CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | | Your Weekly E-Newsletter - May 8, 2025 | | Listening for the Promise | | |
“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit,
not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit
testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.”
- Acts 20:22-23
We used to have an unofficial rule for the summer camp staff. We discouraged them from telling the kids exactly what the schedule for the day was. We didn’t want the kids to get all geared up for a game of Bonkers and then have to deal with the near revolt if we had to change to a different game instead. Part of the purpose of this rule was to teach kids to live in the present, not always looking ahead to what comes next.
What we found was that this “rule” really frustrated the campers. All day long they would ask their counselors what was coming next. What’s for lunch? What game are we playing tonight? Who is lifeguarding? What’s for supper? And all day long counselors would answer, “Wait and see.”
Taking life as it comes, receiving what we are given is not our specialty. We like to prepare and plan and be ready. We like to have a good sense of what is coming next. And if what is coming next is something we don’t like, we work hard to come up with ways to avoid it.
In Acts we see a very different approach from the Apostle Paul. He is going to be traveling to Jerusalem without a clear sense of what will happen once he gets there. He doesn’t know what is coming his way. The only glimpse he gets into the future is that what is coming includes hardship. It includes things that will be unpleasant.
Uncertainty doesn’t cause Paul to say, “Maybe I should just stay home.” It doesn’t cause him to throw a tantrum demanding to know what is in store for him. Instead, Paul accepts that the future is, in many ways, uncertain, but he trusts that his future is in God’s hands. He trusts that, come what may, God is watching over his journey. God holds his life in his care. God does the same for each of us. We don’t know exactly where our lives will take us. We don’t know exactly where God will call us to go. But wherever the Spirit sends us, we can go out with confidence that this Spirit goes with us. God is trustworthy. And whatever mission he has in store for each of us is a mission in his hands.
Source: Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2024 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Julie A. Smith.
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Join us after worship on Sunday, May 25 in Fellowship Hall for a reception to thank Pastor Jerry Wittmus for his service during the Call Process. There is a box on the table in the Narthex to collect any cards you may want to give to Pastor Jerry, and they will be given to him at the reception. If you’d like to contribute towards a group gift, please make checks payable to Calvary, designate it “Pastor Jerry Gift” and drop it off in the office or place in the offering basket.
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Calvary Clean Up Day
Calvary Clean Up Day is Saturday, May 31, starting at 8 am. Many hands make light work. Please come when you can and leave when you must. Focus will be on trimming bushes, trees, etc.; weeding, and possibly spreading some mulch. Please bring your trimmers, gloves, and other appropriate tools for the job. We will try to wrap up work by noonish.
Please sign up in the Narthex so the team can plan accordingly. Thank you!
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 10-11, 2025
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
ASSISTING MINISTER: Larry Bonier
DEACONS: Saturday: Ken Miller
Sunday: Lenny Graffin, Bill Graffin, Judy Sayas
ACOLYTES: Bristol and Piper Nowicki
LECTORS: Jon Sayas
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE: Larry Bonier
USHERS: Keith and Karen Pierce
ALTAR GUILD: RoJean Holler
GREETERS: Carol Roe, Jonni Roush, Judy Sayas
FELLOWSHIP TREATS: Linda Thorpe
FLOWERS: Linda Thorpe for love of family
POWERPOINT OPERATORS:
Saturday: Jessica Dudzik
Sunday: Jessica Dudzik
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Chris Dudzik
This weekend's hymns: "Now All the Vault to Heaven Resounds", LBW #143; "All We Sinners Sang" CCLI #16880 Listen to it here: YOUTUBE or SPOTIFY; "The Strife is O'er", LBW #135.
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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 comfort and sympathy for the family of Heather Hickling (sister of Sallie Schulz) on the passing of Heather's husband; and to Pastor Ken Nelson and his family on the passing of his sister Gayle.
New prayer requests: Donna Schroeder; Sonny Bitseedy (friend of Glori Kurtz); Linda DePietro (friend of Sue Rowe); Tom Schatz (father of Andy Schatz); Wolfgang Schulz (brother-in-law of Salllie Schulz)
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Ellie Sayas; Barb Snyder; Randy Wizner; Sandie Rupnick; John Schwartz; Ka Thao; Bobby Scharer (cousin of Cindy Zilske); Kara Kretschmann (daughter-in-law of Ernie Kretschmann); Stan Strykalski (friend of Ernie Kretschmann); Gary and Margie Orten (friends of John and Mary Lau); Be (friend of Andy Schatz's co-worker); Jan Trede (friend of Ernie Kretschmann); 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); Nate Kreiter (friend of Rick Kegel); Bonnie Nelson (former Calvary member); Jack Banker (brother-in-law of Mary Lau); Creig Moritz (brother of Bryant Moritz); Edward Hermann (son of Marilyn Hermann); Larry Larsen (brother of Kris Larsen); John Kretschmann (brother of Ernie Kretschmann); Paul Mahn (son of Shirley Mahn); Amy Clark (friend of Megan Scott)
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); 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; Sue Dindorf; Jonni Roush; Sue Rowe; Nadine Schuelke; Jan Tschetter; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: 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); Karen (friend of Lydia Trudell); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus)
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Bristol Nowicki, 5/11
Hayley Smith, 5/11
Marilyn Herman, 5/12
Odin Brooks, 5/13
Jeanette Kalupa, 5/14
Linda Thorpe, 5/15
Emma Schlieve, 5/18
Kurt Duch, 5/21
Donna Ziegler, 5/22
Janet Zastrow, 5/23
Andy Schatz, 5/24
Dale Altmin, 5/26
Xavier Griese, 5/26
Tom Jenke, 5/26
Tom Sadowsky, 5/26
Bonnie Vasatko, 5/29
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Larry and Bonnie Vasatko, 5/3 (56 years)
Tony and Krista Dentice, 5/10 (11 years)
Scott and Lisa Grossman, 5/14 (48 years)
Bill and Betty Clayton, 5/15 (60 years)
Jeff and Melissa Griese, 5/19 (21 years)
Ken and Lisa Miller, 5/24 (13 years)
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The parsonage is ready for Pastor Marcus and family. There has been a team doing an awesome job painting, cleaning, making repairs, etc. to ready the parsonage. New carpet was also installed. Thank you to Chet Elliot, Dave Friday, Rick Kegel, Brian Kretschmann, Ernie Kretschmann, and Ken & Marcella Nelson. Your help was invaluable.
| | | | Hope You Can Join Us and Bring a Friend! | | |
Do you answer calls from phone numbers you don't recognize? Your voice may be recorded to use in a scam. Did you know that scammers can also utilize Artificial Intelligence to record and manipulate your voice so that it can be used to scam others.
Online crimes against children have increased dramatically and parents need to be more aware of the websites their children are visiting. In many cases, they think they are "talking" with other kids, when in reality it is an evil person trying to get into their lives.
The Church Life Committee is pleased to sponsor the following two presentations described below that will be held at Calvary on June 18th. The information will be shared by Ben Merens, Outreach Specialist with the Division of Trade & Consumer Protection (Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection WDATC). As Wisconsin's lead agency for consumer protection, this Bureau provides information, education, mediates complaints, investigates cases, and takes enforcement actions to fight fraudulent and deceptive practices that harm consumers. And these practices are becoming more prevalent every day!
Join us and bring a friend! These presentations are free and open to the public.
There will be time for refreshments and questions.
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Wednesday, June 18
2:00 p.m.
COMMON SCAMS & FRAUDS TARGETING SENIORS
The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss the details of common scams that target seniors. This will include the warning signs of a scam and what to do if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam or fraud. Helpful fact sheets will be available.
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Wednesday, June 18
7:00 p.m.
INTERNET SAFETY FOR CHILDREN
The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss safe practices for children while accessing the internet. Children often have access to the internet at home, school, or even a friend's house and they access the internet on a variety of different devices. Parents should be aware of their children's online activities to keep them safe. Topics will include gaming, downloading apps, sharing photos, and clicking on links. Consumer Protection Bureau will also discuss laws that give parents control over what information a business can collect on a child and how that information can be used. This is an important presentation for all parents to attend!
| | | Theater Outing - Sunset Playhouse | | |
The Church Life Committee is sponsoring a theater outing to Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove on Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $19/each, sold on a first come/first serve basis (we have secured 30 tickets.) Our seats are in the first four rows of the theater (wheelchair seating is available). This performance is appropriate for all age groups. Ticket order forms are on the table in the Narthex, and will be available to purchase until June 5 or when tickets sell out, whichever comes first.
What will we be seeing? The performance is MISS HOLMES, a smart fast-paced Sherlock Holmes with a twist! When an anonymous note sends a newlywed wife looking for help, Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson work together to uncover the secrets surrounding a corrupt police inspector whose wives have a habit of turning up dead.
