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.

WELCOME!

WORSHIP!

WITNESS!

Pastor’s Page by Pastor Jon Yarger THIS IS THE YEAR OF MATTHEW. Advent begins a new church season and each season concentrates on a particular gospel. Last year during the church services we read the gospel lessons from Luke. One year from now we will focus on Mark. But this year it is Matthew. So each year before Advent begins I spend some hours and read the gospel for the upcoming year. I have read through Matthew perhaps ten or twelve times in my life. Don’t ask me how often I have read through Leviticus. When I spend time with the gospels, I want to hear, again, the story of Jesus from a particular viewpoint. What do Matthew and Jesus have to tell me this time? What do they have to tell those of us at Calvary? What words of hope does Matthew give to this world right here and right now? With the whole story as a background I find preaching on each individual text easier and I hope it is more rewarding to hear. Matthew does have his pitfalls. More than the other gospels he stresses “righteousness.” How do we preach these texts and sing our responses to them without becoming too legalistic? How do we avoid turning the gospel into something other than good news? How will we take Jesus seriously without becoming self-righteous ourselves? One way of doing this is placing each text, and even the whole of Matthew, in context. We remember that any given gospel text is a part of the huge story of God’s involvement in human history from creation to culmination. Speaking of God’s huge story and God’s involvement in our lives I want to highlight the Christmas program on December 18. Rebekah has written a play (words, music, everything) that will tell this story in a deep, funny, and beautiful way. God tries and tries again to love us, teach us, and be with us, but more often than not we run in the other direction. This is the story of the Old Testament and it leads to an act of love in the form of a little baby born in Bethlehem. All of Advent is this journey toward Bethlehem. As patiently as we can, we walk together toward a God who has already come down to us. We will mark this journey in many ways. On November 27th & December 4th, we begin to move from the bleakness of Advent to the richness of Christmas. Look for the sanctuary to brighten and become more festive. Look for our songs to move from a yearning and waiting for our God to a celebration of the Christ child in the manger. On December 11th, our orchestra leads us in song. On Christmas Eve, we gather together with candles, song, and joy. I love this time of year. I love the waiting and the celebrating. I love my church home and am delighted to be with you.

† Blessings to all, Pastor Jon

DECEMBER 2016 WEBSITE: www.calvaryedina.org EMAIL: [email protected] PASTOR: Jonathan D. Yarger [email protected] CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY: Rebekah Moir [email protected] DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Daryl Erickson [email protected] ORGANIST: Patti Arntz [email protected] ADMINISTRATOR & EDITOR: Susan Burman [email protected] BOOKKEEPER: Kristin Hueg [email protected] CUSTODIAN: Robin Radosevich

In This Issue Pastor’s Page

1

Children, Youth & Family

2

Adult Forum

2

December Birthdays

3

Gift of Generosity

3

Christmas Greetings

3

Worship & Activities

4

“Being the Church “

5

New Members

5

Advent

6

Calendar

7

Worship with Carols

8

Sunday School Program

8

Christmas Eve Service

8

DECEMBER 2016 CALVARY CALLER page 2

† Children, Youth & Family Ministry

Sunday Mornings @ Adult Forum

by Rebekah Moir

† SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Calvary’s children and youth will present “Tempus Perfectum (Perfect Time)” on Sunday, December 18th during our worship service at 10:30 a.m. Dress rehearsal will be Saturday, December 17th, 9:30-11:00 a.m. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON DECEMBER 25TH & JANUARY 1ST. CLASSES RESUME ON JANUARY 8TH.

† ANNUAL CAROL-SING & BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR JESUS Immediately following worship on December 18th, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for Dottie Fergus’s wonderful “Jesus Cake” and caroling around the Christmas tree, a tradition started by Kjetil Storesletten. Please join us for a wonderful time of eating and singing! Donations of Christmas cookies are needed. Please see Rebekah Moir if you can bring a dozen or so.

† MISSION PROJECT Our project this year is going to be a combined service project with St. Patrick’s and St. Albans, in keeping with our theme, “Yes! We’re the Church Together!” We invite you to support this mission project whether or not you attend Sunday School opening. Simply put a check in the offering basked and write “Sunday School Mission Project” in the memo line.

