CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, March 16, 2023

Pastor Ken's Pondering This Week


Now the body is not made up of one part, but of many.”

I Corinthians 12:14




Last week in this space, we relayed news about the workshops we are hosting with Dr. Leonard Sax on April 26 -27 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. each night.  We are very excited about having Dr. Sax appear at Calvary. This is an event for the entire community, not just our congregation, so I urge you to spread the word about these presentations to all whom you think might benefit from his talks.  We have established online registration for the event through our website or by scanning the QR code on the advertising posters we have set out in the entry of the church.  


We ask that if you plan to attend, you register and indicate how many in your household will attend.  Cost is $10 per household per night. We are able to keep the cost reasonable due to a generous grant from the Calvary Endowment Fund.   We are inviting the wider community and have made numerous contacts with area schools and churches, so we anticipate a good turnout. So if you plan to attend or invite others, please do it early.   


But because this is a community event, we also want to put our best foot forward as a congregation. We would like to have greeters at the doors, as well as volunteers to bring and/or serve light refreshments to our guests.  We will be setting up a table starting next weekend for you to sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities, so please look for that and help us in any way you can.


But that’s not all.  Calvary has been invited to host another community event on Wednesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m.  The Faith Coalition Against Sex Trafficking (FCAST) will hold their quarterly prayer vigil and service at Calvary that evening.  The incidence of trafficking for the sex industry is widespread, affecting all races and economic classes. Wisconsin, because of its location, is a major transportation corridor for sex traffickers, with women (and men), often minors, entering our state either to work in our cities and towns or enroute to other places around the country.  


FCAST advocates for the victims of the trafficking industry, and cooperates with organizations in the Waukesha area who house women who are fleeing or have been rescued from it. They also provide counseling, train them to enter the general workforce again and provide assistance in finding housing.   FCAST works with the lodging industry and the legal community to heighten awareness of the extent of sex trafficking in our region and find ways to combat it and care for its victims.  


We hope many of you will attend the prayer vigil, but also we need some of you to help in these ways:

  • Greet others from the community who attend
  • Participate as readers in the service
  • Provide or help set out light refreshments to our guests.


Sign up opportunities will also be available in the entry of the church by next week, as well as more information about both events.      


April will be a busy but fulfilling month at Calvary as we provide opportunities for our community, and I urge you - the body of Christ - to help as you are able. Thank you.


Because of a cross,


Pastor Ken Nelson



Wednesdays during Lent



Join us each Wednesday during Lent at noon for our mid-week Lenten Worship. The theme of the preaching each week will be the Psalms, focusing on the Psalms appointed for the Sundays during Lent.


Providing the sermons for the Lenten season:


  • March 22 - Psalm 142, Pastor Jerry Wittmus
  • March 29 - Psalm 130, Kyle Jones











There will be Continental Breakfast served following worship on Easter Sunday April 9th


A sign-up and RSVP sheet with items to bring is posted on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex.

Order Form for

EASTER FLOWERS

If you would like to provide an Easter Lily or spring flowers to adorn our altar for Easter services this year, please place your order today! Forms and payment can be deposited into the offering baskets in the Sanctuary or dropped off in the church office.


Orders will close on Monday, March 27. Forms are available on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex or can be downloaded HERE.

Reflections from Martin Luther

“Christ makes it so that we consider it of no consequence, even though the whole world contends against us. “The rule of the church is not located in pomp and appearance but in the Word, even in the spoken Word, on which we may stand firm against all insults. For ‘if God is for us, who is against us?’”


Martin Luther

Lectures on Isaiah, LW 17

Check out what's happening at Calvary - click on the image below.

Worship Resources
Calvary's Website
Live Stream Link
NALC Daily Devotion
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.

Ordination Interview Complete!


Pastoral Intern Ben Blobaum met last week with members of the NALC Candidacy Committee to obtain approval for ordination. He has met all requirements of the NALC and has been approved! Next steps for Ben and Amy will be completing his Pastoral profile that is shared with congregations going through the Call process, and discerning where they will begin their ministry..


Ben will continue to serve at Calvary through mid-June to formally complete his internship.


Congratulations Ben and Amy!

