STEWARDSHIP INFO

Current (September) YTD 2015 YTD 2014

Total deposits $11,456.76 $136,974.80 $ 49,737.16

Mission goal $15,205.50 $136,849.50 $145,294.47

Difference -$3,748.74 $125.30 $4,442.69 So as you can see, we fell short of our goal for September, but are still slightly above goal for the year.

Gene'sBrunotes Gene Brunow, our retired Education Executive, has developed a Web site for spiritual growth, it's atgenesbrunotes.com On the home page he has an article called “Getting Ready for Next Sunday. It takes the Gospel lesson (which pastors often preach on) for the coming Sunday and develops some insights and things to think about. It is designed for busy families and individuals to prepare for the coming Sunday. This might be something that you can share with families as you connect with them at the beginning of this school year.

Not only does the website have the current Sunday's lesson, it has

Devotions

Bible Studies

Parenting pages

Sermon note

and More!

A link has been added to Calvary’s homepage.

Calvary Welcomes a New Organist

As of last month, Soni Evans, who lives just a few streets down from our church, has taken over as organist. Her resume as

organist, pianist, and music teacher in the Bedford schools is a long one, but she has not played for Lutherans in the past but she is a quick study. Welcome, Soni!!

Calvary Messenger

bringing you news of our congregation and God’s love.

Volume XII Number 11 November 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! November . . . 1 Martha Batz 2 Dayne Roberts 3 Ryan Hutcherson 4 Sheena Stevens 7 Haley Guignard, Allison Nikirk, Jamie Nikirk 8 Mary Batz 9 Thomas Todd 13 Ruth Ragsdale 16 Dale Anderson, Elijah Nikirk 17 Kaylee Grubb 18 Jon Heichelbech 21 Courtney Williams 22 Cassidy Morron 23 Bob Herr 25 David Weddle 26 Mike Parvey 28 Jennifer Anderson, Priscilla Marsh 29 Debbie Hicks, Dennis Williams 30 Levi Lee, Kaden Nikirk, Matthew Roach

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! November . . . 4 Brittany & Justin Crowe 19 Greg & Janet Phillips

2015 LCMS Stewardship Newsletter Article

“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the

ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and

his offering he had no regard” (Gen 4:2). Why did the Lord not have regard

for Cain and his offering, but did regard Abel and his offering? Was it

because Abel’s offering was better intrinsically than Cain’s? No. The Book of

Hebrews tells us: “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice

than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God

commending him by accepting his gifts” (Heb 11:4). The thing that

distinguished Abel’s offering from that of Cain’s is faith. By faith, Abel offered

a more acceptable offering. Faith and giving are inseparable. They are two sides of the same coin. It is faith in the promises of God that leads us to give. By faith we trust that God will do what He says. By faith, we receive everything God gives as a gift from His divine mercy and goodness. For what do we have that we have not received (1 Cor 4:7)? Nothing. Everything we have comes from the Lord. By faith we give to others because God has first given to us, and by faith we trust that He will continue to provide for us all that we need for this body and life. And when by faith we give, God accepts our offerings and commends us as righteous. For by faith we are accounted righteous before God on account of Christ. Giving is a spiritual issue.

But there is a flip side to this two-sided coin: Cain didn’t give an offering to

God by faith. His offering did not come from faith but from someplace else.

And since it didn’t originate with faith in God and His promises, it was not

regarded by God. And he was not accounted righteous. This is a warning to us. Pay attention to your faith and your offerings, and from where they come. From where do your offerings come? Like all good works, offerings

acceptable in God’s sight flow from faith in Christ. They are given in

response to the gifts God has given to us, especially the gift of forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. And since they are given by faith, they will be the target

of Satan’s attacks to ruin the church, do damage to the gospel of Christ, and

to weaken your faith in Him. For sin is crouching at our doors, and the temptation to sin in giving is great because of the fallen world and our sinful flesh. But Jesus is greater than our hearts. Jesus has overcome the world. And by faith, so have we. By faith, we rule over them.

November 1 "Who Do You Think You Are?"

Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz Don't just look up, down, or around-look to Jesus Christ for life and salvation.

(Isaiah 51:4-6)

November 8 "Do You Know THIS Jesus?"

Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz If you think Jesus is just one of those very good and capable people who show us a better way to treat others, you haven't really captured who Jesus is. (Hebrews 9:24-

28)

November 15 "Readied for That Time"

Our most advanced technology soon becomes worthless and obsolete, but God has a life for you in Jesus that lasts forever. (Mark 13:1-13)

November 22

"Our Heart-Song of Thanks"

Heart-songs of praise are sung by those who realize the Lord loves the unlovable and saves those who thought they were beyond saving.

(Ephesians 5:18b-21)

“THE LUTHERAN HOUR” every Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m.

on WBIW 1340 AM or on the Web at: www.lutheranhour.org.

