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Kinsman-Redeemers
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I just finished reading the book of Ruth last week. It's a beautiful short story, only four chapters long, set in the dark times of the Judges, the time period in Israel's history after Joshua had taken them to the Promised Land.
Even though the story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi is short, there is a lot of things to unpack from it and learn from it. The book of Ruth is essentially about redemption and rescue from despair and emptiness to a place of hope and fullness, something that God has promised and provided for through Jesus Christ.
When you read the book of Ruth, you're reading a story about how kinsman-redeemers were supposed to work in the Old Testament law and how this illustrates what Christ did for all of us. Kinsman-redeemers were responsible for protecting the interests of needy members of the extended family in order to make sure that each family member was supported and lifted up, rather than left alone trampled and in despair. For example, they helped to provide an heir for a brother who had died, to redeem (buy back) land that a poor relative had sold outside of the family, to redeem a relative who had been sold in slavery, and to avenge the killing of a relative.
Here, in the book of Ruth, Naomi is left without an heir since all of her sons had passed away. She had no hope for her family line to continue on and all she had left was Ruth, her daughter-in-law. Ruth wasn't even an Israelite. However, she had sworn her faithfulness to Naomi in the name of the Lord, accepting Him as her true God.
God blessed these two women by having Ruth meet Boaz, a distant relative of Naomi's. Boaz was a man of standing, so much that he willingly became Naomi's kinsman-redeemer by purchasing her land and marrying Ruth. Their firstborn son, Obed, became Naomi's descendant and her heir as per Old Testament law. (This means that Obed would gain all of Naomi's inheritance. Obed would also go on to be King David's grandfather.)
Through Boaz's actions Naomi regained hope. She had lost her land and her future heritage, but thanks to the action by her kinsman-redeemer, Naomi was made whole again.
This is a beautiful picture of redemption and a perfect allusion of what Jesus Christ has done for us. He has given us hope when we had none because we were lost to sin. He has given us our property in Heaven back because we lost it when we sold it to sin. He has given us our name back when he paid the ultimate price to buy us back from slavery of sin. Sin has lost all of its claims on us because of Jesus Christ, our kinsman-redeemer.
He, like Boaz, has made us whole again. Thank you, Jesus, for lifting us up from despair and giving us hope! Thank you, Christ, for rescuing us from our emptiness and restoring us to fullness!
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Momtourage
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 Get your calendars out!
Momtourage is the new name of Calvary's ministry to moms! We meet two Friday mornings a month for discussion, speakers, crafts, and activities as we explore some of the most important issues affecting our lives and our kids. While the group is geared towards moms of young children, all moms are welcome! New this year is Momtourage "After Hours" - evening and weekend activities designed with the working mom in mind. Join us for our registration night TONIGHT, Thursday, August 22 from 7-9 p.m. to learn more or email us at momtourage@calvaryop.org. Our official kick-off date will be Friday, September 6 from 9-11:30 a.m. You can also download the Momtourage flyer right here! |
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Fall Ministry Fair
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Get ready to see all that we offer at Calvary!
Believe it or not, but September is NEXT month! With Fall right around the corner, we are getting ready to kick off our ministries here at Calvary for the year. Has it been a while since you've taken the time to see what ministries we have available for you and your family here at Calvary?
Well, we're going to be hosting a Ministry Fair right here in our gym THIS Sunday, August 25 in between our morning services. We will have different tables and booths set up for each ministry. You'll have a chance to interact with each ministry leader and learn more about that particular ministry. Learn about how to get involved or where to serve this year!
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Women of Faith Conference
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Believe God Can Do Anything!
Mark your calendars now for the Women of Faith conference Believe God Can Do Anything to be held September 27 & 28 in Milwaukee, WI. The average cost for the trip will be $150 plus meals. If you are interested in this event, please email girlfriends@calvaryop.org or call the church office no later than Monday, August 26 so we can get an idea of how many ladies want to attend and arrange carpooling and hotel rooms. To learn more about the Women of Faith visit www.womenoffaith.com. |
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Tryouts For Fall Play!
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Love to act? Want to try something new? Join us!
Well, Fall is coming and you know what that means. It's time for our annual Fall Play! We will be performing a very funny play that will be guaranteed to get you into the holiday mood: The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. We will be holding our first tryout for this play on Tuesday, August 27 at 7 p.m. Come out and get a part! Fun IS guaranteed! Questions? Contact Donna Montgomery at 708-429-2592. |
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Guatemala 2014 News
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Updated news...