Dr. Leonard Sax Coming to Calvary

Leonard Sax, MD, PhD, has built an international reputation as an expert in child and adolescent development. He is the New York Times best-selling author of four books: The Collapse of Parenting, Why Gender Matters, Boys Adrift and Girls on the Edge.


Calvary is excited to bring Dr. Sax to Brookfield on April 26 - 27. Dr. Sax will spend two evenings with us, presenting important information for parents.


Wednesday, April 26, 2023

6:00 p.m.   Evidence-based Parenting

                     Strategies to improve the odds for your son or daughter

7:30 p.m. Girls on the Edge - TikTok Ate My Daughter

 Factors driving the increase in anxiety and depression in today’s girls

Thursday, April 27, 2023

6:00 p.m. Beyond Resilience

Why so many American kids today are so fragile

7:30 p.m. Boys Adrift - My Son Won’t Stop Playing Video Games

Factors driving the growing epidemic of unmotivated boys

 

There is a small registration fee of $10/household per day to attend the sessions. Due to space limitations, pre-registration is required. A link to the registration and payment site is below. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.


We hope you'll join us - bring a friend or neighbor! Extra copies of the flyer are on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk - please take one and share it with a parent who might be interested in attending.

REGISTER HERE 



We have two worship options for Good Friday, April 7


Traditional Service at Noon

"7 Last Words of Christ" with string quartet at 7 p.m.

Meet Your Call Committee


A special congregational meeting was held on March 12 to determine the members of the Call Committee for our Senior Pastor. Per the church's By-Laws, three members were chosen from the Church Council, three from the Board of Deacons and three from the congregation-at-large.


Here are the members who will be serving on the Call Committee:


  • Larry Bonier (Deacons)
  • Lenny Graffin (Deacons)
  • Ernie Kretschmann (At-Large)
  • Peggy Langelin (Council)
  • Scott Langelin (Council)
  • Jon Sayas (Council)
  • Angie Schatz (At-Large)
  • Linda Thorpe (Deacons)
  • Philip Voss (At-Large)


Please continue to pray for this team as they begin the Call process.


Fourth Sunday in Lent



March 18-19, 2023

PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson

ASSISTING MINISTER: Larry Bonier

DEACONS:

·        Saturday: Mary Ellen Thiede

·        Sunday: Diane Grundman, George Sedivec, Linda Thorpe

ACOLYTES:

  •  William Dudzik and Xavier Griese

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:

  •  Megan Schatz

USHERS:

  • Caryl Braatz
  • Jim Brostowitz

LECTOR:

  • Karen Pierce

ALTAR GUILD:

  • Jan Lukasik

GREETERS:

  • George and Kay Sedivec
  • Bob and Donna Siderits

FELLOWSHIP:

  • Keith and Karen Pierce

FLOWERS:

  • Jonni Roush

POWERPOINT TECH:

  • Jeanette Kalupa/Saturday
  •  Chuck Lukasik/Sunday

Faith Formation

Are human beings sinful by nature? Or is it, rather, that human nature is essentially good, but has become corrupted by sin? Do we actively participate in our conversion to faith, or are we purely passive recipients of salvation from God? If Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, “of one being with the Father,” then is it correct to say that, on the cross, God died? And if so, how can God be God if he is vulnerable to suffering and death?

 

In a new 5-6 week study throughout the season of Lent, we’ll be taking a look at these and other fundamental questions about the Christian faith as they’re presented to us in the Lutheran Formula of Concord. The Formula is one of the foundational documents of the Lutheran Church and is a rich theological repository with enduring relevance for nurturing and sustaining the ongoing life of the church.


Please join us in the fellowship hall at 12:45 p.m. on Wednesdays immediately following the weekly Lenten services, which are at noon each Wednesday. Copies of the Formula of Concord (and coffee!) will be provided for participants.


For questions or additional information, contact pastoral intern Ben Blobaum at (224) 392-1834 or bblobaum@calvarylc.com.

Looking for a daily devotional? There are several options available on the tables in the Narthex. Portals of Prayer and Christ in Our Home are available in small and large sizes.



The North American Lutheran Church also offers a daily online devotional. The link to this resource is always available through the CONNECTIONS under the Worship Resources section at the top. Here's a link.

