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CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH 6817 ANTRIM ROAD, EDINA 55439-1704
MAY 2015
Issue
5/1
MAY 2015
WELCOME! WORSHIP! WITNESS!
Pastor’s Page
by Pastor
Jon Yarger
Happy Easter to all of you!
We continue with the Easter Season for most
of May. We continue to learn about what it
means to be a People of the Empty Tomb
when our God is on the loose in the
world. Here are a few dates you should
know. May 3 – our multi-generational
education event. Come and learn and have
fun. May 10 – don’t forget your mother
today. May 15 and 16 – the Synod
Assembly. May 17 – Big Day. We have our last
day of Sunday School, our semi-annual
meeting, and our picnic. May 24 – Pentecost
Sunday (right in the middle of Memorial Day
Weekend). May 31 – Trinity Sunday. Hang on
tight y’all because this is a wonderful and wild
month.
The following is a stewardship letter that is
being sent to all those who pledge to
Calvary. Many who do not pledge are valuable
contributors to our mission together so I
wanted to share this letter with all of you.
Greetings to all of Calvary,
This is a stewardship letter but I want you to
keep reading anyway. This year we will have a
sharper focus on giving than we have in the
past. You will learn about a program we are
calling “Ask, Thank, Tell.”
I am encouraged and excited about our work
together at Calvary these four months I have
been your pastor. When asked to support the
youth as they served us the Spaghetti Dinner
you gave more than $900. This was about
150% more than last year’s record. When
asked to support our local food shelf, VEAP,
you gathered well over 900 pounds of
food. This was 150% more than your previous
best. This congregation is filled with
compassionate and generous people.
You heard at the annual meeting in January
that Calvary runs most of the year in the red
and then there are a few donors who bring us
over the top by December. This is not
unusual. Many congregations have a similar
pattern. I think it is wonderful and
worrisome. It is not a healthy pattern to
continue for the decade to come. So I want to
emphasize stewardship this year. It is the goal
of the council to increase the giving of our
members.
I am asking this for two reasons. First we are
given biblical encouragement to give. The
concept of “First Fruits” shows us that a good
and natural response to all of God’s gifts in
creation is a gift in return. We respond to our
being blessed with offering blessings to
others. Jesus knew this. He talked about
money more than he talked about faith, hope,
and love combined. Stewardship is not a once
a year topic. It is a front and center issue and is
a part of what it means to be a Christian.
The second reason has to do with how we do
our mission and ministry. I have already said
that I am so encouraged and excited by our
ministry together. Pick your favorites: our
youth program, our music program, our social
ministry programs such as VEAP. I could go on
and list about 30 ministries that Calvary
funds. We are vital to this community. Your
giving supports our mission.
So. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Many of
you have been generous to Calvary and these
ministries for years or decades. Thank
you. We could not be church without you.
May the Lord bless
you and keep you,
Pastor Jon
IN THIS ISSUE
Pastor’s Page
Page 1
Children, Youth & Family Education
Page 2
Adult Forum
Page 2
Worship & Activities
Page 3
Social Outreach
Page 4
Church Council
Page 5
Bread for the World
Page 5
Music: Thank you & Volunteer
Page 5
Gift of Generosity & Fundraiser Page 6
Birthdays
Page 6
Calendar
Page 7
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
PHONE
952-941-1251
WEBSITE
www.calvaryedina.org
calvaryedina@calvaryedina.org
Pastor
Jonathan D. Yarger
jyarger@calvaryedina.org
Christian Education Director
Rebekah Moir
rmoir@calvaryedina.org
Director of Music
Daryl Erickson
derickson@calvaryedina.org
Organist
Patti Arntz
parntz@calvaryedina.org
Administrative Assistant
Susan Burman
sburman@calvaryedina.org
Bookkeeper
Kristin Hueg
khueg@calvaryedina.org
Custodian
Robin Radosevich
pg. 1
MAY 2015
| Issue 5/1
Vacation Bible School (VBS) Spread the
word: registration forms are online!
