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For the Week of January 16-23      
Vol. 10, Issue 2
God's Will vs. You
I'm currently knee-deep in the book of 1 Samuel. If you haven't read this particular book, it's a very harrowing read about the rise and fall of Israel's first king, Saul, and the lengths he goes to fight against God's will.

The book opens with a brief prelude about the birth of the man that this book is named after, the prophet Samuel. Through God's leading, Samuel anoints Saul to be the first king that would unite the fractured nation of Israel.

Unfortunately for Saul, his selfishness and sin turns him against God. When Saul violates the covenantal agreement he made with God when he assumed the kingship over Israel, God sends Samuel to anoint another man to take over the kingship. This man would become known as King David.

Despite warnings from Samuel and from the other priests and even from his own son, Saul tries to thwart God's plan by trying to hunt down David. He labors under the delusion that if he can just kill David, then the kingship will stay with him and God will have no choice but to keep him as king.

The book of 1 Samuel clearly shows that it is folly to try to subvert God's plan through our means, but how often have we done this? How often have we made decisions on our own with consulting with God? How often do we put ourselves through situations that we know are wrong in order to get what we want? How often do we try to change things in order to achieve what we want, even when it is obvious God wants other things for us.

I'd wager we all can come up with an experience where we behaved very Saul-like and tried to defy God in order to get what we wanted, not what He wanted. It's kind of odd and foolish to try to manipulate and outwit God, isn't it? After all, He created the world and all that is in it, including us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. It's like a little toddler trying to outwit his parents.

We need to trust that His will is far better and far more perfect than anything we could have come up with ourselves. When our desires run contrary to His will, we need to learn to step aside and allow Him what He has willed, even if it means that we lose what God gave us to have in the first place, like Saul losing the kingship of Israel that God gave custody to him.

God knows best. Trust in that. Trust in Him.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. -Hebrews 10:35-36 (NASB)

-Matt 

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.

Youth Bowling Night

Are you in high school? Join us!

 

Get ready for some cosmic bowling at Centennial Lanes! Come and join our high school youth group for a night of bowling on Saturday, January 25 from 7:30 to 11 p.m.!

 

A few details you need to know:  

- MEET at church at 7:30 p.m. and we'll drive there together.

- Cost is $10 for two games plus shoes

- Bring extra money if you want to snack there! 

 

Questions? Contact Pills at tobyspill@yahoo.com. 

O.K. Club White Elephant Luncheon

Are you 55 or better? Join us!

 

On Thursday, January 30 at 12 p.m. the Calvary Church OK Club is planning a special luncheon to be held in the lobby, so if you are 55 or older we look forward to your joining us for good food and fellowship. Cost is $10.00 and if you have a white elephant to wrap up and bring along, please do so. Sign up sheet is at the Welcome Center this morning. Questions? Contact Pastor Dave at davevk@calvaryop.org.
Family Fun Zone
Here's your chance to have some family fun and meet our new pastor!

 

Families, join us for fun, food, roller skating, arcade games and laser tag at Family Fun Zone, 2333 Theodore St., Crest Hill on Sunday, February 9 from 3-6 p.m. Cost is $5 per child, ages 2 and up. Adults are free (unless you want to join in on some of the activities!).  

 

Tickets are now on sale in the lobby through February 9 or go online to www.calvaryop.org/familynight. Payments can be made by cash, credit or a check made out to Calvary Children's Ministry. 

 

Pastor Ron Citlau and his family will be joining us for this event, so it'll be a great time to socialize with his family! 

Cadet Pinewood Derby

What's that smell?! It's pinewood dust!

 

Yes, it is Cadet Pinewood Derby time again! Did you know that you don't have to be a Cadet to participate in the Derby? Once again, the Cadets are offering an "Open Class" so anyone can join in on the fun. You can build your very own Pinewood Derby car and race it with the Cadets on Saturday, March 1 at 12-3 p.m. in the church gym.

 

There is a suggested donation of $20 for the car kit. Contact our Cadet Leaders Mark Sullivan (drpaulmarksullivan@gmail.com) or Mike Sluis (sluismichael@sbcglobal.net) to get your Pinewood Derby kit and let the sanding begin!

 

Please note that the sign-up deadline to enroll your car is February 16th.

Revelation is Relevant Bible Study
This popular Bible study is back!

This verse-by-verse study of the Revelation of John will help you experience the awesome spiritual power that resides in this final book of the Bible. Revelation's message is truly for every generation: "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Rev. 1:3.

Show up Tuesday nights starting February 25 at 7 p.m. in room 252 to receive this blessing from God! Questions? Contact Joe Dampf at jdampf22@gmail.com.

