Dear Calvary family,
I am aware that many of you are traveling these weeks of spring break or enjoying quiet time with family (as am I), but the world is pressing on and we need to be Jesus’ light of hope in our world.
By now all of us have seen, read, or listened to the horrific news of the tragedy that has occurred in Nashville, Tennessee at Covenant Elementary School. We grieve. We pray. We act. We support. We look for helpers. Most of all through this tragedy we seek Jesus, love others and reach out.
We also struggle with how to help ourselves and our children cope. For all the parents, grandparents, teachers, aunts & uncles of children within our congregation, here are some suggestions on how to talk about this experience with the youngest of our disciples.
- Kids think concretely. Keep your description of events as simple, concise, and clear as possible.
- Decide how much news media your child(ren) can process. Set limits.
- A child will ask a question based upon what they can handle. Give each child an opportunity to ask a question as they have one.
- Assure your little ones that you as parent/adult/guardian or grandparent as well as his/her teachers, and all other adults love and protect them.
- To talk about senseless violence upon innocent children with our kids means we need to be aware and able to discuss: a) that evil exists in this world; b) that there is human sin (error) within people; c) that there are human frailties such as mental illness, etc.; d) and sometimes those first three things intersect within a person in such a way that horrible things can take place. Your child or children will be able to discuss each of these aspects at the level of their development, so again be concise and simple.
- Share with your child(ren) that Jesus weeps for the children and their mourning friends and families. Jesus loves the children and teachers/faculty who were killed or injured. And Jesus loves you and your child(ren).
- Consider an act of kindness you and your child(ren) can do together… draw a picture to mail to Covenant Elementary School; say a prayer at bedtime out loud together as a family; write a thank you note to law enforcement in Nashville; or provide a random act of kindness here in our community as a way to move forward in love, compassion, and Christ-like care.
Until we are together in worship… hug your littles for me and pray. See you in worship or online this Sunday as we honor Palm/Passion Sunday.
“Sent…”(John 20:21b) on a mission from God with you,
Pastor Michelle
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Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
HOLY WEEK SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES
We look forward to seeing you at the following services:
- Sunday, April 2 at 10:00am for Palm Sunday. We celebrate the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and wave palm leaves as we remember and enter Holy Week.
- Monday, April 3 at 6:30am for First Monday Morning Prayer Time. We will meet in the Conference Room for our first Monday of the month prayer time. Please join us as we pray for our world, community, and church during this Holy Week.
- Thursday, April 6 at 7:00pm at Pittsboro UMC (227 E Main St, Pittsboro) for Maundy Thursday. We share in the Lord’s Supper with our extended Christian family and remember the last supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. With that in mind, our offering will be food donations or money collected to provide food to our local pantries. Please join us there.
- Friday, April 7 at 7:00pm for Good Friday. Friday evening’s service will be a time to remember the gracious gift of God our Father in the sacrifice of His Son, our Savior. We will reflect on the seven sayings of Christ from the cross.
- There will be a labyrinth available Good Friday, April 7, from 9:00am until 9:00pm in the Choir Room. A labyrinth is a single walking path used to quietly reflect, pray, and worship. As a side note, because it is a school day, you will need to ring the bell in the vestibule and the office will let you in.
- Sunday, April 9 at 10:00am for Easter Sunday. Our time of mourning turns to celebration as we see the empty tomb and remember the new life we are given in the resurrection of our Savior.
- After the service, Sunday School will not meet. Instead, take a picture with your friends or family at the photo booth and join your church family for Easter Brunch in Fellowship Hall and an Egg Hunt for grade school and younger children. We look forward to celebrating with you!
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SIGN-UPS
We are planning our Holy Week services and Easter Brunch. Please take a look at the sign-up on the table in the narthex to see how you might help with or contribute to the activities happening that week. Thank you!
EASTER FLOWERS
If you were considering purchasing an Easter flower in honor of or in memory of a loved one, orders must be received by Sunday. An order form is attached to this email or is also included in the bulletin on Sunday.
CHECK OUT THE BOARD, CHECK OFF THE LIST
Looking for other ways to lend a hand? Our amazing volunteer Building & Grounds leader, Dave Ferguson, has put together a bulletin board across from the choir room with various jobs that need to be completed. The tasks are manageably sized with descriptions of what’s involved. Many of the jobs can be done when it fits your schedule. We hope you’ll “check out the board” when you’re here and see if there’s something you might be able to help “check off the list”. Thank you!
“REHEATING” THE CASSEROLE CLUB
The Casserole Club is being brought back so that we have meals on hand as needs arise. Thank you to those who have already signed up to help make casseroles. We are now in need of some ingredients to be donated. If that might be something you can help with, please check the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex on Sunday. If you have further questions, please contact Brenda at bwsuse@hotmail.com.
FAMILY PROMISE
Family Promise is an organization that our Church and Missions Team support all year. Please keep their important work in your prayers. If you’re interested in becoming more involved, please contact Anne Inman or visit their website: https://familypromisehendrickscounty.org/ Check out their most recent “Friday Flash” newsletter for more specific ways to help or to sign up to receive the weekly newsletter in your inbox: https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?u=156f21104289ed53996927683&id=9aa9c29139
UMC CAMPS & EVENTS
If you are interested in camps for children or adults with special needs or your family, please visit https://impact2818.org/ which is the Outdoor Ministries of the United Methodist Churches of Indiana. There you can find out more about the variety of camps offered this year and register, or learn about volunteering or working at a camp, or there is also information on creating your own retreat or camp hosted at their facilities.
LEND YOUR VOICE, SHARE YOUR MUSIC
The Worship Team is practicing tonight at 7:00pm and we’d love to have you share your voice or your musical talent! No need to RSVP, just come join us! If playing the handbells appeals to you, practice for that is also tonight at 6:00pm. We always have space and parts for more people to join us! If you have any questions, contact Mark at mherris@calvaryunited.org or call the church office.
VBS 2023
We need you, YES! YOU!, to join the team! We are looking for a few VBS-loving people - younger or older, male or female, long-time member or new - who would be interested in brainstorming and planning what VBS might look like this year. Contact the church office if you’re moved to help in this way.
NOW HIRING!
We seek a vibrant, engaging leader who is passionate about youth and families to join our ministry team. Learn more here or share with others: https://calvaryunited.org/employment
WORSHIP:
Sunday, April 2, 2023 Sixth Sunday of Lent & Palm Sunday - Rev. Michelle L. Knight
“Teacher for the Time” Luke 19:28-44
Thursday, April 6, 2023 Maundy Thursday - Rev. Michelle L. Knight and Rev. William Nickrand
“Moral of the Story” John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Friday, April 7, 2023 Good Friday - Rev. Michelle L. Knight and Lay Speakers
The Last Words of Christ - Multiple Gospel passages
Sunday, April 9, 2023 Easter Sunday - Rev Michelle L. Knight
“Look for the Living because of the Risen One” Luke 24:1-12
SAVE THE DATE:
- First Monday Morning Prayer – Monday, April 3, 6:30am
- Maundy Thursday service at Pittsboro UMC – Thursday, April 6, 7:00pm
- Labyrinth for Meditation and Reflection – Good Friday, April 7, 9:00am-9:00pm in the Choir Room
- Good Friday service – Friday, April 7, 7:00pm
- Easter Morning Service – Sunday, April 9, 10:00am with brunch and egg hunt following in Fellowship Hall
- Euchre Night – Saturday, April 15, 6:00pm
- Hendricks Symphony Orchestra – Friday, April 28, 7:30pm and Sunday, April 30, 3:00pm in the Sanctuary
