CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, March 30, 2023

Holy Week Worship Opportunities



NOTE: Links to the services that will be available via Livestream will be sent via email approximately one hour before the service is scheduled to begin.



Maundy Thursday, April 6: 7:00 p.m. (livestream also available)

Good Friday, April 7: Noon

Good Friday - 7 Last Words of Christ: 7p.m. (livestream also available)

Easter: Saturday at 5 p.m./Sunday at 9 a.m. (livestream also available)



Pastor Ken's Pondering This Week

My God, my God, why have

you forsaken me?”  

Mark 15:34



This is one of the so called “seven last words of Christ” – and it is a nearly direct quote of Psalm 22:1.   These words of Christ from the cross are magnificent and terrible all at the same time. They reveal both natures of Jesus – his humanity which suffers as any human would (physically, emotionally and spiritually), and his divinity which endures all for the sake of those he loves. It confirms as Paul would later say in Romans 8:39, that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”


I write with an invitation and a thought on this verse.  


First of all the invitation.  In 1519, Martin Luther wrote a sermon and sent it to his good friend George Spalatin, titled “Concerning Meditation on the Sufferings of Christ.”  It became one of Luther’s most famous and popular early writings.  In it Luther urged Christians to meditate properly on the Passion of Jesus. Luther reminded his listeners that this did not mean meditation on the evil of Judas or the Jews who urged Pilate on, but to meditate on how Jesus did this for you.  It will be of no use, Luther wrote, for God to be God, unless He is God for you.  This coming Friday (Good Friday) we offer you two opportunities to do that. We will have a noon service that includes a meditative reading on the Passion of Jesus according to John. There will also be a 7:00 p.m. service featuring the musical talents of four gifted area musicians. A string quartet featuring Kathryn Messer will be performing Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of Christ.”  If you are not able to join us in person, this service will be available via Livestream. An email with a link to the Livestream will be sent to you on Friday at 6:00 p.m.


The work musically interprets the Passion of the Lord, and I do hope you’ll be a part of the listening and meditating congregation.   Calvary is blessed to have this work performed as part of our Good Friday observance. The service closes with the traditional “adoration of the cross” when the church can celebrate the cross proclaiming “behold the cross, on which hung the salvation of the whole world.”   Do make worship and meditation on the cross part of your day on Friday.


Now for my thought on this verse from Mark, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  .  It is one of the more perplexing and difficult ones, for it bespeaks a loss of confidence in God on Christ’s part.  The other six last “words” are:


  1. Father forgive them for they know not what they do
  2. Today you will be with me in paradise
  3. Woman, behold your son
  4. I thirst
  5. It is finished
  6. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit


All of these words express both human suffering and unwavering trust that God will bring good out of His son’s suffering.  The words “why have you forsaken me" , though, don't express those same emotions. Not that faith cannot express doubt and pour out suffering. It can and still remain faith. But this phrase seems more of an estrangement between Father and Son than the others.  Some commentators agree.  The late Lutheran pastor Walter Wangerin, in his book “Reliving the Passion” wrote the following’


“for though the Son still loves the Father obediently and completely, the Father despises the Son completely because he sees in him the sum of human disobedience, the sum of it from the beginning of time to the end of time.  He hates what he sees … he hates the Son, even unto condemning him and abandoning him.”

 

He goes on to say; “This is a mystery, that Christ can be the obedient, glorious love of God and the full measure of our disobedience, both at once.”    Good Friday invites meditation upon such a mystery – that heaven to Christ was shut, so that heaven for you could be opened.   I hope you will avail yourself of that splendid, blessed opportunity.  


Because of a cross,



Pastor Ken Nelson 

Seven Last Words of Christ: In 1786, Franz Joseph Haydn received an unusual commission from a Spanish priest. It was for an orchestral work to be performed for the Good Friday service at the Oratorio de la Santa Cueva, an underground church in the city of Cádiz. Haydn was asked to compose a series of slow, meditative “sonatas,” each relating to one of the seven last words of Christ during the crucifixion, as outlined in the Canonical Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John.


