CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | |
Your Weekly E-Newsletter - September 26, 2024 | |
This Week's Devotional - Listening for the Promise | |
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“Jesus said [to John], “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us.”
-Mark 9:39-40
Children of God
The more I read the Gospels, the more Jesus reminds me of my mother. Repeatedly, I hear him saying what I remember her saying almost daily to me and my five siblings, “Why can’t you kids just get along?!”
It was a rhetorical question. Mother didn’t want to know why we fought like cats and dogs; she wanted us to quit fighting. She knew that “playing nice” wasn’t our default setting. In that way, my family is like the family of God in miniature — strong, gifted children who love each other in principle but who don’t always get along.
Moses shepherded a tribe like that. They complained loudly and long about God’s gifts, so Moses complained to God about them. The spirit of disgruntlement was abroad in the camp. God promised to ease Moses’ burden, so the Holy Spirit came to rest on the elders chosen to share it. In response, they prophesied. But when two elders who stayed apart from the group received the same gifting, the others grew jealous.
The Son of God faced the same situation with his flock of disciples. They enjoyed the great gift of Jesus’ presence, but they were discontent with their own spiritual weakness. Unable themselves to cast out demons, they became jealous of an outsider who could. They weren’t upset that the exorcist was successful, just that he wasn’t in line behind them.
Jesus doesn’t ask why his children can’t get along. Instead, he calls them to a higher purpose. Not simply smiling at each other on Sunday mornings, but rejoicing in each other’s triumphs all week long. Peace is not merely the absence of rancor. It is the presence of patience. It is mutual confession and compassion, loyalty and faithfulness to fellow believers. Peace is guarding the Body by resisting the temptation to gossip and grumble. It is praying and praising together, as one in Christ. Where is the Gospel in that? It is where our elder brother, who might have complained against us, took the punishment for our sins. He might have been against us, but he is for us.
Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2024, Sola Publishing
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19th Sunday after Pentecost
September 28-29, 2024
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
ASSISTING MINISTER: Saturday: Ed Ramthun Sunday: Kevin Wahlgren
DEACONS: Saturday: Ed Ramthun
Sunday:Pat Foy, Lenny Graffin, Judy Kestly
ACOLYTES: Noah Ciszewski and Sean Moritz
LECTOR: Judy Sayas
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE: Angie Schatz
USHERS: Caryl Braatz and Mary Ellen Thiede
ALTAR GUILD: Jan Lukasik
GREETERS:
John and Mary Lau
Keith and Karen Pierce
FLOWERS: Judy Sayas in memory of Dave; John and Mary Lau (55th Anniversary)
FELLOWSHIP TREATS: Emily and Josh Brooks
POWERPOINT OPERATORS:
Saturday: Cindy Rooks
Sunday: Sallie Schulz
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Sue Rowe
HYMNS THIS WEEKEND: "Come Down, O Love Divine", LBW #508, "Everlasting God", CCLI #4556538 (Listen to it here: YouTube or Spotify); "Praise My Soul the King of Heaven", LBW #549.
You can also use the QR code below to also take you to the videos with the song that will be available to view from your phone or tablet.
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The Church Life Committee invites you to join them on Saturday, October 19 at 6 p.m. (following worship) for a FLANNEL FEST & HOOTENANNY! This adult-only event will feature food, fellowship and fun! Attendees are invited to wear their finest flannel and bring an appetizer to share. You may also bring your favorite wine to share with others. Light sandwiches, beer and soda will be provided. BINGO will be played with some great prizes!
Watch for the sign up sheet to be posted on the kiosk in the Narthex.
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INTERGENERATIONAL EVENT
Phones Down, Game Night!
Friday, October 11
6:30 - 8:00 pm
From Candy Land to Cribbage, and Ping Pong to Jenga we will have entertaining, “no technology” games for ALL AGES!
Join us for a fun-filled evening of laughter and light-hearted competition. Everyone is welcome to participate. All games will be easy-to-learn board games and card games. Treats will be served.
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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 peace to: Pastor Nijhar, global worker from India, whose mom passed away in India last week, shortly after turning 93.