† LUTHERS’S SMALL CATECHISM As we head into 2017 and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are already looking at Luther’s Small Catechism as part of our Sunday morning education curriculum, both with the children AND in the Adult Forum. Join us on the first Sunday of each month in adult forum to explore the Catechism and what it means to be Lutheran in the 21st Century.

† CONFIRMATION & YOUTH Confirmation classes are held the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 6:30-8:00pm at Calvary Lutheran. Please pray for these amazing kids as they dig deeper into their faith toward the time when they can affirm their baptism with the whole congregation.

† BLESSINGS TO YOU IN 2017!

Everyone is welcome! On Sunday Mornings, we come together to gain insight into the world & our faith through coffee, conversation & community! Dec. 4th: Luther’s Small Catechism or “What does this mean?” Pastor Jon Adults & Confirmation Youth continue our journey of “What does this mean?” This week, we continue our discussion of the ten commandments and gaining insight into our faith and Martin Luther’s theology. Dec. 11th: PENDING Dec. 18th: Christmas Traditions Around the World: Alice Bramby Celebrate the traditions of Christmas enjoyed about the world. See treasures from Northern Europe and other locations across the globe. Join us ! Dec. 25th & Jan. 1st: No Adult Forum

HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you on Jan. 8th If you are looking for an alternative to Christmas gift buying OR you don’t know what to buy …. Check out the Lutheran World Relief shopping gift guide located in the narthex. Gifts from this catalog will make a real impact on the lives of people in need around the world.

“Give a Gift, Change a Life.”

DECEMBER 2016 CALVARY CALLER page 3

DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS: Happy Birthday! May God protect, strengthen & guide you through life’s journeys! 12/1

Kurt Von Schmidt-Pauli

12/4

Donna Belanger Pat Hansen

12/11 Libby Strittmater 12/12 Debbie Scott 12/13 Daryl Erickson Steve Larson 12/15 Kelly Belanger Lynne Peterson Vic Sorenson Brian Strittmater 12/17

Richard Hay Julie Iskierka

12/18

Greg Coon

12/23

Alethe Schlaefer

12/25

George Stenehjem

12/26

Sabrina Koll

11/28

Barbara Moksnes Nate Purdy

Sanctuary Stained Glass

Gift of Generosity:

Update on Tithes & Offerings by Greg Coon, Treasurer & Kristin Hueg, Bookkeeper

Due to computer challenges, no update at this time. Thank you for your patience. Please Pick-up Your Offering Envelopes for 2017 Beginning Sunday, December 4, offering envelopes for 2017 will be available for pick-up in the narthex outside the church office. If you currently have offering envelopes for 2016, the same box number has been assigned to you for 2017. You will find your name already listed on your offering box and on the sign-up sheet on the table. If you do not currently have offering envelopes but want them for the coming year, please select your offering box from among those not yet assigned to others and print your name next to that box number in the space provided on the sign-up sheet . THANK YOU from Marty Fergus, Stewardship Coordinator

The gift of God….The birth of Christ. This is Christmas… This is Love. The Calvary Staff wishes you a very Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year! Pastor Jonathan Yarger Rebekah Moir, Children, Youth, & Family Ministry Daryl Erickson, Director of Music Patti Arntz, Organist

DECEMBER 2016 CALVARY CALLER page 4

OUR WORSHIP & ACTIVITIES † CLC

WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS at 10:30 a.m.

Holy Communion is on Sunday, December 4th and Saturday, Christmas Eve. Join us on the December 18th for the Sunday School Program featuring an original drama by R.F. Moir. Join us & be enfolded in God’s love & grace!

CLC COFFEE HOUR following Sunday Worship

From September through April, council members provide refreshments for one month at a time, which could be 4 or 5 Sundays! If you can help any council member with a food item or financial assistance, please contact and discuss this with them directly. Thanks to the Evangelism Team led by Heather Dick for hosting our CLC Coffee Hour during December.

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.

JOIN US FOR CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Like to sing, bring joy to others, and have fun? Enthusiasm (not talent) is the only requirement. Join us on Sunday, December 4th. We will meet at Calvary at 1:00 p.m. See the poster on the church news bulletin board and sign up! Contact Carol Dubay if you have questions.

