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“One Church Two Locations”

Phone: 248-625-3288 | Fax: 248-625-3625

Addresses:

6805 Bluegrass Dr., Clarkston, MI 48346

9101 Highland Rd., White Lake, MI 48386

Website:

www.calvaryinfo.org

Senior Pastor: Jonathan Heierman, Ext. 203

Home Phone: 248-620-2105

Email: [email protected]

Mission Developer & Youth Pastor:

Ken Fouty, Ext. 205

Home Phone: 248-363-0383

Email: [email protected]

Deborah Robitaille: Director of Administration

Ext. 204 | [email protected]

Matt Fuhrman: Admin., Events, Worship


Cathy Mann: Admin., Volunteer Coordinator


Susan Batchik: Youth Ministry Coordinator


Terri Miller: Director of Children’s Ministry


Keith Van Goor: Worship & Technical Arts


Debbie Heierman: Adult Spiritual Growth


Cindy Dixon: Faith Community Nursing*


Daphne DeMaris: Clinical Counselor


Creative Co-Op Preschool | Ext. 218

Custodians: Don Rochford (Clarkston)

James Rochford (White Lake)

CLARKSTON SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:15 am Traditional Worship 9:15 am PraiseLand/PraiseTown 9:15 am 9th Grade Confirmation 9:15 am Middle School 6th-7th 9:15 am Sr. High 10th-12th 9:30 am Blended Worship 10:45 am Something More Bible Study 10:45 am PraiseLand/PraiseTown 10:45 am Middle School 6th-7th 10:45 am Sr. High 10th-12th 11:00 am Blended Worship 12:30 pm 8th Grade Confirmation

WHITE LAKE SATURDAY WORSHIP

6:00 pm Worship

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS IN CLARKSTON Each Wednesday Catered Dinner—6:00 pm March 5—7:00 pm Ash Wednesday March 12 & 19—7:00 pm Lent Family Worship March 26—6:45 pm Growth Groups, Youth Groups & Kids Own Worship

The April Newsletter Deadline is Monday,

March 17, 2014 *unpaid staff

Online Giving Is Available: Scan this code with your smart phone or iPad or go to www.calvaryinfo.org

Saturday, March 8, 2014

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BAPTIZED IN CHRIST’S CHURCH: 1 Harper Mae Manuel

JOINED IN CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE: 0

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL WORSHIP: 1 Edwin Masters

JOINED IN MEMBERSHIP: 0

Avg. WEEKLY Worship Attendance ……………………………. 2012: 389 2013: 416 2014: 355

Avg. Weekly Attendance YEAR TO DATE …………………... 2012: 389 2013: 416 2014: 355

Avg. WEEKLY Sunday School Attendance …………………... 2012: 139 2013: 119 2014: 112 Avg. Weekly Sunday School YEAR TO DATE ………………… 2012: 139 2013: 119 2014: 112

Avg. WEEKLY Growth Group Attendance ……………………. 2012: 81 2013: 52 2014: 113 Avg. Weekly Growth Group YEAR TO DATE ………………… 2012: 81 2013: 52 2014: 113

FAITH GIVING: January

General Fund January Giving $ 58,151 (Disbursements-January) $ (73,710) Year to Date Giving $ 58,151 (Disbursements-YTD) $ (73,710)

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Calvary Church Council Minutes January 20, 2014

Review & Accept 2013 Year End Financial Report

Revenue increased over 2012, but remained less than Spending Plan projection.

ELCA income was less than expected. General Offering increased over 2012.

Operating Expenditures for 2013 exceeded Total Revenue by about 1%, resulting in a year end deficit of about $10,000. Contributing factors included higher than expected Utilities and Maintenance costs.

Non-operating facility expenditures, including new roof, were fully funded from Facility Development Funds.

Council affirmed the use of Interest & Dividends (not principal) from Thrivent Funds to offset the year-end deficit.

With the exception of 2009, 2013 represented the strongest year of the past 7 years, with revenues funding 94% of the proposed Spending Plan.

It was noted that December attendance was down due to the major snowstorm prior to Christmas.

Pastor Jonathan presented the proposed 2014 Spending Plan with explanation of differences over 2013 in each category for Council discussion. Council also discussed whether to end historical data at 2010 or 2012 for the Annual Report. It was agreed that inclusion of 2010 data presented a more complete reflection of growth.

Accepted the 2014 Spending Place as presented, both as a working document and for acceptance to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.

Town Hall Meeting & 53rd Annual Meeting Preparation

Pontiac Mission Dream update. Council discussed the resolution to be presented to the congregation: Accepted the Pontiac Mission Dream Resolution as written. See annual meeting recap on p. 7 for details.

Increased time for the Youth Ministry Coordinator position will be approved as part of the proposed Spending Plan.

