The Calvary Connection

February 17, 2010

Greetings!

This is the week of Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a forty day period of preparation for Easter. It is traditionally a time for introspection, penance, and sacrifice. We often give up those things that may hinder our relationship with God. In that sense, we open our lives for growth and service as disciples of Jesus Christ.

I remember Lenten seasons when I was a child. We often had extra services of worship on Wednesdays or Sunday evenings. These were usually characterized by somber moods, mournful music and convicting sermons that would make me squirm. Perhaps it was because I was compelled, coxed, or coerced to suffer through these extra services that Easter seemed especially sweet!

At Calvary we begin the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Love Feast. It is a different kind of service that involves a time of family-like sharing at tables while we feast on delicious cinnamon rolls. The spirit of the evening is love, compassion, encouragement, and support. I hope you will plan to be a part of this year's Love Feast. (February 17, 6:30 pm in the Worship Center).

This Sunday, February 21, we will have the special privilege of hosting The Rev. Dr. Philip A. Amerson, president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Dr. Amerson is in great demand as a speaker and has authored numerous books, articles, and papers. As a pastor for 21 years, his appointments included Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis and First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, Indiana.

What a great way to begin Lent! I look forward to sharing this season with you.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Randall K. Perry (bio)

Directing Pastor

randyp@cumcnormal.org

309-452-5413

Opportunities to Connect

(click on the title to read the entire article)

Ash Wednesday Worship

This year Calvary offers three services on Ash Wednesday, February 17. All are invited to come for this special time that begins the season of Lent.

Auxano V-Show
Auxano, our junior high ministry, is planning a V-Show (variety show) for Friday, March 12, at Calvary! Sign up now to share your talents. Can't sing a song or dance a gig? No problem! Mark your calendars and be a member of the audience.

Share the Good News!
Calvary has a simple, easy to use way to share the news of the ministries and groups you are involved in with the congregation! Follow this link to the "News & Events" page and then click on the "Share the Good News" button. There you will find a simple, easy to use submission form.

Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast
Calvary's Boy Scout Troop 007 has a tasty opportunity coming up March 6. The congregation is invited to attend this tasty event and help benefit our scout troop!

2010 Workcamp Trip
Information about the 2010 Workcamp Trip to New York is now up on the CSM website. Parents, be sure to learn more about this exciting opportunity for senior high students.

CIY Believe Tour
Auxano, our junior high ministry, is taking a trip to the CIY Believe Tour in Anderson, Indiana. Don't miss out on this awesome event.

Calvary Preschool Enrollment
Enrollment at Calvary Preschool for the 2010-11 school year is open. Learn more about this important ministry of Calvary and how to enroll your child online.

News Nuggets

Join us for an informal training day for anyone interested in the technology and multimedia ministries at Calvary this Sunday. We will be watching training videos with some hands-on training of the technology. There is also an emphasis on training our hearts and minds to do God's will, even in the loft. No prior experience required. And, as always, free food provided! Contact Mike Williams (mikew@cumcnormal.org).
The Fiftieth Anniversary Committee is looking for the names of favorite groups who have performed at Calvary in past years. We have seen a wide variety of talent from sister acts to spoons! Favorite groups will be asked to share their talent with the church at a celebration on September 11. Submit your favorites at the Welcome Center.
Our Children's Ministry Team is seeking bags of candies to fill Easter eggs for our upcoming Easter Party. Please bring all candy bags to the drop off locations at the Welcome Center or the table on the Lower Level. Thank you very much for your support!
Celebration Singers will be sharing an Easter cantata this year. As we have with our Christmas cantatas in the past, we'd like to invite other singers to join us. Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, February 24, 8 pm, Room L2/L4. We will present the cantata, At the Ninth Hour, on Sunday, Apr 11 at the 8 and 9:30 am services. Contact Deb Foley (309- 662-7983, debfoley1@comcast.net).
Mark your calendars for a weekend of celebrating! On Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12, Calvary will host big events to commemorate our fiftieth anniversary. Details will be rolled out in the coming months, but please save the date right now and join us on this historic weekend.
For the past two weeks the Church Office has been experiencing troubles will our Internet connection. This has affected our ability to make timely updates to the website, process Prayer Chain requests and more. We appreciate your patience and prayers as we work to correct this issue.
This is the day that the Lord has made... let us photograph it and SCRAPBOOK! Crop, Create and Connect is a Christian fellowship group where participants scrapbook, stamp and exercise their creative genius. They meet the fourth Saturday of the month from 8:30-11:30 am. The next meeting will be Saturday, February 27. No talent or previous experience needed! Those participating are asked to bring their own projects and supplies (if supplies are needed let Lindsay know). To learn more about this group or to get involved, contact Lindsay Mitchell (lindsaylmitchell@yahoo.com).