CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, September 28, 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.
Our psalm this week is Psalm 25:1-10. The devotion is on verses 1-5 and is from the "One-Year Book of Psalms".
“Finding the Right Road”
In the middle of his second missionary journey, the apostle Paul wasn't sure where to go. He had split up with his mentor, Barnabas, and was the leader of his own team, which included Silas and young Timothy. Paul planned to go one way, but the Holy Spirit didn't let him. Then he turned to go another way, and once again the door was closed to him. How frustrating it must have been! God had called Paul to travel through Asia Minor spreading the word about Jesus, and he had been faithful to that calling. Was God now going to leave him stranded?
No doubt Paul and his friends called upon God with the same requests that David did in Psalm 25: “Show me the path … point out the right road... lead me by your truth.”
And the very next night God did give them direction. Paul had a vision of a man beckoning him to enter Europe (Acts 16:9). Paul heeded this message from the Lord, and, as a result, the evangelization of a whole new continent was begun.
In every age Christians long to hear God's clear direction: “This is the way; turn around and walk here” (Isaiah 30:21). This is where we must truly recognize that the Lord is indeed our Shepherd and trust Him to show us the way.
Whatever problem you are facing today, call upon God, and in His perfect timing He will guide you.
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Meet Pastor Jake Taxis
Pastor Jake Taxis (pronounced "taxes") will be presiding at worship this weekend. Some of you may remember him as he was ordained at Calvary in 2018.
He is an NALC pastor currently serving as the palliative care chaplain at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, and as a battalion chaplain in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
After attending seminary at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, Jake served at a parish in southern Oregon.
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Day of Pentecost
18th Sunday
after Pentecost
September 30 - October 1
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jake Taxis
ASSISTING MINISTER: Pat Foy
DEACONS:
· Saturday: Larry Bonier
· Sunday: Judy Kestly, George Sedivec, Diane Grundman
ACOLYTES:
· Jackson Gall and Xavier Griese
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
· Angie Schatz
USHERS:
· Jane Krause and Caryl Braatz
LECTOR:
· Lynnette Anderson
ALTAR GUILD:
· RoJean Holler
GREETERS:
· George and Kay Sedivec
· Bob and Donna Siderits
FELLOWSHIP: The Church Life Committee in memory of Maxine Weisbrodt
FLOWERS:
· Judy Sayas in memory of Dave Sayas
POWERPOINT TECH:
· Jeanette Kalupa/Saturday
· Sallie Schulz/Sunday
LIVESTREAM:
· Sue Rowe
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Change in worship time on Saturday, October 7
NALC Bishop Dan Selbo will be here for the NALC Mission District Convocation and will be leading worship that weekend.
To coordinate the service with the agenda of the Convocation, the Saturday worship will be at 1:00 p.m. (instead of 5:00 p.m.). The Sunday service will be at the usual 9:00 a.m. time.
We are so pleased to have Bishop Selbo with us for the weekend and hope you'll attend one of these services.
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WISCONSIN UPPER MICHIGAN
MISSION DISTRICT CONVOCATION
October 6-7, 2023
Calvary Lutheran Church
Calvary is pleased to again host the annual Mission District Convocation of the North American Lutheran Church on October 6-7. This year we will be honored with the presence of our Bishop, Dan Selbo. Bishop Selbo will address the Convocation on Saturday, October 7 and preach at the closing worship liturgy. We invite you to attend and meet your fellow brothers and sisters from our Mission District as we all seek to do the Lord's will among us.
DETAILS: The Convocation will begin on Friday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m., followed by the James Kealey concert at 7:00 p.m. Registration on Saturday will be from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. and concludes with a worship service at 1:00 p.m. Bishop Selbo will be presiding over the closing liturgy.
Please sign up on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk in the Narthex. Registration is $15. Checks should be made payable to: Wisconsin/Upper Michigan, Mission District. Food and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by October 1st.
Desserts are needed for both Friday and Saturday. If you can make something, please drop it off in the Fellowship Hall kitchen by Friday morning. A sign up sheet is posted in the Narthex on the OPPORTUNITIES kiosk.
Thank you in advance!
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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 Request: None
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Bruce Steffens; Wayne and Pat Dieck; Mark Knappe; Sue Rowe; Donna Schroeder; Jan Chesner; Marilyn (friend of Judy Sayas); Wolf Knappe (father of Pastor Mark Knappe); Sue Miller (sister of Mary Ellen Thiede); Mark Sturms (cousin of Cindy Zilske); Peter Vang (relative of Ka Thao); Edward Hermann (son of Marilyn Hermann); 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)
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: Pat Corcoran; Ron Foster; Grace Gunnlaugsson; Bev Lawson; Shirely Mahn, Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Janet Zastrow
Non-members: 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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Bill Graffin, 9/24
Sean Moritz, 9/27
David Vogel, 9/27
Kendall Thiede, 9/28
Leah Morris, 9/29
Emily Brooks, 9/30
Audrey McGarvie, 10/1
Kris Larsen, 10/2
Joanne Schultz, 10/2
Grace Moritz, 10/3
Angie Schatz, 10/3
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Andy and Angie Schatz, 9/23 (23 years)
John and Mary Lau, 9/27 (54 years)
Bob and Caryl Braatz, 9/30 (62 years)
Jon and Sandy Voerman, 10/5 (38 years)
Wayne and Carole Wegner, 10/5 (60 years)
Norm and Audrey McGarvie, 10/7 (62 years)
Rich and Cindy Rooks, 10/9 (36 years)
Mark and Lydia Trudell, 10/9 (41 years)
Kurt and Jeanne Duch, 10/10 (42 years)
Brian and Kara Kretschmann, 10/10 (3 years)
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A great time was had by all who attended last Saturday's Gemutlichkeit Dinner. Attendees were treated to a menu of German food and beverage. Photos and memories were shared by those who attended the Oberammergau event in 2022. Special thanks to everyone who helped plan this event. Monies collected in the Free Will Offering will be used for Youth programming. | | | |
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Godspeed to Ben and family
Ben, Amy and Josiah Blobaum made the move from Waukesha to Flanagan, IL this week.
