Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? The Samaritan rescues a man that has been mugged and beaten by robbers on the Jericho-Jerusalem Road, a notoriously dangerous stretch of highway. A Levite and priest on the same road passed by the beaten man fearful of involvement.
How many times have you walked away fearful of getting involved?
Blowing people off takes less time and is more convenient. For years I was too busy to take time for others, always working and achieving. I was a “human doing” rather than a “human being”. And then something changed inside me and I began to see and feel those around me. Now I ask two questions in my relationship journey: “Why did God put these people in my life?” and “What would Jesus do?” Now relationships are more important than accomplishments.
If we help someone, but don’t take the time to look at the person and feel what they are feeling, our love is cold. And if we look and feel, but don’t take the time to help, our love is cheap.
To Jesus, obeying His commands meant loving one another. It was all about relationships. Our ability to love others and give of ourselves to people comes as a fruit of our understanding of our relationship with God.
Sunday we will learn more about imitating Jesus’ love.
Anne Inman
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS
There are scholarships available for students who are members of Calvary and/or attended Calvary Learning Academy, including a new scholarship for students who are interested in a career training path rather than a traditional 4-year college path. This scholarship is the James C. Snapp II Vocational Scholarship. Find out more and apply at CalvaryUnited.org/scholarships by this Friday, February 21.
YOUTH GROUP UPDATES AND REMINDERS
This Sunday, February 23, there will be no Youth Group that evening because of the Teen Responder Workshop being held that afternoon.
On Sunday, March 2, following Sunday School class will be Pizza & Pickleball! We will have lunch and head out to play. Details will be coming soon.
TEEN RESPONDERS WORKSHOP
We are encouraging parents, grandparents, guardians and their teens to attend this very important workshop Sunday, February 23 from 2:00-4:30 in Fellowship Hall! The goal of this workshop is to give area teens the knowledge, skills, and resources to care for their own mental health and respond to peers in crisis. We know that it shouldn’t be the burden of teens to care for their friends in crisis, however they are often the first ones to respond. The Teen Mental Health Response Workshop is designed to help teens have the tools, skills, and resources to care for themselves and respond to their peers in crisis in ways that are healthy and effective. The workshop will be led by licensed mental health professionals and is for students in 6th-12th grade and for adults with teens in their lives.
We will have an adult workshop happening simultaneously but in a different room in the church building, which helps adults be empowered to care for themselves and respond to the mental health of the teens in their lives.
The three main topics include: Boundaries & Self Care, Healthy Coping Strategies, Responding to a Friend in Crisis. To register, visit https://calvaryunited.org/events/teen-responders-workshop/.
INDIANAPOLIS BRASS CHOIR
On Sunday, March 2 at 4:00pm, the Indianapolis Brass Choir will perform a program of “Bach, Barber, Berners, Bond (James), and Felice!” here in our sanctuary. This is a large brass ensemble of about 30 who volunteer their time and talent to provide music and aid local charities. Our freewill donation will support Family Promise of Hendricks County. Put it on your calendar today!
A CALVARY COOKBOOK FUNDRAISER
To help raise money for Missions and Outreach, we would like to sell a cookbook at the Craft Fair this year. Think about a favorite recipe you can share and bring it to church this Sunday, February 23! We would love to have a recipe from everyone! We are hoping for a minimum of 150 recipes! You may place it in the collection tray on the Mission table in the hallway or email it to the church office (office@CalvaryUnited.org). Thank you! We can’t wait to see this come together!
NEW MEMBER CONVERSATIONS
Have you been visiting Calvary and are you interested in learning more about the church? Join us for a new member conversation this Sunday, February 23 or Sunday, March 2, at 11:11 in Fellowship Hall.
FEBRUARY CLASSICS LUNCHEON
Celebrate February with an Italian-style sweetheart menu and join us for lunch on Tuesday, February 25 from noon until 2:00pm in Fellowship Hall. RSVP to the office (317-852-2541, office@calvaryunited.org) or at the mission table on the sign-up sheet. Bring a friend, your favorite side or dessert, and a great recipe to be included in our upcoming cookbook!
