CALVARY COMMENT August 2016

from the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church Lord Jesus is Above Al Tings The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Many of the Church’s hymns rightly focus on the acts that the LORD performs for His people. Those acts provide a rationale for praising English District Him, as Christians offer worship for what the LORD has done for 208 Woods Drive, PO Box 374 them. That is not only seen in the Church’s hymnody, but in the Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 psalms and canticles of the Scriptures. But other hymns are focused on the LORD’s attributes. They laud the LORD’s uniqueness, how The Rev. Luke T. Zimmerman, Pastor He differs from humanity and other parts of His creation. Lyrics testify about the LORD’s holiness and greatness, His power and The Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Kraus, might. Such hymns are often listed in the “Praise and Adoration” Pastor Emeritus section of the hymnal; those specifically written about Jesus might be Church Office: 717.697.9771 grouped in the “Redeemer” section. Preschool: 717.796.1369 Email: One of the hymns in the category is “Beautiful Savior.” An [email protected] anonymous hymn from Germany, it was translated by Joseph Seiss Parish Web Site: [1823–1904], a Lutheran clergyman and academic who served in www.calvarylutheranmechanicsburg.org Philadelphia during most of his career. The hymn has appeared in most English Lutheran hymnals since the early 20th Century, becoming part of the standard American Lutheran repertoire. Its text worships Jesus, noting how He surpasses the grandeur of all things in creation. Stewardship Corner It’s Our Response to a Gift! Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Luke 10:25 “And behold, a lawyer stood Son of and Son of Man! up to put him to the test, saying, Truly I’d love Thee, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown. eternal life?’” Talk about the wrong [Lutheran Service Book 537:1] question! You can’t do anything to inherit something – it’s either yours by The hymn opens with several titles that denote Jesus’ identity. The birth or you are not in the family and following stanzas develop the ideas that those titles convey. Stanza 1 there’s nothing you can do to inherit it. also includes vows of love and service. These are declarations of a We are part of the family through true disciple of Jesus. The vows echo the Psalter: “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your Baptism. We don’t have to buy our way holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to into the Kingdom – we are brought in by God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, the precious Blood of Christ. Our good my God.”(Ps 43:3-4) They also allude to the prophesied end for all the works are not the purchase price of the LORD’s people: “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and Kingdom – they are simply what the come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; children of the Father want to do in they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee thanksgiving to Him. away.”(Is 35:10) continued on page 2 1 Fair are the meadows, Beautiful Savior, Fair are the woodlands, Lord of the nations, Robed in flowers of blooming spring; Son of God and Son of Man! Jesus is fairer, Glory and honor, Jesus is purer, Praise, adoration He makes our sorrowing spirit sing. Now and forevermore be Thine! [Lutheran Service Book 537:2] [Lutheran Service Book 537:4] Stanza 2 compares Jesus to the meadows and woodlands. Stanza 4 provides a doxology for Jesus. His title “Beautiful The meadows and woodlands are rightly described as Savior” is repeated. So is the testimony about His divine “fair.” Jesus Himself spoke of the beauty of flowers: and human natures: “Son of God and Son of Man.” Because “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they of His attributes, Jesus is truly worthy of praise, while neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all adoration of the creation is not. That is important to his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”(Mt 6:28b-29) But remember: the Creator is to be worshiped, not the the glory that Jesus possesses is greater than both creatures. Speaking about pagan humanity, Paul notes the Solomon and the lilies of the field. For Jesus doesn’t grave error when that is reversed: “For although they possess a temporal beauty nor does He have a majesty knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks simply to show off. Instead, Jesus’ superiority is in both to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their having a greater glory than creation and using that glory foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they to raise up fallen humanity: “The LORD is high above all became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the God for images resembling mortal man and birds and LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to of their bodies among themselves, because they make them sit with princes, with the princes of his exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped people.”(Ps 113:4-8) and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”(Ro 1:21-25) In our day, such Fair is the sunshine, adoration of the creation continues to be seen, too often to Fair is the moonlight, the ignoring or denigrating of God. Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter, But we have come to know that our Lord Jesus is above Jesus shines purer all things. Not only is Jesus superior, He uses that Than all the angels in the sky. superiority for our benefit: “He is the image of the [Lutheran Service Book 537:3] invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and Stanza 3 continues the comparison of Jesus to the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or creation. This time, the point of comparison is in the light authorities—all things were created through him and for that shines from the sun, moon, and stars. That light him. And he is before all things, and in him all things provides guidance and direction, so that humanity may hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. work in this world. But Jesus has a greater radiance than He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all the celestial beings because of His nature: “He is the everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”(Col 1:15-20) the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as Our “Beautiful Savior” gives us the grandeur of His much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is righteousness for us to possess. For that, there is nothing more excellent than theirs.”(Heb 1:3-4) The superior glory better to do than to make the hymn’s lyrics about Jesus that Jesus possesses guides mankind to true life: “And the our own: “Truly I’d love Thee, / Truly I’d serve Thee, / Light city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the of my soul, my joy, my crown.” glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be (This is the final article in a series of twelve articles on hymns that define our (Rv 21:23-25) shut by day—and there will be no night there.” journey in the Christian Life.)

2 Church Council Report: July 2016 ✦ The Stewardship Board is working on the Time & Talents survey.

✦ The Youth Board thanked Carolyn Stoner for her help with the Operation Barnabas Veteran Service Fair. The Board is also planning fall events as well as fund-raising projects so Calvary youth can attend the 2019 Youth Gathering. The goal is $14,000—$20,000. Upcoming Dates

✦ The Council followed through on Voters Assembly approval of two Monday-Wednesday, August 1–3 committees. Staffing Steering Committee will be Bruce Yerger Continuing Ed Class for (corporate officer), Bob Ardner (Deacon), and Brian Strickler (at-large). Sunday, September 11 Two additional at-large members are to be appointed at the August Rally Day for Sunday School Council meeting. Auditory Communication Committee will be Bonnie Schulte (corporate officer), John Getty (Deacon), and Jim Blockus (at- Tuesday, September 6 large). Two additional at-large members are to be appointed at the Bible History Resumes 7:30 August Council meeting. Sunday, September 18 Voters Assembly Noon ✦ Jim Blockus, chair of the 120th Anniversary Committee, is still seeking a cook for the event on October 23, 2016. Sunday, September 25 Constitution Assembly Noon ✦ Education Chair Christine Kraus reported that Karissa Valora will serve as Director/Afternoon Teacher for the 2016-2017 Preschool year.

Ray Miller invited those interested in serving on either Voters Assembly Report committee to see him directly. Following approval of minutes and financial reports from Ray Miller will present in a published format at the September Bonnie Schulte, Kim Brackett, and Jeff Douden, President Ray 2016 meeting a list of initial work needed in Capital Miller presented items that involved establishing committees Improvement Projects. He will also appoint a steering to provide guidance on paid staffing and agreements, committee to address sanctuary renovations. Initial particularly those with church musicians, and how to lead a considerations are lighting, pews, carpeting, paint, sound congregation-wide discussion about how church music is system, ceiling fans, HVAC (natural gas, solar power, more integrated within the various aspects of congregational life, efficient heating/cooling units) as well as the kitchen facility, including worship. etc. The committee will be charged with assembling costs for presentation to the Voters Assembly, including priorities and The first committee will evaluate any existing documents and financing. Members who have project recommendations to be policies in order to determine changes that should be made. undertaken should submit them to Ray Miller. This would include identifying conflicts between policies and practice, as well as noting staff adjustments that may be Board reports were given. Deacons presented Guidelines for needed. The committee’s task would be short term and should Holy Matrimony which will be published in next month’s be completed in six months. Written status reports will be Comment. Matt Goheen (Trustees) thanked the mowing teams provided at each monthly Council meeting. and reported on the water line repair facilitated by a Trustee member. The second committee is to provide guidance on how to lead a congregation-wide discussion about how church music is In New Business, Pastor Zimmerman shared that Brett Witmer, integrated in congregational life. This includes examining the a member of Calvary, will study for the ministry at Concordia record of past strategic planning meetings where this topic was Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne. He proposed that we discussed. The committee will also determine how best to support Brett through gifts to the church marked as solicit congregational input as to how the integration of church Seminarian Brett Witmer. The total suggested congregational music at Calvary could be enhanced. The committee’s task support for the 2016-2017 academic year is $4,500 given in fall, will be short term and should be completed in six months. It winter, and spring. Funds will be sent directly to the school for would provide a written status report at each monthly Council tuition. meeting. A draft copy of the complete minutes is posted on the bulletin board in the social hall.

