Reports from the various board chairmen and committees were given detailing the work of the congregational members.

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1 Calvary Courier Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church February 2017 Upcoming Events Wednesday Evening Bible Class Feb. 1, 8, 15, & 22 7:00 p.m. Ladies Guild Thursday, Feb. 9 9:30 a.m. Author Mahtob Mahmoody Lecture at Arizona Luthern Academy Saturday, Feb. 11 1:30 p.m. A Taste of Ireland Saturday, Feb :00 a.m. Charles Bonow Worship Service Saturday, Feb. 18 & Sunday, Feb 19 Books and Crannies Sunday, Feb. 19 3:00 p.m. Mission Festival Saturday, Feb. 25 & Sunday, Feb. 26 Inside this issue: Bible Classes 2 Charles Bonos 2 Ladies Retreat Date Change 2 Books and Crannies 2 Your Ladies Guild at Work 3 Author Mahtob Mahmoody 3 Mission Sunday 4 LWMS 4 Refreshment Schedule Adjustment 4 January Lunch Bunch Recap 5 Nite on the Town Recap 5 A Taste of Ireland 5 February Birthdays 6 Through My Bible in a Year 6 Worship Schedule Insert Calendar Insert What can I give to prove my love? With Valentine s Day approaching you may want to consider this question. Maybe you will give a card, perhaps one that plays Shania Twain s You re still the one or some other song. Maybe you will give flowers. Red roses still seem like a good way to say I love you. If you re a romantic, you might plan something special, maybe a candle-lit dinner without the kids or a surprise get-away. In the Bible we hear about what God gave to prove his love for us. In the book of John it says, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God didn t just pick out a cute card or buy some roses for us. To prove his love, he gave his Son for us. And the greatness of God s love is seen in what he gave his Son to. When Jesus came to earth, he was given to a world that hated him; he was given to humiliation and torture, and ultimately, to death on a cross. As a parent, to give my child to suffer all of this is unimaginable. It would be nearly impossible to give so From the Voters Meeting Reports from the various board chairmen and committees were given detailing the work of the congregational members. Looking ahead, we are going to be getting rock to spread around the grounds and the walls on the north and west side will be painted. At the end of the year 2016 Calvary had a deficit of $6400. much for someone else. Can you relate? Yet God willingly gave his one and only, dearly loved Son for us. So why did God do it? Because our sins deserve punishment. In the suffering of God s Son we see the penalty for our sins. For all the times we fail to love God above everything else and fail to love others as God commands, we deserve punishment. But God chose to punish his Son instead of us. God did this to prove his love for you. He loves you so much that he gave his Son to die your death. He loves you so much that he offers you the gift of faith as you hear his word and are baptized. He loves you so much that he will give eternal life to you and all who believe. This Valentine s Day please reflect on the One who proved his love by giving more than mere roses; he gave his Son. Pastor Martin Spaude The My Son, My Savior Bible class and DVD were discussed. The Evangelism purchased 100 copies of the DVDs and encourages members to take the free copies and use it as an evangelism tool with family, friends and neighbors. The DVD looks at Jesus life, death and resurrection through the eyes of his mother, Mary. It is very well done and has an evangelism emphasis N. Dobson Rd. Chandler, Arizona Phone: Website:

2 Calvary s Mission Statement: As members of this congregation, our constant aim is to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ with all people based on the inspired, infallible Holy Scriptures and to exemplify our faith through Christian living as commissioned by our Savior. Calvary s Church Leaders: Pastor Martin Spaude Pastor Roger Sprain Staff Minister: Charlie Kuether President: David Gannon Secretary: Rodger Johnson Financial Secretary: Paul Spaude Treasurer: Scott Abbe Evangelism/Stewardship Director: Aaron Remsburg Education Director: Ben Coker Property Director: Brad Reinke Books and Crannies We are reading Murder on the Orientation Express by Agatha Christie and watching the PBS movie on Sunday, February 19, at 3:00 p.m. Take a picture of this with your phone to visit: Like us on Facebook: CalvaryLutheranChurchChandler The Sunday morning Bible Class is starting a Bible study on a number of issues revolving around the topic of homosexuality. Here are the topics which will be covered over a period of 10 weeks or so: 1. How to Reach Out to Christians Embracing Homosexuality 2. Answering the Arguments: God Loves Gays & Judge Not! 3. How to Know Whether Homosexuality is Good or Evil 4. Are People Really Born that Way? 5. What Is Our True Identity? Organist Charles Bonow will present his festival worship service, Here We Stand, at Calvary on Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19. Charles Bonow is a former pastor of the Wisconsin Bible Classes Charles Bonow 6. Is the Gay Issue really about Love? 7. The Only Happy Lifestyle 8. Who s to Blame for Society s Acceptance of Homosexuality and Why Are the Churches Divided on this Issue? 9. How Does the Christian Interact with a Corrupt Society and Can Marriage Be Redefined? 10. The Real Meaning of the Rainbow and the Christian s Mission. The Wednesday Bible Class is studying the book of Judges Evangelical Lutheran Synod and now travels throughout the country presenting concerts in WELS churches. A free will offering will be gathered for the support of his ministry. Ladies Retreat Date Change Cross out the old dates and enter these new dates on your calendar: Friday, July 28, to Sunday, July 30. Eight Calvary ladies will share a fantastic weekend together at Prescott s #1 Bed & Breakfast, the Prescott Pines. Once again we will have The Lodge (Chalet) as our accommodation. If you ve joined us in the past, you know how wonderful it is. Sign up is based on a first-come, first served basis. The weekend cost for the two nights is $85. To reserve your spot on this fun get-away, a deposit of will be due (check or cash) to Sue Schroeder. The balance of will be collected shortly before the trip. Contact Sue ( ), as soon as possible, as the slots will start to fill up quickly. Calvary Courier page 2

