CALVARY COMMENT May 2016

from the Pastor Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church Up Where He Belongs The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Eastertide not only brings celebration of the Lord’s resurrection, it English District includes commemoration of His ascension into heaven. That event is 208 Woods Drive, PO Box 374 annually remembered forty days after Easter Sunday, as we will do Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 with Mount Calvary, our sister congregation in Lititz, on May 5 [see announcement on p. 4]. Jesus’ ascension completes His work on earth. It also foreshadows the glorified physical presence in the life of the The Rev. Luke T. Zimmerman, Pastor world to come that awaits each of Jesus’ followers. The Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Kraus, Pastor Emeritus Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885) composed lyrics full of Church Office: 717.697.9771 Scriptural allusions and Christological typology to commemorate Preschool: 717.796.1369 Jesus’ ascension. His text has come down to us in the form of the hymn “See, the Lord Ascends in Triumph” [LSB 494]. Though Email: slightly altered and shortened in Lutheran Service Book, Wordsworth’s [email protected] hymn has been included in all the English congregational hymnals Parish Web Site: published by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. www.calvarylutheranmechanicsburg.org See, the Lord ascends in triumph Conqu’ring King in royal state, Riding on the clouds, His chariot, To His heav’nly palace gate. Stewardship Corner Hark! The choirs of angel voices Joyful alleluias sing, Active Faith is a Mighty Thing And the portals high are lifted To receive their heav’nly King. James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and [Lutheran Service Book 494:1] not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Wordsworth’s hymn speaks of Jesus as a conquering hero. Gone are all the aspects of humility, replaced by full glorification. Jesus’ Martin Luther said this about our faith: ascension is seen like an ancient parade of triumph: “You ascended “Oh, it is a living, busy, active, mighty on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts thing, this faith. And so it is impossible for among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may it not to do good works incessantly.” The (Ps 68:18) Word of God is not merely to be heard, but dwell there.” The One who rode a donkey into Jerusalem now to be received and believed, and uses the clouds as His chariot, fulfilling the Psalter: “He lays the implemented. beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers James reminds us of this – and encourages winds, his ministers a flaming fire.”(Ps 104:3-4) The crowds that us to examine our lives and come to welcome Him are the LORD’s angels instead of Judeans waving repentance where we can see that we are palm branches. Jesus strides powerfully into His heavenly kingdom. not living out our faith in sincerity."

continued on page 2 1 Who is this that comes in glory my right hand, until I make your enemies your With the trump of jubilee? footstool.’”(Ps 110:1) Lord of battles, God of armies, He has gained the victory. Now our heav’nly Aaron enters He who on the cross did suffer, With His blood within the veil; He who from the grave arose, Joshua now is come to Canaan, He has vanquished sin and Satan; And the kings before Him quail. He by death has crushed His foes. Now He plants the tribes of Israel [Lutheran Service Book 494:2] In their promised resting place; Now our great Elijah offers The second stanza continues to describe the Ascended Double portion of His grace. Lord. Wordsworth alludes to Psalms 47 and 24, which are [Lutheran Service Book 494:4] traditionally used on Ascension Day: “God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.”(Ps Wordsworth’s tying Jesus to the figures of the Old 47:5) and “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O Testament continues in the fourth stanza. He calls the ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who Ascended Jesus our Aaron, because He is the great high is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the priest who has gone into the heavenly sanctuary: “We LORD, mighty in battle!”(Ps 24:7-8) The stanza also speaks have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a of the victory that Jesus has won over the grave, sin, and hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, Satan. This is tied to the statement made about Jesus in where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, Hebrews: “When Christ had offered for all time a single having become a high priest forever after the order of sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, Melchizedek.”(Heb 6:19-20) His lyrics refer to Jesus’ Hebrew waiting from that time until his enemies should be made name Joshua, but the Ascended Jesus surpasses that a footstool for his feet.”(Heb 10:12-13) By His resurrection, ancient leader of the Hebrews into Canaan: “For if Joshua no one can actually stand in opposition to Him. Jesus’ had given them rest, God would not have spoken of ascension confirms His victory. another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s While He lifts His hands in blessing, rest has also rested from his works as God did from He is parted from His friends; his.”(Heb 4:8-10) Jesus is named Elijah, the one who gave a While their eager eyes behold Him, double portion of his spirit to Elisha; this alludes to Jesus’ He upon the clouds ascends. giving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: “This Jesus God He who walked with God and pleased Him, raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being Preaching truth and doom to come, therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having He, our Enoch, is translated received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, To His everlasting home. he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and [Lutheran Service Book 494:3] hearing.”(Ac 2:32-33) Through these acts, Jesus stands as the head of a long line of people whom the LORD raised up. Wordsworth includes details from the Ascension But as the Incarnate LORD who is the Messiah, Jesus Narrative in the third stanza: “Then he led them out as far exceeds them all. as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was He has raised our human nature carried up into heaven.”(Lk 24:50-51) But the hymnist also On the clouds to God’s right hand; begins to tie Jesus to figures from the Old Testament, There we sit in heav’nly places, using them as types. The first is Enoch, a man whose life There with Him in glory stand. is recorded in Genesis: “Enoch walked with God, and he Jesus reigns, adored by angels; was not, for God took him.”(Ge 5:24) As much as Enoch Man with God is on the throne. pleased God in the primeval days of the earth’s existence, By our mighty Lord’s ascension Jesus surpassed him in His complete obedience to what We by faith behold our own. His Father required, even the call to sacrifice. For that [Lutheran Service Book 494:5] reason the LORD speaks of Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”(Mt 3:17b) And the The closing stanza focuses on the theological significance LORD rewards Him: “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at of Jesus’ ascension and its promise for His followers.

