Download - Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & School of Redding, CA

EXISTING TO BRING THE WORD OF LIFE TO LIFE
We have seen his star
Volume 8, Issue 1
January 2012
Matthew is the only gospel to mention the Magi. Do we know if they
were “simply” Wise Men or were they kings? We don’t know. Some
may call them kings because of Psalm 72:11 —“May all kings fall down
before him”. Do we know where they came from in the east? No, we
don’t. The Wise Men may have all come from Persia, or they may
have come from all over the world, Africa, China and Babylon. Do we
know how many Wise Men there were? We don’t know. Some interrupt
the three gifts mentioned (gold, frankincense and myrrh) in Matthew
to imply there were also three Wise Men. Considering they
came from a great distance and they came to honor a king, there may
very well have been dozens of men. Matthew does depict them as
the first Gentiles to recognize Jesus' significance. The Wise Men recognize
as king not some powerful ruler, but rather a child born in a
manger, and to parents of limited means. Yet the Wise Men saw the
Star and followed it to our Savior King.
Today, we point to the Star of Bethlehem every time we tell others
about the Babe born humbly in a manger who came to save you and
me from our sins so that we can spend eternity around his throne in
heaven. Please join us for our Epiphany celebration on Sunday, January
8, at 8:00 or 10:30 AM. Bring a friend…and point your friend to
the Babe who is their Savior King.

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Myrrh comes from the cistus or rock rose.
Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Falling before the Messiah-King, the Wise
Men presented extraordinary gifts:
gold — symbolizing kingship on earth
frankincense — an incense or perfume,
here acknowledging the deity
of Jesus, and
myrrh — an anointing or embalming
oil, symbolizing Christ’s anticipated
immortality
We all know what gold is, but what about
myrrh and frankincense?
Myrrh is first mentioned in the Bible in
Genesis 37:25: As they sat down to eat
their meal, they looked up and saw a
caravan of Ishmaelites coming from
Gilead. Their camels were loaded with
spices, balm, and myrrh, and they were
on their way to take them down to Egypt.
Myrrh can be identified with labdanum,
an aromatic gum exuded
from the leaves of the cistus or
rock rose. Its oil was used in
beauty treatments (Esther 2:12
Before a girl’s turn came to go in
to King Xerxes, she had to complete
twelve months of beauty
treatments prescribed for the
women, six months with oil of
myrrh and six with perfumes and
cosmetics.) Myrrh was sometimes
mixed with wine and drunk to relieve
pain (Mark 15:23 Then they (the Roman
soldiers) offered him (Jesus) wine
mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.)
As a gift fit for a king, myrrh was brought
to Jesus after his birth and applied to his
body after his death (John 19:39-40: He
was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man
who earlier had visited Jesus at night.
Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh
and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them
wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of
linen. This was in accordance with Jewish
burial customs.)
Frankincense is a dry resin distilled from
the bark of Boswellia carteri, which grows
in southern Arabia. Frankincense is used
in perfumery and aromatherapy. The
Egyptians ground the charred resin into a
powder called kohl, which was used to
make the distinctive black eyeliner seen
on so many figures in Egyptian art. The
aroma of frankincense is said to represent
life and the Judaic, Christian, and
Islamic faiths have often used frankincense
mixed with oils to anoint newborn
infants and individuals considered to be
moving into a new phase in their spiritual
lives.
Frankincense comes from Boswellia carteri.
“Epiphany” comes from the Greek
word for manifestation or
“to make known”
Pictured: gold, frankincense and myrrh

Join us
Our celebration of Epiphany also indicates
that it’s time to return the Lord’s house to
it’s normal atmosphere. It’s time to return
the decorations, wreaths, candles to storage
to await the next Advent-Christmas-
Epiphany season.
An undecorating party will be held this Sunday,
January 8 beginning at 11:45 AM.
Lunch will be provided for workers. More
than two dozen members came to help
decorate in December. How many will
participate in taking down all the embellishments?
Many hands make light work
for everyone!
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Thank you so much!
We would like to say thank you to all those
who prayed for, visited, and/or sent cards
to Neal while he was in the hospital and
then in rehab. It is so reassuring to know
that there are so many supporters at Mt.
Calvary! Your support is truly appreciated.
The Lord has blessed Neal with renewed
strength and we are so thankful.
The Lord is good!
Sylvia & Neal Huss
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

