CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | | Your Weekly E-Newsletter December 23, 2025 | |
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
4 pm, December 24, 2025
Livestreamed
Christmas Day Service
10 am, December 25, 2025
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The Office will be closed
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Friday, December 26, 2025
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Christmas Day – December 25, 2025
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
Before my husband and I had children, we enjoyed tent camping. Our favorite spots were in Minnesota’s state parks along the shore of Lake Superior. We enjoyed pitching a tent on the campground. Often, the longest we’d stay at one campground was about three nights. We’d tear everything down, move on to our next campsite, and set everything up all over again.
It was a process. We laid out a tarp, which helped if it rained, we wouldn’t end up with a puddle of water at our feet. Once we had the spot situated, we got all our gear out: sleeping bags and pillows; flashlights and camp chairs. Then we’d get our fancy cookware out: skewers for our hot dogs and marshmallows and our coffee pot that made coffee right on our campfire… best investment ever! Oh yes, we were set! Set-up took at least an hour. Tearing down took longer. And then we’d do it all over again. Now the point of having a tent for camping is that it’s temporary. It isn’t intended for long-term living.
Today we hear from the Christmas story according to the Gospel of John. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word, Jesus Christ, came into the world to dwell among us, among other humans. To better understand this, it helps to look at the original language these verses were written in, which was Greek. The word translated “dwelt” is translated from the Greek word ἐσκήνωσεν (es-kē-NŌ-sĕn), which means, “he dwelt;” “he pitched a tent;” and “he made a tabernacle.” The Word of God pitches his tent with us. Despite the fact he’s got a much better arrangement available, Jesus sets up camp with the people of earth. When Jesus became a human being, God was setting up camp with humans. In the incarnation, God pitched His tent among the people. Jesus Christ—fully God—was dwelling in Heaven. Yet, He came down to earth, to live among us sinners. God sets up camp with us, pitches His tent among the people, and becomes a real flesh and blood human being.
Tents are temporary; they wear out; they only give partial shelter from the elements. The same things can be said about humanity. Human life is temporary. Human bodies wear out. The human condition gives only partial shelter from suffering. But Jesus came to be a real human being, experiencing mortality, pain, frailty, suffering, and humiliation. All experiences that God chose to embrace when He became human. Not at all like the divine experience of perfection, peace, and permanence.
Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2025 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Rev. Theresa Jacobson. 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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Christmas Eve & Day
December 24 - 25, 2025
and
December 28, 2025
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CHRISTMAS EVE - 4 pm
PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Marcus Johnson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Lynnae Douglas
DEACONS: Darlene Louison, Bill Graffin, Lenny Graffin
ACOLYTES: Eli Douglas, Peter Johnson
LECTOR: Youth
USHERS: Needed
ALTAR GUILD: Mary Ellen Thiede
GREETERS: Gordy Gunnlaugsson, Evelyn Ceci
POWERPOINT OPERATORS: Jon Sayas
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Jayden Day
CHRISTMAS Day - 10 am
PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Mark Knappe
ASSISTING MINISTER: Pastor Marcus Johnson
DEACONS: Kevin Wahlgren
ACOLYTES:
LECTOR: Karen Pierce
USHERS:
ALTAR GUILD: Mary Ellen Thiede
GREETERS: Scott & Peggy Langelin
POWERPOINT OPERATORS: Using Bulletins
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Not livestreamed
Sunday, December 28
PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Marcus Johnson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Phil Hanson
DEACONS: 9 am Pat Foy, Ken Miller, Judy Sayas; 11:45 am Ed Ramthun
ACOLYTES: Eli Douglas, Peter Johnson
LECTOR: Chuck Lukasik
USHERS: George Sedivec, Ed Ramthun
ALTAR GUILD: Jonni Roush
GREETERS: Wayne & Bonnie Johnson, Scott & Peggy Langelin
POWERPOINT OPERATORS: 9 am Emilia Evert; 11:45 am Jayden Day
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Jayden Day
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Thank you to the following who purchased poinsettias to decorate our altar and church. Please take your flowers home any time after Christmas Day service.
