CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Your Weekly E-Newsletter August 27, 2020
This Week's Pondering .....

Nicole Moritz, Coordinator of Music Ministry

“What Makes a Song Acceptable for Worship?


Thanks to Pastor Ken for his insightful article last week underscoring the central purpose of a corporate worship service. This understanding is vital to the role of music in corporate worship.

Yes, the Scriptures call on us in many passages to praise the Lord through our music. But not just any song will do. Here is a short list of the questions I ask when determining which songs are appropriate to be sung in the Divine Service. (Spoiler alert: It’s mostly about the lyrics.)

  • Does it point people to Christ? If the song doesn’t explicitly reference the God we worship, God the Father, God the Son, and/or the Holy Spirit, it probably won’t be used. A song that’s vaguely inspirational (for example, “The Wind Beneath My Wings”) doesn’t fit the bill here. Neither does “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison, because it could be talking about any religion’s god. Only our God provides justification and forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ.

  • Does it fit the themes of the day and readings from Scripture? As a church musician seeking to serve the central purpose of our worship, I spend considerable time planning which hymns and songs fit the readings to provide coherence. For instance, we don’t sing “For All the Saints” at Christmas, because it’s not appropriate for that day. Instead, we plan that hymn to be sung on All Saints Sunday.

  • Does it contain sound theology? Does it quote or paraphrase Scripture? Interestingly, in other traditions, notably the followers of John Calvin and the Reformed church, ONLY the Psalms of David and certain Scriptural canticles were allowed for congregational singing. Lutherans have never been that strict in their interpretation of God-pleasing music; as we know, Luther himself composed hymns for corporate worship. However, in our worship, we want to “think the thoughts of God after Him,” and part of this is reminding ourselves what God has spoken to us through His written Word. I like to encourage my friends ....

Please click HERE to read the
remainder of this week's Pondering.
Worship Resources

You can easily access our Home Worship Resources which includes an audio file of the weekend service, the sermon and an order of worship that outlines the service. Click below.
Online Resources

Looking for a copy of a prior sermon or podcast? Or did you miss reading one of the weekly e-newsletters? How about the link for online giving? You can find these things and more on Calvary's website ... there's a link below.
Daily Devotion
This Week's Chuckle
F R E E - Going, going, gone!
Kay Marshall, Calvary member who recently passed away, was an avid baker and cook. Her tremendous collection of cookbooks are on display in the Narthex and everyone is invited to take whatever books you'd like. There are also several bags on the table near the books that you can use to take home your new treasures.

Please stop by anytime during the week (8:00 a.m. until noon) or check it out after worship services. The cookbooks will be available through Sunday, September 13.

This is a wonderful way for all of us to have a little bit of Kay in our homes and hearts.

The Calvary Knitters have extra yarn that they will not be using and are offering it up to anyone who would like it.


Stop by the table in the Narthex and take any yarn that you can use for smaller projects.


The church is open during the week, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Or you can check it out before or after worship on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The yard will be available through Sunday, September 13.
Worship Updates
WEEKEND WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.   

We have taken many steps to ensure as safe of an environment as possible – please use your own judgement in choosing to come. You must do what is most comfortable for you. We will also continue to offer the weekend worship materials via email, as well as delivery of home communion to any member who wishes to receive it. Please call the office at 262.786.4010 for more details or to sign up to receive home communion.
Safe practices are in place for all worship services.

Face masks are required while at worship. 
Social distancing has been established in the Sanctuary with assigned pews for each service, designated by colored tags (see photo). Please sit only in the pew with the tag designated for that service. If you are not sitting with your family, please observe the 6’ distance between you and someone next to you (approximately two arm lengths).

All high touch points such as pews and door handles are sanitized after each service. The Altar Guild follows strict sanitation practices when filling the cups. We are using hosts instead of bread and wine is "self serve". All servers will wash their hands in the Sacristy prior to serving communion.  
THIS WEEKEND
14th Sunday after Pentecost

This week's reading
Click below for a link to the reading
ASSISTING MINISTER:
  • Larry Bonier

DEACONS:
  • Saturday (5:00 pm): Sheila Kershek
  • Sunday (8:30 am): Glori Kurth
  • Sunday (10:00 am): Terry Bzdusek

USHERS:
  • Sunday (8:30 am):
  • Sunday (10:00 am): Jane Krause

LECTORS:
  • Sunday (8:30 am): Lee Tyne
  • Sunday (10:00 am): Karen Pierce

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
  • Megan Schatz

SPECIAL MUSIC:
  • Caleb Douglas

ALTAR FLOWERS:
  • Darlene Louison (in memory of Duane Louison)

ALTAR GUILD:
  • RoJean Holler

POWERPOINT TECH:
  • Saturday (5:00 pm): Lydia Trudell
  • Sunday (8:30 am): Sue Rowe
  • Sunday (10:00 am): Sallie Schulz


Worship Attendance
August 29 & 30
Enrich Your Bible Knowledge

Each CONNECTIONS issue will provide a link to read a text study for the Scripture readings planned for the weekend.*


There is a quick explanation about the specific Scripture readings, as well as a few questions for you to ponder about those readings. We invite you to check it out!

*Guest preachers may select alternative scripture. The SOLA study text will always refererence the text that is listed in the 2020 Lectionary published by the NALC/SOLA.
Our Church Family
Aaron Duch, 9/4
Jeanne Duch, 9/4
Grace Gunnlaugsson, 9/4
Emma Leonard, 9/4
Anna Baumgartner, 9/5
Edith Kedrow, 9/5
Elton Juno, 9/7
Sue Sadowsky, 9/7
Mary Wenzel, 9/7
Eloise Kurth, 9/9
Jane Taufner, 9/9
Ruth Young, 9/10

Nick and Alecia Huettl, 9/4 (15 years)
Mitch and Beth Foster, 9/7 (29 years)
Joe and Diane Grundman, 9/7 (46 years)
Prayer Requests
New prayer request: Mike Foster (son of Ron Foster)

Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Judy Grospitz; Marion Youngquist (former Calvary member); Elizabeth Scott (cousin of Megan Sayas); Elmer Eggert (grandfather of Angie Schatz); John Bradowsky (NALC Bishop Emeritis); Jan Janchan (friend of Jonni Roush); Mary Dresser (Donna Schroeder's daughter-in-law's sister); Shirl Gordon (friend of Cindy Rooks); David Voight (friend of Jonni Roush).
 
Serving in the Military: Dan Berger (serving in the U.S. Marines); Nicole Wahlgren (serving in the U.S. Army National Guard); Kyle Pierce (son of Karen and Keith Pierce, serving in the U.S. Army); Alex Olson (U.S. Air Force, grandchild of Ardath Olson); Karmen Thomas (friend of Tony and Krista Dentice serving in the U.S. Army); all military chaplains; and all veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
 
For All Men and Women Serving: Police Officers, Firefighters, 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:  Fay Heyen; Bill Jordan; Jeanette Ketelsen; Marge Skarie; Lowell Sonderman; Donna Polizzi; Pat Treutelaar; and Janet Zastrow.

Non-members: Tom Kestly (husband of Judy Kestly); Bill Barwa (friend of Megan Sayas); Doug Haus (brother-in-law of Chet Elliott); Nancy Waters (sister-in-law of Barb Snyder); Christine Elliott (friend of Chet Elliott); Reidun Asland (friend of Pastor Ken and Marcella Nelson); Brad Gabriel (cousin of Jenni Swanson); Jeff Edwards (friend of Ernie Kretschmann); Monica Barchus (niece of Ernie Kretschmann); Michael Rossa (Lucy Dallman's son).

If you have any new prayer requests, please contact the church office at 262.786.4010 or via email to office@calvarylc.com.
Mission of the Month & Community Outreach
SPECIAL GUESTS THIS WEEKEND!


Frank Woods will be preaching at Calvary on September 5-6 and will share information about Genesis Prison Ministry.

Additionally, Gary and Laurie Hendrickson (co-presidents of BASICS) will also be with us at Calvary this weekend to share details about BASICS MInsitry.

Please pray for and support this local Mission of the Month.
Mission of the Month: B.A.S.I.C.S. 
(Brothers And Sisters In Christ Serving)
 

Our September Mission of the Month is B.A.S.I.C.S. (Brothers And Sisters In Christ Serving). In addition to providing Bibles and Blankets in the Milwaukee area, Calvary will be supporting the Genesis Prison Ministry, which provides for discipleship inside the prison and help on the outside for re-entry.
 
B.A.S.I.C.S. is a Christian nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that works to strengthen churches and Christian outreach ministries throughout the metropolitan Milwaukee area. The group supports over 15 city ministries such as local partnerships, in-prison and re-entry ministries, community outreach events, recovery programs, youth activities and many others.
 
It is a well-established and highly regarded organization that’s been in existence for over 20 years.   It seeks to strengthen the evangelical outreach and growth of local churches, as well as help alleviate poverty and other difficult social problems. By fostering cooperation and teamwork while also connecting with resources, B.A.S.I.C.S. makes each outreach effort more effective.
 
The Calvary mission of the month donations for September will be supporting two ministries under the B.A.S.I.C.S. umbrella. Bibles written at a third grade reading level, along with blankets to provide comfort and warmth, are distributed to individuals in impoverished areas throughout Milwaukee. The Genesis Prison Ministry offers mentoring and discipleship, as well as a comprehensive, transformational program that assists with housing, employment training, job placement, financial literacy and management to enhance family development.

To support this important Mission for the Month, you may include it in your weekly offering envelope or designate the donation as "Mission of the Month" in your online giving.
School Kit Collection

Calvary is participating in the creation of 75 School Kits for Lutheran World Relief.

We are offering two opportunities for you to participate in filling the backpacks.

You may pick up one or more backpacks in the narthex, along with the shopping list of school supplies to fill it. You will buy all the items necessary for each backpack, fill and return it to the bins in the narthex by 9/23/20

There is a bulletin board in the Narthex with cards indicating a specific school supply to be purchased (for example: 50 pencils or 10 boxes of crayons).

You may take as many cards as you’d like, buy the appropriate items and return them to the bins in the Narthex by 9/23/20.
Personal Care Kit Collection

Cleanliness may not actually be next to godliness, but it certainly helps a person feel more human. When families find their homes destroyed, or must flee for their safety, soap and a towel rarely make the cut for what they can carry. The simple items included in a Personal Care Kit provide much-needed self-care, critical germ fighting, and the chance to regain dignity amidst situations of fear and uncertainty

Items to be included in the kit are:
-One light weight bath size towel, dark color recommended
-Two or three bath size bars of soap equaling 8 to 9 oz. in original wrapping
-One adult size toothbrush in its original packaging (or an individual toothbrush in a business size envelope)
-One sturdy comb, remove packaging
-One metal nail clipper, remove packaging

Please place your donations in the personal care kit collection bin in the Narthex no later than 9/23/20.
‌
Wisconsin summer brings heat and humidity, but it also brings an abundance of tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers from our home gardens. If you have already shared with your neighbors and are still looking for places to share your garden produce, look no further. We are happy to accept your produce donations and share with our guests.  

The Pantry accepts donations at 1301 Sentry Drive in Waukesha on the following days/times:
  • Monday through Friday from 1-3 p.m.
  • Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m.
  • Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Click the link below to read the specific instructions regarding produce donations.
This Week at a Glance
Men's Ministry
Weekly Men's Breakfast Wednesdays at 7:00 a.m.

Maxim's Restaurant
18025 W. Capitol Drive


The restaurant seating has been reconfigured in compliance with social distancing requirements. Please note the new start time!
Monthly Men's Ministry Gathering
Thursday, September 24
6:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall

Come for fellowship, food and devotion time. Dinner will be provided. Social distancing will be respected
and practiced. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ernie Kretschmann at kretschmann@att.net.
A few reminders ....
The office is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until noon.
The door 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.
Flower Chart

Sanctuary Flowers Sign Up

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

During the Refresh project, the sign up sheet will be in the office. If it's more convenient, you can email your request to Cindy Zilske at office@calvarylc.com. Please indicate the date you'd like to sponsor the flowers, and if you would like the flowers in memory or honor of someone.

Flowers are $35 and may be taken home following the 10 a.m. worship on Sunday morning.
Our Stephen Ministers are here for you!
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.

Holy Communion Home Distribution Ministry Available

If you are choosing to remain at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, any Calvary member, regardless of age or health, can request consecrated bread and juice from the weekend worship service. A sealed communion "kit", along with simple instructions to prepare you for communion, can be dropped off at your home by a member of our home communion ministry team.

If you'd like to get on the schedule for this important ministry, please contact the church office at 262.786.4010 or via email to office@calvarylc.com.   You may set up a schedule of delivery weekly, or less often if you choose.
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH www.calvarylc.com


Regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-noon 262.786.4010

Questions or comments? Email Sue Rowe at communications@calvarylc.com