CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | | Your Weekly E-Newsletter - August 28, 2025 | | |
The office will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day. Have a safe and happy weekend.
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“ One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” And they could not reply to these things.
- Luke 14:1-6 –
Have you ever met people whose hearts are hardened against you? It does not matter what you do or say, they will not see your point of view. And if you present conclusive evidence for your claim, this will only make them angry, rather than convincing them. Because the problem is their heart, and not their head, they cannot agree with your point of view, no matter how well-reasoned. They cannot because they will not, and they will not because their will is hardened, bound, and set against you. Accordingly, they resist you with all the power of their bound will.
In our gospel reading, Jesus encounters people like this. One Sabbath he dines at a Pharisee’s house while the Pharisee’s suspicious colleagues scrutinize Jesus intensely. They are already set against Jesus, even before he speaks or acts. They suspect that he is up to no good.
Someone needs healing. So Jesus asks the lawyers and Pharisees if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. However, they do not answer. They know they can’t say “no”, but if they say “yes”, they will have nothing to hold against Jesus, and this won’t work because their hearts are already set against him. They are looking for an excuse to get him, so they must keep their powder dry.
Finally, after healing the man, Jesus asks them if they would pull their son or their ox out of a pit on the Sabbath, but they could not answer. Of course, there was no intellectual difficulty that prevented them from answering. This wasn’t rocket science. They knew what the correct answer was, but they could not answer because they would not, and they would not because their hearts were hardened, bound, and set against Jesus.
We are like this. Because our hearts are bound in sin, we resist God in the face of known truth. As Paul says, we suppress God’s truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). In fact, we are so blind that, like the lawyers and the Pharisees, we would prevent Jesus from healing others and even ourselves. However, God heals us anyway, beginning with our hardened hearts. Through the Holy Spirit, God opens our eyes to see Jesus and opens our hearts to receive him. And this is why we in the Lutheran tradition view faith as God’s gift. By God’s grace, we believe, despite our best efforts not to.
Source: Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2024 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Julie A. Smith.
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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
August 30-31, 2025
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Marcus Johnson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Ed Ramthun (Saturday); Lynnae Douglas (Sunday)
DEACONS:
Saturday: Ed Ramthun
Sunday: Lenny Graffin, Bill Graffin, Andy Foy
ACOLYTES: Peter Johnson and Jackson Gall
LECTOR: Bill Graffin
USHERS: Andy and Matt Schatz
ALTAR GUILD: Mary Ellen Thiede
GREETERS: Terry Bzdusek, Evelyn Ceci, Gordy Gunnlaugsson
FELLOWSHIP TREATS: Helga Willett
FLOWERS: Carol Roe in memory of Dean
POWERPOINT OPERATORS:
Saturday: Jeannette Kalupa
Sunday: Chuck Lukasik
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Jayden Day
THIS WEEKEND'S HYMNS: "Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now", LBW #253; "First Song of Isaiah" CCLI #196023 - Listen to it on SPOTIFY or YOUTUBE; "Lord, Thee I Love", LBW #325
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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: None
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Sara Kalupa; Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus; Everett Lambert; Darlene Louison; Hugh Taufner, Wayne Dieck; Sue Rowe; Risha Armstrong (Rick Kegel's cousin's daughter); Gary and Amy Blobaum (parents of Ben Blobaum); Marlene (mother of Cindy Zilske); Sue Reich (friend of Mary Lau); Henry Alba (friend of Glori Kurth); Sue White (Lisa Grossman's cousin's wife); Craig (son of John and Mary Lau); Jane (friend of Jane Taufner); Anu Smith (wife of Judy Sayas' nephew); Sid (father of Sue Meyer); Ben Askren (friend of Lisa Grossman's daughter)
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.