CALLING ALL MOUNTAIN T.O.P. CAMPERS!
We will be going to the mountains of Tennessee June 22-28. All youth who have completed the 6th grade are welcome to join us. Depending on your age, you can choose between a Service Project (light construction, painting, etc.) or Day Camp (VBS-like) for the week. We will also be needing another adult (21+) to join us. Please see Kevin Kowalski or Lynn Wagner for more information. Lynnbooher@hotmail.com
INFANT-TODDLER FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
Parents of children 0-4 years old are invited to a special Family Time together Saturday, March 1, 3:00-5:00pm. Children ages 2-4 will have time together in a classroom doing activities, children 0-2 will play in the nursery, while parents will spend time together in Fellowship Hall. The afternoon will wrap up with 30 minutes of everyone being together. If you’re a parent of a young child, mark the date on the calendar! If you know someone who is, please share this! If you are willing to help in the nursery or in the classroom, please contact Pastor Jolita (jerbele@CalvaryUnited.org).
WINTER WEATHER HELP WANTED
We are looking for a couple of volunteers who might be willing to help shovel and salt around church when we have less than two inches of snow. If cold weather invigorates you and shoveling is your kind of exercise, please get in touch with Lori Wilcoxson (lrwilcoxson@gmail.com) for more information.
VERSITI BLOODMOBILE
The Bloodmobile is back Sunday, March 16 from 8:30-12:45. We would love to fill their schedule with donations that morning. Visit https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11609344 to sign up today!
THINK SPRING! PLANT-LOVERS NEEDED
We have a wonderful service opportunity that works around your schedule! If you are interested in plant beds and pots, we need someone to take over the ones by the entry. Betsy Hoggatt cared for them previously and has put together a maintenance guide and is open to any questions that may come up. Not much is needed until spring, but we’d love to hear now if this is a role for you! Call or email the office today!
FEBRUARY MISSIONS FOCUS
Our monthly mission focus is “Outreach”. This fund helps to cover all the various community-related events that will take place this year, such as the Easter Celebration, Fall Festival, the Living Nativity, and many other things.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, February 23, 10:00am (Traditional) Mission Sunday
“Imitating Jesus” Matthew 11:29-30, Matthew 25:35-36, Mark 10:45, Ephesians 5:2 (NRSV) Anne Inman
-Sunday, March 2, 10:00am (Traditional) Service of Holy Communion
“It Is Good For Us To Be Here” Mark 9:2-13 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Teen Responder Youth Mental Health Workshop – Sunday, February 23, 2:00-4:30pm in Fellowship Hall and throughout the building
-New Member Conversations – Sunday, February 23 or Sunday, March 2, 11:11am in Fellowship Hall
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, February 25, Noon until 2:00 in Fellowship Hall
-Infant-Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, March 1, 3:00-5:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Indianapolis Brass Choir Performance – Sunday, March 2, 4:00pm in the Sanctuary
-Ash Wednesday – Wednesday, March 5, 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
-Euchre – Saturday, March 15, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Bloodmobile – Sunday, March 16, 8:30am-12:45pm in the parking lot
-Child Protection Guideline Training – Sunday, March 16 at 11:00am in the CLA Office OR Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm in the Youth Room
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, March 25, Noon in Fellowship Hall
-Maundy Thursday Service – A joint service at Pittsboro UMC, Thursday, April 17, 7:00pm
-Good Friday Service – Friday, April 18, 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
-Family Easter Celebration – Saturday, April 19, 3:00-5:00pm throughout the church
-Easter Sunrise Service – Sunday, April 20, 7:00am in the Shelter
-Easter Breakfast – Sunday, April 20, 8:00-9:30am in Fellowship Hall
-Traditional Easter Service – Sunday, April 20, 10:00am in the Sanctuary