3 Ladies August Activities “Sock It to Me” Time is Here Continuing Education Lunches CelebrateAugust Birthdays In August, the Ladies Aid collects The Ladies Aid is preparing 1 Heidi Jacobson white tube socks for men and lunches for visiting pastors who 6 Ava Brackett women in the annual campaign are taking the summer continuing 12 Matthew Stettler which will run education class here at Calvary. through August 30. Monday, August 1 is Beef BBQ; 17 Nichole Goheen These socks are Tuesday, August 2 is Mini-Subs; 18 Paul Anderson given to the Helping Wednesday, August 3 is Lasagna. 19 Hannah Baum Hands Ministries 22 Susan Flickinger of Harrisburg to Those who signed up to bring 25 Margie Mitchell be distributed to items should drop them off in the 31 Donna Castro the needy. kitchen and let Tam Lukens or Linda Goheen know where they NHM Lunches for Youth Program are. Anyone who can help serve is Our second baloney and cheese welcomed. August Anniversaries lunch assembly occurs August 3 at 8 Scott & Marie Frick 6:30 pm. See Tam or Linda Goheen if you can help.

Welcome New Member Bible History Course Resumes September 6 Asher Ridge Zehring, son of Katrina & Our study of the historical narratives of the Scriptures resumes on Anthony Zehring and grandson of Jim Tuesday, September 6. Last year, the course looked at the Books of & Kathy Blockus, was baptized into Moses. This year, we will examine the events recorded in the books the Kingdom of God on July 10. of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and 1 & 2 Samuel. Historical figures from these books include Joshua, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, Saul, and May Asher David. grow in faith as an heir of Classes will begin at 7:30pm and conclude around 8:45pm. All salvation who wish to learn more about the LORD and the record of His through Jesus Covenant People in the Old Testament are invited to attend. Christ, our Lord.

Bottle Blast! Tally

Thanks to the generous support of Calvary members, the final total in the 29 bottles returned was $905.92. One bottle remains in circulation of the 30 that were distributed on Mother's Day.

All proceeds go to the Capital Area Pregnancy Center.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

4 AUGUST 2016 PARISH CALENDAR

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6

Cont. Ed. Class: 9am–5pm Cont. Ed. Class: 9am–5pm Cont. Ed. Class: 9am–3pm

Bd. of Education: 6:30pm Lectionary Study: 7pm

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 12th Sunday after Pentecost Church Council: 7pm Lectionary Study: 7pm Calvary Men’s Summer Bible Class: 9:00am Group: 9:30am Divine Service: 10:30am

Pastor at District BOD Meeting – Detroit, MI

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 th 13 Sunday after Pentecost Mary, Mother of Our Lord Lectionary Study: 7pm LWML/Ladies Aid Summer Bible Class: 9:00am Board of Deacons: 7pm Society: 9:30am Divine Service: 10:30am

Operation Barnabas: Noon

Newsletter Submission Deadline 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 14th Sunday after Pentecost Bartholomew, Apostle

Summer Bible Class: 9:00am Lectionary Study: 7pm Divine Service: 10:30am

28 29 30 31 SEP 1 SEP 2 SEP 3 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Summer Bible Class: 9:00am

Divine Service: 10:30am

←̶̶̶ — Pastor Zimmerman’s Vacation Week: AUG 28—SEP 3 —→ SERVING IN AUGUST 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 --> Pastor Pastor Pastor John Church Polly Tamara Tamara Kim Jim Zimmerman Zimmerman Zimmerman Getty Secretary Pass Lukens Lukens Brackett Wicker AUG 7 Bob H. Gerhold Bob E. Soliday Ray S. Neagley Audrey Elsa Bob Matt Pentecost 12C Ardner Ardner N. Akers Miller P. Pass Ayoub Quanbeck Wallick Goheen [Proper 14C] P. Anderson M.E. Soliday Jim S. Frick Tamara Diane Quanbeck F. Issel Lukens Trimmer K. Murphy

AUG 14 Jim A. Brackett Jim E. Soliday Elsa S. Neagley Carolyn Open Bob Matt Pentecost 13C Quanbeck Quanbeck N. Akers Quanbeck P. Pass Stoner Wallick Goheen [Proper 15C] P. Anderson M.E. Soliday John S. Frick Diane Getty F. Issel Trimmer K. Murphy

AUG 21 John D. Raymond John E. Soliday Earl & S. Neagley Jim & Jane Open Bob Matt Pentecost 14C Getty Getty N. Akers Mary Ellen P. Pass Lowell Wallick Goheen [Proper 16C] P. Anderson Soliday M.E. Soliday Bob S. Frick Ardner F. Issel K. Murphy

AUG 28 Jamie N. Anderson Jamie E. Soliday Tamara S. Neagley Donna Open Bob Matt Pentecost 15C Brackett Brackett N. Akers Lukens P. Pass Castro Wallick Goheen [Proper 17C] P. Anderson M.E. Soliday Jim S. Frick Quanbeck F. Issel K. Murphy

