CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | |
Your Weekly E-Newsletter - January 23, 2025 | |
Copies of the 2024 Annual Report will be available on the table in the Narthex | |
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Proposed Amendment to the Bylaws
Regarding Endowment Fund Distributions
The Calvary Council and Endowment Committee recommend a change to the Calvary Bylaws. The current Bylaws encourage short-term planning for investments and distributions of the Endowment Fund. The recommended changes provide for longer, more consistent planning and are in line with the distribution policies of many other endowments. Attached are details of the changes as well as some frequently asked questions with answers. The change to the Bylaws will be voted on at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 2, 2025. The changes will also be included in the Informational Meeting on Sunday, January 26. Ernie Kretschmann, Endowment Chairperson, is also available for any questions.
You can view the proposed amendment HERE.
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This Week's Devotional - Listening for the Promise | |
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“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.”
- Nehemiah 8:8 -
Sometimes when we pick up the Bible the words don’t make any sense to us at all. Even though we are reading it in our own language, there is something about it that is not really our language. There are words and ideas that are confusing and foreign. Sometimes we need to work hard to understand them. And that’s nothing new.
When they returned from their exile, the people of Israel were re-introduced to the laws of their ancestors. When they had finished rebuilding the Temple, the prophet Ezra read the law out loud to all the people. They were reminded of who their God was, what he had done for his people, and what was required of them. After their long period in exile, the people needed this reminder.
But Ezra didn’t stop with just reading the text to the people. He also helped them understand it. Nehemiah says he “gave the sense.” Their time of exile had made the word of God sound strange to them. It was foreign to their ears. They needed some help in understanding it, and that is what Ezra provided. He helped the people figure out what this word meant.
This is exactly what we continue to do in churches today. We don’t simply read the Bible to each other and then go home. We talk about it. We study it. We wrestle with it. We explain it. We work to find the sense so that these strange words of scripture start to become our language, the language of our faith.
As we begin to understand the sense of Scripture we begin to see more and more about who our God is, what he has done, what he is doing in the world. And the center of what God is doing in the world is bringing salvation through Jesus Christ. That is the Word made known to us in Scripture. And the proclamation of that Word of Christ is what moves us from confusion to faith. When the Word of Christ is proclaimed, it opens our ears, our hearts, and our minds, so that the language of God becomes our language. That Word of Christ is simply this, your sins have been forgiven, taken from you, on account of Jesus death and resurrection.
Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2024, Sola Publishing
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3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
January 25-26, 2025
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
ASSISTING MINISTER: Lee Tyne
DEACONS: Saturday: Ed Ramthun
Sunday: Bill Graffin, Darlene Louison, Pat Foy, Ruth Brostowitz
ACOLYTE: Grace Moritz
LECTOR: Chuck Lukasik
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE: Angie Schatz
USHERS: Caryl Braatz and Jon Sayas
ALTAR GUILD: Jan Lukasik
GREETERS: Wayne and Bonnie Johnson, Scott and Peggy Langelin
FELLOWSHIP TREATS: Marilyn Hermann and Everett Lambert
FLOWERS: Kalupa family in Memory of Rita Kalupa
POWERPOINT OPERATORS:
Saturday: Cindy Rooks
Sunday: Jessica Dudzik
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Chris Dudzik
This weekend's hymns: "The Church's One Foundation', LBW #369; "Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet", CCLI #14301 (Listen to it here: Spotify or YouTube); "We are Marching in the Light of God", WOV #650.
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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: Randy Wizner
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Sandie Rupnick; Judy Sayas; Linda Richmond; Shirley Mahn, Ka Thao; Nadine Schuelke; Sue Dindorf; John Schwartz; Laura Burger; Mike Santell (brother-in-law of Judy Sayas); Ari (friend of Lizzy Dudzik); Keenan (friend of Ka Thao); Dan Franceschini (father-in-law of Brian Kretschmann); Sandy B. (friend of Randy and Sue Wizner); Michael Crowley (friend of Glori Kurth); 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); Barbara Runge (friend of Jeanette Kalupa); Nancy Berth (friend of the Calvary Knitting Group); Jack Banker (brother-in-law of Mary Lau); Brian Nowak (cousin of Ernie Kretschmann's niece); 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); 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; Jonni Roush; Sue Rowe; Jan Tschetter; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Jeff Edwards (friend of Ernie Kretschmann); Jean Asleson (friend of Linda Thorpe); 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); 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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Cindy Rooks, 1/24
Susie Vollmar, 1/25
Bode Zipp, 1/25
Diane Iverson, 1/27
Jeanette Bauer, 1/28
Tony Denice, 1/28
Josiah Blobaum, 2/2
Nancy Marsho, 2/2
Tina Baumgartner, 2/5
Jim Marsho, 2/5
Erwin Ramthun, 2/5
Johanna Nelson, 2/7
Ernie Ernst, 2/8
Bryant Moritz, 2/11
Diane Knappe, 2/13
Philip Voss, 2/14
Lydia Trudell, 2/16
Wayne Johnson, 2/18
Carolyn Gillespie, 2/19
Connor Voss, 2/21
Robert Vollmar, 2/24
Luther Himsel, 2/25
Josh Brooks, 2/26
Sandy Voerman, 2/29
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Alex and Margaux Baumgarten, 1/25 (5 years)
Jiafu and Sophia Liu, 1/27 (25 years)
Joel and Linda Richmond, 1/30 (43 years)
Sue and Mike Rowe, 2/14 (44 years)
Nicole and Bryant Moritz, 2/20 (16 years)
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Faith Formation/Youth Ministry | |
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Intergenerational Ministry
ALL ARE INVITED!