Haydn wrote this description of the project for the preface of the Breitkopf & Härtel edition, issued in 1801: Some fifteen years ago I was requested by a canon of Cádiz to compose instrumental music on the Seven Last Words of Our Savior On the Cross. It was customary at the Cathedral of Cádiz to produce an oratorio every year during Lent, the effect of the performance being not a little enhanced by the following circumstances. The walls, windows, and pillars of the church were hung with black cloth, and only one large lamp hanging from the center of the roof broke the solemn darkness. 


This article continues HERE.



Special Movie Event for All - April 20 at 6:00 p.m.

"Bonhoeffer"

A documentary produced by Journey Films




Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings continue to influence the church today, and for that reason, the Men’s Ministry of Calvary is hosting a showing of a 90-minute documentary on his life and legacy on Thursday, April 20.   All Calvary members are invited to attend – and we encourage you to invite others as well.  There will be a light supper served at 6:00 p.m., followed by the film and brief discussion time afterwards.  We hope to conclude the evening by about 8:15 p.m.  


It is right and fitting that such a life gets our attention” wrote a reviewer in the Washington Post. The Minneapolis Tribune wrote “An inspiring portrait of one of the great moral heroes of the 20th Century.” 


But Bonhoeffer would have dismissed such – as we will see in the film. To him, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”   He saw himself as no moral hero, but as a disciple of Jesus, taking up the cross of courage in the face of tyranny. His faithfulness as a servant of the servant king stands in contrast to the cult of personality that infects so many in our world today.  Yes, Bonhoeffer lived and died nearly a century ago, but the challenges to the church that he faced, while less obviously evil, are nonetheless just as fatal to our witness if not confronted and repented of.   


If your schedule allows, please join us for this extremely well-done presentation of the life and legacy of this disciple of Jesus. All are invited - bring a friend or neighbor!


Easter Flowers and Breakfast

Easter Breakfast will be served in Fellowship Hall following worship.



If you signed up to bring a food item, please drop it off in the kitchen before the 9:00 a.m. service so that it can be placed on the serving tables.


Thank you to everyone who purchased flowers to adorn our altar this Easter weekend.




If you purchased a plant, you may take it home following worship on Sunday.

We express our appreciation to those who have given gifts of flowers to the glory of God this Easter ....

Community Prayer Service - April 12 at 6:30 p.m.


Calvary is pleased to host a Community Prayer Service for Victims and Survivors of Sex Trafficking on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. We invite you join us for worship.


Additionally, Nicole Moritz is extending an invitation to anyone who is interested in singing with the choir that evening to join her for a practice preceding the service at 5:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join this community choir - bring a friend or neighbor.


There will be an opportunity to support recovery programs at the Prayer Service. Items requested are:


  • Journal books
  • Fun colored pens and pencils for journaling
  • Fuzzy socks
  • Sudoku and crossword puzzle books


Financial gifts will be received for the Redeem and Restore Center in Pewaukee.


Franciscan Peacemakers will have products for sale made by survivors (lotions, soaps and candles).


Questions? Please contact Marcella Nelson at 701/833-5157.

This Week's

Reflections from

Martin Luther

For if you believe that by this seed the serpent has been slain, then it is slain for you; and if you believe that in this seed all nations are to be blessed, then you are also blessed. For each one individually should have crushed the serpent under foot and redeemed himself from the curse, which would have been too difficult, nay impossible for us.


- Martin Luther -

Sermon for Easter Day

Check out what's happening at Calvary - click on the calendar

Find Us on Facebook

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

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.

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 




Resurrection of Our Lord


April 8-9, 2023

PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson

ASSISTING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus

DEACONS:

·        Saturday: Mary Ellen Thiede

·        Sunday: Diane Grundman, George Sedivec, Judy Kestly

ACOLYTES:

  •  William Dudzik and Sean Moritz

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:

  •  Kyle Jones

USHERS:

  • Tom and Mary Ellen Thiede

LECTOR:

  • Marcella Nelson

ALTAR GUILD:

  • Jan Lukasik

GREETERS:

  • Diane Grundman
  • Marilyn Hermann
  • Everett Lambert

FELLOWSHIP:

  • Easter Breakfast

FLOWERS:

  • Easter Flowers

POWERPOINT TECH:

  • Cindy Rooks/Saturday
  • Chuck Lukasik/Sunday

Faith Formation/Youth Ministry

Register today for this summer's VBS!


