January 2017

January 2017
Available on our website:
www.mountcalvary.org/
newsletters
NEXT ISSUE:
February 2017
THE CALLER
LOVED INTO THE LOVE OF JESUS
While interviewing for the position at Mount Calvary, I was
invited out to lunch by our staff. Mark Abelsen, our Director of
Worship and Music, asked me, “Why did you become a pastor?”
And with a smile he added, “Don’t give me just some churchy
pastor-y jargon.” So I took a deep breath and I told him.
“I became a pastor because people loved me into the love of Jesus.
Here’s what I mean.”
“When I was a freshman in high school up
North in my little home town of Alpena,
Michigan, I was invited to meet with Pastor
Peggy Rose and two high school seniors
from Down State, Kim and Beth. They
invited me to join the church’s statewide
youth leadership council. That Christmas
break, they asked me to come to our statewide Christian youth gathering in Lansing, MI. I
was all alone. I did not know anybody. It was pretty scary. Yet, Kim and Beth and the other
youth leaders and peer ministers loved me and included me. They made me feel accepted and
wanted and important.”
“Where are you going for lunch?” they’d ask. “Come with us!”
“Where are you sitting in worship?” they’d ask. “Sit with us!”
“I get tears in my eyes just remembering how kind they were to me and how wonderful they
made me feel in an unfamiliar place, because of the love of Jesus.”
“So, that’s why I became a pastor,” I replied to Mark. “I want to welcome people into the
love of Jesus the way Kim and Beth welcomed me. I want to help and train others to give
that kind of welcome in the name of Jesus.” That’s just one of dozens of stories of how God
led me to be a pastor through the love of others.
In last month’s newsletter, our Council President Doug Affinito outlined the first initiative
of our Strategic Plan highlighting that our path to spiritual enrichment means the "seamless
integration of life-long peer ministry.” God has called us here together to do just that, to
forge peer-to-peer, face-to-face, heart-to-heart everyday real connections between real people
in the name of Jesus. That is the soul and spirit of my ministry as a pastor. I look forward to
loving you into the love of Jesus and inviting you to do the same.
Thank you for calling me to be your pastor. I look forward to many years of Spirit-filled
ministry together side-by-side. Thanks for the warm welcome you have given to me, my wife
Emily, and our two children, Miriam (5) and Elijah (3). Please continue to pray for us as we
transition to our new life in Minnesota!
Pastor Aaron
1

State of the Church
SAM SENIOR
ADULT MINISTRY
UPCOMING 2ND
WEDNESDAY EVENT
January 13, 2017
11:30am Coffee
Noon Lunch featuring
Swedish Meatballs and Lefse
1:00pm Program
Guest Speaker: Author Eric
Dregni, Associate Professor at
Concordia University in St.
Paul. He will be talking
about his latest book: By the
Waters of Minnetonka. Come
and hear about the unruly
and fascinating history of
Lake Minnetonka—along
with his book: In Cod We
Trust: Living The Norwegian
Dream.
*$10 Free will lunch offering,
Sign up at
SAM@mountcalvary.org or
Sign Up Book at the
Welcome Desk
Save the date
February 8, 11:30-2:00
Our new Pastor, Aaron
Werner, will share personal
stories of finding God
around the world
TRADITION?
The second initiative of Mount Calvary’s 8+1 Strategic Plan approved by the Council last
September suggests that, in keeping with our mission, we:
‘Develop, promote, and accept alternative worship styles and schedules.’
Over the last half century, I have participated in many worship experiences:
• I have endured Christmas midnight mass that ended at 2:00am, nearly exposing Santa’s
visit.
• I have stood through an exquisite, fully-orchestrated Mozart Mass performed by a choir in
the Salzburg, Austria Cathedral.
• I finally left 80 minutes into a service in Singapore conducted entirely in Korean.
• I practiced my fledgling German for a summer in a small Bavarian country church.
• I sang my heart out at a Catholic folk mass in the tiny town of Greensboro Bend,
Vermont.
• I led a self-assembled service at Luther Park.
• I videotaped my nephew’s baptism at our church in Connecticut while my niece played
Calamity Jane on the altar rail.
• And of course, I have attended countless Mount Calvary services, often 3-4 in a weekend.