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Shirley Mahn; Ka Thao; Jon Sayas; Pat Treutelaar; Sue Dindorf; John Schwartz; Evelyn Ceci; Jonni Roush; Laura Burger; Sue Rowe; Nate Kreiter (friend of Rick Kegel); Dave and Barb (friends of Glori and Eloise Kurth); Karen Haberkorn (friend of Sue Rowe); Bonnie Nelson (former Calvary member); Barbara Runge (friend of Jeanette Kalupa); Nancy Berth (friend of the Calvary Knitting Group); Jack Banker (brother-in-law of Mary Lau); Dan Scruggs (cousin of Juanita Osowski); Brian Nowak (cousin of Ernie Kretschmann's niece); Diane Rutsch (friend of Mary Lau); Creig Moritz (brother of Bryant Moritz); Taylor (granddaughter of Lenny Graffin); Edward Hermann (son of Marilyn Hermann); Larry Larsen (brother of Kris Larsen); John Kretschmann (brother of Ernie Kretschmann); Jean (friend of Linda Thorpe); Matti Beilfuss (friend of Rick Kegel); Lou Dangler (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Paul Mahn (son of Shirley Mahn); Amy Clark (friend of Megan Scott)
Please continue to pray for: God’s guidance and support for our Call Committee, and that the Holy Spirit is working in the heart of the pastor He wishes to call as the next pastor of Calvary.
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); ITC Agustin Juarez (son-in-law of Ken Miller serving in the U.S. Navy); Kevin Butler (son of Heidi Powers serving in the U.S. Army); Ben DeYoung (son-in-law of George and Kay Sedivec serving in the U.S. Air Force); 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: Jan Chesner; Pat Corcoran; Wayne Dieck; Nadine Schuelke; Jan Tschetter; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Vikki (friend of Cindy Zilske); Kathy (friend of Judy Sayas' sister); Christine (cousin of Judy Sayas); Jan Sperry (friend of Judy Sayas); Drake Ferber (Judy Sayas' neighbor's son); Ron Parker (brother of Linda Thorpe); Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); Dennis Reich (friend of John and Mary Lau); Curt (friend of Larry Bonier); Pastor Mark Gehrke (son of Lois Gehrke); Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son); Karen (friend of Lydia Trudell); Tom Dallman (husband of Lucy Dallman); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus)
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Sean Moritz, 9/27
David Vogel, 9/27
Leah Morris, 9/29
Emily Brooks, 9/30
Audrey McGarvie, 10/2
Kris Larsen, 10/2
Grace Moritz, 10/3
Angie Schatz, 10/3
Cathy Roldan, 10/8
Zackery Griese, 10/9
Everett Lambert, 10/9
Jill Voss, 10/10
Shirley Brodell, 10/11
Judy Kestly, 10/11
Carolyn Schuelke, 10/11
Gideon Himsel, 10/12
Elise Baumgartner, 10/16
Randy Wizner, 10/16
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John and Mary Lau, 9/27 (55 years)
Bob and Caryl Braatz, 9/30 (63 years)
Jon and Sandy Voerman, 10/5 (39 years)
Wayne and Carole Wegner, 10/5 (61 years)
Norm and Audrey McGarvie, 10/7 (63 years)
Rich and Cindy Rooks, 10/9 (37 years)
Mark and Lydia Trudell, 10/9 (42 years)
Kurt and Jeanne Duch, 10/10 (43 years)
Brian and Kara Kretschmann, 10/10 (4 years)
Herb and Judy Grospitz, 10/11 (49 years)
Pat and Joyce Foy, 10/14 (24 years)
George and Kay Sedivec, 10/16 (53 years)
Erik and Erica Zipp, 10/14 (24 years)
Lesly and Roger Evert, 10/22 (13 years)
Matt and Hannah Ware, 10/26 (5 years)
Mark and Sheila Kershek, 10/27 (29 years)
Bob and Diana Streicher, 10/28 (35 years)
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Weekly Bible Study with Pastor Jerry Wittmus
Pastor Jerry's weekly Bible Study is held on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. You will be studying the scripture readings for the coming weekend. Study text will be placed in the Narthex prior to the Study.
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Women's Bible Study
First and Third Tuesday of the Month
Janet Zastrow has resumed a Women's Bible Study on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. The Study is based on the book Jesus Followers written by the daughter and granddaughter of Billy Graham. They share inspiring stories from their family life that offer compelling insights for leaving a legacy of faith.
Passing on our faith does not happen passively—it’s something we intentionally pursue with prayer and joy. Yet many of us struggle to know what it looks like to live out a contagious faith in today’s world. We long for spiritual wisdom on how to ignite faith in our children, grandchildren, and others we encounter.