Serving in the Military: Marshall Owen (nephew of Ken Miller serving in the U.S. Marines); ITCS Augustin Juarez (son-in-law of Ken Miller serving in the U.S. Navy); 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: Sandie Rupnick; John Schwartz; Ka Thao; Jan Chesner; Pat Corcoran; Sue Dindorf; Jonni Roush; Jan Tschetter; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Bobby Scharar (cousin of Cindy Zilske); Kara Kretschmann (daughter-in-law of Ernie Kretschmann); Jeff Edwards (friend of Ernie Kretschmann); 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); Pastor Mark Gehrke (son of Lois Gehrke); Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus); Bob Armstrong (cousin of Rick Kegel); Wolfgang Schulz (brother-in-law of Salllie Schulz); Gary and Margie Orten (friends of John and Mary Lau); Be (friend of Andy Schatz's co-worker); Keenan (friend of Ka Thao); Sandy B. (friend of Randy and Sue Wizner); Amy Bronner (friend of Ed Ramthun); Ann (cousin of Mary Lau); Brenda Schmidt (relative of Judy Kestly's friend); Paul Queck (sponsor of Ka Thao); Chris Bogusch (son-in-law of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus); Bonnie Nelson (former Calvary member); Jack Banker (brother-in-law of Mary Lau); Creig Moritz (brother of Bryant Moritz); Larry Larsen (brother of Kris Larsen); John Kretschmann (brother of Ernie Kretschmann); Paul Mahn (son of Shirley Mahn); Amy Clark (friend of Megan Scott)
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Welcome to Calvary Izaiah Griese!
Melissa and Jeffrey Griese adopted Izaiah Storm Griese on August 22, 2025. Izaiah spent 1,568 days in foster care with the Griese's before being adopted. He joins his brothers Zach and Xavier to complete the Griese family!
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Jayden Day, 8/28
Kathleen Firzlaff, 8/28
Julie Matthes, 8/29
Bob Jazgar, 8/30
Jan Chesner, 8/31
Joel Richmond, 8/31
Dale Berger, 9/2
Lizzy Dudzik, 9/2
Kian Leonard, 9/2
Pat Foy, 9/3
James Ware, 9/3
Aaron Duch, 9/4
Jeanne Duch, 9/4
Emma Leonard, 9/4
Anna Baumgartner, 9/5
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Mark and Diane Knappe, 9/2 (36 years)
Phil and Mary Hanson, 9/6 (45 years)
Joe and Diane Grundman, 9/7 (51 years)
Dave and Carolyn Schuelke, 9/12 (33 years)
Andy and Angie Schatz, 9/23 (25 years)
John and Mary Lau, 9/27 (56 years)
Bob and Carol Braatz, 9/30 (64 years)
| | | Christian Education Opportunities | | |
Join us all year as we grow in Jesus together! Below is a summary of our offerings this year during our Formation hour from 10:30-11:30 each Sunday, from September 7th to May 17th.
Nursery: Birth - 3 years: A staffed nursery will be available from 10:30-11:30. Songs, stories and fellowship time will be offered for the youngest of our flock.
Children Ages 4 years – 5th grade: Our class for the early and upper elementary years encourages wonder at the Story of all stories—God's loving plan to save us in and through his Son. We will use God's Big Story curriculum which will invite our children to enter into the narrative of God's boundless love and faithfulness for all of his children. Drop off for all kids will be in our gathering space, Room 109, and then our PreK-1st graders will be dismissed to Room 103 with Cindy Rooks for their lesson and response time, while the 2nd - 5th graders will remain in room 109 with Stacie Johnson. Please be sure to pick your child up from Room 103 if they are 4 years - 1st grade, or from Room 109 if they are 2nd grade - 5th grade.
Middle School: Our 6th-8th graders will come together for Confirmation instruction and prayerfully study Luther's Small Catechism, while also deepening our understanding of why we as Lutherans worship the way we do. We will cover a variety of topics that will spark wonder and inspire our students to grow in their understanding of how to live as a follower of Jesus. Class will meet in Room 106 with Lynnae Douglas.
