weekly focus: central asia
congregational care
Over twenty years ago, God called Calvary Church to focus our prayers and financial gifts on the unreached area of Central Asia. We’ve responded to this call by supporting missionaries and sponsoring projects in the former Soviet “stan” countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) as well as in Muslim-majority areas of Russia. One way that we have served our brothers and sisters is through the annual Central Asia Consultation (CAC) at the end of February, where national believers and others with a heart to see this area reached with the Gospel can meet to share encouragement, ideas and spiritual resources. Each year several Calvary people attend the gathering to connect with, pray with, and bless many.
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.
This year, will you pray with us for the CAC and Calvary’s involvement there? Each week this month, we’ll be sharing stories from previous years, as well as giving one or two specific prayer needs. Thanks for joining with us in this movement of God to reach Central Asia! “Aaron” is a Russian man, living in a large Central Asian city. He could live a relatively hassle-free life by simply choosing to worship in the Russian language at a registered church. But Aaron has chosen to learn the local language and to work together with a partner to plant and encourage house churches among Muslim-background followers of Christ. As a result, Aaron experiences the same persecution that his non-Russian brothers and sisters face. In 2016, police raided the place where Aaron and three others were meeting together for worship and Bible study. Because they had with them printed Christian materials in the local language, they were arrested, interrogated and fined an amount more than ten times the typical monthly salary. In spite of having to sell possessions and borrow money to pay the fine, Aaron continues to care for this small church by focusing on deep one-on-one disciple-making, the kind of outreach that the authorities cannot hinder. This week, please pray for God’s protection over believers who can face more scrutiny when they travel to the CAC. The CAC has changed to a new venue this year, so pray that all those God wants to attend would be there, even if travel arrangements and costs are more challenging. Pray that the new facility and location would be surrounded by God’s preserving power and that the meetings will be blessed with a special measure of his presence and joy.
PRAYER CHAIN: If you need prayer, contact Don & Cindy Marrell (
[email protected]) at 450-9622. BEREAVED We extend our Christian sympathy to Greg & Sherry Wood at the homegoing of Greg’s mother, Carol, on January 24; and also to Rick and Beth Huls at the homegoing of Rick’s mother, Dorothy, on January 29. 40 DAYS FOR LIFE February 10 - March 20 40 Days for Life is a prayer initiative to end abortion, beginning February 10. To participate, contact Yvonne Bodell (ybodell@ intraspacedesign.net) at 5504245.
CHILDREN’S HELPERS NEEDED With the winter months and sickness we are needing more children’s helpers in MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). If you can serve two times a month on Thursday mornings, 9:00-11:15am, we would love to hear from you! Contact
[email protected]. PRAY: SHORT-TERM MISSIONS HOUSTON TEAM On March 3-11, we have a short term mission trip leaving to share the gospel with Muslim in Southwest Houston. Please pray that God will use this trip to strengthen the faith of the team and lead Muslims to Christ. They would also appreciate if you would prayerfully consider financially supporting their team. FEMALE BUDGET COUNSELORS NEEDED Are you a woman with a background in finance and a desire to help others with their budget? Contact Jakob Jackson (
[email protected]) to sign up.
FOR THE RECORD
Calvary Church
Projected Offerings
Last Week Fiscal YTD
Sept. 1 Jan. 28
Open Door Project
$
123,212
$ 3,557,782
$
Actual Offerings
Surplus/ (Deficit)
133,631
$ 10,419
$ 3,414,142 ($143,640)
$
163,838
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
February 4, 2018 9:00am & 10:45am
Don’t Be Afraid, Just Believe Mark 5:21-6:6 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.
