Calvary Lutheran Church

Address:

3 Eayrestown Rd., Medford.

Denomination:

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Size:

About 120 baptized members.

Staff:

The Rev. Mark Kastner, pastor; Jan Stehlik, preschool director.

Brief history:

Calvary began meeting 50 years ago in the Grange Hall in Medford and moved into our present building in 1961. Calvary has operated the "Little Christians at Calvary" (LCAC) preschool since 1981 and its summer Vacation Bible School (VBS) since 1966. LCAC has an enrollment of about 130 children, and VBS is usually attended by 90-100 children.

What's special about your congregation?

Calvary is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). LCMS churches adhere to the message of the Christian Scriptures and consider that this message represents the true word of God. At a time when many churches are de-emphasizing reliance on the Scriptures, LCMS churches continue the legacy of Martin Luther and the Reformation in looking to Scripture for direction in the church.

Calvary takes pride in being a very friendly church. Our moderate-sized membership allows for close personal interactions between all our members. There is a "coffee and cake" fellowship time on the first and third Sunday of each month. There are study classes for adults and children on Sunday mornings.

Calvary eagerly embraces visitors and new members from all backgrounds.

How do you see your role in the community and in society as a whole?

Our role in today's world is very important to us at Calvary. We see our primary role in the community as sharing the good news of Jesus with all people. We witness to this gospel by our words and actions, the example of our lives, and our outreach efforts.

Calvary places a special emphasis on its ministry to children: Sunday school classes for the children are provided before services, and a special children's sermon is part of each Sunday service. For more than 25 years, Calvary has been offering preschool classes for 3- to 5-year-olds, and for more than 40 years, Vacation Bible School for children 3 years to sixth grade.

Other areas of outreach to the community include:

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League's fund-raising efforts (e.g. annual yard sale and Christmas bazaar) to support both local and international social mission programs.

"Support a Child" program (sponsored by Compassion International) providing funds for access to health and education resources for a child in need.

Meeting space for Alcoholics Anonymous.

Food, clothing and supplies supported for the homeless shelter in Pemberton.

Worship schedule:

10 a.m. Sunday; children's Sunday school, 8:45 a.m.; adult study and discussion, 9 a.m. Sunday; 5 p.m. Saturday service to begin in January. The church office is open 8:30 a.m. to noon weekdays.

Phone:

609-654-2489.

On the Web:

» READ MORE: www.calvluth.org

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