As diverse as this list may seem, all these experiences have common elements. They focus on
the worship of Jesus Christ, occurring either on a Saturday evening, Sunday morning or a
recognized ‘festival’, and following a similar liturgical structure.
To the best of my recollection, I have never participated in a radio broadcast service,
experienced a worship service piped through scratchy speakers at a movie drive-in, or listened
to a live-stream internet podcast service, though each is possible. I have never worshipped at
2:00pm on a Monday, but why not?
Matthew 18:20 tells us that “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with
them”. Where is it written that we must physically gather at a designated house of prayer on a
weekend to ‘worship’?
The Mount Calvary Congregational Survey made it clear that over 50% of our members
would like to be more engaged but are stymied by competing priorities. So why not expand
our definition of ‘worship’ and leverage today’s technology to enable new and exciting
worship experiences? That is the challenge strategic initiative #2 poses to Pastors, staff,
council, and members.
Before closing I would like to thank everyone for another wonderful year of Mount Calvary’s
spiritual, community, and personal enrichment. Merry Christmas, Happy 2017, and enjoy
the Mount Calvary Christmas worship offerings. Finally, don’t forget to write at
CouncilPresident@MountCalvary.org.
Doug Affinito
Council President
2

Worship, Music & Learning
SERVICE TIMES
AT A GLANCE
Wednesday 6:15pm – The Current
(resumes after the holidays on January 11)
High School Youth Director Ben Richter
leads the rockin’ ConfirBand in this
service that welcomes confirmands and
their families, high schoolers, and the
young-at-heart.
Saturdays 5:00pm
Join us Saturdays for an informal service
of song and sacrament focused on
community in communion with one
another. Mark Abelsen, on piano, leads
the Saturday Worship Band.
Sundays 8:00am
Join us for a Traditional Service of Holy
Communion. For early risers looking for
a worship experience that offers
something a little more
familiar/traditional and without the
busyness of our later services –this is the
place for you! Using a familiar liturgy
from our green hymnal (complete with
chanting), we welcome you to this lovely
service of contemplation, peacefulness
and restoration where you will be fed
with music, proclamation, praise and
holy communion each week. Plenty of
parking and one-on-one time with
pastors and staff. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Sundays 9:00 & 10:30am
Join us on Sundays for a fresh, new
liturgy created by the worship team.
Music is led by Principal Organist
Jeremy Haug, Mount Calvary choirs and
instrumental ensembles, and soloists.
Communion is offered and nursery is
available at all weekend worship services
every week.
Sat/Sun, December 31/January 1
5:00, 9:00 & 10:30
NO 8:00 Service
Sermon: Pastor Aaron Werner
Text: John 1:1-14
Sat/Sun, January 7/8
Sermon: Pastor David Olson
Text: Matthew 3:13-17
Chancel Choir (9:00/10:30)
Sat/Sun, January 14/15
Sermon: Pastor Brenda Legred
Text: John 1:29-42
Rachel Kurtz (5:00/9:00/10:30)
WORSHIP IN JANUARY
UPCOMING WORSHIP & MUSIC EVENTS:
Sat/Sun, January 21/22
Sermon: Pastor David Olson
Text: Matthew 4:12-23
Chancel Choir (9:00/10:30)
Sat/Sun, January 28/29
Sermon: Pastor Aaron Werner
Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Mount Calvary Bells (9:00/10:30)
Rachel Kurtz Leads Worship
Saturday & Sunday, January 14 & 15
Rachel Kurtz is a Minneapolis-based songwriter, performer and recording artist.
Churches across the country have discovered Rachel’s powerhouse voice and joyful
presence, and we are so happy to have her back at Mount Calvary. Her song
“Make A Difference,” unveiled at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering, has become a
widespread sensation sung by praise bands, youth groups, and school choirs from
coast to coast. In addition to her music leadership at conventions and
congregations, Rachel is also an in-demand retreat facilitator and keynote speaker
at youth weekends, women’s retreats and many times at Sunday morning worship.
River Valley Dance Academy’s Adaptive Class to Perform in Worship
Sunday, February 5
The Adaptive Class from River Valley Dance Academy in
Chaska is returning to share a dance at our 9:00 and
10:30am worship services.
At River Valley Dance Academy, they believe in the intrinsic value which dance
provides when one begins to explore the creative processes within themselves. As
the world of dance can sometimes be competitive and inaccessible to persons who
may be challenged in physical or developmental domains, RVDA has made it a
priority to offer classes to children who have not yet had the opportunity to dance.
