All Saints' Day

November 1, 2026

The Lamb Is On The Throne

“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” — Revelation 7:16–17

Overbearing heat is never pleasant. Stepping into an air-conditioned room and drinking a cold glass of water on a hot day is one of the simple pleasures God has given us in the modern world.

Having lived in Houston, Texas for 15 years, I can tell you that the heat and humidity there are unlike anything else. Now that my wife and I are in Wisconsin, I quietly chuckle when I hear a Milwaukee native complain about a hot summer day—and I'm sure they chuckle right back at me when I complain about a cold winter day! While we're not thrilled about the winter around the corner, we are thankful to be here.

People often move or go on vacation trying to escape the weather—searching for somewhere warmer, cooler, greener, or sandier to find reprieve. But the truth is, no earthly destination offers a complete escape from life's discomforts and trials. Have you ever been on a vacation and realized you were tired of the vacation, longing just to go home to your own bed?

Moments like that are deeply grounding. They remind us that our true rest, peace, and revitalization cannot come from a geographic escape. They come only from the Lamb seated on the Throne.

Have you ever wondered why Revelation presents Jesus on the throne specifically as a Lamb, rather than a lion or a serpent?

Scripture actually uses all three images for Christ. The image of the serpent points back to Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the desert so the plague-stricken Israelites could look up and live—a picture of Jesus being lifted up on the cross to deliver us from sin and death (Numbers 21, John 3:14–15).

Yet when John beholds the heavenly throne in Revelation, he sees a Lamb. A humble, clawless, fangless Lamb.

It is a beautiful image because it reveals the upside-down power of the Gospel: sacrificial love is greater than hate, and true strength is made perfect in humility. Our true shelter isn't found in a lion's claws or a serpent's venom, but in the gentle, triumphant grace of the Lamb who was slain for us.

Are you looking for a lion to fight your earthly battles, or are you resting in the Lamb who has already won the ultimate victory? The Lamb is on the throne—and He is our Shepherd forever.

I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!

Pastor Howard Lee Thomas III

For those at in-person worship:

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

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:

Revelation 7:2-17

Psalm 149

I John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12

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

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Worship Service @ 9:00 a.m.

(In-person and on-line)

Adult Bible Study @ 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Chapel @ 8:15 a.m.

Attention: The 2026 Flower Chart is available

in the elevator lobby.

Altar Flowers

The Altar flowers are given to the glory of God

by Gayle Schneider in memory of

husband, Rev. Martin Goldberg.

Serving in Worship:

Person in Charge: Gerard Froh

Preaching: Rev. Howard L. Thomas, III

Celebrant/Liturgist: Rev. Daniel P. Czaplewski

Communion Assistant: Gary Felsing

Power Point: Veronica Neuwirth

Lector: Jill Freese

Organist/Choir Director: Dr. James Freese

Choir: Senior Choir

Trumpets: Chris Williams / Warren Kuester

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS

November 2

Jeneice

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)

R E M E M E M B E R

Before retiring the evening, Saturday, October 31, turn your clocks back one hour. Most important, at least, your alarm clock!

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.

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Beautiful Savior is again hosting its annual Craft Fair & Bake Sale. The event will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost per table is $20.00 until October 1, after which the price will increase to $25.00. Table reservations deadline is November 7. All reservations include a tablecloth, lunch and electrical outlet (if needed).

Table reservations can be made by calling the church at 414.871.6744, by email: secretary@beautiful saviorlc.com or www.beautifulsaviorlc.com/crafters-portal.

We look forward to showcasing your talents.

Gail Siewert, Secretary

Beautiful Savior

This coming Thursday . . . .
Thursday, November 5
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.

Milwaukee Urban Ag Con

On October 26 we attended the 3rd annual Milwaukee Urban Ag Con (conference). The Keynote speaker (see the picture below) was Will Allen.

Adult Bible Study Returns

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Rev. Thomas will be leading us

in a study of Psalm 149.

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.

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 4. If you plan to attend, please let one of us know since more books will need to be ordered.

Worship Attendance

October 18, 2026

9:00 a.m. - Worship Service - 97

(All School Sing)

10:15 a.m. - Adult Bible Study - 16

10:20 a.m. - Sunday School - 0

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

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 online)

This Christmas, help children interact with the account of Jesus’ birth through hands-on play and favorite Arch^® Books! Whether at home, church, school, or on the go, kids will return to this engaging activity set throughout the Christmas season.

Included are a foldout nativity scene, 13 reusable stickers, and three Christmas Arch^® Books: Preparing for Jesus, O Bethlehem, and Baby Jesus Is Born.

(Only $10.49)

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 1 & Sunday, November 8,

you will be given a copy of CPH Resource Program

2026 Christmas Gift Guide.

(Also available in the narthex.)

Information on ordering online are given on its back page.

The Mount Calvary Christmas

Book Fair is near!

Visit: bookfair.cph.org;

Find: Mount Calvary in the "Find your Book Fair" search bar. Book fair ID: BKFR26017. Enter this ID.

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

Proceed to checkout and enter your payment (Secure 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.

OR:

Obtain order form from church office or from the narthex display.

Fill it out. Use: BKFR26017.

Pay by cash or check: Checks payable to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church - Memo Line: Book Fair Order.

Turn in form and payment to Church Office or Joyce Kaestner directly. If cash, please put it in an envelope.

Words for the Week:

“You are never alone—God goes before you, walks beside you, and lives within you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Christmas Decorating . . . What?

Yes, you read that correctly! Christmas is coming and help will be needed to decorate Mount Calvary for Christmas this year!

Interested in helping to decorate? Please talk to Diane Krenzke at church or call her at 414.839.1215.

Decorating will take place on Saturday, December 5th, starting at 10:00 a.m. Refreshments will be provided!

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 and Friday, November 5 and 6 -

Parent-Teacher Conferences

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.

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.

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

2862 N. 53rd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53210 | 414.873.3931 | www.mtcalvary-mke.org