Looking ahead to 2104... Church Council is currently in the process of evaluating progress during 2013 and establishing goals and priorities for 2014. This year the council will likely concentrate its energy and efforts in these areas to help Calvary continue grow in our mission to know Christ and to make Christ known in Clarkston, White Lake, Pontiac and beyond. Multisite Ministry Strategic Planning and Site Master Plan Development

White Lake Mission Center Development

Pontiac Mission Dream Development

Stewardship Growth and Capital Campaign Planning for Expansion and Renovation

Resource Sharing with Other Congregations

If you have expertise or interest in serving in any of these areas please let us know asap.

NEW Council Emails

You may connect with Council President Tom Grant at [email protected], Treasurer Chris Peterson at [email protected], and with the entire church council including Pastor Jona-than at [email protected].

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Lent means spring is coming... The word Lent is an old Anglo-Saxon word for “springtime” referring to the 40 days of spiritual renewal beginning with Ash Wednesday (March 5 this year) and ending in Holy Week just before Easter. There are many 40 day journeys in the Bible in which people have sought to hear from or draw closer to God. Elijah spent 40 days fasting and seeking God at Mt Horeb; Moses fasted for 40 days at Mt Sinai when he received the 10 Commandments; Noah watched the rain fall for 40 days and nights as he sat in the ark pondering God’s word to him; Jonah preached to the people of Ninevah who responded with 40 days of repentance; AND Jesus before beginning his public ministry, just after being Baptized by John in the Jordan River, spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness and then resisting Satan’s temptations. In the early church the 40 days before Easter was a time of preparation for Baptism at Easter dawn. In keeping with this biblical precedent, today at Calvary we engage in two intentional 40 days journeys as part of our life together - the annual fall 40 days Walk the Talk spiritual growth journey and the 40 days of Lent just as winter begins to give way to spring. During Lent you are invited to "come as you really are" and take an intentional step of growth along Calvary's Spiritual Growth Pathway. You can find a copy of the pathway on page 8. Consider how you will ENTER into God's presence and grace; ENGAGE in spiritual practices ("holy habits") to nurture your faith; be EQUIPPED for serving by better understanding your purpose and who God has uniquely made you to be; and EXTEND God's love to our hurting world. The pathway provides an essential tool for each of us at Calvary, no matter where we are along the journey, to reflect, assess and commit to taking the next step in our spiritual growth so that we can increasingly "walk the talk!" We are here to help you! So what can I do during LENT? Christians in the early 300’s, if not before, began observing a period of fasting that led up to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter. Baptisms were often shared at first light on Easter morning. Today Lent is a time of more intense spiritual seeking, devotion and preparation so we can have a more deeply meaningful journey through Holy Week. During this time we are called and challenged to deepen our

relationship with Jesus and focus on what it means for us to be a baptized child of God - both the promise of grace and the call to discipleship. While there is often a focus on fasting or "giving up something" during Lent, it can be just as valuable to "add something" like a new spiritual discipline, growth group, service project, healthy habit, or other commitment to grow in faith. Since Lent means “spring” I like to think of Lent as a time for our faith to spring back to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is also a time for spiritual renewal through some “spring cleaning.” A time to take out the trash, sort through our priorities, and engage in spiritual practices and exercises to help us stay spiritually fit. Like getting our bodies in shape with the discipline of exercise, during Lent we engage in spiritual disciplines so that we grow in faithfulness. Repentance, fasting, prayer, Bible study, generous giving, and works of love or random acts of kindness are some of the disciplines or "holy habits" of Lent. Lent is also a good time to recommit to the Faith5 with your family or friends - Share highs and lows, Read the Bible, Talk about it, Pray, and Bless Each Other. But I'm so busy... Lent is a time to push the "pause button" and reflect on what really matters. Lent is a response to Jesus' sacrifice for us and amazing grace given freely to us, and expresses a desire to grow in living out our Baptism as God's children. We want to "walk the talk" more. We want our lives to look more like Jesus would living in our skin. We want the "Fruit of the Spirit" to show through our lives more and more - “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) No matter what we choose to do, the goal is to deepen our faith so that this old, old story will come alive in us as we prepare for Holy Week. Lent helps us to prepare to meet our nail pierced savior on the cross at Calvary and experience the incredible joy of the empty tomb at Easter. This Lent plan to Enter, Engage, Equip and Extend the story of our faith!

Continued on page 4…..