Lutheran Community Home Association: Lutheran Community Home was

incorporated on August 28, 1959 and we opened our doors to care for our first

residents in 1968. The articles of incorporation designate an association with one

class of membership. Membership is by contribution or pledge of $100 or more. That

contribution amount is still the same today as it was back in 1959. Upon such

contribution, each member is given a certificate of membership and this entitles the

member to vote in the election of the Board of Directors who manage the affairs of the

corporation. This election takes place at the annual meeting which is held on the 4th

Sunday of April each year. Lutheran Community Home, Inc. has a twelve member

Board of Directors. All members serve on a voluntary basis. Four board members

are elected each year and serve a term of three years.

Over the years, membership in our association has declined. It is our goal to

increase our membership. We would like to invite anyone who is interested in

Lutheran Community Home and our operation to consider becoming a voting member

of our association. Feel free to stop by or call 812-522-5927 and ask for Karyn

Fleetwood, Executive Director, or Anita Carter, Director of Financial Services, for

additional information.

The NOVEMBER 14TH CRAFT SALE is quickly approaching. Anyone that has completed items, please bring them to the church and place them in the library. We would like craft items here by November 8th. Those of you making yummy baked goods can place them in the kitchen on the 13th. All funds made will be applied to Joanna Schnarr’s mission trip to Nicaragua. We really, really appreciate everyone's efforts and thank you for helping us!

Everyone is invited to participate in Christmas decorating on Sunday, December 6th. We’ll have a pizza party after service and then decorate. Please mark your calendar!

TRUSTEE NEWS The glass in the kitchen window has been replaced. Cost for replacement and installation was paid by the Ladies Guild. All church pews have been professionally cleaned.

Zion Lutheran School, Seymour, IS SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR PRINCIPAL to administer and coordinate all early childhood programs. If you have a name, know someone who is qualified, or would like to apply for the position, contact Zion Lutheran Church office at 812-522-1089 or at zlc@zionseymour.org.

Did you know the Indiana District has a Facebook page? We do! On it, you'll find updates and events from around the district. Our Facebook page is intended to be a resource and encouragement for you - pastors, teachers, DCEs, and

congregation members alike. If we mention your friends or family, be sure to tag them, too! Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/inlcms to find out what's happening around the district.

MYSTERY MEMBER

LAST MONTH: Wally & Liz Rader

THIS MONTH: Which of our members literally

grew up on a golf course?

November 1, 2015 – Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed in Hard Times”

by Rev. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of Lutheran Hour Ministries

No matter what we face at the moment, sickness, struggles, challenges, God's

blessing of knowing Jesus Christ by faith will strengthen us and see us through

it all. You can count on it, because Jesus has promised it for you!

November 8, 2015 – Hebrews 9:24-28

“Once For All” by Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran Church~New Haven, IN

As we age we are more and more aware that we are finite. God prepares us for

that day reminding us of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus who died once for all. He will come again in power and glory to take us to Himself and save those who are eagerly

waiting for Him.

November 15, 2015 – Mark 13:1-13 “Because of Jesus”

by Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Because of Jesus . . . the world is better. Because of Jesus . . . the world is

conflicted. Because of Jesus . . . heaven is our home.

November 22, 2015 – Mark 13:24-31

“Christ’s Eternal Word” by Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege, St. Paul Lutheran Church~Decatur, IN

Christ says that His Words will not pass away; they are eternal. They possess real

truth, which by definition is eternal. Such eternal truth and promises center in the Person and Work of Jesus. Heaven and earth will pass away. This is so because of

sin in the world. This end of the world will occur when Christ returns.

November 29, 2015 – Luke 21:34-36 “Christmas Hope”

by Rev. James L. Elsner, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church~Stroh, IN

“Christmas Hope” – sounds like the dreams of children for the gifts they want! But the Hope of Christmas is really wrapped up in the promises of God.

Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc.

5 Martin Luther Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4996 Worship for Shut-Ins Sermon Summaries

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

As Christians we believe that beyond the change and decay of this life there awaits us a life of everlasting beauty

and glory. We are blessed with the assurance that Jesus Christ Himself, in His death and resurrection, has obtained for us this wondrous destiny. Living life in light of the eternal puts everything in perspective.

No matter what we suffer in this life that suffering will pass. Beyond our pain, our disappointments, our heartbreaks; there is an eternity of bliss and glory awaiting us. We can face suffering and death with hope and joy because God has claimed us as His own, in baptism, and promised to bring us to dwell with Him forever.

Our earthly ambitions and passions seem so trivial when compared to the glory that God has planned for us. There is no earthly treasure, or honor or pleasure that can be compared with the happiness that awaits us. No vacation we can plan, no sights that we see, no experience that we can have, can be any more than a dim reflection of what awaits us in glory.

All of this would seem to make the daily passing of time, moment slipping into moment as insignificant and unimportant. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. The eternal entered time in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was in time that Christ our Lord made the eternal sacrifice on the cross, reconciling man to God. Jesus sanctified, that is made holy to God, time and all that we experience within it.

This morning as I write this, southern Indiana is decked out in all the beauty of fall. The trees are red, and golden and orange, and full of beauty. But the beauty is short lived. It passes away. The wind comes, the rain beats down and the beautiful leaves fall down to the ground. Does the fact that this beauty is seen only during a sliver of time that rapidly passes make it less beautiful? On the contrary the fragility and brevity of the experience of this beauty makes it remarkable, rare and in a way even more beautiful.

