Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
Before I share a sneak peek into this week’s sermon message, I want to share an update on the ongoing work of our trustees in partnership with ALO Property Group. Our property was successfully re-platted at the Brownsburg Town Planning Commission on September 24, 2024 into two parcels. Calvary UMC will retain 19.74 acres. The other 18 acres is now officially an active listing for sale. In the next week to ten days, you will see an ALO Property Group “For Sale” sign. I want to personally thank our trustees, especially Robyn Maynard, our chair, for their due diligence, perseverance, and ongoing efforts! Your prayers are most appreciated as we now live into this adventure to eliminate/reduce debt so that we can tackle our HVAC system and live into our outreach and connection to our community.
Pastor Jolita and I have both been personally challenged to prepare and bring this current sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer to you. I sense I have grown tremendously in my understanding of who Jesus is and how He wants me to partner with His ministry. My praying has shifted. I hope you have noted your own growth and sense encouragement to deepen further. This Sunday, we will finish our five-part series with our focus on how God LEADS and DELIVERS through temptation, evil, trials, and the Evil One’s schemes. We will learn a bit more on how to be on God’s “offense” as well as “defense”.
See you in person or online this Sunday!
On Mission POSSIBLE with you,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
CRAFT FAIR
The Craft Fair Committee and Staff thank you for the many ways you supported the 3rd annual Craft Fair last Saturday. It couldn’t have happened without so many of you praying, baking, setting up/taking down, putting up signs, and spreading the word. We will have updates to come regarding this year’s event and look forward to doing it again October 11, 2025.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS CLEAN-UP
We will be taking the time to tackle the Fall To-Do list from 8:00am until noon this Saturday, October 19, and next Saturday, October 26. On the 19th, we will be cleaning up the garage loft space, painting the curbs, filling holes in the lot, and trimming bushes and trees. On the 26th, we will continue the various outdoor chores, weather permitting. Please consider sharing your time and effort even if you only have an hour or two available on those days in that time frame. The more the merrier and the more we can accomplish!
CRITICAL NEED FOR TEACHERS FOR ELEMENTARY SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our two current teachers for this class will be unavailable for several months. We need you! Please consider sharing one hour after services for one month. January, February, and March need to be filled. You are welcome to join Lois and/or Jo in the classroom in the next couple of weeks to find out more, or call the office.
YOUTH GROUP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE
The Youth Group, Youth Sunday School, and Children’s Sunday School will NOT be meeting this Sunday, the 20th, due to Fall Break. All three will resume on Sunday, the 27th.
YOUTH HANDBELL CHOIR
Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 27, because starting at 5:00pm students in 3rd through 12th grade can join this group! Rehearsal will last until 6:00pm and we will be focusing on music for the Advent and Christmas season. As a side note, vocal choir will start back up in January.
CLASSICS LUNCHEON
This month will be an Oktoberfest celebration on Tuesday, October 29, at Noon. We will provide bratwurst, several other kinds of sausages, sauerkraut, rotkohl (red cabbage), German potato salad, coffee and bottled water. Bring your friends and your favorite German heritage side dish or dessert. Please RSVP at the table in the narthex or by contacting the church office (office@calvaryunited.org or 317-852-2541). If you have questions, please contact Merle Illg, 317-443-6327.
HYGEINE AND CLEANING PRODUCT COLLECTION
To celebrate Thanksgiving, rather than collecting food items this time, we will work with the Learning Academy families to collect toiletries and supplies for the residents of the Clermont trailer park that our Missions team has been working with. The collection will start Monday, October 28 and continue through Thursday, November 14. Add those items to your grocery list and keep them in mind when you see sales! Dollar Tree gift cards would also be appreciated.
OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH
We want to join together in expressing love, appreciation, and encouragement to our wonderful pastors, Rev. Michelle Knight and Rev. Jolita Erbele. We also are including Dr. Mark Herris, our Director of Music and Worship. While the Staff Parish Committee has some treats planned, like lunch on the 30th, we would like to celebrate them in other ways as well. We hope all of our church family will take various opportunities throughout the month to show Michelle, Jolita, and Mark your appreciation. Here are some possible ways to do this:
-Three baskets will be in the Narthex throughout October to drop off notes and cards. There are many cards for Pastor Appreciation in the stores already this month or there will be some cards available next to the basket. Don’t leave out the children, as cards and pictures from them would be cherished! They can be added to the mail basket, too.
-On Sunday, October 6, we recognized our retired clergy.
-On October 27, we will have a special prayer during the service. We would also love any photos you might have of the pastors and Mark to include on the screens that morning. Following the service, we will continue the celebration in Fellowship Hall with cake! Plan now to join us for this church-family time!
-Any personal gifts, surprises, or acts of kindness for them would be thoughtful as well! If you might not be sure how to express this, but would like to be a part of some, the Staff Parish Relations Committee is planning some gifts, and you are welcome to contribute financially toward those. Contact Christy Bailey for details and to donate: drobbc@aol.com or 317-529-6172.
-Above all else, we ask especially for daily prayers for our pastors during this month – for strength, wisdom, good health, energy, and blessings.
Let’s make sure they feel the love from their Calvary family this month! Thank YOU for being a part of this wonderful family!
~The Staff Parish Relations Committee
MONTHLY MISSIONS
Our October Mission giving supports the Pastor’s Discretionary account. This money is used to assist others as the pastor sees fit for situations that are unforeseen.
NEW MEMBER CONVERSATIONS
Interested in finding out more about Calvary UMC? The pastors will be hosting a new member conversation at 11:11 in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, November 3 and again on November 10. (No need to RSVP.)
CALVARY WOMEN’S RETREAT
This year’s retreat is on November 2, 2024, and Asheritah Ciuciu, an author and speaker known for her dynamic online ministry, will be presenting her message entitled “Delighting in Jesus.” This message encourages us to embrace God’s profound invitation to a life filled with joy and delight by encountering Jesus in the daily rhythms of life. Remember to mark your calendars and extend an invitation to your family and friends! Register online at https://calvaryunited.org/womens-retreat/ or download a registration form. Forms are also available in the Calvary office. Registration is due by October 27.
SHIELDING THE COMMUNITY
The Brownsburg Police Department is hosting a presentation and panel for residents of Hendricks County to educate and empower with knowledge regarding scams and how better to protect yourself against them. The event is October 29 from 10:00am until Noon at Eaton Hall (61 N. Green St). To reserve a seat, call 317-852-1109, ext 2127 or email KCummins@BrownsburgPolice.org.
CONCERT AT AVON UMC
Avon UMC is hosting Carrie Newcomer with pianist Gary Walters in their sanctuary on Saturday, November 16. Doors open at 6:30 and the cost is $20 per person. If you’re interested, visit this page https://onrealm.org/AvonUMC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjliZDc3YTAtYmQ3MS00Njk1LTg1YTAtYjFkYTAxMDNjMTU1 or contact Avon UMC at 317-272-4068.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, October 20, 10:00am Rev. Michelle Knight (Pastor Jolita will be on vacation.)
“Pray This Way: Our Father Leads and Delivers” Matthew 6:13 (NIV)
-Sunday, October 27, 10:00am Rev. Jolita Erbele
“Hearing God’s Voice Speak Generously: Hearers and Doers” Matthew 6:2-4 (ESV)
SAVE THE DATE:
-Fall Clean-up – Saturday, October 19, 8:00am-Noon, outside church and in the garage
-Euchre – Saturday, October 19 at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-No Youth or Children’s Sunday School – Sunday, October 20, due to Fall Break
-Toiletry and Supply Collection – Monday, October 28 through Thursday, November 14 in the Narthex
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, October 29 at Noon in Fellowship Hall
-Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 2, 9:00am-3:00pm throughout Church
-New Member Conversations – Sunday, November 3 and Sunday, November 10, 11:11-Noon in Fellowship Hall
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, November 4, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Charge Conference 2024 – Saturday, November 23, 10:00am in the Sanctuary