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Lent growth opportunities abound at Calvary to help you grow as a whole person of God. However, no one (even God) can make you do these things. My prayer is that you will let Lent (and me) be a gentle (or not so gentle) nudge in your life so that your good intentions to grow your faith become a reality and a priority. If you do, you will never be the same again, and Easter morning will look brighter and more amazing than ever before. See the list below for some suggestions to make Lent more meaningful this year. Please email or call if you want to talk more about Lent, your spiritual journey, the Spiritual Growth Pathway, or anything else I can be of help with. Some ideas to help make Lent a "springtime" for your faith: ____ Stations of the Cross (Clarkston Campus, throughout the Lent season) ____ Faith5 (Share highs and lows, Read the Bible, Talk about it, Pray and Bless one another) ____ Read the Bible daily (one chapter each day in Romans and then Luke will take 40 days) ____ Wednesday Worship - 7 PM March 5, 12 and 19 only ____ Explore the Spiritual Growth Pathway (identify where you are and commit to a growth step: Enter - Engage - Equip - Extend) ____ Read or reread The Purpose Drive Life (copies available at the WellSpring Bookstore) ____ Pray daily for Calvary’s ministry (use your newsletter, happenings & church directory) ____ Study Luther’s Small Catechism with your family (copies available in the WellSpring Bookstore) ____ Give up one meal out each week and give the money to a ministry need (a fast food meal costs about $5) ____ Fast from something you like or crave (use your awareness of how much you miss it to draw your attention to God) ____ Join a Spring Semester Growth Group (Spring Semester begins March 23 – more group info soon) ____ Try a new ministry, or a new way of helping someone (need a suggestion - see s ministry leader) ____ Look for an opportunity to serve at worship (parking lot greeter, communion server, usher and more) ____ Make amends with someone you have hurt (repentance and forgiveness is a great thing) ____ Share your faith daily (talk about your relationship with God and the difference it makes in your life— push yourself) ____ Invite someone to church each Sunday through Easter (they might just say yes!) ____ Give a special gift for White Lake or Pontiac Mission Development (consider $20, $50, $100 or $500) ____ Try tithing for the 40 Days weeks of Lent, then decide whether or not to continue ____ Commit one “random act of kindness” each day during Lent (it might become a "holy habit" all year) ____ Renew your concern for the environment (examine what you buy, throw away, value) ____ Simplify (take a concrete step each day towards simplifying your life) ____ Walk with God everyday (really take walks and talk to God as you take in the scenery – count your steps) ____ Laugh & Smile more often (smiles and a positive attitude really are contagious - try it!) ____ Other :______________________________________________________( write it here and do it!) ____ Other: _____________________________________________________ (write it here and do it!)

OVERCOMING A Lenten Sermon Series on applying God’s power and grace to some of life’s toughest challenges. Jesus said: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33b So if faith in Jesus does not make us immune from troubles, what does it do? Faith not only gets us through our challenges, but I believe it also offers us an opportunity for growth and victorious living as we face our struggles in the power of Christ's victory over sin and death. Overcoming is about living with a different perspective based on God's strength, not ours. Overcoming is about living into the grace and freedom offered in the waters of Baptism. Overcoming is about living with hope and confidence along the pathway of life and spiritual growth. Topics include OVERCOMING adversity, hurts & bitterness, sorrow, fear, greed, apathy, anger & shame, and finally on Easter Sunday – Overcoming all things including sin and death.

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To contact Cindy Dixon, RN regarding this or any other faith community nursing issue, call 248-909-3542.

Just the facts, please…..

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Calvary will again offer free screening opportunity, provided by St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital.*

Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the 3rd leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. More than 143,000 men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, with approximately 5,000 new cases occurring in Michigan. Participating in our Colorectal Cancer screening can save your life! When detected early, colon cancer has a 90% survival rate with treatment. Yet less than 50% of the population over age 50 has participated in a screening. Early stages of colorectal cancer often have no signs or symptoms, so routine screening is a must for those 50-years and older! Most colorectal cancers begin as a polyp, a small, non-cancerous growth on the colon wall that can grow larger and become cancerous. As polyps grow, they can bleed or obstruct the intestine. You can lower your risk of colon cancer by taking these simple steps: Get screened for colorectal cancer if you are

50 or older (earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or bowel disease such as Crohn’s or colitis)

Exercise regularly Maintain ideal weight Eat healthy foods, including five or more

servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Avoid tobacco.

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms: Change in bowel habits or blood in the stool. Diarrhea, constipation, or a feeling that the

bowel has not emptied completely. A change in the size or shape of your stool General abdominal discomfort including

frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps.

Weight loss with no known reason Constant tiredness or anemia Vomiting

*If you’re 50 or older, you need to get

screened for colon cancer.

Information and mail-in test kits will be available FREE on Sunday

mornings in March 2014 at Clarkston and White Lake (and during the week at Clarkston). No cost to individuals-however SJMO is investing $12 per kit in

this project. *Please only take a kit if you

intend to send it in by 4/18/14

Join us March 16 at the Clarkston campus

9:30am-10:15am for “Ask the Healthcare

Professional” (during the middle worship hour) to learn more

about the link between nutrition, exercise and

cancer.

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Mid-week Wednesdays 7-8 pm 4 years old—5th Grade

Ash Wednesday March 5 Lent KOW March 12,19 Spring KOW begins March 26 Nursery Open 6:30 pm

Friday March 7@ 6 pm – Saturday, March 8 @ 9 am

OVERNIGHTER! Event includes 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th grade students Details on the web site www.calvaryinfo.org children or youth link Sign up is required. Click form to register.

SuperStart! Preteens

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3rd Grade Bible Class March 2 & 9

12:20 pm Bring a sack lunch. Drinks & dessert provided for the kids. SEDER MEAL March 16 12:30 pm

PraiseTown TALENT SHOW Sunday, March 30 9:15 am & 10:45

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1st Communion Classes 4th Grade and up March 18 & 25, April 1 7-8 pm, Clarkston Campus 1st Communion will be celebrated during Holy Week on Maundy Thursday, April 17.

