CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Bible Class and Sunday School: 9:15 a.m.

August - September, 2008

Dear Christian friends,

The season of Pentecost may have seemed novel at the occasion of Calvary’s last newsletter, which was printed on the heels of Trinity Sunday and at the beginning of the new season. But, now that we are more than ten weeks into Pentecost, we know exactly why this is the ‘non-festival’ half of the year. There’s not a festival in sight, it would seem, or at least not until Reformation Sunday in late October. But, what is at first glance a season without special occasion, is actually, upon further review, a season full of ‘minor festivals.’

We 21^st-century Lutherans aren’t used to honoring the saints… such a practice may even seem ‘Roman Catholic.’ While we would never pray to the saints, Lutherans have – throughout their history (and for a much different purpose) – remembered and commemorated the saints through minor festivals – especially during this Pentecost season. In fact, from June to November (the typical Pentecost season), the Lutheran Church Year includes minor festivals for fourteen saints and commemorations for another fifty-three...(Lutheran Service Book, xii and xxii)! Perhaps such news should not surprise us since we confess, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints….”

But, why commemorate the saints? And what does such a custom have to do with the season of Pentecost – the season in which we focus on growth and faith under the grace of Christ? To understand the answer to these questions, we must first answer the question, “what is a saint?”

Because Christians are justified by grace alone through faith alone on account of Christ alone, we are right to understand all Christians as saints, a term which stems from the Latin sanctus, which means, “holy.” But no Christian is declared holy because of what he or she has done, but rather because of what Christ has done on our behalf. And no Christian lives this life in perfect holiness, but is simul iustus et peccatur – simultaneously justified (saint) and sinner. Therefore, when we speak of saints, we are not focusing on the individual’s “life of faith” for God, but rather the individual’s life lived out in and by the grace of God. As the hymn so beautifully confesses, “These are the saints of glorious fame, who from the great affliction came and in the flood of Jesus’ blood are cleansed from guilt and shame” (LSB, 676).

With this understanding of saint, we are right to remember the saints that have gone before us and, especially in this season of Christian growth, consider the examples of the Christian life God has given through the saints of old for our benefit as we still struggle here below. In fact, the Lutheran Reformers, in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, give three reasons to honor the saints: “First, we thank God for giving faithful servants to His Church. Second, through such remembrance our faith is strengthened as we see the mercy that God extended to His saints of old. Third, these saints are examples by which we may imitate both their faith and their holy living according to our calling in life” (Lutheran Service Book, xii).

As the season of Pentecost continues, seeing the grace of God in the lives of “the great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1) can give us comfort that God continues to be at work in our lives. Thanks be to God for the work of His Son for those who have died in the Faith! Thanks be to God for His Son’s tireless work for those who live in the Faith! Thanks be to God for this season of growth in the Faith!

Pastor Bestul

+ LUTHERAN EDUCATION AT CALVARY +

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS During the summer, we have been discussing Elgin and Evangelism: A Proper Understanding of Missions in 21^st-century America. Please join us in August as we continue and conclude this important topic. Then, in September, we will begin a new topic. Heaven on Earth: The Divine Service and Lutheran Worship.

SUMMER STUDY SERIES During this ‘first annual’ study series, approximately 20 members of Calvary have discussed the book, The Spirituality of the Cross, an excellent resource for all Lutherans! Please join us during August as we conclude our series with discussions of “spirituality in the Christian’s everyday life.” Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:15, in the Gathering Room.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Throughout August, a movie / activity hour will be available for children so that parents may attend Pastor’s Bible class. Please take advantage of the opportunity! Sunday School begins September 7^th, as children and adults alike begin studying anew the grace of God in our lives. Children should be registered with the Board of Christian Education so that supplies may be ordered. Questions? Please contact Chuck Wiskirchen.

CONFIRMATION CLASS Catechetical instruction for this year’s confirmands begins in September. Pastor Bestul requests that parents and students attend an initial session on Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 pm.

“SENIOR SAINTS” BIBLE STUDY On Tuesday, September 9, Senior Saints begins another year of enjoyable Bible study, fellowship, and monthly potlucks. We pick up in Matthew 5, with a study of the Beatitudes and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We hope to see you Tuesdays at 10:30!