1. This is your final opportunity to consider joining us on our mission to Zacapa, Guatemala in January 2014. We are excited to plan this trip and would love to take you along. The trip will be closed to new members on August 31. If this is something the Lord has laid on your heart, but you are not sure if this is something you can commit to, please get your questions answered and your concerns addressed by contacting John or Lori Voss @ 708.422.4633 in the evening.
2. Our Culver's benefit night is coming up quickly on Thursday, September 12 at the Culver's located at 9130 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. You do not need a special coupon - just show up and mention Calvary Church. 10% of your purchase will benefit our team. It's that easy!
3. Our final fundraiser is a golf outing planned for Saturday, September 28, 2013. Time: 10:00 AM with a shot-gun start. Location: Deercreek Golf Course, University Park. Cost: $60.00 per person that includes: 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, and a hot dog lunch. Benefits of enjoying a beautiful day on the links with your buddies: priceless. We are also accepting sponsors @ $100.00 per individual and $200.00 for businesses. All proceeds will benefit the team traveling to Guatemala in January, but if all our needs are met, proceeds will directly benefit Hearts in Motion and/or other short-term missionaries. Sign up will begin in September. In the meantime - put a team together or sign up individually. Can't wait to see you there! |
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Housing Needed
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Do you have room?
A Synod of Mid-America church planting consultant, who resides in Michigan, is looking for a one night per week housing stay while he is working in the Chicagoland area. If you feel led to minister in this way, please contact Ben Ingebretson at 616-481-7566.
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Ever Thought About Becoming a Stephen Minister?
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Now is the time!
 A new Stephen Ministry Training Class will be offered on Thursday nights beginning in September of 2013. Stephen Ministers are trained to work alongside our pastors to care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness. If you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening, please begin to prayerfully consider whether you might want to be part of this exciting ministry. If you are interested, talk to one of our Stephen Leaders: Pastor Dave, Pat Vallejo or Al Vallejo. You can find their contact information and a downloadable application form at www.calvaryop.org/stephen.
Applications have to be turned in by September 1.
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KidsLife Ministry News
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We're kicking off our season! Come and join us!
Sunday School Fall Kick-Off: (pre-school - 5th grade)will be held on Sunday, September 8 at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Join us in Tiny Town or the LOFT for worship, live Bible story telling and age divided small groups.
Cadets: is for all boys 2nd through 8th grade. The meetings are every first and third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Cadets is about boys, campouts, pinewood derbies, wood work, games and above all, FUN! The goal is to help boys grow spiritually in all areas of life. The kickoff meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 4. For information contact Mark Sullivan at drpaulmarksullivan@gmail.com.
GEMS: is for all girls 2nd through 8th grade. The meetings are every second and fourth Wednesday from September through May at 6:30 p.m. Girls get the chance to participate in fun small groups, exciting campouts, be active in various service projects, learn crafts, earn badges and make friends with other girls their age. The kickoff meeting is Wednesday, September 11. For more information contact Chris Stuursma at chrisms59@aol.com.
The Hangout: Don't forget that on Wednesday nights we offer The Hangout from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This group works with the rotating schedule of GEMS and Cadets. When Cadets meet, bring the girls to The Hangout! When GEMS meet, bring the boys to The Hangout! This is a safe place for 2nd through 8th graders to come together to "hang out" as well as grow together as Christians. Questions? Contact children@calvaryop.org.
*You may pre-register online at www.calvaryop.org/gems or www.calvaryop.org/cadets.
Parents Night Out: PNO will return again on Friday, September 20 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Yes, parents, you get a night out without children! Why scramble for a sitter and pay a costly amount, when you can bring your children to P.N.O. at Calvary? Cost is $5 per child (ages infants - 5th graders) for the night. Their dinner and snack are included. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and snacks will be served at 8:30 p.m. Registration begins today.
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Attention All Singers
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Calvary's choir season is quickly approaching!
Calvary's choir season is quickly approaching. Choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the choir room. We are looking forward to a very exciting new season, in which we will begin working on our Christmas production soon. Choir is open to singers high school age and older. We are especially in need of tenors this season, so if you are a tenor, will you prayerfully consider becoming part of this vital ministry at Calvary Church? Contact Jody Van Kley at jodyvk@calvaryop.org or 708-429-2200 ext. 16.
