Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Jesus calls us to be disciples. And as disciples we are to make disciples. So, what does a disciple look like?
One way to figure out what a disciple looks like is to consider one of the lesser known original twelve disciples Jesus had in his inner circle of ministry. This Sunday, we will pay deep attention to the apostle/disciple Bartholomew.
Our stained-glass disciple windows depict Bartholomew’s shield with a knife. History records that Bartholomew was flayed or skinned alive. A few sources state that after being skinned he was crucified. There is no reference in Scripture about his death. History shows that Bartholomew served as a missionary to Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia (Modern Iran), Lycaonia (Modern Turkey), and Armenia. It is believed that he was flayed and beheaded for converting the king of Armenia to Christianity. The king’s brother ordered his death.
John’s Gospel lists him as Nathanael. Same guy, but different names. The Gospel of John mentions Nathanael being brought to Jesus by Philip, and Bartholomew is always listed next to Philip in the Synoptic lists of the Twelve, suggesting they are the same person.
What can we learn from this disciple who was “without guile” and was martyred for his confident, bold faith to share about Jesus? A lot.
See you in person this Sunday for worship and the “rest of the story”…
Together we are Hearers and Doers,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL – “GOD NEVER LEAVES ME”
Our third annual Family Fall Festival is Saturday, September 27th starting at 3:00pm and we’ve invited our Calvary Learning Academy families to the event. We will start in the sanctuary with a children’s message and singing followed by activity stations (all indoors) that include: face painters, balloon twisters, mini pumpkin decorating, a “God Never Leaves Me” craft, cookie decorating, coffee bar, and pumpkin spice treats. The playground will be open. We need volunteers and youth leaders to serve these young families. We would ask you to be at church by 2:30 and the event wraps up at 5:00. Let us know if you can reach out in this fun way. Contact the office (office@CalvaryUnited.org) or sign up on at the Mission Table in the hallway.
CHOIR AND HANDBELLS
Handbells and Praise Choir meet for rehearsals tonight, and we’d love for you to come give it a try. Handbells begins at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary and Choir at 7:00 pm in the Choir Room. We’re looking for new members in all voice sections of choir. Interested? Come by tonight! You may also email Mark at mherris@CalvaryUnited.org for more information.
YOUTH GROUP
We’ve started a series this month dedicated to empowering our group with strategies for anxiety, depression, coping, and identity. Bring friends and meet us at 6:00 this Sunday evening in Fellowship Hall for friendship, fun, and discussions. The meeting will wrap up at 7:30.
UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE
Our Fall Blood Drive is coming up Sunday, September 21, from 8:30am to 12:45pm and we’d love to get all the spots filled! Sign up today, let your friends know, and share this link: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11609347
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!
KINDNESS KITCHEN DATE CHANGE
Rather than meeting on the first Sunday (September 7) this month, Kindness Kitchen will meet instead on September 21 to bake cookies for the upcoming Fall Family Festival. Plan on joining us at 11:20 in the kitchen for this!
FALL CHURCH GROUNDS CLEAN-UP: COME WHEN YOU CAN, LEAVE WHEN YOU HAVE TO
We’re having a workday on Saturday, September 27 from 8:00am until noon, cleaning up around the church. We will have a few different chores to check off the list and would love your help in getting them done. Many hands make light work, even if you can only share an hour! Check out the sign-up sheet on the Mission table across from the office. Chores include things like, spreading mulch, weeding and trimming, and applying cold patch to holes in the drive.
“A SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER”
Classics Luncheon is Tuesday, September 30 at noon in Fellowship Hall. We’ll be taking a stroll down memory lane for this one! Besides bringing a friend, of course, bring an antique, a story to share, and a favorite dish from “back when”. You may RSVP by contacting the office (office@CalvaryUnited.org or 317-852-2541) or by signing up at the Mission table in the church hallway.
CALVARY COOKBOOK IS HERE!
The Kindness Kitchen Cookbook has arrived! The cost is $15. If you pre-ordered, we have one set aside for you. If you did not pre-order, you are still welcome to pick one up. See Karen Striegel in the hallway on Sunday!
WOMEN’S RETREAT REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
November 8 may seem a long way off right now, but it’s not too far out to start planning for a beautifully fulfilling day! Registration for the 9:00am-3:00pm event is now open. Invite your friends and family and head to https://calvaryunited.org/womens-retreat/ to sign up today.
SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MISSION
Our mission focus for September is Sheltering Wings, another organization that is very important to us and to Hendricks County. Sheltering Wings provides emergency housing and services for survivors escaping domestic abuse, building stable and independent lives through essential programs offered in a supportive and Christ-centered environment. Find out more at https://shelteringwings.org/about-us/.
CALVARY IS TEAMING UP WITH WAWA FOR FAMILY PROMISE
The Wawa Grand Opening is September 18th. Our Church’s Missions Team was selected by the National Wawa Food Donation Program as a donor agency for the new Brownsburg Wawa location. Our team will distribute Wawa’s surplus food daily to Family Promise of Hendricks County. The donated food will serve the clients at the Family Promise Resource Center, Almost Home Shelter, Butterfly Transitional House, and our 3 Clermont Trailer Park families. This is a unique and amazing opportunity to serve those facing food insecurity in our community. Daily donations of Wawa’s popular items may include refrigerated breakfast sandwiches, hoagies, wraps, and frozen foods. Americans throw away more than 25% of the food we prepare: about 96 billion pounds of food waste each year, according to the US Department of Agriculture. This is another shining example of how Calvary is making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us. If you’d like to help with that, contact Anne (anneinman1@hotmail.com). John 6:12 (NIV) – When they all had enough to eat, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, September 14, 10:00am (Traditional)
“The Story of Jesus’ Disciples and Us: Lesser-Known Bartholomew”
Acts 1:12-14 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, September 21, 10:00am (Contemporary)
“The Story of Jesus’ Disciples and Us: James, Son of Alphaeus”
Matthew 10:2-4 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Infant and Toddler Family Fellowship – Saturday, September 13, 3:00pm, Fellowship Hall
-Euchre – Saturday, September 20, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Blood Drive – Sunday, September 21, 8:30-12:45 in the BloodMobile
-Kindness Kitchen – Sunday, September 21, 11:30am in the Kitchen
-Church Grounds Clean-Up – Saturday, September 27, 8:00am until Noon
-Fall Family Festival – Saturday, September 27, 3:00pm
-Classics Luncheon – Tuesday, September 30, at noon in Fellowship Hall
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, October 6, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Calvary Craft Fair – Saturday, October 11, 9:00am-3:00pm
-Church Grounds Clean-Up – Saturday, October 25, 8:00am until Noon
-Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 8, 9:00am-3:00pm, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall