Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, April 13, 2023

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark…on the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews…” 

John 20:1a,19a

When I was in chaplaincy training 24 years ago, I was required to give what were called “verbatims” – a synopsis of a pastoral visit I had conducted. The others in the group, who all knew that soon it would be their turn to do the same, were fairly easy on me in terms of questioning my methods or conclusions about the particular visit being discussed.  This was not the case for my supervisor – a Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod pastor for nearly 40 years and sharp as a tack.  

The chaplaincy students in our cohort used to say Pastor Mahnke’s “bs meter” was as sensitive as they came. He could tell when you were stylizing the visit you were reporting, or reading it with rose colored glasses, or jumping on your fellow students when they were content to lob softball questions your way.  He got to the heart of the matter when it was his turn to question. "What was going on inside of YOU when your visitor said such and such? Why did you change the subject when they said this? Why did you ask them for more information when they wanted to have you feel their pain?” It was that sort of thing, because he knew that the heart was the matter at hand.   

Pastor Ron Mahnke was tough, but he could also be as soft as a pillow when he knew you were at the end of your proverbial ‘student chaplain’s rope’.  I owe him much, and I remember him with fondness. Which is why I read the stories of the resurrection in John’s gospel with him in mind – particularly the “evening” resurrection appearance.  In John’s gospel, light and darkness are used to great effect - they convey the contrast between the world and God, between goodness and evil, between sin and redemption, but they also contrast fear and peace.   

When it is reported that the Resurrection of our Lord occurred "while it was still dark” or “on the evening”, these “settings” are not just coincidental, as though John in his narration was checking his facts. He was recalling what Mary Magdalene said about what time she went to the tomb in the morning, or recalled that it was evening when Jesus stood in the upper room in the midst of his fellow startled disciples.  John is giving a bit of a “verbatim” here but doing so by linking darkness to sadness and darkness to fear.   He is relaying, albeit subtly, how the folks in the story were feeling when these things took place.

John is relaying that the Resurrection means something other than the resuscitation of a body – it is the restoration of peace between God and humanity and the extension of peace to us all.  Three times Jesus says to his followers, “Peace be with you.”  At our adult Bible study today, when we read this story from John 20, I asked participants what they thought the disciples were feeling before Jesus appeared to them.  The text already gives us one - fear, but they offered discouragement, guilt, and grief as other possible (and quite likely) feelings.  Pastor Ron Mahnke made me learn to drill down deep on feelings when I was his student - he made me contend with my own feelings and not ignore those to whom I ministered.   

I like to “think things through” but in the story of the resurrection Jesus ministered to the feelings his followers exhibited and into them spoke peace, It was not a rationalizing lecture about the inefficiency of negative feelings or the deleterious effect of unbridled emotions on the brain. He encountered how they felt and said, “Have my peace instead … have my peace even while you are this way.”  

Into those darker moments of your life, I wish you nothing but the comfort of knowing that He speaks that peace to you as well.

Because of a cross,

Pastor Ken Nelson

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"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 20^th 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!

Second Sunday of Easter

April 15-16, 2023

Women’s Book Group – Monday, May 8

Harnischfeger Room -Brookfield Public Library

12:30 – 2:00 pm

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis



Eight months since losing her mother in the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919, 21-year-old Lillian Carter's life has completely fallen apart. For the past six years, under the moniker Angelica, Lillian was one of the most sought-after artists' models in New York City, with statues based on her figure gracing landmarks from the Plaza Hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge. But with her mother gone, a grieving Lillian is rudderless and desperate --- the work has dried up and a looming scandal has left her entirely without a safe haven.

So when she stumbles upon an employment opportunity at the Frick mansion --- a building that, ironically, bears her own visage --- Lillian jumps at the chance. But the longer she works as a private secretary to the imperious and demanding Helen Frick, the daughter and heiress of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick, the more deeply her life gets intertwined with that of the family --- pulling her into a tangled web of romantic trysts, stolen jewels and family drama that runs so deep, the stakes just may be life or death.

Nearly 50 years later, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own chance to make her career --- and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home --- within the walls of the former Frick residence, now converted into one of New York City's most impressive museums. But when she --- along with a charming intern/budding art curator named Joshua --- is dismissed from the Vogue shoot taking place at the Frick Collection, she chances upon a series of hidden messages in the museum: messages that will lead her and Joshua on a hunt that not only could solve Veronica's financial woes, but could finally reveal the truth behind a decades-old murder in the infamous Frick family.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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