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Greetings!
Each summer God blesses us in many ways: cookouts with family and friends, warm weather, sunshine, memorable vacations and so much more. Perhaps God's greatest summer blessing comes to us in the form of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. The excitement of a baseball game Busch Stadium in St. Louis is unmatched, especially when that team from Chicago is in town.
Each time I am at a game, I can't help but look around at the thousands of people cheering on those playing on the green field below. When the team is behind the crowd cheers to rally them and when they are ahead the crowd encourages them on. The fans in the stands share in the sadness of a loss and celebrate with the team in each victory.
Is our Christian life any different? Are we not surrounded by other believers in Jesus Christ and those who have gone before us? Are they not there to support us, cheer for us, comfort us and console us?
Look at the Epistle to the Hebrews 12:1-3: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
As we begin our summer activities this weekend, let us remember that we are not alone in our Christian walk. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are with us each play of the game of life. Knowing and embracing that can provide more comfort than a Cardinals winning streak and more excitement than a homerun.
In His Service,
Josh Barnett (bio)
Communications Coordinator |
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Opportunities to Connect
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Welcome Back to Normal
Rev. Grant Armstrong, who is currently serving as Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pontiac, has been appointed Associate Pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church. A Twin Cities native, Pastor Grant will begin serving at Calvary July 1. Josh Barnett sat down with him for a chat about life, baseball and his passion for Jesus Christ. Exciting Changes to E-Mail Prayer Chain Last week exciting changes were announced for the E-mail Prayer Chain. Learn what this means for you and how we plan to get the entire church involved in praying for one another. Update from Missionary Linda Unger (pdf) Linda Unger, a Calvary supported missionary serving in Africa has shared her latest update with the church. Learn how Linda is making a difference for Jesus Christ thanks to the support of the Calvary family. Help Wanted at Calvary Calvary is currently seeking a full-time Front Desk Receptionist to replace Danielle Oester when she leaves Calvary later this summer. Is God calling you to serve at His church?
The 2010 Appeal Update Thank you Calvary for all of your support with The 2010 Appeal! We have begun to purchase items thanks to your generosity! Support our Soldiers Celebration Because of the support of the Calvary family, we were able to purchase phone cards for our soldiers serving overseas!
Mornings with Moms Calvary's group by moms for moms is gearing up for summer fun in the sun! College Student Reunion Luncheon The Barnabas Program is hosting a special luncheon for all current and just graduated college students on Sunday, June 6. Jim Swearingen Reception Join Calvary Student Ministries as they honor Jim Swearingen for his 14 years as a sixth grade Sunday School teacher.
Summer Sunday School Teachers Our children's ministry is in need of servant minded people to teach summer Sunday School. All materials are provided in advance and volunteers can teach as few or many Sundays as they would like! |
News Nuggets
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On Sunday, June 13, Calvary will host a going away reception to thank Pastor Lori for her hard work and ministry over the past four years. A love gift from the congregation will be presented to her that day. If you would like to make a contribution to Pastor Lori's love gift, place a check or envelope in the offering plate and write "love gift" on the memo line.
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The Church Office will be closed on Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. It will reopen at 8 am on Tuesday, June 1.
- The Lasting Effect Youth Choir was a part of Calvary for nearly 30 of our 50 years as a church. A reunion is being planned for all past Lasting Effect Choir members September 11-12 in conjunction with Calvary's Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. We need your help tracking down former choir members. Please submit contact information of friends, children, siblings, etc. to Jae Lyn Hepner (jaelynhepner@yahoo.com) or Pat Messinger (patmessinger@comcast.net).
- Don't forget to pick up your tickets for the CornBelters game next Wednesday night if you have not already done so. Arrive 4-6:30 pm and enjoy a free carnival for the kids, a minor league baseball museum and a Home Run Derby video game! Don't forget, Calvary's Oh Say Can You Sing Choir will sing the national anthem at 6:50 pm!
- The week of Vacation Bible School, June 21-24, adults at Calvary will have the opportunity to participate in two special events. A Bible study on the parables of Jesus will be held each evening 6:30-8 pm, in Room L8. That same week we will hold a service project in the Calvary garage. Join us 6:30-8 pm as we make new picnic tables for East Bay Camp. Sign up at the Adult Ministry table in the Atrium until June 13. Contact Grethe Armstrong (309-830-3915, Mawest5@aol.com).
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As part of our policy, it is a requirement for all volunteers working with those under 18 to attend Child Protection Training. If you are volunteering with Vacation Bible School or Sunday School please plan to attend training on Sunday June 13 at 10:45 am in Room 111. Please note that if your last Child Protection Training was more than three years ago, you must attend one of the training dates. Contact Kerri Cordray (309-452-5413, kerric@cumcnormal.org). -
Beginning June 6, we will combine grade levels during our 9:30 am Sunday School. Please watch for classroom changes on signs and flyers. Also, May 30 will be our last Kids Worship program at 11 am. Children are encouraged to attend 9:30 am Sunday School or worship at 8 am or 11 am.
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| This Weekend in Worship
 On Sunday, Calvary will observe Memorial Day at all three services of worship. Dr. Randy Perry will share his message Memorial Day - To Avoid Memory Loss. |
Explore More
(click on the title to read the entire article) 
United Methodist Named Top Teacher A teacher for the past 37 years, Don Dye is seldom speechless. But earlier this week, when talk show hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa set up a video feed to tell him he had been voted Live with Regis and Kelly's Top Teacher for 2010, he didn't have a lecture or a speech prepared. From UMNS
The Upper Room Present at the World Cup of Soccer For the 19th time, billions of people throughout the world will gather around televisions, computers, radios, and at stadiums to watch football. That is "soccer," to many North Americans. The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup brings together 32 teams June 11 through July 11, 2010, in South Africa. Each team is seeking sport immortality in its respective homeland. From GBOD
Please note, these articles represent a sampling of news and events happening in Christianity and the world today and do not necessarily reflect the doctrine of The United Methodist Church. |
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Adult Sunday School
9:30 am
Worship
Adult Sunday School
Youth Sunday School
Children's Sunday School
11 am
Praise & Worship
Adult Sunday School
Kids Worship | |
One year after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Calvary held a special taize worship service to remember the event and pray for those affected by it. Those that gathered considered the Light of the World and the role played in the lives of the innocents, the rescuers, the caregivers and the global community of supporters. |
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