CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, July 27, 2023 | |
Reflection on this weekend's Scripture reading | |
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As we patiently wait for the pastor God has chosen for us, we will be featuring a devotion or other commentary on a verse or section from the readings for each weekend. Each devotion will note its source.
This weekend’s New Testament reading is from Romans. The devotion below is from "Come Boldly: Timeless Daily Encouragements on Prayer". The author is Ole Hallesby. He was one of Norway’s leading theologically conservative Christian teachers and devotional writers. He was an outspoken opponent of the Nazi occupation of Norway and was arrested and detained at a concentration camp during WW II. He worked as a seminary professor in Oslo until his death in 1961.
Turning on the Current
To pray is nothing more involved than to let Jesus come into our hearts, to give Him access with all His power to our needs. From this it is clear that success in prayer does not depend upon the assurance of the one who prays, nor upon his boldness, nor any such thing, but upon this one thing, that he opens his heart to Jesus.
And this is, as we have seen before, not a question of power but of will. Will I have Jesus come in to my need?
But this depends again on how helpless I am. Prayer is a mysterious instrumentality and can, in the final analysis, be employed to full effect and with perfect success only by those who are helpless.
Using an illustration from everyday life, we may compare prayer to an electric wiring system. The electric current is available, but it must be turned on. For that purpose we have what is known as a switch. All we need to do is to move the switch slightly, and the electric current flashes through the whole house. And we know, of course, that not much power is required to turn on a switch.
When man fell into sin, his soul was not only cut off from God, but the whole wiring system was destroyed. To restore it, Jesus had to suffer and die. The wiring is now in order again. We may all re-establish contact with, and make use of, the powers of the heavenly world. And prayer is the mysterious little instrumentality whereby the contact is made, enabling the powers of His salvation to reach our souls and our bodies, and, through us, to others, as far as our zeal and perseverance will permit.
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Congregational Workshop THIS SATURDAY! | |
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The Call Committee requests your presence at an all congregation meeting on Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Snacks, lunch and daycare will be provided. The meeting will be facilitated by Rev. Thomas Reiff, Co-Dean of the NALC Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Mission District. The Committee will share information about the recent survey results. There will also be open discussion about the congregations insight into wants/needs in a new Pastor.
If your plans changed and you can join us, please do!
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Special Music during worship August 5-6 | |
Wendysue Fluegge will be our worship musician
on Saturday and Sunday, August 5-6.
We are excited to welcome back Wendysue Fluegge who will be filling in for Nicole Moritz on August 5-6.
Wendysue brings a contemporary twist to the liturgy. You may remember she shared the story of Mary with us during Advent last year.
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Day of Pentecost
Ninrh Sunday
after Pentecost
July 29-30, 2023
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Thomas Reiff
ASSISTING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
DEACONS:
- Saturday: Pat Foy
- Sunday: Linda Thorpe, George Sedivec, Judy Kestly
ACOLYTES:
- Ava Morris and Ellie Sayas
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
USHERS:
- Tom and Mary Ellen Thiede
LECTOR:
ALTAR GUILD:
GREETERS:
- John and Mary Lau
- Scott and Peggy Langelin
FELLOWSHIP:
FLOWERS:
- Keith and Karen Pierce in celebration of their 35th anniversary
POWERPOINT TECH:
- Cindy Rooks/Saturday
- Grace Gunnlaugsson/Sunday
LIVESTREAM:
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Church Life Committee Updates | |
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SIGN UP NOW -- STARRY NIGHTS
Friday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center
CHICKEN WIRE EMPIRE
We will take your chairs over to the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center so that we can all sit together for a night of fun music and fellowship. A sign-up sheet is posted on the table in the Narthex.
Chairs should be taken to classroom #103 the week of July 31st. You will be responsible for taking your chairs home after the Starry Nights performance. In the event of rain, you will be contacted by a member of the Church Life committee.
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New prayers requests or any updates to this current list should be directed to Cindy Zilske in the Church office (office@calvarylc.com).
New prayer requests:
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.
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Marilyn Hermann; Wayne Dieck; Bev Lawson; Sue Rowe; Maxine Weisbrodt; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Becky (friend of Jane Taufner); Courtney Cook (friend of Lenny Graffin); Dennis Krupa, Nate Kreiter, Matti Beilfuss (friends of Rick Kegel); Laura Burger (Calvary member and twin sister of Linda Richmond); Ron Parker (brother of LInda Thorpe); Sharon Anderson (mother of Deron Anderson); Lou Dangler (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Andy Jacobs (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); Gary Zikmund (friend of George Sedivec); Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum)
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; Shirely Mahn, Donna Schroeder; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: Mary (sister-in-law of Jane Taufner); Jan Janchan (friend of Jonni Roush); 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); 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); 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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Ben Blobaum, 7/28
Chuck Giuliani, 7/29
Melissa Griese, 7/29
Harriet Polzin, 7/30
Megan Schatz, 7/30
R.J. Budnick, 7/31
Karla Zimmerman, 8/2
Evelyn Ceci, 8/5
Helga Willett, 8/5
Donna Schroeder, 8/6
Linda Berger, 8/7
Sophia Peters, 8/7
Deron Anderson, 8/9
Noah Ciszewski, 8/9
Darrel Schwenn, 8/9
Donna Siderits, 8/9
Wayne Wegner, 8/9
Mary Baumgartner, 8/13
Roger Evert, 8/13
Jackson Schlieve, 8/13
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Cable and Sarah Gall, 7/29 (17 years)
Keith and Karen Pierce, 7/30 (35 years)
Brad and Sue Meyer, 8/3 (21 years)
Doug and Sue Ranger, 8/3 (4 years)
Curtis and Judy Klade, 8/4 (61 years)
Philip and Jill Voss, 8/4 (11 years)
Garry and Carolyn Gillespie, 8/5 (56 years)
Bill and Jane Krause, 8/6 (57 years)
Josh and Emily Brooks, 8/9 (9 years)
Matt and Heidi Powers, 8/10 (4 years)
Jim and Ruth Brostowitz, 8/13 (40 years)
Thomas and Lucy Dallmann, 8/1 (54 years)
Hugh and Jane Taufner, 8/16 (54 years)
Jim and Nancy Marsho, 8/17 (55 years)
Larry and Susie Bonier, 8/18 (50 years)
John and LIndsey Peters, 8/22 (14 years)
Bob and Mary Smith, 8/22 (53 years)
Gerhard and Sallie Schulz, 8/23 (48 years)
Ed and Carol Witzke, 8/24 (55 years)
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School Backpack Collection for
NALC Disaster Response
Calvary will again be collecting school backpack supplies. These are distributed to families who have experienced natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and fires. The empty backpacks and lists of needed school supplies are in the narthex. If you have a gently used backpack to fill and donate feel free to use that as well. Filled backpacks can be placed into the plastic tubs under the tables in the narthex - please put a note on the outside of the backpack indicating ELEMENTARY or HIGH SCHOOL.
The school supply shopping list is shown below and copies are on the table in the Narthex.
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HOPE STREET MINISTRY
a Greenhouse for People on 26th and Capitol
Hope Street Ministry helps broken men, women and children cultivate hope and provides protection from the outside elements, and most importantly, supports growth together in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Hope Street Ministry is home to about 40 men, women and children whose lives have been profoundly affected by the toxic environment they grew up in, their own poor choices, or drug and alcohol abuse.
Empowered by the active Grace of Christ, the staff, volunteers, and members create a nurturing community for people to live, learn and develop new habits to flourish.
Their programs include:
- Integrative Wellness: Improving diet, sleep, exercise and managing stress
- Addiction support with AODA counselors and group work
- Forgiveness
- Education with GED assessment and tutoring
- Family Dynamics - relational boundaries and parenting skills
- Life Skills and Job Preparedness
- Healing from Trauma-including sexual abuse
To support this important Mission for the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope or designate the donation for Mission of the Month in your online giving.
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Janet Zastrow, expert seamstress, invites the women of all ages to join her for Sewing Circle this summer (date and time to be determined). Janet has been teaching Amruth Busi, daughter of Radha Vaddavalli, how to sew. Several examples of what they have made together are pictured here.
Janet is looking for adults who sew to participate, as well as donations of patterns, which have become quite expensive to purchase!. There is a bin in the Narthex to collect the patterns, This is a great opportunity for inter-generational fellowship.
If you're interested in helping Janet with this wonderful ministry, please send an email to her at janetzastrow@att.net.
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Worship Attendance/Giving and Giving Options | |
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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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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. | |
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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!
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Fellowship Hall
Thursday, August 17, 2023
6:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
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NEW WORSHIP RESOURCE!
To help navigate the summer weekend worship (Now the Feast and Celebration from the maroon Hymnal Supplement), a one-page "bulletin" has been produced, outlining the Order of Worship and the Scripture readings.
They will be available on the stands near the entrance to the Sanctuary or from an usher on Sunday mornings.
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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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Do you know who your Deacon is? Check out the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall - there is a photo of all the Deacons, along with a listing of their respective alpha groups.
Your Deacon is there for you! To pray for you, to answer any questions you may have about Calvary or to just get to know you. They are a valuable part of our ministry here at Calvary!
If you'd like more information about serving as a Deacon, please contact Mary Ellen Thiede or George Sedivec. There will be four open Deacon positions in 2024.
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Message from Pastor Jerry Wittmus
The Council's decision regarding supply preaching and congregational pastoral care is deeply appreciated. I will preside and preach the first weekend of every month, and any other time as needed. I will also be providing pastoral care, as outlined below:
- Pray for Clavary, its members, and the mission of the church.
- Call/visit members who request pastoral care, hospitlized, family death, etc.
- Consult with Visitation Committee
- Preside over Funerals, weddings, baptisms
- Attend the monthly Stephen Ministry meetings
- Provide monthly communion to Calvary members at Ruby Commons apartments
- Any other duties/responsibilities as directed by the Council.
If you have any pastoral needs, I am the pastor on call and can be reached in the following ways:
- My cell phone is (262) 818-6792 (call or text)
- My email is nanjer248@hotmail.com
- Through the Church office (262) 786-4010
My motto is "We do ministry together". With the Holy Spirit guiding us, God's work will be done and ministry will continue here at Calvary Lutheran Church. Good communication is the key as we serve and help each other.
Peace and blessings to all.
Pastor Jerry Wittmus
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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 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 2023 has been posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!
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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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Facing tough times? Need a Christian Friend?
Stephen Ministry is here to help. Free, just like God's love.
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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.
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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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