3 Your Ladies Guild at Work BY JAN ENDERLE This group is open to all women of Calvary. We meet the second Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our meetings consist of a Bible study with Pastor Spaude and a business meeting. This is a good opportunity to be involved in your church activities. For information, call Jan Enderle at Lenten Lunches Lent begins on Ash Wednesday March 1. Ladies Guild is asking for volunteers to help provide lunches after the 11:00 a.m. Wednesday services. The meals can be anything you wish to provide and serve, or Ladies Guild will serve for you. If you cannot provide a meal but are willing to bring a dessert, that would also be appreciated. This worked very well the last few years. There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex for those who wish to volunteer for either the meal or desserts. The dates are Wednesday March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. We have a volunteer for April 5. Thank you. LWMS Spring Rally April 22 Save the Date Calvary will be hosting the annual LWMS spring rally on Saturday, April 22. We will be asking for volunteers to help either serve on a committee or to be available for greeting guests, collecting and counting offerings, babysitting, or helping with music to name just a few. More info will be coming soon. Greeting Cards Your Ladies Guild has stocked new boxes of all-occasion greeting cards. These cards are provided as a service to the congregation and are sold at cost. They are displayed on a rack during fellowship time on the patio before and after the Sunday service as well as in the fellowship hall at all times. Alpha Pregnancy In keeping with their mission statement Spread the Gospel while emphasizing the sanctity of life, Alpha Pregnancy is distributing Bible story books along with diapers, formula, clothing, blankets, etc. to mothers-to-be. This is an ongoing project supported by your Ladies Guild. We are asking for additional donations of these books. They are available at most of the dollar stores as well as other discount stores. We are keeping a box in the Narthex for donations. Thank you for your support. Food Pantry Calvary has been blessed to be able to help members and reach out to non-members through our food bank. We have been asking for donations and members have responded with great enthusiasm. The shelves have been re-stocked and we do have extras to replenish. Generally the usage goes up during the holidays. Thank you for continuing to support the Calvary Food Bank. There is a container on the patio every Sunday for donations or they can be dropped off in the kitchen, fellowship hall or the coffee room. A Story of God s Grace, Featuring Author Mahtob Mahmoody Thrivent will sponsor a lecture and book signing by author Mahtob Mahmoody. Mahtob, the author of My Name is Mahtob, is lecturing about her experience since escaping from Iran as a young girl. Her mother, Betty Mahmoody, is the author of the international bestseller, Not Without My Daughter, which was subsequently made into a film starring Sally Field. After their return to the United States, Mahtob was enrolled in Salem Lutheran School, Owosso, MI. It was in the Lutheran elementary school where young Mahtob first heard about her Savior s love. She shares her story to show God s love and guidance and how he used these adversities to bring her to faith. The lecture will be held on Saturday, February 11, at Arizona Lutheran Academy, 6036 S. 27th Avenue, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Hardcover books will be available for sale at $25. Mahtob and Betty will also happily sign any books brought to the presentation. Babysitting service will be offered. In order to plan for seating for the event, please use the sign-up sheet in the Narthex by February 5. Calvary Courier page 3

