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For the Week of January 2-9     
Vol. 10, Issue 1
Prayer Vigil
I want to lead off this eLetter with a reminder that this Saturday, January 4 is our 3rd Annual Prayer Vigil Against the Drug Epidemic on Chicago's Southside.

I was talking to Pastor Ron Ovitt this week about this incredible spiritual event that he's helped shepherd for the past three years. This vigil is all about prayer: praying to God to help heal the addiction for all of those who are hooked on drugs; praying to God to help eradicate drugs from our neighborhoods and the country; praying to help heal the wounds and scars that drug users have committed against themselves and their families; and praying to God for all of those who find themselves on the front lines against the drug war: doctors, paramedics, ER staff, pastors and clergymen.

Prayer, as we know, is our most powerful weapon as it reaches the ears of God. That is what this event is all about. There's no activism, no signs to carry, nothing to sign up for. This event is all about beseeching God and crying out to Him for help and healing from the insidious virus that is drug addiction.

There will be music and a time for worship and meditation. We have sent out invitations to hundreds of local churches around us to join us in this vigil. It will hopefully be a time of powerful spiritual movement as we are united under one goal and one prayer.

Please consider joining us from 5:00-6:30 p.m. right here at Calvary Church. Bring friends, family and especially anyone who has been touched by drugs in any way. Any questions, please call 708.429.2200 and ask for Pastor Ron Ovitt.

Also, don't forget that this Sunday, January 5 is the first Sunday of worship with our NEW Lead Pastor, Ron Citlau! He has set up a great six-week sermon series called Centered. You can find out more it by clicking on the graphic below.

Have a great week and a great start to 2014! Stay out of this crazy snow if you can help it!

 

-Matt 

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. Thank you! 

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

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.       

 

Southwest Chicago Christian School News:

Southwest Chicago Christian Schools has begun planning for the 2013/2014 school year! The following informational meetings will be held:

· Thursday, January 16, 7pm - Oak Lawn Campus - for prospective kindergarteners and their parents

· Thursday, January 30, 7pm - Tinley Park Campus - for prospective kindergarten parents

If you have a child who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2014 we invite you to attend. Application materials will be available that evening or by calling the Association Office at 708/388-7656.

Chicago Christian High School also invites prospective parents and students to an Open House on Thursday, January 23. Registration is from 6:45 to 7pm; the program begins at 7pm. Visit with faculty and students; learn more about our academics & co-curricular opportunities. The school is located at 12001 S Oak Park Avenue, Palos Heights. For further information, call 708/388-7656 or visit www.swchristian.org. 

  

Speak Out Illinois 2014:

A valuable Pro-life ministry opportunity to attend a seminar called "Speak Out Illinois 2014" which is only once a year. Both the adult and teen program are the same place but in different rooms on Sat. Feb. 1, 2014, includes a banquet style lunch at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare Hotel, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont which has free parking with conference admission. After registering, the adult program is 9:15 am to 3:30 pm but the teen program is 9 am. If enough people are interested -- could we have a carpool from Calvary Church to Rosemont?

For the adult program, there are various topics and speakers such as the topic, "40 Days for Life"-- Shawn Carney. There is the  topic, "Religious Freedom" -- Rich Baker, John Breen and Eric Scheidler. Also the topic, "Abortion in the 'Hard Cases' " -- Dr. Pam Smith, Jim Sable, and Lisa Youngblood. There are other topics and speakers -- Joe Walsh, Rev. Bob Vanden Bosch, Rep. Tom Morrison, Steven Tucker, Dr. Barbara Bellar and others. The teen program is the speaker Vicki Thorn who is an expert in post-abortion healing will share her knowledge of attachment and bonding between men and women and between parents and children. The teens have videos and can network with other teens.

If you register before 1/24/14 -- each adult ticket is $55 instead of $65. Student tickets are $25 but a fund is available to help pay for a student ticket if needed. For information and to register -- phone 773-777-2900 or go to www.SpeakOutIllinois.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
Prayer Vigil 2014
Centered Series
Momtourage Pajama Drive
Parents' Night Out
Blessing Blankets
Check Your Closets
Marriage Seminar
Local Community News
What's the What
This Week @ Calvary!

 

THURSDAY (1/2):

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

- 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Food Pantry is Open! 

- 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  

SUNDAY (1/5):
- 8:00 a.m.  Worship Service
- 9:30 a.m.  Worship Service
- 9:30 & 11 a.m.  The Loft Sunday School
- 11:00 a.m.  Worship Service 

 

MONDAY (1/6):      

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal

- 7:00 p.m  Guatemala Mission Trip Meeting 

- 7:00 p.m.  New Hope 

    

TUESDAY (1/7):

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal  

  

WEDNESDAY (1/8):

- 6:00 a.m.  Executive Council
- 9:30 a.m.  Coffee Break
- 6:30 p.m.  GEMS
- 6:30 p.m.  The Hangout
- 7:00 p.m.  Choir Rehearsal

 

THURSDAY (1/9):

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

- 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Food Pantry is Open! 

- 1:00 p.m.  Men's Bible Study

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal 

- 6:00 p.m.  Girls Biddy Basketball

 

FRIDAY (1/10):

- 9:00 a.m.  Momtourage 

 

SATURDAY (1/11): 

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

sermon

Job Opportunity #1
We were made aware of about 18 different opportunities for jobs with the Catholic Charities. Interested? Download a PDF of the openings here!
Job Opportunity #2
We've been made aware that Peacock, a company in in Romeoville, IL is hiring, potentially in large numbers and with potential of rising quickly enough to management in several months.

New hires will start as in light production work such as packaging food for T.V. dinners. This is great for anyone with a rough background, DUI, limitations on lifting, etc. and is open to both men or women.

If someone is looking for a job possibility in any field this may be a good start. Find out more details here.
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!