Mount Calvary Caller - January 2019

mount calvary lutheran church vol. 1 january 2019 

CALLER 

god expects 

us to love... 

When we explore together how disciples 

of Jesus embrace the four loves we are not 

talking about squishy, warm fuzzies but about 

the building blocks of relationships with 

others and the world.


loves 

actually 

by Pastor Dave Olson 

Clergy and other nerds are fond of 

lifting up the knowledge that the Greek 

language (which the New Testament 

is written in) contains four different 

words for love. There is philia, or 

what we might describe as friendship 

love; eros, which is romantic love; and 

storge is used to talk about love of 

family, tribe, country and the affection 

between parent and child. The fourth 

word for love, and the one used to 

describe the love Jesus commands of 

us and which illustrates the divine and 

steadfast love of God for us is "agape". 

Agape is a love that is unconditional, 

sacrificial, and filled with grace. In the 

English language we use the same 

word for loving pizza, Jesus, days off, 

wife and football. Hmmm. 

The challenge for preachers, as you 

might expect, is to transcend our 

nerdiness and make our sermons 

relevant for the loves of your life. 

What does it look like as a follower of 

Jesus to love friends, family, spouse 

and country? What does it look like to 

have agape love be the template for 

the other loves of our lives? What are 

the dangers to health and happiness 

when you love pizza and football more 

than you love your wife? When C.S. 

Lewis wrote his book The Four Loves, 

he points out both the opportunities 

and the risks in each. When does 

love become codependence or lead 

to a desire to control? When does 

a human love become an idolatry 

or become a bargaining chip in a 

relationship? C.S. Lewis wrote that 

"We may give our human loves the 

unconditional allegiance which we 

owe only to God. Then they become 

gods; then they become demons. 

Then they will destroy us and also 

destroy themselves." When we 

explore together how disciples of 

Jesus embrace the four loves we 

are not talking about squishy, warm 

fuzzies but about the building blocks

page two 

"We may give our human loves the 

unconditional allegiance which we 

owe only to God." 

of relationships with others and 

the world! 

Beginning in January, we will explore 

the various loves in worship and 

study. We will begin with the Biblical 

mandate to love the stranger and the 

alien that runs throughout scripture 

from beginning to end. (See the 

article on the next page that invites 

you into a study with me at Crosspaths 

of the book They Are Us: Lutherans 

and Immigration). We will conclude 

the sermon series with Jesus' radical 

demand that we love our enemies. 

In the four intervening weeks we will 

look at each one of the four loves 

philia, storge, eros, and agape. It just 

so happens that Valentine's Day falls 

midway between the weeks we are 

focusing on eros and agape. 

God moment! 

I hope to see you regularly in worship 

and actually loving it, actually loving 

God, and taking away a love of life 

and those around you, because love 

actually is all around. I pray that the 

love of God will infuse every aspect 

of our life together. I pray that you 

will trust this love from the Jesus who 

calls you "Friend" who loves you like a 

sister or a brother, and who sacrificed 

everything out of love for this world 

and for you. And I would actually 

love to hear your feedback! 

Pastor Dave Olson 

pastor.dave@mountcalvary.org


state 

of the 

church 

God Expects Us to Love: Immigration 

God Expects Us to Love is one of Mount Calvary's four pillars, and 

during Epiphany we will explore what this means for us, as Christians. 

Jesus teaches a clear expectation that we love everyone - neighbors, 

strangers, the unlovable, and even our enemies. As a nation, and part 

of the global community, we face the key issue of migration. How do 

faithful people respond to those fleeing unlivable and 

unsustainable situations? 

The issue of immigration has challenged us for centuries, and the 

book They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration was written to help us 

understand how Jesus would ask us to love our neighbors. 

They Are Us, addresses the American story of immigration and how the 

scriptures command us to "Remember, you were once the stranger, the 

alien, and the endangered." The book begins with Biblical references 

to migrating people and some of the reasons they left their homes - 

famine, political oppression, and the search for better lives. It tells the 

story of Lutheran immigration and how our ancestors encountered 

both hostility and hospitality. 

