CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | | Your Weekly E-Newsletter - August 21, 2025 | | |
He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’
- Luke 13:22-25
Will those who are saved be many or few? Jesus does not tell us in this parable. Someone asks Jesus, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” But Jesus does not answer the question posed to him. Instead, he responds with a command, “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” It’s as if Jesus were saying to this person, “Quit speculating about the number of the saved and focus instead upon your own salvation.”
Jesus then clarifies that many will seek to enter through this door but will be unable to do so. Their problem is not that they have chosen the wrong door, but that they have tried to enter after the master of the house has already shut the door. But again, this fails to answer the original question. The question was whether the saved will be few in number. However, rather than speaking about the saved, Jesus speaks of the lost and says that they will be many. So, from Jesus’ response, we still don’t know whether the saved will be many or few and how the saved and the lost compare in relative terms.
Later in the parable, however, it seems that many will be saved. “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:28-29).”
It seems that Jesus has spoken this parable against Israel and says that a massive number of Gentiles will come in to join the patriarchs and the prophets in the kingdom of God. So, will those who are saved be many or few? Jesus does not answer this question here, but he gives us some hopeful hints!
Source: Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2024 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Julie A. Smith.
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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 23-24, 2025
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Marcus Johnson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Ed Ramthun
DEACONS:
Saturday: Ed Ramthun
Sunday: Pat Foy, Judy Sayas, Lisa Grossman
ACOLYTES: Eli Douglas and Peter Johnson
LECTOR: Peggy Langelin
USHERS: Keith and Karen Pierce
ALTAR GUILD: Jonni Roush
GREETERS: Paula Altman, George and Kay Sedivec, Helga Willett
FELLOWSHIP TREATS:
FLOWERS: Sallie and Gerhard Schulz in celebration of their anniversary
POWERPOINT OPERATORS:
Saturday: Cindy Rooks
Sunday: Sallie Schulz
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Jayden Day
THIS WEEKEND'S HYMNS: "How Firm a Foundation", LBW #507; "Great Is Our Lord" CCLI #1149 - Listen to it on SPOTIFY or YOUTUBE; "On Our Way Rejoicing", LBW #260
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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
Prayers of sympathy and God's grace and peace to: George Rooney and family on the passing of his brother, Gael Patrick Rooney, on August 19.
New prayer requests: Sara Kalupa; Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus; Risha Armstrong (Rick Kegel's cousin's daughter)
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Everett Lambert; Darlene Louison; Hugh Taufner, Wayne Dieck; 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 Rowe; 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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Olivia Peters, 8/22
Marcella Nelson, 8/25
John Schwartz, 8/26
Sara Kalupa, 8/27
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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John and Lindsey Peters, 8/22 (16 years)
Bob and Mary Smith, 8/22 (55 years)
Gerhard and Sallie Schulz, 8/23 (50 years)
Ed and Carol Witzke, 8/24 (57 years)
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 | | |
GROWING IN JESUS AT CALVARY
Sunday, September 7th is Rally Day at Calvary! On that day, we begin our Christian Formation Hour for all ages as we seek to grow in Christ Jesus together! Please watch future Connections for further details about our upcoming offerings this fall.
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NEW BIBLE STUDY!
Pastor Marcus leads a new Bible Study on
Friday, August 15 at 2:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!
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| 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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Serenity Inn Volunteers Needed
Judy Kestly is seeking volunteers to help provide food for the Serenity Inn's monthly meal. She is in need of one potato dish to serve 18 and one vegetable dish to serve 18. This would need to be dropped off at Judy’s house the second Monday of each month. If interested or you have questions, please contact Judy at (262) 782-5286 or tandjkestly@sbcglobal.net.
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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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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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