Local Community News
Iron Shapes Iron 2014 Men's Conference

Orland Park Christian Reformed Church is excited to announce that we will be hosting an IRON SHARPENS IRON conference here at OPCRC on Saturday, February 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To register and find out more information, go to www.focalpointministries.net. This conference is for men of all ages from 13 on!

  

Troubled Minds: Mental Illness Seminar at Parkview

Mental illness is the sort of thing that we don't like to talk about. This seminar, led by Amy Simpson, will remind us that people with mental illness and their families are our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Plan on coming to this seminar on Saturday, January 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park. Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. Breakfast will be provided at 8 a.m. For more information, go to www.parkviewchurch.com/troubledminds.    

 

Lincoln-Way Children's Theater Series

You are invited to come in your comfy, cozy pjs (that includes you grownups) for an evening of favorite contemporary children's books brought to life: The Teacher From the Black Lagoon, Dogzilla, Lilly's Plastic Purse, and The Grasshopper and the Ant, just to name a few! Join us on Friday, January 24 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln-Way East High School. Performances will be about one hour  in length and tickets are $6. For more information visit the website at www.lw210.org/childrensseries.  


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.

 

Open Houses
Chicago Christian High School 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.

 

The Tinley Park Campus of Southwest Chicago Christian Schools welcomes interested families and their students to an Open House on Tuesday, February 4 from 6:30 to 8pm. The Kindergarten - Grade 8 campus also offers before & after school care. The campus is located at 17171 S 84th Avenue. For further information call 708-388-7656.

 

The Oak Lawn Campus of Southwest Chicago Christian Schools will host a Open House on Thursday, February 6, 6:30 to 8pm for interested families and their students. The campus offers Preschool through Grade 8 along with before & after school care. If you know of someone who may be interested in Christian education, please encourage them to attend. The campus is located at 10110 S Central Avenue. For further information call 708/388-7656.  

 

Pancake Breakfast

Southwest Chicago Christian School invites you to their annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 1, from 7:30-10:30AM at the Tinley Park Campus (17171 S. 84th Ave). PTL is also sponsoring a book fair that morning. Donations and proceeds from the events help teachers and librarians purchase materials for their classrooms and libraries at the Tinley and Oak Lawn campuses. Please contact the Tinley campus if you would like to sponsor this event. We hope to see you there and thank you for your support! 

  

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
Centered Series
Blessing Blankets
Marriage Seminar
Youth Bowling Night
O.K. Club White Elephant Luncheon
Family Fun Zone
Cadet Pinewood Derby
Revelation is Relevant Bible Study
Local Community News
What's the What
This Week @ Calvary!

 

THURSDAY (1/16):

- 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

  

FRIDAY (1/17): 

- 2-9 p.m.  Girlfriends Stitch 'n Time
- 5:30 p.m.  Parents' Night Out

 

SATURDAY (1/18): 

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

SUNDAY (1/19):
- 7:45 a.m.  Prayer Meeting
- 8:00 a.m.  Worship Service
- 9:30 a.m.  Worship Service
- 9:30 & 11 a.m.  The Loft Sunday School
- 9:30 a.m.  Jr. High CrossTraining
- 9:45 a.m.  Faith Foundations Adult Class
- 11:00 a.m.  Worship Service 

 

MONDAY (1/20):      

- 7:00 p.m  Girlfriends' Bible Study (Gideon) 

- 7:00 p.m.  New Hope 

    

TUESDAY (1/21):

- 6:00 p.m.  Praise Band Rehearsal

- 7:00 p.m.  Elders & Deacons' Meeting 

  

WEDNESDAY (1/22):

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

 

THURSDAY (1/23):

- 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 (1/24):

- 9:00 a.m.  Momtourage 

 

SATURDAY (1/25): 

- 9:00 a.m.  Marriage Conference
- 5:00 p.m.  New Hope Fellowship Service  

sermon

Here & Now: Women's Morning Bible Study
Join us for a lecture series on the book of Revelation by Beth Moore. Beth presents many points of view, allowing women to decide for themselves when the interpretation varies among scholars. She teaches that God is as specific about what He does reveal as He is about what He does not reveal.

Join us on Monday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Find out more here.
Gideon: Women's Evening Bible Study
Ever feel insufficient? Could it be that your weaknesses are the keys that unlock God's strength? Through a look at the life of Gideon, you can discover that instead of ignoring, neglecting, or trying to escape your weaknesses, you can see them as the gifts, given specifically and strategically by God to unlock the door of God's strength.

Join us on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Find out more here.
Discover Prayer: A Beginner's Bible Study for Women
A new study begins this month at 6:30 p.m. Join us as we begin the year studying Discover Prayer.

This Bible study is open to all women who are beginning their walk with the Lord.

Choose what day of the week works best for you. Find out more 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!