"This book is not partisan, nor is it 

a response to current issues. It was 

written in 2009 by a Lutheran leader 

and an immigration lawyer who was 

President of Lutheran Immigration 

and Refugee Service." 

"My goal is not that we all reach 

the same policy and procedural 

conclusions, but that we listen to the 

voice of scripture, and the voices of 

our ancestors, to discern a faithful 

way of response." ~Pastor Dave 

Pastor Dave will be leading our discussion of this book in CrossPaths Bible study, on Tuesdays beginning in January. Can't 

make it on Tuesdays? Grab the book and follow along online. You can pick up your copy of They Are Us at the Welcome 

Desk or on Amazon, and tune in on January 19/20 for Pastor Dave's kickoff to the sermon series: God Expects Us to Love. 

We hope that you will come and participate in this conversation. We may not come to a consensus about how we will 

care for those Jesus called "the last, the least, and the lost," but Mount Calvary promises to approach the book and the 

complex issues with a spirit of listening, learning, and what it means to be followers of Jesus. 

CrossPaths: Teaching with Pastor Dave and Small Group Discussion Tuesday nights, January 15, 22, 29 and February 5. 

Sign up online at http://www.mountcalvary.org/get-involved/adult/crosspaths/ 

Questions? Stop by the Welcome Desk. Books available for purchase.

page four 

faith journey: 

Jared Barnes 

What is your background of church? Where did 

you grow up? Did you go to church? What was 

the experience like for you? 

I grew up in Arlington, Texas going to Advent 

Lutheran Church. My mother brought my older sister 

and me to church every Sunday. I was confused by all 

the traditions in the church and often laid my head 

in my mother's lap for most services, but I felt a safe 

home at church. 

Was there a time you strayed away from God 

or the church? Why? What happened? How did 

you get back? 

The church was such a confusing place for me when 

I was around the age of 10, so I didn't think anyone 

had reasons for why they believed in anything. I did 

not want to go to church. I would have called myself 

an atheist had I known that word. After the events 

of my parents' divorce and my aunt Randi's sudden 

death, I began having frequent existential thoughts 

and questions about life. It wasn't long before I felt 

God's presence and saw how He gave purpose 

for me. 

Jared is the Director of Senior High Youth Ministry, 

is currently engaged and is excited to be taking on 

his first full year of The Vine. 

Tell about a “turning point” in your life and 

how God was involved. 

The biggest faith turning point came when I was 13. 

Like many nights at the time, my sister and mother 

were arguing loudly in the late hours of the night. 

It was a time of real despair, and I had thoughts of 

suicide while in my room pretending to sleep. This 

night I prayed for God to save me. I hadn't prayed 

that way before, but this time I felt a very real 

presence of love. It was clear that God was in the 

room. It sounds weird, but it was as though I was 

being hugged by Jesus, like a blanket of assurance. 

When did you know that Mount Calvary 

would be your home? 

I knew that Mount Calvary would be my home 

after spending a couple of weeks with the high 

schoolers. Wanting to help grow their faiths as 

well as my own here at Mount Calvary has been 

really fulfilling.


WORSHIP 

AND MUSIC 

ministries 

JANUARY 

5TH & 6TH 

Epiphany 

Sermon. Pastor David Olson 

Text. Matthew 2:1-12 

Music. Rachel Kurtz 

JANUARY 

12TH & 13TH 

Baptism of Jesus 

Sermon. Pastor Aaron David Werner 

Text. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 

Music. Chancel Choir & River Valley 

Academy Adaptive Dancers 

Rachel Kurtz Leads Worship 

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. Rachel is an indemand 

retreat facilitator, worship leader, and keynote speaker. 

River Valley Dance Academy’s Adaptive Class 

to Perform in Worship 

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. 

JANUARY 

19TH & 20TH 

God Expects Us to Love 

Sermon. Pastor David Olson 

Text. John 2:1-11 

Music. Saturday Worship Band 

JANUARY 

26TH & 27TH 

Philia - Friendship Love 

Sermon. Pastor Brenda Legred 

Text. Luke 4:14-21 

Music. Mount Calvary Bells 

The start of a new Sermon series on loving and caring for all. 