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will resume on Wednesday, September 17^th, at 9:30 a.m. We will continue our Lifelight study, “Prophecy,” begun last spring. All ladies of the congregation are welcome to join us.

NEW MEN’S GROUP: “Brothers of John the Steadfast” This September, Calvary hopes to begin and sustain a ‘local chapter’ of a new nationwide organization among congregations within the LCMS. This group invites laymen to read, learn, and study our Lutheran Confessions and support the media which proclaim this confessional truth. Our ‘local chapter’ would aim to meet for study of the Book of Concord twice a month. To learn more, please contact our head elder, Vic Kovachevich, or Pastor Bestul.

+ ANNOUNCEMENTS +

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Our next quarterly congregational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, at 7:30 p.m. All voting members of the congregation are encouraged to attend.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS Calvary offers free blood pressure screening every month. Screenings will be August 10 and September 14, between services, in the church office. This service is offered to all members and guests as a convenience for those concerned about their health—physical as well as spiritual.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSISTANCE NEEDED As the Sunday School year begins, the Board of Christian Education could use some help in staffing the program. Volunteer help is sought for positions of teacher, nursery assistant, and music director. Teachers are provided materials and are instructed by Pastor in the Sunday lessons. Thanks for your consideration!

WWW.CLCE.ORG Thanks to the dedicated volunteerism of a few members, Calvary is close to revealing a ‘new and improved’ website at www.clce.org. Please stay tuned to the bulletin for the announcement, as the current target date is September 1.

SHEPHERD’S VOICE This fall, our ‘tape ministry’ gets an upgrade. With a target date of September 1, volunteers in the congregation are hoping to move our service-recording system from the use of tapes to CDs. The Board of Evangelism is working to ensure all shut-ins will have CD players before the ‘switch’ is made. Additionally, our technology committee is working to make the services available to be downloaded from our new web site. All of these audio capabilities are efforts to ensure that members and web visitors alike have opportunity to hear ‘the voice of the Shepherd.’

BOWLERS INVITED Enjoy bowling? Calvary member Joan Rud has volunteered to organize open bowling once a month on Sunday afternoons and invites all interested parties to contact her at 847-695-0068. This will not be a sanctioned league and is open to men, women, and teenagers. There is no obligation for regular attendance. This is in the forming stage and more information will follow according to the level of interest.

PROJECT BLESS Donations may be left in the donations box in the narthex.

B – Batteries for hearing aids

L – Labels from Campbell’s products

E – Eyeglasses and cases

S – Soap (new only)

S – Stamps (no longer collected)

(Plus – pull tabs from pop cans for Heartland Blood Bank)

IN “HIS” SERVICE—August

Taping Sal Garcia & Ralph Lienert

Stewardship Dave Perrin & Michael Hopkins

IN “HIS” SERVICE—September

Taping Sal Garcia & Ralph Lienert

Stewardship Don Rud & Tracy Wiskirchen

ADMINISTRATIVE MEETINGS:

1. Board of Elders: Tuesday, August 5 and September 2, 7:00 p.m.

2. Board of Trustees: Monday, August 4 and September 8, 7:00 p.m.

3. Sunday School Teachers: TBD

4. Board of Christian Education: Saturday, August 9, 8:30 a.m.

5. Board of Evangelism: Wednesday, August 6 and September 3, 3:00 p.m.

6. Tech Committee: Wednesday, August 6, 7:00 p.m.

7. Congregational Meeting: Tuesday, August 12, 7:30 p.m.

8. Council Meeting: Tuesday, September 9, 7:30 p.m.

ORGANIZATIONS:

“IXTHUS” YOUTH GROUP (7^th-12^th grades)  All confirmands and young adult members of the congregation are encouraged to attend the joint Youth-Adult Bible Class that meets each Sunday at 9:15. Please see the Lutheran Education section of the newsletter for current class topics. In August, the youth will try their skills at mini-golf. Please see the bulletin for date and time. September brings a new school year and, with it, new opportunities for IXTHUS to get together. Stay tuned!

