Congregational Care
Lent & Grace Beyond Giving During the Lenten season we will once again spend time in prayer considering how God would have us give, both of our finances and our time. Over the last couple years we have taken this season to evaluate pledging to the Grace Beyond project. Many in our congregation have already given faithfully to fulfill their pledge, before the pledge term has even ended. However, if you are new to Calvary Church or were not a part of our congregation during our time worshiping at Calvin College, we encourage you to use the season of Lent to prayerfully consider your role in the Grace Beyond project. This project has always been about more than just a building, it's a journey that God has used to build the people of Calvary Church into more faithful followers of Jesus. This Lent, as we focus on ways we can respond to God's love for us and express our faith in sacrifice, ask God how he wants to use Grace Beyond as an opportunity for you to experience His blessing through obedient giving. This is an opportunity for you to join in that journey which God has us on as a church. Pledge cards are available at the Chapel Information Center or you can pledge online at gracebeyond.org/pledge. Kids Banks This year during Lent kids will once again learn to give sacrificially by filling banks for the Grace Beyond Building Project. Kids will receive their banks in S.S. Adventure today. Please return your bank to your teacher on Palm Sunday, April 9. If your bank fills up prior to Palm Sunday you may turn them in to the Grace Beyond Treasure Chest in either Entrance I or K.
February 26, 2017
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. Mary Free Bed : Dick Roeters
and Susan’s father, Roger Diekevers, on February 16. Thank You Thank you so much for the prayers and well-wishes after the death of my stepfather. Thank you also for the lovely flowers that were sent. My family and I appreciated and felt your prayers. Kristen Versen
Blodgett : Scott Bowman
Prayer Chain: If you need prayer, contact Don & Cindy Marrell (
[email protected]) at 450-9622.
Thanks so much for the visits from pastoral care prior to the homegoing of our mother and grandmother, Betty Ostema. Pastor Dane was such a blessing at her service. As Betty stepped into heaven her 11th greatgrandchild, Brooklyn May Gipson, was born. She was a faithful servant to the God she loved. Your sympathy and prayers have meant so much to us. The Ostema Family
Bereaved We extend our Christian sympathy to Adam and Ruth Anderson at the homegoing of Ruth’s grandmother, Patricia Curphey, on February 12; to Robyn and Mike Beckett at the homegoing of Robyn’s father, Robert Fatum, on February 15; and to Margaret and Rick Diekevers and Susan and David Laninga at the homegoing of Rick
FOR THE RECORD Projected
Actual
Surplus/
Offerings
Offerings
(Deficit)
Last Week
$
141,258
Fiscal YTD Sept. 1– Feb. 19
$
4,147,387
Open Door Project
$
119,360
$ 3,807,834
$86,167
($
21,898)
($ 339,553)
9:00am & 10:45am TODAY’S MESSAGE Jim Samra Senior Pastor
God Cares About Food Romans 14
Weekly Focus: Lent Begins on Wednesday
Coming Events & Announcements
In the early centuries of the church, the forty days before Easter came to be recognized as the season of Lent (a Latin word that means “spring”), when new converts were prepared for baptism. This preparation included biblical instruction, prayer, repentance and fasting. In time, the practices of Lent were embraced by the entire church. Its purpose has always been self-examination and spiritual preparation leading to an exuberant celebration of Easter.
Mozambique Short-Term Trip Informational Meeting March 5 | 12:30pm | Room 140 A second team from Calvary will be going to Mozambique in September to continue teaching and encouraging the believers there, as well as using the Simply The Story method of Bible Study. To learn more, come to the meeting next Sunday.
At Calvary, we emphasize the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and giving as Jesus encouraged in Matthew 6. Lent provides a wonderful opportunity to do this together, as a church body. This Lent we invite you on a journey. The goal of this journey is to make space for the Spirit to work in your life. If you are willing, we are going to dismantle idols - things we’ve put up in our lives to replace God. We are going to put off self and take on the way of Jesus. We are going to live as people driven not by fear and self-preservation, but by faith and trust in a God whose ways are higher than our own. This year Lent begins on Wednesday, March 1, and ends at Easter, on April 16. This equals forty-six days, because we exempt Sundays. Traditionally, Lenten fasts are suspended on Sundays, when God’s people gather to celebrate in worship. We have prepared a Lent Guide designed to lead our congregation in following Jesus to the cross in this season of preparation for Easter. For each Sunday of Lent (and Ash Wednesday) the guide includes a devotional from the New Testament of someone who made a sacrifice to follow after Jesus. In daily prayer, we'll then reflect throughout the week on one particular area of our life (our possessions, our time, etc.) and examine how God may be leading us to break down established idols in this area and let something go for His sake.