Every passing moment of our lives is precious. Each moment of our lives can be a thing of rare and remarkable beauty. This is what the Apostle Paul is getting at when he exhorts us that “whatever we do, in word or deed, is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Each moment is an irreplaceable opportunity to give thanks to God.

We give thanks to God when we offer all we do to God in love. Life in time takes on an eternal beauty when we do everything remembering that God loves us and when we offer what we do to Him in love. So whatever you are doing, working at a job, taking care of kids, sweeping the floor, doing yard work, whatever it is can be done as an expression of love for God. You can offer short prayers as you work, such as “Thank you, Jesus,” or “I love you Jesus,” or “this is for you Jesus.” Such prayers will sanctify our work and makes our daily duties acts of worship.

This also applies to all the good things that we enjoy in this life. When we offer thanksgiving for all our blessings, we sanctify our enjoyment of the gifts that God has given us. To enjoy God’s blessings with thanksgiving is to acknowledge God’s love for us, it is to let Him love us. It is to raise the simple pleasures of life into moments of deep communion with the loving God who both created us and redeemed us through the blood of His Son on the cross.

In November we have every year a national feast day in which Americans give thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Take this season of thanksgiving to allow even the earthly pleasure of turkey and cranberries to be elevated into an experience of the God of all goodness.

And as you decorate your home for the holidays and prepare special those special holiday meals do everything in the name of Jesus Christ offering thanks to the Father through Him in what you do.

What you do on Thanksgiving Day, do every day of your life. Than every moment will become moment of sublime beauty. Each moment will then be a beautiful offering to God which will stand for all eternity.

Thinking about eternity gives us a lot of perspective. It shows us what in life is unimportant and what is important. What important is love. God loves us with an eternal love and He has given us our days so that we could offer them to Him in love.

May God bless you this month of Thanksgiving, and I look forward to seeing you in church.

Pastor Greg DeVore

Cade Tillett Wesleigh Inman Isabella (Bella) Chastain

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Calvary Lutheran preschool strives to enrich the spiritual, academic, physical, and social lives of the community children via the Word and example of Christian living.

The Accreditation Dinner was held October 15th in the fellowship hall. Attending were the preschool parents, their children, the accreditation committee and members of the congregation. The menu consisted of pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, slaw and brownies. The tables were decorated with autumn leaves, pumpkins, gourds, mums, and cobalt blue glass. The guest speaker was Jon Milke from the N.L.S.A. district office. He presented a framed Accreditation Certificate to Janet, the preschool teacher. In his talk, he stated that Calvary Lutheran Preschool, 12 years ago, was the first to get accredited. The National Lutheran School Accreditation is a nationally recognized accreditation. For parents, it means that they get schools that meet health and safety standards, and most of all, they get a Christian learning environment for their child. Marilyn Anderson, author, entertained the children with stories and told them how she writes children’s books. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this happen for our school.

Important birthdates: November 17 Haven Emmons November 22 Abram Poole November 29 Roslyn Himmelspach November Calendar: November 23 Pre-k Thanksgiving Program will

be at 10:30 a.m. in the church for both pre-k classes. November 25-27 Thanksgiving break (no school) Cookie Dough Fundraiser-just in time for the holidays! Christmas Program will be on December 17th at 6:30 p.m. (ALL CLASSES) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his

love endure forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (NIV) Psalm 100:4-5

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Wesleigh Inman is in our 3 year old class. She is following her

brother Tucker who was here last year. Wesleigh's parents are Justin and Jennifer. Wesleigh couldn't wait to get here after watching her brother come for 2 years, and when she finally got the chance, she was very nervous. When you have a big brother to look out for you it is easy, and when they are not here, it makes a difference. Now she is doing great and comes in and has a good time. She is very nice to all the kids and enjoys playing with all of them. She likes to do her work and loves to listen to stories and attend Chapel. She has a few cousins here at school and her great-grandparents are church members Ralph and Mary Anderson. Wesleigh is an all-around great kid to have in class.

Cade Tillett is in our morning pre-k class. His parents

are Sara Deckard and Ron Haynes, and he has a little brother named Tripp. Cade is new to Calvary this year but is fitting in nicely. He has the most perfect manners for a child his age and is so nice to be around. He has a favorite buddy at school but will play easily with anyone. One thing that is great about Cade is that he loves to sing. He can learn a song very fast and will sing it loud and clear. Cade loves to participate at circle time and is very excited about learning. I tell his mom all the time when she picks him up and asks if he had a good day, "He always has a good day."

Isabella (Bella) Chastain is in our afternoon pre-k class and she

is our little fashion bug. She is just as cute and sweet as can be. Bella's parents are Joseph and Brittany and she has a little sister Charlotte. She also has a cousin in the 3 year old class. Bella is very shy with a gentle soul. The playground is where she really lets go and enjoys herself. She started in our 3 year old class but Tara and I saw that she was doing many things at the pre-k level. She switched classes and likes the challenge of work and a more structured class. This is a child who is comfortable observing first and then retaining what she has seen and learned. I can't wait to see her progress in school.

(812)275-2519 Preschool (812)275-5488 Church