CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
| Your Weekly E-Newsletter - Thursday May 30, 2024 | |
This Week's Devotional - Listening for the Promise
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“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
-2 Corinthians 4:5-6
At a recent lock-in we held with the youth of our congregation, we played a game of hide-and-seek in the dark. Our church building is an old building, and it has had its share of renovations and additions, so it is fantastic for playing hide-and-seek in the dark. Our youth range in age from third grade to eighth grade. As the game begins, the kids are full of excitement and intrigue. However, once they begin seeking for others in the dark church, noises and shadows that weren’t such a big deal before, now frighten those whose job is to find others hiding in the dark.
As the night grows long and just before bedtime arrives at midnight, we have a time of evening prayer and devotion in the sanctuary. It’s still dark, except for a few lights in the chancel area. The kids are amazed at how just a little light can reveal so much… and make them feel safe and secure in the darkness.
In our lives as Christians, we have moments where we feel “in the dark,” unsure of what surrounds us. At times in our lives, the path set before us is clearly lit; we feel like we can see for miles ahead. But more often than not, we only have the first step right in front of us illuminated. How can we move forward? How can we not stay frozen in place because we can’t see what lies ahead?
We feel as though we need knowledge. We need to know that path that God has laid out for us, but God doesn’t give us the whole picture. That’s what faith is all about: trusting that God will lead us along the way, even if it seems dangerous and dark.
What does God give us? Or maybe a better question is: who does God give us? Jesus Christ. Jesus is the “Light of the World,” the Light no darkness can overcome. If we call to mind all the gifts God has given to us in Christ, what do we have to be afraid of? Why do we need to know all of God’s plans? We really don’t have any reason to be afraid or worried, but we all know that’s easier said than done. It’s a part of who we are as humans, broken and sinful. We doubt if God really has our best interests at heart. We doubt if we can get through this trial in life or that challenge at work.
But God has given us all we need to know in the gift of Jesus Christ. That alone can give us peace.
Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2024, Sola Publishing
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"BUILD A BED" EVENT
Saturday, June 22
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
PDC Facility
700 Walnut Ridge Drive, Hartland
Please sign up today! 20 spots have been reserved for Calvary volunteers. WE STILL NEED MORE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP!
It's an online registration process and here's the link to register:
SIGN UP
Please join fellow Calvary members to help get kids who are currently sleeping on the floors in our community into real beds! We had a fantastic turnout last year and it was a great experience for everyone. The minimum age to participate is 12 with a parent, or 16 and older can come with a group with adult leader.
Questions? Please reach out to Karen Pierce at k5pierce@att.net. If you have difficulty signing up, Karen will be happy to help you through the registration process.
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LAKE COUNTRY DOCKHOUNDS BASEBALL GAME
JUNE 30 AT 1:05 p.m.
The Church Life Committee has planned a fun outing to see the Lake Country DockHounds play the Lincoln Saltdogs on Sunday, June 30 at 1:05 p.m. The team plays at the Wisconsin Brewing Company Park, located in Oconomowoc just south of I-94 at the Hwy 67 exit.
Our seats are located in the QuadDocks section on the right field side (see photo below) and are $30 each (which includes entry and two beverages - soda or beer). Parking is an addtiional $5.
Only 20 tickets were purchased - requests will be filled on a first come/first serve basis. Please sign up by June 9th.
A sign up sheet is posted on the Coming Events kiosk in the Narthex. Please drop your payment in the offering basket or church office.
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DOCKHOUNDS PRIZE PACKAGE!
One lucky person who purchases a ticket to the game will win a DockHounds prize package consisting of two seat cushions, a Louie mascot bobblehead, a can coozie and a string bag. (See photo below)
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CALVARY CLEAN UP - SATURDAY, JUNE 15 | |
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We will be doing our annual clean up of the church property on Saturday, June 15 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. We will be raking, trimming bushes/shrubs, weeding and hauling the refuse to the Recycling Center. There's a sign up sheet on the Opportunties kiosk in the Narthex.
There's truly a job for everyone. Please bring your rakes, trimming tools and gloves. Refreshments and a free t-shirt will be provided. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ernie Kretschmann.
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Photos from last year's Calvary clean up | | |
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2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Graduate Recognition
June 1-2, 2024
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PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Jerry Wittmus
ASSISTING MINISTER: Ed Ramthun
DEACONS:
Saturday: Sue Rowe
Sunday: George Sedivec, Everett Lambert, Ruth Brostowitz, Lenny Graffin
ACOLYTE: Jackson Gall
LECTOR: Ruth Brostowitz
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE: Larry Bonier
USHERS: Brad Meyer and Jon Sayas
ALTAR GUILD: Tom and Sue Sadowsky
GREETERS:
- Carol Roe
- Jonni Roush
- Judy Sayas
FLOWERS: Graduate Recognition
FELLOWSHIP TREATS: Graduate Recognition
POWERPOINT OPERATORS:
Saturday: Jeanette Kalupa
Sunday: Chuck Lukasik
LIVESTREAM OPERATOR: Chris Dudzik
MUSIC THIS WEEKEND: We have two options to listen to the hymn for the upcoming services that are not included in the hymnals. Links to "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place" are included below.
YouTube LINK
You can also listen to it on Spotify, click SPOTIFY.
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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).
Prayers of sympathy and God's peace to: the family of Ron Foster, who passed away on May 27.
New prayer requests: Janet Zastrow; Jeff Edwards (friend of Ernie Kretschmann)
Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Judy DeBruine; Pat Treutelaar; Sue Dindorf; Sue Rowe; John Schwartz; Evelyn Ceci; Jonni Roush; Laura Burger; Zander Crowe (great-grandson of Janet Zastrow); Brian Nowak (cousin of Ernie Kretschmann's niece); Bob Weis (brother-in-law of Sue Rowe); Debbie and Karen (friends of Linda Thorpe); Diane Rutsch (friend of Mary Lau); Bob Lillith (nephew of Juanita Osowski); Eric Dix (Linda Thorpe's son-in-law's brother); Mary Nelson (friend of Linda Thorpe); Creig Moritz (brother of Bryant Moritz); Taylor (granddaughter of Lenny Graffin); Edward Hermann (son of Marilyn Hermann); Larry Larsen (brother of Kris Larsen); John Kretschmann (brother of Ernie Kretschmann); Jean (friend of Linda Thorpe); Sandy (friend of Linda Thorpe); Matti Beilfuss (friend of Rick Kegel); Lou Dangler (friend of Evelyn Ceci); Paul Mahn (son of Shirley Mahn); Amy Clark (friend of Megan Scott)
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: ITC Agustin Juarez (son-in-law of Ken Miller, serving in the U.S. Navy); 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); Nicole Wahlgren (serving in the U.S. Army National Guard); all military chaplains; and all veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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: Jan Chesner; Pat Corcoran; Wayne Dieck; Bev Lawson; Shirley Mahn; Nadine Schuelke; Jan Tschetter
Non-members: Kathy (friend of Judy Sayas' sister); Christine (cousin of Judy Sayas); Jan Sperry (friend of Judy Sayas); Drake Ferber (Judy Sayas' neighbor's son); Ron Parker (brother of Linda Thorpe); 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); 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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Kathy Gall, 6/1
Gordy Gunlauggson, 6/3
Preston Meyer, 6/5
JoAnne Phillips, 6/5
Mary Smith, 6/8
Claire Gall, 6/9
Curtis Klade, 6/9
Fay Heyen, 6/17
Jan Tschetter, 6/24
Glori Kurth, 6/25
Keith Pierce, 6/25
Caryl Braatz, 6/26
Harold Rose, 6/30
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Chris and Leah Morris 5/30 (26 years)
Lee and Marge Tyne 6/9 (62 years)
Ken and Marcella Nelson 6/15 (39 years)
Don and JoAnne Krause 6/17 (63 years)
Randy and Sue Wizner 6/18 (42 years)
Dale and Marty Altmin 6/19 (59 years)
Terry and Sandy Moths 6/20 (43 years)
Ray and Jan Chesner 6/21 (66 years)
Deron and Lynnette Anderson 6/26 (31 years)
Bob and Ann Jazgar 6/27 (60 years)
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Save the date for these upcoming services
with special musical guests.
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Gail Pike, Handbell Soloist
Sunday, July 7
9:00 a.m. service
Nancy Wittmus' sister Gail is a talented handbell musician and she will be sharing her talents with us during the service on July 7.
You won't believe what one person can do with a table of handbells!
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Polka Service
Sunday, July 14
9:00 a.m. service
Chris Dudzik and his dad John will be providing the music for a polka worship on Sunday July 14 at 9 a.m.
It's an uplifting and joyful way to praise God during our liturgy!
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
July 29- August 2, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Ahoy! We are going into an amazing undersea adventure where we will experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. At SCUBA VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about! Each dive site is supervised by masters of their trade, leading fun-filled activities guaranteed to help kids dive deeper into their personal friendship with God!