We recognize that sacrifice that is not an expression of our love for God is empty, and in this vein we also want to bear witness to God's love and faithfulness as an element of our Lenten practice. Each Saturday, you'll be encouraged to look back at how God has led you thus far in your journey of faith and what steps he's asking you to take next. We want to arrive at Easter ready and able to experience the full joy of the resurrection because we were willing to die to self alongside Jesus throughout Lent. Join with us as a church family to observe Lent this year. Lent Guides are available at the Welcome Center, the Chapel Information Center & calvarygr.org.
5th/6th P.A.C. Attack March 5 | 12:30-2:30pm Room 208 | $3 P.A.C’s are a great way for students who only come on Sundays to make new friends. We will play dodge ball, eat pizza, hang out, and watch a movie! Register at calvarygr.org/events. OASIS Monthly Luncheon March 6 | 10:00am | Room 108
Punchbowl at 10:00am. Program at 10:20am featuring Randy & Marcia Hekman (Grand Awakening). Contact Arlene & Howard Timmer at 365-0728 to reserve your seat today. Merge (Ages 22-34): Bowling March 8 | 6:00-8:00pm Entrance A | Cost: $5 All skill levels are invited to spice up your Wednesday night with an evening of bowling, music, pop, and snacks. Register at calvarygr.org/events so we can reserve lanes in advance.
Mercy and Hospitality: Lunch and Learn March 10 | 12:00-1:00pm Room 112 (Entrance F) Is the Lord calling you to act? What does the Bible say about being merciful and hospitable? Explore possibilities to get involved. Register at calvarygr.org/events.
Apples of Gold Spring Session Morning Class: Begins Mar. 13 9:15am-12:15pm Evening Class: Begins Mar. 16 5:45-9:00pm Are you a young woman with a desire to receive mentoring from mature women believers? The Apples of Gold ministry brings God’s instruction into action through Bible study discussion, cooking lessons, fellowship at the meal table and mentoring relationships. Register for the 7week class by March 3. Email
[email protected]. West Michigan Missions Forum Saturday, March 25 8:30am-3:30pm | $25 Calvary Church is one of the sponsors of the fifth annual West Michigan Missions Forum being held at Fair Haven Church in Hudsonville. Join hundreds of others for this exciting event, with keynote speaker, Dr. Sid Webb of The Voice of the Martyrs. The event runs 8:30am-3:30pm and costs $25 (lunch included); college students pay just $15. Go to globalimpactservices.org/forum for more information and to register.
If you are visiting today, we are glad you are here. For information about our many communities, programs and events for all ages, pick up a copy of the quarterly Calvary Life, visit us online at calvarygr.org, or stop by the Connection Point in room 215 (located in the east end beside the Chapel). We would love to meet you! If you need hearing assistance, listening devices are available at the Welcome Center.
This Week at Calvary
1
Widows Coffee February 28 | 6:00-7:30pm | Room 108 Come enjoy fellowship with other widows over a cup of coffee. RSVP at calvarygr.org/events. Contact Kristen White (
[email protected]) at ext. 5013 with any questions.
2
Freed-Up Financial Living Begins March 1 | 6:30-8:30pm | Yellow House Freed Up offers an opportunity to refine your monthly spending plan and reduce debt. Honoring God with your finances brings financial peace. Join us for this 5-week workshop. Register at calvarygr.org/events.
3
40 Days for Life 40 Days for Life is a grassroots, pro-life movement to end abortion through prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. From March 1 to April 9, our community will take part in a 40 Days for Life vigil on the public sidewalk in front of the Heritage Clinic for Women, 320 East Fulton Street. To sign up for vigil hours, visit 40daysforlife.com or contact
[email protected].
For a complete list of this week’s events, use the QR code to the right to visit calvarygr.org or pick up a Calvary Life magazine. Note: AA meetings are not taking place at Calvary during Grace Beyond. Contact the church office for times and locations.
