Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Isn’t it exciting on a game show when a favorite contestant makes it to the “bonus” round?! Bonus rounds usually involve tougher puzzles to solve, but bonus rounds have sweeter or richer prizes when the contestant is successful!
This Sunday we enter a “bonus” round with a fifth message in our Reaching, Jesus’ Style series before we move into a new direction.
Have you ever noticed that some game shows in their bonus round will give you the option to converse with a friend or family member as a way to help solve the puzzle or answer a question? Conversation, which usually is an informal exchange of ideas or news, could help solve a puzzle, or as we read in John 1:35-42, a conversation can be a “come and see” discovery about Jesus.
So come and see this Sunday as we learn about the power of conversations in this bonus round of Reaching, Jesus Style.
Serving as a HEARER and DOER with you,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
SEEKING A FEW MORE LENT DEVOTIONAL WRITERS!
Calvary will again offer Lent devotional for 2025, personally written by our Church family! We are seeking writers of ALL ages and stages! We would love to hear from you!
The writing should encourage, uplift, deepen, or inspire the reader in his/her walk with Christ.
Here are some suggested writing prompts:
-Share a personal story of when God spoke to you through answered prayer, delayed grace, a difficult season, or a time of blessing.
-Celebrate how another believer helped you draw closer to Jesus.
-Tell us about how and when God’s grace was evident in your life.
WRITING GUIDELINES:
Author’s name
Title
Scripture reference (book, chapter, and verse)
275-word minimum, maximum 300
1-2 sentence prayer
Must be sent in a digital format: either WORD document or body of an email to
mknight@calvaryunited.org
Be prepared for editing by our editor(s)!
DUE: February 12, 2025
If this appeals to you, please let one of the pastors know or contact the office.
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS
There are scholarships available for students who are members of Calvary and/or attended Calvary Learning Academy, including a new scholarship for students who are interested in a career training path rather than a traditional 4-year college path. This scholarship is the James C. Snapp II Vocational Scholarship. Find out more and apply at CalvaryUnited.org/scholarships or through your counselors’ office at your high school. Brownsburg High School’s deadline is February 11.
EVENING NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS
Our neighbor church, Pittsboro UMC, is hosting “2025 Night to Shine” at the Lizton Lodge on Friday, February 7 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This is a prom-like event for students with special needs offered through the Tim Tebow Foundation. They have a need for many more volunteers! If you are able to donate some time on that Friday evening, please click here to sign up: https://pittsboroumc.org/night-to-shine-2025/
YOUTH GROUP UPDATES AND REMINDERS
This Sunday, join us for a Superbowl Party from 5:00-8:00pm at the Striegels’ (6485 Southern Oak in Brownsburg) on February 9. No need to bring food or drinks, just a friend from outside of church! Because of the Superbowl party, handbells will instead meet during the Sunday School time following the service.
Next Sunday, February 16, will be the Youth and Children’s service followed by the Pancake Brunch fundraiser for the Youth Mission Trip. There will be no Youth Sunday School class next Sunday because of that.
On Sunday, March 2, following Sunday School will be Pizza & Pickleball! We will have lunch and head out to play. Details will be coming soon.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A FANTASTIC SERVICE FEBRUARY 16!
The Youth and Children of our church will be leading worship on this date. Plan now to be here to support them in their faith examples. We will also be distributing 3rd grade Bibles. Following the service at 11:15 will be a “Pancake Brunch”.
PANCAKE BRUNCH
Following the Youth and Children worship service, there will be a Pancake Brunch also hosted by our youth as a fundraiser for their annual mission trip to Mountain T.O.P. Tennessee. The youth and their leaders will be making and serving pancakes and other breakfast items for a freewill donation. Other volunteer help would be appreciated! Sign up at the Mission table in the hallway!
