Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Do you remember Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3? He prayed that Christians would grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. How far is it from the Throne of the Universe to the manger of Bethlehem, and to the Cross of Calvary, to the tomb in the garden and to descend to the dead? That is the depth of the love of Christ.
I might think I am low, in my actions, in my thoughts… but when I read that Jesus descended to the dead, I know that Jesus goes even deeper. His love is even deeper than my lowest self. When I think God is not at work or I don’t see Him working, I remember Holy Saturday. It looked like it was the end. Jesus died. He was buried.
The disciples went back to their homes. The soldiers rolled the stone in front of the tomb where they laid Jesus’ body. Everybody saw an end. Nobody saw that Jesus was at work. God was at work. Sometimes in our hardest waiting God is working for the biggest miracle. Have faith, be patient: you are about to see how big God’s love is for you. Sunday, we are here to worship the Miracle Worker. Joining us?
Soaking in His love,
Pastor Jolita
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
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!
LOVING THE GREEN GRASS AND SIGNS OF SPRING?
Then we’d love to have you help with the mowing! We have a riding mower in the garage and are in need of a few people to take turns outside here throughout the growing season. If this is an area where you can share some time, please contact Kevin Kowalski at k_kowalski@sbcglobal.net or 317-417-4714. Thank you!
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 in the office. Plan on joining us, mingling, and enjoying the youthful energy! Questions contact Anne Inman 317-504-9268 or anneinman1@hotmail.com.
YOUNG ADULT GROUP
Avon United Methodist Church has formed a group for Young Adults in their 20s and 30s that meets the last Sunday of the month at 11:15am there. They are inviting other young adults from area churches to join them. If you are in your 20s or 30s and would like to enjoy fellowship and grow in faith with others in the same phase of life, plan to join them this Sunday there. If you have any questions, contact Avon UMC’s office at officeassistant@avonumc.com or 317-272-4068.
EASTER FLOWER ORDERS
As we’ve done in the past, we will celebrate Easter morning with potted tulips and lilies. These flowers are available for you to purchase in honor or memory of a loved one and take home following the 10:00 service. Simply fill out the form included here (or in the bulletin on Sunday) and place it in the offering box on Sunday, or drop it in the church mailbox, or bring it to the office by Sunday, April 13. An insert mentioning those being honored and remembered will be included on Easter morning.
YOUTH MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISERS
We are in the process of raising money for Youth Missions. Thank you to everyone who has generously helped so far! In addition to the pancake brunch we had last month and the Dine-to-Donate last week, we have a few things going on right now:
We are 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. This is the last week for the car wash sale.
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
The next two weeks, Sunday, March 30 and Sunday, April 6, Youth Group will not be meeting because of Spring Break. We will resume on April 13. Reminder that we will be rehearsing the Easter skit tomorrow morning at 10:30am in the Sanctuary. Also on April 13, the Youth Group will meet right after church instead of attending Sunday School to rehearse their skit again ahead of Easter morning.
LEGO CAMP REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS
LEGO Camp is happening Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23 from 8:00am until 1:00pm. We need many people involved in volunteering as we expect approximately 150 campers this year. Registration forms for both volunteers and campers are available on the Mission Table in the hallway across from the office. A registration form for campers is also available here: https://calvaryunited.org/summer-camp/.
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 29 will be hosted by West Newton 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!
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 30, 10:00am (Traditional) Apostles’ Creed Series Healing Service
“The Descent and Ascent of Christ” 1 Peter 3:18-22 (ESV) Rev. Jolita Erbele
-Sunday, April 6, 10:00am (Contemporary) Apostles’ Creed Series Service of Holy Communion
“I Believe in God the Holy Spirit” Galatians 5:16-18, 22-26 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
SAVE THE DATE:
-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