weekly focus: short-term mission trips
congregational care
Calvary Church has historically had missions at its core as reflected in the emphasis it places both on giving and going. As a missions department, we seek out not only long-term, career missionaries to support and partner with, but also those who would like to “get their feet wet” by going on a one or two-week trip.
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.
Each year we offer trips around the world, partnering with our missionaries on the ground, for all ages – from young adults and families to retirees. Over the years, thousands of you have been able to go, some multiple times and to multiple locations, returning with unique experiences each time. Some have come back with a deeper understanding of poverty, or the plight of orphans and refugees; some have had their eyes opened for the first time to the unity of God’s international family; and some have come back with a profound burden for the lost, and a desire to do something with that burden – whether right here within our own community, or overseas to an unreached people group. If you have been on a short-term team and desire greater involvement within the Grand Rapids community, we can help connect you with one of our community organizations, or with one of our own outreach efforts – prison, orphan, or refugee ministries. If you desire to find out what short-term missions is all about, or feel God nudging you to go, we can get you the information you need, and pray with you as to which trip would be a good fit. Over the next several weeks, the bulletin will announce information meetings for each trip. For more information, contact Natalie (
[email protected]) at ext. 5181. Missionary Prayer Guides are available at the Chapel Information Center to guide you as you pray for our global and community workers throughout the month of December. A summary of prayer requests is also available at calvarygr.org. Christ’s Church in North Korea North Korea has for years been the nation where Christians are most persecuted, but God is still at work. On Monday evening, December 11, 7:00-8:30pm, you can hear directly from Pastor Peter, who works with Cornerstone Ministries International in encouraging believers and reaching unbelievers in North Korea. Join us in Room 252-254 (park and enter at Entrance K, then down the hall to the left) to learn how Christ is building his church.
Butterworth: Tara Roedema Mercy Health: Josh Buck PRAYER CHAIN: If you need prayer, contact Don & Cindy Marrell (
[email protected]) at 450-9622. BEREAVED We extend our Christian sympathy to Bonnie Litts at the homegoing of her father, Mason, on November 9; to Anne and Carl Cetas at the homegoing of Anne’s sister, Carolyn Caswell, on November 22; to Alissa and Dan Bouwman at the homegoing of Alissa’s mother, Patricia VanderZwaag, on November 19; and also to Mike and Mariann Looney at the homegoing of Mariann’s father, Ed Russell Jr, on November 29.
THANK YOU During a time like this we realize how much our friends and relatives really mean to us. Your expression of sympathy will always be remembered. The floral arrangement was beautiful. The service was exactly as Renée wished. Josh truly brought it all together, honoring Jesus Christ. The luncheon afterwards was delicious in a warm, friendly setting. Thank you. The Family of Renée Lorenz NOMINATIONS The Nominating Committee requests your input, in helping identify qualified, godly men for consideration for the offices of Elder and Deacon. Nomination forms are available at the Welcome Center (at the center of the Crosswalk), or send an email with the nominee’s name and the reasons why you are nominating him, to
[email protected].
FOR THE RECORD
Calvary Church
Projected Offerings
Last Week Fiscal YTD
Sept. 1 Nov. 26
Open Door Project
$
135,577
$ 1,814,576
Actual Offerings
Surplus/ (Deficit)
114,353
($ 21,224)
$ 1,826,136
$ 11,560
$
$
23,036
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
December 3, 2017 9:00am & 10:45am
New Wineskins Mark 2:23-3:6 Jim Samra, Senior Pastor
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 (located in the Gathering Place across from the main Sanctuary entrance). We would love to meet you! If you need hearing assistance, listening devices are available at the Welcome Center in the Crosswalk.
this week at calvary 1
2
Pray With the Elders | December 5 | 6:15pm | Room 211 If you would like the elders to pray for you, please stop by. You are welcome to come unannounced, but if possible it would be helpful if you could contact Cindy Marrell in advance so she can put you on the schedule. Blessed2Bless Prayer (Followed by City-Wide Prayer Meeting) December 7 | 6:00-7:00pm | Room 251 We will meet before a city-wide prayer gathering here at Calvary in anticipation of CityFest (see below) coming to Grand Rapids. Prayer will continue with many more brothers and sisters from around Grand Rapids until 8:30pm. City-Wide Prayer Meeting | Dec. 7 | 7:00pm | Gathering Place Coming September 2018, CityFest with Luis & Andrew Palau is a region-wide evangelistic campaign focused on serving the region and proclaiming the Good News. Calvary Church will be joining the vision to see the Christian community of West Michigan come together in greater unity, service, and proclamation — showing the community at-large the joy, peace, love, and grace of Jesus Christ. Thursday’s prayer gathering is an opportunity to prepare in concerted prayer for what God will do in 2018.
