CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | | Your Weekly E-Newsletter January 1, 2026 | |
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“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise
in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
Ephesians 3:6
In the book “Balls of Fire,” Stefan Kanfer tells the story of Lucille Ball, the beautiful and prolific television actress. Kanfer described Lucille as “a 68-inch actress, not a 68-foot actress.” Though she was extremely popular on television, she was never able to find success in the movies. She was such a natural in front of the cameras that she was expected to do well. Though she tried to make the transition to the big screen, she was at her best in the intimacy of the small screen. No matter how hard she tried, she could not learn how to be good in the movies; some things just can’t be learned.
Faith can’t be learned. It is impossible for us to believe in Jesus if there is nothing outside ourselves calling us to that relationship. It is by God’s grace that we know his love and pass on the wonderful message of the Gospel. As we share the message of Christ with others, the Holy Spirit has the power create and build a relationship of faith with our neighbors as well.
God knew from the beginning of time the things that would occur in and through his people. He was planning for our salvation even before we were born. When the time was right, Christ broke through into this world to reveal something new. God reached out beyond the Israelites and revealed the promise to all people. Israel will always have a special place in his heart, but they were blessed to be a blessing to the rest of the world. They were blessed to reveal God’s salvation to all.
In the Epiphany story we see the full revelation of Christ to the world. The gifts of the magi are signs of his purpose. He came to be priest to all, to die for all, and to rule eternally as King over all. Frankincense is the sign of the priest, myrrh anoints the dead, and gold is a tribute to the power and authority of a king. The magi studied the prophecies, but it wasn’t until they were called by the light of the star above themselves that they could follow in faith to offer their gifts. The promises and prophecies of God’s Messiah were revealed even to the Gentiles and fulfilled in the life of the baby Jesus. And so it is for you as well!
Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2014 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Peggy Hoppes. Scripture taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2001 . Scripture taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Feast of the Epiphany
January 4, 2026
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Marcus Johnson
ASSISTING MINISTER: (9am) Lynnae Douglas (11:45 am) Pat Foy
DEACONS: Kevin Wahlgren, Lisa Grossman, Ruth Brostowitz, Lenny Graffin
ACOLYTES: Eli Douglas, Peter Johnson, Nathaniel Douglas
LECTOR: Ken Miller
USHERS: Keith & Karen Pierce
ALTAR GUILD: Lorna Reiter
GREETERS: John & Mary Lau, Keith & Karen Pierce
POWERPOINT OPERATORS: (9 am) Amelia Evert (11:45 am) Jayden Day
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Jayden Day
FLOWERS:
FELLOWSHIP TREATS: Marilyn Hermann, Everett Lambert
SERMON HYMN: "Joy has Downed Upon the World" by Getty. Hear it on YouTube or Spotify.
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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: Bob Armstrong (Rick Kegel's cousin)
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Janet Zastrow; Gil Thompson; Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus; Everett Lambert; Darlene Louison; Hugh Taufner, Rich Kebbekus (family friend of Sallie Schulz); Patty Elliott (sister-in-law of Chet Elliott); Cindy Zilske (office staff); John Smiley (brother of Carol Roe); Mason (friend of Carol Roe); Cathy (Chris Dudzik's mother); Nancy Berth (friend of Janet Zastrow); Greg Pascucci (friend of Janet Zastrow); Risha Armstrong (Rick Kegel's cousin's daughter); Marlene (mother of Cindy Zilske); Sue Reich (friend of Mary Lau); Sue White (Lisa Grossman's cousin's wife); Craig (son of John and Mary Lau); Anu Smith (wife of Judy Sayas' nephew); 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: Zach Griese (member serving in the National Guard Reserve); 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
Non-members: Sid (father of Sue Meyer); Henry Alba (friend of Glori Kurth); 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 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); 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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JoAnne Krause, 1/1
Hadley Brooks, 1/4
Ed Ramthun, 1/5
Jonni Roush, 1/5
Sean Corcoran, 1/7
Joanne Juno, 1/7
Ernie Kretschmann, 1/7
Tiffany Schlieve, 1/7
Jim Selas, 1/7
Carol Corcoran, 1/9
Liam Brooks, 1/11
Carol Roe, 1/11
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Chris & Jessica Dudzik, 1/7 (20 years)
Pat & Carol Corcoran, 1/12 (63 years)
Dave & Chris Cason, 1/17 (45 years)
Alex & Margaux Baumgarten, 1/25 (6 years)
Jiafu & Sophia Liu, 1/27 (26 years)
Joel & Luvie Richmond, 1/30 (44 years)
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Plan to Attend!
