CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Thursday, December 29, 2022

Thoughts on the Scripture Readings

for December 31/January 1

Isaiah 63:7-14

Psalm 111

Galatians 4:4-7

Matthew 2:13-23

The Common Thread King Herod violently carried out the law’s punishment (Rom 6:23) by killing the newborns. But Christ mercifully fulfills the law itself, redeeming us by his own death so that we may live. Though we are not worthy of the redemption that God has purchased for us, we are expected to live up to our redemption. God expects us to be grown-ups who do not need to depend upon the law to manage our lives. We are to live through the Spirit of grace. It disappoints God when we do not do so.

So as children of God, we must remember again and again his gracious mercy. How may we better do so than by partaking of the food of those who fear, love, and trust him? He has provided food so that his wondrous works may be remembered. In that holy meal his covenant is remembered forever.

Isaiah 63:7-14

“Recount.” That is what we do during Christmas (and every other season of the Church Year). We recount or retell the stories of our faith, how God has steadfastly loved us. We narrate the story of how God did not leave us to our own devices but instead became our Savior. He was (and is) afflicted in our afflictions. He not only suffers with us in our sufferings but has gone the extra mile by willingly walking the Via Dolorosa so that we do not have to do so. We may suffer in this life, but in the midst of our afflictions, we are called to recount the Christmas story — how God became our Savior, suffering the curse of the cross so that we may live with him in eternal Christmas glory.

Psalm 111:1-10

Many people attend church at Christmas and Easter. Though we want them with us on other Sundays too, we can be thankful that they are so touched by the Christmas story that they want to be there giving thanks for their Savior. Take the time to remind them that God is faithful throughout the year. He remembers his covenant promise even when it seems we forget about him. Let us give thanks to the Lord with our whole hearts for his gracious mercy toward us, poor sinners who are so often unfaithful to him.

Galatians 4:4-7

“In the fullness of time.” This has already happened and continues to occur. God sent his Son into the world when it was best prepared to receive a Savior — among other things, when the world was best prepared to spread the good news. Yet the story continues. God is still breaking in on lives at just the right time. When people are under the yoke of the law, feeling the great weight of their guilt — in the fullness of that time, people may finally hear the gracious word and know they have been adopted into the family of God.

Matthew 2:13-23

As far as I know, I went home with my mother a few days after I was born. A few years later, we moved to a new house, but we never had to flee for my life. No angel warned my father that the president was seeking my life. Yet here is the baby Jesus’ infant life being sought by a king. He not only wanted to kill the baby, he wanted to “destroy” (v. 13) the Savior King.

After a while, in another sort of “fullness of time,” when King Herod had died, it was safe for Jesus and his family to return to the land of Israel. But then Herod’s son reigned, and Jesus may still have been in danger. So Joseph was warned again, and the family withdrew to the north, to Galilee, so that Jesus would be safe and so prophecy would be fulfilled.

Jesus went through so much travail, even in his earliest days, just to be the Savior of the world. I think I would have given up in infancy.

Source: SOLA Publishing

The Church office will be closed on

Monday, January 2 in observation

of the New Year's Day holiday.

This Week's Message from the NALC

The daily prayer and Bible reading guide, "Devoted to Prayer" (based on Acts 2:42), was conceived and prepared by the Rev. Andrew S. Ames Fuller, director of communications for the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). This guide is to provide the average layperson and pastor with the simple tools for sorting through the busyness of their lives and reclaiming an act of daily discipleship with their Lord.

The daily readings follow the Lutheran Book of Worship two-year daily lectionary, which reflect the church calendar closely. The commemorations are adapted from Philip H. Pfatteicher’s New Book of Festivals and Commemorations, a proposed common calendar of the saints that builds from the Lutheran Book of Worship, but includes saints from many of those churches in ecumenical conversation with the NALC.

Daily Text Message

Receive a text message each day with that day’s devotion. To sign up, text: ReadingTheWord to 24251.

Daily Email

To receive a daily email with that day’s devotion, visit: callingpost.site/ReadingTheWordofGod. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the box that says “Sign Up Now.” (Note — if you wish to receive only an email, do not enter your phone number on this form.)

A Guide for Daily Prayer - Introduction

The 17th-century Anglican bishop Jeremy Taylor famously said, “Pray frequently and effectually; I had rather your prayers should be often than long.” Devoted to Prayer is a devotional aid to help you build a habit of more regular and purposeful prayer, with daily Scripture readings and reflections from the lives of saints who have gone before. It is arranged in the Lutheran prayer tradition and suitable for all Christians seeking a deeper relationship with God. This guide includes three times of prayer (Morning, Evening, Close of Day) for every day of the year. Traditionally, these prayers were observed at set times:

Morning—upon waking, or with breakfast;
Evening—at end of work day, or with dinner;
Close of Day—before sleep, or when the family retires.

