Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
For those of us familiar with the Peanuts cartoon, there was an often-repeated phrase said to the main character, Charlie. One of his young friends would say with exasperation, “Good grief, Charlie Brown!” and then Charlie and his friends would have to work through some sort of issue or misunderstanding. For sure, it is a quirky catchphrase for a cartoon, but the adjective “good” in front of “grief” has always caught my attention. It is an odd choice to put good and grief together.
Certainly, grief does not feel good. It is sad. There seems to be nothing good about deep loss and sadness. Mourning can be exhausting, taxing, and overwhelming. And yet, grieving is normal. It is an essential aspect of being human. Jesus grieved the death of Lazarus.
Our sacred scripture affirms that grief is good: in that mourning is part of life; grieving acknowledges not just emotions and relationships, but grieving reflects our sensitivity towards others and any injustice or pain in this world. As we go “Back-to-School: The Bible” this week, we enter into an Old Testament book called Lamentations. It is part poetry, part prophecy, and also part manual on good grieving. In the writings found there, the people express their deep sorrow as they lament loss. And here is what is “good” in the grieving: God’s messages of hope break through even deep loss.
Come and join us this Sunday, and stay for a donut and a small group!
Serving as Hearers and Doers with you,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
COME SING WITH THE SUMMER CHOIR THIS SUNDAY
All are invited to join us for the final Summer Choir of the season this Sunday morning! We’ll rehearse at 9:00 am in the Choir Room and sing “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” during the 10:00 am worship service. No prior choir experience necessary. Just bring your voice and a heart ready to praise!
Looking ahead, the Praise Choir resumes rehearsals on Wednesday, September 3rd at 7:00 pm, and we’re looking for new members in all voice sections. Interested? See or email Mark Herris at mherris@calvaryunited.org for more information.
RECAP MEETING FOR LEGO CAMP
All leaders and volunteers are invited to meet for a time of celebration for this year’s camp and an opportunity to make suggestions for next year’s camp this Sunday, August 17, at 11:15 in Fellowship Hall. Note down your thoughts, bring them along and join us. If you cannot make it, please feel free to share your thoughts in an email to Office@CalvaryUnited.org.
REMEMBERING CHRIS TJELMELAND
The family of Chris invites you to celebrate her life with them on Saturday, August 16 between noon and 2:00pm in Fellowship Hall. Please join us!
YOUTH GROUP
Youth Group is getting underway! Meet us at 6:00 on Sunday evenings in Fellowship Hall for friendship, fun, and discussions. The meeting will wrap up at 7:30. In September, we’ll start a series dedicated to empowering our group with strategies for anxiety, depression, coping, and identity. Friends are always welcome!
A WARM WELCOME ON SUNDAYS
If you are interested in helping to greet at the front door or make coffee for fellowship time on Sunday mornings, the sign-up is open again! Please leave a note in the office, email office@calvaryunited.org, or let Lisa Gallo know and we’ll add you to the list! Questions about what’s involved before signing on are always welcome, too.
SHARE YOUR TIME THIS WAY
We need a couple more people to lead Junior Worship, also known as Children’s Church, during the service. Would that be you? Want to know more? Email Pastor Jolita (jerbele@calvaryunited.org)!
Also, the school year has started and Sunday School for Kindergarten – 5th grade and 6th – 12th grade starts today. We would love to have more people offering their time in this fun way for 45 minutes after church, only once a month or so. Contact Lisa in the office to find out more (office@calvaryunited.org).
COUNTRY-WESTERN CLASSICS LUCNEHON
Wear your boots and bring your favorite “country” side or dessert! We’ll have fried chicken, biscuits, corn on the cob, line dancing and singing on Tuesday, August 26 at noon in fellowship hall. RSVP at the Mission table or with the office.
GRIEFSHARE
We will once again be offering GriefShare, a support group to help you move through the grief process. It will begin on Wednesday, August 27, at 10:00am in the Conference Room here at church and will continue for 13 weeks. A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability – and gain solid support each step of the way. If you would like to attend, please contact the church office. (office@CalvaryUnited.org or 317-852-2541)
UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE
Our Fall Blood Drive is coming up Sunday, September 21, from 8:30am to 12:45pm and we’d love to get all the spots filled! Sign up today, let your friends know, and share this link: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11609347
“DISCOVER CALVARY” CHAT
This is a special opportunity for those new to, or unfamiliar with, Calvary to visit with both of our pastors as well as our music/worship director for deeper conversation about how to connect and engage in ministry at Calvary and have your questions answered.
AUGUST MONTHLY MISSION
Our mission focus for August is Family Promise, an organization that is very important to us and to Hendricks County. Its work is based on transforming the lives of those struggling locally, providing housing and stability services, along with many other resources. Find out more at https://familypromisehendrickscounty.org/.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUMMER GIVING
Thank you for your generosity throughout the summer! It has helped us stay on track as we continue this year.
THE NEXT INFANT & TODDLER FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
Saturday, September 13, from 3:00-5:00pm is our next get-together. Brightly Art Studio and Krista Tschaenn are hosting a family canvas painting! The cost is $25 per family. RSVP to the office today (office@CalvaryUnited.org). Invite your friends to this fun event!
CALVARY COOKBOOK
The Kindness Kitchen Cookbook is coming soon! Interested? Pre-order one today… no payment until pickup! Email the church office (office@CalvaryUnited.org) and we’ll add you to the list.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, August 17, 10:00am (Traditional)
Back-to-School: The BIBLE Part 3 – Writings “When We Grieve, God Remains Faithful”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, August 24, 10:00am (Contemporary)
Back-to-School: The BIBLE Part 4 – Gospels “Blessed is Better than Happy?”
Matthew 5:3-12 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Euchre – Saturday, August 16, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, August 26, at noon in Fellowship Hall
-GriefShare – Wednesdays, starting August 27, 10:00am in the Conference Room
-Kindness Kitchen – Sunday, September 7, 11:30am in the Kitchen
-“First” Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, September 8, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Women’s Bible Study resumes – Monday, September 8, 6:30pm in the Conference Room
-Infant and Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, September 13, 3:00pm, Fellowship Hall
-Blood Drive – Sunday, September 21, 8:30-12:45 in the BloodMobile
-“Discover Calvary” Information Session – Sunday, September 21, 11:15am in Fellowship Hall
-Church Grounds Clean-Up – Saturday, September 27, 8:00am until Noon
-Fall Family Festival – Saturday, September 27, 3:00pm
-Calvary Craft Fair – Saturday, October 11, 9:00am-3:00pm
-Church Grounds Clean-Up – Saturday, October 25, 8:00am until Noon
-Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 8, 9:00am-3:00pm, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall