Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

November 8, 2026

Good Grief

Perhaps you’ve heard of a side hustle. A side hustle is work done outside your main full-time job to earn extra money. It is estimated that 27% of American adults today have a side hustle. Some people earn a lot of income with their side hustle, but the median side hustle nets about $200 a month.

In preparing for tomorrow, I came across an interesting web site that may interest you if you’re looking for a side hustle. Mournmate.com is “the premier marketplace for professional mourners.” You can find a professional mourner or become one. If you’re interested, they have tiered service levels and, at the basic level, you can earn $25 to $50 an hour. Premium service will get you between $100 and $200 per hour. If you’re looking for some extra income, you should look it up.

Our Epistle reading tomorrow is I Thessalonians 4:13-18. It begins: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” Paul is telling us that even for “amateur” mourners, there are right and wrong ways to grieve. The wrong way for Christians to grieve is to grieve as those “who have no hope.” Hope is essential to our grieving.

Make no mistake, our hope isn’t some vague “they’re in a better place” hope. Ours is a hope founded on the rock-solid certainty that, though He died, Jesus lives. Because Jesus won the victory over sin and death by His resurrection, we have hope for ourselves and for those who have died in the faith.

A part of our hope I invite you to consider is the last sentence of this reading: “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:18) The hope you have in Christ encourages you in your loss, and it makes you an encourager.

The famous theologian, Yogi Berra, said, “Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.” When one member of the Body of Christ is grieving, your presence, your care, your hope will encourage them.

When you grieve, grieve with hope. With that same hope, encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.

In Christ,

Pastor Dan Czaplewski

For those at in-person worship:

If you would like someone to walk you to your car after services, please tell an usher.

Mournmate.com Links

Online Worship

Sunday Worship

Our Web Site

Our Facebook Page

Julianna, who is recuperating from a second surgery.

Ellen, as she continues rehab.

John, Pat, Nancy, Cindy, Andy, Jenny, Katie, and James, all dealing with general health issues.

Cookie Coleman who has been diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer (grandmother of student).

All the people in the Ukraine.

The nation of Israel and the people of the Gaza Strip.

In Preparation for Sunday Worship,

please read the following:

Amos 5:18-24

Psalm 70

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

1) Please use the Connection Card.

We need your information for reporting our

attendance filed with the LCMS Synod Office

on the annual Parish Report.

Save time: Just put down your name

(if there is no new information).

2) Also, please include your prayer requests.

This Week

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Worship Service @ 9:00 a.m.

(In-person and on-line)

Adult Bible Study @ 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday, November, 10, 2026

FIRST DAY OF THE MOUNT CALVARY CHRISTMAS BOOK FAIR

Mission & Ministry Council Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Chapel @ 8:15 a.m.

Saturday, November 14, 2026

The Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Kops Park Stocking Stuffer -

Annual Craft Fair & Bake Sale @ 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

(See article below.)

Attention: The 2026 Flower Chart is available

in the elevator lobby.

Altar Flowers

The Altar flowers are given to the glory of God

by Joyce Kaestner as she celebrates her 83rd birthday.

Serving in Worship:

Person in Charge: Lynn Froh

Preaching: Rev. Daniel P. Czaplewski

Celebrant/Liturgist: Rev. Howard L. Thomas, III

Communion Assistant: Barry Johnson

Power Point: Diane Krenzke

Lector: Sherry Finch

Organist/Choir Director: Dr. James Freese

Choir: Senior Choir

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS

November 8

Joyce

NOVEMBER 2026

Nov 27 Jim & Nancy Spitzack (50)

Nov 29 Mike & Sandy Krainz (51)

DECEMBER 2026

Dec 28 Daniel & Sarah Czaplewski (30)

Dec 29 John & Virginia Oberdeck (52)

Help Wanted, Please!

We are looking for volunteers to help set up and clean up coffee hour on Sunday mornings. If you would like to know what this involves, contact one of the Pastors or Sandy Krainz. We can, hopefully, develop a team of people to work on this project.

N E W S U P D A T E . . .

Go here to read the Update Thomas Ministry Newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/2794ee7bad7d/howard-and-alyssa-ministry-update-newsletter

Growing Garlic Part 2

We planted garlic about 3 weeks ago. Here you can see the progress and get an idea of what comes next.

Adult Bible Study

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Rev. Thomas will be leading us

in a study of Psalm 70.