High School: Our high schoolers will resume their time of study together in the Youth Room. This will be a time to grow in Christ together as they consider how the Gospel transforms their hearts and helps them be a light and a witness in the world. Class will meet each week with Angie Schatz.
Adults: We encourage you to attend the study this fall on 1 Corinthians with Pastor Marcus called "Following Christ in a Sinful Age." We know it'll be an encouragement to you!
Questions? Please reach out to Lynnae Douglas
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NEW BIBLE STUDY!
Pastor Marcus leads a Bible Study on
Fridays at 2:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!
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True North Vacation Bible School
Calvary was thrilled to welcome 50 students and 15 teen volunteers to explore God's Love at True North VBS in August. These amazing campers came to pray and play in the Alaskan Wilderness. Over 80% of the youth and volunteers for this amazing event are from the community at large! What a great opportunity to welcome Brookfield into our midst to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
While our week together was cut short by the water main break, we were able to spend two days full of joy, faith and laughter together. God is Good All the Time!!
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Nashville Mission Trip 2025
Our high school youth traveled to Nashville, Tennessee at the end of July for a week of mission work with Youthworks. Our group was split into two separate crews that were each paired with other church groups to work in the Nashville community. Each of the groups spent two days volunteering with the Nashville Park Program, working in the summer camps with kids. Each group also spent time working at Cottage Cove, an afterschool program that helps kids in the community. At Cottage Cove, we did some landscaping, yard work, painting, and school year prep. Both groups also had a chance to visit the Museum of the Bible, hosted by the Director of Cottage Cove. It was amazing!!!
While on our trip, we also had daily devotions, evening worship, and time to make new friends. We were also able to do some sightseeing at Louisville Slugger, the Nashville Parthenon, and our group won the scavenger hunt on Broadway Street in downtown Nashville.
Youth: Matt Schatz, Ellie Sayas, Sam Sayas, Zack Griese, Xavier Griese, Gideon Himsel, Lizzy Dudzik, and Addie Meyer. Adults: Angie Schatz and Rick Brostowitz
| | Mission and Community Outreach | | |
Calvary is partnering with Brookfield Lutheran Church to assist with recovery from our recent flood. If you or someone you know has been impacted, or you would like to help persons who have been affected, please contact Mary (Coordinator of Disaster Recovery at Brookfield Lutheran) at (262) 408-0669. They have flood buckets with cleaning supplies (see listing below of flood bucket contents) that you can pick up, as well as individuals or teams of volunteers to help homeowners who are in the process of doing flood cleanup. Flood Buckets can also be picked up at Calvary for you to share with those affected by the floods.
If you are able to give of your time to assist with clean-up efforts, they will find a team for you to join. Please contact Pastor Ken Nelson at (701) 818-0353 for more details. Pastor Nelson will be working through Brookfield Lutheran this week and next so you could join him as well.
Flood Buckets
1 five-gallon bucket with lid
1 jug bleach (1/2 gal. or smaller)
2 large trash bags (Contractor 3 mil)
1 roll paper towels
2 rags
Comet or scouring cleanser
Pine Sol or liquid cleaner
Scrub brush
Gloves, 1 pair each: • rubber • leather • cotton
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Disaster Relief Help Needed!
In the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, torrential rains in the Hill Country of Texas unleashed a catastrophic flash flood along the Guadalupe River. Significant rains continue to fall in other areas of the Texas Hill Country. This has become a mass casualty event with dozens of fatalities and unaccounted for individuals. The loss of property is anticipated to be enormous.
Hardest hit were the communities of Hunt, Ingram, and Kerrville in Kerr County, Texas. Zion Lutheran Church in Kerrville is well connected to the entire region and is organizing to assist their community as it begins to recover.
Specifically, we have identified ways that people can assist at this time
- Pray. Please remember all who are suffering through this tragedy. Please pray for safety for first responders who are participating in search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Please pray for miracles of discovering the missing alive. Please pray for consolation for all who mourn the loss of life and property. Please give thanks to God for the precious gift of each day lived.
