CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Your Weekly E-Newsletter -- Friday, March 4, 2022
Pastor Ken's Pondering "Learning Childlike Faith Part 2"
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy, he who goes out weeping carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with him.”   Psalm 126:5-6


The Psalm writer describes not just a bad day followed by a good one, or a “things will look better in the morning” attitude, but conveys instead longsuffering.  No one sows one day and reaps the very next.  When we lived in Tanzania, we learned first-hand what this Psalm was getting at as we witnessed village families put the “seed corn” into the ground hoping the rains would come and disease stay away so that months later there would be a crop.  That “seed corn” represented many weeks, maybe even months of meals, and if the previous harvest was scarce, a family risked hunger when they put it in the ground instead of in their bellies.   It’s not easy to “laugh” when you feel the immense weight of the world on your shoulders, but in our installment this week of an article by Patrick Borders, we hear of how both laughter and tears are reflective of faith – even childlike faith.   I hope you enjoy these little illustrations.   For those who may not have seen last week’s Connections, I am reproducing below a brief introduction.


At a recent pastor’s conference I attended I was presented an article from an author named Patrick Borders.  Mr. Borders penned an article entitled “Who is the Greatest” based on reflections on Matthew 18:3 and his two young children.
Lessons of the faith at the intersection of being members of God’s household of faith and our own households.   Whether or not you’ve ever had the experience of raising a child, I think Mr. Border’s insights are intuitive and helpful in assessing who we are through baptism … children of the same heavenly Father and workers with each other in the kingdom of God.  Last week - and for the next few weeks - we’ll highlight portions of Mr. Borders’ article here.

Little children laugh easily. "Our mouths were filled with laughter ..." Psalm 126:2

While Jared raced his "car", Lauren went outside to play with her friend Anne. As they swung on the swings, I listened through the screen door to the sounds of their laughter.

Children giggle and smile often; I can go days without laughing and consequently miss the childlike joy in such expression. Even if you don't understand endorphins and the scientific reasons why laughter feels so good, you can rely on the truth of Proverbs 17:22: "A cheerful heart is good medicine."

Little children cry easily ".... My eyes pour out tears to God." Job 16;20

Later, Lauren ran inside, crying, as blood dripped from her scraped knee. Tonya, my wife, dressed her wound and hugged her. Lauren recovered eventually and returned outside.

Adults seldom cry. Many men, like me, almost never do. In contrast, Lauren and Jared cry often, even though they are happy children. Tears offer release for their pain - whether physical or emotional. Stoic reactions may result from cultural habits, upbringing, or even misguided thinking about "showing weakness". But when we're honest with ourself and with God about the pain we feel, our Father can soothe and encourage us.

Little children fall down. "Let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be ... complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4

Like Lauren, Jared had fallen the day before. Twice. Because they're still a bit uncoordinated, my kids stumble often - receiving plenty of bruises and scratches. But after a good cry, they're ready to continue on their way. They aren't afraid of falling - or of making mistakes. For adults, however, fear of failure often produces inaction. A healthy, Spirit-led sense of risk can be beneficial; we would do well to look forward to the successes God wants to help us reach forward rather than backward at the failures we fear repeating.

Little children are needy. "... Apart from Me, you can do nothing" John 15:5

Jared walked into the kitchen and asked his mother for a cup of juice. Since he's too short to reach the cabinet and too weak to pour from the pitcher, he needed her to get it for him.

Jared depends on my wife and me for almost everything - food, shelter, clothes. Why do we adults so easily forget our spiritual Parent and try to do everything ourself? Perhaps the pattern derives from the years spent learning to become independent. Or it could be a matter of pride; we simply don't like depending on anyone else and stubbornly insist on handling situations without help, even at the cost of failure, fatigue and frustration. Jared doesn't deceive himself into thinking he's self-sufficient, and as a result, he happily receives what his parents lovingly provide.

