Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
How to get a camel through the eye of a needle? Well, you can’t. I can just see us all trying very hard. We can put a camel on the treadmill, put it on a diet… or could it be another option that we can still try to make work? Maybe the translation? Maybe the culture?
But in my knowledge, what Jesus is saying is this: “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25). It is what we read. But who is rich? “Not me”, we would want to think. Jesus, your words are tough! Who can do it? And we have an answer: “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27). So let’s stop for a moment and recognize that we all are in need of God’s grace. We all are in need to be touched by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus as our Savior and to trust in Him with all our heart, mind, soul and our wealth.
Do not be discouraged, but encouraged. God is at work and He will finish the work He started with you. Do you trust Him? I would be grateful if you pray and come to worship on Sunday… even for a passage like this. 🙂
Work in progress,
Jolita
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
YOUNG FAMILY MEETING
Pastor Jolita would like to meet with parents of children newborn to ten years old to brainstorm group activities and hear your ideas and thoughts. Share a couple of minutes with her following the service in the Sanctuary this Sunday, November 10 or Sunday, November 17.
YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITY
Our Youth are once again invited and encouraged to participate in the leaf-raking sessions happening on Saturday, November 16 and Saturday, November 23. There are two sessions both days: 9:00 until Noon and 12:30-3:30 with a sack lunch available in between. Bring a friend for more fun! More information is available here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AACAE28A6F94-52269836-fall/62873115#/ See you then!
The Youth Group meets again this Sunday in the Youth Room at 6:00pm, but all of our youth are encouraged to come early at 5:00 to join the Youth Handbell Choir.
NEW MEMBER CONVERSATIONS
Interested in finding out more about Calvary UMC? The pastors will be hosting a new member conversation at 11:11 in Fellowship Hall this Sunday, November 10. (No need to RSVP.)
HYGIENE AND CLEANING PRODUCT COLLECTION
To celebrate Thanksgiving, rather than collecting food items this time, we will work with the Learning Academy families to collect toiletries and cleaning supplies for the residents of the Clermont trailer park that our Missions team has been working with. The collection will continue through Thursday, November 14. Add those items to your shopping list and keep them in mind when you see sales! Dollar Tree gift cards would also be appreciated. The request for toiletries and cleaning supplies comes from the profound need of these items not often available through other avenues.
CHARGE CONFERENCE INVITE
Calvary UMC will be hosting this year’s Hendricks County Charge Conference on Saturday, November 23 at 10:00am and you are invited to attend! The Charge Conference is a meeting that reviews the churches’ missions and goals and addresses specific conference questions. We would love to have some of our congregation here to offer a warm welcome to those visiting that morning and to gain insight into the structure of the United Methodist Churches of Central Indiana.
NURSERY SUBS NEEDED
We are in need of people willing to substitute in the nursery should a regularly scheduled member not be available. If you have questions or are willing to add your name to this list, please contact Karen Bettner (KBettner63@gmail.com).
MONTHLY MISSIONS
Our November Mission giving supports the area Food Insecurities. This money is used to address hunger in certain neighborhoods and through other agencies.
In addition to this, we will host another Project A.N.G.E.L. Tree again. The tree and tags will be up next Monday. Plan now to stop by and pick up a tag to purchase a gift for a child in Hendricks County through December 2.
Please also note: Family Promise is now collecting coats, gloves, scarves, and hats for winter among the other things it normally collects. Find out more about what to donate, along with other updates, including its newest project, a non-profit corporation called “Powerhouse Community Development” in their weekly newsletter: https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?u=156f21104289ed53996927683&id=21703ea38e. Our own Robyn Maynard was on this organizing committee!
GIFT WRAPPING TIME?
Despite how it’s already starting to look in the stores, it’s not quite time to wrap Christmas gifts. However, our youth are making plans to do so on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday December 8, as a fundraiser. In order to keep our costs low, we would love to accept any giftwrap that you’d like to share with us: old rolls you don’t need or like anymore, new rolls that you find on sale, various styles and colors of ribbon or bows and tags. Place any donation you wish to make in the box outside the office and mark your calendar to have the youth do your wrapping for you the first weekend of December!
OUR LIVING NATIVITY
Plan now to join us Saturday, December 21st from 5:00pm-7:00pm for our living nativity scene and celebration of Jesus’ birthday. Outside, we will have a stable with the family, shepherds, animals (that you can pet!), and Christmas caroling. Inside, we will have cake, cocoa, photos, gifts, and crafts. Bring your family and friends for this beautiful time together.
CONCERT AT AVON UMC
Avon UMC is hosting Carrie Newcomer with pianist Gary Walters in their sanctuary on Saturday, November 16. Doors open at 6:30 and the cost is $20 per person. If you’re interested, visit this page https://onrealm.org/AvonUMC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjliZDc3YTAtYmQ3MS00Njk1LTg1YTAtYjFkYTAxMDNjMTU1 or contact Avon UMC at 317-272-4068.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, November 10, 10:00am Rev. Jolita Erbele
“Hearers and Doers: The Eye of the Needle” Mark 10:24-25 (NRSVUE)
-Sunday, November 17, 10:00am Pledge Sunday Rev. Michelle Knight
“Hearers and Doers: In Trust We Give” Luke 16:10-11 (NRSV)
SAVE THE DATE:
-Toiletry and Supply Collection – Monday, October 28 through Thursday, November 14 in the Narthex; Sorting and Blessing of the supplies, 10:00am, Saturday, November 16 in Fellowship Hall
-New Member Conversations –Sunday, November 10, 11:11-Noon in Fellowship Hall
-Euchre – Saturday, November 16 at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Charge Conference 2024 – Saturday, November 23, 10:00am in the Sanctuary
-Susan Early’s Book Launch – Sunday, November 24, 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Church Office closed – Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, December 2, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Youth Group Gift Wrapping Fundraiser – Saturday, December 7, noon to 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall and Sunday, December 8, 1:00-3:00pm in the Youth Room
-UMW Christmas Tea – Saturday, December 14, 1:00-3:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Live Nativity and Jesus’ Birthday Celebration – Saturday, December 21, 5:00-7:00pm outside and in Fellowship Hall