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As Lent approaches and the seasons shift we anticipate taking our journey with Christ to a deeper understand-ing as we continue on the Spiritual Growth Pathway. The great thing about this is that opportunities abound at Calvary. One of these opportunities is at our White Lake campus on Ash Wednesday. We will again this year be doing Drive-Up ashes. Our Hope is that we can have folks who are traveling to or from work, those who aren’t able to attend a service and maybe those who have been away or are not sure about the church have this experi-ence. Last year I found that there was a whole array of people falling into these categories. If you would like to be a part of this ministry I encourage you to connect with me to discuss how you might be feeling led to serve. The times are as follows:

Please let me know if this is something you would like to be a part of Another place to serve in ministry at the White Lake campus is with the Community Garden Ministry. As spring draws near we have already been planning for how we will work with the ground God has blessed us with and be stewards of his abundance. Please watch the Happenings for meetings and details for the garden. As we continue to be a church that seeks to “Know Christ and Make Christ Known”, there is another oppor-tunity to be the light of Christ in the White Lake community. Deb Latozas and I are in the planning stages of developing an after-school ministry at the White Lake campus. We are going to start making connections with the school administration and community leaders to put something in place for this fall. My hope is that we as Calvary can provide youth and children in White Lake with a place that they are sup-ported and helped with school work, community and the love of Christ. If this is something that you have a passion for please let me know. God is up to some amazing things with our ministry so I hope you have a chance to spend time in prayerful discernment in how you are being led to serve as we continue into the seasons of your journey this year. God’s Peace,

Ash Wednesday Drive-Up ashes at the White Lake Campus Wed. March 5th - 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

NEW MEMBER CLASS Part A - Sat, 3/22 9 am to 2 pm Part B Sunday track - 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13 (not 4/20 Easter), 4/27 & 5/4 (not 5/11 Mothers Day) OR Wednesday track - 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, (not 4/16 Holy Week), 4/23, 4/30, (not 5/7 Pastor conference), 5/14

New Members Received 5/18—Staff Contact: Cathy Mann

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faith5.org Keeping it going, thoughts from Pastor Ken With Lent approaching why not make this a time to practice the Faith5 at home with your family? As we come upon our next season in the church perhaps this may be a time for you to find a new faith practice that you have yet to introduce into your journey. Lent is an ideal time to spend in reflection on how God has been at work in your life and in the lives of those you love and care about.

Lenten disciplines are an opportunity to infuse our lives with and expand our relationship with Christ. When we spend time sharing (highs & lows), reading the story of God’s love, talking about what is going on in our lives, praying with one another and blessing one another we know our Lord and each other even more.

Our lives reflect the Lenten journey in so many ways. We experience pain and darkness and yet as we cling to the cross of Christ we hear the promise he made to the criminal next to him, “today you will be with me in paradise.” Even though we might find ourselves in the valley of life Christ reminds us that he has more in store for us and that in him there is a promise of life. Imagine if each time we practiced the Faith5 we reminded each other of that promise, the valley might not seem so dark and alone.

My hope is that as we as Calvary practice the Faith5 more and more that we can be the body of Christ in ways that build and strengthen it so that God’s kingdom will grow.

SHARE your highs and lows

READ a Bible verse or story

TALK about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows

PRAY for one another's highs and lows

BLESS one another

Sample blessing:

“ May God create in you a humble heart open to hearing his Word, sharing his Holy Supper and loving his world. Amen”

Share Read Talk Pray Bless

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Caring Companion Ministry Invitation Calvary’s Caring Companion Ministry is now in its 2nd full year of serving as the hands and feet of Jesus both within and beyond the congregation, with 25 trained volunteers serving 30 clients, as we offer friendly visits, transportation, help with errands for older and disabled adults--and brief respite breaks for family caregivers. We are a pilot program of the Interfaith Volunteer CAREGIVERS and not professionals…“Neighbors helping neighbors”... Half-day volunteer training, support and quarterly team meetings provide encouragement and accountability for volunteers. If YOU are interested in learning more about this vital and growing ministry, please contact Cindy Dixon or Leslie Welbourn at the church office, 248-625-3288 Ext. #216.

Prepare to be blessed!

We Need You!! It takes many people to make Saturday nights and Sunday mornings work smoothly. Please sign up today on a Intouch Card or call the Front Office to sign up to take training in one of the following areas: Communion Assistants, Greeters, Ushers, Readers, Bookstore, and Coffee Team (setup before 8:15am, monitor coffee at Welcome Desk between services at 9:15am and 10:45am, cleanup after 11am service) We will be offering training for each type of worship assistants over the next few months. The next training session for Communion Assistants will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2014 after 9:30am and 11am worship services. Please specify which service you wish to serve at and what positions you are interested in. Staff Contact: Cathy Mann

2014 Giving Envelopes are still available in the Clarkston front office. Please be sure to pick yours up! Note that envelopes numbers change each year, so please be sure you are using your 2014 envelopes now for accurate data entry to your account.

