weekly focus: central asia update The short-term missions team that went to Central Asia in June experienced encouragement and were challenged again this year, witnessing the perfect timing and provision of God. The team had two main objectives: to work with the host church to provide programming for a leaders retreat so they could better prepare for the monthlong children’s program put on by the church during the summer; and to work with a group organizing a camping experience in the mountains for young people coming from orphanages and the church neighborhood. The team also spent time with a few business owners who openly live out their faith through their business operations as an intentional part of their business plan. By the generous gifts of many people, the prayers of even more, and the overwhelming grace of God, they were able to accomplish these goals. Through these activities, and in building relationships with church members, the team was able to clearly see how dynamically God is working in Central Asia. Even though these believers are underresourced, and are a small minority in their society, they are boldly proclaiming the grace of God and influencing the people in their community with the gospel – both in word and deed. Please continue to pray for the church as they follow-up with the contacts that are being made through the summer programs. Thank you, Calvary Church for your financial contributions and prayers that make it possible for these teams to go and experience God’s work around the world, and in their own lives. Missionary Prayer Guides Missionary Prayer Guides are available at the Information Centers to guide you as you pray for our global and community workers throughout the month of August. A summary of prayer requests is also available on Calvary’s website at http://calvarygr.org/ministries/ missions-outreach/current-missions-prayer-requests.
congregational care & serving opportunities Recently Hospitalized Prayer List If you have been hospitalized, or anticipate hospitalization, and would like to be added to the prayer list, please call the church office at 956-9377. Blodgett: Bob Gudbrandson PRAYER CHAIN: If you need prayer, contact Don & Cindy Marrell (
[email protected]) at 450-9622. Bereaved We extend our Christian sympathy to George & Pat Noble at the homegoing of George’s mom, Janet, on August 2. Caring for Kids This Fall, GPS Kids will meet each Tuesday morning for moms attending Bible Study and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) will meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings. These are two wonderful opportunities for children to experience Bible stories and the clear presentation of
the gospel throughout the year. Please ask the Lord if this might be a place you can bless a child and mom by serving with us! We look forward to welcoming helpers who love kids from ages birth to sixyears old! Contact Donna (
[email protected]) at ext. 5186 for more information. Grace Beyond: Moving Help Needed In our move-in process we are in need of extra hands for special projects such as: • assembling furniture • unloading/moving furniture • painting • misc other things If you would to like help as needs arise, email Stacy Armbrester (
[email protected]) to be added to a list of volunteers. Unload & Assemble Furniture Tomorrow, August 7 | 8:30am Email Stacy if you are available to help unload and assemble furniture tomorrow morning.
FOR THE RECORD
Calvary Church
Revised Projected Offerings Last Week )Fiscal YTD
$
127,956
$ 6,907,706
Actual Offerings
Surplus/ (Deficit)
105,787
($ 22,169)
$ 6,895,366
($ 12,340)
$
Sept. 1 - Jul. 30 Open Door Project
August 6, 2017
$
134,801
707 E Beltline Ave NE Grand Rapids MI 49525 Mailing Address: PO Box 1600 Grand Rapids MI 49501 Ph (616) 956-9377 Fax (616) 956-9723 calvarygr.org CalvaryChurchGR calvarygr
9:00am & 10:45am
A Subtle God Esther Jim Samra Senior Pastor
coming events & announcements If you are visiting today, we are glad you are here. For information about our many groups, programs and events for all ages, pick up a copy of the quarterly Calvary Life magazine, visit us online at calvarygr.org, or stop by the Connection Point in room 215 (located in the East End beside the Chapel). We would love to meet you! If you need hearing assistance, listening devices are available at the Welcome Center in the center of the Crosswalk.
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Greece Info Meeting August 6 | 12:15pm | Room 110 Come learn about a short-term mission trip to Greece this fall The focus of this trip is two-fold: to assist a church in Athens with VBS, working with refugees, and holding Work as Worship workshops; other team members will travel to the island of Lesvos to assess the feasibility of a future team working in the Women & Children’s Center. Blessed2Bless Prayer Gathering August 7 | 10:00am | Room 215 Come connect with other women and support the work that God is doing as people throughout the church are reaching out to their families, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Susan Sorensen will give an overview of Neighborhood Bible Study to Go. You do not need to be leading a neighborhood study to take part. Food Industry Prayer Lunch August 10 | 12:00pm | Rm 208 Join Pastor Jim as he welcomes all those who work in the Food Industry for a luncheon and discussion surrounding their area of employment. This luncheon is for all who work in any capacity in the food industry - servers, food distribution and sales, restaurant owners, or food preparation workers are invited to attend. Register at calvarygr.org/ events.
