JuneCaller2017 letter

Summer I 2017
Available on our website:
www.mountcalvary.org/
newsletters
NEXT ISSUE:
Summer II 2017
THE CALLER
A TIME TO…….
As we launch into summer we also come to the conclusion of our worship theme from
Ecclesiastes 3, “For everything there is a season.” Last fall, we focused on “A Time to
Build Up.” In Advent and Christmas, “A Time to Be Born.” In Epiphany and Lent, “A
Time to Seek” and “A Time to Heal.” In Easter, “A Time to Embrace.” We used the
visual of a sundial with a moving shadow to reflect the seasons’ change.
For summer, we are inviting and encouraging you to ‘fill in the blank.’ The ellipsis
(series of dots) following “A Time to” recognizes that summer in Minnesota is a time
for many activities, excursions, adventures and sabbath moments that are or seem less
available to us in other times of the year. The obvious ones are boating, fishing,
camping, picnics, barbecues, hammocks and lawn chairs, reading under a tree or playing
a game of catch, state and county fairs, vacations and ………..(you fill in the blank).
As many of the September to June routines change into your summer rhythms, we
invite you to be very purposeful as you fill in your ellipses. Be intentional in making
this summer a time of rest and renewal, a time to build up, seek, heal and embrace so
that the Spirit of refreshment and resurrection can birth a renewed and right spirit in
you. Be intentional in your balancing of worship, work and play in the way summer
often seems to allow. Keep an eye on the summer Church calendar for the camp or the
barbecue, the meal or the worship, the music or the activity that fits your balancing and
meets your needs. Be open to the ways Jesus is seeking to guide you in making the most
of your time and in filling the blanks of your ellipses. You just might be surprised where
you end up and you just might be delighted or inspired by what you find there. Peace.
Pastor Dave
1

State of the Church
SABBATICAL FOR
PASTOR BRENDA!
Mount Calvary has granted
Pastor Brenda a sabbatical to
pursue a Doctor of Ministry
in Biblical Preaching at
Luther Seminary in St. Paul.
The seminary requires a
residency each June for a
period of three years so she
will be off-site during June
2017, June 2018, and June
2019. Sabbaticals are
encouraged by the larger
church so that pastors have a
time of creativity, study, rest
and renewal that will benefit
both the pastor and the
congregation and will allow
for a break from the day to
day responsibilities of
ministry. Pastor Brenda views
this as an opportunity to
refresh her ministry and be
energized by other
ecumenical ministry
colleagues and seminary
faculty members. Assigned
projects and final thesis will
benefit both Pastor Brenda
and Mount Calvary.
AN ODE TO UNSUNG HEROS
If you sing the praises of an unsung hero, is that hero still unsung?
Semantics aside, this month I would like to share an ode to Mount Calvary’s amazing staff.
Our church has approximately 4,000 energetic and involved members. Behind the scenes a
paid staff, hovering around 25 ordained and lay individuals, work tirelessly to meet the daily
needs and expectations of our diverse congregation and world community. That’s like
running a 4000-passenger cruise ship with a crew of 25.
To pull this off requires an extraordinary level of skill, experience, dedication, and
commitment to our Christian mission; attributes that apply to our entire Mount Calvary
team. Where else can you find a group of nationally recognized experts with a long aggregate
tenure providing leading edge programs that get results?
The fruits of their labors surround us every time we walk through Mount Calvary’s doors.
We are greeted by a warm, inviting worship space reconfigured daily to service the everchanging
needs of our members and the surrounding community. Parishioners crowd the
pews to participate in music-filled worship services worth experiencing. The halls ring with
the sound of youth seeking Mount Calvary as a peer destination. People of all ages
congregate to learn, socialize, and feel God. Our neighbors down the block and on the other
side of the world feel the love. We seek Mount Calvary as a place of worship as well as a
home for preschool students, aspiring musicians, and the hungry across the world. We freely
give of our time, talent, and treasure because we have confidence those resources will be
effectively managed and expended.
I take keen satisfaction in watching masters at work; everything seems so effortless and often
invisible. For the performer, this is usually a mark of pride. The risk is that the required time,
effort, and skill go unrecognized.
So, I would encourage you to reach out to Mount Calvary’s backstage crew and let them
know you appreciate what they do for us. Help them understand how their efforts impact
you and your family. Sing their praises. But don’t go overboard. These are, after all,
Minnesota Lutherans. We don’t want to embarrass them.