Thrivent Dollars Thank you to our Thrivent members who participated in the Thrivent Choice Double Direction Church campaign. We received $791 in December to be used in our General Operating Budget. If you are a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, please be sure to look in your Thrivent Choice opportunities. If you would like to get more information about members hip at Thrivent, please visit their website at Thrivent.com. There are many services provided for Thrivent members.

Identity Theft: Risk and Prevention

Join us Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 1:30PM at our White Lake campus for this informative and field tested presentation on a topic of great importance to us all. State of Michigan Attorney General’s Office “Senior Brigade” representative will give an update on current techniques thieves are using to access your private information, and what you can do about it. Another in a series of informational programs

for the community (all ages) offered by Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers: Macomb and

Oakland Counties.

Parents, Kids, and Money Matters Workshop In partnership with Thrivent Financial, this workshop is for parents of 1st & 2nd Graders. There is also a session for kids (1st & 2nd Grade), which occurs separately but simultaneously. This workshop is offered to Calvary families as part of our faith formation milestones. We will offer 2 sessions on Sunday, March 16: 9:15am-10:30am, and 10:45am-12pm. Sign up in PraiseTown or on the website: www.calvaryinfo.org

http://faith5.org/share/share

http://faith5.org/read/read

http://faith5.org/talk/talk

http://faith5.org/pray/pray

http://faith5.org/bless/bless

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Overnighter Grades 6-7 6:00 pm Fri., March 7 - 9:00 am Sat., March 8 Calvary Clarkston Campus Will you earn a spot in our "Yes! I stayed up all night" photo? We have loads of lock-in fun planned. Since this event is for kids in grades 4-7, there will be separate age-appropriate activities for the 4th & 5th graders, and also the 6th & 7th graders. We will come together as one group for worship, singing, eating, prayer, and a service project. As always, bring your friends. Register at calvaryinfo.org/youth. Parent chaperones are needed to make this event a success. You can even be adventurous and stay all night. Select your time to help on the registration form.

It’s time for a mid-year…. Youth Ministry Parent Summit

Sunday, March 2 12:15-1:30 pm Middle School Portable - Lunch provided

Youth Ministry has had an incredible six months, but the year isn’t over yet. Parents of youth in grades 6-12 are invited to meet with Pr. Ken and Susan Batchik to discuss the next six months. It is important to keep everyone informed on the exciting plans. Your involvement is needed to keep this important ministry thriving. We will cover:

Calendar ● Website ● Spiritual Growth Pathway Fellowship & Servant Events ● Annual FaithRaiser Confirmation Camp ● Voice of Truth Mission Trip

Phase II Portable Project ● Summer Events

LSSM Neighborhood House

There is an LSSM Ministry called Neighborhood House which is a safe haven for over 80 children in a struggling neighborhood of Saginaw. The ministry offers educational, recreational, and religious activities for children, as well as providing hot dinner for kids and families. June 22-26 we are doing a remodel project. We need 30-40 volunteers who are willing to also provide $200 for food and lodging. These folks will work on projects, teach kids, and help with a Wednesday evening program/dinner. We need your help raising $30,000 because no other funding is available to make this happen. Please contact Carl Bloom: 248-656-6857, [email protected] or Phil Hemke: 248-219-9708, [email protected]

LSSM Home Care Assistance The mission of Home Care Assistance is to change the way the world ages. It is another LSSM Ministry. We provide older adults with quality care that enables them to live happier, healthier lives at home. Our services are distinguished by the caliber of our caregivers, the responsiveness of the staff, and their expertise in live-in care. HCA embraces a positive, balanced approach to aging centered on the evolving needs of older adults. We provide skilled and unskilled care for people of all ages including respite for family caregivers. Call Darlene Downs-Jones for more info: 866-454-8346 or 248-283-0835

“LSSM Is Lutheran Social Services

of Michigan”

LSSM Super Run Join us for The Super Run on April 26th at Wayne State. This is for all ages! It is a Run-Walk to raise awareness and money for Foster Kids. 13,000 kids have no permanent home in MI. This awareness and money will go a long way to changing the situation. Register at:

thesuperrun.com

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The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.

They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:1-4 and quoted by Jesus in Luke 4 as he began his ministry

Consistent with Calvary's mission "to know Christ and to make Christ known...in Clarkston, White Lake and beyond" (Jesus' Great Commandment and Great Commission) and as a way of expressing and expanding our vision and commitment to multi-site ministry (May 2008), it is resolved that: Calvary should seek to acquire through purchase or gift several unimproved parcels adjacent to the Ferry Farms Playground and Park project at the corner of Ferry Avenue and South Jesse Street in Pontiac, MI. Calvary's officers, council and senior pastor are authorized to execute all legal documents necessary to purchase these properties at an initial cost not exceed $2500 of church funds including purchase price, purchase related expenses and initial improvements. Calvary will seek to improve these properties in partnership with local residents and other ministries/agencies in the area in ways that will benefit the short and long-term health and revitalization of the community, bridges of racial and socioeconomic understanding and reconciliation, develop relationships among Calvary members and community residents, and share the Good News of Jesus Christ in any way possible. Calvary (collectively and individually) will commit to prayer and participation in developing this Pontiac ministry presence fully as part of Calvary's one multi-faceted ministry as we seek to grow to the glory of God and reach out with the Good News of Jesus Christ. This resolution was affirmed with 145 Yes and 10 No. May God guide us as we reach out in Clarkston, White Lake, PONTIAC and beyond!

