Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Today is the day we begin our fast, self-reflection, and preparation for what new thing God in Jesus will teach us, show us, or reveal to us as we approach the cross and empty tomb. In what way will you live differently these next 40 days plus 6 Sundays?
Will you add a spiritual discipline like scripture reading, meditation, fasting, prayer, or reflection upon a lent devotional? Will there be something you subtract from your routine like fasting from social media, refraining from sweet treats, not cussing or swearing , or giving up your time for someone else? Adding or subtracting from your routine are both ways to live differently in order to be more aware of God’s presence.
You can also join us this evening at 7pm in the sanctuary (or online) as we enter this season together with our sisters and brothers from Pittsboro UMC. Your presence as we sing, pray, read scripture, reflect, and receive ashes will aid you to enter this season differently. Please note that our offering will support the United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon, Indiana.
Another way to experience this season differently is to worship each Sunday in the next seven weeks. Beginning on Sunday, March 9th, we will learn, listen, and consider the truths which are within the Apostles’ Creed. This is one of the oldest summations of our core theological beliefs that Christians (across time, continents, languages and cultures, and denominations) affirm together. We find unity in these truths. May our learning equip us as disciple-makers. Each Sunday through Easter we will consider another portion of this creed.
Come live differently with us this Lent as we are Hearers and Doers for Jesus,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
ASH WEDNESDAY
Today is Ash Wednesday. Please join us here in our Sanctuary at 7:00pm as we worship together with Pittsboro UMC and begin this season of Lent.
TIME CHANGE THIS WEEKEND
Make note that early Sunday morning, clocks spring forward!
VERSITI BLOODMOBILE
The Bloodmobile is back Sunday, March 16 from 8:30-12:45. We would love to completely fill their schedule with donations that morning. Visit https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11609344 to sign up today!
THANK YOU TO THE BRASS CHOIR!
We thank the Indianapolis Brass Choir for sharing their time and talent with us this past Sunday afternoon. And, we thank all those who joined us for that event! The freewill offering collected at the event raised $753 for Family Promise of Hendricks County!
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!
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. We will also be needing another adult (21+) to join us. Please see Kevin Kowalski or Lynn Wagner for more information. Lynnbooher@hotmail.com
YOUTH MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISERS
Speaking of Mountain T.O.P., we have two fundraisers this month.
The first is 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.
The second is a Chick-Fil-A Dine-to-Donate on Thursday, March 20. A flyer is attached to this, or pick one up on the mission table in the hallway at church, mention the fundraiser to your cashier, or use code UMC320 in the app at either Avon location.
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! See you then!
THINK SPRING! PLANT-LOVER NEEDED
We have a wonderful service opportunity that works around your schedule! If you are interested in plant beds and pots, we need someone to take over the ones by the entry. Betsy Hoggatt cared for them previously and has put together a maintenance guide and is open to any questions that may come up. Not much is needed until spring, but we’d love to hear now if this is a role for you! Call or email the office today!
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!
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.
WINTER WEATHER HELP WANTED
We are looking for a couple of volunteers who might be willing to help shovel and salt around church when we have less than two inches of snow. If cold weather invigorates you and shoveling is your kind of exercise, please get in touch with Lori Wilcoxson (lrwilcoxson@gmail.com) for more information.
WORSHIP:
-This evening, March 5, 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service here with Pittsboro UMC joining
“Humility” Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21(NRSV) Rev. Stacy Downing
-Sunday, March 9, 10:00am (Contemporary) Apostles’ Creed Series
“I Believe in God, the Father Almighty” Romans 8:15-17 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, March 16, 10:00am (Traditional) Apostles’ Creed Series
“I Believe in Jesus Christ” Hebrews 1:1-4 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Euchre – Saturday, March 15, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Bloodmobile – Sunday, March 16, 8:30am-12:45pm in the parking lot
-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
-Chick-Fil-A Dine-to-Donate – Thursday, March 20, all day at either Avon location
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, March 25, Noon in Fellowship Hall
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, April 7, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Infant-Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, April 12, 3:00pm 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
-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