Informational Meeting: 10:30 am, Sunday, January 25, 2026
Annual Meeting: 10:30 am, Sunday, February 1, 2026
(Contingency Date: 10:30 am, Sunday, February 8, 2026)
| | Christian Education Opportunities | | |
ADULT BIBLE STUDIES!
Pastor Marcus leads two Bible studies each week.
All are welcome!
Fridays at 2 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
| | "The Chosen" Christian Movie | |
The Amazing Grace Small Group is viewing the multi-season series "The Chosen". You are invited to join them in watching this series about the life of Christ. The series will be shown on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the media room.
On November 19th, we began Season 2 of "The Chosen" series. Even if you have missed a time or two, join us for this interesting presentation of scripture on the screen. We watch two episodes each time and finish by 11am. If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Brostowitz.
Here are the future dates to mark on your calendar: January 7 and 21
| | January Mission of the Month | | |
Mission of the Month –
Teach Beyond on behalf of Freddie and Leah Yarita
(Nee, Federwitz)
In January we raise up a vital Mission of the Month organization that seeks to provide transformational education services to the global community. They are equipped to send Christ-centered teachers to many international schools throughout the world, including Ukarumpa International School in Papua New Guinea, where Leah Yarita now teaches in the school she once attended.
TeachBeyond recruits and sends Christian educators, administrators, and workers to serve in many different schools and organizations across the globe. TeachBeyond is a mission organization that equips educators, schools, and organizations to serve our Lord in pursuit of a common vision for transformational education, having dozens of consultants and coaches who work with like-minded schools and organizations to provide continuing education to teachers, administrators, boards, and school owners. TeachBeyond works in partnership with local groups, organizations, and institutions to support a number of K-12 schools, English language learning programs, and projects across the globe.
Leah Yarita (Nee, Federwitz) is the daughter of missionaries Jonathan and Carrie Federwitz. She is a missionary teacher with TeachBeyond, supporting Bible translation by providing an education to missionary kids in Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Ukarumpa International School (UIS).
Leah grew up as a missionary kid in PNG and attended UIS throughout her childhood. Leah met Freddie Yarita while growing up in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea. Their fathers both worked in the aviation department for SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics). Freddie and Leah attended the mission school there all the way through graduation from high school. After graduating from UIS in 2018, Leah returned to the U.S. to attend college at Concordia University, where she graduated in December 2021 with a degree in Lutheran Elementary Education. While Leah returned to the U.S. to attend college, Freddie remained in PNG to begin working with SIL after graduating from high school. He currently works in the aviation department.
Following Leah’s college graduation, she returned to PNG to work as an aide at UIS for six months. Feeling God’s call to stay on as a full-time teacher, she taught there for another year and a half via an internship with Wycliffe Bible Translators. When she returned to the U.S. in December 2023, she became a member of TeachBeyond, and in July 2024 has once again returned to PNG as a teacher at UIS.
Leah and Freddie were able to reconnect over the years and their relationship began to develop. After almost three years of dating, they got married in August 2025. Leah and Freddie visited Calvary Lutheran Church in November 2025, sharing their mission work, love for God and each other and encouraging Calvary’s saints to support their missionary endeavors through prayer and/or financial support. Freddie and Leah will be returning to PNG to serve with SIL for their first few years of marriage. They are excited to return to the place that feels like home to them and to support the work of Bible translation in PNG through their roles in the school and the aviation department.
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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
| | | Leah Yarita (nee Federwitz) | | | |
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, January 15, 2026
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
| | | 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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If you are a homebound member and would like to be included on our visitation schedule, our Visitation Team would love to come and bring you communion. Please reach out to Mary Ellen Thiede (maryethiede@gmail.com) or Lynnae Douglas (ldouglas@calvarylc.com) to receive more information.
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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
2026 Sign Up Sheet Available
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 $40 to the church office, and the treats will be purchased for you. Due to the increased cost of treats, the amount to contribute for Calvary to purchase the treats is increased to $40 starting in 2026. 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 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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