They look forward to sharing their dance with our Mount Calvary community!
Theatre 301 presents Little Women in February
Tickets available NOW at www.theatre301.org or
call 952-474-8893 #301.
Performances
7:30pm
3:00pm
Thursday, February 23 Sunday, February 26
Friday, February 24
Saturday, February 25
3

Adult Ministries and Benevolence
LITCHICKS
If you love reading and
discussing good books without
having to host a book club,
LitChicks is for you! You will
enjoy lively, thoughtful
discussions where we consider
issues from a Christian
perspective or just from our
own perspective. No
commitment needed – come
whenever you are able. Our
bimonthly meetings are on the
second Thursday from 7:00-
8:30pm in the Fireside Room.
More information is under
our listing in the Small
Groups section of the Mount
Calvary website.
On January 12, 2017 we will
kick off the new year with the
beautiful novel Our Souls at
Night by the late Kent Haruf.
We hope you will join us!
LINKED IN PRAYER
New beginnings each day!
God’s gift of forgiveness is always available to you. Through prayer, through God’s
grace of unconditional love, your slate is wiped clean. Every moment of every day
you begin anew.
Here is an excerpt that can serve as nourishment for your prayers from Romans 4:1-7
in the Message. For more depth, read the full passage. What do you hear God
speaking into your life through this scripture?
5
But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you
trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you
worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God.
Sheer gift.
6
David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the
putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man:
7
Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off, whose sins are wiped clean from the slate.
Blessings to you,
Laurie Erickson
CENTERING PRAYER
Thursdays, 7-8:15pm
Join us for Centering Prayer in the Fireside Room. We encourage you to set aside
time for nourishment and accompaniment on your spiritual journey.
Sessions are organized as follows:
Sharing any stories insightful to centering prayer - 5-15 minutes
Centering Prayer reading - 5-10 minutes
Lectio Divina - Listening to a short passage of scripture - 5 minutes
Centering Prayer (prayer in silence) - 20 minutes
Closing comments
If you want more information, please email LaurieBErickson@msn.com or call
952-457-6396 or pick up a brochure in the CareNotes rack by the Fireside room. All
are welcome!
4

Adult Ministries and Benevolence
EPIPHANY GALLERY
Receive. Reveal. Radiate. These three words are part of the
Epiphany Gallery logo because they not only describe, they
inspire process in the creation of art. The artist receives. The
artist reveals. The art itself radiates. As observers of art, we have
the opportunity to see as the artist sees but we also have the
opportunity to see what speaks to us in the art. Many artists are
reluctant to verbally “reveal” what their art means to them
because they want the art to provide personal revelation to the
viewer. The art provides space for revelation.
Epiphany Gallery provides space for artists and viewers to seek what is holy and true. It
also provides space to explore what is unknown, abstract, challenging, and at times hard
to grasp. The Gallery is simply a space; a space for our minds and spirits to be still in
what we see. It is a space to receive, with the possibility of revelation and the knowledge
that the Holy Spirit radiates through everything.
The season of Epiphany comes with the theme, A Time To Seek. Epiphany Gallery brings
the work of painter Jill Van Sickle as a prompt to take time to seek. Her work is primarily
inspired by nature but is abstract in its essence. She leaves openings for finding and
connecting with her work. When asked to exhibit, Jill responded that she is deeply
respectful of world religions, but is not a religious person. “I like to think nature and art
are where I feel a connection to the universe.” We too are deeply respectful of all people
and welcome Jill’s personal vision of the universe in our hope of seeking as God seeks,
seeing as God sees, loving as God loves.
Jill's paintings are done with acrylic paint, often with oil pastels on top. At times, she will
add other mediums such as pencil, charcoal, and gold leaf. She earned her degree in Fine
Arts from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, and is a full-time artist.
To learn more visit www.vansickleart.com.
“15-2, 15-4, 15-6...”
MEN’S & WOMEN’S
CRIBBAGE
TOURNAMENT!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
8:30-11:30am
Join us for our second annual
Cribbage Tournament hosted by
our Men’s Ministry Team. Due to
popular demand, our tourney is
for men and women this year.