TEEN RESPONDERS WORKSHOP
We are encouraging parents, grandparents, guardians and their teens to attend this very important workshop Sunday, February 23 from 2:00-4:30 in Fellowship Hall! The goal of this workshop is to give area teens the knowledge, skills, and resources to care for their own mental health and respond to peers in crisis. We know that it shouldn’t be the burden of teens to care for their friends in crisis, however they are often the first ones to respond. The Teen Mental Health Response Workshop is designed to help teens have the tools, skills, and resources to care for themselves and respond to their peers in crisis in ways that are healthy and effective. The workshop will be led by licensed mental health professionals and is for students in 6th-12th grade and for adults with teens in their lives.
We will have an adult workshop happening simultaneously but in a different room in the church building, which helps adults be empowered to care for themselves and respond to the mental health of the teens in their lives.
The three main topics include: Boundaries & Self Care, Healthy Coping Strategies, Responding to a Friend in Crisis. To register, visit https://calvaryunited.org/events/teen-responders-workshop/.
A CALVARY COOKBOOK FUNDRAISER
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 and bring it to church on Sunday, February 23! We would love to have a recipe from everyone! We are hoping for a minimum of 150 recipes! There is a form attached here that can be used for sharing your recipe. 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!
NEW MEMBER CONVERSATIONS
Have you been visiting Calvary and are you interested in learning more about the church? Join us for a new member conversation Sunday, February 23 or Sunday, March 2, at 11:11 in Fellowship Hall.
READING TO OUR PRESCHOOL STUDENTS
Love to read? Love a good children’s book? Volunteer to read to one of our Learning Academy classes! This semester’s sign-up sheet is on the mission table in the hallway. Sign up soon!
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
Registration for our Calvary Learning Academy is open for members and current families. Visit https://calvaryunited.org/registration/ for more information and to register. Registration for new families begins on February 10.
INFANT-TODDLER FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
Parents of children 0-4 years old are invited to a special Family Time together Saturday, March 1, 3:00-5:00pm. Children ages 2-4 will have time together in a classroom doing activities, children 0-2 will play in the nursery, while parents will spend time together in Fellowship Hall. The afternoon will wrap up with 30 minutes of everyone being together. If you’re a parent of a young child, mark the date on the calendar! If you know someone who is, please share this! If you are willing to help in the nursery or in the classroom, please contact Pastor Jolita (jerbele@CalvaryUnited.org).
FEBRUARY MISSIONS FOCUS
Our monthly mission focus is “Outreach”. This fund helps to cover all the various community-related events that will take place this year, such as the Easter Celebration, Fall Festival, the Living Nativity, and many other things.
INDIANAPOLIS BRASS CHOIR
On Sunday, March 2 at 4:00pm, we will host the Indianapolis Brass Choir here. This is a large brass ensemble of about 30 who volunteer their time and talent to provide music and aid local charities. Our freewill donation will support Family Promise of Hendricks County. Hope to see you there!
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, February 9, 10:00am (Contemporary) Series: Reaching, Jesus Style
“Bonus!” John 1:35-42(NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, February 16, 10:00am (Contemporary) Youth & Children Service
“Faith is Enough” Genesis 1:1, John 20:24-29
SAVE THE DATE:
-Euchre – Saturday, February 15, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Youth and Children’s Service – Sunday, February 16, 10:00am and Youth Mission Trip Pancake Brunch 11:15am-1:00pm
-Teen Responder Youth Mental Health Workshop – Sunday, February 23, 2:00-4:30pm in Fellowship Hall and throughout the building
-New Member Conversations – Sunday, February 23 or Sunday, March 2, 11:11am in Fellowship Hall
-Infant-Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, March 1, 3:00-5:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Indianapolis Brass Choir Performance – Sunday, March 2, 4:00pm in the Sanctuary
-Ash Wednesday – Wednesday, March 5, 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
-Child Protection Guideline Training – Sunday, March 16 at 11:00am in the CLA Office OR Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm in the Youth Room