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CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
6817 ANTRIM ROAD EDINA, MN 55439-1704
PHONE: 952.941.1251
OFFICE CLOSED ON MONDAYS Tuesday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In This Issue
PASTOR’S PAGE by Pastor Jerry Wahl
Martin Luther loved the season of Advent and Christmas. His writings are filled with songs, poems and meditations celebrating and proclaiming the good news that God has come to us in the Christ Child of Bethlehem. His faith-filled voice is fresh and alive some 500 years later as we celebrate this Reformation Anniversary.
Brother Martin calls each of us to follow the star, to hear the angel’s invitation, to journey to the stable, to wonder at God’s great love for us.
This season is about God’s creative activity in the lives of his people. As God’s people of faith at Calvary, we join Martin Luther in raising our songs of faith, trusting in the promises of God. We await with anticipation and hopeful-ness the Spirit’s word of new beginnings for our congregation.
This season, worship often, pray daily, read the good news, share your sto-ries and your hopes for our future together.
The verses from the following hymn written for Luther’s five-year old son, Hans, gives us a
glimpse of the gift that is ours.
From Heaven Above to Earth I Come by Martin Luther
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Here in my poor heart's inmost shrine, That I may evermore be Thine. My heart for very joy doth leap, My lips no more can silence keep, I too must sing, with joyful tongue, That sweetest ancient cradle song. Glory to God in highest Heaven, Who unto man His Son hath given, While angels sing, with pious mirth, A glad New Year to all the earth.
May Christ be with you & bring peace & joy to you this holy season.
Welcome! Worship! Witness! DECEMBER 2017
WEBSITE: www.calvaryedina.org
EMAIL:
BLOG: washeisstdas.blogspot.com
PASTOR: Jerry Wahl
cell: 612-206-5504
CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY
MINISTRY: Rebekah Moir
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC:
Daryl Erickson
ADMINISTRATOR & EDITOR:
Susan Burman
BOOKKEEPER: Kristin Hueg
CUSTODIAN: Robin Radosevich
Pastor’s Page 1
Children, Youth & Family 2
Council Highlights 2
Love to Tell The Story 3
December Birthdays 3
Advent Candles 3
Worship & Activities 4
“Being the Church “ 5
Stewardship 6
Advent/Christmas 6
Task Force Update 6
Calendar 7
Advent Worship 8
Christmas Worship 8 Pastor Jerry Wahl
The Nativity by Albrecht Durer ca. 1510
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER page 2
HIGHLIGHTS of the
November CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING by Alyson Purdy, Vice-President/Secretary
The Minutes and Treasurer’s Report from the October meeting were approved & seconded. Building & Grounds Report: 1) Maintenance contract secured for boiler and heating system. 2) Snowplow contractor secured for coming winter season at same monthly amount. 3) Successful Fall Clean-up Day on Nov. 4, 2017. Thank you to the Boy Scouts and Robotics & all who volunteered. Thanks to the Fellowship Team for pizza.
Evangelism Report: Usually, we have adult volunteers to greet on Sundays. In January, Rebekah Moir will be arranging for youth/children to be greeters in January.
Social Ministry Report: As Christians we are called to serve others, and it is an im-portant role of the church to support those in need and to share God’s love with all. The Social Ministry committee provides a variety of opportunities to allow all of us to be active in supporting others and share God’s love and word. Look for Sign-up sheets.
Worship & Music Report: Marcia Coon, Heather Dick, Daryl Erickson, and Becky Rorke (as available) are on the search com-mittee for a new organist/pianist. Interviews and auditions are underway.
† CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY by Rebekah Moir
† SUNDAY SCHOOL We Need Your Help!: There is a sign-up in the fellowship hall for people to bring breakfast treats each week. Please consider donating goodies to fuel our brains for discussion!
There is NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on Sunday, December 24 or Sunday, December 31. We resume our regular schedule on Sunday, January 7.
† CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Join us on Sunday, December 10th
, when the children & youth present: “From Heav’n Above: A Wittenberg Christmas.”
In this 500th Anniversary of
the Reformation year, we continue in the spirit of our recent Street Fair as the youth of Wittenberg put on a play for their families and local community.
Following worship, we celebrate Jesus’ birth with the annual “Jesus Cake” & carols around the Christmas Tree.
† MISSION PROJECT
Feed My Starving Children
Saturday, January 20, 2:00 — 4:00 p.m.
Join our group of all ages & come to Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen! Together, we will package meals for chil-dren in developing nations. We are open-ing this event up to members of St. Alban’s to join us. Friends and family are welcome to attend. Our reservation is for 40 people—watch for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex by the end of December.
Sunday School Schedule
9:00 a.m. Breakfast treats
9:15 a.m. Opening
9:25 a.m. Group Bible Reading
9:50 a.m. Music
10:00 a.m. Arts Block for Kids Dismissal for Adults
10:20 a.m. Dismissal
10:30 a.m. Worship
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER page 3
Sanctuary Stained Glass
LOVE TO TELL THE STORY …. In her own words, Mali Siverhus shares …. Christmas at Calvary
December Birthdays! 12/1 Kurt Von Schmidt-Pauli 12/15 Lynne Peterson
12/4 Donna Belanger 12/17 Richard Hay
12/11 Libby Strittmater 12/18 Greg Coon
12/12 Debbie Scott 12/13 Alethe Schlaefer
12/13 Daryl Erickson, Steve Larson
12/25 George Stenehjem
Advent, preparing our hearts……...
We light the Advent candles as a symbol of our spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. First Candle (HOPE) Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him. Romans 15:12 Second Candle (PEACE) "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12
Third Candle (JOY) …. angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10
Fourth Candle (LOVE) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, John 3:16
CHRISTMAS EVE (Christ Candle) “...look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!“ John 1:29
Every Christmas, Calvary Lutheran Church does a play. All of the kids get dressed up in fun
costumes and get to perform special parts in the play. Rebekah does a great job putting the play
together. Last year’s play was about how God created the Earth. And it was a lot of fun being a part
of that experience. Calvary Lutheran Church helps us learn about God, the sacrifices he made for
us, all while having fun. Thank you Calvary Lutheran Church for teaching us about God’s love
and mercy in a fun way! Thank you Mali!
Picture:
Christmas 2013
O Magnum
Mysterium
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER page 4
OUR WORSHIP & ACTIVITIES WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS at 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion is on the first and third Sundays of the month. On the 3rd Sunday of the month, we explore hymns from peoples & places around the world. Together, we live into the universal love of God in Christ Jesus. All are welcome into our faith family!
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE BROADCASTS Our Sunday Worship Service is broadcast through Southwest Community Television. Check it out on Comcast Cable TV Channel #15 on Mondays @ 8:30 p.m., Thursdays @ 9:30 p.m. & Sundays @ 3:00 p.m.
MEN’s BREAKFAST & FELLOWSHIP Join us on Saturday, December 9th (8:30 a.m.) for the Men’s Breakfast! Looking for Hosts so check out the poster in the Narthex! Bring a good story or two as we like our eggs over funny.
WOMEN’s BIBLE STUDY & COFFEE FELLOWSHIP The Women’s Bible Study meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Library. The next Bible Study is Wednesday, December 6th at 10:00 a.m. The discussion is the Bible Study from the Gather Magazine (Women of ELCA). The Women’s Coffee Fellow-ship will not meet in December. See you in January!
CALVARY BOOK CLUB
The next meeting is Tuesday, December 19th in the library (5:30 p.m.). Join us & discuss My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell (Corfu Trilogy #1 (1956). Enjoy a fun discussion of the book that was the basis for the PBS series The Durrells of Corfu. Looking ahead to the New Year, we will be reading Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, A Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard. Please join us each month or when a book selection interests you. Contact Carol Dubay to get on our mailing list!