If you prefer, send your thoughts to CouncilPresident@mountcalvary.org. I will be sure to
pass them on.
Doug Affinito,
Council President
2

Worship, Music & Learning
SERVICE TIMES
AT A GLANCE
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 9:00 & 10:30am
Join us on Sundays for a liturgy
created by the worship team.
Music is led by Principal Organist
Jeremy Haug, Director of Worship
& Music, Mark Abelsen, and
soloists.
Communion is offered and nursery
is available at all weekend worship
services every week.
NOTE: Sunday Summer
Schedule Begins May 28 –
worship at 9:00 & 10:30am only!
Sat/Sun, June 3/4
Baccalaureate (9:00 & 10:30)
Sermon: Pastor David Olson
Text: John 20:19-23
Music: Mount Calvary Graduates
Sat/Sun, June 10/11
Sermon: Pastor David Olson
Text: Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a
Music: Monica Livorsi (5:00);
Karen Hansen (9/10:30)
PETER PAN JR.
Director: Destiny Colville
Music Director: William Maus
WORSHIP IN JUNE
UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS AT MOUNT CALVARY
Lift-Off !
Sat/Sun, June 17/18
Sermon: Pastor Aaron David Werner
Text: Genesis 18:1-15
Music: Brenda Lund
Sat/Sun, June 24/25
Sermon: Pastor David Olson
Text: Genesis 21:8-21
Music: North Country Girls with
Kenny Wilson & Pat Frederick (5:00);
Trombone Ensemble (9/10:30)
Performances: Thursday, July 20, 7:30pm
Friday, July 21, 3:00pm
Tickets: Adults $10
Students (18 & under) $5
Join us for a telling of this classic story by J.M. Barrie. Buy your tickets in the church
office, call 952-474-8893 x301, or order online at theatre301.org.
OUR TOWN
a play by Thornton Wilder
Director: Doug Affinito
Assistant Director: Andrew Scipioni
Auditions: Monday, July 24, 5:00-10:00pm
Callbacks: Tuesday, July 25, 6:00-10:00pm
Rehearsals begin August 14
Performances: October 12-15
3

Adult Ministries and Benevolence
LINKED IN PRAYER
We are each made for goodness,
love and compassion. Our lives
are transformed as much as the
world is when we live with these
truths.- Desmond Tutu
May the God of steadfastness
and encouragement grant you
to live in such harmony with
one another, in accord with
Christ Jesus, that together you
may with one voice glorify the
God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Welcome one
another, therefore, as Christ
has welcomed you, for the
glory of God. Romans 15:5-7
LITCHICKS
LitChicks is a fun and easy book club for women. We meet every other
month on the second Thursday from 7:00-8:30pm in the Fireside Room.
Anyone is welcome to come to any meeting, and no commitment is
needed—just come when you can. More information is under our listing
in the Small Groups section of the Mount Calvary website.
Our next meeting is July 13, 2017. We will discuss Anna Quindlen’s Still
Life With Bread Crumbs. In this moving and funny story, Rebecca Winter
is a famous photographer. Her career is now descendent, her bank balance
shaky, and she has fled the city for the middle of nowhere. There she
discovers, in a tree stand with a roofer named Jim Bates, that what she sees
through a camera lens is not all there is to life.
Read this scripture 3 times.
The first time listen for a word
that resonates with you. The
second time listen for what
message Christ is inviting you
into. The third time pray for
the Holy Spirit to reveal to
you a life-giving action that
you can incorporate into your
daily prayer and life.
Blessings to you,
Laurie Erickson
4
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Derek & Carolyn
Allmendinger
Spencer & Jennifer Arne
John & Cassie Badgley
Matthew & Julie
McBride
Brad & Kelsey Nelson
Roger & Eva Nelson
Michael & Betsy Sluis
Andy & Tanya Streifel
Mathew & Marne Stulz
Pastor Aaron & Pastor Emily
Matt & Kelly Birkenholz
Mark & Kelly
Werner
Nevermann
Andee Elvert
Jeff & Merrilu Zahn
Jay & Rita Olson
Denise Hanson
Ron & Cheryl Palmer
Andrew & Emily Hebert
Jeff & Heidi Post
Michelle Hoy
Mary Anne Rollar
Jason & Kara Johnson
Charelle Rowan
Troy and Ginny Kakacek
Benji & Emily Scherschligt
Jay & Kaitlin Lochner
Mark & Sara Schmidt
Luke & Rebecca Ludwig
Art & Zana Sehlin

Adult Ministries and Benevolence
MOUNT CALVARY ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Summer-term private lessons begin June 12,
offering up to 11 lessons through August 25. A
flexible number of lessons is allowed for summer
registration. 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!
EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC CLASSES
Session One: Jazz for Kids
Who: Ages 3-6
When: 4 Mondays, July 10—31
Time: 12:45-1:25pm
Tuition: $60
Instructor: Dana Donnay
Class Size: minimum 4 / maximum 10
In Jazz for Kids we will learn about improvisation through rhythm, music and
movement exploration. Creative thinking will be the focus while we play our own
compositions on drums, bells, boom whackers and recorders. Students will get exposure
to jazz music as we listen to famous jazz tunes while we move, dance, play games and use
the parachute! Each class will also have story time about subjects such as jazz greats, scat
or jazz.
Session Two: Music for Little Mozarts: Meet the Music Friends (piano class)
Who: Ages 3-6
When: 4 Mondays, August 7—28
Time: 12:45-1:25pm
Tuition: $60
Instructor: Dana Donnay
Class Size: minimum 4 / maximum 10
Music for Little Mozarts is designed to introduce children 3-6 years of age to music and
the piano. The lessons include singing, attentive listening, and creative movement.
There will also be discovery and beginning activities at the keyboard. Music appreciation
and musical concepts such as pitch, dynamics and tempo are taught with the help of our
music friends Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse. The student will use Music for Little
Mozarts-Meet the Music Friends workbook in class and at home to enhance musical
learning. The session will wrap up with a short performance at the last class.
RESOURCE FOR PIANO TEACHERS BY KATHERINE FARICY
Have you ever come home from an excellent workshop and wished there had been time
for some individual help? Recognizing that many desire further guidance in some areas,
Katherine Faricy, a well-known and respected teacher and popular workshop presenter,
has designed this unique offering to respond to the individual interests and scheduling
needs of each teacher of students of any level. Great flexibility for times and any number
and length of lessons. Contact Kathie Faricy at 952-934-3852 or email
kfaricy@comcast.net.
ENROLLMENT
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.
NEW FRIENDS
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Our garden is once again growing
quickly this year. We've already
started donating some of our
produce to ICA!
If you'd like to help, you can offer
your time, your gifts, and/or your
veggie donations for the garden.
Your time can be used for weeding
and harvesting – you can do this at
any time that is convenient for
you. Your gifts help us to maintain
the supplies and materials
necessary to run the garden. Your
veggie donations can be given to
ICA and to our guests at our
Community Meal. Our current
needs are: broccoli, cauliflower,
celery, eggplant, green beans,
melons, onions, peas, potatoes,
root vegetables (beets, parsnips,
turnips, carrots), summer & sweet
squash, and sweet peppers. You
can drop your veggies off at the
Welcome Center at Mount
Calvary. ALL of this means that
we will once again donate several
hundred pounds of produce to the
ICA food shelf. If you would like
to help with our garden, or have
any questions, contact Chris
Anderson at 952-474-8893, ext.
102 or email chris.anderson
@mountcalvary.org.
5

Children, Youth & Families
6
CONFIRMATION
GUIDES
Stephanie Bredael
Michele Arnar
Lee Leines
Stacie Frandrup
Dake Chatfield
Sarah Roemig
Tracy Olson
Sarah Pfeffer
Jennifer Maass
Julie Gilbertson
Stacy Ward
Dianne Wegscheid
Brenda Bussey
Nona Nesseth
Nicholle Durkee
Beth Brooks
Marnee Shepard
Sarah Johnson
Angela Lurie
Jan Hall
David Reeder
Brian Carlson
Carrie Senske
Diane McGuire
Scott Rile
Kristi Harris
Matt Quinn
Jim Nyhusmoen
Gini Barke
Janie Norby
CLASS MANAGERS
Kelly Blasing
Kristina Dustrud
Congratulations Confirmands!
Sam Ackerson
Blake Anderson
Dean Andrews
Jett Andrews
Stefan Arnar
Lucas Barke
Carlyena Barrows
Eliza Bemm
Ryan Berchild
Joseph Berset
Mason Blasing
Charlie Bledsoe
Cole Bledsoe
Sam Boime
Seth Bredael
Emme Brooks
Payton Burke
Kaylee Bussey
Matthew Carlson
Avery Chatfield
Ella Christenson
Ellie Cullen
Sonia Dahlin
Brynn DuLac
Jacob Durenberger
Ellah Durkee
Ella Dustrud
Olivia Dustrud
Matthew Eichelman
Isabelle Erhart
Will Faster
Erinn Fiedler
Meghan Fisher
Curtis FitzPatrick
Josie Frandrup
Raina Gilbertson
Ellie Gilmore
Madison Gilmore
Peter Grefe
Spencer Hall
Drew Hamborg
Graham Harris
Koelton Hartley
Linden Hill
Anders Irene
Walter Johnson
Annalise Johnson
Ian Johnson
Matthew Kelly
Ava Kittelson
Tanner Kittelson
Josh Koehnen
Olivia Koeppen
Cole Komisar
Carsen Kost
Alexandra Kozikowski
Makayla Kryck
Tyler Kueppers
Keegan Kullberg
Lauren Kvalheim
Ryder Lane
Claire Leines
Grace Lenk
Cooper Luing
Charles Lurie
Nathan Maass
Anna Maples
Ryan Maschka
Allyson Mattson
Benjamin McBride
Alexandra McCoy
Chase McPherson
Mikayla Messerli
Emily Miller
Olivia Muehlberg
Owen Murphy
Clara Nesseth
Hailey Newhouse
Hunter Newhouse
Anna Nicklow
Gabi Norby
Katie Nyhusmoen
Annna Nyhusmoen
Dylan Olson
Luke Peifer
Corinne Petersen
Benjamin Peterson
Henry Petty
Cael Pfeffer
Jack Plante
Jeremiah Pope
Haylie Quam
Jack Quinn
Amelia Raether
Madison Rausch
Jack Reed
Isaac Reeder
Frederic Rile
Jake Robertson
Grace Roemig
Katherine Rohling
Maya Ryan
Ethan Sandum
Luke Schlotthauer
Jeffrey Schneck
Cooper Schoshinski
Bryn Senske
Jolie Shedd
Nora Shepard
Annabelle Smiley
Libby Smith
Calista Smith
Joseph Sorenson
Matthew Sundry
Brice Sutfin
Joel Tiebert
McKella Tiziani
Nathan Turcotte
Dominic Valentini
Keegan Visher
Tait Walters
Benjamin Ward
Taylor Way
Haley Wegscheid
Lola Well
Joe White
Kelsey Willems
Eliza Wilson
Emilie Wizbowski
Charles Worms
CONFIRMATION CAMP
August 1 - August 4
This camp is open to youth who will be in 7th-9th grade in the fall of 2017. Cost is $295 per
camper with a $100 deposit required with registration by July 14. Camp is held at Luther Park
Bible Camp in Danbury, Wisconsin. The youth will ride buses to and from camp. Register at
mountcalvary.org.
BACCALAUREATE – LAST CHANCE!
Sunday, June 4, 2017
All graduating seniors and their families are invited to a special Sunday morning community
baccalaureate worship service with a breakfast reception beginning at 9:30am in Luther Hall.
Both worship services will include a recognition of Seniors. Families can attend either service.
The continental breakfast will be offered beginning at 9:30am to accommodate families at
both services. The Worship will include a recognition, a gifting and a blessing. RSVP
required—sign up on the Mount Calvary website.

Children, Youth & Families
TONKA MUD RUN: A RACE FOR EVERYONE
No matter your athletic ability, the Tonka
Mud Run has a way for you to participate,
have fun and do good! Run, jog or walk,
even take shortcuts (as a “Just Had Fun”
racer), and complete obstacles around the
course while helping raise funds for Many
Hands Many Meals.
This is the fifth year of the Tonka Mud
Run, a family-friendly event that will be
held Saturday, July 22 at Minnewashta
Regional Park. There are three events.
Tonka Mud Run | 3.5-mile timed race, with obstacles including navigating a maze,
army crawling under ropes, carrying firewood and more.
Tonka Mud Run “Just Had Fun” option | 3.5-mile course, but participants can take
shortcuts and skip obstacles.
