Connect

Let's connect during the week.

Christian faith formation is a lifelong journey. That's why we are doing our best to make it easy for you to connect with God and others in authentic relationships throughout the week. No one person is an island and the faith journey is not meant to be done alone, so are working together to make it easier for you to join a faith community in this COVID season and beyond.

Children

Youth

Adults

Children's Ministries

Kidzone A Message for Kids

Kidzone

KidZone is online at least through February 13 from 9 to 9:30. The zoom link is found in the weekly update every Thursday. Click here to subscribe.

Kids 3 years old through the 5th grade are invited into the KidZone every Sunday where the Bible and its truths come alive through drama, science fun, crazy games, and awesome songs. Join the adventure each Sunday morning online via zoom at 9:00-9:30. The Zoom link can be found in the E-news or weekly update!

Our KidZone Schedule:

January 23 & 30

The Disciples: Jesus calls us to be His disciples, to follow Him, to share our gifts with others, and to fish for people! Kids will learn how to fish for people and to share their gifts with others.

Jesus and John the Baptist: The Baptism of Jesus shows us how God’s love comes to us through the Holy Spirit. In baptism, our sins are forgiven and we are welcomed into God's family! What a wonderful gift baptism is in our lives of faith!

Advent & Christmas Activities:

The KidZone, when we are in person, is a place where kids can encounter Jesus and the Bible in crews of up to 5 kids. They travel between stations like Awesome Art, Super Science, Bible Adventures, and SongFest. Through active, hands-on activities, kids learn about Jesus and the Bible each Sunday. KidZone utilizes drama, science experiments, crafts, games, music, singing, and much more to open the world of faith, hope, and love to all kids and their families!

COVID PRECAUTIONS: Calvary Lutheran is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for children that supports the spiritual, social, and emotional development of kids. The KidZone in-person version will:

Utilize in-person volunteers who are vaccinated.
Require the consistent and correct wearing of masks by all participants and volunteers.
Maintain at least 3 ft. of physical distance at all times.
Limit each crew to a maximum of 5 kids each Sunday.
Complete temperature screening of all participants at drop-off.
Use hand sanitizer between each station.
Clean and disinfect each station prior to kids' arrival each Sunday.

Register your kids for Children's Ministries here at Calvary Lutheran!

For online registration click here!

To download a paper registration form click here.

Subscribe to the E-news and Weekly Update Here.

A Message for Kids

Faith Formation for Youth

Sundays in the Wave ELCA Youth Gathering Confirmation: Wednesday, January 26 Student Leadership & Service!

Sundays in the Wave

Sunday Mornings in the Wave! Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to rekindle their faith in Jesus and to cultivate their lives by opening God's Word. Learn daily practices and disciplines that will shape your understanding of self. We are back online for a while via Zoom. Join us 11:15 - 11:45 AM each Sunday. Jackbox Games are always included. Zoom link included in our weekly update. To subscribe click here!

ELCA Youth Gathering

Time is running out to register!

Download the forms below and drop them off at church with a $100 deposit by January 16. Youth gatherings are life-shaping, faith-defining experiences! Young people who are in 8th grade through 12th grade at the time of their registration are eligible! Be a part of Calvary's group on July 24-28, 2022 who will be joining 30,000 high school youth from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Minneapolis.

2022 ELCA Youth Gathering-boundless-Calvary Lutheran Church

Click the following links to see what youth gatherings are about.

Download and complete the all following forms and return to Jeff with a nonrefundable $150 deposit by Sunday, January 24.

Confirmation: Wednesday, January 26

Confirmation

This milestone ministry is an exploration into our Christian faith in preparation for an affirmation of pour baptism. We study the scriptures through lens of Luther's Small Catechism. This month we explore the teaching of Law and Gospel and Loving our Neighbor. Join us Wednesday, January 26 from 7:30 - 8:30 online!

Download the rubric appropriate for your confirmation project!

Register for Middle School Ministries at Calvary Lutheran!

Click here for online registration.

To download a paper registration form click here.

For more information contact our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries Jeff Moeller.

Student Leadership & Service!

Student Leaders Rock!

Young people are the church of today. They are gifted, talented, and called by God to put to use their gifts and talents to join Jesus in His mission to seek and save the lost. This is what is happening in Calvary Lutheran's faith community.

Students in grades 6-12 your gifts, talents, and presence are needed to lead our faith community into this new world. Click the links, sign up, and put yourself out there for the following opportunities to be your awesome self!

Student Leadership Team- This group of youth and adults meets on the first Sunday of each month. Our next meeting is online Sunday, February 6 from 11:15-11:45. Church membership is not required. Our mission is to develop and carry out a vision to mobilize young people for spiritual growth and to battle homelessness and its many maladies. Join us!
Children's Messages- We are looking for some young people to jump into the pool of volunteers who are recording Children's Messages. Young people in grades 6-12 are invited to record a completely scripted object lesson that will be shared with children at each worship service. You can even personalize the script. Sign up here for a Sunday!
Make a Joyful Noise!- Matt & Ellie Kuehnert have formed a singing group of youth that will lead in our worship on Sundays. A world tour is just around the corner! Sign up here. shared with children at each worship service.
Crew Leader- Lead a group of 5 children through various stations each Sunday at the Kidzone from 9-9:55 for 6 weeks. No teaching or preparation is involved! You just relate with, connect to, and help navigate a crew of 5 awesome kids! Calvary needs parents and students in grades 6-12 to share their gifts, talents, time and shine the light and love of Jesus into a young person's life. Sign up here!
TACO! Help feed the homeless and food-insecure on the 4th Monday of each month at First Lutheran in San Diego. We meet at 3 PM at Calvary's lower parking lot and return by 6 PM. Read more!

Our ministry to middle and high school students and their families includes resourcing parents, retreats, small group Bible studies, community service, and youth gatherings. Contact our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Jeff Moeller for more information and the Zoom links!

Register for Student Ministries at Calvary Lutheran!

Click here for online registration.

To download a paper registration form click here.

Faith Formation of Adults

Sunday Morning Adult Forum LIFE Circles Parents and the Christian Home Library

Sunday Morning Adult Forum

This Sunday

We welcome Nicole Mione-Green, executive director of Casa di Amistad, one of our partner organizations during Launch Sunday. Since 1997, Casa de Amistad, a non-profit organization, has served children and families in coastal North County San Diego through education and mentoring programs. Its academic mentoring program has grown from serving 3 children on its first night to serving over 260 children and their families annually.

Please join us in person in the Fellowship Hall

at 11:15 a.m. or by Zoom at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/472975188

Meeting ID: 472 975 188

LIFE Circles

LIFE Circles is a small group ministry, that connects 3-8 people to each other and to God's word. We are starting several sermon-based groups in addition to our current affinity-based groups. Our Life Circles meet in seasons (periods of 6 weeks) though some may meet continuously.

LIFE Circles provide a context for people to connect with one another and to build relationships. They provide an opportunity to contemplate faith, experience community, and engage in the Great Commission of making disciples for Jesus Christ. Circles connect weekly, or biweekly, and engage at different levels or intensities, the spiritual disciplines of worship, Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and service. Our LIFE Circles serve the mission of the church, mobilize people for ministry, and are a component of our faith transformation process.

Our next season of Life Circles begins on January 31! If you would like to join a LIFE Circle simply click on the title. If you need more information concerning LIFE Circles, contact our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries Jeff Moeller at 858-755-2855 or email at Jeffmoeller@calvarylutheranchurch.org.

Affinity-based Groups:

Connect regularly around an activity or interest, spending time in God's word and prayer.

BIBLE EXPLORERS- This circle connects every Wednesday at 7 PM via Zoom. They are currently exploring the Book of Acts. Bill and Carole Hildebrand lead this experience.

