grace BEYOND update
Grace Beyond is the building project God has laid before us as a church. Grace Beyond Giving
Total Giving Commitment to Date: $16,810,323 Cash Received: $4,636,105
Town Hall Meeting Recap Last Sunday evening, the elders presented options for moving forward with the Grace Beyond Master Plan. In September, the elders authorized beginning Phase Two construction in April 2016. They request your prayers as they consider whether God is leading the church to also begin construction of Phase Three at the same time. Thank you to everyone who participated in Sunday’s meeting. Your feedback is much appreciated. Additional Informational Meetings Members of the Grace Beyond Steering Committee will be visiting Adult Sunday Classes over the next three weeks to answer questions about the next steps for this project. Community group participants will have an opportunity to talk with them on November 1. Questions If you have additional questions about Grace Beyond, more information is available at gracebeyond.org. Also, questions can be sent directly to the elders by emailing
[email protected].
Congregational Care Hospitalized If you have been hospitalized, or anticipate hospitalization, and would like a visit from a Calvary pastor, please call the church office. Blodgett: Nicole Phillips-Smith Butterworth: Dorothy Davidson Prayer Chain: If you need prayer, contact Don & Cindy Marrell (cmarrell@ calvarygr.org) at 450-9622. Bereaved We extend our Christian sympathy to Janet and Tom Bateman at the homegoing of Janet’s mother, Karen Keller, on October 5; and to Arlene and Wes Roedema at the homegoing of Arlene’s sister, Ellen Schuiteman, on October 7. Salvation Candle The candle on the platform is lit to celebrate those who have recently come to faith. Join us in celebrating God’s work among His people. Contact Jim (
[email protected]) if you know someone who has come to faith. Church Membership The Elders of Calvary Church have approved the following for member-
October 11, 2015 ship: Duane and Susan Berkompas; David, Sheri and Zachariah DeGraaf; James and Sarah Heaton: Alex Jacobsson; Jun Chung Lee; Won Kim and Jihye Lee: Brenda Slopsema; Jordan and Rachel Underwood; and James VanderKlok. The following have applied for membership at Calvary: Jennifer Boerman, Janna Figg, Todd, Lisa, Jordan and Nicholas Guikema, Herbert Slate, Jacob and Hope Staal, Herman and Janice VanEck, Lori Verbrugge. If you are aware of any information that should be considered by the elders during the membership process, contact
[email protected]. The Elders have honored the following request to be removed from church membership: Ken and Irene Boersma, Mark and Debbie Mills, Thomas Scholtens. Baptism Baptism is an outward expression of what God has done inwardly in a person’s life. If you would like to participate in our next baptism on November 1, contact Kristen White (
[email protected]) at ext. 5013.
For the record
COURAGE TO OBEY
Calvary Church
Projected Offerings
Actual Offerings
Surplus/ (Deficit)
Last Week
$
148,285
$
179,109
$ 30,824
Fiscal YTD
$
745,625
$
751,279
$
Sept. 1-Oct. 4
8:10, 9:40 & 11:15am
5,654
For further explanation regarding the finances of Calvary Church, visit calvarygr.org/about. Alternatively, this information is available in the Finance Office.
707 East Beltline Grand Rapids, MI49525 Shipping Address: P.O. Box 1600 Grand Rapids, MI 49501 Ph: (616) 956-9377 Fax: (616) 956-9723 calvarygr.org
Today’s Message Jim Samra, Senior Pastor
The Reminder to Obey Joshua 8:30-35
Coming Events & Announcements
Weekly Focus: Christmas at Calvary - Be of Good Cheer! Due to the limitations of construction during our Grace Beyond building project, we will be taking a hiatus for a couple of years from our annual Festival of Lights dramatic productions. But we are NOT sidestepping the joy of the Christmas season! This year we are planning an incredible weekend celebrating together in music and dance. Christmas at Calvary will include standout performances by our choir, orchestra, and special guests with production numbers in a variety of dance styles (like Riverdance and Stomp!), along with a dazzling light show. Music will include beloved holiday classics, modern favorites, and a lively Christmas sing-a-long. Three performances are planned: • Saturday, December 12 at 3:00 and 7:00pm • Sunday, December 13 at 3:00pm. Tickets for all performances will be FREE, but they must be picked up in advance. Ticket distribution will take place in early to mid-November. Watch for details. We hope all of our Calvary family will gather with us for this joyous celebration of our savior’s birth. Join us for Christmas at Calvary and be of good cheer!