Using Devoted to Prayer does not require you to pray all three times a day. You should choose a frequency of prayer that is suitable to your growth as a disciple of Jesus. Many who use this book may only pray twice a day at times most convenient for them. Begin where you are.

As you strengthen your habit of prayer, we recommend the following practices:

For those BEGINNING a practice of daily prayer…

Commit to pray at least once a day.
Keep your prayers brisk so that you do not feel overburdened by the daily effort.
Memorize THE LORD’S PRAYER and CONFESSION.
Pray freely for your felt needs when prompted by PERSONAL PRAYER.
Read simply the gospel passage from the LESSONS for the day.

For those GROWING into the rhythms of daily prayer…

Commit to pray at least two times per day.
Memorize each opening ANTIPHON.
In your PERSONAL PRAYERS, pray in specific ways for the church, the world, your government, and your loved ones.
Use the full Bible reading plan for the LESSONS.

For those with a MATURE habit of daily prayer…

Commit to praying all three times per day. Vary the pace of your prayers as the Lord directs you. Use the prayers for festivals and commemorations and learn about the lives of the saints.
Memorize the PSALMS and CANTICLES.
Collect and track PERSONAL PRAYERS in a journal. Give thanks to God for answered prayer and pray for friends and family who do not know the Lord.
Supplement the LESSONS with a Bible Study Guide or a commentary
Learn how to sing or chant the prayer services. Visit thenalc.org/worship to find the music.

Click the button below to access the online daily prayer. (To view the calendar and daily prayers for the year, click HERE.)

Guide For Daily Prayer

Worship Resources

Calvary's Website

Live Stream Link

NALC Daily Devotion

This Week's Reflection from Martin Luther

Herod, the rascal, was quite religious. Outwardly he did everything that a good man should. He called in the Wise Men, the priests and the scribes, but he showed his heart later when he murdered the innocents.

- Martin Luther

Christmas Book

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.

See the monthly calendar by clicking on the image below.

First Sunday after Christmas

December 31 - January 1

PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson

ASSISTING MINISTER: Larry Bonier

DEACONS:

Saturday: Terry Bzdusek
Sunday: Larry Bonier, Lisa Grossman, Judy Kestly

ACOLYTES:

Kyle and Jackson Gall

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:

Scott Anderson

USHERS:

Ed Ramthun and George Sedivec

LECTOR:

Larry Bonier

ALTAR GUILD:

Jan Lukasik

GREETERS:

Diane Grundman
Marilyn Hermann and Everett Lambert
Carol Corcoran

FELLOWSHIP:

Marilyn Hermann and Everett Lambert

FLOWERS: Christmas Poinsettias

POWERPOINT TECH:

Sue Rowe

Save the Date!

Calvary's 4th

Soup and Chili Cook Off

Saturday, February 11

6:00 p.m.

It's time to start looking through those cookbooks and recipe cards for that winning entry! Our 4th Soup and Chili Cook Off is on the calendar. Entry forms and more information will be available after the first of the year.

But be sure to save the date - whether you are a contestant or a participant, it's always a great time!

Women's Ministry Book Group

Monday, January 9, 2023 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Brookfield Library – Harnischfeger Room

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Please join us as we begin the year with what Kirkus describes this way: "Hogan’s writing has the soothing warmth of the cups of cocoa and tea her characters regularly dispense…old-fashioned storytelling with a sprinkling of magic.” A nice way to begin a new year!

Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles - Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

Bone china cup and saucer—Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.

Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

A charming, clever, and quietly moving novel of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us.

Faith Formation

International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Joint Worship Service

Wednesday, January 18

11:00 a.m. at SJV

Calvary will join our neighbors and friends from St. John Vianney for a joint worship service on Wednesday January 18 at 11 a.m. The service will be held at St. John Vianney this year.

This is the annual service marking the week of International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We are asking for non-perishable food items for the SJV food pantry. These items can be dropped in the shopping cart in the Narthex after January 1st, or you can bring with you to the joint service on January 18.

Please note that there will be NO adult Bible study at Calvary that day.

