DREAMING GOD SIZED DREAMS: REBUILDING FAMILIES IN 53206
Celebrating 131 Years
Address from Pastor Walton
Dear Beloved Congregation and Calvary Friends,
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Grace and peace to each of you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As the days grow a little shorter and the warmth of summer gently gives way to the promise of early fall, my heart is filled with both excitement and gratitude. We have so much to look forward to as our church anniversary approaches in September! This is always a special time—an opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness, reflect on our journey, and step forward together with renewed hope for the future.
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In a season when so many churches have had to close their doors, we give thanks to God that we are still here 131 years old in September — gathered, standing, and pressing forward. Our vision is to rebuild families for God’s Kingdom is as vital as ever. Each of you plays a part in this ongoing story of resilience, faith, and love. Through challenges and triumphs, God has kept us, and together we move ahead, trusting in Him and supporting one another. Let us celebrate God’s goodness to us as our church turns 131 years old and celebrates throughout the entire month of September. We will be blessed with great preaching, service and fellowship opportunities. Let us be intentional about participating in our church anniversary by praying for each service and event and planning to attend and participate in the scheduled events as well.
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I encourage everyone to savor these closing weeks of summer. Enjoy the sunshine, the laughter, and the unique fellowship opportunities that this season brings. Whether it’s a picnic at the park, a friendly conversation after service, or simply sharing a meal with loved ones, let’s treasure the moments and the connections that make our church family so special.
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As a church, let us also lift up our schools in prayer as a new academic year begins. Let’s remember the teachers, children, administrators, parents, and all the community partners who labor to make education possible. The development of our children’s minds is a precious investment in the future of our communities. In every school, let us pray for a positive and welcoming spirit—one that fosters learning, leadership, and citizenship in our young people. May God grant a safe, productive, and inspiring school year for all.
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Finally, I want to remind each of us of our calling as Christians to be encouragers. Whether in your family, at work, within the church, or out in the community, your encouraging words and actions make a difference. Don’t grow weary in this good work! Let’s pray together that God would raise up even more encouragers among us—so that more hearts might be uplifted, burdens eased, and spirits strengthened.
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Thank you for your faithfulness, your prayers, and your love. I am truly blessed to serve alongside you. Let’s continue to be a church that moves forward together, trusting God to do great things in and through us.
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With love and anticipation,
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Pastor John Richard Walton, Jr., D.Min
Reverend Dr. John Richard Walton, Jr.
The Reverend Doctor John Richard Walton, Jr. is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and has served as the senior pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church of Milwaukee for the last 22 years. Pastor Walton is well-respected and sought after as preacher, pastor to pastors, lecturer, and spiritual, biblical, and academic authority in the training and discipleship of deacons and church leadership.
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PRAYER DEVOTIONS:
September 2026 Focus:
Striving to be True Disciples by Aligning Our
Character, Speech, and Actions with Christ
Dear Calvary Members and Friends,
Let us pray with confidence and boldness knowing that He hears and is faithful.
Beginning the Day Aligned with Christ
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Heavenly Father,
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Thank You for Your steadfast love and mercies that greet us afresh each morning. We acknowledge that every second, every minute, every hour of this day, we are completely dependent on You. As we step into this new day, open our ears to hear Your voice—both personally and as a church family. Grant us wisdom to speak only the words You desire, and to speak them with the grace and love that reflect Your heart.
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Holy Spirit, help us guard our minds, our tongues, and our actions. When we are tempted to stray in thought, word, or action, make Your path clear to us. Give us both the courage and boldness to reject temptation, to turn from sin, and to stand firmly on Your Word.
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Let us abide in Jesus, finding shelter in Your presence, and let Your Spirit fill us anew. Renew and Refresh us to see ourselves and others through Your eyes—always seeking the redemptive purpose You weave through every circumstance.
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Today, help us willingly submit our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits to Your Lordship. Use us as agents of restoration and love, reaching out to everyone we encounter with Your unconditional love. Give us a passion for Christ and the calling You’ve placed on our lives. Despite any obstacles or intimidation, may we faithfully fulfill the work You’ve set before us.
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Align our hearts and minds, and strengthen our hands for the work of advancing Your Kingdom—especially in our city, our neighborhoods, and the 53206 community.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Ending the Day Surrendered and Aligned
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Gracious Lord,
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As this day comes to a close, we pause to thank You for seeing the best in us and for viewing us as You originally designed us to be. Thank You that Your plans for us are always better than what we plan for ourselves, and that every situation we face is part of Your greater purpose.
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We surrender once again—heart, mind, soul, body, and spirit—choosing to yield to You so that discipline is not required but that we grow in joyful obedience. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit as we rest, renewing our strength for tomorrow.
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Let Your love overflow from us to everyone we’ve encountered today. Remind us that our lives are not our own, but Yours—and that You long to empower, bless, and grant us breakthroughs so that our lives testify to Your goodness, grace, and mercy.
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Continue to align our hearts, minds, and hands for effective service in Your Kingdom. May the strongholds of the enemy in our community be diminished as Your love increases through us.
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Convict us where we have missed the mark, and encourage us when we have walked in step with Your will. Help us rest tonight knowing that You are working in and through us, preparing us to rise again as true disciples—ready to reflect Christ in all we say, do, and choose.
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In Jesus’ name, Amen.