Join us!

PUTTING "GENEROUS JUSTICE" INTO ACTION

A Neighborhood Food Drive for St. Catherine’s Food Pantry

Dear Mt. Calvary Family,

Following our study of Tim Keller’s Generous Justice, you are invited to join us in a simple, practical act of neighborhood care and mercy.

How You Can Help:

Bring a Non-Perishable Food Item: Pick up canned goods or boxed items.
Place It in the Narthex: Drop your donation into the collection shopping cart in the Mt. Calvary narthex before or after Sunday service.

Where It Goes: All items will go to the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church Food Pantry (51st & Center St.), serving neighbors living right within Mt. Calvary’s surrounding community.

Thank you for sharing Christ's love in action!

Update:

Thank you to all of the Mount Calvary members who have donated to the St. Catherine's Food Pantry. Many items were delivered on Saturday, September 26 and were much appreciated. This effort is ongoing. If you choose to donate again, these 4 items are needed:

Jelly
Soup
Canned Tuna and/or Chicken
Toilet Paper.

Of course other non-perishable items will still be welcomed.

This will be an on-going collection. Drop off your donations any Sunday.

Mim Anto

Women’s Home Bible Study

Our group welcomes new members! We meet every other Thursday (usually).

You can join us at 1:30 pm or at 6:30 pm. The Oberdecks are at: N77W17700 Lake Park Drive, #356, Menomonee Falls. Contact Ginny for directions.

For more information and a schedule, contact either Ginny Oberdeck (goberdeck114@gmail.com) or Joyce in the church office (kaestnerj@mtcalvary-mke.org).

Our next study is entitled "Introduction to Revelation" and will continued on Wednesday, November 25. If you plan to attend, please let one of us know since more books will need to be ordered.

Worship Attendance

October 25, 2026

9:00 a.m. - Worship Service - 58

10:15 a.m. - Adult Bible Study - 20

10:20 a.m. - Sunday School - 1

November 1, 2026

9:00 a.m. - Worship Service - 55

10:15 a.m. - Adult Bible Study - 14

10:20 a.m. - Sunday School - 1

Weekly Services & Sunday Gatherings

Sunday Worship Service | Sundays at 9:00 AM
Join us as we gather to proclaim God’s Word, lift up Jesus in worship, and stand together in prayer to anchor your week.
Adult Sunday Bible Study | Sundays at 10:20 AM
Dig deep into The Bible, sharpen your faith, and grow in truth alongside fellow believers right after morning worship.
Sunday School for Kids | Sundays at 10:20 AM
Building strong young believers! Kids learn truth straight from The Bible through engaging lessons, foundational truth, and community.

Midweek Ministries

Kids Jiu-Jitsu Class | Wednesdays at 3:30 PM (3-Month Session)
Build discipline, physical strength, and confidence! This 3-month program equips kids with practical self-defense skills and healthy exercise in an encouraging environment.

Community Night Bible Study (Partner Hosted) | Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM

Mt. Calvary is providing a safe gathering space for a local group of fellow Christians whose former congregation was forced to close due to financial and administrative decisions beyond their control. Though they are not LCMS or Lutherans, these believers desire to continue studying God’s Word together, and we are glad to offer them a place to meet.

A Note for Our Congregation:

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church is simply extending Christian hospitality to displaced brothers and sisters in Christ, while remaining fully dedicated to our faithful LCMS Lutheran teachings in our own services and classes. This weekly meeting is open to the public to attend.

Monthly & Special Gatherings

The Living Room: Potluck & Worship | 1st Thursday of the Month (Dinner @ 6:30 PM | Worship @ 6:55 PM)
Break bread and worship boldly. Enjoy a shared meal followed by an intentional night of worship and fellowship. Bring a dish, bring a friend, and come ready.
Drink From Jesus Out Fellowship | 3rd Thursday of the Month @5:00 PM

Take fellowship into the world! Every month we head to a new local venue to build strong connections, share life, and represent Christ together. (Check back for this month's location!)

Help

Build

Our

New

Fellowship

Lounge!

We are currently in the process of reclaiming and transforming our old spaces in Building 1 into a dedicated Fellowship Lounge. Our goal for this multi-use space is to host Sunday School for our kids, and adults/parents from the community, offer a relaxed area for Sunday coffee and fellowship, hold mid-week seminars, and host evening worship gatherings.

