Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
We are so delighted and excited to worship within God’s beautiful creation this Sunday at our Shelter house. Dress comfy, bring a jacket, maybe a lawn chair.
Don’t forget our special time to share a meal together as our worship will continue into a special way for us to luncheon and to gather around Christ’s table. Make sure you bring paper products, sides, and utensils for your family. (The church will provide fried chicken and bottles of water for everyone.) God’s creation is a perfect sanctuary for worship, praise, and prayer!
Our desire to worship outside was to create the time and space for our church family to fellowship, get to know each other better, and more fully appreciate the adventure before us as we sell undeveloped land in order to eliminate debt and move more strategically into our missional ministry. Therefore, we will take time to give thanks for all of our land as well as surrender ourselves into God’s provision.
Speaking of neighbors… our Sunday message will continue our “Is It Well With Your Soul?” series as we lean into this week’s focus on “New Skills to Love Well”. We will hear again the story of the Samaritan who was good and neighborly. We will ask ourselves, “What new skills are we choosing to develop so that God’s love is more manifest in our attitudes and actions?”.
For those who watch online, we will NOT live stream at 10am; however a recorded version of worship will be on Calvary’s YouTube page (search for Calvary United Methodist Church Brownsburg IN) for you later in the day.
On Mission POSSIBLE with you,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
ADULT CHOIR
Please join us tonight for Choir practice in the choir room at 7:00. Beginners are welcome! Come give it a try!
“FIRST” MONDAY OF THE MONTH PRAYER TIME
Our First Monday of the Month Prayer Time will be Monday, September 9 at 6:30am in the Sanctuary. Bring your coffee and what’s on your heart.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
All Sunday School classes for all ages will not meet this Sunday, September 8 because of the church picnic and fellowship time at the Shelter.
Please note: there is a need for a couple more teachers for our Children and Youth Sunday School. Are you able to commit one Sunday a month to help in this way? Curriculum is provided! Contact the office today with any questions or to volunteer.
OUTDOOR WORSHIP & CHURCH PICNIC
Our Sunday service this week, September 8, will be outside in the shelter at 10:00am with picnic and fellowship time following at 11:00. The gravel lot near the shelter will be reserved for handicap parking. All others can park in the lot. Plan now to join us for the special time together! (Please note that the service will not be available online due to being outside. A video recording of worship will be posted later.) The church will provide chicken and water; bring plates, utensils, and sides for you and your family. The plan is that we worship together, and after the worship, move around into various groups. You might not end up sitting with the rest of your family as we make up these groups for lunch! We’re looking forward to a beautiful morning together as a church family!
BLOOD DRIVE
We are again hosting the BloodMobile on Sunday, September 15 from 8:30am until 12:45pm to help with the very low supply. Please visit https://donate.indiana.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/164753 to schedule. We are hoping for at least 20 donors this day! The need is urgent. Blood is needed every few seconds and only 3% of the population donates. If you’ve never donated, please consider trying here!
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY RESUMES SEPTEMBER 9
The Monday night Women’s Bible Study will start up again on September 9 at 6:30pm with a video-based study by Jen Wilkins called “God of Deliverance” about Exodus 1-18. The study book is $9. Contact Beth Wright (317-340-6447) or Sue Moritz (847-902-6070) with questions.
READING IN THE LEARNING ACADEMY
There are only a few dates left! Share your love of reading with the students and sign up for one of the following dates: Friday, October 11 at 12:30 to 3-year olds; Monday, October 28 at 9:30 to 4 and 5-year olds; Wednesday, November 12 at 9:30 to 4-year olds; Wednesday, January 15 at 9:30 to 3-year olds; Thursday, January 23 at 9:15 to 4-year olds; Friday, January 31 at 9:30 to 3-year olds; and Thursday, February 20 at 12:30 to 4 and 5-year olds. Contact the office or add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
MONTHLY MISSIONS
Our September Mission giving will support the Lucille Raines Residence. Lucille Raines Residence is a facility located in downtown Indianapolis, owned and operated by The United Women in Faith of Indiana (formerly The United Methodist Women of Indiana) since 1977. Those living at LRR, up to 49 individuals, are actively engaged in rebuilding their lives from substance abuse. They all share in learning to function independently in day-to-day life. Many are finding Christ to be the source of successful recovery. You can find out more at https://lucillerainesresidence.org/.
