CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday November 30, 2023 | |
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We Are Hosting a Christmas Concert You Won't Want to Miss!
We are excited to have jazz singer and 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.
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Lessons & Carols - Sunday, December 10, 9 a.m.
Our Lessons and Carols service this year celebrates the Great "O" Antiphons, closely connected with the season of Advent, originating sometime in the eighth century and preserved via the Latin tongue, but translated here into English. They are the antiphons that traditionally accompanied the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23.
They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well.
Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah. The well-loved Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmauel” is based on these seven ancient prayers.
O Sapienta (Wisdom) of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
O Adonai (Leader) of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse’s) stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
O Clavis David (Key of David),
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
O Oriens (Radiant Dawn),
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
O Rex Gentium (King of all nations) and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
O Emmanuel, (God Among Us) our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
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Upcoming Advent and Christmas
Worship Services & Resources
There will not be mid-week Advent services this year. However, an Advent daily devotional book, "This is My Son", is available on the table in the Narthex.
Sunday, December 3 - First Sunday of Advent (Guest musician Gela Ashcroft)
Sunday, December 10 - Lessons & Carols (9 a.m. worship)
Sunday, December 17 - Family Christmas Program (9 a.m. worship)
Saturday, December 23 - 5 p.m. Service (Fourth Sunday of Advent)
Sunday, December 24 - 9 a.m.. Service (Fourth Sunday of Advent)
Sunday, December 24 - 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Monday, December 25 - 9 a.m. Christmas Day Service
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Reflection on this weekend's Scripture reading | |
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The psalm for this weekend is Psalm 80: 1-7.
“Making Good out of Evil”
Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Israel like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory to Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh
Show us your mighty power, Come to rescue us!
Ten sons of Jacob were out in the pasture, tending sheep when they noticed their younger brother, Joseph, walking toward them. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said. Joseph was Papa’s favorite son, and he kept having dreams about how he would rule over his family.
So the brothers ambushed Joseph and threw him into a pit .But instead of killing him, they decided to sell him to a passing caravan.
This event sent Joseph on a wild ride of ups and downs. Slavery turned into household management; false accusation and imprisonment turned into prison management; and a bold encounter with the king made him second-in- command. A famine led to a reunion with his brothers and father. Through it all, Joseph maintained his faith that God was shepherding him. “God turned into good what you meant for evil, “ he later told his brothers. (Genesis 50:20)
Psalm 80 seems to echo the sentiments of Joseph. In fact, in Hebrew, the term used for Israel in verse one is the name, Joseph. No doubt Joseph prayed this sort of prayer many times in the pit and in prison.
Just as Joseph and the psalmist kept turning to God and trusting him to turn evil into good, so we, too, must keep looking to God in difficult times.
(Source: “The One-year Book of Psalms”)
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Day of Pentecost
1st Sunday of Advent
December 2-3, 2023
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
ASSISTING MINISTER: Jessica Dudzik
DEACONS:
· Saturday: Larry Bonier
· Sunday: Judy Kestly, Lenny Graffin, Diane Grundman
ACOLYTES:
- Noah Ciszewski and Sean Moritz
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
USHERS:
- George Sedivec and Ed Ramthun
- Jane Krause
LECTOR:
ALTAR GUILD:
GREETERS:
- Paula Altman
- Evelyn Ceci
- Judy DeBruine
FELLOWSHIP:
- Incredible, Unforgettable Calvary Bake Off!
FLOWERS: Kalupa Family in memory of Gabriele Muth
POWERPOINT OPERATOR:
- Jeanette Kalupa/Saturday
- Sue Rowe/Sunday
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR:
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The Incredible, Unforgettable Calvary Bake Off! | |
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We will have some delightful baked goods this Sunday after worship. There are (11) entries of various cakes, cookies and bars.
Please come into Fellowship Hall after worship, grab a cup of coffee and have a seat. The Bake Off entries and further instructions on sampling and voting will be given around 10:30 a.m.
There will be donuts set out for our kiddos to enjoy before they head to Sunday School.
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This will be a deliciously fun event! | | | |
2024 Pledge Cards
Thank you to all who have returned their 2024 pledge cards.
If you haven't had a change to return yours, please drop in the Offering basket or church office as soon as possible.
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Celebration of Life - Grace Gunnlaugsson
The Gunnlaugsson family invites friends and loved ones to attend a Celebration of Life for Grace on Monday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m. at Calvary.
There will be a short reflection on Grace's life in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception and reminiscing in Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments will be served.
Grace's presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of kindness and love will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.
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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: None
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Laura Burger; Peggy (niece of Judy DeBruine); Sandy (friend of Linda Thorpe); Gerald van Zyverden (nephew of Lisa Grossman); Jim Walters (cousin of Krista Dentice); Lynn Weber (godmother of Angie Schatz); Karly Bambanek (friend of Joanne Schultz); Wolf Knappe (father of Pastor Mark Knappe); Sue Miller (sister of Mary Ellen Thiede); Peter Vang (relative of Ka Thao); Edward Hermann (son of Marilyn Hermann); Courtney Cook (friend of Lenny Graffin); Dennis Krupa, Nate Kreiter, Matti Beilfuss (friends of Rick Kegel); Sharon Anderson (mother of Deron Anderson); Lou Dangler (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Paul Mahn (son of Shirley Mahn); Hunter Green (nephew of Andy and Angie Schatz); Tom Schatz (father of Andy Schatz); Susie Barnhart and Amy Clark (friends of Megan Scott); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce).
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.
Serving in the Military: Dan Berger (serving in the U.S. Marines); 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 (U.S. Air Force, grandchild of Ardath Olson); Kyle Pierce (son of Karen and Keith Pierce, serving in the U.S. Army); Karmen Thomas (friend of Tony and Krista Dentice 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 (PTSD).
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; Ron Foster; Bev Lawson; Shirley Mahn, Sue Rowe; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Mark Sturms (cousin of Cindy Zilske); Ron Parker (brother of Linda Thorpe); Mary (sister-in-law of Jane Taufner); 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); Barb Anderson (friend of Lisa Grossman); Gareth George (cousin of Judy Sayas); Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son); Karen (friend of Lydia Trudell); Susan Petropoulos (sister of Wayne Johnson); Tom Dallman (husband of Lucy Dallman); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus)
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Diane Grundman, 12/1
Nicole Moritz, 12/1
Shelby Rose, 12/2
John Foley, 12/5
Nadine Schuelke, 12/11
Caleb Liu, 12/14
Brian Kretschmann, 12/15
Amanda Olstinski, 12/15
Bob Smith, 12/15
Ray Chesner, 12/17
Donnie Dentice, 12/17
Pat Treutelaar, 12/18
Ingrid Nelson, 12/19
Judy Sayas, 12/19
Ron Holman, 12/20
Carol Rooney, 12/20
Margaux Baumgarten, 12/21
Dean Schmelzer, 12/22
Rick Treadwell, 12/22
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Al and Rhonda Rodriguez, 12/23 (51 years)
Ron and Jean Holman, 12/26 (70 years)
Bob and Donna Siderits, 12/26 (63 years)
Jeremy and Nicole Nowicki, 12/28 (13 years)
Ben and Amy Blobaum, 12/29 (3 years)
Rick and Carol Treadwell, 12/29 (50 years)
Ken and Amanda Olstinski, 12/31 (2 years)
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Christmas Poinsettia Plant Order Form
Red, white and pink poinsettia plants are available to purchase again this year and will be used to decorate the altar for our Christmas Eve/Day services. The plants are from Shady Lane Greenhouse in Menomonee Falls and are top quality with two plants per 7-1/2" pot. The plants (available in red, white or pink) are $25 each and can be taken home following the Christmas Day worship service at 9:00 a.m.
If you'd like to order a plant or two, please complete an order form (available in the Narthex on the kiosk) or printable from the link below. Completed forms and payment can be dropped off in the office or in the offering baskets. Deadline for ordering plants is Monday, December 11.
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Community Outreach Opportunities | |
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
DECEMBER 28, 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
The Church Life Committee is pleased to partner with students from Brookfield Central High School in sponsoring a Community Blood Drive.
How can you help? The Red Cross is looking for donations of Christmas cookies or baked goods to offer to participants at the conclusion of their donation. If you are able to provide anything, please send an email to communications@calvarylc.com so that we can advise the Red Cross.
If you'd like to sign up to donate blood, please click on the SIGN UP button below. All donors will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt and be entered for a chance to win a $25 Lou Malnati's gift card! Plus, thanks to Prime Video & their new film CANDY CANE LANE, you will get a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and 65" Amazon Fire TV! There will be 12 winners! Terms: rcblood.org/Amazon.
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November Mission of the Month
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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.
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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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Elementary School (1st - 5th grade)
Monthly Youth Group, Sunday December 10, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Middle School (6-8th grade)
Monthly Youth Group, Sunday, December 17, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
High School (9-12th grade)
Up All Night! Lock In, December 1: 8:00 p.m. - December 2: 8:00 a.m.
If you didn't get a chance to pick up the bulletin with upcoming Youth & Family Ministry events, you can link below to see all the fun activities planned for us. Paper copies are also on the Opportunties kiosk in the Narthex.
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Worship Attendance and Giving Options | |
Giving to the NALC Campaign | |
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.
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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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Weekly Men's Breakfast
Wednesdays at 7 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 18th
6:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
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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. (If you'd prefer, you can leave the flowers at church to be enjoyed in the church office.)
The 2024 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 for 2024 has been posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!
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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 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!
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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 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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