The annual meeting convened after 6pm worship on Saturday, February 1 in White Lake and concluded follow-ing 11am worship in Clarkston on Sunday, February 2. A total of 175 people signed in including 157 confirmed voting members and 18 guests. A quorum of 72 was required for the meeting, (10% of 720 confirmed active members).

The 2014 Spending Plan was affirmed with 153 Yes and 2 No

The 4 Council Nominees, Rick Hedden, Carol Martus, Don Peters and Chris Peterson, returning for a 2nd 3 year term were affirmed with 156 Yes and 1 No

Pontiac Mission Dream:

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CONTINUE TO WALK THE TALK

by using the Spiritual Growth Pathway as a tool to keep you going and growing!

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Visit calvary-info.org|youth and join generationCalvary on Facebook to stay connected

Better Together SEMI Synod Youth Retreat | Detroit, MI Sponsored by BRRICK & Calvary Lutheran Church

New Dates: Friday, April 4 - Sunday, April 6 New Cost: $75 A Christ centered opportunity for young people to come together in fellowship, service, learning, worship, exploration and adventure in order to build relationships and a better understanding of each other. Includes team building activities, tour & service project at Cass Community Social Services, trip to First Underground Railroad Experience, and worship at Immanuel Lutheran in Detroit. Register at calvaryinfo.org/youth.

Grade Class Times Dates Location

6th-7th 9:15-10:30 | 10:45-12:00 Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Music Room

8th Worship 11:00 | 12:30-2:30 Mar. 2, 9 Middle School Portable

9th 9:15-10:45 | Worship 11:00 Mar. 2, 9 Middle School Portable

8th-9th 9:15-10:30 | 10:45-12:00 Mar. 16, 23, 30 Middle School Portable

10th-12th 9:15-10:30 | 10:45-12:00 Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Sr. High Portable

Class Schedule March 9 is the last day of Winter 2 Semester with AM/PM Confirmation classes March 16 begins Spring Semester with all Youth attending Sunday School classes

Upcoming Events

March 5 Ash Wednesday Service 7 pm

March 7-8 Overnighter

Lock-in Grades 4-7

March 16 Seder Meal Grades 8-9

March 29 Servant Event

Grades 6-12

Youth Ministry was Engaged in February! The middle schoolers got together for a Snow Party that included snowflakes, snowballs, snowmen, and plenty of snacks. This will definitely become a favorite winter tradition at Calvary! Valentine’s weekend was an opportunity for a group of junior and senior high youth to Extend God’s love by serving meals to those in need at Cass Community Social Services in Detroit. At the end of the month, youth of all ages enjoyed a night of laughter at Comedy for a Cause to benefit Promise Village, a residential treatment center in Davisburg for at-risk boys.

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Baldwin Kitchen Check out our service dates and sign up to help on our website under “Service Opportunities”. Our 2014 dates are posted so you can get them on your schedule now! In addition to posting the dates online and using sign up genius, here you can find upcoming dates for 2014:

Saturday, Apr 5, 2014 | Thursday, May 29, 2014 Saturday, June 14, 2014 | Tuesday, June 24, 2014 Tuesday, July 22, 2014 | Sunday, Aug 10, 2014 Tuesday, Aug 26, 2014 | Tuesday, Sep 30, 2014

Ministry Leader: Reid Miller, 248-620-0745

Blessings in a Backpack We pack backpacks with food for Clarkston School children that depend on these backpacks for their weekend nutrition. Contact the church office or go to “Service Opportunities” on our website to help the 4th Wednesday of every month. The next Blessings in a Backpack packing for Calvary will be Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 6:00 pm. and will be in a new location at Clarkston Free Methodist Church on Sashabaw Road. Turn onto Heath Street and park in the parking lot. Go in the double doors downstairs and ask for Joyce Bleim. She will show everyone where they should go. Sign up on Sign up Genius… We need about 5 volunteers for about 1 hour only. No children under the age of 10 please. Ministry Contact Claudia Jenosky at (248) 563-3927.

Lighthouse Hunger Walk This is an annual 5K where funds go to Lighthouse Emergency Services and food pantry to help end hunger in our communities. The event is Sat, May 3 at Oakland Community College Highland Lakes Campus: 7350 Cooley Lake Rd, Waterford, MI 48327. Registration is at 8 am, and the walk begins at 10 am. If you are sponsoring, please commit by March 15. You can make a difference by sponsoring the walk, making a donation, volunteering, organizing a team, being a walker, or pledging a walker.