Mini-Tonka Mud Run | ¼-mile course for younger children, with obstacles
including rolling downhill, jumping over hay bales and doing a sack race.
Proceeds from last year’s race to MH-MM paid for 90,000 meals to be packed! To
register, volunteer or learn more, visit tonkamudrun4.mh-mm.org.
PRESCHOOL
The preschool’s Family Fun Night was a huge success! Everyone had fun and we raised
money for furniture, curriculum supplies, and maintenance of our playground. Thank
you to our advisory board and all our volunteers who made it possible!
SUMMER REGISTRATION
DEADLINES ARE FAST
APPROACHING!
Family Camp (Luther Park)
June 9-11, 2017
Deadline: June 1
VBS - Preschool
June 19-22, 2017
9:00-11:30am
Deadline: June 9
VBS - Daycamp
June 19-22, 2017
9:00am-2:00pm, Limit: 120 spots
Deadline: June 9
Theatre 301 LIFT-OFF
July 10-21, 2017
9:30am-3:00pm
Deadline: May 31
Arts Camp
July 24-26, 2017
6:30-8:30pm
Deadline: July 14
Confirmation Camp
August 1-4, 2017
Luther Park (busing provided)
$100 deposit required
w/registration
Deadline: July 14
Pre-Confirmation Camp
Monday, August 21, 2017
11:00am-4:00pm
Deadline: August 15
Full program/camp descriptions
and registration forms can be
found online at mountcalvary.org
or at the Summer Program table
near the Welcome Center in the
atrium.
Questions can be directed to
Brenda Lund at
brenda.lund@mountcalvary.org or
952-474-8893, ext. 118.
7

Making, Building Up & Sending Out Disciples of Jesus Christ
8
BBQ FOR YOU!
Our Mount Calvary BBQ
Ministry will be providing a
BBQ meal for our Saturday
night worship folks soon! At
6:00pm on Saturday, June 3,
immediately after worship, we
will have tables set up, along
with some fun games and
activities, and some great music.
We will be grilling and smoking
pork and chicken all day long,
so the flavors will be exquisite!
To help us order the correct
amount of food, please let Chris
Anderson know if you’ll be
staying for the BBQ. Chris will
be at the Welcome Center or
you can email him at
chris.anderson
@mountcalvary.org, or call him
at 952-474-8893, ext. 102. You
can also get more information
about what the BBQ Ministry is
all about if you’d like to join!
MEN’S BEER AND BRATS!
Wednesday, June 21
5:30-7:30pm!
Our first Men's Beer & Brats night is coming up. Join us for some laid-back, relaxing
conversations while we enjoy great grilled food and some cold refreshments. We will again
be at the Automotorplex Clubhouse in Chanhassen. We have a special treat this year,
however—there will be a car show happening that night! We will actually get to see many
of the open garages, along with hundreds of amazing cars! Our Beer & Brat nights are
hosted by a few of our members, and are usually from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Feel free to invite
your friends, and bring your sons or your dads, too! You can sign up online, or at the
Welcome Center. If you have any questions, contact Chris Anderson at 952-474-8893
x102 or chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org.
HELP AT ICA!
ICA, your local foodshelf, would love to receive your help with one of their big fundraising
events: the Cub Brat Stand. The Brat Stand is open every weekend, and on the weekend of
June 23-25 most of the proceeds will go directly to ICA.
Following are the details for this volunteer project:
Shifts available each day, Friday June 23 – Sunday June 25;
5 volunteers per shift (one person per shift must be comfortable with grilling)
Location: Minnetonka Cub Foods - Hwy 7/101.
This is a perfect project for a family, a neighborhood group, a club, or a Confirmation
Group! If you are interested, please contact Chris Anderson ASAP at the Welcome Center
or email chris.anderson@mountcalvary.org.
JAY JOHNSON IN NIGERIA
Jay is working as the Project Manager for Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry for the
Renovation of the Demsa Health Referral Center. This is a project financed mostly by
Mount Calvary through our Mission Ready Campaign a few years ago. On this trip, Jay
will be helping them get ready to receive and install medical equipment from Global
Health Ministries, including a surgical table, LED surgical lights, an anesthesia machine, an
x-ray machine, and sterilizers.
