WORSHIP NOTES FOR 2018 SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
"Lift High the Cross" is one of the Church's most beloved hymns from the early 20th century. Originally, it was written as a twelve-stanza processional hymn for a mission conference held at the Winchester Cathedral in England. It underwent several modifications, reducing the stanza count between five and eight. The remarkable message is that Christians of all ages are exhorted to "Lift high the cross and proclaim the love of Jesus.” This means adults, newborn baptized children, and people from all nations and languages. I’ve used it in Vacation Bible School programs, teaching young children sign prompts. Let us continue to carry the love of Christ to all people, including our neighborhood.
Daryl Witte
Daryl Witte
15th Sunday After Pentecost - September 2
We are encouraged to follow God's commands, as Moses reminded the Israelites when they entered the promised land. God wanted His people to be a positive witness to the nearby nations, so that they would see how great He is. Similarly, Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God so that we can withstand the devil's attacks. This is helpful in that others can see and hear that God gives us the strength to fight the devil. Hymns that teach us to follow Him include:
Fight the Good Fight
By Grace I'm Saved
May We, Thy Precepts, Lord Fulfill
Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray
By Grace I'm Saved
May We, Thy Precepts, Lord Fulfill
Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray
16th Sunday After Pentecost - September 9
We begin a two-week series of lessons about Jesus and His ministry of healing. This week we see that Jesus healed a man who was deaf and couldn't speak. Jesus asked the people not to tell about this miracle, but the crowd spread the story of the healing. The Epistle Reading warns us about the sin of partiality (playing favorites does not present a good picture to others). We also are reminded that faith without works is dead. Let us rejoice in Jesus' love as we sing the following hymns which describe Jesus' great desire to help those in need:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
17th Sunday After Pentecost - September 16
In the Gospel Reading, we hear about Jesus healing a boy with an unclean spirit. After Jesus cast out the demon, the boy was able to live a normal life. When asked why the disciples were unable to cure the boy, Jesus responded that this deliverance could only happen with prayer. In his Epistle, James wrote that we need to control our tongues because they can cause great harm. In summary, we know that God will sustain us and give the power to keep us from falling. Hymns that point us to God as our source of help include:
Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
Evening and Morning
O God, My Faithful God
"Away from Us," the Demons Cried
Lift High the Cross
Evening and Morning
O God, My Faithful God
"Away from Us," the Demons Cried
Lift High the Cross
18th Sunday After Pentecost - September 23
This Sunday focuses on Jesus as a suffering servant, portraying Him as a gentle lamb and telling His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem to die. Furthermore, Jesus wants us to be like little children and come to Him. In addition, we are encouraged to seek the wisdom from above. Hymns for this Sunday include:
Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
Children of the Heavenly Father
O Word of God Incarnate
Son of God, Eternal Savior
Children of the Heavenly Father
O Word of God Incarnate
Son of God, Eternal Savior
19th Sunday After Pentecost - September 30
The proverb "Patience is a virtue" could be the theme for this Sunday (see the Epistle Reading), but most of the time our complaining leads to some type of improvement. Consider the Israelites, who complained that a constant diet of manna, was not enough. God sent quail on a weekly basis. When Moses complained about being exhausted, God told him to select 70 elders to take care of the people's complaints. Both instances resulted in something better for the Israelites. Hymns for this Sunday include:
There Is a Balm in Gilead
Jesus, Lead Thou On
Triune God, Be Thou Our Stay
Where Charity and Love Prevail
Jesus, Lead Thou On
Triune God, Be Thou Our Stay
Where Charity and Love Prevail
LWML Sunday - October 7
This is the Sunday that Mt. Calvary has chosen to recognize the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) as an official auxiliary of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The League's mission is to support our Church's efforts to bring the Gospel locally, statewide, and throughout the world. Hymns that encourage us to promote the Gospel include:
How Firm a Foundation
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Serve the Lord with Gladness
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Serve the Lord with Gladness
21st Sunday After Pentecost - October 14
Staying close to Jesus is a challenge for people of all ages. The Old Testament is filled with stories about relapses into idol worship and abandonment from God. The encouragement from Amos tells us to seek the Lord now. In the Epistle Reading, the author of Hebrews warns us that the unbelieving heart leads us away from God. In the Gospel Reading, Jesus tells the rich young man to sell everything and give the money to the poor, because his love of money kept him from following God. Hymns for this Sunday include:
Today Your Mercy Calls Us
Blest Are They
Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower
Lift High the Cross
Blest Are They
Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower
Lift High the Cross
22nd Sunday After Pentecost - October 21
Reaching heaven after death is mankind's deepest objective. Unfortunately, mankind on his own effort fails miserably short and must therefore depend on God who can do the impossible (Gospel Reading). In the Epistle Reading, the author of Hebrews exhorts the readers to hear and follow the Word of God, lest they miss the eternal rest (heaven). Hymns that encourage us to find the eternal rest include:
I'm Not a Stranger Here
Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure
Hope of the World
O Day of Rest and Gladness
Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure
Hope of the World
O Day of Rest and Gladness
Reformation Sunday - October 28
Today, we celebrate the great news that God has saved His people through the Gospel. We believe that Jesus’ suffering and death paid the price for our sins. This is the eternal gospel as proclaimed by the angel in Revelation 14. The Law shows us our sins, and we cannot keep it perfectly as God requires (Epistle Reading). Finally, in the Gospel of John, we hear that this truth will set us free. Hymns that proclaim this Good News include:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
O Lord, We Praise You
By Grace I'm Saved
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
O Lord, We Praise You
By Grace I'm Saved
CHURCH NEWS
Lutheran Seniors Connection
Senior Walkers: The Lutheran Senior Connection invites you to join them for weekly walks in the Detroit Zoo on Tuesday mornings, beginning on Sept. 4. Meet near the benches outside the Wildlife Interpretative Center near the front of the Zoo at 10 am. Look for seniors with walking shoes and smiling faces!
