Lorna Reiter

GREETERS:

  • Paula Altman
  • Evelyn Ceci
  • Judy DeBruine

FELLOWSHIP:

  • Fay Heyen

FLOWERS:

POWERPOINT OPERATORS:

Saturday:Jeanette Kalupa

Sunday: Chuck Lukasik

LIVESTREAM OPERATOR:

  • Sue Rowe

Our Church Family

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: Marty Nolet (brother of Kay Sedivec)



Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Laura Burger; Kris Larsen; Lisa Haggadone (daughter of Sallie and Gerhard Schulz); Cindy Huber (friend of Mary Ellen Thiede); Eric Dix (Linda Thorpe's son-in-law's brother); Jim Sanborn (friend of Linda Thorpe); Drake Ferber (Judy Sayas' neighbor's son; )Jean (friend of LInda Thorpe); Richard and his wife (friends of Joanne Schultz); Justin Rowe (son of Sue Rowe); Kathy (friend of Judy Sayas' sister); Christine (cousin of Judy Sayas); Peggy (niece of Judy DeBruine); Sandy (friend of Linda Thorpe); Gerald van Zyverden (nephew of Lisa Grossman); Jim Walters (cousin of Krista Dentice); Lynn Weber (godmother of Angie Schatz); Karly Bambanek (friend of Joanne Schultz); Sue Miller (sister of Mary Ellen Thiede); Peter Vang (relative of Ka Thao); Edward Hermann (son of Marilyn Hermann); Courtney Cook (friend of Lenny Graffin); Nate Kreiter, Matti Beilfuss (friends of Rick Kegel); Sharon Anderson (mother of Deron Anderson); Lou Dangler (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).


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.


Serving in the Military: 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); 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 membersJan Chesner, Pat Corcoran; Wayne Dieck; Ron Foster; Bev Lawson; Shirley Mahn, Sue Rowe; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Janet Zastrow


Non-members Mark Sturms (cousin of Cindy Zilske); Ron Parker (brother of Linda Thorpe); Mary (sister-in-law of Jane Taufner); 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); 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)

Josiah Blobaum, 2/2

Nancy Marsho, 2/2

Tina Baumgartner, 2/5

Jim Marsho, 2/5

Erwin Ranthum, 2/5

Johanna Nelson, 2/7

Ernie Ernst, 2/8

Bryant Moritz, 2/11

Diane Knappe, 2/13

Philip Voss, 2/14

Lydia Trudell, 2/16

Wayne Johnson, 2/18

Carolyn Gillespie, 2/19

Connor Voss, 2/21

Robert Vollmar, 2/24

Jim Brostowitz, 2/25

Luther Himsel, 2/25

Josh Brooks, 2/26

Sandy Voerman, 2/29

Joel and Linda Richmond, 1/30 (42 years)


Sue and Mike Rowe, 2/14 (43 years)

Nicole and Bryant Moritz, 2/20 (15 years)

Youth & Family Ministry

DAD'S & DONUTS

THIS Saturday, February 3

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.




Bring your "dad" or "Father Figure" for a morning of sweets, treats and together time. Kids and adults of ALL AGES are welcome to join us. We will have some games and activities, too!


Please sign up on the COMING EVENTS kiosk in the Narthex so we know how many donuts to buy!

INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY!



MINUTE TO WIN IT

Friday, February 9

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.


Join in the fun games FOR ALL AGES! There will be a series of 60-second challenges that use objects that are commonly available around the house.


Complete the games individually or with a group. We will also have a yummy Ice Cream Sunday Bar to reward all of our competitors.


Please sign up on the COMING EVENTS kiosk in the Narthex so we have enough supplies and ice cream!

Youth & Family Ministry Schedule


Little Lutherans

PJ's and Prayers, Friday January 26, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

PJ's and Prayers, Friday, March 8, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.


Elementary School (1st - 5th grade)

Youth Group, Sunday February 11, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Roller Skating, Sunday March 17, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.


Middle School (6-8th grade)

Monthly Youth Group, Sunday, February 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Snow Tubing, Sunday February 4, 11:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.


High School (6-12th grade)

1st & Bowl, Sunday, January 28, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Youth Group, Sunday February 4, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Mini-Golf, Sunday March 3, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Youth Group, Sunday March 10, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.


