Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday November 23, 2023

Our Old Testament lesson this weekend is from Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24. This devotion is on verse 12 and is taken from "Come Boldly". The author, Elisabeth Elliot, is a Christian author and former missionary.

As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them. - Ezekiel 34:12



“The Lord Our Shepherd”

We know what we need --- a yes or no answer, please, to a simple question. Or perhaps a road sign. Something quick and easy to point the way. But what we really ought to have is the Guide himself. Maps, road signs, a few useful phrases are good things, but infinitely better is someone who has been there before and knows the way.

The Lord is my Shepherd. He can see to everything if we are willing to turn it all over (even the equipment, even the route), but we will not do this unless we believe He means what He says. Can His word be trusted? He has made countless promises. Is He going to fulfill them?

To say yes to these questions is to have faith. It is to start following. The sheep, trusting the shepherd, trots after him down the trail.

But the picture of the Eastern shepherd with his robes and staff, the flock of sheep, the stony path through the ravine, the dark valley, and the grassy place with the quiet pool are so remote from our lives as to seem no more than a romantic painting from another country and another age. We live in towns and cities and suburbs. Our days are full of perplexities far removed from the things that bother rams and ewes and lambs. We muddle along through the thousand decisions of an ordinary day. When we are aware of the need for help in one of them, it is not one relating to good pasturage or a water supply. Time and money fill our minds: how to get them, how to use them, how to save them. But the God of the pastures is, let us not forget, the God of everywhere else. He knows just as much about suburbia or the inner city. He is not at a loss to know what to do with us, no matter where we are or what we are anxious about. Every last thing that enters our heads is known to him.

Day of Pentecost

Christ the King Sunday

November 25-26, 2023



Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:14

You may have noticed some additions to the Narthex and Sancturary in the past several weeks. We are working to help Calvary present a family-friendly "look and feel" to all who enter! In the Narthex, we have both blessing bags for kiddos to use while in worship, along with a refreshed bookcase with faithful and fun stories for a variety of ages.

New this week is our Little Lutherans area! Located in the back of the sanctuary, we have placed several tables for our little Lutherans complete with coloring books, activity pages, and some stories. This area is directly behind the last pew, so families can sit in the pew and kiddos can quietly be busy right behind them.  

INTER-GENERATIONAL BIRTHDAY PARTY - Friday, November 17

Participants of all ages came together last Friday night to celebrate their birthday. Tables were arranged by birthday month. Party-goers participated in a trivia question challenge (congrats to the MARCH table for taking first place honors), a game of "Rock, Paper Scissors", and each table decorated a birthday cake, which was enjoyed by all.

High School Youth Group met last Sunday and enjoyed a game of "Pie Face". Participants load whipped cream on the pie thrower arm and place their head on the chin rest. You spin to see how many times you have to turn the crank on the thrower. Each time luck favors you and you don't get pie-faced, you earn a point. However, if the crank decides it is your turn to get a "pie in the face", watch out! First one to reach 25 points wins! Ellie and Scott both got pie-faced!

Care Net Pregnancy Center is a newer mission for Calvary and we are thrilled to be part of those helping to fund and spread its good work. Several of us have visited and volunteered on site and have witnessed the work of God that this group does.



Mission: To share the love of Christ and the hope of the Gospel with women facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Services: Pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, life-affirming options counseling, material support for mom and baby, classes and groups for pregnant and new moms and post-abortion counseling.

Last year they performed 904 pregnancy tests and 967 ultrasounds. They gave out over 60,000 diapers and met with 1,474 different women.

So far this year they have had over 160 women take classes, and each woman takes an average of about 10 classes.

Approximately 70% of women considering abortion choose life after visiting Care Net.

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.

We Are Hosting a Christmas Concert You Won't Want to Miss!

We are excited to have Award-winning artist Erin Krebs join us for a free Holiday Concert

on Friday, December 1 at 7:00 pm. Invite your friends and family to join us for this

night of special holiday music!

To learn more about this very talented artist, please click HERE.

Just a reminder that contributions to the NALC's 20/20 Vision Campaign need to be designated as "NALC" either on your giving envelope or on your check. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Rooks at finance@calvarylc.com.

For an update on the NALC's 20/20 Vision campaign, click on the link below to watch an update from Bishop Selbo. This video highlights the work we are doing, the ways in which gifts to the initiative are already being used, and the impact future gifts will have in our shared witness and mission.

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 for 2024 has been posted on the bulletin board.  Thank you for your support!

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 you taking the time to complete this each week. It helps us know that our Live Stream is being viewed and by whom. 

Thank you!

CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH www.calvarylc.com

Regular office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - noon 262.786.4010

Questions or comments? Email Sue Rowe at communications@calvarylc.com