Calvary Link: A Good ‘Problem’ to Have

Calvary-Link-Good-to-be-HomeIt's crowded around here on Sundays, even with 3 services, and you won't hear me complaining. Last week nearly 1400 worshippers enjoyed God together and our second service was standing-room only with the overflow room filled to capacity.

So what are we doing about it? First, we are rejoicing!!! Wow! God is growing His church--and it is HIS church. Second, we are planning and praying about the future. Our staff and elders are aware that we will need to do something--and we ARE spending significant time at leadership meetings exploring the best way forward so that we can continue to reach people with the Gospel. Third, we are asking faithful members to help with this challenge by attending the early or later service (if at all possible) until we roll out a more permanent solution.

One of the reasons we have this "problem" is that the gospel is powerful! And YOU are inviting friends and family to come enjoy God together with us. Keep witnessing. And let's remember to give praise to God for his amazing, powerful grace.

Let's worship together on this Labor Day weekend!

PS. We are asking all our staff to use the north parking lot (TJ Middle School) on Sundays. If you are willing/able to join us, it will free up space for guests.

What's new at Calvary...

College Students
College Students & Young Adults come have lunch with us and learn more about how you can get plugged-in here at Calvary. We will be meeting in the Well (back of the church) THIS Sunday, 8.31 directly after the 3rd service. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Student Ministries
Student Ministries' Launch Night is coming up NEXT Sunday, 9.7, from 6-7:30p in the Well. Parents and students in middle and high school are invited to come see what's new and upcoming in Calvary Student Ministries! There will be a brief parents' session, chances to sign-up for some of this semester's awesome events, and a great opportunity to play and worship together! You will not want to miss it!

GroupLink
New Life Groups (Small Groups) are starting in September through GroupLink where at a table over lunch you will meet your new Life Group leader and people in your group as well. Once you decide as a group about where and when you will meet you are off and running! GroupLink is on Sunday. 9.14 so you can sign-up at the Guest Services desk or online. If you want more information we will be hosting an informal, "What's a Life Group All About?" on 9.7 at 11:15a in room 403.

Coffee with the Pastors
Calvary guests are invited to Coffee with the Pastors on Sunday, 9.7 from 6:30-8p at Uptown Cafe. Learn about Calvary’s values and vision, and take the opportunity to ask questions of the pastoral staff in a casual environment. We would love to meet you! RSVP HERE.

HangTime
Meet your Calvary friends in the gym on Sunday, 9.7 for HangTime! Come by after the 1st and 2nd worship services for a snack and a cup of coffee with your church family. This HangTime will feature our adult missions team to Kenya and student missions team to Guatemala. Stop by their tables to ask questions and see photos from their July trips. Both teams will also give a presentation of their time in Kenya and Guatemala in the gym during the 2nd worship service (9:45a).

Rooted
Are you looking for an extra teaching and discussion time on Sunday mornings? Then you will want to come check out our brand new discipleship course called Rooted, beginning Sunday, 9.7 at 9:30a. Rooted is an intentional way to make disciples not just with more knowledge but focusing on the heart as well as living life in a complex world. It combines both teaching with small group interaction and short weekly "projects". Check out the topics here!

Women's Ministries
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers www.mops.org) will be coming to Calvary this Fall on the 1st and 3rd Fridays starting September 5! Last Chance to sign-up this Sunday! Space is limited! The registration fee is $60 (one year). Our MOPS year is September 2014-May 2015. Click Here for more information!

We are introducing a new Mentoring Group for Working Moms! Many working moms wonder if they are balancing their priorities well and how to fulfill their call to work and mother at the same time. Join Karen Devries and Kimberly Wallace on the 1st Thursday of the month from 7p to 8:30p beginning 9.4. Click here to register, or visit our table in the foyer this Sunday between services.

Women's Ministries will be offering new Bible Study opportunities this Fall starting on 9.8 and 9.9! Join us on Monday Nights at 6:30p OR Tuesday Mornings at 9:30a for the 8-week study by Cindy Bultema, Red Hot Faith. Cindy will be here live to teach the first class! Or join us for a 14-week Precepts Study: Interpreting Revelation in the Light of Biblical Prophecy. Click on the study titles to register online, or visit our table in the lobby this Sunday between services.

Knit/Crochet Fellowship Ministry will resume September 2nd! Join us on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 6-8p at Calvary as we create baby blankets/hats/prayer shawls/booties for the young girls and babies at the Kids Alive La Arquilla Home in Guatemala. Beginners and all ages welcome! Click here for more info.

Men's Ministries
Men's Ministries will be offering a study of the book, The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge. This study will be held in the Well at Calvary on Mondays, 9.22-11.17. Click here for all the details!

Missions
In November, we will be sending a group of 21 women from Calvary to serve at the Kids Alive Oasis Home in Guatemala. We are working with our partners at the Oasis to host a retreat for the staff as well as activities for the girls. Please pray for the team as we prepare for this mission. If you would like to donate to the team's expenses, you may do so here. Please mark 'missions' category and write 'Women's Guatemala Trip' in the notes section.

Discover Israel
Join our Senior Pastor Lionel Young and his wife Stacy for the trip of a lifetime to the land of the Bible, February 1-12, 2015. The $100 discount on this trip has been extended to September 12! Click HERE for all the details.