Looking for an online devotional? Between work, family, friends, and more, it can be hard to find time to dig into your Bible. Daily Bread Ministries’ Daily Video Devotionals make it easy to engage with God’s Word, featuring short faithful messages sent to your email inbox every day.

Watch on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and know that God is always with you, no matter how chaotic life gets. Link HERE to sign up to receive a daily link.

Lenten Devotionals


Watch for Lent devotionals in the Narthex. Loved and Freed is from the NALC. Also available is New Life Rising: Easter Season Devotional 2023.


Use these resources to enrich your faith during Lent in addition to weekly Lenten Worship at noon on Wednesdays.

Lent, written by Robert Herrick


IS this a fast, to keep

The larder lean ?

And clean

From fat of veals and sheep ?

Is it to quit the dish

Of flesh, yet still

To fill

The platter high with fish ?

Is it to fast an hour,

Or ragg’d to go,

Or show

A downcast look and sour ?

No ;  ‘tis a fast to dole

Thy sheaf of wheat,

And meat,

Unto the hungry soul.

It is to fast from strife,

From old debate

And hate ;

To circumcise thy life.

To show a heart grief-rent ;

To starve thy sin,

Not bin ;

And that’s to keep thy Lent.





Robert Herrick (baptized 24 August 1591 – buried 15 October 1674)

was a 17th-century English lyric poet and Anglican cleric


This poem by English poet Robert Herrick pairs beautifully with Isaiah 58. The entire chapter expounds this concept: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”


It is informed also by Christ’s injunctions in Matthew 6: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”



Women's Ministry Book Group



Women’s Book Group – Monday, April 10

Harnischfeger Room -Brookfield Public Library

12:30 – 2:00 pm


Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine



Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy. 

But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, the three become the kinds of friends who rescue one another from the lives of isolation they have each been living. And it is Raymond’s big heart that will ultimately help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one.

Our Church Family

Sue Dindorf, 3/20

Chet Elliott, 3/20

Shirley Jordan, 3/22

Ellie Sayas, 3/23

Kay Sedivec, 3/23

Kevin Wahlgren, 3/23

Ava Schlieve, 3/27

Nancy Wittmus, 3/27

Richard Kressin, 3/28

Sandy Moths, 3/30


Rick and Chris Spangenberger, 3/16 (24 years)

Craig and Michele Schmidt, 3/28 (53 years)

Wayne and Pat Dieck, 3/30 (60 years)


New prayer requests: None


Ongoing short-term prayer requests:  Shirley Mahn; Pastor Jerry Wittmus; Maxine Weisbrodt; Ellie Sayas; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Tom Kurtz; Jonni Roush; Elaine Wempen (aunt of Ed Ramthun); Robin Johnson (friend of Grace Gunnlaugsson); Andy Jacobs (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Mary (sister-in-law of Jane Taufner); Lynn Strickland father of Nicole Moritz); Kira (daughter of a friend of Jessica Dudzik); Susie Barnhart (friend of Megan Scott); Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum); Ray-Ann, granddaughter of David Ernst; Elizabeth Stem (niece of Evelyn Ceci); 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-membersGerry Fosdal (friend of Linda Thorpe); Tom Bruns (brother of Carol Rooney); Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); ; 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); 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.

Mission and Outreach

March Mission of the Month

NALC Disaster Response



As you know, Calvary Lutheran Church is a congregation of the North American Lutheran Church. The NALC Disaster Response Fund provides resources for natural disaster victims in the United States.


When a disaster occurs, funds are used to:

  • alleviate human suffering;
  • provide transitional assistance;
  • enable those affected to begin the rebuilding process.


In addition to funds received, the NALC Disaster Response team collects and distributes items that can be given out to disaster victims. We are currently collecting items for Health Care Kits. A tote bag for donated items will be provided. Please pick up the "shopping list" and empty tote bags from the table in the Narthex.


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.

Worship Attendance and Giving Update

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. 




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.



  

Online Giving Link

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.

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, March 16

6:00 p.m.

Fellowship Hall


If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com


A few reminders ....

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.

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.


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.

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.

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!

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.

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