4 Mission Sunday Calvary will hold its mission festival themed service on February 25 and 26. Highlighted at the service will be the mission work done by the Lutheran Women s Missionary Society (of which the women of Calvary are a part.) Ladies Guild will have displays, cards to sign and other information in the Narthex regarding the missionaries/missions Calvary is supporting. Lutheran Women s Missionary Society (LWMS) Lutheran Women s Missionary Society is made up of missionminded women of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) as well as women belonging to congregations that share fellowship with WELS. As modern Christian women we follow the biblical examples of women who shared the same privilege and responsibilities to carry out God s work. Today LWMS has over 800 member congregations that are organized into 60 circuits across the United States and Canada. Every woman in a member congregation is by virtue of her church membership a member of LWMS. Women from nonmember WELS and ELS congregations can join LWMS as individual members. The LWMS mission statement is: LWMS is women dedicated to serving Jesus by increasing awareness of, interest in, and support of the mission outreach of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). We want to encourage women (and men) to learn about, pray for, and support with their offerings WELS mission efforts in North America and around the world. We have sisters and brothers in the faith in over 39 countries around the world being served by WELS missionaries, going where we cannot go. Active LWMS members meet to hear mission speakers, worship together, and sponsor mission projects of their choosing at local circuit rallies held biannually. In addition, LWMS hosts an annual convention that brings together members from across the country and around the world. Attendance at these conventions can range from 800 to1600 women. Conventions have been held in such places as Tacoma, Washington, Las Vegas, Nevada, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dallas, Texas and Denver, Colorado. Typically there are four to six mission speakers from home and world missions along with a selection of five to seven workshops. Information on this year s convention can be found by clicking the convention link on the LWMS home page. The Befriend A Mission (BAM) program administered by LWMS is another way that individual congregations and persons are encouraged to support, pray for, and communicate with our home and world missionaries. Every called WELS home or world missionary is matched with a circuit for mutual support through prayers, letters and cards, and small gifts when possible. In addition to sharing spiritual support, encouragement, and educating people about missions, LWMS also collects mission offerings from members and convention attendees. One hundred percent of mission offerings go towards mission work. It is estimated that in the 50+ years since the inception of LWMS, approximately $4,250,000 have been given to missions. For more information about LWMS at Calvary and how you can be involved speak with Anne Kelsey. Refreshment Schedule Adjustment Calvary will now have a refreshment calendar placed on the back counter. Take time to reflect on the coming year, and think of celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) you would like to recognize by volunteering to serve after-church snacks. Throughout the years, we have had many families contribute to this fellowship service and would like to open this opportunity to others who have yet to volunteer. If you ve been looking for a way to serve the Lord at Calvary, consider volunteering. Remember, items brought may be bought at a store or homemade. Beverages are provided by the church. What a wonderful chance to meet and greet those attending the Sunday service. A reminder of your serving date(s) will be put in your church mailbox a few weeks before you are due to serve. If dates are left open for a particular month, expect that you may be receiving a phone call from Sue Schroeder soliciting your help. Many, many thanks go out to those of you who have volunteered throughout the years. Your efforts have had a great effect on making Calvary the friendliest congregation. Calvary Courier page 4

5 January Lunch Bunch Recap Even after all the eating and snacking during the holidays, seventeen Calvary friends gathered together to dine at Romeo s Euro Cafe in Downtown Gilbert. They were served an unique variety of Mediterranean entrees pitas being the most popular. A delicious array of desserts were available, but only a few delved into them, making the others jealous. If you have never attended this monthly event, you ve missed some awesome moments with friends. Watch the bulletins for the date of February s Lunch Bunch. The destination is the Black Bear restaurant in Gilbert. Nite on the Town Recap It was agreed that January s journey to Scottsdale was well worth the trip. Don & Charlie s surely lived up to its reputation. The entrees of choice ranged from chicken to ribeye steak to Don s Way babyback ribs. It was a delightful evening of food and fun. Wanna join us? Save up your pennies for March s Outing to The Salt Cellar in Scottsdale. A Taste of Ireland Men and women of Calvary, join the Friendship Gang on their light rail excursion to Rula Bula, historic Irish pub and restaurant on Mill Ave. in downtown Tempe for lunch. We will then re-board the rail and head west to Central Ave. in Phoenix. There we will explore the Irish Cultural Center. All-day Light Rail passes are $3.50, but there is a discount for seniors. Carpools meet at Calvary at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18. Join us for an afternoon of eating and exploration. Locate the sign-up sheet on the back counter to secure a place. Questions? call Sue Schroeder at Calvary Courier page 5

6 February Birthdays Best wishes to the following who celebrate birthdays this month: Bill Nick February 1 Nicole Kultala February 2 Nathaniel Kroeger February 3 Gary Warskow February 3 Victoria Jones February 5 Sharon Oachs February 5 Tammy Armbruster February 6 Feora Perry February 6 Meagan Moore February 7 Ben Milward February 8 Landen Remsburg February 8 Keegan DeBiase February 14 Jana Sulick February 15 Douglas Edman February 17 Gerry Wolf February 17 Tim Moke February 18 Bruce Bartsch February 20 Makayla DeBiase February 24 Tyler Altman February 25 Karen Kamke February 26 (If your birthday is not listed, tell the Office Manager, Randi Rasmussen, so your records can be updated.) Through my Bible IN A YEAR Cut this out and place it in your Bible: February 1 Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers 7 16 Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers 34-36