header
For the Week of December 26-January 2    
Vol. 9, Issue 46
Ending the Year Well
Wow. Well, that was quick. Seems like Christmas was just yesterday. Wait, it was!

Lame jokes aside, it's the perfect opening for a quick meditation on what to do in the weird holiday zone between Christmas and New Years' Eve. Many people are still on holiday, vacation and may still have a couple more Christmas parties on the docket, but by large, most of us have turned our focus on to the party that is New Year's Eve.

I've always enjoyed New Year's Eve because of what the day represents. For many of us, living a year leaves us bruised and a bit beat-up with all the ups and downs that we've gone through. It's an opportunity for all of us to slow down and take stock of what we've gone through in the past 364 (365 if it's a certain leap year) days and turn our eyes towards the horizon of a year filled with possibilities and excitement.

There's nothing quite as satisfying as turning a page filled with stuff to a pristine, new, empty, brightly white one. This metaphor is especially apt when you consider what God has done for us with Jesus whose birth we just celebrated yesterday. This is what God does with us daily.

Do you get that? God doesn't wait until a year is over in order to allow us to turn over a new leaf, to discover a new path, to start a new job, to gain a raise, to move, to downsize, to have children, to raise children, to get grandchildren, to gain weight, to lose weight, to whatever we may want for ourselves to better ourselves for the new year.

Thanks to the birth and death of Jesus Christ, we get to celebrate a new year every day when we're constantly forgiven for our constant mistakes as we constantly claw ourselves towards God. God says He forgets our sins. That inky, smudged, wrinkled, ink-ridden page that we can't wait to turn once the ball falls on 11:59 p.m. on December 31? God turns that page over every time we ask Him to forgive us for our sinful rebellion against Him and His creation.

So, as we draw closer to 2014, I have selected a few Bible verses with this theme that I would love for all of us to meditate on to help us to finish 2013 well and look towards 2014 with all of its hope and possibilities.

For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.
Hebrews 8:12

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:11-12

"Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
    you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.
You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,
    nor honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with grain offerings
    nor wearied you with demands for incense.
You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,
    or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied me with your offenses.

"I, even I, am he who blots out
    your transgressions, for my own sake,
    and remembers your sins no more."

Isaiah 43:22-25

 

Embrace this truth. Accept it. Live it. See you next year!

 

-Matt 

KidsLife December Calendar
Please note our unusual calendar this month for your kids aged 5 through 5th grade

December 29, NO LOFT (Family Worship)  

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
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.  

  

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
Centered Series
KidsLife December Calendar
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 (12/26):

- 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 (12/28): 

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

SUNDAY (12/29):
- 8:00 a.m.  Worship Service
- 9:30 a.m. Worship Service
- 11:00 a.m.  Worship Service 

 

MONDAY (12/30):      

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal 

- 7:00 p.m.  New Hope 

    

TUESDAY (12/31):

- Office is closed 

  

WEDNESDAY (1/1):

Happy New Year! The office is closed!

 

THURSDAY (1/2):

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

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal

- 6:00 p.m.  Girls Biddy Basketball

- 7:30 p.m.  NOAH 

 

SATURDAY (1/4): 

- 5:00 p.m.  New Hope Fellowship Service & All-Church Prayer Vigil 

sermon

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.

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.  
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!