5th/6th: Rock Climbing August 10 | 2:00-4:30pm | $5 Meet at Entrance D Be adventurous and climb some rock walls with us! Incoming fifth graders welcome. Register at calvarygr.org/events. 7th/8th: Pool Day at MVP August 11 | 1:00-4:00pm | $10 Meet at MVP (115 Crahen NE) Join us for a day at the pool, tennis, sand volleyball, and basketball at MVP Sports Club! Register at calvarygr.org/events. Calvary Café Closed Next Week There will be no coffee service next Sunday. We will begin serving coffee in the Gathering Place on Sunday, August 20. High School: Scavenger Hunt August 17 | 12:30-3:00pm Have fun doing a scavenger hunt with great prizes throughout the Woodland Mall! Meet at the Food Court. Bring money for lunch. Register at calvarygr.org/events. Forever Hope: Adoptive/Foster Families Picnic August 18 | 4:00-8:00pm Millennium Park We invite you to join us for fellowship, food and fun. Lawn games, playground activities and swimming will be available. The shelter opens at 4:00pm. Dinner will be at 6:00pm. Space is limited; register by August 14 at calvarygr.org/events.
Young Adults: Worship on the Waterfront August 20 | 4:30pm } Ent. D We will travel together to Grand Haven to take in a free concert by Citizen Way. Bring some $ for dinner beforehand. Register at calvarygr.org/events. Men’s Fall Kickoff BBQ August 24 | 6:30-8:30pm Join us for some great grilled man food, fellowship and teaching. See what’s new for Men’s Ministry for this fall. Apples of Gold Fall Session Are you a young married woman with a desire to receive mentoring from mature women believers? Apples of Gold brings God’s instruction from Titus 2, for older women to teach younger women, into action through Bible study discussion, cooking lessons, fellowship at the meal table and mentoring relationships. The next seven-week class begins Thursday evening September 28. Contact
[email protected] by August 29 to register.
grace BEYOND
CALVARY NIGHT IN Monday, August 14 6:00-9:00pm Gather with your church family to celebrate the completion of the latest phase of the Grace Beyond building project. You will have an opportunity to tour the new Gathering Place and the Calvary Kids Ministry Area. Join us for food, fun and fellowship. This is an open house, dinner will be served from 6:008:00 and ice cream will be available all night. Come as your schedule allows! We are excited to connect with you. A Piece of Calvary History In the fall of 1998, Calvary Church was called to a season of rest, challenged to do less and connect with God more. During this season, God led Calvary member Julie Link to work with then worship pastor George Ohman, Jr. to to incorporate prayers and Scripture in the worship folder to guide the congregation to walk deeper in faith and help them connect daily with God and His Word. This unique collaboration drew people into worship for three years. In April 2015, one of the last requests Julie had before she went to heaven was to have her prayers published so that her sacrificial gift to our church could be made available to the church at large. These books will be available at Calvary Night In for a gift to Grace Beyond of at least $25 (anything given above the $11 cost of the book will be receipted as tax deductible contribution). We are delighted to share a piece of Calvary history with the church family and encourage you to stop by the Welcome Center in the Crosswalk on August 14 and pick up a copy of 100 Prayers - Inspired by the Psalms. CALVARY KIDS DATES TO NOTE August 13 | No Calvary Kids Programming - Next Sunday, we will have a Cry Room available at the back of the Connection Point (room 215) and the Nursing Mom’s room will be in room 212. August 14 | Kids: Find Your Room - We encourage you to come to the Calvary Night In on Monday, August 14 for a chance to tour the new Calvary Kids Ministry Area prior to the first Sunday of programming. August 20 | Fall Promotion in Calvary Kids - Fall promotion will take place on August 20 and then we will resume regular summer programming in the new ministry area.