You can read more about the series in Pastor Dave's article on 

Page One. 

Our very own Hand Bell Choir will lead worship and Pastor 

Brenda will share how we can trust this love from the Jesus who 

calls us "Friend."

page six 

River Valley Dance Academy's 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Theatre 301 presents Annie in March 

Tickets available NOW at www.theatre301.org 

or call 952-474-8893 x301. 

Show runs from March 8-10, 2019


ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Milestone Ministry 

January 5/6 4th and 5th grade during 

worship in the undercroft 

Preschool Registration 

Opens January 28th, 2019 

Senior High 

Summer Travel Series 

Jun 9 - Jun 15 : Pine Ridge, SD 

Jul 6 -Jul 12: Rock Ridge Guided 

Canoe Trip, BWCA 

Jul 21 -Jul 26: Youthworks Service 

Trip, Leech Lake, MN 

Sunday School 

January 19 / 20 No Sunday School 

for the celebration of MLK.

page eight 

YOUTH 

AND FAMILY 

ministries 

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES 

ARRIVE IN TIME FOR FINALS 

God will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but 

with the testing he will also provide a way out. 

1 Corinthians 10:13. 

This is the verse that began Pastor Dave's 2018 letter to 

our college-student members. Copies of the letter were 

included in boxes that contained snacks, novelty items, 

home-baked cookies, and personal care items. 100 of these 

boxes were mailed to college students at the beginning of 

December, just in time for finals. These gifts from their 

church are intended to provide our kids a little boost 

during a stressful time of the year. 

This tradition began about six years ago, when some Sunday 

School moms began to think about a way they could care 

for, and keep in touch with, Mount Calvary students away 

at college. "It all started with collecting leftover Halloween 

candy," said Brenda Lund, our Faith Formation Assistant, 

and the coordinator of the program. "We sent the candy, 

along with a card, a letter from Pastor Dave, and a few 

added treats." 

The program has evolved so that now the boxes include 

nut-free options and just the right mix of healthy and notso-healthy 

treats. A sweet card from the Sunday School 

kids is always included, along with the letter and a novelty 

item from Pastor Dave. This year's box included Kleenex, 

Chapstick and toothbrushes too! 

Treats are donated by families of the students, and 

fresh-baked, chocolate chip cookies are contributed by 

the Women of Thunder Bible study members. Parent 

volunteers then gather to pack the boxes and get them 

ready for mailing. "It's a double ministry," said Brenda, 

"because it also gives parents a chance to see each other 

and reconnect." 

Thanks to all who contributed or helped pack and mail 

boxes. They were much appreciated by the students! Here 

is a sampling of the responses we received from both 

students and parents: 

"I would just like to say thank you for the box of snacks and 

goodies I got from the church this week. It has helped deal 

with the stress during this stressful time in college." 

"(Student) asked me to share how much he appreciated 

getting the care package. What a great ministry! Special 

shout out for the customized, nut-free packing." 

"Thanks so much for doing this! My kids have always loved 

receiving the boxes and feeling the connection to church, 

especially at this time of year!" 

"Thank you all so much for putting this together, this 

absolutely made my day and turned my week around for 

sure!!" 

We're so proud of our students and loved seeing many of 

them home for Christmas!


SMALL GROUP 

ministries 

by Sharon Roos 

Co-chair Quilting Ministry 

THE STORY BEHIND THE 

BEANIE BABIES 

One of the most joyful things we do 

is to make quilts for children with a 

pocket for a Beanie Baby that matches 

the fabric in the quilt. This started 

with a dalmatian dog Beanie Baby that 

was just perfect for some fabric with 

fire trucks. 

Doris Nikolai, who is since doing her 

quilting in Heaven, became enamored 

with this idea and searched for garage 

sales that advertised Beanie Babies. 

When she found one, she'd call on the 

quilters to see if they could swing by 

that sale. She usually ended up going 

to the sales herself, and since she was 

on oxygen 24/7 this wasn't an 

easy task! 