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! If you can help, please sign up on the Registration Page.
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For more information, click HERE for details. Registration is now open!
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COLLECTING FLOOD BUCKETS AND KITCHEN KITS
Calvary's support of the NALC Disaster Relief continues. Our efforts in May and June will focus on Kitchen Kits (a new request) and Flood Buckets. Supply lists for each of these are on the table in the Narthex. Calvary will provide the cookbooks for the Kitchen Kits. This could be a great project for families, small groups, friends or individuals.
Let's restock the NALC warehouses! Please return Kitchen Kits and Flood Buckets to the bins beneath the tables in the Narthex by June 30th.
If you have any questions, please contact Judy Sayas or Paula Altman from the Mission & Outreach Committee.
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June Mission of the Month | |
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NALC International Mission
through the World Mission Prayer League
The World Mission Prayer League (WMPL) is an official ministry partner of the NALC. WMPL grew out of a God-given burden to pray for the unreached interiors of Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the 1930’s. A band of students, pastors and friends in the Minneapolis area joined together in prayer that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into his harvest.
WMPL says of itself … we are committed to pray, as Jesus commands his followers in Matthew 9:38 – “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” We are a … community of men and women who are committed to prayer - the “working method” of our mission.
The World Mission Prayer League exists to see that populations with limited or no access to the Gospel experience the love of Christ and that believers and communities of believers in the Americas and elsewhere engage in active and collaborative participation in living out their roles in the great commission.
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Our Mission of the Month offerings will:
- Directly support the work of the World Mission Prayer League;
- Support a “Ministry Fund” for our missionaries and support for orphans whose parents died of COVID.
We hope you will learn more about WMPL – their website is www.wmpl.org, and generously support the mission work Calvary does in India through this wonderful Lutheran ministry.
To support this important Mission of the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope (designate donation next to Mission of the Month) or select the donation as "Mission of the Month" in your online giving.
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Women's Book Club Meeting
June 10, 12:30 p.m.
The Women's Book Club will be meeting on Monday, June 10 at 12:30 p.m. in the Media Room. This meeting will be to select the books that will be read when the Club resumes its monthly meetings in the fall.
Please email any suggested book titles with the author's name to Ellen (etsegar@hotmail.com) so a list can be compiled. A brief description about the book would also be helpful. Any questions should be directed to Terry Bzdusek.
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Women's Bible Study
Janet Zastrow and Nancy Wittmus are co-facilitating a Women's Bible Study, on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. The Study is based on the book Jesus Followers written by the daughter and granddaughter of Billy Graham. They share inspiring stories from their family life that offer compelling insights for leaving a legacy of faith.
Passing on our faith does not happen passively—it’s something we intentionally pursue with prayer and joy. Yet many of us struggle to know what it looks like to live out a contagious faith in today’s world. We long for spiritual wisdom on how to ignite faith in our children, grandchildren, and others we encounter.
Jesus Followers offers practical ideas, biblical teaching, and inspiring true stories from Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright for effectively running the race of faith and passing the Baton of Truth to the next generation.
Jesus Followers not only offers a glimpse into the living rooms and prayer closets of a faith-filled family, but it also equips you with the wisdom, motivation, and practical ideas for consistently and joyfully sharing your faith.
All women are invited to attend. Bring a friend. There is no cost for the study materials. Please send any questions to Janet at janetzastrow@att.net.
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Weekly Men's Breakfast
Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.
Maxim's Restaurant
18025 W. Capitol Drive
Brookfield
All men are invited to attend!
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Monthly Men's Gathering
Fellowship Hall
Thursday, June 20
6:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie Kretschmann at erniekretschmann@gmail.com
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Worship Attendance and Giving | |
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 your 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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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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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. | | |
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NALC Monthly Newsletter
Stay up to date on happenings in the NALC by reading their monthly newsletter, NALC News.
Click the link below to view the current issue.
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Your 2024 Board of Deacons
Front row (l-r) Lenny Graffin, Sue Rowe, Darlene Louison, Joanne Schultz, George Sedivec
Back row (l-r); Ed Ramthun, Judy Kestly, Andy Foy, Pat Foy, Ruth Brostowitz and Bill Graffin.
Not pictured: Everett Lambert
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Your 2024 Church Council
Front row (l-r) Joanne Schultz, Peggy Langelin, Jan Lukasik
Back row (l-r); Ernie Kretschmann, Andy Schatz, Scott Langelin, Pat Dieck, Keith Pierce
Not pictured: Chris Dudzik
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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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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.
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 is posted on the bulletin board. Thank you for your support!
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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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