If you didn't get a chance to pick up the bulletin with upcoming Youth & Family Ministry events, you can link below to see all the fun activities planned for us. Paper copies are also on the Opportunities kiosk in the Narthex.

Youth & Family Ministry Event Calendar

Church Life Fellowship Opportunity

"The Savannah Sipping Society"

Sunset Playhouse Theater Event

Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

TICKET SALES WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19.


NO EXCEPTIONS FOR LATE ORDERS.

TICKET SALES ARE NOW OPEN!


In this delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by fate—and an impromptu happy hour—and decide it’s high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years.


Tickets are $19/each. We have a limited amount of tickets so please sign up on the "COMING EVENTS" kiosk in the Narthex. Payment can be dropped in the Offering basket or in the church office.


Wheelchair seating is available in the theater. If you'd be interested in carpooling from Calvary to the Sunset Theater, please note that on the sign-up form.



We hope you can join us for this fun afternoon of fellowship. Bring a friend or two!

February Mission of the Month




You can also find out more on their website: llbt.org. Join us on February 10-11 to meet Nathan and Sarah Federwitz and hear more about their mission work. They will hold a special education session in the Sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. on February 11th.





The February focus of the Mission of the Month is support for Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT). We support the work of the Federwitz families involved in Bible Translation work in Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea.


Our monetary gifts in February will support bringing The Good News and literacy to those in great need of hope, love, peace and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Please pray for all those involved in Lutheran Bible Translators.


Fifty-one years ago, Reverend Dale and Alvina Federwitz began their missionary career with LBT among the Mandigo people in Liberia. In 1980 they began their work translating the New Testament into the Kuwaa language. This was completed in 1988. They served as advisors and coordinators in Liberia and Cameroon until Dale's death in July of 2002. Alvina has continued to work with 16 language groups in Ghana.


As the four Federwitz chiildren finished their education in the United States, they, in turn, have worked as missionaries in West Africa and Papua, New Guinea. Nathan Federwitz is in the process of finishing his pilot training in North Carolina, following his father Jonathan's footsteps to be be a missionary pilot. And the beat goes on ...


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.




Miscellaneous Resources

Severe Weather Announcements


With winter in full swing, 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 local TV stations (WISN-TV 12 and FOX6) so that it will be included in their scrolling list and on their website of closures.

This Week's Reflection

from Martin Luther

Just as there is no fire without heat and smoke, so there is no faith without love


- Martin Luther 

Check out what's happening at Calvary - click on the calendar below

Weekly Bible Study with

Pastor Jerry Wittmus


Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.

Study materials are on the table in the Narthex.

Worship Resources

Calvary's Website
Live Stream Link
CONNECTIONS Past issues

Online Resources

NALC Daily Devotion

Facing tough times?

Need a Christian Friend?

Stephen Ministry is here to help.

Free, just like God's love.



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.

Women's Ministries

Women's Bible Study



Janet Zastrow is interested in starting a Women's Bible Study and is looking for a co-leader. The Study would be held at Calvary on Tuesday mornings or afternoons.  Once a co-leader has been identified, more information will be shared as to the start date and topic to be covered.  Please address any questions to Janet at janetzastrow@att.net.

 

Women's Book Group

Monday, March 11 2024

12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Media Room



"The Book of Lost Friends"

by Lisa Wingate


Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in the London Borough of Ealing after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.


Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.


When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list… hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again. 



Men's Ministry

Weekly Men's Breakfast

New Time:

Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.

Maxim's Restaurant

18025 W. Capitol Drive

Brookfield


All men are invited to attend!

Monthly Men's Gathering

Fellowship Hall

Thursday, February 15

6:00 p.m.


If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com


Worship Attendance and Giving

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.


For an update on the NALC's 20/20 Vision campaign, click on the link below to watch an update from Bishop Selbo. This video highlights the work we are doing, the ways in which gifts to the initiative are already being used, and the impact future gifts will have in our shared witness and mission.

NALC 20/20 Vision Update

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. 




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.



  

Online Giving Link
A few reminders ....

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.

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 2024 sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex, near the door to Fellowship Hall.

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 2024 has been posted on the bulletin board.  Thank you for your support!

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!

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.

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