I wish you a very pleasant day,

Pastor Ken Nelson

Source: "In Touch", February 2005.
Worship Resources
Online Resources
Midweek Lenten Services & Prayer Group
Wednesday Midweek Lenten services will be held at 7:00 p.m. beginning on March 9th. The focus for each of the five Wednesday services will be on the Ten Commandments. We hope you will join us for these reflective and meaningful midweek services as we prepare for Easter.

Join Marcella Nelson on Thursday, March 10 at 8:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for a short time of Lenten Prayer. All are welcome!

First Sunday in Lent
March 5 & 6, 2022
PRESIDING MINISTER: Pastor Ken Nelson
ASSISTING MINISTER: Jessica Dudzik
DEACONS:
  • Saturday: Mary Ellen Thiede
  • Sunday: Terry Bzdusek, Mary Ellen Thiede, Lisa Grossman
ACOLYTES:
  • William Dudzik and Xavier Griese
USHERS:
  • Keith and Karen Pierce
LECTOR:
  • Bill Graffin
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE:
  • Kyle Jones
FELLOWSHIP TREATS:
  • Voss Family
ALTAR FLOWERS:
  • Rick Kegel in memory of Gail
ALTAR GUILD:
  • Norene Giuliani
POWERPOINT TECH:
  • Saturday: Sue Rowe
  • Sunday: Grace Gunnlaugsson
LIVESTREAM TECH:
  • Kyle Jones
Interested in joining Calvary?
Pastor Ken will be conducting a New Member class on March 17 from 6-8 p.m. New members will be introduced to the congregation the weekend of March 26-27.

If you'd like more information, please contact Cindy Zilske (office@calvarylc.com) or Pastor Ken (pastorken@calvarylc.com).
Our Church Family
Matt Schatz, 3/5
Nick Huettl, 3/6
Myrna Mavroff, 3/6
Ann Derse, 3/7
Malorie Harder, 3/10
Sue Rowe, 3/10
Gil Thompson, 3/11
Lucy Dallman, 3/12
Chris Morris, 3/12
Pat Corcoran, 3/15
Sue Dindorf, 3/20
Chet Elliott, 3/20
Lauren Beeson and Kyle Jones, 3/11 (10 years)
Chris and Rick Spangenberger, 3/16 (23 years)
Michele and Craig Schmidt, 3/28 (52 years)
Pat and Wayne Dieck, 3/30 (59 years)
New prayer requests: Donna Schroeder; Mark Trudell; Janice Stem (sister of Evelyn Ceci); Barb Hasselbine (friend of Marcella Nelson)

Ongoing short-term prayer requests: Donna Schroeder; Jim Trainor (former Calvary member); Dwayne Hanon (BroomTree Ministries); Dennis Reich (friend of John and Mary Lau); Ray Anderson (friend of the Grossman's); Curt (friend of Larry Bonier); Pastor Mark Gehrke (son of Lois Gehrke); Barb Anderson (friend of Lisa Grossman)

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, 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: Ginny Cox; Don Heyen; Eloise Kurth; Shirley Mahn; Myrna Mavroff; Donna Polizzi; Nadine Schuelke; Ruth Young; Janet Zastrow

Non-members:  Lisa Haggadone (daughter of Sallie Schulz); Janice Stem (sister of Evelyn Ceci); Taylor Czerwinski (granddaughter of Bill and Lenny Graffin); Gareth George (cousin of Judy Sayas); Joseph Franko (friend of Judy Sayas); Tom Frank (brother of Mary Ellen Thiede); Nancy Myers (friend of Judy Sayas); Paige Yeager (friend of Sallie Schulz's family); Rose Luther (friend of Nicole Moritz); Judy Grospitz; Jan Janchan (friend of Jonni Roush); 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); Marie Traxler (mother of Sue Meyer); Eric (friend of Larry Bonier); Delores Seel (mother of Keith Pierce); Larry Waldhart Jr. (Ed Ramthun's sister's stepson)


