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For the Week of December 19-26   
Vol. 9, Issue 45
Marriage Seminar Tickets Only $20, Exp. 12/25
Good afternoon! As we approach Christmas, I wanted to let you know that there's a wonderful opportunity for you to purchase a gift for yourself and your spouse (or future spouse, if you're planning on getting married soon). It would be the gift of learning how to make your marriage work in a great way.

You may or may not be aware that we are going to be hosting a great marriage seminar in January. Full details can be found below or here.

So, why am I promoting it right now and here in this spot? Well, through a very generous donor, we are able to offer pre-sale tickets to each couple to this seminar for only $20. (That's right! Only $20 for two people, which includes the full cost and lunch!) The actual cost is $75. This hefty discount is only good through Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25. The price will then rise to $30, then to $40 if you purchase tickets on the day of the seminar, Saturday, January 25.

I'd like to turn the rest of this spot over to Bill and Pam Farrel who will be doing this seminar. They have penned a personal invitation. I hope and pray that you consider this a gift that you can give to you and your family.

Hello, this is Bill and Pam Farrel and we want to personally invite you to join us at the upcoming relationship conference. When we got married we knew three things: (1) We love Jesus. (2) We love each other. (3) We have a lot to learn if we want to have a successful marriage. That created a passion in our hearts to figure out how relationships work. We have sought answers to these questions through reading books, our own personal growth as a couple and through professional research. We honestly believe anyone can have great relationships so we have devoted our lives to sharing the practical insight we have learned with as many people as possible.

 

If you have ever asked any of the following questions, we believe we can help.

* How can a couple have a successful marriage?

* How can men and women communicate in a way that works?

* How can we stop conflict before it starts?

* How do men and women use their differences to enhance their lives rather than drive each other crazy?

* How can a couple get good at making decisions together?

* How do you forgive someone who has hurt you?

* How can a man and a woman develop strong careers and stay in love?

 

We know you have many demands on your time so we are prepared to bring you our best.

 

It's going to be fun. We will be laughing together with you throughout the event.

 

It's going to be practical. We don't share anything that hasn't worked for us and thousands of other couples. You will get a power-packed seminar; filled with tools to enhance your communication, your intimate life, and your ability to work together to build a life you will be proud of.

 

It's going to be for you as a couple. We will, of course, ask you to talk with one another during our time together but we will never ask you to share with other couples or in front of the whole group. We want this to be a time of discovery and growth for you as a couple.

 

It's going to make things simpler for you. Your relationship with your spouse and with each of your kids will make more sense and will become more cooperative. One man ran up to us after a seminar and said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you. You just stopped months of arguments in our home. Thank you."

 

We wish you the best in your relationship journey and we hope to see you soon!

 

- Bill and Pam 

Christmas Concert
Want to know what the concert is about?
 
It was a silent night like any other, when heaven sent the One, the one we will call our savior, and redemption begins, in a stable in Bethlehem. All of the angels lifted up their voices, and filled the night with Hallelujahs! God is with us now. Let us worship Christ, the Holy One, when hope came down! Join us for When Hope Came Down! The dates and the times are listed above.

Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be served after the performance at Friday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m., so come for a great time!
KidsLife December Calendar
Please note our unusual calendar this month for your kids aged 5 through 5th grade

December 22, LOFT Christmas Celebration at 9:30 & 11:00

 

December 29, NO LOFT (Family Worship)  

Holiday Childcare Needed
Can you gift us your time this holiday season?
 

Please take time to consider serving during one of our Holiday events. You will be a blessing to all of the people who use our nurseries during the holidays. You can email your interest to Luz Lopez at luzl@calvaryop.org OR fill out a form on our website right here

Momtourage Pajama Drive
Can you help Momtourage with its service project?
 

Calvary's Momtourage is collecting NEW two-piece children's pajamas, size 6 months through size 7 for their holiday service project. All donated pajamas will be going to Lurie Children's Hospital.

  

You can help make a difference in the life of a critically ill or injured child this holiday season! Please bring your donations to the Welcome Center no later than January 10, 2014. Thank you! 

Blessing Blankets
Help us spread the warmth of Jesus with a Blessing Blanket!

During the month of December through January 23 we are collecting warm, soft, gently used blankets or comforters (no afghans or wool blankets please). Please bring your blanket in a bag that is clearly marked "Blessing Blanket" and drop it next to the food pantry box. A group of us will be washing all the blankets so they are fresh and clean and wrap them with a red ribbon along with a card with scripture, thought for the day, and contact information for Calvary Church. Blankets will be distributed throughout the winter on Saturday nights. For questions please contact Melissa Edwards or Dee Kostelyk.

Check Your Closets
Help us reach out to the homeless

Twice a month on Saturday evenings, a group from Calvary has been going out to distribute hygiene packets, food, coats and blankets to the homeless.Thank you to all who have donated so far.

 

We are still in need of GENTLY USED, UPDATED, coats, hoodies, fleeces, hats, gloves and shoes.The biggest need is men's XL and XXL sizes, but we also need women's and children's items. This past Saturday night, the need was so great that we actually ran out of coats, blankets and shoes.Please check your closets for these items that you no longer wear but are still current and in good condition.  Teenagers, you can help with this important ministry as well.Bring in your brand name coats, fleeces and hoodies! Donations can be dropped off next to the Welcome Center. For questions call Dee at (630) 325-3707.