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Faith Foundations Bible Study
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Join us for some serious growth!
A new Bible study will begin Sunday, September 22 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in room #104 here at Calvary Church. This Bible study will definitely help you grow in your knowledge of God's Word. Learn how He wants us to be able to apply it to our everyday lives and create within us all a deeper and richer walk with Him. Please contact Joe Dampf at jdampf22@gmail.com for further information.
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Local Community News
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Laugh For Life: A Southwest Pregnancy Center Event
Join SPC as we "Laugh for LIFE" and help young parents have their babies! Enjoy WHOLESOME entertainment with friends, family and everyone who likes to laugh by listening to Christian comedian Michael Jr. perform on Friday, September 13 at 7-9 p.m. at Moraine Valley Church (6300 W. 127th St., Palos Hts., IL).
Influenced by the comedy of Bill Cosby and Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Jr. has appeared on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, The Late, Late Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and others. Get your $25 tickets today by clicking here.
Southside Pregnancy Center offers help and hope to those affected by unplanned pregnancy and promotes sexual purity in an effort to preserve life. All proceeds from "Laugh for Life" will support the life-saving ministry of SPC.
Hope & Healing Meetings With PASS
It is with humility and blessing to offer our "Hope & Healing" Program to men and women who are hurting from past experiences. Originally offered to post-abortive women, "Hope & Healing" offers restoration and freedom from ALL past hurts to both men and women. It is with much prayer and seeking the LORD to find freedom from the past through this extensive program.
Sessions are open to men and women identifying with the hurt of depression, regret, abortion, divorce, loneliness, low self-worth, loss, crisis, pain and/or shame, or desire to experience new or renewed growth, restoration and freedom in the upcoming year. The road to freedom from your past hurts and present pain can begin for YOU!
To R.S.V.P. for our upcoming 12-week program, please call
708-614-9777 x17. This program is for men and women, ages 18 years and older. A suggested cost for Hope & Healing materials is $24.00. Programs start on Monday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 10 in various locations such as Tinley Park, South Holland, Steger and Matteson.
Orland Park's Illumin8K Run/Walk
Our upcoming Illumin8k Run/Walk on Saturday, September 14 at 7 p.m. will benefit three great causes: Catholic Charities' LOSS Program, The Jason Foundation and the Orland Township Scholarship Foundation. There will be door prizes and goody bags. Get more information and register online at www.illumin8k.com or call 708-403-4222.
Summer's End at Orland Grassland
Our Saturday, September 7 event is not a work day and should be a nice day to take a tour and see the early fall blooms of the prairie and to see birds and the wood savannah's right here in our backyard.
Orland Grasslands has worked hard this past 10 years to help restore the old farmland back to its natural beauty and we wish to share it and educate our neighbors as to its existence and to introduce the community to it. Eventually, there will be a four-mile bike path and the south portion which is currently a farm, will also be restored.
We'll have guided hikes on this special day! See www.orlandgrassland.org for more information and how else you can enjoy this special area in Orland Park.
The Booth Brothers at First Reformed Church of Lansing
First Reformed Church of Lansing, IL will host in concert THE BOOTH BROTHERS on Saturday, September 7. For tickets and information please call the church office at (708) 474-9610. Tickets are $15 (general admission). Doors open at 6:00p, the concert begins at 7:00p. Our website is: www.firstreformedchurch.org.
Open Lands of Orland Park To Host Golf Outing
The Village of Orland Park will hold its annual golf outing on Tuesday, September 17 at Silver Lake Country Club, 14700 South 82nd Avenue in Orland Park. The outing benefits Open Lands of Orland Park and is open to the public.
Check-in and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 am with a shot-gun start at 9:30 am. The outing is limited to 144 golfers, so golfers are encouraged to send in their reservations as soon as possible.
Three ticket options are available. $130.00 per person includes eighteen holes of golf, cart, continental breakfast, lunch on the course, cocktails, dinner, and door prizes. $100 per person includes eighteen holes of golf, cart, continental breakfast, and lunch on the course. $50 includes cocktails, dinner, and door prizes.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and include hole sponsorships for $200, continental breakfast at $300, cocktail hour at $500, and lunch on the course at $1,000. The committee is also seeking door and raffle prizes for the event. All sponsors and prize donors will be listed in the event program that is given to all attendees.