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2 Church Council Report: April 2016 Upcoming Dates •President Ray Miller reported on the Constitution Review Forum Question Thursday, May 5 & Answer meeting held on April 3. He also commented on the audit Pot Luck Supper 6pm & Ascension Day Service at review and budget timeline which should begin by mid-July. Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA 7pm •Matt Goheen’s report included summer mowing schedule, maintenance of mowers, research into changing electrical suppliers and telephone Sunday, May 15 Pentecost/Confirmation 10:30am providers. Matt will look into costs and length of contracts for next meeting. Sunday, May 22 Armed Forces Sunday Picnic Noon •Jim Blockus told of Pastor Kraus’s delivery of Bibles to the Cumberland County Prison, the donation of NIV Bibles to Lutheran Indian Ministries, New Mexico, an April 24 Indian Echo Caverns outing, and a May hiking event. •The next step in the Constitution Adoption process is to reassemble the comments from the April 3 Forum and present the document to the voters for debate and/or adoption. VP Bruce Yerger asked the current Constitution Committee to present their recommended timeline at the Sunday, June 5 May’s Council meeting. Sunday School Teacher Recognition after Divine Service •Jim Blockus is in the process of planning the 120th Anniversary of Calvary Lutheran and asked the Council for thoughts regarding holding the event Saturday, June 11 offsite. The Council asked Jim to research and provide details. Clothes Closet 11am—1pm

Monday-Thursday, June 20–23 Vacation Bible School 6:15pm—8:00pm

Saturday, June 25 Veterans Service Event 10am—2pm

Sunday, June 26 Preschool News Voters Assembly Noon May will bring sunshine and flowers and also the We will also make Father’s Day gifts and discuss end of our preschool year. This year has gone by what grows in the garden. Our classroom will so quickly! Our graduation programs will be on bloom with color as we add May flowers, buzzing Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26. We bees and glowing sunshine. This has been a will celebrate the final day of school with an all delightful year and the children have been blessed students picnic on May 27. Our by their time here. Mother’s Day Teas will be held on May 4, 5th and 6. It has been a great privilege to minister to We will be reviewing the the families God has alphabet and the numbers brought to Calvary 0-100. We will also continue Lutheran Preschool. Please to practice our addresses and continue to pray for the phone numbers. preschool and for the new staff and the families who will attend in the fall. Our Jesus Times will focus on the joy we have in knowing Jesus and in His love. Our final memory In Christ’s Love, verse for the year will be John 8:12. “I am the light Mrs. Cheryl Mack of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