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Friendship Sunday
Mt. Calvary’s Outreach Committee is sponsoring
our sixth annual Friendship Sunday
on February 12 at 8:00 and 10:30 AM.
You are encouraged to invite, bring, cajole,
or carry your friends, neighbors, coworkers
and family to church with you
that day. Printed invitations will be available
soon so that you can invite them easily.
Again, this year, there will be a potluck
luncheon following the second service so
you and your friends can fellowship with
other visitors and members. Watch for
the sign-up sheet to provide help for the
Friendship Luncheon.
Let’s be salt and light in front of all those
around us!
Food for the soul
On December 11th we held our monthly
park day at South City Park. The weather
was a little nippy, but overall, not to cold.
We served chili, chips and bottled water
to more than 60 needy people. A big
thank you goes out to Kim Simpson, Ila
Van Boekel and Kathy Wallace for making
the food that day. Rick and Becky Hall
graciously assembled all the hygiene
bags. Food for the Soul was blessed in
December with the help of two members
from Faith Lutheran Church in Anderson -
- Babe Zacharias and Eleanor Hackett --
who contributed some hygiene bags of
their own. But the ladies didn't stand
around! Both ladies rolled up their
sleeves and jumped right in. Babe and
Eleanor served food and distributed socks
and toiletries. We welcome their support
and hope this will be an ongoing joint
project between the two congregations.
We relish the fellowship between our
churches and we all need to share to gospel
with those in need.
Other thanks go to Bree Wallace and
Keith Simpson who helped at the park
along with Shirley Cruz. We all can rely
on Shirley! Even though she is not affiliated
with our church, she realizes the
importance of sharing God's great commission.
We were blessed by the donation of two
sleeping bags which we gave to two very
needy individuals. They had been sleeping
in the bushes when the temperature
dropped to below freezing that week.
Consequently, they were very happy and
thankful to receive the sleeping bags.
Kathy Wallace had the opportunity to talk
with “Bill”, a very disillusioned young man
who refused any food or help. Bill said
“God can’t love me.” But after talking with
Kathy, Bill learned that God loves him in
spite of anything Bill has done. Kathy presented
the saving message of the gospel,
and Bill’s attitude took a major turn! He
then enjoyed a meal with us. Bill is what
this ministry is all about! We’re living the
message of God’s love. First we take care
of their immediate needs by feeding and
clothing the homeless, just like Jesus did.
Then we give them the beautiful picture of
the redemptive work of our Savior.
The next park day will be Sunday, January
29th at 2:00 PM, weather permitting. In
January, we’ll be serving soup, bottled water
and bread. Donations of trial size bottles
of soap, lotions, shampoo and conditioner
are always needed. At this time, we
are also running low on socks (men’s and
women’s new socks).
Please join us in praying that God will touch
the hearts of many of Mt. Calvary’s members
to help spread the Gospel to the less
fortunate through Food for the Soul. Many
homeless people are military veterans.
They have already made great sacrifices to
guarantee our freedom. If you have any
questions -- or if God compels you to help --
please talk with either Mary or Kathy Wallace.