Our Church Family

Gabrielle (Hanke) Hollis, 12/29

Judy Klade, 12/31

Sallie Schulz, 12/31

JoAnne Krause, 1/1

Hadley Brooks, 1/4

Kyle Jones, 1/4

Bill Krause, 1/5

Ed Ramthun, 1/5

Jonni Roush, 1/5

Sean Corcoran, 1/7

Joanne Juno, 1/7

Ernie Kretschmann, 1/7

Tiffany6 Schlieve, 1/7

Jim Selas, 1/7

Ben and Amy Blobaum, 12/29 (2 years)

Rick and Carol Treadwell, 12/29 (49 years)

Ken and Amando Olstinski, 12/31 (1 year)

Chris and Jessica Dudzik, 1/7 (17 years)

Pat and Carol Corcoran, 1/12 (60 years)

Dave and Chris Cason, 1/17 (42 years)

Alex and Margaux Baumgarten, 1/25 (3 years)

Jiafu and Sophia Liu, 1/27 (23 years)

Joel and Linda Richmond, 1/30 (41 years)

New prayer requests: None

Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Jonni Roush; Tony Shemberger (father of Amy Blobaum); and Ray-Ann, granddaughter of David Ernst; Doug Keddie (friend of Janet Zastrow); Susie Barnhart (friend of Megan Sayas); Pastor Tim Peterson (friend of Ken and Marcella Nelson); Torrie and her unborn daughter (cousin's daughter of Lisa Grossman); Elizabeth Stem (niece of Evelyn Ceci); Dennis Heimdahl (son-in-law of Marilyn Hermann); Julie Niederbaumer (friend of many Calvary members); 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; Tom Kurtz; Beverly Lawson; Shirley Mahn; Myrna Mavroff; Donna Schroeder; Nadine Schuelke; Gloria Strei; Pat Treutelaar; Ruth Young; Janet Zastrow

Non-members: Gerry Fosdal (friend of Linda Thorpe); Tom Bruns (brother of Carol Rooney); Lauren (granddaughter of Scott and Peggy Langelin); Isabelle George (wife of Judy Sayas' cousin); 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); Joseph Franko (friend 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.

Worship Attendance - December 24-25, 2022

Below are a few photos from the Children's Nativity Program and Christmas Eve Children's Message.

December Mission of the Month

In December we raise up a vital Mission of the Month supporting the training of pastors for service in the North American Lutheran Churches. We have been blessed to have Ben Blobaum with us this year as a pastoral intern. Ben is a graduate of the North American Lutheran Seminary in Ambridge, PA.

Why is this important? The NALC is growing and the need for pastors trained for our Synod is crucial to us and congregations like ours in the NALC. Current pastors in other Synod traditions have received training in preparation for serving in NALC congregations; however, many of those pastors are nearing retirement. The NALC has grown from 17 congregations at inception to over 500. Initially there was only one seminary in Ambridge, PA; however, due to growth and demand, the Lutheran Institute of Technology (ILT) in Brookings, SD also trains pastors for the NALC. The ILT is an online institute with undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs.

Please consider supporting NALS/ILT seminaries n their godly work. Click here to be directed to their website for more information. 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.

Mission and Outreach

Winter Clothing Collection

Cleaning out your closet as we transition to winter? Calvary's Mission and Outreach Committee is collecting winter coats, sweatshirts and sweaters, caps, gloves and scarves for all ages. Please put your items in the tub in the narthex. Items can be new or gently-used condition.

Thanks for helping those who are without winter clothing in the Milwaukee area.

A few reminders ....

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.

Hospitality Treat Sponsors

Are Needed!

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!

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, etc.

We can also include other limited-time event payments such as the Disaster Response Training and the WI & Upper MI Mission District Convocation being held at Calvary on October 28 and 29.

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, please contact Cindy Rooks, Finance Secretary, via email at finance@calvarylc.com or (262) 786-4010.

Online Giving Link

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, January 19

6 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mark Trudell at mtrudell@reagan.com.

Church Directory Is Available

The Calvary Church Directory is available electronically or in paper format. If you'd like an electronic copy, please send an email to communications@calvarylc.com requesting it.

There are also printed copies available in the church office.

Any corrections or updates should be submitted to

Cindy Zilske at office@calvarylc.com.

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.

Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.

The link to the Live Stream is available on the home page at www.calvarylc.com

If you watch the livestream service, please take a moment to log your presence via the link that is available above the livestream link.

Sanctuary Flowers

We invite you to sign up for flowers to beautify our altar each weekend.

The sign-up sheet for 2023 is now posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Flowers are $35 and you may take them home following the 9 a.m. worship on Sunday morning. If you'd prefer, you can leave the flowers at church to be enjoyed by the office staff.

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.

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