Local Community News
Blue Christmas     

Blue Christmas: A Christmas Service for those experiencing loss. Your sense of loss and grief may seem out of place with our society's way of celebrating Christmas, but acknowledging our sense of loss may actually bring us closer to the real Christmas story. In a time of quiet reflection and worship, we will acknowledge our loss and remember Christ Jesus who came to give us hope. The service will be held Sunday, December 22, at 4:30 pm at Grace Community CRC, 10415 Kedvale Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453. Everyone is welcome.

  

Your Kingdom Come Seminar:

Orland Park Christian Reformed Church is excited to announce that we will be hosting a two-day seminar with Rev. Ray Vander Laan on Friday, February 14, 2014 at 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seminar is called Your Kingdom Come: The Ministry of Jesus in Its First Century Setting. During this seminar, Rev. Vander Laan will give us a greater understanding of the message of the Bible in light of its Jewish context. The conference will be held at OPCRC at 7500 W. Sycamore Dr., Orland Park, IL. To register, go to www.orlandchurch.com or contact Jan Kamp at 708-532-4900 or jank@opcrc.org.  

  

Need a Last Minute Gift Idea?

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES BOOKS are available at all three campuses of Southwest Chicago Christian Schools. The book offers a wide variety of restaurant, entertainment and retail coupons to be used from now thru November 2014.  The cost of the Golden Opportunities Books is $25. These books make great Christmas gifts and are only available for a limited time. Stop by any campus to purchase a book..

  

27th Annual January Series

You're invited to Back to God Ministries International, located at 6555 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, to attend the January Series streamed live from Calvin College. The Series features nationally acclaimed speakers discussing topics including public education reform, healthcare, climate change, and current events around the world. Join us 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday. The Series is free and no advanced registration is required. For more information, contact Christopher Hunt at 708-371-8700 or chunt@crcna.org.

In This Issue
Christmas Services
Christmas Concert
Freedom Over Anxiety Seminar
KidsLife December Calendar
Holiday Childcare
Momtourage Pajama Drive
Blessing Blankets
Check Your Closets
Prayer Vigil 2014
Parents' Night Out
Marriage Seminar
Local Community News
What's the What
This Week @ Calvary!

 

THURSDAY (12/19):

- 7:00 a.m.  Men's Barnabas Bible Study

- 1:00 p.m.  NO Men's Bible Study

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal

- 6:00 p.m.  Girls Biddy Basketball

- 7:00 p.m.  Job Networking Group 

- 7:30 p.m.  NOAH (offsite) 

  

FRIDAY (12/20):

- 9:00 a.m.  Momtourage

- 7:30 p.m.  Christmas Concert 

 

SATURDAY (12/21): 

- 1:00 p.m.  Freedom Over Anxiety Seminar
- 5:00 p.m.  New Hope Fellowship Service

SUNDAY (12/22):
- 8:00 a.m.  Worship Service
- 9:30 a.m. Worship Service
- 9:30 & 11 a.m.  The Loft
- 9:30 a.m.  Jr. High CrossTraining
- 9:45 a.m.  Faith Foundations Bible Study
- 11:00 a.m.  Worship Service
- 7:00 p.m.  Sr. High XP 

 

MONDAY (12/23):      

- 1:30 p.m.  Senior Bible Study 

- 7:00 p.m.  New Hope 

    

TUESDAY (12/24):

- 3:00 p.m.  Christmas Eve Service

- 5:00 p.m.  Christmas Eve Service 

  

WEDNESDAY (12/25):

Merry Christmas! The office is closed

 

THURSDAY (12/26):

- 7:00 a.m.  Men's Barnabas Bible Study

- 1:00 p.m.  NO Men's Bible Study

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal

- 6:00 p.m.  Girls Biddy Basketball

 

SATURDAY (12/27): 

- 5:00 p.m.  New Hope Fellowship Service

sermon

Are You Praying Big For Your Child?
The KidsLife Ministry has a challenge for all parents: Pray Big for Your Child! This challenge is based on the book Pray Big for Your Child by Will Davis, Jr. 

  

Join in the conversation with all the parents who are doing the challenge right here.  

 

The books are available in our Revelations Bookstore. Pick up your copy. Questions? Email Tiffany at children

@calvaryop.org.  

NOAH
NOAH is Calvary's Young Adult Ministry, for anyone in their early 20's - mid-30's. We are not a singles ministry, but a ministry for anyone in that post-college age range looking for fellowship, spiritual growth, and a place to connect. In January, we will begin a new Bible Study on the book of Galatians, using a study guide by John MacArthur. We meet at 7:30 p.m. on the 1st, 3rd, and the occasional 5th Thursday of every month at someone's house. We also schedule social hangout times, so come on and join us if you're looking for a place to join! If you are interested, please contact Brian "Pills" Langeland at 708.502.2930 or at tobyspill

@yahoo.com.

Help Us Stock Our Food Pantry!

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

Prayer Opportunities
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!
Coffee Break
Our popular Coffee Break Bible study for women meets on
Wednesdays at 9:30-11:00am. FREE childcare is available for kids 5 & under. We have an exciting year planned! For more information, please contact Jenny at coffeebreak
@calvaryop.org or visit their Facebook page here.