Jesus Followers offers practical ideas, biblical teaching, and inspiring true stories from Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright for effectively running the race of faith and passing the Baton of Truth to the next generation.
Jesus Followers not only offers a glimpse into the living rooms and prayer closets of a faith-filled family, but it also equips you with the wisdom, motivation, and practical ideas for consistently and joyfully sharing your faith.
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NALC MISSION DISTRICT CONVOCATION
Saturday, October 5, 2024
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wausau, Wisconsin
Save the Date - All are welcome to attend/ Two Calvary delegates are needed.
Questions? Contact Pastor Mark Knappe (solideogloria1@mac.com) or Ernie Kretschmann (erniekretschmann@gmail.com)
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20/20 Vision Initiative Fall 2024 Impact Report
Impact Report Highlights
· Raising Up Future Church Leaders................page 6
· Strengthening Area Support................page 8
· Expanding Our Global Witness................page 10
· Life Together at the Bonhoeffer House................page 12
· Nurturing Young Believers................page 14
· Collaborative Focus at the Continental Office................page 16
Download the Impact Report
We have committed to a financial goal of raising $5 million to support the four components of our vision: Grow, Serve, Renew, and Fulfill. We are nearly halfway to our goal. To date, we have raised over $2.3 million. Will you consider supporting our shared work? You can donate through the NALC links below or via Calvary through this link.
Make a Pledge
Donate Now
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Reedem & Restore Center is a new mission for us. This organization is committed to the prevention, intervention, and restoration of women that have been trapped into the sex trafficking industry. They are dedicated to walking alongside women in SE Wisconsin coaching and connecting to needed resources to become whole.
They currently offer the following services to women that have been out of the ‘no life’ for a time:
- Survivor support group
- Mentorship
- Friendship
- Coaching
- Case Management
- Social Outings
- Financial Assistance
They have the first restorative care home for women in Waukesha County. It is a 12-24 month restorative care home that provides mental, physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual healing for the women.
For each woman to have HOPE & FREEDOM, it is a fight through all the layers of trauma. Their home environment will enable women to have a good foundation to continue to build a new life. Restoration is possible because of HOPE!
To learn more about Redeem & Restore, click HERE.
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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.
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Women's Book Group
Monday, October 14
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Media Room
"The Little Liar"
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Beloved bestselling author Mitch Albom returns with a powerful novel of hope and forgiveness that moves from a coastal Greek city during WWII to America in the golden age of Hollywood, as the intertwined lives of three young survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption.
Eleven-year-old Nico Krispis has never told a lie. His schoolmate, Fannie, loves him because of it. Nico’s older brother Sebastian resents him for both these facts. When their young lives are torn apart during the war, it will take them decades to find each other again.
Nico’s innocence and goodness is used against his tightly knit community when a German officer barters Nico’s reputation for honesty into a promise to save his loved ones. When Nico realizes the consequences of the betrayal, he can never tell the truth again. He will spend the rest of this life changing names, changing locations and identities, desperate to find a way to forgiveness—for himself and from the people he loves most.
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Weekly Men's Breakfast
Wednesdays 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
Thursday, October 17
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
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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.
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 2024 Board of Deacons
Front row (l-r) Lenny Graffin, Sue Rowe, Darlene Louison, Joanne Schultz, George Sedivec
Back row (l-r); Ed Ramthun, Judy Kestly, Andy Foy, Pat Foy, Ruth Brostowitz and Bill Graffin. Not pictured: Everett Lambert
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Your 2024 Church Council
Front row (l-r) Joanne Schultz, Peggy Langelin, Jan Lukasik
Back row (l-r); Ernie Kretschmann, Andy Schatz, Scott Langelin, Pat Dieck, Keith Pierce Not pictured: Chris Dudzik
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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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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, etc.) for Sunday hospitality time, there is a sheet on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. You may bring the treats (six dozen) and drop them off in the kitchen, or simply add a “P” behind your name, pay $30 to the church office and the treats will be purchased for you.
The sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!
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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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The church office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. The door that is closest to the office (NW corner) will be open during those hours.
Please check in with the office staff so we know that you are in the building.
The office phone number is (262) 786-4010. Feel free to leave a message if you call after hours and we will contact you the next day.
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