Voters Meeting
The next Voters Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 16, following the Worship service. Please plan to attend this meeting.
Lutheran Women's Missionary League
Greater Detroit Zone LWML Fall Rally will take place at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot Ave., Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 9. Opening Worship will begin at 3 p.m., followed by the business meeting and election of officers at 3:30 p.m. The speakers will be missionaries Tim & Beth Heiney. After their presentation on their work in Guinea, West Africa, dinner will be served in the upper level auditorium at approximately 5 p.m. In place of the usual In-gathering, the Heineys request checks so they can best move forward in ministry without adding "things" to their travels. Please make checks payable to "Global Lutheran Outreach". You can find their photo and more information at Global Lutheran Outreach.com/blog/heiney/.
Camp Restore Meeting
The next Camp Restore Detroit Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the Altar Guild Room.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsals will begin on Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 in the Choir Room. As we begin a new season of Mt. Calvary's ministry to our community and to our members, let us remember that God has richly blessed us. We welcome those who have voices to sing praises to our wonderful God.
Lutheran Seniors Connection
Join the LUTHERAN SENIORS CONNECTION at the Holocaust Memorial Center located at 28123 Orchard Lake Rd. in Farmington Hills on Friday, September 14. Plan to arrive by 10:15 a.m. for welcome and orientation. This will be followed by a docent-guided tour from 10:30-12 noon. There will be a discussion with a holocaust survivor from 12:15-1:15 p.m. After this you may explore the museum, including the research library, on your own. The Center is open until 5 p.m. or you may opt to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. The cost of admission for seniors is $6. The museum asks that we make one payment for our entire group. Therefore, we will collect $6 from each participant when we gather in the lobby. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Sue Boyle no later than Friday, September 10 at 248.320.3414 or [email protected].
Board Of Elders Meetings
The Board of Elders meetings will be held on Tuesdays, September 11 and October 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jerry Roy.
Church Council Meetings
The Church Council meetings will be held on Tuesdays, September 25 and October 30, at 10:00 a.m. in the Altar Guild Room.
The Council Of Lutheran Women
The Council of Lutheran Women Fall Meeting will take place on Monday, September 24 at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2225 E. 14 Mile Road in Birmingham. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by devotions at 9:45 a.m. The business meeting will include updates on all upcoming events and also opportunities for participation with the many inter-congregational ministries that are supported by members of the CLW. Lunch will be served by the ladies of Our Shepherd and an RSVP is requested so the ladies can adequately prepare the meal. Please either call/email Marlene Gunnell at 586.778.4852 or [email protected] by Wed., Sept. 19. The afternoon speakers will be missionaries Tim and Beth Heiney. Please visit the "Opportunities for Participation" flyer that is posted on the bulletin board in the Altar Guild Room for listings of items for donation at the meeting. The Heineys also request checks so they can best move forward in ministry without adding "things" to their travel. A container for checks will be available on their display table. Please make checks payable to "Global Lutheran Outreach". You can find their photo and more information at Global Lutheran Outreach.com/blog/heiney/.
Lutheran Women's Missionary League
The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) will be celebrating LWML Sunday on October 7. Lucie will be collecting MITE boxes or distributing new ones on that day. A list of the newly adopted mission grants from the Michigan District LWML is posted on the bulletin board in the Altar Guild room. Seventy-five (75%) percent of our MITES support these mission grants and the remaining 25% goes to support the mission grants adopted by the national LWML. Those collected coins do great things all around the world!
Camp Restore Detroit Fundraiser
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 14th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. for our first annual fundraiser for Camp Restore Detroit. St. Thomas Lutheran on Kelly in Eastpointe has offered to host this event which will include dinner and entertainment. There will also be a Silent Auction with many items that we hope will be of interest to you. Tickets are $25 ($10 for the meal and $15 donation) and reservations are due by October 1. A reservation form is included in this newsletter - a letter with more information and an additional reservation form will be in your boxes soon (or mailed to those who aren't able to check boxes). The information will also be on Mt. Calvary's website soon. Please "spread the word" and extend an invitation to your family and friends! Please see Sue Riske if you have any questions or have any items you might like to donate for the silent auction.
