Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Last month in preparation for my eye surgery, I spent time reading, reflecting, and praying over the various times Jesus healed someone’s sight. Amazing miracle stories! Then, I reflected on the gift that “vision” is beyond just the physical eyesight. There are a lot of scriptures about vision, seeing as God sees, and opening of the eyes of our hearts. The words of Paul in the letter to the Ephesus church regarding the connection between sight or vision and God’s hope really stirred in me gratitude for my ability to see. “…The eyes of your hearts enlightened in the hope of His call.” (adaption of Ephesians 1:18) I am grateful for my eyesight, but also I am grateful for God’s hope which enables me to see the world through HIS hope, which is JESUS.
It is with this set of eyes that I encourage us to live with whole life generosity. Pastor Jolita began our conversation last Sunday to reflect upon generosity, gratitude, and the giving of ourselves to God’s good work in the world. This Sunday, we will spend some time thinking and praying about the role of gratitude in not just our faith, but in our generosity.
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”(A.W. Tozer)
See you in person in worship or online as we are grateful together!
With eyes of our hearts enlightened by our God’s hope,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
UMCOR
The UMC Disaster Response is already working in Jamaica and the other islands following Hurricane Melissa. In addition to your prayers, if you would like to donate to the efforts, you may donate through our church, noting “Hurricane Relief” on your check or envelope. You may also visit the UMC website: umcmission.org/disaster-responses/hurricane-melissa.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE CLA
We are excited to announce that Mrs. Sara Yambert will be joining the Learning Academy office team as Assistant Director beginning this coming summer. Currently, she is one of our Kinderskills teachers. She will be finishing out her role as the lead teacher through the end of the school year. Sara brings many good experiences with multi-level classroom settings. She is also a wife to Jeff and mother to two boys. She has demonstrated her Christian faith to be strong and is excited to share this with many students and our staff. Not only does Sara possess the background and education in early and middle school education, she also has her Special Education license.
We are all so sad to see Mrs.Tonya Conover leave, and we will truly miss her. She has shared many years and much joy with so many families, and for that we are blessed. Please join us in congratulating Sara and also sharing your love with Tonya. We wish Tonya all the best. We will honor her by striving to keep CLA the best it can be as Melissa Sturgill takes over the role of Director.
Thank you all for your support during this season of change.
NEW MEMBER INFORMATION TIME
Are you interested in learning more about Calvary? Thinking perhaps of becoming a member? Plan now to join us on November 16 in Fellowship Hall after the service. If you are unable to make that time, but would still like to find out more, please let one of the pastors know or contact the office.
NEW MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY STARTING SOON
The 10:00am Monday Bible Study will begin examining and discussing Isaiah 40-55 next Monday, November 10. If you would like to join in, call or email the office or sign up on the sheet in the office. The study guide is $20. (If that is a hardship, please let Pastor Michelle know.)
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
The Monday evening Women’s Bible Study class will not be meeting on November 10 or 17. They will resume on Monday, November 24, with a 4-week Advent study to prepare our hearts for Christmas. “The Wonder of Advent; Delighting in the Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love of Christmas” is a Lifeway study with a participant guide ($15) accompanied by video lessons. Notify Beth Wright or the church office in interested in joining and purchasing the study guide.
ANGEL TREE
Project A.N.G.E.L. of Hendricks County is wrapping up the collection of applications for the Angels for this year’s trees and we should be receiving ours in the next week or so. When we receive them, we will put them on our tree in the narthex and invite you to pick an angel or two and buy gifts for the children. Gifts with the angels attached will need to be returned by December 5. Stay tuned for more information!
YOUTH GROUP
Youth Group will meet again this Sunday. Bring a friend and come at 5:00 for bells, followed by Youth Group at 6:00.
NOVEMBER’S MONTHLY MISSION
Near the end of each year, the Missions and Outreach Committee determines which groups will be the focus of our designated missions giving from month to month. Last year, it had been decided that the Brownsburg Older Adult Alliance would receive November 2025’s gifts. However, we have recently been informed that BOAA will now become part of the Hendricks County Senior Services, effective the first of the year. Our committee has determined that our November monetary gifts will go instead to “Brownsburg food insecurity” due to the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefits not being funded after October. The mission team will decide how best to divide the donations between the Blessing Box, Cornerstone Christian & Messiah Lutheran food pantries, and a Calvary Community dinner for Blessing Box families.
In addition to that, we will also be collecting food items for the Blessing Box and the Family Promise Food Pantry, like peanut butter, jelly, crackers, cheese or peanut butter crackers, granola bars, and canned meats. We thank you in advance for your kind donations!
SPEAKING OF BOAA: A GREAT SERVICE PROJECT, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES
The Brownsburg Older Adult Alliance is hosting its annual Fall Raking (no bagging!) on November 15th and 22nd. There are two sessions on both of those days: The first one starts at 9:00am; the second starts at 1:00pm. We will meet here at church at the garage. A sack lunch will be provided. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before the time you signed up for. Bring a rake and garden clippers if you have them and dress for the weather. Rain dates will be both Sundays at Noon. Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AACAE28A6F94-59245969-fall/170167945#/ to sign up today! (If you are a student in need of volunteer hours, this is a great opportunity for that!)
INFANT & TODDLER FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
We will meet again on Saturday, November 15, in Fellowship Hall at 3:00. We will discuss suggestions and tips for coping with stress at the holidays. Plan now to join us!
CLASSICS LUNCHEON
The Classics Luncheon for November is cancelled. Please plan on joining us for the “Polar Express” December 30 at Noon.
SIGN UP TO READ TO THE CLA KIDS
This past school year, we started a new reading time in the Learning Academy, and it was so much fun! We’re going to do it again this year! Sign up at the Mission Table in the hallway the next time you’re at church!
STEWARDSHIP LETTER AND OFFERING ENVELOPES
This year’s stewardship update and pledge cards will be mailed today and we will share our pledges for the coming year on Sunday, November 23.
Also, we are able to provide offering envelopes for 2026. If you would like to have a set of envelopes, you may mark that on your pledge card or you may contact the office (Office@CalvaryUnited.org or 317-852-2541) and indicate whether you would like monthly or weekly envelopes.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, November 9, 10:00am (Traditional)
“Whole-Life Generosity: Hearing God’s Voice: All that We have Received with Gratitude from God”
Psalm 89:11; Ephesians 1:18, 5:20 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, November 16, 10:00am (Contemporary)
“Whole-Life Generosity: Do not Worry”
Matthew 6:24-33 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 8, 9:00am-3:00pm, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall
-Infant and Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, November 15, 3:00pm, in Fellowship Hall
-Euchre – Saturday, November 15, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Advent begins – Sunday, November 30
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, December 1, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Christmas Tea – Saturday, December 6, 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Kindness Kitchen – Sunday, December 7, 11:20am in the Kitchen
-Living Nativity and Celebrating Jesus’ Birthday – Saturday, December 20, 6:00pm