Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Are you a happy person? What makes you happy? What takes away your happiness? Do you want your kids, grandkids to be happy? What would change in our lives if instead of seeking happiness we would seek a blessing? Are you willing to exchange what is good to what is great? I think there is nothing wrong with a happy person, but it can be very challenging for a person who seeks happiness for themselves. It can be very challenging and, in the end, to find emptiness, a feeling that most of us know very well. But Jesus talks about a different kind of happiness. It is being blessed. Blessings are a gift from God. It doesn’t depend on our circumstances. It depends on our relationship with God and what we seek.
I often go for a walk. Sometimes I walk and I smile. Like nothing to smile about, really. I have this full smile on my face and I ask myself: “What are you smiling about? Don’t you know all the reasons not to?” But there is joy, inside, for knowing God’s presence, for being content in being with the One, who is I AM.
Jesus says: Blessed are those…
Come find out who are the blessed ones.
Blessed,
Pastor Jolita
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
GRIEFSHARE
We will once again be offering GriefShare, a support group to help you move through the grief process. It will begin next 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)
CHOIR AND HANDBELLS BEGIN AGAIN
Looking ahead, Handbells and Praise Choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, September 3rd. Handbells begins at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary and Choir at 7:00 pm in the Choir Room, and we’re looking for new members in all voice sections! Interested? See or email Mark Herris at mherris@calvaryunited.org for more information.
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 this coming Tuesday, August 26 at noon in fellowship hall. RSVP at the Mission table or with the office.
JUNIOR WORSHIP
As you may be aware, we’ve been asking for more volunteers to help with Junior Worship, also known as Children’s Church, during the service. This is a very important offering to not only our church family as a whole, but specifically to the younger families. Unfortunately, no one has offered to join the rotation of teachers yet and this means that Junior Worship may not be able to continue going forward after next month. If you have been considering this, even just wondering what might be involved, please email Pastor Jolita (jerbele@calvaryunited.org). We would love to be assured that this can continue!
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!
SIGN UP TO READ TO THE CLA KIDS
This past school year, we started a new reading time in the Learning Academy, and it was so much fun! We’re going to do it again this year! Sign up at the Mission Table in the hallway the next time you’re at church!
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
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!
FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 27! Young families are invited to celebrate the new season from 3:00-5:00pm. To make this another great event, we need volunteers! If you are available to help in some way, sign up at the Mission Table in the hallway or contact the office (office@calvaryunited.org).
WOMEN’S RETREAT REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
November 8 may seem a long way off right now, but it’s not too far out to start planning for a beautifully fulfilling day! Registration for the 9:00am-3:00pm event is now open. Invite your friends and family and head to https://calvaryunited.org/womens-retreat/ to sign up today.
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.
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.
SODA SALES
Labor Day is coming up and with that comes better deals on soda. If you are willing to help, we are stocking up on 12oz cans of Coke, Pepsi, Diet Coke and Sprite to sell at the upcoming Craft Fair on October 11. (Please no other flavors, as we don’t want to have too many choices and too much on hand.) If you would like to purchase a case or two, we would appreciate it and they can be dropped off in the church office. Thank you!
WORSHIP:
-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
-Sunday, August 31, 10:00am (Traditional) Service of Healing
Back-to-School: The BIBLE Part 5 – Letters “Intervention about Falsities”
Jude 1:24-25 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
SAVE THE DATE:
-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
-Euchre – Saturday, September 20, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Blood Drive – Sunday, September 21, 8:30-12:45 in the BloodMobile
-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