Your commitment
You will receive a letter in the mail this
month giving you an opportunity to pray
and think about ways you can serve your
Lord through Mt. Calvary. Every communicant
member is urged to fill out a sheet
with their intentions for 2012.
During both worship services on January
29, you will have the opportunity to offer
your intentions to the Lord. Your sealed
Envelopes & statements
Our Financial Secretary has set out a box
of offering envelopes for 2012 for each
“giving unit” of our congregation — one
box per married couple; one box per confirmed
youth. The boxes are on the table
in the church entry — you can’t miss
them!
The new envelopes should be used beginning
January 1. Because of changes in the
It’s time!
As soon as we begin a new calendar year,
we begin planning and preparing for the
next school year. This means that enrollment
will be open and we will begin accepting
applications for children entering
preschool through eighth grade. If you
are interested in enrolling your child at
Mt. Calvary, information packets
(including an application) can be requested
at the school office. If you have
any questions about how Mt. Calvary Lutheran
School can serve your family with
high quality Christian education, please
do not hesitate to contact Mr. Dan Douglas,
our principal. Dan would love to discuss
the blessings of Mt. Calvary with
you!
Small Class Sizes = BIG Opportunities!
As you consider where you will send your
child to school next school year, consider
the big opportunities children have at Mt.
Calvary.
plans will remain on the altar as an offering
to the Lord throughout 2012. At the beginning
of 2013, your unopened envelope will
be returned to you so you will be able to
evaluate what you accomplished over this
year with the Lord’s help.
May the Lord bless your efforts to serve him
in 2012! Give as he has given for you!
congregation every year, you may have a
different envelope number so be sure to use
the new ones in 2012 as the computer is set
up for the new numbering system.
Any offerings received in 2012, will be
posted to your 2012 statement for tax purposes.
A statement of your donations in
2011 will be available soon and can be used
to file your tax return.
Instruction in God’s Word as it is found
in the Holy Bible — The same truths
taught in our church are reinforced in our
school. The solid foundation in God’s
Word that children in our school receive
prepares them to stand firm against the
attacks of the devil and the sinful world in
which we live.
Well-rounded curriculum permeated
by Christian values (core subject areas,
visual and fine arts, physical education,
computer skills, foreign language — balanced
preparation for life). Standardized
test results demonstrate that our students
are learning at a very high level, and Jesus
Christ is at the center of everything they
learn.
You can learn more at our school at our
website www.mtcalvaryredding.org.
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When schools
flourish,
all flourish.
— Martin Luther

Page 6
MLC graduates
Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm,
MN, graduated 19 students at its December
15 mid-year graduation ceremony.
Of the 19 graduates, seven graduated
with early childhood education degrees,
six with elementary education, two with
secondary education, one with both elementary
and early childhood, two with
educational studies, and one with staff
ministry.
Two graduates elected international service.
Graduate Rachel Wendland says,
“Four and a half years of study, and God's
continued grace, and now I am prepared
and excited to serve God's people in the
full-time ministry, beginning halfway
across the world in Zambia.”
candidates to ministry positions as they
become available through the work of
the Holy Spirit in local congregations and
mission fields.
Mr. Bill Pekrul, director of public relations
at MLC, says, “The graduates are
eager to apply their education to their
roles as seminary students, staff ministers,
teachers, lay leaders, and international
educators.”
The Conference of Presidents made two
call assignments to previous graduates,
one for teaching and one for staff ministry.
WELS as a church body calls these
Annual congregational meeting
The annual congregational meeting will be
held Sunday, January 29, at 9:15 AM. PHJr.
will be offered that day, but not adult Power
Hour. Reports from all committees and
boards will bring members up to date on
events in 2011 and plans for 2012.
The Nominating Committee has searched,
prayed and found a few good men willing to
accept elected leadership roles for the next
term. Elections will be part of the meeting
on January 29. We thank this year’s Nominating
Committee members (Tony Van
Boekel, John Lagoy and Wayne Hadsel) for
their labors for the Lord at Mt. Calvary.
One person will be elected for each to the
following offices, except for the Elders. Positions
that will be filled are:
Vice President — Dave Simpson
Recording Secretary — Matt Rhodes or Ken
Fields
Financial Secretary — Randall Burris
Elder (2) — Gene Jenkins and John Lagoy
Board of Outreach Chairman — Mark
Wallace
School Board Chairman — Todd Larson
Member at Large — Rick Hall or Kevin
Nadin
These are key positions within the leadership
of our congregation. Filling these positions
is not something to be taken lightly.
It is something to be done with prayer—
earnest, humble prayer — seeking to do
what’s best for the gospel. The Lord
knows Mt. Calvary’s future. He knows
who has the talents and gifts we need in
the next two years and beyond. Let’s all
ask him to select the best men possible for
these vital positions.