This should be great fun! Whether
you are a beginner, just play for
fun, or you’re a standing member
of the National Cribbage
Association, this tourney is for
you! We’ll have singles and
doubles brackets, games for
children, and we’ll even offer
lessons for those who don’t know
how to play. This will be a fun
and entertaining morning of
lighthearted competition. Snacks
and refreshments will be provided
throughout the morning. Sign up
at the Welcome Center or email
Chris Anderson at
chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org.
5

Children, Youth & Families
JANUARY
CONFIRMATION
CORNER
Wednesday, January 4
No Confirmation
Wednesday, January 11
Confirmation resumes
6:15pm - Large Group
for ALL grades
Wednesday, January 25
7th & 8th GRADE
PARENTS ATTEND
Week 1: Dating &
Sexuality Curriculum
(Week 2 is Wed. Feb. 1)
8th Grade Mentor
Training Options:
(Mentors choose 1 session
listed below)
Monday, January 30
7:00 - 8:15pm in the
Undercroft
OR
Thursday, Feb. 9
7:00 - 8:15pm in the
Undercroft
OR
Monday, February 13,
7:00 - 8:15pm in the
Undercroft
Mentor information was
emailed to families in
mid-December.
Any questions, contact
Brenda Lund at
brenda.lund@
mountcalvary.org or call
952-474-8893, ext. 118.
MOUNT CALVARY ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Mentoring students in musical skill and sensitivity as a means of personal development, creative
expression and service.
Spring term private lessons are offered Tuesday,
January 3 – May 26, up to 20 weeks of lessons.
Enrollment is always open! Group lessons or private
lessons are offered on piano, voice, guitar, ukulele,
harp, string, and woodwind instruments. Suzuki
violin for ages 3.5 and up is also offered. All ages are
encouraged to consider lessons, whether beginners or brushing up on lessons from years ago!
*Note: Monday lessons begin January 9, offering 19 weeks of lessons due to the New Year
holiday.
Early Childhood Music Class: Music Exploration for Preschoolers
Who: Ages 3-6
When: Thursdays, February 9 – April 20 (No class March 30)
Time: 12:45-1:30pm
Tuition: $150
Instructor: Dana Donnay
Class size: minimum 4/maximum 10
Early childhood music classes are a great way to teach the whole child. This course offers a
comprehensive, sequential plan for the musical development of your 3-6 year old child. The
use of familiar songs, literature, and carefully chosen materials will help your child develop
listening skills, creativity, and self-expression. Students will have the opportunity to play
simple rhythm instruments and various orchestral instruments.
Resource for Piano Teachers and any interested pianists!
Have you ever come home from an excellent workshop and wished there had been time for
some individual help? Katherine Faricy offers flexible number and length of lessons to
teachers interested in continuing education with focus on subjects and repertoire of your
interest. A member of the piano faculty at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul for over
three decades, Katherine Faricy has a distinguished career as a frequent recitalist, soloist with
orchestras and many performances broadcast on MPR. She has designed this unique offering
to respond to the individual interests and scheduling needs of each teacher or student of any
level. Please contact Katherine for more information about lessons and coaching at 952-934-
3852 or kfaricy@comcast.net.
Royal Conservatory Music Development Program Spring Assessments registration
deadline is February 16. Mount Calvary Academy of Music is an Assessment Center for
performance and theory. Details on this excellent program can be found at
www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org.
It’s easy to enroll online. Visit our website at www.mcaom.org or call 952-474-8893, ext.
111 (Mary) or ext 116 (Jill) with questions or email mary.lechelt@mountcalvary.org.
6

Children, Youth & Families
PRESCHOOL
Registration for Mount Calvary Preschool and Toddler programs begins on Monday,
January 23 at 9:00am. This is for the 2017-2018 year. Preschoolers must be potty
trained and at least 33 months of age. Toddlers do not need to be potty trained, and
have to be 21 months of age when they begin. We will have a box in the hallway on
Monday morning to collect registration forms. Registration will be open to all on
January 23, which means current families and new families may register at this time.
There is no need to get here earlier than when you bring your children to preschool. If
you do not get your first choice, we will work with you to satisfy your needs. You may
obtain a registration form in the preschool office or go to our website
www.mountcalvary.org, and go to preschool.
Mount Calvary Preschool is accredited through the National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We also have a 4-star rating with the state of
Minnesota’s Parent Aware, the highest rating possible. We are a fantastic preschool.