Children,
Youth &
Family
Education
by Rebekah Moir,
Christian Education Director
So Many People to Thank! Believe it or not,
we are coming to the end of another fantastic
year of Sunday School. It has truly been a joy
for me in my first year as Director of
Education, but I could not have done ANY OF
IT without the dedication and support of a
whole bunch of amazing people including:
Dottie Fergus, Jennifer Nelson, Traci
Strittmater and Sandy Nelson who served as
classroom teachers and rotation leaders; Dan
Moir and Kathy Schulz, who served as
substitute teachers (and Dan, also, for
accompanying us many times on his guitar!);
Pastor Jerry Larson and Pastor Jon Yarger; and
every one of you who brought breakfast
treats, read lessons, accompanied songs, came
to opening, embraced the children’s leadership
in worship, prayed for us, donated funds, art
materials, etc. etc. etc. What a gift to be part
of this Calvary community! Thank you, thank
you, thank you!
This year’s theme: “A
Mountaintop
Experience:
Encountering God.”
We’ll dig into five great
Bible stories about
meeting God on
mountaintops.
Dates:
Monday-Friday, June
22-26
Time:
9:00am-12:00pm
Cost:
FREE!
Ages:
GOING INTO Pre-K
through 6th grade
(extended another
year!), with LOTS of
opportunities for older
youth to serve as
leaders and helpers.
Register:
Mission Project Update
As of January 15th, we have taken in more than
$760 toward our goal of $800. This year, in
keeping with our “On Good Soil” theme, we’re
raising funds for the ELCA Global Barnyard
2014-2015 SUNDAY SCHOOL THEME
Sunday School Schedule
May 17th: Our Last Day
until RALLY DAY
9:00 AM BREAKFAST
9:15 AM Intergeneration OPENING
9:30 AM Class, Music, Art & Drama
Rotations
Third Sunday Worship
Led by youth with Song, Art &
Drama!
Join us!
Registration forms are
on the Calvary
website.
Summer Youth Happenings Save the date!
Tuesday, July 21: A Day at Valleyfair!!!
All kids going into 5th grade next fall through
High School are welcome to attend. More
details on times, transportation, chaperones
and costs to come. Hope you can join us!
We are also planning a weekend retreat to the
Yarger cabin in August (date TBD) for
Calvary’s youth, their families, and then some!
Watch for more information here in the Caller.
Sunday Morning @ Adult Forum (9:30 a.m. in Library)
by Bob Rorke, Adult Forum Coordinator
Everyone is welcome in the library for
coffee, fellowship and the opportunity to
learn something new!
Marty will lead a discussion on how federal child
nutrition programs are at risk and what we can
do to advocate for their protection.
May 3rd – No Adult Forum, Please attend
ON GOOD SOIL, An Intergenerational
Sunday School Event (9:00 AM)
May 17th – Jacob Oreso, Director of
May 10th– Carol Dubay & Marty Fergus,
“BREAD FOR THE WORLD: Advocacy for
Domestic Nutrition Programs”- Carol and
Church Relations, KENYA CHILDREN’S
FUND. Jacob Oreso will share with us the
mission work that the Kenya Children’s Fund
does by providing life’s basic necessities
including nutrition, medical care and education
in a Christ centered environment.
May 24th – HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
No Adult Forum
May 31st – No Adult Forum
Ideas for future forums are welcome! Do
you have a passion, challenge or
experience that you would like to share?
Any ideas, including topics or presenters,
can be forwarded to Bob Rorke.
pg. 2
MAY 2015
| Issue 5/1
MAY WORSHIP & ACTIVITIES
PENTECOST DAY (May 24th) is celebrated 50 days after Passover, or 7 weeks after
Easter. Pentecost celebrates the day the Holy Spirit was given to the followers of Jesus, so that they
had the power and courage to preach the good news. WEAR RED TO CHURCH ON MAY 24th
HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY (MAY 31st) is when we remember and honor the eternal God:
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Trinity Sunday is celebrated the Sunday after Pentecost,
and lasts only one day, which is symbolic of the unity of the Trinity.
MEN’S BREAKFAST & FELLOWSHIP
A great way to start your morning! Join the monthly Men’s Breakfast for great food and
conversation. The next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, MAY 9th at 8:30 AM. Bring a friend and
your favorite coffee cup! We’ll see you there.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY & FELLOWSHIP
Welcome to the monthly Women’s Bible Study! We meet on the first Wednesday of each month
at 10:00 AM in the church library. The next Bible study is Wednesday, May 6th. We discuss the
Bible Study from the Gather Magazine (Women of ELCA). The third Wednesday of each month is
the Coffee Fellowship. We meet at 10:00 AM in the church library. The next Coffee Fellowship is
Wednesday, May 20th.
D
DEADLINE FOR JUNE ISSUE: Tuesday, May 19th.
VOLUNTEERS FOR ASSEMBLY are needed on Thursday, May 28th at 12:30 PM
CALVARY BOOK CLUB
In May, our selection is Ordinary Grace, a novel by William Kent Krueger who is an exceptional
novelist from Minnesota! The novel takes place in a small town in Minnesota in 1961. The book
is part mystery and part meditation. I think several members of our congregation have already
read this book. Please join us! We meet in the Library on Tuesday, May 19th at 5:30 PM.
Comcast Channel #15
.
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE BROADCASTS
Our Sunday Worship Service is broadcast through Comcast Cable TV (#15) on
Mondays @ 8:30 PM, Thursdays @ 9:30 PM and Sundays @ 3:00 PM.
CALVARY’s SENIOR INIATIATIVE
Join us at the Bloomington Theatre to enjoy Roger & Hammerstein’s “Carousel” on Saturday,
May 16th at 2:00 PM. Watch for more exciting events: Arboretum Tour, Science Museum, Lake
Minnetonka Cruise and Plymouth Theatre.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for June 6th from 1:00 -3:00 PM.
Marty and Dottie Fergus are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a reception on
June 6th in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to celebrate their Golden Anniversary.
pg. 3
MAY 2015
| Issue 5/1
SOCIAL OUTREACH
by Bonnie Rust, Social Outreach Coordinator
...............Calvary Lutheran in the World & Community
SPRING CLEAN UP AT CALVARY on May 16th: Join us for Spring Cleaning at 9:30 AM. All
help is welcome as we will be working indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. If you can
bring your own cleaning supplies that would be greatly appreciated.
There is a "Volunteer Update" poster on the bulletin board in the narthex to thank ALL the
volunteers who have supported this ministry during the past year. Thanks to the Mesna
family for providing the meal at Our Saviour's on May 17th. DONATIONS NEEDS THIS
MONTH: Washable spoons and forks, breakfast cereal, men's razors and deodorant, laundry
detergent, dish soap and locks for resident lockers. Many thanks to those who have already
brought some of the needs listed last month. You are awesome!
Be the Hero. Fight Hunger. You did a tremendous job of bringing in 932.6 pounds of food! It took 3 cars
and 7 people to unload the cars at VEAP. We also had the privilege to get a tour of the VEAP facility, which
only confirmed the great work they do for those in need. Many thanks to Pastor Jon Yarger, Bonnie Rust,
Joyce Groth, Marty Fergus, Dottie Fergus, Heather Dick and Mary Dick.
LENT OFFERINGS: Thank you for your generous donations to the designated ministries
during Lent. You can see a poster of the results in the church narthex. Calvary will be
sending your offerings to the following: $362 for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, $228
for Tree House, $360 for Global Health Ministries, $383 for Lutheran World Relief, and $283
for Meals on Wheels.
