Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
Last day at LEGO camp! It took lots of planning and lots of LEGO! Thank you so much for making it a priority and supporting our outreach ministry. We are not in control of how it will be received or what fruit it will grow. We are only called to share His word in many different ways. Our priority is to make this place a place of worship that brings glory to God. Jesus says: I will build My church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. God is at work. Let’s keep putting God first and the rest will be added.
Haggai 1:5 says: “Consider your ways.” Have you ever vacationed at the ocean? You are playing in the waves and it doesn’t feel like you are moving, but after a while of splashing in the water you look back at shore and you are 50 feet away from your beach chair. That drift happens without much effort. If we don’t take the initiative to keep priorities the same as the Lord, we will easily drift. The worst is that you don’t really notice and don’t know that you are living more according to the world and not the Word. I would love to see you this Sunday to hear the Word and worship Him, the One who is always close to you.
Let go and let God,
Pastor Jolita
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
YOUTH GROUP UPDATES
No Youth Group this Sunday; instead we will be helping at Gleaners on Monday, July 22! The following Sunday, July 28, we will meet at Sky Zone in Plainfield. Questions? Contact the church office.
CLASSICS LUNCHEON – “GONE FISHIN’”
Plan now to join us on Tuesday, July 30 at Noon in Fellowship Hall for a yummy fish fry by Karl and Merle Illg! It will be followed by line and social dancing led by Myrna Sommers and friends. Bring a friend, a side or dessert, and $5 to help offset the cost and we’ll see you there! RSVP to the church office or on the sheet on the table in the narthex.
EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY
We begin this eight-week series on Sunday, July 28. In addition to the sermon series itself, we will also have a follow-up class taking place during the Sunday School time at 11:11 in the Learning Academy Office at the end of the classroom hallway near door 5. The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality class is to help you develop a more intentional discipleship that makes space to connect with God, and love others well. Are you a Christ-follower yet struggle to see the full impact of your faith in your life? It’s impossible to be spiritually mature, while remaining emotionally immature. In EHS, we will offer ways to grow past a surface level faith and dive into a life fully integrated with Christ!
NEVER TO SOON FOR CHRISTMAS PLANS!
Tickets go on sale in August for the always popular “Purdue Christmas Show” for which Lew and Cathi White have organized a bus trip for this event and have considered every detail! The show takes place Saturday, December 7, and the cost will be $109 which includes the admission price and cost of the motorcoach. If you would like to go, please RSVP to the office by Friday, August 16 and include a $50 non-refundable deposit. An information sheet with all the important details is available on the table outside of the sanctuary or attached here.
STUDY OF THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
Pastor Michelle will be leading a discussion of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis on Thursdays in August. Plan now to join us at either 10:00am or 6:30pm in the Youth Room. August 1 will cover the Introduction and Letters 1-7; August 8 Letters 8-15; August 15 Letters 16-23; and August 22 Letters 24-31. A study guide is on the counter in the office. Please note: The 10:00am meeting on August 1 will meet at 9:00am for that date only.
ALSO STARTING IN AUGUST: GREIF SHARE FALL 2024
What is Grief Share? It’s a place to find a safe, comforting place where you can talk with others about your grief. You’ll find support, direction, hope, and guidance on how to make it through over the course of 13 weeks. The cost is $20, but don’t let the cost deter you as scholarships are available. Two session times are available: Tuesday mornings from 10:00 until noon beginning August 20 or Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 beginning August 21. For more information, contact Jill at ShepherdsKid1@gmail.com or register at GriefShare.org/FindAGroup.
ALTAR GUILD COORDINATOR WANTED
After several years of service, and with our heartfelt appreciation, Laura Portish is stepping down from this position. If you would like to find out more about stepping into this role, please contact the office today!
COLUMBARIUM COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED
The Columbarium Committee is also looking for new members. Meetings are usually once a month on Tuesdays. If you’d like more information, please contact the office or note your contact information on the table in the narthex on Sunday.
NURSERY ATTENDANTS NEEDED
If you are willing to share the occasional Sunday morning caring for the youngest among us, please contact the church office. We are in need of more volunteers to help in this way.
MEMORIAL GARDEN WATERING HELP NEEDED
Our newly planted flowers and trees around the Columbarium will be in need of some watering throughout the summer. If you are able to help with this occasionally, please contact the church office or add your name to the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex. Thank you for helping keep the garden healthy and beautiful!
DONATIONS FOR CRAFT FAIR
October may seem like a long way off yet, but the soda sales are heating up with tomorrow’s holiday and Labor Day around the corner! At the 3rd annual Craft Fair, we’ll be selling soda, and we can start accepting donations for that immediately. We will need cases of water, Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Sprite. (Please no caffeine-free or flavors as we’d like to keep ordering and serving simple.) Cases may be dropped off anytime during office hours or on Sundays. Thank you!
CHOPPED RESULTS
The Chopped Challenge this past Sunday was an outstanding and fun fundraiser for Family Promise. While our team didn’t win, Family Promise did! Over $15,000 was raised at the event. Thank you, Anne Inman, for organizing it, and Team Calvary for participating in it: Charlotte Gambrel, Stephanie Hanson, Jayda Spangler, Karen Striegel, Portia Erickson. Check out the team picture attached!
LEGO CAMP WRAP-UP
Our three-day LEGO Camp wrapped up at noon today. We thank you Calvary UMC! It was a fantastic time because of all who donated blocks and funds, time and enthusiasm, prayers and support to make this first one so awesome! We’ve attached a picture of the groups for you to see, but invite you to church Sunday to see the decorations for yourself! Thank you to Julie Piercefield and Melissa Sturgill for the great LEGO décor!
OUR WEBSITE
Our website has been updated! If you visit CalvaryUnited.org, you will see a new look! *Please note: We are aware that the calendar has not yet been added back on to the site. We will let you know when it’s available again. In the meantime, if you have any questions about things going on at church, feel free to contact the office.
JULY MISSION FOCUS
Our Mission gifts this month will support the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home. The Home serves youth who have experienced neglect, various forms of abuse, violence, and trauma. It offers a safe, healing environment with various forms of counseling and care and spiritual development. More information can be found at iumch.org.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, July 21, 10:00am Rev. Jolita Erbele
“LEGO & Let God Build Church” Haggai 1:1-15 (ESV)
-Sunday, July 28, 10:00am Rev. Michelle Knight
“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Series: The Path to Thrive” 1 Samuel 15:7-24 (NRSV)
SAVE THE DATE:
Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, July 30 at Noon in Fellowship Hall
First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, August 5, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
Pancake Breakfast to support Family Promise – Saturday, August 10, 9:00am to 11:30am in Fellowship Hall
Community Prayer Walk – Saturday, August 17, Noon to 1:00pm at various locations around town
Outdoor Worship and Church Picnic – Sunday, September 8, 10:00am in the Shelter
Fall Family Festival – Saturday, October 5, 10:00am
Craft Fair – Saturday, October 12, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 2