Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
What would you say if someone asked you for a simple, basic summary of our Christian faith? Would you point that person to a creed? Perhaps you might recite a specific scripture verse? Maybe you’d sing one of the hymns or praise songs of our faith?
The basics of Christianity we find in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. In fact, many Biblical scholars attest that this writing style (especially verses 3-5) differ from Paul’s typical long-winded, winding sentences. It is as if he is quoting something he was taught, memorized, had prayed over and through, and which had become embedded forever within his soul. “For what I have received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to people, and then to the twelve.”
Here is one of the first Christian creedal statements within holy scripture. It was shared with Paul and then Paul teaches it to the church in Corinth. (Remember the 1 Corinthians letter was written down PRIOR to any of the four gospels being written down.) This is not only historical, but used as a teaching or catechism tool, and there is evidence of this content being shared with others to reaffirm, instruct, and thus make disciples. And if it’s that important and has been in use for centuries, maybe you and I ought to pay more attention to this teaching so that it becomes embedded in our souls.
Join us this Sunday for the third week of Lent as we lean into our faith understanding that Jesus died, was buried, and was raised on the third day!
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:
MONDAY NIGHT WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
We’ll be starting a four-week Lenten study on Monday, March 24 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Conference Room. The study is called “The Promise and Power of Easter” by Christine Caine and Lisa Harper. The study guide costs $13 (unless that is a hardship). Contact Beth Wright (317-340-6447) or Sue Moritz (847-902-6070) for more information.
PRAISING GOD!
This is a great time to join Calvary’s Praise Choir! Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just love praising God, we welcome you to be a part of this joyful ministry. Rehearsals are every Wednesday at 7:00pm in Calvary’s Choir Room. Come and be a part of a ministry that glorifies God through music. No audition required – just a heart for worship! For more details, contact Mark Herris at mherris@CalvaryUnited.org or 317-852-2541. See you there!
YOUNG FAMILY EASTER CELEBRATION
On Saturday, April 19, at 3:00pm, Calvary’s outreach team will be having an Easter Celebration for young families in the community. We are planning on 150-200 children to be in attendance. We hope to hold the event indoors as well as outdoors. Activities include: an Easter program in the sanctuary, farm animals, a family scavenger hunt in our woods, cookie and egg decorating in fellowship hall, and crafts which includes making a “resurrection garden”. The playground will also be open. Each child will receive a bag of Easter treats and a gift at the end of the scavenger hunt. We will need lots of volunteers for each station, setup, and cleanup. A sign-up sheet will be on the mission table or contact the office. We are also accepting individually wrapped Easter candy and treats if you would like to donate something rather than volunteer. The treats may be left on the Mission table in the box. Plan on joining us, mingling, and enjoying the youthful energy! Questions contact Anne Inman 317-504-9268 or anneinman1@hotmail.com.
CALLING ALL MOUNTAIN T.O.P. CAMPERS!
We will be going to the mountains of Tennessee June 22-28. All youth who have completed the 6th grade are welcome to join us. Depending on your age, you can choose between a Service Project (light construction, painting, etc.) or Day Camp (VBS-like) for the week. Please see Kevin Kowalski or Lynn Wagner for more information. (Lynnbooher@hotmail.com)
YOUTH MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISERS
Speaking of Mountain T.O.P., we are in the process of raising money for this to happen. Thank you to everyone who has generously helped so far! In addition to the pancake brunch we had last month, we have a few things going on right now:
There is a Chick-Fil-A Dine-to-Donate tomorrow. A flyer is attached to this email, or pick one up on the mission table in the hallway at church, or mention the fundraiser to your cashier, or use code UMC320 in the app at either Avon location.
We are also still selling Prime Car Wash Tickets. They will be sold before and after the service on Sunday in the hall by the mission table. They are available at $9 for Basic, $14 for Pro, and $22 for Interior. This is the same price as going to the car wash – no upcharge – but we get to keep 50% from the sales. We will be selling these for three weeks.