The offering for Our Saviour's amounted to $562, however, these monies will be added to the existing negative account
balance leaving us some money for the future meals. The offering for St. Catherine's on Easter amounted to $531. We
anticipate sending a donation to them in early July to coincide with our 22nd partnering anniversary.
Please put September 17-19 on your calendars!. A Calvary church directory is a necessity,
especially with a new Pastor and many new members since the last directory was published. One of
the things that needs to be done now is to be sure we have your accurate address, telephone numbers
and email address in the church office. Be sure the church office has the accurate information for
you on record.
Calvary has been a member of the local chapter of the Church Network for several years. It offers
us education, networking and a wealth of resources for church administrators and office
personnel. They send out a weekly newsletter and have monthly meetings during the school year
on a wealth of informative topics, many of which Carol Dubay and I have attended. They just
hosted a "Day of Celebration" for church administrative support staff and I was happy to take
Susan Burman as a guest. It was an opportunity to network, to hear a keynote speaker, talk to
many vendors, get lots of free stuff, participate in breakout sessions, participate in a service project and to eat. In addition,
there were lots of door prizes awarded. This is a valued organization and the day was not only fun but informative for both of
us!
[Bonnie Rust]
We will be setting up a meeting very soon for members who are willing to be a part of our Visitation
Ministry program at Calvary. This may include visiting, sending notes, telephone calls or in general just
be a friend to our members and friends who are home bound, in a care facility, in need of special
encouragement or just in need of a church connection. Please let me know if you wish to participate
and I'll let you know a meeting date as soon as possible.
pg. 4
MAY 2015
| Issue 5/1
CALVARY LUTHERAN
CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES
Highlights: APRIL 2015
SUMMER MUSIC VOLUNTEERS
By Becky Rorke, Vice-President/Secretary

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
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




Reviewed minutes of last meeting & Finance report – motions
made to approve as submitted, seconded, all in favor. Passed.
MacBook was purchased for Education Director
Cleanup – scheduled for May 16th.
Last Sunday of Sunday School is May 17.
Mission Project -More than $725 ( Goal: $800).
Summer Coffee – volunteers are needed May through
August. Pastor will announce in church.
MN Foodshare/ “Pack The Pews” - held on March 22nd. 932
pounds of food items were delivered to VEAP
Lent/Easter offerings
 $362 for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.
 $228 for Tree House.
 $360 for Global Health Ministries.
 $383 for Lutheran World Relief.
 $283 for Meals on Wheels.
 $562 for Our Saviour's Ministries.
 $531 for St. Catherine's Lutheran Church.
A Stewardship Committee of Cindy Awes, Greg Coon, Brian
Strittmater, Pastor Yarger, and Marty Fergus has met.
Heather Dick’s Good Friday meditation on the Cross was
moving.
THANK YOU MUSICIANS
Throughout the year our faithful choir members participate
in the church service and weekly rehearsals. This is a big
commitment and we truly appreciate it. In our year of
transition, they have been a steady spiritual
presence. Thank you voice and bell choir!
CHOIR
Mary Dick
Dorothy Truman
Wendy Bokovoy
Bev Burman
Lynnette Johnson Becky Rorke
Diane Bomsta
Bonnie Rust
Linda Keesling
Alison Graber
Sharyn Larson
Lynn Peterson
Joyce Groth
Marcia Coon
Alethe Schlaefer Susan Burman
BELLS______
Shelley Little
Debbie Scott
Carol Dubay
Diane Bomsta
Wendy Bokovoy
Bev Burman
Alethe Schlaefer
Becky Rorke
Summer is coming and with it our summer music
schedule. Please look at your schedule and
volunteer to provide the gift of music through
the summer months at Calvary.
Soloists, instrumentalists and ensembles are
welcome and we encourage you to speak with
our organist, Patti Arntz, to volunteer on a
Sunday this summer. If you need
accompaniment, please be sure to provide the
music to Patti in advance.