DECORATE FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS You are invited to share in the decorating of our church for Advent and Christmas! Come on December 3rd from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. to hang garlands and decorate the church. Come again on Dec. 23rd at 10:00 a.m. to decorate the sanctuary with poinsettias.

MEN’s BREAKFAST & FELLOWSHIP Due to the Lutefisk Dinner & Program, the Men’s Breakfast will not meet in December. The Men’s Breakfast will resume in January 2017 to enjoy a good yolk among friends.

WOMEN †ogether

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 7th 10:00 a.m. The discussion is the Bible Study from the Gather Magazine (Women of ELCA). THERE IS NO Coffee Fellowship in DECEMBER. The next Coffee Fellowship is in January.

CALVARY BOOK CLUB The Book Club will NOT meet in December. Join us in January 17, 2017, for a discussion of Morgan’s Run by Colleen McCullough. The author takes readers to the birth of modern Australia with a breath-taking saga brimming with drama, history, and passion.

THANK YOU! Many thanks to all who provided pies for our Pie & Cider Social after our Thanksgiving Eve Service. Thanks to Mary Dick and Bonnie Rust for coordinating our gathering! We GATHERED TOGETHER, GAVE THANKS & ATE PIE!

DEADLINE FOR THE JANUARY issue of the CALVARY CALLER is FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16th

DECEMBER 2016 CALVARY CALLER page 5

“BEING” THE CHURCH….

…..Our hearts and hands in the World & Community

GOD’s WORK, OUR HANDS @ OUR SAVIOR’S

Thank you to Becky & Bob Rorke for preparing and serving the November meal. Tax-deductible donations can be made at any time to assist us in paying for the food. Write a check to Calvary with Our Saviour’s on the memo line. We are continuing our commitment to serve a meal 6 times a year for which they are most grateful. Our Saviour’s and its residents have other needs as well. See the list posted on the bulletin board and your donations can be left in the church office for delivery.

OUR GIVING ………...

We have much to be thankful for as we celebrate with family and friends at Thanksgiving. Thank you for your generous “Thankoffering” which will be sent to the ELCA World Hunger.

OUR RINGING………...

Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Thanks to Calvary volunteers (Mary Arnold, Dick Cornelius, Lynnette Johnson, Bonnie Rust, Paul Thomsen, Linda Keesling & Diane Bomsta) for ringing bells on November 26th.

OUR GIVING………..

The deadline to contribute toys, games, hats, mittens, gloves and gift cards for our holiday drive is Sunday, December 4th. All donated unwrapped gifts should be put in the special marked box in the narthex. See the shopping list & display. Thank you very much for the many cards and expressions of sympathy after the surprise death of my brother Gary. Thank you for being a part of Gary’s life and his memorial service of music and special memories. With Gary’s death, Beth’s life changed dramatically and she has moved back to Indiana to live near her daughter Amy. Beth so appreciated your friendship and concern and she really is missing Pastor Jon and the people who make Calvary a special place. Thank you from my entire family! Bonnie Rust

JANUARY 3rd from 1:00 –7:00 p.m. BLOOD DRIVE For the first time, Calvary Lutheran Church will host a community blood drive on January 3rd from 1:00—7:00 p.m. Please consider donating blood and inviting your friends and neighbors to participate with us

It takes only about an hour to give blood, and each blood donation can help save up to 3 lives!

This is part of their Holiday Drive when the need is high and the donations can drop-off due to holiday activities. All donors will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt. You must be 17 years or older to donate. Parental consent is required for 16 year-old donors. More details and posters will be coming in December. If you have any questions, please stop in the Church Office and talk with Sue. Every 2 seconds someone in America

20th Annual Don Schlaefer LUTEFISK Dinner & Program December 10, 2016 TICKETS AVAILABLE: ADULTS: $18 Children (6-12 years): $6 Please bring a dozen Christmas Cookies for our communal dessert. 5:00 p.m. Appetizers 6:00 p.m. Dinner & Program Annual Raffle to support the Calvary Lutheran Church Academic Scholarship

DECEMBER 2016 CALVARY CALLER page 6

† ADVENT

preparing our hearts….