His second project involves the construction of a Water Pump Training Facility and
Student Hostel being financed by the 25-40 Foundation and GHM. This facility will have
a simple multi-purpose training hall with storage rooms and toilets. It will have a borehole
drilled inside the training room where various styles of pumps can be installed, broken, and
repaired. It will also have three boreholes outside where the three local styles of handpumps
will be installed so the students can have hands-on experience. The facility will also be used
by the Community Based Primary Healthcare Program, Demsa Health Referral Center and
others in the Lutheran Church and local community. The Hostel Building was added to
the project to provide inexpensive, clean overnight housing to encourage people to
participate in the training programs.
Jay will also be working with the Water and Sanitation/Hygiene (WASH) Program on
various projects in the village of Dakka where an old borehole has problems and the new
one has failed. For more information visit Jayinnigeria2017.blogspot.com.

Adult and Family Ministries
MOUNT CALVARY FOUNDATION
In our May board meeting we received reports on a
couple of interesting items. First, Linda Saveraid and I
met with Rev. Simon Haamer from Tartu Academy in
Estonia. He was here to thank us for our support in the
past few years. They have grown from a handful of
people to over 130 seminarians, which is wonderful
news. The bad news is they lack professors to teach,
counsel and mentor these students who are dedicated
to bringing the gospel into the communities. Estonia
does not have bricks and mortar churches; the Nazis and the Soviets saw to that. Today,
the graduates bring religion to their career jobs. Many of these are in health care and
education. Being a Christian in Estonia is very difficult with much discrimination.
We also began to review a new financial model from RBC Wealth Management where
our assets are managed. We will hear more in our June meeting and then have the option
of using this new model or remaining with the same strategy.
We voted to order a bench, small altar, and planters to be placed in front of the
columbarium. They will be made of the same Kasota stone that is used throughout the
church. Our goal is to create a more reverent site and give a little more privacy to the
space.
This brings up the subject of retirement and end-of-life planning. According to the Wall
Street Journal, fewer than one in three couples believe either spouse could take the reins of
financial management in their absence. Only about half have current wills. Ninety-four
percent of surveyed adults said they think it’s important to talk about their own and their
loved ones’ wishes for end-of-life care, BUT only thirty percent have done so! The reasons
for procrastination fall into four categories:
• It’s not something they need to worry about at this point in life
• They aren’t sick yet
• The subject makes them feel uncomfortable
• They don’t want to upset their loved ones
There are as many as 53 decisions that need to be made at time of death. Many can be
made well ahead of time rather than in the middle of the grieving process. While the
actual planning may be uncomfortable, the peace of mind that can be enjoyed upon
completion is well worth the effort.
If you are interested in learning more about this kind of planning, a lot of help is
available. Please see Pastor Brenda or any other Foundation Trustee. Also, if you think
you might be interested in becoming a board member, come to a meeting. We meet from
7:30 to 8:30am on the second Tuesday of each month. Or talk to any trustee – you will
find a list of Foundation Trustees on the Mount Calvary website. Thanks again for all
your support
Ross McGlasson,
Board Chair
QUILT AND
HANDCRAFT RETREAT
Saturday, July 22
9:00am – 4:00pm in the Undercroft
Here's your chance to work on
those Christmas gifts, the
wedding quilt you promised to
do, next year's graduation quilt,
or something just for you to
keep and enjoy. Feel free to
invite a friend if you wish.
If you've never been to a quilt
retreat before, this one is unusual
in that it's free, you don't have
to drive for hours to get there,
and you don't have to bring an
ironing board, iron, cutting
board or ruler. If you've never
been to a quilt retreat before, the
most interesting part is seeing
the marvelous creations others
are working on. It's very
inspiring!
If you don't quilt, you'll no
doubt find someone else who is
knitting, crocheting,
embroidering. Bring snacks to
share, and I'll put on the
coffeepot. Bring a sandwich for
lunch or grab something at
Kowalski’s next door. Please call
Sharon at 952-442-1105 if you
can attend so we can be sure
enough chairs and tables are in
place.
Sharon Roos
9

Adult Ministries
SPIRITUAL FITNESS BASICS
Selah
(Part 2)
I wanted to write on the idea of “Selah”
today, but the topic felt familiar so I checked
back in my files and found a previous “Selah” message dated April 2013. Well, to keep
my message fresh, yet keep my intentions for today’s message intact, I added “Part 2” to
spice things up!
