Your Weekly E-Newsletter August 27, 2026 | |
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Fall Programing Resumes with Backyard Bash!
Join your Calvary family on Sunday, September 13th, for a time of fellowship and fun at the Backyard Bash! We'll play games and have a light lunch following worship. More information to come as the date approaches.
Sunday School for all children and youth resumes September 20th, at 10:30am. Parents, please register your children and find out more information at the Calvary Website.
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We Offer Ourselves and Our Time...
Are you interested in serving the church in some capacity? We have some areas of need:
- Sunday Nursery during the Christian Formation Hour (10:30-11:30am)
- Powerpoint and Livestream Operators during the 9am worship service
If you are interested in any of these service roles, please email your Calvary staff: Lynnae Douglas (ldouglas@calvarylc.com for the nursery positions) and communications@calvarylc.com (other service roles listed).
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Part-Time Position Available
The Personnel Committee is looking for someone with accounting and / or bookkeeping experience for a part time position in the church office. If you know of anyone with those skills who might be looking for part time work, please have them get in touch Larry Bonier at 262.271.3916 or larryb0412@gmail.com.
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Don't Get Scammed
If you receive an email or text from a "Calvary staff member" asking for money, please do not reply. This is not from Calvary.
If you ever have any doubts about the validity of a text or email you receive from someone claiming to be from Calvary, please call the office at 262.786.4010. We will never send you a text or email requesting the purchase of gift cards or the transfer of funds to an unassociated account.
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Serving at Worship
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
August 30, 2026
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Presiding Minister: Pastor Mark Knappe
Assisting Minister: Pastor Marcus Johnson
Deacons: Marcella Nelson, Andy Foy, Judy Sayas
Acolytes: Peter and Abel Johnson
Lector: Phil Hanson
Organist: Gene Traas
Greeters: George and Kay Sedivec, Paula Altman, Helga Willett
Ushers: Mary Ellen Thiede & Caryl Braatz
PPT: Sallie Schulz
Livestream: Phillip Voss
Altar Guild: Mary Ellen Thiede
Treats: Tom and Lisa Lodde
Flowers: Kris Larsen in memory of her parents Erv and Dorothy Larsen
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Live Stream Access
Unable to make it to our in-person worship service on Sunday? You can view our services by following the link on our website (Calvarylc.com).
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Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17) – August 30, 2026
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’”
- Matthew 16:24-25–
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is well-known among many Lutherans. He was a German-Lutheran pastor and theologian, who died at the hands of Nazis in Germany during World War II. Before his death, Bonhoeffer wrote his work “Cost of Discipleship.” He writes how Christians today have taken advantage of God’s grace, referring to it as “cheap grace.” He says, “Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
God’s grace came at an expensive price: the life his only son Jesus Christ. So often we lose sight of the great cost our God paid on our behalf. So often we want to water down God’s grace, making it more palatable. Discipleship, following Jesus, is not easy. It is a life of sacrifice, and Jesus doesn’t try to pretend that it’s going to be easy for us. His words are plain and simple: deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me.
We are tempted to tell ourselves that it’s ok to miss worship because God will understand; he will forgive us. We want to sweep our sin under the rug and pretend it’s not there. What’s the harm, really? The harm is huge! When we treat God’s amazing gift of grace so frivolously, not only do we diminish the depth of God’s love for us, but we also avoid any form of repentance. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness of our sins. And so ultimately, we have put ourselves in a dangerous position.
God has called us to follow him in every way. We are called to act out of love and compassion for our neighbor. We are called to forgive one another as God forgives us through the sacrifice of Jesus. We are called to make sacrifices in order to make God a priority in our lives. In the moment it might seem difficult, but as Dietrich Bonhoeffer also says, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow Him, but cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2025 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org). 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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New prayer requests or any updates to this current list should be directed to the Church office - office@calvarylc.com
New prayer requests: Helga Miedtke, Bridgette
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Hannah (niece of the Grossmans), Pastor Clark Olson-Smith (friend of Cindy Zilske) , Marta Kretschmann (sister-in-law of Ernie Kretschmann), Laura (family member of Judy Sayas), Faith Wittmus (daughter of the Wittmus'), Sue Smyth (friend of the Lau's), Bill Graffin, Jack (friend of Jonni Roush), John Foley, Diane Knappe,, Lucy Dallmann; Kay Sedivec; Janet Zastrow; Gil Thompson; Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus; Everett Lambert; Hugh Taufner; Dennis Thorp (Pr Jeanette's husband); Jeff Brasch (cousin of Sheila Kershek); Robert Bruns (brother of Carol Rooney); Rich Kebbekus (family friend of Sallie Schulz); Greg Pascucci (friend of Janet Zastrow); Risha Armstrong (Rick Kegel's cousin's daughter); Sue Reich (friend of Mary Lau); Sue White (Lisa Grossman's cousin's wife); Craig (son of John and Mary Lau);
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; Sue Dindorf; Jonni Roush; Jan Tschetter, Darlene Louison
Non-members: Ben Askren (friend of Grossmans' daughter), Russ Singery (friend of Scott and Lisa Grossman), Suzanne & Robert (cousins of Judy Sayas); Sid (father of Sue Meyer); Kara Kretschmann (daughter-in-law of Ernie Kretschmann); Jeff Edwards (friend of Ernie Kretschmann); 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); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus); Bob Armstrong (cousin of Rick Kegel); Wolfgang Schulz (brother-in-law of Salllie Schulz); Gary Orten (friend of John and Mary Lau); Be (friend of Andy Schatz's co-worker); Keenan (friend of Ka Thao); Sandy B. (friend of Sue Wizner); 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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Sara Kalupa 8/27
Jayden Day 8/28
Kathleen Firzlaff 8/28
Julie Matthes 8/29
Bob Jazgar 8/30
Joel Richmond 8/31
Jan Chesner 8/31
Kian Leonard 9/2
Dale Berger 9/2
James Ware 9/3
Pat Foy 9/3
Emma Leonard 9/4
Aaron Duch 9/4
Jeanne Duch 9/4
Anna Baumgartner 9/5
Yongsi Yang 9/7
Sue Sadowsky 9/7
Elton June 9/7
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Mark and Diane Knappe, 9/2 (37 years)
Phil and Mary Hanson, 9/6 (46 years)
Mitch and Beth Foster, 9/7 (35 years)
Joe and Diane Grundman, 9/7 (52 years)
Dave and Carolyn Schuelke, 9/12 (34 years)
Andy and Angie Schatz, 9/23 (26 years)
John and Mary Lau, 9/27 (57 years)
Bob and Caryl Braatz, 9/30 (65 years)
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Sunday August 23rd
9am Worship 119
Livestream Views 11
| | | | Christian Education Opportunities | | |
ADULT BIBLE STUDIES!
Pastor Marcus leads two Bible studies each week.
All are welcome!
Fridays, 2 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
Sundays, a study of Luther's Large Catechism,
10:30 a.m. (Nave)
| | August Mission of the Month - Opportunity International | | |
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.
Last year, Opportunity International served 16.7 million individuals in 28 countries around the world. There vision for the world is: 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.
Last year, Opportunity International reached five million children in low- and middle-income countries and almost one million farming households. With our support, they will reach millions more clients—and those clients will change the world.
•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
We're taking a break for the summer!
Check back in October for more opportunities to fellowship.
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Women's Book Club Resumes!
The women's book club resumes on September 15th from 1-2:30pm in the Media Room. This month's selection: West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge.
In this novel, Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.
It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.
Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.
Please contact Terry Bzdusek (Terrybzdusek@yahoo.com) with any questions.
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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 2026 Church Council
Ernie Kretschmann, David Vogel, Pastor Marcus Johnson, Pat Foy (President), Jill Voss, Keith Pierce, Phil Hanson (Secretary), Lesly Evert (Vice-President), Gordy Gunnlaugsson (Treasurer)
Not pictured: George Sedivec
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Your 2026 Board of Deacons
Ken Miller, Lee Tyne, Ed Ramthun, Theresa MacDonald, Ruth Brostowitz, Andy Foy, Marcella Nelson, Judy Sayas, Lisa Grossman (not pictured: Kevin Wahlgren)
Deacons are assigned by last name. Find where you fit and who your Deacon is below:
Andy Foy (Sa-Sd) (Co-Chair), Ed Ramthun (L, N, O, Se-Sz) (Co-Chair), Lisa Grossman (P, Q, R) (Scheduler), Ruth Brostowitz (G, V), Theresa McDonald (C, H, I, J), Ken Miller (D, E, F), Marcella Nelson (K, T, U), Judy Sayas (W, X, Y, Z), Lee Tyne (A, B), Kevin Wahlgren (M)
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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 the office at office@calvarylc.com.
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