The Vision for the Space

We want this lounge to feel like a warm, modern, and welcoming neighborhood café or living room. Our hope is that when neighbors, seekers, and guests—especially those who may not come from a traditional Lutheran background—walk through the door, they immediately feel comfortable, relaxed, and safe. We want to extend genuine Christian hospitality to everyone who steps inside!

How You Can Help: Furniture & Decor Donations

To bring this vision to life, we are looking for donations of gentle-use items that fit an urban, modern, light, and cozy aesthetic.

We are currently looking for:

Seating: Modern armchairs, small sofas/loveseats, or sturdy café-style table & chair sets.
Tables: Low coffee tables, accent end tables, or bistro tables.
Lighting: Warm floor lamps or stylish table lamps.
Decor: Appealing urban artwork, framed prints, large area rugs, or greenery/planters.

How to Submit an Item

Do not simply bring items to the church building, please send me (not reply all) a quick photo of the item(s) you are willing to donate. If they are accepted then we will make arrangements to go from there to get it to campus. We do not need much, just the right things. Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your heart for outreach as we prepare this space to welcome our community.

Blessings,

Pastor Thomas

Community Missions & Ministry

Youth Ministry & Discipleship

http://www.mtcalvary-mke.org

November 10 - 22, 2026

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

CPH Christmas Book Fair

(Book Fair ID is: BKFR26017.)

(Ordering & payment is online.)

November Book of the Month

Christmas Sticker Pack with Arch^® Books

Bring the Christmas narrative to life with this sticker pack and three Arch Books. This pack features 13 reusable stickers, a trifold laminate scene, and three Arch Books: Baby Jesus Is Born, O Bethlehem, and Preparing for Jesus. This set is perfect for church settings or quiet moments at home to help children see the miracle that is Christmas.

Order during the month of November to take advantage of this special Black Friday discount! Orders over $60 made through the CPH Resource Program will receive free shipping to the church.

Special Black Friday Pricing!

$14.99 $11.00 $9.99

This and MANY other books, Bibles Bible studies, devotions, fiction and non-faction are available to order

at 20% off (and free shipping) during the

Mount Calvary Christmas Book Fair

On Sunday, November 8,

Additional copies of the of CPH Resource Program

2026 Christmas Gift Guide will be available

and a Bulletin Insert with ordering information.

(Also available in the narthex.)

The Mount Calvary Christmas

Book Fair starts Tuesday, Nov. 10

Visit: bookfair.cph.org;

Find: Mount Calvary in the "Find your Book Fair" search bar.

Type: in Book Fair ID: BKFR26017. Enter this ID rather than searching for Church name.

Browse: Online book fair available items and fill your cart.

Proceed to checkout and enter your payment (Secure and Safe)

PIck up: Orders will be shipped to church after the conclusion of the fair. You will be notified when your books are ready for pickup.

If you are unable to order on line, please talk with Joyce with the Church Office.

Words for the Week:

"Giving up doesn't always mean you're weak; sometimes it means you are strong enough and smart enough to let go and move on."
Ecclesiastes 3:6 - 'A time to keep, and a time to throw away.'

School Snippets . . .

School Year Theme 2026-2027

Image-Bearers

Colossians 3:9-10

⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge

after the image of its creator. (ESV)

School Office Hours

Monday - Friday

7:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 19

Annual Sneaker Ball School Dance

Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

(No students will be admitted after 6:00 p.m.)

Doors will be reopened from 6:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

2026-2027 MTC 6-8th Girls' Basketball Schedule

(Thu-Sat) Nov 19-21 (Time TBD)

St. Paul's West Allis Tournament

7821 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis)

Practices after school on Tuesdays & Thursdays from

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. @ MTC Gym

2026-2027 MTC 6-8th Boys' Basketball Schedule

(Thu.-Sat.) Nov. 19-21 (Time TBD)

Mount Olive Tournament

5327 W. Washington Blvd.)

Practices after school on Tuesdays & Thursdays from

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. @ MTC Gym

All players must attend after school study hall

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Children's Bulletins

These children's bulletins are available

in the narthex on Sunday morning

and at the following links:

Children's Bulletin (Ages 3+)

Children's Bulletin (Ages 7+)

If you see or bring young children, please take

an age-appropriate bulletin for them.

They are to the right of the offering box in the narthex.