WOMEN †ogether
DEADLINE FOR THE JANUARY issue of the
CALVARY CALLER is TUESDAY, December 19th
COFFEE HOUR following Sunday Worship Thank you to the Social Ministry Team! They hosted our Coffee Hour throughout November. The Evangelism Team led by Heather Dick are our hosts for December during our weekly time together. THANK YOU! If you can help with a food item or financial assistance, please see them.
CLC
†
CALVARYS
TV Ministry
NEWS FLASH! GARY LEHR IS RETIRING!
Gary has been our faithful Head Usher for many years. He scheduled others to usher and filled in when unable to find others to usher. He greeted us all with a smile & an outstretched hand. He helped us to find hearing devices & lost items and cleaned up after us. Please say thanks to Gary as he passes the baton to Rolland Digre.
CHECK OUT OR REVISIT OUR CHURCH WEBSITE: http://www.calvaryedina.org!
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER page 5
“BEING” THE CHURCH…. ….Our hearts and hands in the World & Community
OUR SERVING…….... We have made a commitment to continue serving a meal at Our Saviour’s Homeless Shelter in 2018. The need is great and they are grateful, telling us “thank you” many times during the time we are there.
Volunteers are needed!! In January, we will provide more information about the six (6) meals that we will provide in 2018. Sign up to help! Our Saviour’s has other needs and an updated list is posted on the bulletin board. Check it out! If you can provide any of the items, you can bring them to the church office and they will be delivered for you!!
OUR GIVING…….... VEAP reevaluated & revised their programs to focus on food, home and a support system for families. As a result, we will not provide toys this year. We can best help families-in-need with our gifts of money or food. VEAP is able to do more with every $1 dollar as they provide healthy food to build healthy communities.
If you regularly provide food in our shopping cart, please pick up the revised shopping list. This list of suggested items is on the wall by the VEAP shopping cart. Thank you!
OUR RINGING…….... We are familiar with the Red Kettle Drive during the holiday season. Ringing the bell is a common scene at stores and malls, but they can’t ring the bell without volunteers. Thanks to Calvary volunteers who rang the bell at Cub Foods on York the Saturday after Thanksgiving: Mary Arnold, Dick Cornelius, Alison Graber, Lynnette Johnson, Bonnie Rust and Paul Thomsen. During our time around the kettle we met kids and adults of all ages and they thanked us for ringing because at that moment, we represented The Salvation Army. It is a privilege to volunteer!!
WORSHIP WITH CAROLS & CALVARY ORCHESTRA
Join us on December 17th!
Our Director of Music, Daryl Erickson
coordinates and leads this festive
worship! The service is filled with the
sounds of the season as we sing
carols and prepare our hearts.
The multi-talented Calvary Orchestra
comes together once a year for this
tradition. Anyone who has played an
instrument, young or old, novice or
expert is welcomed!
See Daryl if you would to play with
us. Music is provided.
The Orchestra Rehearsal is
Sunday, December 17th at
8:45 a.m. Tune up and join us!
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER page 6
TASK FORCE UPDATE by Becky Rorke, President of Church Council & Member of Task Force The Calvary Task Force has been busy meeting on a weekly basis, working to wrap up our assignment of investigating future opportunities for Calvary’s ministry. We greatly appreciate your prayers for our continued work, and the feedback that the congregation has provided us. Keep it coming!
Below is a brief summary of recent activities:
We have met with ministers of neighboring congregations to discuss their perspective of up-coming challenges of our community, and ways that they are planning their ministries.
At our last town hall meeting, we conducted a congregational “Vitality Survey” and learned that our congregation scores highest on the domains of “God’s Presence” in our congregation and “Church Programs”, such as worship, fellowship, youth ministries.
We also polled our congregation as to where we felt future plans should be directed. Overwhelmingly, the response was to build partnerships with other faith-based organizations.