3
Young Adults (Ages 18-34) Christmas Soirée December 8 | 7:30-10:00pm | $12 | Downtown Market Tickets still available at mycalvarygr.org. Enjoy an evening filled with delicious hors d’oeuvres, beautiful ambiance and a charming band as we gather together to celebrate Christmas in twinkling downtown Grand Rapids.
coming events & announcements
first sunday of advent - hope
Christmas Baskets Drop-off Begins This Week Be a Christmas blessing this year by providing a food basket for one of our Calvary families currently receiving financial assistance. Our goal is to provide 75 baskets. Baskets can be dropped off at the Yellow House between 8:30am– 5:00pm, tomorrow through Friday, December 15. A list of suggested items for filling your basket is at calvarygr.org. To sign up, please contact Lynnell at ext. 3510.
them through this difficult time (temporary “staffing” takes on a whole new meaning!). What they expect to be an unglamorous assignment will soon put them face to face with the good Shepherd himself- Jesus! Join the kids choir for this fun Christmas evening.
On this first Sunday of Advent we light the hope candle. In this season we lament the darkness of our world and acknowledge the longing we have for Christ to return once more and make all things new. Through God’s Word we have a promise of what is to come, a picture of the future He is making for His people. In this season, we imagine what is promised and long for that day when our hope will be fulfilled. In our waiting, we cry, “Come, Lord Jesus, come!”
Christmas Eve Services December 24 | 9:00am, 10:45am and 10:00pm We invite you to make Calvary’s Christmas Eve service part of your holiday tradition. We will sing carols around the piano and read the Christmas story by candlelight. It’s a simple service; a warm and spirited prelude to your Christmas celebration. We hope you’ll join us.
Advent Guides Now Available: Advent is the beginning of the Christian Year. Walking through the Christian Year provides us with the opportunity to practice what it means to be like Jesus by following the pattern of His life and death. Advent is a time of waiting in hopeful expectation for the birth of Jesus. A churchwide Advent Guide is available for you to pick up at the back of the Sanctuary. This week we’re reading The Forgiving Prince in the Jesus Storybook Bible (Genesis 37, 39 & 41).
Christmas at Calvary December 15 at 7:00pm December 16 at 3:00 & 7:00pm Tickets on sale at mycalvarygr.org We are excited to present an incredible weekend for the church to celebrate together in music and drama this December. Christmas at Calvary includes performances by our choir and orchestra centered around a timely and important Christmas story that reminds us all to take another look at how we’re celebrating this season. Our music will feature beloved holiday classics and modern favorites. All seating is general admission; tickets are $5. LUMIN8 Kids Choir Christmas Musical December 17 | 6:00pm Bethlehem’s homes and stable are bursting at the seams with travelers for the census! Bethlehem’s top temp agency must call on their most eager but often-inept family of workers, the Wooltons to help
Childcare will be available for children through preschool in the morning services.
Wednesday Volunteer Need Calvary’s Clothes Closet is looking for a reliable volunteer who can work every Wednesday evening between 5:00-7:00pm. Tasks include hanging and sorting clothes, interacting with clients and assisting with food pantry coverage when needed. Help is needed handing out bags and interacting with clients. Contact Lynnell (
[email protected]) at ext. 3510. Note: No College Life in December There is no College Life this month. They will resume meeting on January 11.
grace BEYOND
MAKE AN INVESTMENT WITH A DIVIDEND THAT GOES BEYOND
On paper, Grace Beyond is about renovating our building to facilitate new ministry opportunities. On a heart level, it’s about God remaking us as a people. When you invest your money in this project you receive more than just a new building for our church to minister in and through, you experience God’s abiding presence and faithful provision more fully. And you spark the possibility for others to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ for years to come. We are not the same church we’ve always been. God is doing a new thing here. Don’t you want to be a part of this? This is a chance to take part in what you may have missed. It’s also a season to reaffirm your commitment to Calvary, to consider giving more. On December 17, we will have an opportunity as a church family to celebrate how God has led us through our Grace Beyond journey and commit to where He is leading us in the future. As we prepare for that day, we encourage you to pray about how God is asking you to respond. Ask God if He is asking you to make an initial pledge, extend your current pledge or simply fulfill your existing pledge.