CALVARY SERVICE GUILD Calvary Service Guild will resume its meetings on Thursday, Sept. 18th, at 12:30 p.m. We will begin with dessert and coffee, served by our hostesses Susan Traugott and Betty Wear.  Our program will be a presentation by Pastor Bestul entitled "Opportunities" and will begin at 1 p.m. A business meeting will follow.  Our LCFS Christmas Stocking item to be collected in August is a small box of crayons or colored markers. There will not be a collection for the month of September. New items for children are always welcome and may be placed in the box.  All ladies of the congregation, as well as visitors, are invited to our meetings with no obligation to join.

CALVARY EVENING CIRCLE Our first meeting of the year will be Tuesday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. All ladies are invited to join us as we begin our year with an organizational and planning meeting that will provide a framework for our 2008-2009 year. We hope to see you there!

PRIMETIMERS Our first meeting of the new season will be Wednesday, September 17^th, at 12 noon. We will meet at Good Shepherd on Nesler Road. The program will be a Western Sing-a-long presented by Programs Unlimited. Watch Sunday bulletins for further details. All seniors are welcome! Come join us! Questions? Call Dean Thornton at (847) 742-2691.

LIFELIGHT BIBLE STUDIES Lifelight will resume in the fall. Please look for announcements in the bulletin or contact Dean Tjaden.

OFFICIAL ACTS

Baptism: Kaitlynn Odette Schumacher, June 8

Madisyn Ann Schumacher, June 8

Emme Louise Garcia, June 29

Alexis Jean Willigman, July 13

Alena Kathryn Schroeder, July 20

Profession of Faith: Brian and Jennifer Schumacher

Christian Death: Ruth Hoffman, June 20

Worship Attendance:

FINANCIAL REPORT:

AS OF June 30, 2008

Contributions: $113,675.61

Disbursements: 121,736.88

-8,061.27

Stained Glass Window Fund

Project costs: $12,035

Req’d Deposit: 6,000

Gifts given: 4,036

‘Deposit Balance’: 1,964

Project Balance: $ 7,999

Calvary’s Choirs

To paraphrase Martin Luther, next to theology, music is the greatest gift God gave His Church. In fact, throughout church history, choirs have been instrumental in singing anthems, assisting in the liturgy, and teaching the congregation how to confess its faith through the hymnody. If you enjoy singing, please consider helping our choir continue music’s important role in the Divine Service. All confirmed members are invited to join us for rehearsal, beginning Wednesday, September 10^th, 7:00 - 8:15 p.m.

Handbell choir is back! After nearly a year without hearing them ring, we’d like to once again include the handbells in special Festival services. If you would be willing to play for Christmas, Easter, and other festival services, — and practice twice a month — please contact the church office. No prior musical training is required to play handbells! We hope to begin practice in September.

PUBLICITY In recent years, Calvary has been making an effort to get items of interest and events publicized in the community. We have done this through various means, such as the Daily Herald, Courier News, the Northern Light, and the Lutheran Witness. If you or your group would like an article to appear in any of these publications, please contact Kathy Hoppmann, 847-695-1756, or leave a note in the mail box in the office marked “Website-Publicity.”

THE BASKET OF BLESSINGS is an ongoing service project for Calvary. The Crisis Pregnancy Center is always in need of good clean baby items: formula, blankets, sheets, sleepers, “onesies,” towels and washcloths, bottles, baby shampoo, powder, lotions, etc. These items are used to make layette baskets, which are given to the mothers after the baby is born. (No diapers are needed at this time.) Donations may be placed in the basket located in the Narthex.

PRAYER REQUESTS Remember, Calvary’s Prayer Chain is active and prayer requests always are welcome. Currently there are fifteen members praying for the needs of the congregation and of our members. If anyone is interested in joining Calvary’s Prayer Chain, or if you have a prayer request, complete a Prayer Request Card, or call Marian June, 847-741-5336.

INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY There is always a need for items year-round. Special needs: Cereal, Peanut Butter, Jelly (small jars, for individuals), Crackers, Macaroni & Cheese, Sugar, Soap, Canned Vegetables, Coffee (small 13 oz. cans), Baby Food and Plastic Grocery bags.

Co-Editors:

Katy Hopkins

Shanna Bestul

Calvary Lutheran Church

July 21, 2008