Contact Alayne Hansen at 248-972-1493 or email her at [email protected] for event info. Register online at www.LighthouseOakland.org

March Food Drive for Lighthouse

We will be hosting a food drive for Lighthouse Clarkston and Pontiac during March and will be scheduling food drives for other local food pantries on a rotating basis. If you would like to work with the team that will manage these drives, please let us know. The team will need people to help with promotion, display setup, the management of the display area as food begins to come in and with some of the food pantries, delivery. Lighthouse will be picking up their own food in March. We hope to fill 350 grocery bags to feed the hungry in our community. You will be able to pick up a grocery bag with a list on it, fill it and bring it back to us. Lighthouse estimates that the approximate cost to fill a bag will be around $10. Staff Contact: Deborah Robitaille

Open Door Pantry Current Needs Canned Chili, Tuna, Chicken Noodle Soup, Canned Fruit; new packages of Men's and Women's socks and underwear. Thanks to everyone for the "birthday boxes" sent to Open Door. We are well supplied for a few months. We will be doing an Open Door food drive in July, but at this time you can drop your donations to Open Door directly. Their address is 7170 Cooley Lake, in Waterford, MI.

Prayer for Conference Congregations Each month we pray for one of our Conference congregations and their pastor (s). Please make this part of your personal prayer time as we pray

for the churches around us and their leaders. This month we are praying for Beautiful Savior Lutheran

Church in Bloomfield Hills, and their Pastor Mark Behenna.

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Walk with Jesus this Lent The Stations of the Cross are a powerful way to contemplate, and enter deeper into, the mystery of Jesus' gift of himself for us. As an imaginative prayer exercise they help us move our reflection on the Passion out of our head and into our heart by involving our senses, experiences and emotions. The stations help us know Jesus as fully human (he knows what it is like to really suffer and die) yet also as fully God (he was faithful to the end). Experiencing the love of Jesus for us in this way increases our gratitude for what he has given us. Out of such gratitude arises increased generosity in us and a desire to love as we have been loved. As you walk the Stations you will trace the painful footsteps of Christ in his journey from condemnation, to death, to his joyful and victorious resurrection. Our Lord and Savior died a violent death because of God's deep and unconditional love of us. As we prayerfully meditate on this journey we deepen our relationship with our Lord and open ourselves to being transformed, once again or for the very first time, by the power of this love. As we walk with our Lord on his journey we grow in our capacity to Walk the Talk with him on our journey in life along the pathway of spiritual growth.

A brief bit of history... From the earliest days Christians have told and retold the story of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection. When early pilgrims came to the Holy Land they were eager to see the sites where Jesus had been and to walk where he had walked. These traditional sites become important holy connections with Jesus. Eventually, following in the footsteps of the Lord along the way of the cross called the Via Dolorosa (Latin for "way of grief or suffering"), became a part of the pilgrimage visit in Jerusalem. Pilgrims to this day still carry a cross along this route in the Old City. The Stations are "replicas" of this journey that arose in the 1500's in Europe so that those who could not make this pilgrimage to Jerusalem could nevertheless experience the transforming power of the journey. Eventually a set of 14 Stations were placed in almost every Roman Catholic Church in the world. More recently other Christian traditions have embraced this practice and adapted the original 14 stations, as we have, in order to follow the biblical text more closely. The Stations of the Cross will set up at our Clarkston Campus from March 9 through Good Friday (April 18).

Baptized - We Will Be Different "shower cards" available

Last month we completed a sermon series on Baptism , focusing on how the Promise and the Call of Baptism defines who we are as God's child, gives us the gift of forgiveness and new life in Christ, and calls us to a new way of living for Christ everyday in every way. Since water is all around us and we use it each day to wash ourselves, we have made available a waterproof "shower card" to help each of us remember our Baptism each day. Martin Luther daily reminded himself of his true identity as he faced challenges on the journey of life by saying, "I am baptized!" in the Small Catechism Luther writes: What does Baptism mean for daily living? It means that our sinful self with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that

day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written? St. Paul writes, Romans 6:4: “We are buried with Christ by baptism into death, that just as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Please pick up a Baptism "shower card" so you can remember your Baptism daily with these words.

Lord, as I enter the water to bathe, I remember my Baptism. Wash me by your grace. Shower me with your Holy Spirit. Renew my soul with your love. Help me live as your child today And honor you in all that I do.

Spring Semester March 26 to May 17

Discover Calvary

Youth Group

Fit 4 Life

S.H.A.P.E.

Young Marrieds Group

And more! (Details soon...)