CALVARY CAFE-Bring your beverage of choice and connect with others from Calvary on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. through Zoom. Share your highs and lows, daily life, and prayer concerns. This time of fellowship is open to all.

QUILTING FOR UPLIFTING -This is a quilting and sewing circle facilitated by Linda Lum that will meet on Mondays via Zoom.

Parents and the Christian Home

Advent Resources

This year, there are two options from which to choose as we center on the Advent theme of “The Gift of Giving.” The first devotional is “On the Way to Bethlehem” which focuses on God’s gifts of Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy and the ultimate gift of Jesus. Each day, there is a scripture reading, a reflection, a prayer, and an optional deed for the day that your family can do to give to others. This option, designed for families with children and youth, will be mailed out to families so be sure to watch for it!

For adults and older youth, we have the devotional “Heaven and Nature Sing: Devotions for Advent and Christmas.” This second option, which includes daily devotions based on the lectionary readings from the Gospel of Luke, explores the Advent season and celebrates the joy of the twelve days of Christmas and the day of Epiphany. The story of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke is filled with song: Elizabeth and Zechariah with the news of a long-awaited son; Jesus’ mother, Mary; the prophets Simeon and Anna; and even an angel choir!

Pick up your copy starting Sunday, November 28. If you need a copy mailed to you or would like to pick one up during the week, please contact the office.

Resources for Parents

The faith community of Calvary Lutheran Church is committed to supporting the Christian home as the primary context of faith formation. Faith formation is:

a life-long journey
of being transformed into the image of Jesus
for the benefit of others, especially our children

Parents are the primary spiritual influencer and families are the primary faith incubator in the lives of children. Calvary Lutheran is on your team, walking beside, equipping, and supporting you and your kids! Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, who has redeemed us from sin and death. As believers in Christ, we each are on a journey of faith transformation. Below are articles and websites that you may find helpful as a parent who is nurturing faith transformation in their children.

Characteristics of Middle Schoolers
Thanksgiving Prayers
Raising Adults Not Kids
Making Life Easier
High School Survivor Guide
Kind and Compassionate Kids.
Affirmations for the worried parent.
Safe Kids - Online safety resource
Common Sense Media
Kahn Academy- Academic help website

Library

Our Church Library is open each weekday from 10 AM - 3 PM and on Sunday mornings from 10- noon. Perhaps you are doing some biblical research or are looking for a devotional book, our library can be of service to you. Click here to see the titles that are available to you through our library!

Calvary’s Library Welcomes You

Our library is open anytime when the building is open, and any book may be borrowed on a self-checkout basis. You can view all the titles in the collection on the Calvary website (find the link under “How We Connect” at calvarylutheranchurch.org; look in the “Adults” section)

The original building plan for our sanctuary, which opened in 2005 with a price tag of $5.8 million, included this library.

Ken Treshow, a longtime member and retired librarian for the University of California at San Diego, worked many hours organizing the initial library collection. He would not let his cerebral palsy define his life. He dedicated his life to library work to help others. He passed away in 2017, but his strong, giving spirit of service and dedication to our church lingers in this room.

Our library had been neglected for some time and was in dire need of updating. We tossed many outdated, worn-out books. To allow for easier browsing, I entered all 865 titles into a Google doc so that anyone may view the collection from home. This digital inventory will allow Jeff Moeller and others to manage the collection since adding or deleting a title is a fairly simple process.

Today, the thrust of our collection is the Christian life and the Bible. More than 60 titles from Mel Kieschnick’s personal library were added recently. The gift books to the children's section by Bill and Carole Hilderbrand are worth mentioning.

There is no book budget or personnel for the library, and its value depends on the donation of quality books. Together, we’ll need to continually prune and augment the collection to enhance its relevance for the community. It’s up to us to fill the shelves with good books.

Many thanks to Tasha Donahue, Jutta Schmidt, Glee Thompson, Mel and Jane Kieschnick, Quinn Weixel, and Jeff Moeller for their help in this renewal project.

Pat Matsumoto