CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, January 5, 2023

The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m.

(Contingency date in the event the February 5 meeting has to be moved is Sunday, February 12 at 10:30 a.m.)

An informational meeting will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m.

CLICK HERE FOR Imposter Scam Info from State of Wisconsin

Scam Emails from "Pastor Ken"

You may have recently received an email from Pastor Ken (or another member of the Calvary staff) requesting assistance for an important matter. These are NOT from Pastor Ken and are imposter scams. You will never receive an email from Pastor Ken or staff requesting your assistance in this way.

Please take a minute to check out the information from the State of Wisconsin which contains very helpful information about Imposter Scams.

Copies of this information is also on the Resources kiosk in the Narthex.

This Week's Pondering from Pastor Ken

This past Saturday, New Year’s Eve, I asked my wife at the breakfast table what she remembered about the year 2022. I know that New Year’s Eve is famous for making resolutions about what you are going to strive for in the upcoming year. I have mostly set that practice aside – I can scarcely remember what I ate for breakfast the previous day, much less resolutions of what I plan to do over the next 365!

So, I asked Marcella to tell me what she recalled, both in gratitude and with sadness, about the previous year. What immediately came to mind was the loss of three very good friends of ours to cancer in 2022. Later that evening, just before retiring for the night, we received the news of the death by cardiac arrest of a fourth good friend – my former professor at Luther Seminary, James Nestingen. I had listened to James' weekly Bible study podcast, as was my custom most weeks, just a few days before.

“I thank God every time I remember you” Paul said to the Philippians. He loved those folks in the Lord Jesus, and went on to say to them, “I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil.1:6) The friends we lost in 2022 had, in their own ways, left a mark on us and on those they served in this life in the name of the Lord Jesus .

Dr. Mark Jacobson was our colleague in Tanzania – and spent virtually all his adult life in that country as a physician, establishing medical clinics. And in recent years he had established a full-service hospital in the Arusha, Tanzania area, until just a year or so before his diagnosis of a brain cancer had forced his retirement and full time return to the US. Mark was one of those persons who, as they say, “could do it all” – doctor, administrator, preacher, singer/pianist, and he played an astonishingly good game of squash (an Asian version of racquetball). I never beat him in our matches … not even close!

Pastor Robert Dahlen served congregations in the Goodridge, MN area for over 30 years. Bob was a "plaid shirt" sort of preacher. He once quipped that with his rather rotund shape, wearing the pastor’s traditional Alb “made me look like a cumulus cloud.”. He served three congregations every Sunday morning. Because of that, he didn’t always have time to take off his Alb between services so he just hopped in the car and made his way down the highway to the next parish. That is until one winter day he emerged from his car and realized part of the Alb and “cincture” (rope around our waist) had gotten stuck in the car door and been exposed to the outside. He got out with his alb and cincture full of road slush and salt. He took it off and never wore one again! Bob was also a beekeeper. My most prized pastoral possession may be his ordination gift to me – a beeswax bust of St. Ambrose, the patron saint of beekeepers and a preacher whose words were “sweet as honey” according to tradition. Who needs another book on theology or a pastor’s desk journal when you can have St. Ambrose over your shoulder!

Reidun Aasland hailed from Kristiansand, on the southern tip of Norway. We met her in Tanzania, and she was a constant companion. During our second year in Tanzania Reidun came by to celebrate Christmas with us. And boy did she and Marcella go to town with ingredients imported from Norway on Christmas delicacies – including lefse! She was a nurse by profession but served the Norwegian Lutheran Mission however they needed her, including as a bit of a street evangelist and purveyor (in the markets of Arusha) of Christian literature of all sorts. Reidun never married. While that may have been an aspiration of hers in life, in her later years she would say to folks who asked (in Swahili - the language of Tanzania) “hamna bwana…hamna shida”, which roughly translated meant “no husband…no problems!” She was a dear heart though – the Lord Jesus was “bwana wake” – her Lord!

James Arne Nestigen hailed from North Dakota – so he was off and running on sainthood from an early age! 😊 He was a “PK” – a pastor’s kid. He became one of the most noted and sought after speakers and teachers in the Lutheran tradition. His specialty was Martin Luther and the History of the Reformation. I once heard him introduced by a pastor who said of Jim, “Sometimes, when I am in my study and struggling with a text or issue in the parish, I glance over at a portrait of Martin Luther to get some inspiration, and when I do, it often looks like Jim Nestingen.” Jim was on sabbatical in Tanzania in 1990-91 and came to Arusha where Marcella and I were about to welcome our firstborn – Johanna. On the trip up to Nairobi, Kenya for the birth, Jim helped us pick out a nice biblical girls name – Johanna is the female version of John, and (Joanna) is the name of one of Jesus’ inner circle of female disciples, and a witness of the resurrection according to Luke. When we asked this noted theologian of the church if he would baptize our daughter, Jim was giddy with delight! He was that kind of man!

We thank God in remembrance of them all. We can only imagine you have ones you will similarly remember with gratitude as you enter 2023. Maybe it would be a good thing for us to “resolve” to memorize Philippians 1:3. And if we’re really ambitious, Philippians 1:6 as well, so that we who live on might remember those who strove with us in the faith and now rest in the Lord. Together with the promise that as we enter 2023 we’re assured that the good work begun in us by Christ Jesus will no doubt be brought to completion by Him, when for us, the “day of Christ Jesus comes.” No better way to enter a new year than that.

I wish you a very blessed one,

Pastor Ken Nelson

Worship Resources

Calvary's Website

Live Stream Link

NALC Daily Devotion

This Week's Reflection from Martin Luther

Now the Wise Men had the faith to follow the word of the Prophet Micah. They were not offended that the king was not born in Jerusalem. They left the Temple and went to the cow stall.

- Martin Luther

Christmas Book

Online Resources

Note: If you give online to the Mission of the Month, your funds will be applied to the MOM recipient at the time of your gift.

See the monthly calendar by clicking on the image below.

Feast of the Epiphany

January 7-8, 2023

PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson

ASSISTING MINISTER/SERMON: Ben Blobaum

DEACONS:

Saturday: Larry Bonier
Sunday: Nancy Wittmus, Sue Rowe, Linda Thorpe

ACOLYTES:

Addie Meyer and Sean Moritz

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:

Kyle Jones

USHERS:

Andy and Matt Schatz

LECTOR:

Karen Pierce

ALTAR GUILD:

RoJean Holler

GREETERS:

Bonnie and Wayne Johnson
Karen and Keith Pierce

FELLOWSHIP:

Calvary

FLOWERS: Dudzik family in celebration of of Chris and Jessica's anniversary

POWERPOINT TECH:

Chuck Lukasik/Saturday
Sue Meyer/Sunday

Save the Date!

Calvary's 4th

Soup and Chili Cook Off

Saturday, February 11

6:00 p.m.

It's time to start looking through those cookbooks and recipe cards for that winning entry! Entry forms and sign up sheets are on the Opportunities Kiosk in the Narthex. There is a limit on the number of soup/chili entries (eight per category), so be sure to sign up as soon as possible.

We invite everyone to join us to come eat and judge! Bring a friend or neighbor for what is always a great time of friendly competition, yummy food and fellowship! There will be a free will offering with 100% of money collected donated to Calvary's Youth Programs. Special thanks to Thrivent for financial support to offset the costs of this event.

Women's Ministry Book Group

Monday, January 9, 2023 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Brookfield Library – Harnischfeger Room

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Please join us as we begin the year with what Kirkus describes this way: "Hogan’s writing has the soothing warmth of the cups of cocoa and tea her characters regularly dispense…old-fashioned storytelling with a sprinkling of magic.” A nice way to begin a new year!

Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles - Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

Bone china cup and saucer—Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.

Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

A charming, clever, and quietly moving novel of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us.

Faith Formation

International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Joint Worship Service

Wednesday, January 18

11:00 a.m. at SJV

Calvary will join our neighbors and friends from St. John Vianney for a joint worship service on Wednesday January 18 at 11 a.m. The service will be held at St. John Vianney this year.

This is the annual service marking the week of International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We are asking for non-perishable food items for the SJV food pantry. These items can be dropped in the shopping cart in the Narthex after January 1st, or you can bring with you to the joint service on January 18.

Please note that there will be NO adult Bible study at Calvary that day.

Our Church Family

Bill Krause, 1/5

Ed Ramthun, 1/5

Jonni Roush, 1/5

Sean Corcoran, 1/7

Joanne Juno, 1/7

Ernie Kretschmann, 1/7

Tiffany Schlieve, 1/7

Jim Selas, 1/7

Carol Corcoran, 1/9

Ka Thao, 1/9

Liam Brooks, 1/11

Carol Roe, 1/11

Olivia Schlieve, 1/12

Marge Tyne, 1/13

Amy Blobaum, 1/14

Nora Ostrander, 1/15

Tom Thiede, 1/15

Chris Dudzik, 1/16

Natalie Voss, 1/16

Erik Wahlgren, 1/16

Chris and Jessica Dudzik, 1/7 (17 years)

Pat and Carol Corcoran, 1/12 (60 years)

Dave and Chris Cason, 1/17 (42 years)

Alex and Margaux Baumgarten, 1/25 (3 years)

Jiafu and Sophia Liu, 1/27 (23 years)

Joel and Linda Richmond, 1/30 (41 years)

Do You Need a 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.

New prayer requests: Tom Kurtz; Kira (daughter of a friend of Jessica Dudzik); Susie Barnhart (friend of Megan Scott); and the family of Doug Keddie (friend of Janet Zastrow) who passed away from cancer.

Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Jonni Roush; Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum); Ray-Ann, granddaughter of David Ernst; Pastor Tim Peterson (friend of Ken and Marcella Nelson); Elizabeth Stem (niece of Evelyn Ceci); Dennis Heimdahl (son-in-law of Marilyn Hermann); Sarah Green (sister of Andy Schatz); Laura Lynn (friend of Pastor Jerry and Nancy Wittmus)

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: Pat Corcoran; Ron Foster; Beverly Lawson; Shirley Mahn; Myrna Mavroff; Donna Schroeder; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Ruth Young; Janet Zastrow

Non-members: Gerry Fosdal (friend of Linda Thorpe); Tom Bruns (brother of Carol Rooney); Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); Isabelle George (wife of Judy Sayas' cousin); Joe Dentice (father of Tony Dentice); Mike Andrae (husband of former Calvary member Luisa Andrae); Nicole Sayas (daughter in law of Judy Sayas); 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); Joseph Franko (friend of Judy Sayas); Rose Luther (friend of Nicole Moritz); Judy Grospitz; Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son); Karen (friend of Lydia Trudell); John Nielson (brother of Judy Kestly); Susan Petropoulos (sister of Wayne Johnson); Tom Dallman (husband of Lucy Dallman); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce)

If you have any new prayer requests, please contact the church office at 262.786.4010 or via email to office@calvarylc.com.

Financial Update and Worship Attendance

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.

Mission and Outreach

January Mission of the Month AbleLight

(formerly Bethesda Lutheran Home)

Mission Statement: Enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that share the good news of Jesus Christ

AbleLight is a national Christian non-profit organization headquartered in Watertown, Wisconsin that provides support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at program locations across the U.S. They are in eight counties in Wisconsin.
They work to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by giving them the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest. They seek to be a champion of change by supporting independence and community inclusion.
They make a difference every day in the lives of those they support though advocacy, raising awareness and promoting independence.
They ensure communities understand the unique abilities people with disabilities have and encourage everyone to become advocates for people’s rights and independence.
Some of their current and future initiatives include:

Smart home technology to enhance daily living
Financial Support Services (they currently provide financial management for more than 700 clients)
Bethesda College of Applied Learning
Independent housing choices that offer true community inclusion
Behavioral Support Services (for people of all ages)
Faith resources made available online and free-of-charge through Concordia Publishing

For more information about AbleLight, please click here.

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.

The Waukesha County Creation Care Network is designed to develop, support, mentor, and inspire Creation Care teams in Faith Communities through sharing resources, programs and ideas.

You're invited to join the Waukesha County Creation Care Network and Catholics for Peace and Justice for an in-person afternoon of fellowship and learning.

January 29, 2023

12:30pm-3:00pm

St. John's Lutheran Church

20275 Davidson Road, Brookfield, WI

We will explore the connection between caring for creation, faith, equity, and justice, demonstrate best practices and tools for building your volunteer network, and meet others working toward the same goal! Bring a friend and share within your congregation!

Explore best practices for growing your Creation Care team.
Connect faith, equity, and justice to sustainable practices
Meet others working on Care for Creation.
Receive resources and tools for your congregation.

A light soup lunch will be served. Program is free - please click the box below to register.

Men's Ministry

Weekly Men's Breakfast Wednesdays at 7 a.m.

Maxim's Restaurant

18025 W. Capitol Drive

Brookfield

The restaurant seating has been reconfigured in compliance with social distancing requirements.

All men are invited to attend!

Monthly Men's Gathering

Thursday, January 19

6 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

If you have any questions, pleasErnie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com

A few reminders ....

Severe Weather Announcements

With winter in full swing, we are reminded that weather can definitely impact traveling to church. And with that, inclement weather could necessitate the cancelling of worship.

In the event this should happen, you will receive an e-mail stating that the church is closed. We will also be sharing this with WISN-TV 12 and FOX6 so that it will be included in their scrolling list and on their website of closures.

Hospitality Treat Sponsors

Are Needed!

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 2023 has been posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!

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!

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.

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.

Facing tough times? Need a Christian Friend?

Stephen Ministry is here to help. Free, just like God's love.

Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. A Stephen Minister usually provides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour.

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this important ministry, please contact Scott or Peggy Langelin at 262.853.0018.

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, etc.

We can also include other limited-time event payments such as the Disaster Response Training and the WI & Upper MI Mission District Convocation being held at Calvary on October 28 and 29.

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, please contact Cindy Rooks, Finance Secretary, via email at finance@calvarylc.com or (262) 786-4010.

Online Giving Link

Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.

The link to the Live Stream is available on the home page at www.calvarylc.com

If you watch the livestream service, please take a moment to log your presence via the link that is available above the livestream link.

Sanctuary Flowers

We invite you to sign up for flowers to beautify our altar each weekend.

The sign-up sheet for 2023 is now posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Flowers are $35 and you may take them home following the 9 a.m. worship on Sunday morning. If you'd prefer, you can leave the flowers at church to be enjoyed by the office staff.

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