Volunteer as soon as possible by contacting
Patti at parntz@calvaryedina.org . Your
participation is appreciated. Thank you.
BREAD for the WORLD (BFW)
2015 Offering of Letters
By Marty Fergus & Carol Dubay
Nearly 16 million children in the United States – onein-five – live in households that struggle to put food
on the table. Many of their parents hold a job and
work hard, but earn too little to cover all their daily
expenses, including food. Millions of these children
are served each year by our federal government’s
nutrition programs, including school lunch, school
breakfast, summer food service, child care food, and
WIC. This year Congress will be reauthorizing these
programs and has an opportunity to give more
children at risk of hunger access to the healthy food
they need. This will be the focus of BFW’s 2015
Offering of Letters Campaign. Here at Calvary we
will have an opportunity to participate in this
campaign by writing letters to our own
representatives in Congress. Information will be
provided at coffee hour on May 3 and 10, and at the
Adult Forum on May 10. Completed letters can be
brought to Calvary on May 17, where they will be
collected and sent on to Washington, D.C.
Special thanks also to Director of Music Daryl Erickson and
Organist Patti Arntz. We are grateful for their professional
talents and devotion to Calvary Lutheran Church.
pg. 5
MAY 2015
| Issue 5/1
GIFT OF GENEROSITY
Update on Tithes & Pledges
By Brian Strittmater, Treasurer &
Kristin Hueg, Bookkeeper
Thank you for your financial gifts &
generosity in March.
FOR THE MONTH ENDING 3/31/2015
US Dollars with Cents Omitted
INCOME:
Offerings
Extra giving
Building Usage
Other Contribution
Cornerstone Fund
11,616
0
5,004
130
243
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
INCOME TOTAL
16,993
EXPENSES
PRE-PAID PLEDGES
Total CORNERSTONE FUND
21,578
842
29,995
May 17 Church Picnic
“Close the Gap” Fundraiser
Honor the Lord with…the first fruits of all
your produce (Proverbs 3:9)
The good news for Calvary’s finances is that income for the
first quarter is almost exactly what was projected when we
passed a budget at our annual congregational meeting in
January. That budget also projected that our expenditures
for the first quarter would exceed our income by close to
$18,000 and, unfortunately, that is also on target.
MAY HAPPY
BIRTHDAYS:
God bless you on your day!
If you do not see your name on one of the monthly
birthday lists, please call the church office so we can
recognize you on your birthday. Also, let us know if you
would like your name removed from the list.
5/1
Gavin Moir , Mali Siverhus
5/4
Don Schultz
5/5
Michael Salyards
5/6
Carol Dubay, Anders Peterson
5/7
Christopher Page
5/11
Josephina Nelson, Tanya Snyder
5/13
Diane Bomsta
5/15
Jeremy Keesling
5/18
Lynnette Johnson
5/19
Joyce Groth, Dorothy Truman &
Sean Gallant
5/31
Cindy Morris
SUMMER
To help close this gap, our May 17 Church Picnic will be a
fundraiser for Calvary’s general fund, which covers our dayto-day expenses. All money collected above and beyond the
costs of the picnic will be designated for this purpose.
When you put your contribution in the basket at the church
picnic (or place a check with “church picnic” on the memo line
in the collection plate during a church service), you will not
just be paying for the picnic. You will be making a
contribution to close the gap between Calvary’s income and
expenditures. Please be generous!
Please remember to sign up to provide treats for the
summer coffee hour. Volunteers are needed from
May through August. Information and instructions will
be provided. Thank you to all the council members
who have provided coffee hour every month from
September through April. Your assistance is very
much appreciated!!
[Alison Graber]
pg. 6
MAY 2015 CALENDAR
SUNDAY
31
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Holy Trinity Sunday
9:30 AM Choir Practice
10:30 AM Worship
11:30 AM Coffee Hour & Crafters
Fifth Sunday of Easter
9:00 AM
ON GOOD SOIL
(Intergenerational Sunday School)
No Adult Forum
10:30 AM Worship (Comm. by Distrib.)
