“Midweek” Meditation: Monday, April 14, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
This week is different… therefore, we need to pray, prepare, and allow ourselves to enter Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and resurrection differently. I offer these prayer and/or journal prompts by Caitlin Sica. Take one prompt a day until Easter morning. After you reflect on the prompt in prayer or a journal, please also intercede in prayer for church leaders, pastors, staff, musicians, altar guild, ushers & greeters, outreach team, breakfast team, and all others who are supporting and enriching our worship and outreach this special week. I hope that these journal prompts help you to draw closer to Jesus during Holy Week, as we prepare our hearts for the holiest day of the year.
- On the night before He died, Jesus washed the feet of the apostles. He said to them, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:14-15)
What does it mean to wash one another’s feet? Who are the people in your life whose feet you need to wash? Is there someone in your life who you know you should be helping, but are afraid to help? How can you overcome this fear so that you are truly following Jesus’ model? - As Jesus is suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prays to God, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)
Is there something God’s calling you to do that you are afraid of? How can you surrender yourself to God and trust in His plan for you? Sometimes the things God asks of us seem impossible. He calls us to do things we never planned or imagined. Let our prayer be like Jesus’: “Yet not as I will, but as You will.” - Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Every time we sin, we betray Jesus, too. And every time we sin, Jesus is waiting for us with open arms; he is waiting for us to turn away from sin and turn towards Him.
What area in your life do you need to turn away from in order that you might turn back towards God? Ask for God’s grace to strengthen you in the face of temptations. - At the Last Supper, Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” (John 13:37) Yet, shortly after, in the face of adversity, Peter denies ever knowing Jesus.
How many times have we been like Peter, singing God’s praises, and then, just as quickly, denying our Lord? Have there been times that you’ve denied Jesus? Have you ever been afraid of your Christian identity? What are you afraid of?
Jesus reminds us: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” (Matthew 5:11) Pray that God may give you a spirit of courage and love of God, so that even when it is difficult or unpopular, you never deny your Christian identity. - Jesus takes up His own cross and carries it out of love for us. We know that as disciples of Jesus, we, too, must carry our own crosses for Jesus says: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)
What cross are you carrying right now? Do you bear your cross with humility, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus? Or do you complain and focus on negativity? Have you asked God to help you carry your cross? - Mary stays by her Son’s side throughout His suffering and death. It must have been excruciating for her to watch her only Son be humiliated, tortured, and killed. Yet, Mary remains loyal, loving, and steadfast.
Sometimes it can be difficult to watch another person, especially a person we love, endure suffering. It may be tempting to abandon them in the midst of their pain because it is so painful for us. Are there people in your life who are suffering right now? How can you be more like Mary to these people? Ask God for the courage to be loving and loyal, as Mary was, even when it breaks your heart. - Reflect on the words of St. Paul: “‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are one with Him again. What does Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection mean to you? Are you aware that you are a beloved child of God? How will you live out the joy of the Gospel message? How can you share this message with others?
See you in worship at Pittsboro UMC on Thursday evening and at Calvary on Friday evening, at Calvary Saturday afternoon for our family outreach event, and then on Easter for sunrise service at the Shelter, breakfast in fellowship hall, and worship in the sanctuary!
We are Hearers and Doers who believe in the resurrection of the dead,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
EASTER BREAKFAST PITCH-IN
Between the Sunrise Service at 7:00am out in the Shelter and the traditional Easter Service in the sanctuary at 10:00am we invite you to join us for breakfast in Fellowship Hall! Along with joining us for breakfast, we also invite you to share your favorite dish! Visit this website to sign up to bring a dish or to help in some other way that morning. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F45ABAC2AA3F85-56094893-easter
YOUNG FAMILY EASTER CELEBRATION
On Saturday, April 19, at 3:00pm, Calvary’s outreach team will be having an Easter Celebration for young families in the community. We are planning on 150-200 children to be in attendance. We hope to hold the event outdoors as well as indoors. Activities include: an Easter program in the sanctuary, farm animals, a family scavenger hunt in our woods, cookie and egg decorating in fellowship hall, and crafts which include making a “resurrection garden”. The playground will also be open. Each child will receive a bag of Easter treats and a gift at the end of the scavenger hunt. We will need lots of volunteers for each station, setup, and cleanup. Plan on joining us, mingling, and enjoying the youthful energy! Questions contact Anne Inman 317-504-9268 or anneinman1@hotmail.com.
