Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
I can only recall a few famous and well known Jude. How about you? There are a few actors like Jude Law or Jude Hill. There is a famous Beatles song with Jude in the title. Paul McCartnery wrote “Hey Jude” for Julian Lennon McCartney, John’s son, who was suffering through the turmoil of his parents’ divorce. And then there is a very short letter in the New Testament with the name, “Jude.”
Jude is one of the shortest New Testament letters (461 Greek words), but Jude is not even the shortest book in the Bible. That honor goes to 3 John (219 Greek words). Jude is the last letter before the final book, Revelation.
So, why will our five part series on Back to School: The BIBLE conclude with preaching from Jude? Well, I have never preached on it. In fact, the New Revised Common Lectionary (which has a 3 year rotation of weekly scriptures from both Old and New Testaments) never has one reference to this little letter. Jude has been overlooked far too long, and perhaps it’s time we paid attention to his message for us today.
And my, oh my, what a message! I encourage you to read the whole book before Sunday. It will take less than 15 minutes. The closing prayer or benediction is priceless just by itself.
Soak in Jude… and then get ready to explore how he writes (but really preaches to us) about intervening with false teaching in our faith.
See you on Sunday as we learn afresh! Don’t forget we will have our fifth Sunday healing service after the closing benediction.
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
CHOIR AND HANDBELLS BEGIN AGAIN
Looking ahead, Handbells and Praise Choir will resume rehearsals next 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.
YOUTH GROUP
Youth Group is underway and friends are always welcome! Meet us at 6:00 this Sunday evening 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.
SPECIAL EVENT FOR YOUTH GROUP, BUT EVERYONE IS INIVTED!
Our Youth are heading to “Faith & Football” at the Colts’ 1:00 home game Sunday, November 30 with 50-yard line seats! If this sounds like fun to you, you’re welcome to join us! The cost is $73 per person, plus concessions. If you’d like to come, we need your RSVP and $73 by Sunday, September 14 to Pastor Jolita.
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. You must reserve your spot by September 7! RSVP to the office today (office@CalvaryUnited.org) as space is limited.
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
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!
KINDNESS KITCHEN DATE CHANGE
Rather than meeting on the first Sunday (September 7) this coming month, Kindness Kitchen will meet instead on September 21 to bake cookies for the upcoming Fall Family Festival. Plan on joining us at 11:20 in the kitchen for this!
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/.
FAMILY PROMISE DONATIONS… RITTER’S ANYONE?
Thank you to all who have shared with Family Promise through our monthly giving noted above. If you’re interested in a fun and tasty way to donate, stop by Ritter’s in Brownsburg on North Green Street on Monday, September 8, anytime between 11:00am and 10:00pm, showing them the attached flyer. (A paper flyer can also be picked up on the Mission Table at church.)
Additionally, Family Promise is in need of paper towels. If you are able to help in this way, you can drop them off at the Resource Center, 238 N Vine St, Plainfield, Monday – Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm or order directly from Amazon and have them delivered.
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 31, 10:00am (Traditional) Service of Healing
Back-to-School: The BIBLE Part 5 – Letters “Intervention about Falsities”
Jude 1:17-23 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, September 7, 10:00am (Contemporary) Service of Holy Communion
“The Story of Jesus’ Disciples and Us: The Call of Discipleship”
Mark 1:16-20 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
Office Closed – Labor Day, Monday, September 1
“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
Kindness Kitchen – Sunday, September 21, 11:30am in the Kitchen
Church Grounds Clean-Up – Saturday, September 27, 8:00am until Noon
Fall Family Festival – Saturday, September 27, 3:00pm
Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, September 30, at noon in Fellowship Hall
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