Friday, January 31
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Come for a night of fun, trivia and laughs! We will be playing "Pub-Style" trivia and your team will be the people at your table. There will be questions for ALL ages from Bluey to Lawrence Welk and everything in between! The sign-up sheet is on the Coming Events kiosk in the Narthex.
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Mardi Gras Dinner
Tuesday, March 4
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
All are invited to join us for a delicious dinner prepared by our Calvary youth! We will have some Mardi Gras favorites, along with some yummy homemade treats.
A Free Will Offering will be taken to support the Summer Youth Activities.
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Church Life Event ... Save the Date! | |
Saturday, March 1, 6:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall
It's time to start working on those winning soup and chili recipes as you compete with Pastor Ken for the best dish this year! More details to follow in early February! Let's make this the best cook-off yet!
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Christian Education/Bible Study | | |
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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 "The Battle Plan for Prayer".
"The Battle Plan for Prayer" begins with prayer’s core purpose, its Biblical design, and its impact throughout history. Participants will be guided scripturally through the fundamentals of how effective prayer works. They will be inspired towards a closer, more intimate relationship with God, while being shown how to develop specific prayer strategies for each area of life. Prayer can accomplish what a willing God can accomplish. It should be our first plan of attack in all of life’s battles, not our last resort. If you want to experience the joy of mightily answered prayer, then it’s time to engage with God at another level.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Janet Zastrow at janetzastrow@att.net.
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Mission of the Month - TeachBeyond and Leah Federwitz | |
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In January we raise up a vital Mission of the Month organization that seeks to provide transformational education services to the global community. They are equipped to send Christ-centered teachers to many international schools throughout the world, including Ukarumpa International School in Papua New Guinea, where Leah Federwitz now teaches in the school she once attended.
TeachBeyond recruits and sends Christian educators, administrators, and workers to serve in many different schools and organizations across the globe. TeachBeyond is a mission organization that equips educators, schools, and organizations to serve our Lord in pursuit of a common vision for transformational education, having dozens of consultants and coaches who work with like-minded schools and organizations to provide continuing education to teachers, administrators, boards, and school owners. TeachBeyond works in partnership with local groups, organizations, and institutions to supports a number of K-12 schools, English language learning programs, and projects across the globe. Click here (TeachBeyond - Home) to be directed to the TeachBeyond website for more information.
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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Leah Federwitz
Leah Federwitz - Leah Federwitz is the daughter of missionaries Jonathan and Carrie Federwitz. She is a missionary teacher with TeachBeyond, supporting Bible translation by providing an education to missionary kids in Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Ukarumpa International School (UIS).
Leah grew up as a missionary kid in PNG and attended UIS throughout her childhood. After graduating from UIS in 2018, she returned to the U.S. to attend college at Concordia University Wisconsin, where she graduated in December 2021 with a degree in Lutheran Elementary Education. Following her college graduation, she returned to PNG to work as an aide at UIS for six months. Feeling God’s call to stay on as a full-time teacher, she taught there for another year and a half via an internship with Wycliffe Bible Translators. When she returned to the U.S. in December 2023, she became a member of TeachBeyond, and in July 2024 has once again returned to PNG as a teacher at UIS.
In order to serve as a missionary teacher overseas, Leah is reliant on a team of partners to stand behind her. These partners include people who encourage her, pray regularly for her and support her financially. If you wish to be among Leah’s supporters, you can connect with Leah via email at leah.federwitz@gmail.com or lfederwitz@teachbeyond.org.
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Women's Book Group
Monday, February 10, 2025
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Media Room
"The Maid"
by Nita Prose
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Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.
Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.
But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?
A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.
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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, January 16 at 6:00 p.m.
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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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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