Missionary Christmas You can get into the Christmas spirit – and share a little of it with our missionaries serving around the world – by making a donation to our Missionary Christmas Fund through the end of October. The fund stands at just under $19,000 to be distributed among 57 active and retired missionary families. Indicate Missionary Christmas on the memo line of your check, or on the envelope, and drop it in the offering plate. Donations can also be made at mycalvarygr.org. Thank you for your generosity.
Communion The ordinance of communion will be observed in this morning’s service. We will also receive an offering for our Benevolent Ministry. Gluten-free bread is available at the Info. Center.
and increasing their understanding of worship. All are welcome to attend. Register at mycalvarygr. org or contact Christie Thompson (
[email protected]) at ext. 5615. For details, visit calvarygr.org.
Merge : Relationship Status Today | 11:15am | Rm 137 How are we to live for Christ here and now, whether we are called to a life of singleness, in a season of singleness, or called to marriage in the future? Join Merge (singles ages 22-34) as we explore how God wants us to embrace the gift of singleness and what we need to know about God’s design and purposes in marriage.
Worship Concert: Day of Praise! As the finale to the upcoming choral workshop, Dr. Bonner will direct a concert here at Calvary on Saturday, October 24, at 6:00pm, in the Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to join us for an outstanding evening of praise.
5th & 6th Grade: Fall Retreat Oct. 23 at 5:30pm - Oct. 24 at 5:30pm Register at mycalvarygr.org | $65 Get away, spend time with friends and make new ones. We squeeze in as much fun, worship, exciting games and challenging teaching sessions as we can into 24 hours! Budget Coach Training October 24 | 8:00am-4:00pm Are you good with finances? Do you know how to put together a monthly spending plan? Discover how you can use those wonderful skills in our Budget Coaching program. Contact Claire (
[email protected]). Free Choral Workshop October 23-24 | Free This two-day choral workshop, driected by Dr. Bonner, former Dean of the School of Music at Azusa Pacific University, encourages singers of all ages to join together learning new music, improving sight-reading
High School Fall Retreat: Disciple Friday, October 30 at 5:30 - Sunday, November 1 at 4:00pm | Cost: $140 Register at mycalvarygr.org by Oct. 21 Come join us as we explore how God has called us to be people who make disciples of all and how we can act in obedience to him. Adoptive Mom Retreat January 29-30 Are you an adoptive/foster mother who is wanting to connect with others walking a similar journey? Don’t miss this opportunity to gather with other moms and to gain invaluable insight into the hearts and needs of your children. Space is limited. Contact Sheri (
[email protected]) at ext. 5524 by October 15. DivorceCare: Surviving the Holidays November 7 | 9:00am-12:00pm | $10 Register at mycalvarygr.org Going through a divorce and struggling to make it through the holidays? Let us help you find hope in the midst of your pain. Contact Claire Walker (
[email protected]) at ext. 3613.
This Week at Calvary 1
Explore Calvary Wednesdays, October 14 & 21 5:30pm | Room 126 | Free Learn more about Calvary Church! We’ll gather in an informal setting to meet others new to Calvary, share a meal together, meet staff, and tour the building. RSVP requested. Contact Elaine (
[email protected]) with questions at ext. 5903.
2
Freed Up Financial Living Begins Wednesday, October 21 | 6:30-8:00pm | Yellow House This six-week class will explore what the Bible teaches about our attitude toward money and material possessions. Join us in studying how we can better serve, honor, obey and glorify God with what He has entrusted to us financially. Contact Lynnell (lbok@calvarygr. org) for details.
3
Unshackled: Prison Ministry Bible Study Thursdays | 6:00-8:00pm | Room 130-132 Unshackled is a weekly Bible study designed for men and women who are transitioning out of the jail system and looking to build a firm, biblical foundation to help them grow and maintain their walk with Christ. Solid teaching is accompanied by great fellowship in an atmosphere that will be the high point of your week. Contact Ardo Draper (
[email protected]) at ext. 5182.
4
Chera Fall Brunch October 17 | 9:00am-Noon | Free Join us for Chera’s annual Fall Brunch for those who have experienced the loss of a spouse. We will have a wonderful brunch and a time of fellowship with Calvary’s elders and deacons. R.S.V.P. to Regina (
[email protected]) at ext. 3672.
For a complete list of this week’s events, use the QR code to the left to visit calvarygr.org or pick up a Calvary Life magazine. Note: AA meetings take place at Calvary throughout the week. Contact the church office for times and locations.
This Sunday Night:
It is Required that a Steward be Found Faithful, Part 3 Proverbs 4:20-27 Ardo Draper, Director, Prison Ministry
6:00pm | Chapel