We have decided to eliminate some options from our consideration. These include the closing of our church, and/or selling off real estate assets.
Although we are still fine-tuning our plan, we do have a narrower vision. We will present this vision at the next Town Hall meeting on December 3rd, following our worship service. Please come and be prepared to share your own perspective and insights!
Members of the Calvary Task Force: Becky Rorke, Greg Coon, Steve Manacek & Jennifer Nelson.
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS… (Esther 4:14) by Marty Fergus, Stewardship Coordinator
FALL 2017 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN Thanks to all who have turned in their estimate of giving card and time & talent survey. If you have yet to do so, please submit them as soon as possible. They may be placed in the collection plate any Sunday or, alternatively, delivered or mailed to the church office. Offering envelopes for 2018 are now available for pick up from the table in the narthex.
DECORATING FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS!
It is always joyous to decorate for Advent & Christmas. At Calvary, it takes only a small amount of time. Please come & spend about an hour on one or more on the following dates to beautify Calvary.
December 2 10:00 a.m. Hang garlands and wreaths
December 9 12:00 Noon Decorate the sanctuary tree
December 22 12:00 Noon Arrange poinsettias in the sanctuary
December 24 11:30 a.m. Put out candles, candelabras, and luminaries for Christmas Eve Worship
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER page 7
Photo Caption MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2
10:00 a.m. Decorate
3 1st Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship & Holy Communion TOWN HALL MEETING
12:00 p.m. Coffee Hour
3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
4
Office Closed
8:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
5
6
10:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
6:30 p.m. Bell Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
7
12Noon: Deadline for Bulletin
9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
8
9 8:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Rehearsal SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM 12Noon Decorate
10 2nd Sunday of Advent
SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship & Program 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters
3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
11
Office Closed
8:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
12
6:30 p.m. Exec. Meeting
7:00 p.m. Council Meeting
13 6:30 p.m. Confirmation
6:30 p.m. Bell Rehearsal
7:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
14
11:15 a.m. Meals on Wheels
12Noon: Dead-line for Bulletin
9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
15
16
17 3rrd Sunday of Advent
WORSHIP WITH CAROLS & CALVARY ORCHESTRA
8:45 a.m. Orchestra Rehearsal
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship with Carols 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
18
Office Closed
8:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
19
12Noon: Deadline for Newsletter
5:30 p.m. Book Club
20 NO Women’s Coffee Fellowship
6:30 p.m. Bell
Rehearsal
7:15 p.m. Choir
Rehearsal
21 12Noon: Deadline for Bulletin
9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
22 12 NOON Decorate
23
24 4th Sunday of Advent
NO Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour
11:30 Decorate for Christmas Eve
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:00 p.m. CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP 3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
25
Office Closed
CHRISTMAS DAY
8:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
26 27
NO Bell Rehearsal NO Choir Rehearsal
28
12Noon: Deadline for Bulletin
9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
29 30
31 1st Sunday of Christmas
SWEATERS & CAROLS NO Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters 3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15
WELCOME 2018!!
Blessed New Year!
January 1
Office Closed
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER page 8
Our Mission:
Calvary
Lutheran
Church
welcomes all
who desire to
grow in the love
and compassion
of our Lord and
Savior Jesus
Christ, worship
the triune God,
and witness in
service to our
community and
the world.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT
WORSHIP
DECEMBER 24th
5:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
PROGRAM
DECEMBER 10th
10:30 a.m.
From Heav’n Above: A Wittenberg Christmas
WORSHIP WITH CAROLS
& CALVARY ORCHESTRA
DECEMBER 17th
10:30 a.m.
4th Sunday in Advent
DECEMBER 24th
10:30 a.m.
SWEATERS & CAROLS
DECEMBER 31th
10:30 a.m.
I
First Sunday in Advent
DECEMBER 3rd
10:30 a.m.