We welcomed three new members to our Calvary Family on Sunday, November 13th! Please welcome:

Advent, a time of preparing our hearts, is celebrated at Calvary Lutheran Church during our Sunday Worship with the lighting of the Advent Wreath.

COMING OR ARRIVAL

Patricia Thomsen married to Paul Thomsen

The word, Advent is adapted from adventus (Latin for coming or arrival), a translation of the Greek word “parousia”, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. Many of the readings during our worship may focus on these two “comings”, the birth of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord as well as the second coming. We, as Lutherans, follow the Western tradition with our liturgical year starting with Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.

ANOTHER LONG TRADITION:

Amanda & Jon Larsen, who were married at Calvary on October 15th.

November 20th, Piper Nancy Peterson was baptized! Daughter of Tricia, sister of Peter & granddaughter of Nancy!

GOD’s BLESSING TO EACH OF YOU IN YOUR WALK OF FAITH!

Depending on your source of information, some say that the Advent wreath dates back to Roman times or to the 5th century. Others state that it is a “Lutheran Tradition”. “And others cite research by Prof. Haemig of Luther Seminary that points to Johann Hinrich Wichem (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor as the inventor of the modern Advent wreath. He used the candles to mark the days until Christmas so that the children would stop asking when Christmas was coming. (http://www.medienwerkstatt-online.de/lws_wissen/vorlagen).”

CANDLES IN THE WREATH:

First candle (Blue or Purple): The Prophecy Candle or Candle of Hope Second candle (Blue or Purple): The Bethlehem Candle or Candle of Preparation or Candle of Peace Third candle (Pink): The Shepherd Candle or Candle of Joy Fourth candle (Blue or Purple): The Angel Candle or Candle of Love Fifth candle (White): The Christ Candle

Join us as we prepare our hearts with hope, joy and love as we eagerly await Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

DECEMBER 2016 CALVARY CALLER page 7

DECEMBER 2016 Photo Caption

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

SUNDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 10:00 a.m. Devotions

3

2

9:30 a.m. Advent Decorating 9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

4 Second Sunday Advent 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Adult Forum 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship & Holy Communion 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters 1:00 p.m. CAROLING 3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

11 Third Sunday Advent 8:45 a.m. Orchestra Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Adult Forum

5 Office Closed

6

10:00 a.m. Devotions 6:30 p.m. Exec. Meeting

10:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study

12 Office Closed

13

8 10:00 a.m. Devotions

11:15 a.m. 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Meals on Wheels Deliveries 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:15 p.m. Voice Choir

8:30 p.m. Cable 7:00 p.m. Council Broadcast #15 Meeting

9 2:30 p.m. SET-UP for Lutefisk Dinner & Program

14

1:30 p.m. PREP for Dinner & Program

15

16

17

10:00 a.m. Devotions

Set-up Sanctuary for Sunday School Progam

9:30 a.m. Dress Rehearsal: Sunday School Program

6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:15 p.m. Voice Choir 8:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

10 NO Men’s Breakfast

LUTEFISK DINNER & PROGRAM

9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

10:00 a.m. Devotions

10:30 a.m. Carol Sing & Calvary Orchestra 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters

7

9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

9:00 a.m. CALLER DEADLINE

22

23

3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

18 Fourth Sunday Advent 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Adult Forum 10:30 a.m. Sunday School Program

19 Office Closed

20 10:00 a.m. Devotions

25 Christmas Day No Sunday School No Adult Forum

6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:15 p.m. Voice Choir 8:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

26 Office Closed

JANUARY 3rd at Calvary

29

10:00 a.m. Devotions

No Choirs

10:00 a.m. Devotions

†

10:00 a.m. Decorate for Christmas

24

Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. Candlelight Service & Communion

9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

28

8:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

10:00 a.m. Devotions

27

10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters

No Confirmation

NO Book Club

11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters 3:00 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

21

9:30 p.m. Cable Broadcast #15

30

31 New Year’s Eve!

HAPPY 2017!!

DECEMBER 2016 CALVARY CALLER page 8

With CAROLS & Calvary Orchestra Sunday, December 11th 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM DECEMBER 18th 10:30 a.m. Original Drama by R.F. Moir

CHRISTMAS EVE Candlelight Service December 24th 5:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP

Sunday, December 25th 10:30 a.m.

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.