One day she said to me, "I know I'm 

spending too much money on those 

Beanie Babies, but I just can't stop 

seeing the happy look on children's 

faces when they see their own Beanie 

Baby on their own quilt." It's hard to 

imagine children being homeless, but 

homelessness doesn't belong to a 

certain age or sex. 

We display our quilts over the pews 

about three times a year, and the 

Beanie Babies have caught other 

people's attention, and we've been 

getting donations of Beanies, so we're 

set for quite a while. However, we can 

use medium or dark-colored sheets 

for quilt backings and yarn to knit 

into scarves and hats. We also collect 

hotel-sized soaps, shampoos to give 

to shelters. There's a big oak bin in 

the entry marked "quilters" for you to 

drop off any of these donations. They 

are very much appreciated! 

If you don't have Beanie Babies, 

sheets, or yarn, there is something 

you can do. Some families like to do 

something special for the needy at 

Christmas, and we encourage you to 

think of the Mount Calvary Quilting 

Ministry. Just put "quilters" in the 

memo line and put the check made 

out to Mount Calvary in the offering 

plate. God bless you. 

MEN’S MINISTRY 

FISHING, CRIBBAGE, AND BBQ 

Our annual Breakfast and Ice Fishing Day 

is on Saturday, January 26th. Breakfast 

is at 8:00am at Hazellewood, with ice 

fishing afterward. We are hoping for great 

weather this year, so we can enjoy our 

time on the lake. 

Also, join us for our second annual 

Cribbage Tournament on Saturday, 

February 23rd, hosted by our Men's 

Ministry Team. Our tourney is for men, 

women, and children. All are welcome! 

Whether you're a beginner, just play 

for fun, or you're a standing member of 

the National Cribbage Association, this 

tourney is for you! 

Back by popular demand: Our Holy 

Smoke! BBQ Team will be providing lunch 

at 11:30am—we’ll be enjoying their smoked 

pulled pork. 

To sign up or get more information, 

contact Chris Anderson: chris.anderson@ 

mountcalvary.org.

page ten 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

LITCHICKS 

Thursday, Jan. 10 from 7:00-8:30 pm 

in the Fireside Room 

Ladies, make a New Year's resolution to 

share your love of books! LitChicks is a 

fun and informal book club that meets 

every other month. 

On January 10 we'll discuss Ginny Moon, 

which follows a teenager with autism who 

struggles to overcome the challenges 

of foster care, adolescence, and a new 

"Forever Family." 

Crosspaths 

They Are Us: Lutherans and 

Immigration by Stephen P. Bouman 

This book will explore the biblical, 

historical, theological, and cultural 

foundations for Lutheran participation in 

a public conversation.

mount calvary lutheran church vol. 1 january 2019

COMMUNITY 

AND GLOBAL 

ministries 

page twelve 

in partnership with 

Gethsemane Lutheran Church 

What makes for a successful partnership? Cohesion? 

Mutual respect? Common goals? In Mount Calvary's 

partnership with Gethsemane Lutheran, both churches 

look for ways to learn from each other, grow together, 

and work together as one body in Christ. "We're all 

healthier when we're working together for the whole" says 

Gethsemane's Senior Pastor Jeff Nehrbass. 

Gethsemane is located on Colfax Avenue in North 

Minneapolis. The church was established by a congregation 

of Norwegian Lutherans in 1893, and they have a brick 

building that looks like lots of other Lutheran churches in 

the city, but now they face many challenges due to their 

changing neighborhood. The area is transient, with many 

people moving in and out. People move away when they 

can afford to, due to gang violence, drug trade, and the 

proximity of level-three sex offenders. 

The neighborhood struggles with stress and violence. The 

people of Gethsemane work hard to "turn the temperature 

down" in their neighborhood. They did an assessment and 

found ways to address immediate needs in the area. The 

first order of business was to help people with some of 

their basic requirements, like food and childcare. They 

opened a food shelf, created a growing preschool that 

provides a place for 40 kids, and they hope to expand to 

60. They hold neighborhood block parties with barbecues 

and peace walks. The goal is to find ways to interact with 

people where they are, in ways that will be meaningful 

to them. 