Volunteers can also sign up via the link below. We couldn't do our VBS without the help of so many wonderful volunteers. Please consider helping us again this year!

Vacation Bible

School


July 31 - August 4

9:00 a.m. - Noon

Register Here!

Our Church Family

Bob Siderits, 4/6

Scott Anderson, 4/7

Cindy Zilske, 4/7

Chris Spangenberger, 4/9

David Treadwell, 4/9

Krista Dentice, 4/10

Carol Treadwell, 4/10

Dawn Hanke, 4/12

Jan Lukasik, 4/12

Michele Schmidt, 4/13

Norm McGarvie, 4/16

Rhonda Rodriguez, 4/16

Sue Meyer, 4/17

Gerhard Schulz, 4/18

Mark Trudell, 4/18

Heidi Powers, 4/19

Cathy Wahlgren, 419




Rich and Tina Baumgartner, 4/20 (32 years)

Tom and Sue Sadowsky, 4/20 (38 years)

Tom and Mary Ellen Thiede, 4/24 (47 years)

Chuck and Jan Lukasik, 4/25 (42 years)

Chuck and Norene Giuliani, 4/26 (43 years)

Ed Ramthun and Cathy Way, 4/27 (21 years)




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: Sue Rowe; Tom Thiede; Susie Barnhart and Amy Clark (friends of Megan Scott)


Please continue to pray for 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: Maxine Weisbrodt; Jan Chesner; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Jonni Roush; Jan Janchan (friend of Jonni Roush); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce); Karen (daughter of Linda Thorpe's neighbor); Gary Zikmund (friend of George Sedivec); Elaine Wempen (aunt of Ed Ramthun); 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); Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum); Ray-Ann, granddaughter of David Ernst; 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; Tom Kurtz; Beverly Lawson; Shirley Mahn; Myrna Mavroff; Donna Schroeder; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Janet Zastrow


Non-members: Gerry Fosdal (friend of Linda Thorpe); Tom Bruns (brother of Carol Rooney); Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); Joe Dentice (father of Tony Dentice); 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)


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

Women's Ministry


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.

Are you a knitter, crocheter or loomer? Would you like to participate with a group of crafters who meet regularly to create prayer shawls, lap blankets, scarves, hats, mittens, and much more? These items are given to those in need.


You will enjoy the fellowship of fellow crafters as they work on projects and share suggestions and ideas to grow this ministry.


If you would like additional information, please contact Pat Dieck (262.791.1298) or Evelyn Ceci (262.389.7251).

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Second and Fourth Thursdays

9:30 a.m. - Fellowship Hall

Mission and Outreach

April Mission of the Month

Serenity Inns



In Milwaukee alone, between 1500 – 2000 people are homeless and of those, over 90% have substance abuse problems. An estimated 80% of the current 20,000+ inmates in the Wisconsin prison system are incarcerated because of drug related activities. When men are released from prison, they often times lack the strength and foundation needed to lead a drug and alcohol free life. They struggle to find jobs, housing, and even individuals who will help them down the road of recovery.


Deaths from heroin overdose in Wisconsin and nationwide have become a public health crisis. According to Ashley Luthern of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, (Feb. 18, 2015), “Heroin-related deaths in Milwaukee County skyrocketed by 72% last year compared with 2013, according to data released by the Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office.” In 2014 as in 2013, there were more heroin-related deaths in Milwaukee County (119 in 2014) than motor vehicle deaths (74 in 2014). The national trend is at least as tragic with a 39% increase in heroin deaths from 2012 to 2013, the latest year that data is available.


Serenity Inn provides a comprehensive, seven month transitional living program. This program addresses the physical, social, emotional, financial, and spiritual needs of its residents.

Serenity Inn's mission is to offer an opportunity for holistic recovery from addiction and alcoholism to men who need it most, in a compassionate community of accountability. Their vision is a world where addicts and alcoholics who choose recovery may find it.


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 Options

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 Ministry



Documentary: Life and Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Thursday, April 20

6:00 p.m. Supper

Film to follow


ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!


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.

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