PARISH CASH FLOW REPORT (January 1—June 30, 2016) OPERATION INCOME General Offering $82,561.50 Mission Offering 6,153.50 Building Fund 7,092.50 lcms ministry to the armed forces Plate Offering 5,433.00 Memorial 100.00 My Neighbor 40.00 VETERAN RESOURCE FAIR A SUCCESS! IniHal Offering 313.00 Seven service providers had tables at the first Veteran Lenten Offering 1,554.00 Thanksgiving Offering 50.00 Resource Fair on Saturday, June 25. Approximately 25 Advent Offering 0.00 veterans and their families (including a 4-month old Christmas Offering 0.00 baby) attended the event. Building Use 250.00 Ascension Day 165.00 Four veterans in crisis received immediate assistance from Refund Income 162.80 the service providers and three combat veterans signed Easter Offering 835.00 Other Income 443.95 up for supplementary counseling services to help with Epiphany 485.00 combat-related problems. Ash Wednesday 520.00 Good Friday 290.00 Thanks to the YWCA of Harrisburg—Veterans Program Maundy Thursday 345.00 Office, Volunteers of America, New Hope Ministries, Christmas Eve 0.00 Thrivent Choice Dollars 465.00 American Red Cross Veterans Services, Transition Lutheran Witness 160.00 Assistance Advisors, VA Readjustment Counseling Sunday School 208.00 Services (for combat veterans), and OperaHon Barnabas 1,550.00 Department of Veterans Affairs, a number of veterans not Youth Group 5.00 only received help but learned what is available to them. Preschool 19,451.60

TOTAL INCOME $128,633.85 Thank you to the Operation Barnabas Committee for prep and cleanup work and to the Youth Group who prepared EXPENDITURES and served lunch. 1000 Pastoral Expenses $43,551.33 (Salary & Benefits) 2000 Personnel Expenses 7,826.44 (Secretary, Organist) 3000 Real Estate Expenses 16,049.08 (Insurance, U8li8es) 4000 OperaHng Expenses 22,979.04 (Maintenance, Supplies) 5000 Ministry Expenses 2,820.35 (Board Ac8vi8es) 6000 Mission Support 6,500.00 (District Pledge, New Hope, Seminarian) 7000 Mortgage Payments 2,910.72 8000 Non-Budgeted Expenditures 20,064.38 (Revolving, My Neighbor, Memorial, Preschool)

Budgeted Disbursements $102,636.96 Non-Budgeted Disbursements $ 20,064.38

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $122,701.34

NET CASH FLOW +$5,932.51 Bill Reed (r) informed the Operation Barnabas group that former homeless veterans who now have housing are in need of basic supplies. Bob Ardner (l) with committee approval purchased 9 sets of pots, pans, and utensils to get the veterans started in their new homes. More ways that Calvary can help will be announced in September.

5 CALVARY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 208 Woods Drive P. O. Box 374 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0374 Address Service Requested

Next Calvary Comment Deadline is Earlier than Usual: Sunday, August 14, 2016. If possible, send info to [email protected].

To My Calvary Family, Among those of us second-career folks, we used to work a variety of jobs: semi-truck driver, teacher, dancer, ex-military, I have been here now over a month, but it Right-to-Life organization executive, IT personnel, etc. So we seems like I arrived just yesterday. Greek is are bringing in a variety of experiences and coming in at still going well, but it certainly does have its various stages of life. Some guys are just starting their challenges and some days go better than families, while others have several children. It teaches us to others. I still spend plenty of time per day think about and offer help to each other, trying to bear each studying Greek, and I have never worked other’s burdens along the way. harder on a class like I have on this one (but that’s why it’s a 10-week intensive!). No Thank you for all you have done and all your support, one has dropped the class; we are intent on seeing this through including the prayers, cards, and messages! It all means so to the end. much to me and I thank God for you, Calvary. Knowing all you are pulling for me back home gives me the encouragement I thought I might tell you a little about my classmates and to see this through! I will return for the last two weeks of some of the fellow seminarians here in Fort Wayne—at least August, and then I will return here to Fort Wayne to officially about those that are here now, before more arrive in the fall. begin as a seminarian for Fall Quarter. We come from all over the country, but most come from the Midwest. I’ve also found more folks from North Carolina and Remember, you can listen to the 9:35am EST chapel services California than our Commonwealth! Many did not grow up in here through the CTSFW website (ctsfw.edu, click on the the LCMS, quite a number of us grew up in the ELCA and left. “Daily Chapel” link), or through Lutheran Public Radio at Quite a few others grew up Pentecostal or Baptist and issuesetc.org. converted to . So we cling to our historic in the Lutheran Confessions, for we know what a treasure it is. In Christ, Brett 6