At Mount Calvary, we look for ways to be reminded that 

our ministry is bigger than our own backyard. We look for 

opportunities to do ministry together; to build each other 

up. We share the same passion of bringing love to all and 

working together in service. Mount Calvary 8th graders and 

members of Gethsemane spend a day of service together 

as part of their Confirmation program. The 8th graders 

help in the food shelf, organize and clean in the preschool, 

and do outside chores for neighborhood residents. One 

year they used their confirmation offerings to purchase 

and bring 60 yards of mulch to contribute to the grounds. 

This year our 8th graders will go to Gethsemane on April 

6th to partner with them in service. We look forward to an 

enduring partnership with Gethsemane, as one more way 

to reach out and invite others under the umbrella of God's 

love. It is wonderful to be able to be in partnership and to 

be accompanied in the walk that we do together. We can 

learn from each other and we can grow together 

in partnership.


ALL IN. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. 

Are you all in? Donate Today. 

mountcalvary.org/give 

Year-End Gifts for the Church You Love 

People of Mount Calvary support hundreds of organizations 

with volunteer hours and financial support. We know you are a 

force for good in the world. We hope you will include 

Mount Calvary in your December giving plans. We invite you to 

say with your gift that this place is one of your priorities. 

2019 General Fund Pledge Update 

We are halfway to our goal of $1,700,000 in pledges for our 2019 

General Fund for Operations. 

Pledge cards can be found in the pews, at the welcome center 

and in the office. 

Just over 250 families have made their commitments and we 

need you to join us. This fund is vitally important to worship and 

music, faith formation, outreach, and just about everything you 

experience in this place that is home to so many. 

Giving online is easy! Visit our website www.mountcalvary.org. 

Find the level you feel good about. Thank you! 

2019 

While 2019 is loading, let’s finish 2018 strong! 

Please visit mountcalvary.org and click “Give” then click “Quick Give”.

page fourteen 

MORE YOUTH AND FAMILY 

The Vine 

What is Christianity all about? 

Join us this January at the Vine, where we'll be discussing the Gospel of Jesus, 

where we'll ask ourselves "What is Christianity all about, and how does it apply to 

me?" Some other questions we'll touch on: Why Jesus? What is the Good News? 

How does loving my neighbor come into play? 

Join us Wednesdays, Jan 9, 16, 23, and 30! (No Vine Jan 2) 

6:30 Pizza 

7:00 Games and Large Group 

7:30 Small group 

JANUARY 

CONFIRMATION 

CORNER 

Wednesday, January 2 

No Confirmation 


Confirmation resumes 

6:15pm - Large Group 

for ALL grades 


7th & 8th GRADE 

PARENTS ATTEND 

Week 1: Dating & 

Sexuality Curriculum 

Week 2 is Wed. Jan. 30 

8th Grade 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. 

The Vine 

Winter Recharge 

Recharge? Do you need time to step out of your schedule for a deep breath 

and a clear look at God in your life? The Vine High School Winter Recharge at 

Luther Park, Danbury, WI is happening Friday, January 25 to Sunday, January 

27. Step out of the busyness to breathe deeply and re-center on Jesus and our 

relationships with each other. Refresh your spirit in God's creation with a winter 

nature walk. Reconnect with friends during late fireside chats. Recharge your soul 

in God's promise of peace and rest during this winter season. Register online! 

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Dec. 22/23 

Dec. 29/30 

Sunday School resumes on 

Jan. 5/6, 2019 

SAVE THE DATE 

"ROAR" VBS 

June 17-20, 2019

301 County Road 19, Excelsior, MN 55331 

952-474-8893 

www.mountcalvary.org 

PASTORS 

David Olson 

pastor.dave@mountcalvary.org 

Postmaster: Please deliver by December 24, 2018 

Brenda Legred 

pastor.brenda@mountcalvary.org 

Aaron David Werner 

pastor.aaron@mountcalvary.org 

Orville Olson 

Lane Doerring 

In case of a pastoral emergency, call 

952-474-8893 any hour of the day.

Mount Calvary Caller - January 2019

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