Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
So many times I am afraid I will not know who I am when kids leave our home because I am a mom and all my time and priorities are around them. Who will I be when I am too old to be a pastor? Well, maybe I will never be too old for that! But who am I if I am not defined by what I have, not defined by what I do? Who am I when I am not doing anything? When I am alone in silence? If I am a child of God, very loved by God, is it just knowledge, or does it truly reflect how I feel and live?
One of the ways I know that I am struggling with who I am is when I am being so sensitive to people’s comments. Good or bad! I am not secure and affected by criticism or praise. Do I always have to say something back? I know I need to get deeper with God and His Word when I cannot listen without reacting.
Just recently I was in a meeting with Pastor Michelle. There were comments shared that she could have said something to defend herself and the situation or explain how it is not the full picture. But instead, she was able to just listen. Are we able to listen? Without being offended? Without trying to defend and prove that we are right? Do our emotions speak before we even have a chance to reflect on them?
Jesus lived His true self. He was not afraid to disappoint people because He knew who He was. He was from a place of loving union with his Father. Jesus had a mature, healthy, true self. Sunday, we’ll look at how we can go deeper with God and work on developing our mature, healthy selves learning from our best example in Jesus.
Pastor Jolita
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
LUNCH BUNCH AND EUCHRE CANCELED FOR AUGUST
Due to low attendance during the summer, both Lunch Bunch on Wednesday, August 21 and Euchre on Saturday, August 17 are canceled. We will resume in September.
YOUTH GROUP UPDATES
Sunday, August 4, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm we will have a picnic in the shelter with games.
FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH PRAYER TIME
Join us Monday morning, August 5, at 6:30am in the Sanctuary for prayer together. Bring your favorite morning drink and what’s on your heart and mind.
EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY – IS IT WELL WITH MY SOUL?
We began this eight-week series this past Sunday. In addition to the sermon series itself, we will also have a follow-up class taking place during the Sunday School time at 11:11 in the Learning Academy Office at the end of the classroom hallway near door 5. The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality class is to help you develop a more intentional discipleship that makes space to connect with God, and love others well. Are you a Christ-follower yet struggle to see the full impact of your faith in your life? It’s impossible to be spiritually mature, while remaining emotionally immature. In EHS, we will offer ways to grow past a surface level faith and dive into a life fully integrated with Christ!
PANCAKES FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Put Saturday morning, August 10, on your calendar as we host a delicious Pancake Breakfast to benefit Family Promise. We’d love for you to come for breakfast, but we also need griddles and volunteers! We need five or six electric griddles and about fifteen volunteers. A sign-up sheet is on the Mission Table across from the office or you can contact the office and let us know you’ll help. See you there!
NEVER TO SOON FOR CHRISTMAS PLANS!
Tickets go on sale in August for the always popular “Purdue Christmas Show” for which Lew and Cathi White have organized a bus trip for this event and have considered every detail! The show takes place Saturday, December 7, and the cost will be $109 which includes the admission price and cost of the motorcoach. If you would like to go, please RSVP to the office by Friday, August 16 and include a $50 non-refundable deposit. An information sheet with all the important details is available on the table outside of the sanctuary or attached here.
ALSO STARTING IN AUGUST: GRIEF SHARE FALL 2024
What is Grief Share? It’s a place to find a safe, comforting place where you can talk with others about your grief. You’ll find support, direction, hope, and guidance on how to make it through over the course of 13 weeks. The cost is $20, but don’t let the cost deter you as scholarships are available. Two session times are available: Tuesday mornings from 10:00 until noon beginning August 20 or Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 beginning August 21. For more information, contact Jill at ShepherdsKid1@gmail.com or register at GriefShare.org/FindAGroup.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY RESUMES SEPTEMBER 9
The Monday night Women’s Bible Study will start up again on September 9 at 6:30pm with a video-based study by Jen Wilkins called “God of Deliverance” about Exodus 1-18. The study book is $9. Contact Beth Wright (317-340-6447) or Sue Moritz (847-902-6070) with questions.
OUR WEBSITE CALENDAR
The Church Calendar is now available on our updated website! If you visit CalvaryUnited.org, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and there you’ll see in the list “Member Calendar”. Click there to find out what is happening when here at church.
LISTENING ASSIST
If you find it difficult to hear things on Sunday morning, we have installed a new system that can help with that. You can use your own phone and headset or borrow a unit from the sound booth. Please stop by the sound booth as you come in and we will assist you.
ALTAR GUILD COORDINATOR WANTED
After several years of service, and with our heartfelt appreciation, Laura Portish is stepping down from this position. If you would like to find out more about stepping into this role, please contact the office today!
COLUMBARIUM COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED
The Columbarium Committee is also looking for new members. Meetings are usually once a month on Tuesdays. If you’d like more information, please contact the office or note your contact information on the table in the narthex on Sunday.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, August 4, 10:00am Rev. Jolita Erbele Service of Holy Communion
“Is It Well with Your Soul? Know Yourself that You May Know God” Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV)
-Sunday, August 11, 10:00am Rev. Michelle Knight
“Is It Well with Your Soul? Break the Power of the Past” Genesis 50:15-21 (NRSV)
SAVE THE DATE:
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, August 5, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Pancake Breakfast to support Family Promise – Saturday, August 10, 9:00am to 11:30am in Fellowship Hall
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, August 27 at Noon in Fellowship Hall
-Outdoor Worship and Church Picnic – Sunday, September 8, 10:00am in the Shelter
-Versiti Blood Mobile – Sunday, September 15, 8:30am to 1:00pm in the parking lot
-Fall Family Festival – Saturday, October 5, 10:00am
-Craft Fair – Saturday, October 12, 9:00am to 3:00pm
-Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 2