Miss Holmes possesses one of the greatest deductive minds of her generation. Dr. Watson struggles to make a difference at the only hospital in London that will hire female doctors. This clever reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic characters pits its heroines not only against cunning criminal masterminds, but also against the rigid and restrictive rules of Victorian society.
“Being the world’s greatest detective is even harder when one is metaphorically doing it backward and in high heels.” –Chicago Tribune
| | Faith Formation/Youth Ministry | | VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! | | |
TRUE NORTH VBS
August 4 - 8, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. daily
Welcoming Explorers: Age 3 - Completed 5th grade
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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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Birthday Party/Baby Shower to benefit CareNet
Janet Zastrow invites you to join her on Friday, May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall to celebrate her 88th birthday with a baby shower for CareNet Pregnancy Services in Milwaukee. Guests are asked to bring a donation of baby items such as diapers, wipes and baby wash. They also accept donations of new and gently used maternity clothes, baby clothes and other baby items such as strollers, bouncy seats, infant toys, etc.
| | | | Mission of the Month - COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL | | |
Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. This is done in a variety of ways. For the Calvary congregation, we are most familiar with their Water of Life and Child Sponsorship programs. Dave DeBruine will be with us on Sunday, May 18 to share a little more information about Compassion International.
In prior years, our focus has been on the Water of Life program to purchase water filtration systems. Thankfully, this program has been so successful that there is a limit of how many new systems they need each year. The Water of Life program is part of the larger “WaSH” program which stands for Water Sanitation and Hygiene. Donations directed to WaSH might be used for Water of Life but if all the units have already been acquired for the year, the funds would be used for wells, filtration systems, water storage or sanitation facilities.
Every $1 invested in Water and Sanitation Priority Initiative creates a $4 return because whole communities spend less on healthcare and more on education and in the local economy.
The Most Popular Interventions include:
- Drilling wells
- Facilitating waste collection and management
- Providing water filtration systems
- Installing rainwater harvesting systems
- Building water storage and pumping systems
- Providing hygiene education
- Building septic systems
- Training community members on equipment maintenance
- Constructing toilets and washrooms
To support this important Mission of the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope or designate the donation as "Mission of the Month" in your online giving.
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Women's Book Group
Monday May 12, 2025
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Media Room
"The Islands of Sea Women"
by Lisa See
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Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends who come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility—but also danger.
Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook find it impossible to ignore their differences. The Island of Sea Women takes place over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point.
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NEW! Enjoy a Christian Movie
First and Third Tuesday of the Month
Join Janet Zastrow on Tuesday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. to watch a series of Christian films created by the Kendrick Brothers.
The next film that Janet will be showing is "Lifemark Inspired". David’s comfortable world is turned upside down when his birthmother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she’s only held once. With the encouragement of his adoptive parents, David embarks on a journey of discovery that leads to a staggering truth from his past. From executive producers Kirk Cameron and the Kendrick Brothers—creators of War Room and Fireproof—comes LIFEMARK, inspired by an incredible true story that celebrates the gift of life.
The prior movies "Overcomer", "Fireproof", "Courageous" and "Show Me the Father" are available in DVD format for you to borrow to watch at home. The church office has the copies and they can be checked out anytime.
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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
Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m.
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. Additionally, "Meet Your Deacon" fellowship time will be held on Sunday, May 18th following worship.
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 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, 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!
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Calvary Library Re-Organization
The Calvary Library, located near the Sanctuary entrance doors on the west end of the building, has been sorted and reorganized. A huge thank you to Pastor Ken Nelson who spent many hours reviewing and organizing the books into manageable categories.
We have an extensive array of titles ranging from personal devotion to reference works for more in-depth Bible study. There is no catalog, color-coded categorizing, or “checking out” process – just peruse sections of the library at your leisure and take any volumes you wish for as long as you wish. When you are finished, we ask you to place books in the box labeled “returns”, and our staff will see that they are returned to their proper section.
In addition, Calvary has a large collection of group Bible and Christian-themed studies, many with DVD’s, Leader Guides and participant books, by such popular authors as Max Lucado, Philip Yancey, and Steven King (of SOLA Lutheran Publishing). These are stored in the Media Room in the Christian Education wing of the church. If you are not sure where this is, ask our staff or stop in and they can guide you to them.
Finally, in the entry of the church there is a library of children’s books, organized by Bible theme, story Bibles, as well as Christmas and Lent/Easter books. This is just around the corner from the main library.
We hope you will make use of our library soon. If you would like to donate something to our library, please bring books to the church office for staff placement on the shelves.
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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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