3 They Sowed, They Served, They Shared CelebrateMay Birthdays 1 James Blockus The English District’s LWML Biennial Convention is now in the memory books. Five ladies from the Calvary LWML Society served on the 1 Amber Gerhold Convention Committee in a variety of capacities: Linda Goheen, Zone & 7 Thomas Stettler Convention Treasurer; Kay Ardner, Registration Coordinator and 9 Donald Dove Executive Committee Delegate; Tam Lukens, Hospitality Coordinator; 18 Marcia Rebuck Sara Neagley, Zone Delegate and All-Round Runner; and Donna Foster, 22 Sarah Stettler Publicity & Printing Coordinator, LWML Store & Calvary Delegate. 22 Mitchell Wallace 29 Kevin Werner Sara Neagley was elected to the District Executive Board as Secretary. May Anniversaries Kay Ardner also organized the Servant Events: a 1 Robert & Bonnie Schulte trip to Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries (PLM), 4 Paul & Kathryn Garrell Hygiene Kits for Orphan Grain Train, Hooks & 10 Ryan & Amanda Carbaugh Needles (scarfs for distribution to needy), and 10 Donald & Martha Dove Notes of Encouragement. Donations abounded. Thanks to all who donated towels, yarn, and 13 Thomas & Debbie Neemeyer needles that were used to make these gifts. 17 James & Elsa Quanbeck 18 Michael & Candy Hammond Three offerings totaling $3,080 were collected at the services for Mission Grants 2016-2018, Orphan Grain Train, and Philadelphia Lutheran Trustees Corner Ministries. Trustee Chair Matt Goheen said that the Spring Cleanup is postponed. Attendees were treated to tons of food and snacks, wonderful worship Check the bulletin for the new date. services, Bible studies and messages of the ways we can sow, serve, and share freely because of our relationship with God through Christ. Bottle Blast! Capital Area Pregnancy Center's Ascension Day Service at Mt. Calvary fundraiser kicks off on Mother’s Day, May On May 5, Calvary Lutheran will join Mount Calvary in Lititz, PA in a 8 and runs through Father’s Day, June 19. celebration of Ascension day with a pot-luck supper at 6:00pm followed Pick up a bottle from the market basket in by Divine Service at 7:00pm. Calvary members attending may bring a side the narthex and ﬁll it with spare change/ dish or dessert if they wish. Share the joy of Christ’s return to His throne paper money (checks payable to CAPC are so that He could send His Holy Spirit. OK too!) and return it to the bassinet on or before Father's Day, June 19. Please Looking for Leaders to Plan for VBS 2016 in June also remember to pray for moms, dads, The Board of Education needs volunteers to serve as leaders in Arts & and unborn children during this time. Crafts, Storytelling, Decorating, Kitchen & Snacks, Publicity and Photography. These leaders will assemble team members to run the various areas and help out with a variety of activities.

Our sister in Christ Ida Brown fell This year’s theme is I Spy Salvation Story where young investigators will asleep in the Lord in March and gather clues, dig into the Bible, and put the pieces together to unearth was buried at Indiantown Gap God’s plan of salvation. National Cemetery next to her husband Leon. Remembering that VBS will be Monday-Thursday, June 20-23 from 6:15pm-8:00pm. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, please keep her family in your prayers.

4 MAY 2016 PARISH CALENDAR SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6th Sunday in Easter Ascension of Our Lord Bd. of Education: 7pm Sunday School: 9:00am Divine Service at

Divine Service: 10:30am Mt. Calvary – Lititz, PA: 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal: 12:00pm

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7th Sunday in Easter Church Council: 7pm Catechism Instruction: Lectionary Study: 7pm Calvary Men’s Sunday School: 9:00am 6:30pm Group: 9:30am

Divine Service: 10:30am Bible History Course: Choir Rehearsal: 12:00pm 7:30pm

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Pentecost Bd. of Deacons: 7pm Bible History Course: Lectionary Study: 7pm LWML/Ladies Aid Sunday School: 9:00am 7:30pm Society: 9:30am Divine Service: 10:30am

Confirmation Day

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Holy Trinity Sunday Bible History Course: Lectionary Study: 7pm Sunday School: 9:00am 7:30pm Divine Service: 10:30am

Armed Forces Honor Picnic: 12:00pm

Newsletter Submission Deadline 29 30 31 JUN 1 JUN 2 JUN 3 JUN 4 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Memorial Day Visitation Lectionary Study: 7pm Divine Service: 10:30am OFFICE CLOSED Bible History Course: 7:30pm

SERVING IN MAY 2016 If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a substitute and notify the church office. If you would like to serve, please see the contact person.