Connecting with fellow members
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Two efforts are underway to make it easier
for members to get to know each other and
stay connected.
First, the entry way photo board is being
updated. Danielle Van Boekel will be snapping
pictures every Sunday in January.
Look for her between or after services and
say, “Please take my picture!” Several new
photos have already been inserted on the
picture board. Check out the fresh new
look!
Laurie Larson is helping members to
greet one another on birthdays and anniversaries.
Laurie has posted a calendar
on the bulletin board where members
can write in their names on their
special days. Monthly Laurie will publish
a list of celebrants so you can offer special
greetings. If you haven’t done so
already, please fill in your memorable
dates on Laurie’s calendar.
Youth activity
The Junior Youth Group (grades 3-8)
will have a fun afternoon
making their own pizza.
While they savor their creations,
they will watch a movie.
This will all take place on Sunday, January 22
from 3:00-5:00 PM at church.
Come one, come all...and bring a friend!
Inspiration
It’s a new year — a great time to try different
things and discover new opportunities.
At Forward in Christ, they are starting some
new things — including two new series.
One will discuss sacramental living, with the
first article concentrating on the saving
power of baptism. The other is exploring
who Jesus is — both true God and true
man. The two series even overlap this
month, with the first article on Jesus looking
at the importance of our Lord’s baptism.
One of FIC’s long-running series — Confessions
of Faith — got a new look. But even
though the layout has changed, the message
hasn’t. The Holy Spirit continues to
wok in the hearts of people around the
world, bringing them to faith in Jesus.
Check out the article on Mayu Takada, a
Japanese graduate from Martin Luther
College. And don’t forget. We’re always
looking for stories of faith to share. Contact
us at fic@wels.net.
Finally, take a look in our news section at
some of the new mission outreach opportunities
that God has given to WELS
throughout the world. There you can
learn how we’re reaching out in Canada,
Haiti, Milwaukee, and southeast Asia.
The January issue of Forward in Christ is
available on the back counter in the sanctuary.
Help yourself!

Ministry minutes
Here is the report of your participation in our ministry at Mt. Calvary.
Page 8
Worship Attendance:
Average:
Power Hour Attendance:
Average:
PHJr Attendance:
Average:
Gifts of Love:
Average:
Dec 2011
395
132 (52/80)
140
47
10
3
$36,372.20
$4,546.53
Nov 2011
601
150 (68/93)
196
49
36
9
$21,103.66
$5,275.92
Dec 2010
558
140 (64/76)
219
73
40
13
$91,263.56
$22.815.89
Special Services 2011 2010
Midweek Advent
Average 83 114
Children’s Christmas 152 230
Candlelight 122 170
Christmas Day 101 132
New Year’s Eve 42 73
Next newsletter deadline is
February 8.
Submit articles or info to
Naomi Henkel.
Serving the Lord and Mt. Calvary
Early
Ushers:
Gerry Wygant, Matt Rhodes, Ray Henkel
+ volunteer needed (Feb)
Elders:
Parker, Jenkins (Feb)
Greeters:
Randal & Andrea Burris (Feb)
Coffee:
Deanna Gunter (Feb)
Communion Set Up:
Randal Burris (Feb)
PHJr. Teachers:
Volunteers needed (Feb)
Late
(Feb) Tony Van Boekel, Jeff Geraci, Jason Rhodes,
Anthony Van Boekel
(Feb) Busby, Hadsel
(Feb) Lisa & Kendal Geraci
Cleaners:
Volunteers needed — for each Saturday in
December and January
Communion Clean Up:
(Feb) Vicki Busby, Beth Bertolus
Nursery:
(1.15) Paula Burris
(1.22) Carol Ulloa, Natalie Ulloa
(1.29) Sherri Jenkins, Dalton Mitchell
(2.5) Brenda Wilson, Bridget Wilson
(2.12) Barbara Gunter, Jake Van Boekel