Greetings!
So what do you do when bicycling across lower Michigan? Pray. I had several days to be in prayer; praising God for the world around me, giving thanks for family and friends and being in prayer for the ministries here at Calvary. Summer is a great time to be outside so take advantage to using some of that time in prayer with our living and loving God. Our sermon series for July will center around how to pray.
Try using a breath prayer. Breath prayers are an adaptation of the ancient prayer of the heart. Most breath prayers are six to eight syllables and fit into on inhale and exhale. Ron DelBene suggests the following steps.
- Close your eyes and remember that God love you and you are in God's presence.
- Imagine God calling you by name, asking "What do you want?"
- Answer God honestly with a phrase from within you.
- Choose your favorite and most natural name for God.
- Combine your name for God with your phrase.
For example: Help me rest, Caring Creator. Fill me, Spirit, with your love. Guide me, Jehovah.
Find time this week to be in prayer. Consider using the prayer labyrinth or while biking outdoors. Note: Keep your eyes open if you are praying while on a bicycle!
See You Sunday, 
Rev. Lori A. Harvey
Associate Pastor |
| Worship This Weekend |
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 Rev. Lori Harvey kicks off our new sermon series, The Spiritual Connection. The message this weekend is entitled A Spiritual Connection. Leah Bauersfeld will provide special patriotic music at the 8 and 9:30 am worship services. This is also Communion Sunday at Calvary. |
| Opportunities to Connect |
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(To read the entire article click on the title)
Our children's ministry is sponsoring a personal hygiene product drive for the Midwest Food Bank (MDF) and you can be involved. Building Committee News
The Building Committee has been keeping busy. Read the June report To keep up on everything going on. Sermon Series WallpaperA new sermon series kicks off on Sunday, but you can put the graphics from it on your computer desktop today! SHARE Food
The SHARE Food program has been helping families save money on grocery costs for over 15 years. Learn how your family can be part of this great program. UMW MeetingThe United Methodist Women have a meeting coming up and all women are invited. Scrapbooking at EvergreenEnjoy scrapbooking and looking for a way to serve our neighbors? Evergreen Village needs your help. New SCRIP FormThe Calvary SCRIP order form has been updated. Don't forget to use this great tool to help retire our building debt.
Join Fun & Fellowship for a Sunday afternoon picnic on the farm!
The Outreach Committee at Calvary has announced multiple national and international mission opportunities. Check the Service & Missions section of the website for more information.
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| News Nuggets |
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- July/August Upper Room devotionals are available at the Welcome Center.
- There are openings in the Preschool afternoon class for the 2008-09 school year. Contact Val Funk (preschool@cumcnormal.org).
- The Church Office will be closed on Friday, July 4. It will reopen on Monday, July 7, at 8 am.
- The Prayer Labyrinth will be next Friday night and Saturday morning at Calvary.
- The Church Office will be closed on Friday, July 18, for cleaning.
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| Explore More |
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Da Vinci Code Movie Banned From FilmingRome's diocese said Monday it has barred the producers of "Angels & Demons" from filming in two churches for the prequel to the "The Da Vinci Code" the popular book and film that angered many Catholic leaders. Obama to Expand Bush's Faith-based Programs
Reaching out to evangelical voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is announcing plans to expand President Bush's program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and -- in a move sure to cause controversy -- support some ability to hire and fire based on faith. UMCOR Presence is 'Sign of Hope'The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is on the ground in Midwest towns hit by flooding. Together with local United Methodist congregations they are answering prayers and restoring hope. |