FALL HANDBELLS
The handbell choir is back in action this Saturday with our Handbell Camp, running from 10:00 to 11:30am. Whether you’re new to handbells or getting ringing after the summer break, it’s going to be a great time of making music together again! Wednesday evening rehearsals start next week from 6:00 to 7:00pm.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
A regular Children’s Choir for kids ages 4 through 5th grade is starting up this Sunday, September 8, at 5:00pm! Rehearsals will be in the choir room every Sunday from 5:00-5:30 for younger children and 5:15-6:00 for older children. No prior experience needed, just a love for singing and a joyful spirit! The hope is to sing not only in worship but to travel beyond our walls to local assisted living centers as well. For more information or to sign up, please contact Mark at mherris@calvaryunited.org
Q&A SESSION
There will be a repeat Question and Answer Session Sunday, September 15 at 11:15am in Fellowship Hall. If you didn’t make it to the meeting on August 25, this is another opportunity to hear various ministry updates concerning HVAC, land sale, finance and mortgage.
CONGREGATION WORKDAY
Saturday, September 28, from 8:00am until noon will be a workday around the building and grounds for our church family. A wide variety of chores will be listed on a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Remember many hands will make light work! Thank you in advance!
FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL
The Missions Team is hosting a Fall Family Festival on Saturday, October 5 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. There will be various activity stations including: alpaca education outside, a balloon twister, two face painters, mini pumpkin decorating, Photo Booth with frame decorating, cookie decorating, and make your own candy apples, along with snacks and drinks. We will need volunteers and a few donations to make it all happen! Please sign up at the Mission Table across from the office. Thank you!
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 calvaryunited.org/womens-retreat/ or download a registration form. Forms are also available in the Calvary office.
LUNCH BUNCH AND EUCHRE RESUME IN SEPTEMBER
The Lunch Bunch meets for conversations and good food on Wednesday, September 18 at Green Street Pub & Eatery at noon. We’d love to see you there!
Euchre will meet on Saturday, September 21 at 6:00pm. Expert or Novice? All are welcome! We’d love to teach you if you don’t know how. Hang out with us in Fellowship Hall for a little bit of friendly competition!
YOUTH GROUP UPDATE
The Youth Group will meet this Sunday, September 8, in the Youth Room from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, September 8, 10:00am Rev. Michelle Knight Outdoor Service and Picnic
“Is It Well with Your Soul? New Skills to Love Well” Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV)
-Sunday, September 15, 10:00am Rev. Jolita Erbele
“Is It Well with Your Soul? Rule of Life” Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
SAVE THE DATE:
-Adult Choir first practice – Tonight, September 4, 7:00pm in the Choir Room
-Handbell Camp and first practice – Saturday, September 7 at 10:00am in the Sanctuary
-Outdoor Worship and Church Picnic – Sunday, September 8, 10:00am in the Shelter
–First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, September 9, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Versiti Blood Mobile – Sunday, September 15, 8:30am to 12:45pm in the parking lot
-Question & Answer Session – Sunday, September 15 at 11:15am
-Lunch Bunch – Wednesday, September 18 at Noon at Green Street Pub & Eatery
-Euchre – Saturday, September 21 at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Entire Church Family Building and Grounds Workday – Saturday, September 28, 8:00am-Noon
-Fall Family Festival – Saturday, October 5, 1:00pm to 3:00pm throughout and around Church
-Craft Fair – Saturday, October 12, 9:00am to 3:00pm throughout and around Church
-Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 2, 9:00am-3:00pm throughout Church