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 and Financials - February 26-27, 2022
(Does not include those who watched the livestream remotely)
Women's Book Group - March 14 at 12:30 p.m.
Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.
Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.
“A love letter to Paris, the power of books, and the beauty of intergenerational friendship” (Booklist), The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest places.
Monday Afternoon Movie - March 21 at 1 p.m. Media Room
Anything can happen during a weekend at New York's Waldorf-Astoria: a glamorous movie star (Ginger Rogers) meets a world-weary war correspondent (Walter Pidgeon) and mistakes him for a jewel thief; a soldier (Van Johnson) learns that without an operation he'll die and so looks for one last romance with a beautiful but ambitious stenographer (Lana Turner); a cub reporter tries to get the goods on a shady man's dealing with a foreign potentate. And it all happens in the opulent, grandiose New York landmark hotel as a sort of tongue-in-cheek take-off on the classic movie Grand Hotel. (This one is much more fun!)

This film fits right in with our book this month. It was made in 1945 and has drama, humor, romance, intrigue – and (spoiler alert) a happy ending.

Come to the media room for fellowship, snacks, and a good old black-and- white, star-studded film on Monday, March 21 at 1:00 pm.
Faith Formation
New Sunday Morning Adult Study
“Jesus in Me - Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion"
Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
in the Sanctuary

We are very excited to offer this opportunity to learn (or re-learn) things about the Holy Spirit, who lives in each of us – not just on Sunday mornings, but every minute of every day – “24/7” as the catch phrase of the ‘90’s would say.

We may come to realize that we have been missing some pretty powerful gifts. Have we been settling all these years for a 2/3 God? Oh, what an adventure awaits. We hope you can join us for at least a few of these sessions!

This video-based Bible study is facilitated by Pastor Ken and will be held in the Sanctuary. You do not need to sign up to attend. Copies of the study guide that accompanies this Study (while supplies last, at no cost to you) are available on the table in the Nathex. Copies of the companion book are also available in the office.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Grace Gunnlaugsson (gracemc@mac.com) or Pastor Ken (pastor@calvarylc.com).
Sign up below for the March 13
High School Youth Night!
Sign up below for the March 27 Middle School Youth Night!
Pastor Ken's Weekly Bible Study
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Pastor Ken's weekly Bible study is held each Wednesday from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. He will lead discussion around the Scripture lessons that will be read in worship the following weekend.

Please bring your Bibles - other materials will be provided. Copies of the text study sheets will be available on the table in the Narthex if you can't attend the Bible study, but would like to refer to it for the weekend worship.
March Mission of the Month
As you know, Calvary Lutheran Church is a congregation of the North American Lutheran Church. The NALC Disaster Response Fund provides resources for natural disaster victims in the United States.

When a disaster occurs funds are used to:

  • alleviate human suffering;
  • provide transitional assistance; and
  • enable those affected to begin the rebuilding process

In addition to funds received, the NALC Disaster Response team collects and distributes items that can be given out to disaster victims. 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.
Men's Ministry
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
Fellowship Hall

Thursday, March 24
6:00 p.m.

Come for fellowship, food and devotion time. Dinner will be provided. Invite a friend. Social distancing will be respected and practiced; face coverings are required.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ernie Kretschmann at kretschmann@att.net.

A few reminders ....
Hospitality Treats NEEDED!

We invite you to stay after worship on Sunday mornings and enjoy fellowship time and a treat/cup of coffee in Fellowship Hall. We are taking great care to provide safe food items for you (poured cups of coffee and plated breakfast snacks).

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 (3-4 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. 

For the time being, we are asking that any donated food be something that can be easily cut and placed on individual plates for serving.
Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.

The link is available on the home page at www.calvarylc.com
Sanctuary Flowers
We invite you to sign up for flowers to beautify our altar each weekend. The sign-up sheet for 2022 is 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.
Severe Weather Announcements

With winter here, 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.
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.
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