Come see us and you will agree.
Mount Calvary Preschool has options for parents and their children. We are open from
7:00am to 6:00pm. All children who are enrolled at our preschool attend preschool
classes. Extended care is offered before and after a preschool class.
If you, a friend, or a family member, are interested in attending Mount Calvary
Preschool, you may contact us at 952-474-5542.
SENIOR HIGH RETREAT
January 20-22 at Luther Park
An awesome weekend-long
retreat run by youth for youth!
Lots of fun up at camp with
good food, and fantastic
conversations. Contact Ben for
more information at
ben.richter@mountcalvary.org.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
DEC. 24/25, 2016
DEC. 31/JAN. 1, 2017
Enjoy your holidays!
7

Making, Building Up & Sending Out Disciples of Jesus Christ
WEEKLY ADULT
BIBLE STUDIES
Bible Inspiration with
Pastor Brenda (for men
and women)
Thursdays at 10:00am in the
Sanctuary
Join us for a study of the
Book of Acts. Experience
how God’s word is always
new, changes us, and speaks
personally to each person
who reads it. Everyone is
welcome. To sign up,
contact Pat Kamerud in the
office.
Men’s Bible Study
Mondays, 6:30–7:30am,
Fireside Room
This Bible study is open to
all men who are hoping to
grow in their faith, find good
fellowship, and discover new
insights in scripture.
Women’s Bible Study
with Pastor Dave
Tuesdays, 9:00–10:00am,
Heritage Hall
Pastor Dave leads this “come
when you are able” group of
women every Tuesday
morning on a journey
through the Scriptures. Each
week Pastor Dave provides a
background introduction to
each day’s readings, which is
then followed by insightful
discussion. This Bible study
is open to any and all
women, and is suitable for
those who have never done
Bible study before and also
for those who have never
stopped.
NEW CROSSPATHS BOOK STUDY
led by Pastor Dave
Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and
Other Things The Bible Does Not Say
by Adam Hamilton
January 17 - February 14
Tuesday nights 7:00- 8:30
They are simple phrases. They sound Christian—like something you might find in the Bible.
But they are not. We’ve all heard these phrases. Maybe we’ve said them. They capture some
element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways. The unfortunate truth is that in
addition to not being Biblical, they can mislead and hurt those whom they are often intended
to help. They are seductive in while having a slight ring of truth, they distort and diminish
the teachings of Jesus and scripture.
Our goal in CrossPaths is to seek to let the Scriptures speak with their own voice and do our
best to understand the context and content of Scripture so that the written Word can bear
witness faithfully to the living Word, Jesus.
Join us in searching for the whole truth by comparing common Christian clichés (half-truths)
to the message and ministry of Jesus. The clichés we will discuss include:
• Everything happens for a reason.
• God helps those who help themselves.
• God won’t give you more than you can handle.
• God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
• Love the sinner, hate the sin.
Sign up at the Welcome Desk in the atrium or contact Nancy Henke at
nancy.henke@outlook.com. Cost $15 (includes book)
IT’S STILL COLD OUTSIDE!
We are still providing warm clothing for families in our community, and hoping for more
donations for our Winter Clothing Drive. At our 5th-annual Thanksgiving Eve Community
Meal on November 23, we distributed clothing to over 100 people, and we are still receiving
requests from several local schools for clothing for their students. To help these individuals
and families, we need YOU! We are now collecting donations, including jackets, mittens,
scarves, boots, snow pants, blankets, and monetary gifts. We are also still running our Dollar
Match Challenge—a very generous, anonymous donor has offered to match our total
monetary donations up to $5,000 to help us purchase some of our winter clothing. So this
year, any financial donations you make will double in value! You can find a complete list of
items we are collecting at the Welcome Center or online at our website. Donations can be
dropped off in the church office. Please consider reaching out to our community. These
families need your help to meet the demands of the coming winter. Your kindness can truly
make an immediate impact on many lives. If you have any questions, contact Chris Anderson
at chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org, or 952-474-8893.