Ticket and sponsorship information is available by calling Patty Vlazny at 708/403-6145.
Chicago Christian Counseling Center is Turning 40!
You're invited to help us celebrate our 40th anniversary! Join us for a laughter-filled night with Jeff Allen, while supporting the work of Chicago Christian Counseling Center, on Saturday, October 12 from 7-9 p.m. at Trinity Christian College's Ozinga Chapel. Invite your friends, family and coworkers...they won't be disappointed! Order your $20 tickets TODAY by clicking here.
Men of A-Chord
The Men of A-Chord chorus was started in 1953 by a group of Christian men who shared the joy of singing. Today our extended family is composed of Christian men of various ages and in all walks of life. It is our privilege to bring God's praises in song to various venues throughout the Chicagoland area and the surrounding states. We are not professionals but men who enjoy singing. We invite men to join us for our 60th year as a chorus. We rehearse every Wednesday night from 7:45-9:45 in the Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College. If you would like more information, check out our website at www.menofachord.org or contact Bill Kamp at 708-597-0369 or at wekamp@sbcglobal.net.
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What's the What
This Week @ Calvary! |
THURSDAY (8/22):
- 7:00 a.m. Men's Barnabas Bible Study
- 6:00 p.m. Praise Band Rehearsal
- 7:00 p.m. Consistory Meeting
FRIDAY (8/23):
- 7 p.m. High School Special Activity
SATURDAY (8/24):
- 5:00 p.m. New Hope Fellowship Service
SUNDAY (8/25):
- 8:00 a.m. Worship Service
- 9:30 a.m. Worship Service
- 11:00 a.m. Worship Service
- Ministry Fair in between services!
MONDAY (8/26):
- 7:00 p.m. New Hope
TUESDAY (8/27):
- 6:00 p.m. Praise Band Rehearsal
WEDNESDAY (8/28):
- 6:00 a.m. Executive Council
- 7:00 p.m. Girlfriends Meeting
- 7:00 p.m. NOAH (offsite)
THURSDAY (8/29):
- 7:00 a.m. Men's Barnabas Bible Study
- 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Food Pantry
- 6:00 p.m. Praise Band Rehearsal
SATURDAY (8/31):
NO New Hope Fellowship Service
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There's a lot of ways to share your blessing story! You can...
and fill out a form.
- Tweet your blessing by using the hashtag
#TenThousand
Blessings. Be sure to tag us as well by using
- Fill out the connection card on Sunday.
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NO LOFT / CrossTraining This Month!
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The Sunday school program in The Loft (5 years to 5th grade) and Jr. High CrossTraining (6th to 8th grade) are taking August off, resuming on Sunday, September 8 when we will have our annual Fall Kick-Off!
Our nursery program in Tiny Town (for infants through 4 years old) will continue as normal, being offered at all three morning services.
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Looking For a Job?
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How do you conduct a career switch? The Self-Help Jobs Program office has abundant resources to help you determine your skills, conduct informational interviews, get training, and much more. The director looks forward to helping you - call 708-633-6580. Office hours are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Call Laura Vande Werken at (708) 633-6580 or email her at selfhelpjobs @sbcglobal.net.
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Since 1996, the Community Career Center has provided job seekers with guidance on subjects ranging from goal-setting and resume writing to networking and interview skills. These consultations are available thanks to the dedicated support of approximately 50 volunteers who are career counselors, recruiters, human resource professionals, and other job search experts.
If you are looking for a job, this place in Naperville is a great resource to start. Learn more here.
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Help Us Stock Our Food Pantry!
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We ALWAYS have a need to keep our Food Pantry well-stocked. There is a bin in the foyer by the north doors where we accept donations. People are welcome to drop off donated food and items at any time.
You can download a full list of what we need to keep the Food Pantry well-stocked here!
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Calvary Cares
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Calvary Cares' ministry goal is to assist people in various needs. Often these people include the elderly, widow, single mothers, people recovering from illness and families that are financially on hard times. While the elders and deacons try to address these needs, they often need assistance, both professionally and physically. We also know that many people of Calvary would love to assist, but are not aware of the needs.
If you would like to become involved with the Calvary Cares ministry, please contact either Keith Baar or Randy Kosar.
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Prayer Opportunities
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INTERNET INTERCESSORS:
Would you like a group of faithful people to pray for your concerns and joys? You can send an email directly to our email address at prayer@calvaryop.org and we will pray for you!
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