ASSISTING ACOLYTE READER USHERS GREETERS ALTAR ALTAR COFFEE COUNTERS TRUSTEE MINISTERS GUILD FLOWERS SOCIAL OF THE MONTH CONTACT --> Chris Chris Chris John Church Polly Tamara Tamara Kim Jim Lamm Lamm Lamm Getty Secretary Pass Lukens Lukens Brackett Wicker MAY 1 Jim [C] E. Neemeyer Jim T. Lukens Earl & Ju. Douden Bonnie Open Sara Laura Easter 6C Blockus [T] J. Neemeyer Blockus J. Lamm Mary Ellen M. Mitchell Schulte Neagley Desautels [T] A. Brackett C. Stoner Soliday J. Wicker Chris [A] A. Brackett D. Trimmer L. Wicker Lamm L. Wicker

MAY 8 Chris [C] E. Brackett Chris T. Lukens Tamara Ju. Douden Amanda Open Sara Laura Easter 7C Lamm [T] K. Stein Lamm J. Lamm Lukens M. Mitchell Carbaugh Neagley Desautels [T] T. Stein C. Stoner J. Wicker Jamie [A] T. Stein D. Trimmer L. Wicker Brackett L. Wicker

MAY 15 Jamie [C] J. Quanbeck Rev. Thomas T. Lukens Ray Ju. Douden Tamara Confirmand Sara Laura Pentecost Brackett [T] J. Brackett Kraus J. Lamm Miller M. Mitchell Lukens Reception Neagley Desautels [T] C. Lamm C. Stoner J. Wicker Jim [A] C. Lamm D. Trimmer L. Wicker Quanbeck L. Wicker

MAY 22 Jim [C] H. Gerhold Jim T. Lukens Elsa Ju. Douden Jeff & Julia Armed Sara Laura Holy Trinity Quanbeck [T] N. Anderson Quanbeck J. Lamm Quanbeck M. Mitchell Douden Forces Neagley Desautels [T] R. Anderson C. Stoner J. Wicker Sunday Bob [A] R. Anderson D. Trimmer Diane L. Wicker Picnic Ardner L. Wicker Trimmer

MAY 29 Bob E. Neemeyer Bob T. Lukens Earl & Ju. Douden Alanna Open Sara Laura Pentecost 2C Ardner Ardner J. Lamm Mary Ellen M. Mitchell Sullivan Neagley Desautels [Proper 4C] C. Stoner Soliday J. Wicker John D. Trimmer L. Wicker Getty L. Wicker

