Calvary Link: Beauty

Calvary-Link-BeautyFor many years now our family has enjoyed spending a few summer days with some close friends at their cottage near the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Every evening just before sunset the sleepy little town awakens and spills out onto the beach to gaze at the beauty. No one says, "Why are all these people here?" Everyone intuitively knows. We want to see beauty.

We are hard-wired to desire beauty. Beautiful music, beautiful art, beautiful landscapes, beautiful architecture, beautiful sunsets, and even beautiful glimpses of space. (Have you seen some of the recent NASA photos? Wow!) Whether we realize it or not, we are all trying to catch a glimpse of God. He is the most beautiful being in all of creation, and everything in this world that is beautiful comes from Him.

Can I encourage you to stop and take in the beauty around you. You don't have to be on a beach at sunset to see it. It's everywhere. Just open your eyes. And when you do, worship! The reason we have been keeping the Christian Sabbath for 2,000 years is because we are worshipping the giver of all beauty. Make worship a priority in your lives before everything else! Come delight in the most beautiful being in the universe, and bask in His love for you.

PS. Our 9:45a service (second service) was very crowded on Sunday, and September is not even here yet! We're making plans to get more elbow room, but until then, if you are feeling the squeeze, know that there is more space in our 8:15a and 11:15a services Thanks!

What's New at Calvary...

Thank You!
Thank you to our 100+ volunteers for an AWESOME 2015 Vacation Bible School, Journey off the Map! We are so thankful for how God uses VBS to reach kids and families at Calvary! Check out the video for a recap from the week!

Serve Valparaiso University International Students
We are looking for families to partner with Friendship Families by befriending incoming Valparaiso University international students. This is a great opportunity to have a Christian impact by simply sharing your life with a student as he or she adjusts to American life and culture. Students and families are paired throughout the school year. Both families and students fill out a questionnaire which will facilitate the matching process. Click here to fill out the application online today!

AWANA Volunteers Needed!
We need you! If you have a passion for kids and connecting them to Jesus Christ, we'd love to have you join the Rock Solid Children's Ministries team here at Calvary! Our Wednesday night AWANA program is in need of many volunteers this Fall to provide mid-week ministry for our 3 year olds-5th graders. To get involved please see our Children's Ministries Leadership Team in the foyer after each of the services this Sunday, or contact our Associate Director of Children's Ministries, Ashley Rice.

Summer Life Night
Want to get more connected at Calvary? If you're thinking about joining a Life Group, Summer Life Nights are the place for you! Join us next Wednesday, 8.12, at Rogers-Lakewood Park for a cookout from 6-8p. This event is for everyone - singles and marrieds, families and empty nesters, college students and senior adults. For more information or to sign-up, click HERE.

Men's Ministry Camping and Canoe Trip
This weekend is the Men's Ministry camping and canoeing trip! Dads are encouraged to bring their children. We will meet at the Calvary Church parking lot at 4p on Friday, 8.7, and then caravan to Tippecanoe State Park. We will camp Friday night, canoe Saturday, and return Saturday afternoon.

Men's Ministry Summer Bonding Tour
The men of Calvary Church and friends are invited to Scott Rice's home THIS Thursday, 8.6, from 7-10p for an evening full of food, drink, and good company! For more information and location details, click HERE.

Calvary Student Ministries On the Road
Students, don't miss out on our next summer event at Shorewood Forest Beach, where we will be grilling out, tubing, playing beach volleyball, and more! Join us on Tuesday, 8.11, from 4-6p (middle school students) or 6:30-8:30p (high schoolers). Click HERE for more information.

Move Up Sunday
Rock Solid Kids Children's Ministries is excited to announce Move Up Sunday is August 16! All children will be promoted to their next grade level. Please note: children join the 2, 3, or 4/5 year old classes immediately after they turn ages 2, 3, and 4 respectively. For more info contact Director of Children's Ministries, Victoria Evans-Peasley.