Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Dear Calvary family,
For his church’s Easter program, five-year-old Ethan was asked to recite Luke 24:6: “He is not here, he is risen.” Despite practicing it several times, when he stood in front of the church, he froze and couldn’t remember what to say.
The director leaned over and whispered the verse in the little boy’s ear. Billy smiled, grabbed the microphone, and confidently proclaimed, “He’s not here. He’s in prison!”
Many people know the story of how Jesus has risen from the dead. However, some of them still have not yet experienced the real freedom that comes from accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior and living into a new life with Jesus! You and I know the story, and hopefully, we live the story. And by living the story, we share His story with others.
Come join us this special week as we worship on Thursday, Friday, dawn on Sunday, and again at 10am on Sunday. Come hear the story afresh and help us tell of how the chains of sin have been broken in our lives and how the prison doors that have held us captive are opened… all because our Savior LIVES!
Eyes of our hearts enlightened with the hope of God in Jesus,
Pastor Michelle
HOLY WEEK SERVICES:
-Maundy Thursday, tomorrow, April 2, 7:00pm Service of Holy Communion
“Profound Action” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Rev. Stacy Downing
-Good Friday, April 3, 7:00pm Service of Special Music and Readings
“Crucified with Christ” Galatians 2:20 Rev. Jolita Erbele
-Easter Sunday, April 5
7:30am Sunrise Service “The Resurrection Morning” John 20:1-18 Rev. Jolita Erbele
10:00am Traditional Service with Holy Communion “Life-Raising Power”
Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4 Rev. Michelle Knight
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
EASTER BRUNCH
It’s becoming tradition! We are once again planning an Easter Brunch from 8:30-9:30 on Easter Sunday, April 5 in Fellowship Hall. To make it great, we need your help! Please consider donating or helping with it and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F45ABAC2AA3F85-62984822-easter
LUCILLE RAINES EASTER DINNER
On Monday, April 6, we will again be providing an Easter Dinner and fellowship at the Lucille Raines Residence and would love to have you there with us! Carpooling is available: Meet here at church at 4:15pm. You may also meet us there by 5:00pm. Lucille Raines Residence serves both men and women, and so we’d love to have both men and women come along. If you have questions, call the church office.
LAST CALL FOR MOUNTAIN T.O.P. MISSION TRIP
Are you in middle school or high school and interested in going on the mission trip to Mountain T.O.P. June 14-20? If so, we need to know by THIS FRIDAY, April 3. For questions or to RSVP, contact Pastor Jolita (jerbele@calvaryunited.org) right now!
APRIL GIVING: THE LEBANON INDIANA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME
Our giving for April is very meaningful and we’d like to share a very special testimony from a couple of our members, Lois and Daryl Hoffman, who have devoted much of their time there:
“Serving at the Lebanon United Methodist Children’s Home has been one of the most meaningful parts of our lives. This is a place where children who have faced abuse, neglect, and deep trauma are given something many have never known before: safety, care, and the chance to heal. While many arrive behind in school and unsure of their future, we have seen firsthand how the Home surrounds them with support and steady encouragement.
Our journey began with a simple desire to help students believe in what comes next. Through our scholarship program, we’ve been honored to support graduates as they pursue college, vocational training, or certification programs. Watching former residents walk across graduation stages, cheering with pride, reminds us why this work matters. One student recently went on to graduate from the IU School of Nursing and now serves her community as a nurse at Community Hospital.
Sharing our love of pottery has given us another way to connect. During summer classes in the Home’s ceramic studio, we work alongside students as they shape clay into something lasting. In those moments, we see creativity, trust, and genuine care grow. This mission is not just about giving. It’s about relationships, hope restored, and the quiet joy of walking with young people as they discover their worth and their future.
We thank Calvary for your generous donations over the years to support the Home.”
WOMEN’S MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY SCHEDULE
Because of Easter, the Women’s Monday Night Bible Study will not meet Monday, April 6. It will resume on April 13 at 6:30pm.
COMMUNITY LUNCH – BAKED POTATO BAR
On the second Saturday of each month, we host our Community Lunch and we need you to be here for it! Our next one is April 11, from 11:00am until 1:00pm. We will have a baked potato bar with all the fixings for members of the community who have been invited at the Blessing Boxes around town and through our local food pantries. We would love to have you volunteer by donating, helping, and/or socializing! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F45ABAC2AA3F85-62985908-april or at the Mission Table in the hallway at church. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
NEW SERMON SERIES
Beginning Sunday, April 12, we start our six-week series on “Discipleship” called “Follow Me”. During this time, we will also celebrate our youth’s commitment to following Jesus during Confirmation Sunday and the series will take us up to Pentecost.
YOUNG FAMILY DINNER
Families with infants and toddlers are welcome to join us for social time, dinner, and crafts together on Monday, April 20, at 5:30 in Fellowship Hall. We’d love to know if we can expect you, so please RSVP to the office (office@calvaryunited.org). See you then!
A TEA PARTY
Avon UMC Women’s Council is having a tea party on Saturday, May 2nd, 1:00-3:00pm in their Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite teacup and enjoy refreshments and a guest speaker. Tickets are $5.00 available through Sunday, April 26th. Text Anne Inman, 317-504-9268, if you are interested in a ticket.
UPDATED DIRECTORY
If you would like an updated directory, stop by the office.
LEARNING ACADEMY REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is underway! The registration form and more information about the new school year is available at calvaryunited.org/academy/. Tell all your friends and neighbors to join us for fun and learning!
Registration for LEGO Camp 2026 has begun. Have your 4-11 year-old students join us July 20-22. Sign up here: https://calvaryunited.org/summer-camp/. Volunteer sign-up will begin in the next few weeks.
WORSHIP:
-Maundy Thursday, tomorrow, April 2, 7:00pm Service of Holy Communion
“Profound Action” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Rev. Stacy Downing
-Good Friday, April 3, 7:00pm Service of Special Music and Readings
“Crucified with Christ” Galatians 2:20 Rev. Jolita Erbele
-Easter Sunday, April 5
7:30am Sunrise Service “The Resurrection Morning” John 20:1-18 Rev. Jolita Erbele
10:00am Traditional Service with Holy Communion “Life-Raising Power”
Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4 Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, April 12, 10:00am (Contemporary) New Series: Follow Me
“Doing What We Were Told?” Matthew 28:16-20 Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
– Office Closed – Friday, April 3
– Maundy Thursday – April 2, service at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
– Good Friday – April 3, service at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
– Easter Sunday – April 5, Sunrise service at 7:30am in the Shelter, Brunch 8:30-9:30 in Fellowship Hall, Traditional service at 10:00am in the Sanctuary. (No Sunday School Classes or Youth Group.)
– No Youth Group –Sunday, April 5
– Community Lunch – Saturday, April 11, 11:00am-1:00pm in Fellowship Hall
– Men’s Breakfast – Saturday, April 18, 8:30am in Fellowship Hall
– Euchre – Saturday, April 18, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
– Infant & Toddler Young Family Dinner – Monday, April 20, 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall
– Ministry Update and Q&A Session – Sunday, April 26, at 11:00am in Fellowship Hall
– Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, April 28, Noon until 2:00pm in Fellowship Hall
– First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, May 4, 6:30am in the Sanctuary