PARISH CASH FLOW REPORT (January 1—March 31, 2016) OPERATION INCOME General Offering $41,881.00 Mission Offering 3,255.25 Building Fund 3,366.25 lcms ministry to the armed forces Plate Offering 3,056.00 Memorial 0.00 My Neighbor 40.00 May 22: Armed Forces Sunday Picnic IniFal Offering 310.00 Join the Operation Barnabas crew as we honor those who are serving and have served Lenten Offering 1,429.00 in our Armed Forces at our picnic on Sunday, May 22 after the Divine Service. Please Christmas Offering 50.00 invite families of service people from your neighborhoods to attend and be honored. Building Use 0.00 Sign up for various foods and committees on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Refund Income 106.50 Easter Offering 810.00 Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 25, when Calvary will host a Veterans Benefits Other Income 41.80 Event organized by Bill Reed of the YWCA in Harrisburg. More info will appear in the Epiphany 485.00 June Calvary Comment. Ash Wednesday 495.00 Collections continue for Operation Restore Dignity. See church bulletin for the list. Good Friday 265.00 Maundy Thursday 320.00 Thrivent Choice Dollars 335.00 Lutheran Witness 160.00 A Journey of Faith to Fort Wayne Sunday School 69.00 Members of Calvary, OperaFon Barnabas 500.00 Youth Group 5.00 As some of you may know, I have been accepted to study for the Office of the Preschool 10,430.61 Ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary - Fort Wayne (CTSFW). I will be starting classes this June, beginning with Greek. This is a decision that I have TOTAL INCOME $67,410.41 been working on for some time now, giving it careful consideration and prayer. EXPENDITURES 1000 Pastoral Expenses $21,768.66 Over a year ago, I attended a Prayerfully Consider Visit at the Fort Wayne (Salary & Benefits) seminary, and felt at home (I will never forget hearing the Agnus Dei sung at 2000 Personnel Expenses 3,902.60 the chapel and realizing I never heard anything so beautiful in person). I (Secretary, Organist) came home from the visit determined to apply, and the entire process has been 3000 Real Estate Expenses 9,321.84 exhausting, but worth it. I have learned quite a bit about myself and been (Insurance, U8li8es) challenged to grow personally and in my study of the Scriptures and our 4000 OperaFng Expenses 14,044.99 Lutheran theology. (Maintenance, Supplies) 5000 Ministry Expenses 1,253.41 After I left the ELCA over 7 years ago, I have always been fascinated by and (Board Ac8vi8es) excited about our confessional Lutheran heritage, in our doctrine and practice. 6000 Mission Support 2,000.00 I believe, that by anchoring ourselves to this heritage, we will not be swept (District Pledge, New Hope, Seminarian) away by the winds of change and the currents of pop culture. Christianity in 7000 Mortgage Payments 1,455.36 America should cling to this confessional anchor, instead of chasing after the 8000 Non-Budgeted Expenditures 10,461.79 fads and trends of what we see all around us. (Revolving, My Neighbor, Memorial, Preschool) The church is always in need of faithful pastors who will preach the Word in Budgeted Disbursements $53,746.86 season and out of season. It is always in need of pastors who will boldly confess the truths of Scripture and preach the pure Gospel. I hope to serve in Non-Budgeted Disbursements $10,461.79 the Mid-Atlantic Region or New England after completing the four years of seminary training. Even in our piece of south central Pennsylvania, we have TOTAL EXPENDITURES $64,208.65 people from all over the world who only know a false religion. People have come from Morocco, Bosnia, Nepal, Sudan, and other nations to work and live NET CASH FLOW +$3,201.76 here, having never heard of Christ, let alone being made His disciples through baptism. That is to say nothing of the people who’ve been born and raised in the area who have fallen away or believe in a god of their own making. As it is needed all over the world, so too is the Gospel needed in such a diverse New Hope Ministries Tidbits place as the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. 29th ANNUAL ECUMENICAL CHOIR CONCERT - featuring 100 voices I ask for your support, and most importantly, prayers to God on my behalf from 40 area churches will take place at 3 pm May 15 at St. Joseph's for my studies. Pray that God will work on me like a piece of iron being Catholic Church, 410 E. Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg. A free will worked on by a smith at his forge. Pray for the fine professors at the offering will be gathered to benefit New Hope Ministries seminaries, my fellow students, and for all pastors, including our own.

FLOWER PICK-UP - If you ordered ﬂowers from New Hope Ministries, In Christ, please claim them on May 8 in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you for your Brett Witmer support of this fundraiser for NHM's Mechanicsburg/West Shore Center. 5 CALVARY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 208 Woods Drive P. O. Box 374 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0374 Address Service Requested

Next Calvary Comment Deadline is Sunday, May 22, 2016. If possible, send info to [email protected].

…fom te Pastr (contnued fom p. 2) Wordsworth notes the fullness of the Incarnation’s mystery: that in So Saith the Psalms Jesus, human nature is now exalted into heaven. Now a Man is The Lebanon County Choral Society will present a present in the heavenly places, since Jesus assumed humanity in concert in Cornwall, PA at the Cornwall United order to save it: “Since therefore the children share in ﬂesh and Methodist Church (50 Freeman Rd) at 3 pm on blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through Sunday, May 22. The group will also celebrate the death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, 5th Anniversary of the Children’s Chorus in which the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”(Heb 2:14-15) The result of Jesus’ work is not Jaylin Werner, a baptized member of Calvary, for one Man to be present in the world to come. In His ascension, we participates. anticipate our blessed fate. Our shared destiny is to be raised with Jesus: “Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has For tickets and more info, visit their website at been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke,’ we also believe, and so we www.lccsmusic.org. also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”(2Co 4:13-14) That blessed fate is ours because Jesus has died, risen, and ascended. With that as our great hope, we rightly celebrate the day when His earthly work performed for us was completed.

(This is the ninth in a series of articles on hymns that deﬁne our journey in the Christian Life. Coming up next month is “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” - LSB 497)