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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: Kay Sedivec
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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Lynnette Anderson, 12/24
Mike Anderson, 12/24
Joe Grundman, 12/25
Hannah Ware, 12/27
Trinity Cebertowicz, 12/28
Lenny Graffin, 12/28
Ken Miller, 12/28
Gabrielle Hanke, 12/29
Sallie Schulz, 12/31
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Ron & Jean Holman, 12/26 (72 years)
Bob & Donna Siderits, 12/26 (65 years)
Jeremy & Nicole Nowicki, 12/28 (15 years)
Ben & Amy Blobaum, 12/29 (5 years)
Rick & Carol Treadwell, 12/29 (52 years)
Ken & Amanda Olstinski, 12/31 (4 years)
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Giving to Those in Need During the Christmas Season
Mission and Outreach Committee expanded our annual “Mitten Tree” in the Narthex this Christmas Season. You will now see two “Giving Trees”:
· One is the Calvary’s well-known Mitten Tree with a special emphasis on collecting women’s gloves, hats, and scarves in support of Franciscan Peacemakers organization. Additionally, there is also a need for new or gently used sweaters, sweatshirts, winter coats, leggings and boots.
· The other Giving Tree contains a variety of tags, each one identifying item(s) of great need in support of Liberty & Truth Ministries of Milwaukee. Please select a tag or two or three from the tree and attach the tag to your item upon returning it to the box in the Narthex.
None of these items need to be wrapped.
Please make your donations to the Giving Trees by the end of December as the items will be delivered in early January.
Mission and Outreach thanks Calvary’s saints for sharing your gifts of generosity during this most blessed season!
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Giving to Those in Need During the Christmas Season
Mission and Outreach Committee expanded our annual “Mitten Tree” in the Narthex this Christmas Season. You will now see two “Giving Trees”:
· One is the Calvary’s well-known Mitten Tree with a special emphasis on collecting women’s gloves, hats, and scarves in support of Franciscan Peacemakers organization. Additionally, there is also a need for new or gently used sweaters, sweatshirts, winter coats, leggings and boots.
· The other Giving Tree contains a variety of tags, each one identifying item(s) of great need in support of Liberty & Truth Ministries of Milwaukee. Please select a tag or two or three from the tree and attach the tag to your item upon returning it to the box in the Narthex.
None of these items need to be wrapped.
Please make your donations to the Giving Trees by the end of December as the items will be delivered in early January.
Mission and Outreach thanks Calvary’s saints for sharing your gifts of generosity during this most blessed season!
| | 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 -- Cancelled Friday, December 26, 2025
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
| | December Mission of the Month | | |
Mission of the Month - Lutheran Seminaries
In December we raise up a vital Mission of the Month supporting the training of pastors for service in the North American Lutheran Churches.
Bolstered by an interdependent network of five campuses, the North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) is part of God’s movement in this culture, time and place. Over the next decade, hundreds will be raised and formed in the Great Tradition of confessional and evangelical Lutheran Faith. The NALS is singularly focused on forming pastors and church leaders with an education that is shaped by Christian tradition and bound by the Holy Scriptures.
Upheld by world-class faculty, students have time and opportunity to reflect on the depth and beauty of their faith and be properly formed. The NALS has a commitment to truly cultivate the foundation and the deep roots necessary for tomorrow’s pastors and church leaders to be the stewards of classic, orthodox, biblical theology in preparation for Word and Sacrament ministry in the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
OUR MISSION at ILT
ILT, as an institution of higher education, shall preserve, promote and propagate the classical Christian tradition from a Lutheran perspective.
OUR VISION
Centered in the Word of God and the Cross of Christ, ILT students will be grounded in the Bible, rooted in the classical Christian tradition, understand the contemporary cultural horizon, and think critically in the proclamation and advancement of the Gospel. Click here to learn more about ILT.
Please consider supporting these seminaries in their godly work.
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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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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 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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