We are also selling hanging baskets again for Mother’s Day! The 2-gallon basket is filled with bright flowers and available for $25. You may place an order at the hallway table or by contacting the office. The flowers will be available for pick-up Sunday, May 4.
YOUTH GROUP UPDATES AND REMINDERS
This Sunday, we will meet at church from 6:00-7:30pm for our meeting. Come for fun and fellowship! And then, please note, that Youth Group will not be meeting Sunday, March 30, or Sunday, April 6 because of Spring Break. We will resume on April 13.
CLASSICS LUNCHEON
Join us Tuesday, March 25 at Noon for our March Madness-themed lunch. Enjoy your favorite tailgate and game-day food with a friend! Bring a favorite snack or dessert and a favorite recipe for the cookbook. RSVP at the Mission Table in the hall or by contacting the office.
LENTEN BREAKFAST SERIES
Like last year, area United Methodist churches will gather for the six Saturdays prior to Easter for a “Life Together” Breakfast series. Each week, a different church will host the time to worship, fellowship, and share a meal, “drawing closer together and to the heart of God”. Saturday, March 15 will be hosted by Plainfield UMC from 7:30am until 8:45am.
INFANT-TODDLER FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
We had a wonderful time this past Saturday and would like to do it again. Parents of children 0-4 years old are invited to a special Family Time together Saturday, April 12, 3:00pm. Children ages 2-4 will have time together in Fellowship Hall doing activities, children 0-2 will play in the nursery, while parents will spend time together in the Youth Room. 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! We are in need of volunteers: 6 teens and/or adults to help in the nursery and fellowship hall. If you are willing to help, please sign up at the Mission Table or contact the office!
A CALVARY COOKBOOK FUNDRAISER – DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SUNDAY, APRIL 27
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! We would love to have a recipe from everyone and are hoping for a minimum of 150 recipes! 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!
FAMILY PROMISE SUPPORT UPDATE
From our Family Promise Mission account, Calvary was able to purchase a new $800 26-cubic foot refrigerator for Family Promise’s Almost Home Shelter! Thank you for your support in this! We are working with Family Promise to begin a new practice for the residents to cook their own dinners and learn valuable skills, rather than area churches providing meals each night. Churches and individuals will still be able to help buy groceries for the dinners each week, if interested. Calvary will also continue to make casseroles to store in their freezer. Thank you so much for supporting this worthwhile mission!
MARCH MISSIONS FOCUS
Our monthly mission focus is UMCOR, the mission and humanitarian assistance agency of the United Methodist Church. It works to make disciples of Jesus Christ; strengthen and develop and renew Christian congregations and communities; alleviate human suffering; and seek justice, freedom, and peace.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, March 23, 10:00am (Contemporary) Apostles’ Creed Series
“I Believe Jesus Suffered, Died, and Was Buried” 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, March 30, 10:00am (Traditional) Apostles’ Creed Series Healing Service
“The Descent and Ascent of Christ” 1 Peter 3:18-22 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Child Protection Guideline Training – Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm in the Youth Room
-Chick-Fil-A Dine-to-Donate – Thursday, March 20, all day at either Avon location
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, March 25, Noon in Fellowship Hall
-No Children or Youth Sunday School – Sunday, March 30, the middle weekend of Spring Break
-No Youth Group – Sunday, March 30 and Sunday, April 6
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, April 7, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Infant-Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, April 12, 3:00-5:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Maundy Thursday Service – A joint service at Pittsboro UMC, Thursday, April 17, 7:00pm
-Good Friday Service – Friday, April 18, 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
-Family Easter Celebration – Saturday, April 19, 3:00-5:00pm throughout the church
-No Euchre – Saturday, April 19. We will resume Saturday, May 17, 6:00-8:00pm
-Easter Sunrise Service – Sunday, April 20, 7:00am in the Shelter
-Easter Breakfast – Sunday, April 20, 8:00-9:30am in Fellowship Hall
-Traditional Easter Service – Sunday, April 20, 10:00am in the Sanctuary