I was in Bethlehem earlier this year with Stacy, and it was an amazing experience for us both. We saw the hills in the distance where the shepherds must have kept their flocks by night. We walked through the streets of the old town. We visited the church that now marks the very place Jesus was born. And we pondered the words of the gospel writer: "There was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7, KJV).
In all the busyness of this season, I truly hope you will make room for Jesus in your life. It is so easy for life to get in the way of being with Jesus! Let's fight to keep that from happening. Make time for worshipping with God's people. Make time for reading the Scriptures. Make time for praying to the One Who loves you. Making room for Jesus in our lives is one of the ways we make room for joy!
We continue our advent theme of 'Joy!' this Sunday at 8:15a, 9:45a, and 11:15a. And we'll enjoy Christmas Eve together at 3p and 5p on December 24. Come and bring a friend. As you look forward to 2015, think about joining me on an incredible journey through the Bible with daily devotions through Lectio Divina. It's a great way to make room for Jesus.
What's New at Calvary...
Family Worship Sunday
Attention Rock Solid Kids Parents! The next two Sundays, 12.21 and 12.28, will be Family Worship Sundays! We invite you to bring your elementary-aged children with you to the Worship Service to celebrate Advent with our church family. Stop by Guest Services to pick up an activity bag for your child to enjoy during the service. Nursery and preschool classrooms will be open during all services to care for infants through 5-year-olds that are not yet in Kindergarten.
Nominate Someone to Lead
Calvary is looking for men to join our elder board to serve the needs of our growing church body. Elder candidates should be men of Godly character who are competent and experienced leaders. You are invited to prayerfully consider nominating someone you believe will provide able leadership for our church community. To nominate one or more elder candidates, CLICK HERE.
Lectio Divina: Daily Devotions
Beginning January 1, 2015, the journey begins again! You're invited to trek through the pages of Scripture with Pastor Lionel in 2015. Lectio Divina, the pastor's first devotional commentary series, has been updated for the new year. Whether it's your first tour or your tenth time reading the Bible cover to cover, join the journey and sign-up for your daily e-mail at www.calvarydevos.net.
Finding Joy
Invite a friend to join you for our Finding Joy Christmas Eve services held at 3p & 5p! Invitations are available at Guest Services. Childcare will be available for infants through preschoolers during both services. If you would like to serve our church families and guests in Children's Ministries on Christmas Eve, contact Victoria Evans-Peasley, Director of Children's Ministries. We are in need of volunteers during the 5p Christmas Eve service.
Student Ministries
All students are invited to bring a friend and join us for an extended night of youth group THIS Sunday, 12.21. We will have a Christmas Morning theme, so wear your PJ's and get ready for fun, food, and some surprises! Middle School will meet from 4:30-6:30p and High School will meet from 6:30-8:30p in the Well.
Coffee with the Pastors
Calvary guests are invited to Coffee with the Pastors on Sunday, 1.4, from 6:30-8p at The South Bend Chocolate Company. 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!
GroupLink
New Life Groups (Small Groups) are starting in January 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, 1.18, so you can sign-up at the Guest Services desk or online here.
Give a Goat; Change a Life
Time is running out to give a gift of food, medicine, livestock, or other necessities this holiday season. We're partnering with local ministry Kids Alive to make sure children around the globe have their basic needs met this Christmas. When you don't have enough, sometimes a pair of shoes or clean drinking water is all your really want! Pick up a gift catalog and order form from the Guest Services desk or go online to kidsalive.org/giftcatalog to choose a meaningful and life-changing gift.
Generous Giving
Thanks to your generous giving this year, our church will be able to meet many needs for families in our community! In partnership with Aldi Foods, we are again supplying grocery gift cards. We want to be sure that our neighbors and those within our church receive the aid they need to provide for their families, especially at this time of year. If you or someone you know is in need this holiday season, please contact the church office 219-462-4026 or Lori Coslet at lori@calvaryweb.net.