FEMALE ASSAULT
PREVENTION & DEFENSE
TRAINING
Wednesday, July 12
6:00-9:00pm at Mount Calvary
Cost: $25 per person
Open to all women of all ages (16
and up). Moms are strongly
encouraged to attend with their
daughters. This training will focus
on the who, what, when, where and
how of assaults.
Participants will learn:
to recognize the sequence of
events that take place before an
assault
how to be safe in most
environments
how to stop the sequence
how to escape if necessary.
The class is taught by former Navy
SEAL, Al Horner and his coinstructor,
Karla Rapp. The
training is based off his book, NOT
ME! and will provide the
information and tools to avoid
dangerous situations and the handson
training to escape from those
that cannot be avoided.
Selah is a word found in some of the Psalms of the Old Testament. I first noticed it in
one of my favorites, Psalm 46. There have been many debates and studies about what
the word means, but the general consensus is that the word is not directly translatable
and doesn’t have a clear definition. But one generally accepted idea is that the word
indicates a pause in the verse, a time of instruction possibly saying, hear this. The
interpretation of the word that I like best came from a musician friend of mine; to
pause and consider….
So I write to you today to join me in a Fit Spirit Exercise of Selah. I’m going to take
some time this summer to pause and consider some changes in my ministry work.
After 10 years of providing spiritual care to cops, firefighters and medics throughout
Minnesota, I’ve decided to bring my work closer to home. I’m going to narrow my
scope of services and start focusing on agencies within Hennepin County. That also
includes more direct care work in the Excelsior area.
Part of the ministry I’m going to spend some time considering is the idea of this
spiritual fitness exercise. I currently use a pretty random approach to writing these
exercises. I’ve given a lot of consideration to creating a more systematic approach to
spiritual exercise, and with the help of one of my pastoral mentors, I think I’ve got a
good plan. But I want to work out the kinks over the summer. So, I’m going to take the
next couple months off from my random Fit Spirit writing, and be back in the fall.
Enjoy your summer and don't forget to Selah!
Take Care,
Pastor Dan Carlson
PRAYER SHAWL GROUP
The Prayer Shawl group has been busy making prayer squares. A prayer square was
made for every 8th grade confirmand plus two squares will be sent with each Bell Choir
member going to Germany, one to keep and one to share with someone in Germany.
Register at
mountcalvary.org/register-forevents.
For more information about
this program visit
www.notmetraining.com
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Stewardship
EXCITING DAYS ARE AHEAD!
The Excelsior City Council has approved our
parking lot expansion and beautification
project! Additional parking spaces and easier
traffic flow will be welcome improvements
happening this summer.
In late June, we will start the refreshment of
our education wing, the securing of our
preschool, and the relocation of restrooms off
the atrium. The refreshment will be a blessing
to the Preschool, Sunday school, Confirmation
and adult gatherings.
Already, Mission Forward has enhanced our
communication and technology with a brand
new website, wi-fi throughout the building,
and a new server.
Our $60,000 Haitian investment is supplying
clean water to over 5,000 people.
IN MEMORY
Christian love and sympathy are
extended to all who have suffered
the loss of a family member or
friend.
Elizabeth (Betty) Batzli
Nov. 13, 1922 – April 26, 2017
Evelyn E. Nickel
July 7, 1920 – May 1, 2017
May Christ’s resurrection bring
them hope and comfort.
GRIEFSHARE
Mondays, 11:00am-12:30pm
July 31-October 9
(No meeting on Labor Day)
Cost is: $25
GriefShare is a friendly, caring
group of people who will walk
alongside you through one of life’s
most difficult experiences.
GriefShare sessions, over 10 weeks,
will include new video messages
from nationally-respected grief
experts. Alexandra Wold, MA,
LAMFT, will lead the sessions. She
is a licensed mental health
professional with a warm approach
and deep understanding of life’s
challenges. The group is open to all.
Call Pat Kamerud to register at
952-474-8893, ext. 103.
Public Safety Ministries has received $15,000
for Pastor Dan Carlson’s work delivering
spiritual care to local police and public safety
professionals.
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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 David Werner
pastor.aaron@mountcalvary.org
Postmaster: Please deliver by May 31, 2017
Lane Doerring
Orville Olson
In case of a pastoral emergency, call
952-474-8893 any hour of the day.
EDITOR
Diane Eidsmo
diane.eidsmo@mountcalvary.org
Congratulations Confirmands!
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