coming events & announcements Pray With the Elders February 6 | 6:15-7:15pm 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 (cmarrell@calvarygr. org) in advance so she can put you on the schedule. High School: Halftime February 7 | 3:30-5:00pm | Gathering Place This Week’s Guest: Jim Stortz, Community & Care Team Leader Enjoy coffee, snacks, games, and time with friends... all while hanging out with Josh Karhan and a different staff or ministry leader from Calvary each week. We will have fun and relax, while also engaging in passionate discussion about what God is up to in the Church. Join us! ‘ Wanted: Road Bike Enthusiasts February 10 | 9:00am | Gathering Place Do you love getting on your bike and going 25, 50 miles or more? Would you love to be part of a peloton of fellow Calvary attendees, participate in area rides and be a witness for Christ? If you are interested, meet with us; a light breakfast will be served. Questions? Contact Bruce (
[email protected]). Valentine’s Luncheon for the Widowed February 11 | 12:15-2:30pm | Gathering Place Valentine’s Day can be a difficult time of year for those who are single or have lost their spouse. However, this is a great time of year when we can extend the love we have in Christ to others. The afternoon will include lunch, music, time to con-
verse with Calvary young adults & a short word of encouragement. Register in advance at mycalvarygr.org. Questions? Contact Katy (
[email protected]). 7th/8th Grade: Burgers & Bowling February 11 | 12:30-3:00pm | Meet in Room 208 | $5 Join us as we head out after church and grab a burger and go bowling together. Advance registration at mycalvarygr.org is required for this event. Blessed2Bless Prayer Gathering February 15 | 7:00-8:30pm Gathering Place All are welcome to gather for inspiration and prayer as we take steps of faith into our neighborhoods, workplaces, families and friend groups. Jim Hoekwater will share about his workplace Bible Study and how the Lord has been working in and through it. This will be an opportunity to discuss how to reach out in the workplace with its unique challenges. Being One God’s Design for Marriage Feb. 15 | 7:00-8:30pm | Room 108 Whether you are preparing for marriage or are already married, this seminar is helpful for understanding God’s blueprint for marital union. Being One is open to anyone but required for couples marrying at Calvary church. To register, contact Lynnell (lbok@ calvarygr.org) at ext 3510.
Central Asia Short-Term Mission Trip Informational Meeting February 18 | 12:15 | Room 110 A team from Calvary will be going to Central Asia to support our workers from June 16-30. This team will be hiking, teaching, team-building, sharing their testimonies, and will also meet with local believers for prayer and encouragement. To learn more, come to the meeting. France Short-Term Mission Trip Informational Meeting February 18 | 12:15 | Room 115 Come learn about a trip to France to work with our missionaries, the Gaylords. The trip is scheduled to take place May 3-9. The team will work with the missionaries to engage with the community and initiate spiritual conversations through hosting a town festival. This will be a hands-on mission trip and we encourage families to take part. Come to the meeting to learn more. Detroit Short-Term Team Informational Meeting February 18 | 12:15 | Room 106A Come join us as we partner with Jon and Kris Shepherd in boldly sharing the gospel cross-culturally. Prayerfully consider whether God wants you to be part of this team. The dates of the trip are June 24 through July 1. Come to the meeting to learn more.
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Eat Dinner with Middle School Ministry Staff February 7 | 5:15-6:00pm | Gathering Place | Cost: $3 All fifth - eighth grade students are invited to join the MSM Staff for dinner! We’ll share some delicious food, catch up and play a few games. We will have a spacious reserved section just for us, so there is no need to RSVP. Just find us to pay for your dinner before you get in line! Calvary Equip: What We Believe Membership Class February 10 | 9:00am-2:30pm Have you been wanting to become a member of Calvary Church? Already a member, but would like to review what we believe? This class is open to anyone wanting to explore what Calvary Church believes. It is a pre-requisite for membership, but we encourage anyone who wants to become more familiar with what we believe to take the class. The class is open to those 12 years of age or older. Calvary Women: Transformed Begins February 8 | 7:00-8:30pm | Room 109 (Entrance E) A seven-week Bible Study designed to empower and equip women 18+ to walk free from eating and body image issues. Each week helps identify underlying spiritual issues that keep you stuck, studies what scripture says about them and teaches a tool from the spiritual disciplines. Free. Register at mycalvarygr.org. 5th/6th Grade: Big Splash February 10 | 12:00-2:30pm | $5 Calvin College Spoelhof Fieldhouse Who doesn’t love to make a big, slippery splash? Come join us as we wish the winter blues away by swimming and dreaming of summer! Lunch and snacks provided. Register at mycalvarygr.org.
sunday night service 6:00pm | Gathering Place Sunday night services at Calvary Church are an opportunity to worship God in a unique, discussion-oriented setting. Join us!