- Provide Gift Cards for groceries and basic needs from Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. Gift cards can be put in the envelope and in the Calvary offering basket. Please include your name.
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As the body of Christ seeks to care for those impacted by the flooding, we are receiving donations to be used exclusively to respond to these tragic events. You can give online through this link.
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Backpack and School Supply Drive
One of the activities of the Mission & Outreach Committee is to provide school supplies for the NALC Disaster Relief team to distribute, as needed, to elementary and high school students.
We invite you to pick up a backpack or two, along with the school supply shopping list from the table in the Narthex. Please note there are two grade options for the supplies - Elementary and High School. Please return the filled backpack to the Narthex and attach the shopping list sheet to the outside of the backpack, with the appropriate grade level circled.
Questions? Contact Judy Sayas (262-784-5375 or 262-844-1934) or Paula Altman (262-893-6591).
| | | August Mission of the Month | | |
Opportunity International is helping to end extreme poverty in our lifetime. They believe that empowering individuals to work their way out of poverty and give their children a quality education is the most sustainable way to transform their lives, their families, and their communities.
Opportunity International serves 10 million hardworking families in 23 countries around the world. They have big plans for the world: A place without poverty where people can live with dignity and purpose. Their clients have ambitious dreams for their futures, but lack the opportunities needed to make those dreams a reality. They go where others won’t to give these inspiring people access to business loans, savings accounts, financial training, and community support—all which empower these entrepreneurs to work their way out of poverty and build a new sustainable future for themselves and their families.
To date, they have created or sustained more than 20 million jobs by giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to thrive. With our support, they will reach millions more clients—and those clients will change the world.
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•Vision: Their vision is a world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve a life free from poverty, with dignity and purpose.
•Mission: By providing financial solutions and training, they empower people living in poverty to transform their lives, their children’s futures and their communities.
•Motivation: They respond to Jesus Christ’s call to love and serve the poor. They seek to emulate the Good Samaritan, whose compassion crossed ethnic groups and religions. They serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
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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Knitters, Crocheters and Other Crafters Unite
The Calvary knitters group has combined with the Spring Creek Church crafters and we now meet every Thursday at 9:30am at Spring Creek Church. (Enter thru the front door and the receptionist will direct you.) Everyone is invited to join us where we knit, loom, crochet and engage in any craft that brings us joy!
Our group is involved in various ministries, including:
- CareNet
- Vets
- Homeless
- Cancer Centers
- Nursing Homes
- Calvary’s Mitten Tree
Come craft with us and enjoy the fellowship of other crafters as we use our talents to help others.
Please contact Pat Dieck with any questions at pdieck@mail.com
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Weekly Men's Breakfast
Every Wednesday 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
6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 16
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
| | | Worship Attendance and Giving | | 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 LINK.
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 2025 Church Council
Pictured are: (l-r): David Vogel, Andy Schatz (Secretary), Phil Hanson (Co-Vice President), Keith Pierce (President), Jill Voss, Ernie Kretschmann, Gordy Gunnlaugsson (Treasurer) and Scott Langelin. Not pictured: Peggy Langelin (Co-Vice President)
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Your 2025 Board of Deacons
Not sure who your Deacon is? A listing of each Deacon's alpha group is posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
Pictured are: Front row (l-r): Darlene Louison (Secretary); Ruth Brostowitz, Lenny Graffin (Scheduler), Lisa Grossman, Judy Sayas. Back row (l-r): Andy Foy, Pat Foy (co-chair), Ed Ramthun (co-chair), Bill Graffin and Ken Miller. Not pictured: Kevin Wahlgren.
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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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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, fruit, etc.) for Sunday hospitality time, there is a sheet on the bulletin board outside of Fellowship Hall. You may bring the treats (six dozen) and drop them off in the kitchen, or you can pay $30 to the church office and the treats will be purchased for you. Please check the appropriate column when you sign up so the Hospitality coordinator will know what to expect.
The sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!
| | 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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