11:30 AM Coffee Hour & Crafters
3:00 PM Cable Broadcast #15
4
OFFICE CLOSED
5 ELECTION
7:00 PM Boy Scouts 10:00 AM Devotions
6
10:00 AM Devotions
10:00 AM Women’s
Fellowship
8:30 PM Cable
Broadcast #15
12
10:00 AM Devotions
17 Seventh Sunday of Easter
9:30 AM Sunday School Adult Forum
9:30 AM Choir Practice
10:30 AM Third Sunday Worship
11:30 AM Semi-Annual Meeting
12NOON CHURCH PICNIC
18
OFFICE CLOSED
19
10:00 AM Devotions
20
10:00 AM Devotions
8:00 EMPIRA
CALLER Deadline
10:00 AM Women's Coffee
3:00 PM Cable Broadcast #1
3:00 PM Cable Broadcast #15
24 Day of Pentecost
9:00 AM Breakfast Treats & Opening
NO Sunday School NO Adult Forum
9:30 AM Choir Practice
10:30 AM Worship
11:30 AM Coffee Hour & Crafters
SATURDAY
1
10:00 AM Devotions
2
13
10:00 AM Devotions
8
10:00 AM Devotions
9
25
MEMORIAL DAY
6:30 PM Cub Scouts
6:15 PM Cub Scout Lead.
14
10:00 AM Devotions
15
10:00 AM Devotions
11:30 AM Meals on Wheels ELCA Synod
7:00 PM Cub Scouts
9:30 PM Cable Broadcast #15
6:15 PM Cub Pack
21
10:00 AM Devotions
8:30 AM Men’s
Monthly Breakfast
12N: Girl Scout
Workshop
6:30 Executives Meeting
7:00 PM Church Council
Assembly
16
9:30 AM SPRING
Clean-Up
ELCA Synod
Assembly
2:00 PM CSI:
Carousel
22
10:00 AM Devotions
23
29
10:00 AM Devotions
30
9:30 PM Cable Broadcast #15
7:00 PM Boy Scouts 5:30 PM Calvary Book
8:30 PM Cable Broadcast
#15
7
10:00 AM Devotions
9:30 PM Cable Broadcast #15
10
Sixth Sunday of Easter
11
9:00 AM Breakfast Treats & Opening OFFICE CLOSED
9:30 AM Sunday School &Adult Forum
8:30 PM Cable
9:30 AM Choir Practice
Broadcast #15
10:30 AM Worship
11:30 AM Coffee Hour & Crafters
SERVING AT OUR SAVIOURS
FRIDAY
Average Attendance
in APRIL was 94.
3:00 PM Cable Broadcast #15
3
THURSDAY
Club
26
10:00 AM Devotions
OFFICE CLOSED
8:30 PM Cable 4:45 PM Robotics Team
Broadcast #15 Year-end Celebration
27
10:00 AM Devotions
28
10:00 AM Devotions
12:30 PM CALLER
ASSEMBLY
9:30 PM Cable Broadcast #15
3:00 PM Cable Broadcast #15
pg. 7
Calvary Lutheran Church
Non-Profit Org.
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
U.S. Postage
6817 Antrim Road
PAID
Edina, MN 55439-1704
Twin Cities MN
MAY
2015
Permit No. 2819
[Addressee]
[Street
Address]
[City, ST ZIP
Code]
Our MISSION
STATEMENT
CALVARY
LUTHERAN CHURCH
welcomes
all
FUNRAISER & PICNIC
JOIN US ON MAY 17th
(following the short
congregational meeting)
SEMI-ANNUAL
who desire to grow in the
love and compassion of
our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ,
worship
the
triune God, and
witness
in
service to our
community and the
world
MAY 17, 2015
Immediately
following the Worship
Service and Before the
PICNIC!!
pg. 8