8

Adult and Family Ministries
MIKE’S MISSION FOR VETERANS
Now that we have all been fed, or overfed as the case may be, we want to bring you up to
date on our ministry. We just delivered a dignity quilt to the adult living facility in Eagan
called The Commons on Marice. We were asked to do a reversible quilt with one side
being patriotic. This quilt will be used to drape over a gurney and body bag so the staff
and family can escort a person, with dignity, out the front door on their final trip. It was
so meaningful for us and such a pleasure to do this for our veterans and others making
their final journey. We really feel that this ministry was ‘meant to be.’ We have been asked
to do a second quilt for this facility as there are multiple buildings for the various stages of
senior living. This organization also has facilities across the country and a picture of the
quilt and the 3 of us who made the quilt will be published in their national newsletter.
From that we have experienced, other facilities may also request a dignity quilt.
We hope you enjoyed our banner quilt that was hung in the atrium for a few weeks. We
are busy starting to put together kits to make a new supply of quilts for the 2017 Stand
Down. We have been talking to some people from the Hopkins Elks Lodge #2221 who
are putting together Welcome Home Kits for Veterans. They are working with local and
state organizations to provide these kits to homeless veterans moving into new housing.
The kits vary, but will contain many items such as bedding, kitchen items, bathroom
items and furniture (when available). As you can see we are always looking for new ways
we can get involved to help our veterans. To learn more about Mike’s Mission for
Veterans email Lynne at walker_mom@msn.com.
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Lynne Walker
FAMILIES MOVING FORWARD IS BACK!
We are excited to begin planning for our second year of the Families Moving Forward
Program! Families Moving Forward (FMF) is a church-led program for hosting homeless
families in our area. It involves around 70 churches, with each church hosting 4 families
for one week during the year.
Last year we had life-changing experiences with our volunteers and families, and ALL of
the families moved into their own stable housing within a month after our hosting week!
We are pleased to announce that Mount Calvary will be hosting our second group of
families in March 2017! You can learn more about FMF on our church website, by
getting an information sheet at the Welcome Center, or contacting Chris Anderson.
We are currently looking for individuals, families, and groups to help with various needs
for this program. There are many ways you can become involved, including the following
teams: Leadership/Planning Team, Activities Team, Food Team, Setup Team, Supplies
Team.
If you are interested in one or more of these teams, or just in finding out more about
Families Moving Forward, please contact Chris Anderson at 952-474-8893 or email
chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org.
We will be hosting an information session in January for anyone interested—you can sign
up for this session with Chris at chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org.
Beth Mangold from The Commons
on Marice, and Hutch Walch from
The Goodman Group receiving the
dignity quilt.
Families Moving Forward
2016
9

Adult Ministries
SUPPORT OUR BELL
CHOIR: INVITED TO
PERFORM AT 500TH
ANNIVERSARY IN
GERMANY
Our Bell Choir has
committed themselves to not
only preparing to play (they
are already rehearsing) and
committing time for the
travel, but also to raising the
nearly $70,000 it will cost in
airfares, shipping and food
and lodging. They are the
ONLY bell choir invited to
perform and this is an
amazing honor and privilege.
They will play at major
worship events in Leipzig,
Eisleben, Erfurt and
Wittenberg. We invite you
to go to their GoFundMe
page to register your
financial support:
https:\\www.gofundme.com/
handbells
SPIRITUAL FITNESS BASICS
“… what we need to be about.” (part 2)
Last month I shared the following message with you, with the
instructions to “chew on it for awhile,” promising to share
some of Fr. Tim’s insights this month. Here is the message again…
Time to pray.
I am finding plenty of time for prayer. Often using my great uncle’s 100 year old rosary. Sometimes
God surprises me in the midst of prayer. A few weeks ago, after the police killings in Dallas, I was
praying about all the hurt in our society. Then I got an image of God gathering to himself the five
dead officers, their shooter, and the two African American men who had been shot by the police in
the previous weeks. As they gathered with him he helped them shed the things that kept them from
seeing each other as brothers in the same family. It took some time, but finally God was able to get
them there, as he welcomed them into heaven. As they walked in, God said: “You really need to
work on this before you get here!” That made it very clear to me what we need to be about.
Father Tim Power
Although this simple story is loaded with content and messages, here are the two Fr. Tim
made sure that I noticed. First: and hopefully most obvious, all of our lives need to be about:
ALL of us being intentional about shedding the things, the darkness, that keep us from seeing
each other as members of the same family…the family of humanity, all of God’s Children.