Stations of the Cross

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Sun Mon Tue Wed

MARCH 2014

2 Lighthouse Food Drive Begins

9:15 & 10:45am Children & Youth Programs

10:45am Something More Bible Study

1:00pm Spiritual Gifts Class

12:30pm 3rd Grade Bible Class

6:30pm Al Anon

7:00pm AA (WL)

3

11:15am Senior Fit (WL)

5:30pm AA (WL)

7:00pm AA

7:00pm Church Council

4

9:00am Adaptive Yoga

9:15am Staff Meeting

10:30am Craft & Chat (WL)

6:00pm Creative Co-op Open House

7:00 pm Boy Scouts

7:00 pm Boy Scouts (WL)

5 Ash Wednesday

7:00am-9:00am Drive Up Ashes (WL)

10:00am Bible Study

11:00am Fit 4 Life

11:15 am Senior Fit (WL)

2:00pm-6:00pm Drive up Ashes (WL)

6:00 pm Lent Dinner

7:00pm Ash Wednesday Worship

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Begin Daylight Savings Time

9:15am 9th Grade Confirmation



12:30pm 3rd Grade Bible Class

6:30pm Al Anon

7:00pm AA (WL)

10


5:30pm AA (WL)

7:00pm AA

7:00pm WELCA Bible Study

11 9:00am Adaptive Yoga



12:00pm Clarkston Pastors

1:00pm Identity Theft Workshop

7:00pm Julie Run Team (WL)

7:00 pm Boy Scouts


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12:00pm Synod Conference (Offsite)

6:00 pm Lent Feast Dinner

7:00pm Lent Worship

7:00pm Lent Kids Program

8:00pm Adoration Choir

16 Health & Wholeness Sunday


9:30am Ask the Healthcare Professional

9:30am Parents, Kids & Money


12:30pm Seder Meal

6:30pm Al Anon

7:00pm AA (WL)

7:00pm Boy Scout Troop Leader Mtg

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9:00am Newsletter Deadline


5:30pm AA (WL)

6:00pm Stewardship Team Mtg

7:00pm AA

7:00pm Church Council Business Mtg

7:00pm Prayer Shawl Ministry

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10:00am Canines in Christ


7:00pm First Communion Class

7:00 pm Boy Scouts


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6:00 pm Feast Dinner

6:45pm Lent Worship



23 Spring Growth Groups Begin



10:30 & 12:00pm Communion Asst. Training


6:30pm Al Anon

7:00pm AA (WL)

24

9:00am Newsletter Assembly


5:30pm AA (WL)

7:00pm AA

25




7:00pm First Communion Class

7:00pm Boy Scouts

7:00pm Boy Scouts (WL)

7:00pm Julie Run Team (WL)

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10:00 am Bible Study


6:00pm Blessings in a Backpack (Offsite)


7:00pm Lent Worship

7:00pm Spring KOW begins


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6:30pm Al Anon

7:00pm AA (WL)

31 11:15am Senior Fit (WL) 7:00pm AA (WL) 7:00pm Church Council

Sunday Worship: Clarkston Campus—8:15am Traditional Worship, 9:30am Blended Worship, 11:00am Blended WorshipSaturday Worship: White Lake Campus—6:00pm Blended Worship Confirmation Class Schedule—See dates and schedule on page 13 or back cover

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Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:45am AA

6:00pm Worship (WL)

9:00am Drive Up Ashes (WL)

10:00am Bible Study


6:00pm Drive up Ashes (WL)

6:00 pm Lent Dinner

7:00pm Ash Wednesday Worship

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9:30am Worship Folder Team

11:00am My Habitat Meeting (Offsite)

1:00pm Staff Prayer

7:00pm AA

7:00pm Boy Scouts Patrol Leaders Council

7:30pm Praise Team

7


12:45pm TOPS (WL)

6:00pm Super Start Overnight Event

8

Daylight Savings Time-Spring Forward

Winter Growth Groups End

9:45am AA

2:00pm Eagle Court of Honor

6:00pm Worship (WL)

Remember to “Spring Ahead” 1 hour

before you go to bed!


12:00pm Synod Conference (Offsite)


7:00pm Lent Worship



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1:00pm Staff Prayer

7:00pm AA

7:30pm Praise Team

14


12:45pm TOPS (WL)

15

9:45am AA

6:00pm Worship (WL)


6:00 pm Feast Dinner

6:45pm Lent Worship



20


1:00pm Staff Prayer

7:00pm AA

7:30pm Praise Team

21


12:45pm TOPS (WL)

22

9:00am Discover Calvary

9:45am AA

6:00pm Worship (WL)

10:00 am Bible Study


6:00pm Blessings in a Backpack (Offsite)


7:00pm Lent Worship

7:00pm Spring KOW begins


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1:00pm Staff Prayer

7:00pm AA

7:30pm Praise Team

28


12:45pm TOPS (WL)

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9:45am AA

12:00pm Boy Scout 50th Anniversary

Celebration (WL)

6:00pm Worship (WL)

8:15am Traditional Worship, 9:30am Blended Worship, Sunday Mornings: 9:15am and 10:45am—Nursery Care for 3 and under 11:00am Blended Worship PraiseLand for ages 3 and 4

6:00pm Blended Worship PraiseTown for grades K-5 PraiseTown for grades K-5

See dates and schedule on page 13 or back cover Super Start for grades 4-6

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