November & December Newsletter Articles
Your newsletter articles for the November and December Newsletter are due by Monday, October 15.
Scrip News
Great Lakes SCRIP has recently simplified the process for shoppers to enroll in online payments (PrestoPay) to conveniently pay for orders, receive eGift cards and add funds to reloadable cards. Plus you'll have access to ordering on-the-go with ShopWithScrip's mobile website, MyScripWallet. Lucie has a flyer available that describes the enrollment process to link your bank account for electronic debit. Please contact Lucie if you'd like more information about this process. There is a small $0.15 convenience fee that applies to each order. You can not link a credit card to your PrestoPay account, as the credit card fees would take away from your rebate earnings. Orders will still be linked to the Mt. Calvary account, but provides the convenience of shopping at home and not having to drop off checks for order payment.
Food Bank
Upcoming dates for the Food Bank are September 12 and 26 and October 10 and 24. We continue to receive food from Historic Trinity's food pantry. Men's clothing and plastic grocery bags are always welcome!
Kroger Community Rewards
The Kroger Community Rewards program has also made a recent change by assigning a new identification number for Mt. Calvary as they were updating their system. We are now # PW 169. Family or friends who wish to link their Kroger Plus Card to benefit Mt. Calvary will need to either type in this new identifier or the name Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & School. Enrollment into the Community Rewards Program can be done at any time of year, so don't hesitate to mention it to friends or former members when you see them.
Headstart
We met with Head Start in July and their lease has been renewed for the 2018-2019 school year. The renewal includes a two percent increase in their monthly payment. The staff will be returning on Tuesday, September 4 and begin recruiting additional students for this school year. Some students registered during the summer months at the main office. The children will be returning on Monday, September 10. We look forward to having the staff and students back in the building!
An Update On Camp Restore Detroit
Camp Restore Detroit’s busy season has come to a close. We may have some groups in this Fall and Spring, but the number of campers will be so much less. The biggest celebration is - - WE MADE IT!! With God’s help, our small congregation successfully put together an organization to serve the community – our community. We celebrate everyone in the congregation that helped in so many ways. Some members were preparing and assisting with camp on a fulltime basis, while others contributed on a smaller scale. Even if you weren’t able to physically or financially help, your prayers for the success of 2018 were answered. Amy Fanta, Elizabeth Parrish, and Christ Trewella, our paid staff, worked diligently to keep everything together.
Why do we consider Summer of 2018 to be a success?
Connecting with community leaders is another success. Various block leaders, neighborhood police officers, and other nonprofit organizations worked with us.
Add all these successes together. One can see that we have so much for which to praise God! With God our seemingly impossible task of running camp was made possible. It was a crazy, busy summer, and we expect it to be busier and crazier in 2019. With God’s help, we will continue to serve HIS people.
Lori Carrier
Why do we consider Summer of 2018 to be a success?
- One success was the number of campers we housed. Nights are counted like a hotel: one bed used for one night counts as one night. Camp Restore Detroit had over 2100 nights so far this year. We are getting to know many people who want to Restore Hope to our community.
- Another success was the amount of service completed by these campers in the community. Demolition and boarding up the houses around our church, blight cleanup of many, many community lots making neighborhoods safer, tutoring, helping with various Vacation Bible School programs, working on our lots, and many other tasks. See Elizabeth’s article for more details.
Connecting with community leaders is another success. Various block leaders, neighborhood police officers, and other nonprofit organizations worked with us.
- Also, people of the community have joined CRD in serving their community.
- The summer cookouts have drawn community residents and leaders, campers and other volunteers, and church members together. New relationships are forming. Mt. Calvary is welcoming new faces at worship. CRD is becoming known in the community, and our building is seen as a safe place. The community knows Mt. Calvary is an open, welcoming place!
- CRD and Mt. Calvary is also building many relationships with partner churches. We never imagined CRD would receive the out-pouring of love that we have experienced.
- If you talk to others involved with CRD, you would discover many more successes as we all have had different experiences.
Add all these successes together. One can see that we have so much for which to praise God! With God our seemingly impossible task of running camp was made possible. It was a crazy, busy summer, and we expect it to be busier and crazier in 2019. With God’s help, we will continue to serve HIS people.
Lori Carrier
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
2018 September Birthdays
|
05
16 17 25 |
Karoly Swad
Lucie Witte Erve Beyersdorf & Luke Gammerath Sue Riske & Philonese Walker |
2018 October Birthdays
|
08
11 14 17 |
Jeff Kurtz
Karen Roemer Joshua Yee Jacob Yee |
Don't forget to stop by "From The Pastor's Desk..." to see what insights Pastor John Carrier has for the months of September & October.
|
Downloadable PDF Copy Of The Newsletter To The Left | ||