And we need to do that before we cause each other pain, suffering and even death. So how do
we do that? Well, I’ll save sharing some of those ideas for next month! And second: Have you
ever considered that you may be entering eternity, heaven, the afterlife…in a group?
Collectively as a community? That’s an interesting image. I always thought I’d walk through
those gates alone, based on who I was as an individual, not as a “family” member, WITH my
family! That idea makes the first point even more important. Thanks for “chewing!”
Take Care,
Pastor Dan Carlson
10
MOUNT CALVARY FOUNDATION
Be sure to make time during this busy holiday season to
visit the fabulous exhibit of the Martin Luther Artifacts at
MIA in Minneapolis. The exhibit is open ONLY until
January 15. If you have not had a chance to make the
tour, I highly recommend that you not miss out on this
opportunity. Many members that have toured shared rave
reviews. In spite of the crowded Sunday conditions it was
a marvelous experience. We were in a Docent led group
with an excellent presenter. We now know a lot more about our “namesake” (but we didn’t
find out how such a big man squeezed into such a small pulpit.)
The exhibit featured, in addition to the very pulpit where he preached his last four sermons,
stoles and other wearing apparel, 500-year-old Bibles, a gigantic wood block representation of
the count’s “gateway,” a model of the house he lived in, and many other surprises. We are
indeed fortunate that Minneapolis was selected as one of three US cities for this exhibit.
In the next Caller I will report decisions made as we end our fiscal year and prepare for 2017.
If you have any questions, ask Pastor Dave or Pastor Brenda or a Foundation board member.
Ross McGlasson

Stewardship
THANK YOU FOR YOUR 2017 GENERAL FUND PLEDGES!
Thank you to everyone who has turned in
a thoughtful and generous pledge for our
2017 General Fund. We know how busy
people’s lives can be! If you haven’t had a
chance to make a commitment for 2017,
please prayerfully consider a pledge that
would give you joy. Your pledge will
support worship, music, faith formation,
outreach, pastors and staff, and everything
it takes to keep a church operational. You may be uncertain about what the
year holds for you and that’s why we call it a pledge. It’s your best guess about
what you might be able to provide. It helps us anticipate income and manage
our budgets. Together we can provide the Mount Calvary experience we all
enjoy. Please contact Pat Kamerud for a pledge card at
pat.kamerud@mountcalvary.org or call her at 952-474-8893, ext. 103.
REMEMBER MOUNT CALVARY WITH A YEAR-END GIFT
We hope Mount Calvary is on your Christmas list. December is the season of
giving and we invite you to help us end the year well. You may designate your
gift to the Mission Forward campaign or select something within our general
fund including worship/music, faith formation, mission and outreach, or
simply say use where it is needed most. Gifts must be postmarked on or before
December 31.
MARRIAGE CARE
Your pastors are available to meet
with couples and individuals
experiencing challenges in
relationships. Valuable tools include
communication, conflict resolution,
roles, personality issues, and financial
management. You can also request
names of professional counselors
serving our community. Feel free to
contact the pastors about a visit or
referral.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have a prayer request that you
would like included on our
congregational Prayer Chain, email
prayer.request@mountcalvary.org or
contact Pat Kamerud in the office at
952-474-8893.
YEAR-END GIFTS OF STOCK
It’s easy to make a gift of stock to Mount Calvary. You can transfer your stock
to one of two accounts:
Schwab—Mount Calvary Lutheran Church account #64991248 and
DTC #0164
RBC Wealth Management—Mount Calvary Lutheran Church account
#309-66842-16 and DTC #0235.
Contact Michele Tighe at michele.tighe@mountcalvary.org or 952-474-8893,
when you have gifted stock so she can be watching for the transfer.
facebook.com/
MountCalvaryExcelsior
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Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
301 County Road 19
Excelsior, MN 55331
952-474-8893
www.mountcalvary.org
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Excelsior, MN
Permit No. 38
PASTORS
David Olson
pastor.dave@mountcalvary.org
Brenda Legred
pastor.brenda@mountcalvary.org
Aaron Werner
pastor.aaron@mountcalvary.org
Postmaster: Please deliver by December 20
Lane Doerring
Orville Olson
In case of emergency, call
952-474-8893 any hour of the day.
EDITOR
Diane Eidsmo
diane.eidsmo@mountcalvary.org
Advent Festival
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