HELP WANTED
Staff Parish Relations Committee seeks a Calvary member who is an adult with daytime flexibility to serve as our Membership Secretary, currently a non-paid position. This person should have organizational skills, be detail-oriented and personable, as well as comfortable with correspondence and willing to learn the membership database. Training is free; eternal reward unlimited. See Shirley Hadley or contact her at ShirleyHadley1939@gmail.com.
CURIOUS ABOUT THE COLUMBARIUM?
We will have a table set up in the narthex on Sunday, April 27 with information about the Columbarium niches and the Memorial Garden area. Stop by after the service with your questions!
APRIL MISSIONS FOCUS
Our monthly mission focus is Mental Health Programs. Because the need is so great, we will be working with the Willow Center to build a program for Teens and Adults. Contributions to this will help defray the cost for instructors and workshop materials.
KINDNESS KITCHEN
Our church often shares food in various ways, and one way is the monthly “Kindness Kitchen”. This past weekend, our group provided shelf-stable complete meals in a bag (see the attached picture) at various Blessing Boxes around town. Want to learn more? Call the office or chat with Karen Striegel. Our next “kitchen time” is May 4 at 11:20.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUP ON EASTER
All Sunday School and Youth Group will not meet this Sunday. All classes and groups will resume at their usual times on Sunday, April 27.
LEGO CAMP REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS
LEGO Camp is happening Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23 from 8:00am until 1:00pm. We need many people involved in volunteering as we expect approximately 150 campers this year. Registration forms for both volunteers and campers are available on the Mission Table in the hallway across from the office. A registration form for campers is also available here: https://calvaryunited.org/summer-camp/.
LENTEN BREAKFAST SERIES
Like last year, area United Methodist churches will gather for the six Saturdays prior to Easter for a “Life Together” Breakfast series. Each week, a different church will host the time to worship, fellowship, and share a meal, “drawing closer together and to the heart of God”. Saturday, April 19, will be hosted by Pittsboro UMC from 7:30am until 8:45am.
A CALVARY COOKBOOK FUNDRAISER – DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SUNDAY, APRIL 27
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! We would love to have a recipe from everyone and 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!
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Thursday, May 1, is the 74th annual National Day of Prayer. Join others in Hendricks County at IU West Hospital in the main dining area near the main entrance at 7:30am until 8:15am for prayer representing the various areas of the county. If you’d like to share in breakfast as well ahead of the prayer time, the cost is $11 and begins at 7:00am. Reserve seating is available: email NDP.HendricksCounty1@gmail.com.
BINGO & RAFFLE FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Brownsburg Sertoma is hosting a Bingo Night with a Reverse Raffle on Friday, April 25, 7:00-10:00pm at the American Legion. (Doors open at 6:30pm.) Proceeds from the evening will go to Care to Change Counseling which provides youth mental health services and Family Promise of Hendricks County. For more details, visit BrownsburgSertoma.org and scroll to the bottom of the page for the flyer.
NEED ANOTHER FUN NIGHT OUT?
Support the Brownsburg Older Adult Alliance and head to the American Legion Saturday, April 26 for some stand-up comedy. Tickets are $25 ahead of time (available at Rockstar Pizza or online) or $30 at the door. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 8:00.
YOUNG ADULT GROUP
Avon United Methodist Church has formed a group for Young Adults in their 20s and 30s that meets the last Sunday of the month at 11:15am there. They are inviting other young adults from area churches to join them. If you are in your 20s or 30s and would like to enjoy fellowship and grow in faith with others in the same phase of life, plan to join them there April 27. If you have any questions, contact Avon UMC’s office at officeassistant@avonumc.com or 317-272-4068.
WORSHIP:
-Thursday, April 17, 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service at Pittsboro United Methodist Church (227 E Main St)
“Forget Not” Luke 22:14-23 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Friday, April 18, 7:00pm Good Friday Service
“Who’s Forgiving Whom?” Luke 23:33-43 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
-Sunday, April 20, 7:00am Easter Sunrise Service in the Shelter
“Bring You to God” 1 Peter 3:18 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele with skit presented by the youth
-Sunday, April 20, 10:00am (Traditional) Apostles’ Creed Series Easter Sunday
“I Believe in the Resurrection of the Dead” John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
SAVE THE DATE:
-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
-No Euchre – Saturday, April 19. We will resume Saturday, May 17, 6:00-8:00pm
-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
-No Sunday School or Youth Group – Easter Sunday, April 20
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, April 29, Noon in Fellowship Hall
-National Day of Prayer – Thursday, May 1
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, May 5, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Infant-Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, May 10, 3:00-5:00pm in Fellowship Hall