Ben has shared his upcoming Ordination details with us and asked that it be passed along to anyone who may be interested in attending. (It is about a three-hour drive from Calvary to Flanagan, IL)
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October Youth Group Events:
Elementary School (1st - 5th grade)
Monthly Youth Group, Sunday October 22, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Middle School (6-8th grade)
Monthly Youth Group, Sunday, October 15, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Corn Maze, Saturday, October 21, Noon - 5:00 p.m.
High School (9-12th grade)
Monthly Youth Group, Sunday, October 8, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 29
11:15 a.m. - Noon
Church Parking Lot
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Friends are always welcome to join us for any Youth & Family Ministry events! | |
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. | | |
Shoe Box Collection for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child
Do you have any gently-used old shoeboxes you'd like to donate to this year's OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD? The funds used last year to purchase the new boxes will be re-directed to pay for shipping charges.
Please place your shoebox donations (adult sizes only; no children's sizes or boots) in the plastic bins underneath the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Knappe at 262.378.1710.
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September Mission of the Month | |
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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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To learn more about Redeem and Restore, please click HERE to read their 2022 Annual Report.
Krista Hull, Founder and President of Redeem & Resotre will be with us to share more information on Sunday, September 24.
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Reedem & Restore Center is a new mission for us. This organization is committed to the prevention, intervention, and restoration of women that have been trapped into the sex trafficking industry. They are dedicated to walking alongside women in SE Wisconsin coaching and connecting to needed resources to become whole.
They currently offer the following services to women that have been out of the ‘no life’ for a time:
- Survivor support group
- Mentorship
- Friendship
- Coaching
- Case Management
- Social Outings
- Financial Assistance
They have the first Redeemend Home for women in Waukesha County. It is a 12-24 month restorative care home that provides mental, physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual healing for the women.
For each woman to have HOPE & FREEDOM, it is a fight through all the layers of trauma. Their home environment will enable women to have a good foundation to continue to build a new life. Restoration is possible because of HOPE!
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CELEBRATION RINGERS - We are recruiting!
WE NEED YOU! If you can swing a bell and count to four, you are eligible to play in the bell choir! Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 5:30. On Sunday, September 17, we will have a “get to know you” session for anyone interested in playing bells. You can ask any questions you would like! Please contact Nicole Moritz, Music Director, at 414.625.0318.
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
That’s a Latin phrase that means “to God alone be the glory.” It’s been quoted by church musicians ever since the famous Bach stamped it all over his manuscripts. That’s what we aim to do in our choir as we learn and practice new music and bring life to historic music. We need your voice! If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Nicole Moritz, Music Director, at 414.625.0318.
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Pre-Service Hymn Sing!
Sunday, October 22
8:45 a.m.
In lieu of Prelude music, would you like to get a chance to sing your favorite hymn or worship song as your prepare for service? You can bring your hymn request with you, or email to Nicole in advance at music@calvarylc.com.
Nicole will also offer some brief "Tips and Tricks" for better singing so that we can all be more confident. We can all learn to sing on a higher level than we currently do - there are many ways to do that. She'd like to give you some "tricks" to think about the next time you sing ... let's unite our voices and sing to the glory of God!
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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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Women's Book Group
October 9, 2023 - 12:30 p.m.
Media Room
In September 1949 Jacqueline Bouvier arrives in postwar Paris to begin her junior year abroad. She’s twenty years old, socially poised but financially precarious, and all too aware of her mother’s expectations that she make a brilliant match. Before relenting to family pressure, she has one year to herself far away from sleepy Vassar College and the rigid social circles of New York, a year to explore and absorb the luminous beauty of the City of Light. Jacqueline is immediately catapulted into an intoxicating new world of champagne and châteaux, art and avant-garde theater, cafés and jazz clubs. She strikes up a romance with a talented young writer who shares her love of literature and passion for culture – even though her mother would think him most unsuitable.
But beneath the glitter and rush, France is a fragile place still haunted by the Occupation. Jacqueline lives in a rambling apartment with a widowed countess and her daughters, all of whom suffered as part of the French Resistance just a few years before. In the aftermath of World War II, Paris has become a nest of spies, and suspicion, deception, and betrayal lurk around every corner. Jacqueline is stunned to watch the rise of communism – anathema in America, but an active movement in France – never guessing she is witnessing the beginning of the political environment that will shape the rest of her life—and that of her future husband.
Evocative, sensitive, and rich in historic detail, Jacqueline in Paris portrays the origin story of an American icon. Ann Mah brilliantly imagines the intellectual and aesthetic awakening of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, and illuminates how France would prove to be her one true love, and one of the greatest influences on her life.
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Worship Attendance/Giving 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
The restaurant seating has been reconfigured in compliance with social distancing requirements.
All men are invited to attend!
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Monthly Men's Gathering
Fellowship Hall
Thursday, October 19, 2023
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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Who is your Deacon? Who is on our Church Council?
Who are the Call Committee members?
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Check out the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall where we have photos of the members of these ministry teams.
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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 2023 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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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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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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