The tornado wreaked destruction in Oklahoma this week. Timothy Merrill, the executive editor of the preaching journal, Homiletics, made an inspirational statement of what he expects will happen now.

"I not only expect God to show up, I expect people to show up.  I expect to see the best in the human spirit rise and experience its finest hour. We will see neighbors assisting neighbors, strangers helping each other. We will see unsolicited donations pour in from all over the world. This tragedy, as with other tragedies, will act as a mirror in which we see humanity rising to express their "imago dei" human-ness. Humans as God intended us to be. That's always heart-warming to witness.  I expect to see communities show up and stand up on behalf of the victims of this storm.  I expect to see people's view of what's important in life to experience a seismic shift because of this quick macro-burst of energy that left scores dead.  I expect to see people in each other's arms crying together and holding each other up.  I expect many people will re-discover their faith and decide that they no longer can live a life without God. There may be some who will shake their fist in the face of God and walk away. Many more, in my view, will take a journey from fear to faith, and find a renewed strength to face the world."

What do we expect will happen in the aftermath of this tragedy?

We expect the local agency Convoy of Hope to dispatch supplies. They have already arrived there.  We expect our denomination's Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to set up a way to donate to the victims, and that has been done.  We expect our mission committee to respond.  The day after this happened the chair of our mission committee had already called church staff for outreach ideas for First & Calvary members.  In the wake of this ground shaking tragedy, let us pray for more expectations of what we can do and be inspired by these words of God found in Psalm 46:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult."

  
In Christ, Andrew

In the "Search" Bible Study's final class for the season, May 22nd, the class discussed Scripture relating to the recent tragedy in Oklahoma.

The class wanted to share highlights of the discussion with you in this issue of The Review.

Read more...

How You Can Help!

First & Calvary is launching a "Bucket Brigade" Drive to begin on June 2nd, with collections to be made through the summer adult Sunday school class in the Fellowship Hall. You can stand in the GAP for disaster survivors, and help the church in its response:

Give

This is the FIRST line of response (other than prayer) that we are encouraging you to participate in. Share your financial blessings by designating gifts to the "PDA Bucket Brigade".

Act

There is a need for cleanup buckets for those returning home to begin the daunting task of cleaning up.

Disaster Buckets List:  ALL ITEMS MUST BE DONATED IN THE EXACT SIZES LISTED!

•  One 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
•  5 scouring pads
•  7 sponges, assorted sizes
•  1 scrub brush
•  18 cleaning towels (reusable, like Easy Wipes)
•  (1) 30-40 oz. box dry laundry detergent
•  (1) 12-oz. bottle of liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol) 
•  (1) 23-oz. bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn)
•  1 package of 48-50 clothespins
•  Clothesline, two 50 foot or one 100 foot.
•  5 dust masks
•  2 pairs latex gloves (like Playtex)
•  1 pair work gloves
•  28-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags (30-45 gallon)
• (1) 6-9 oz. bottle of insect repellent (pump, drops or lotion, not aerosol)

Please provide all liquids in new, unopened plastic bottles. Only new materials, please. Place all items in the plastic bucket, making sure they are packed securely to avoid damage during shipment and seal the lid. The lid has to fit on the bucket.

As part of the body of Christ, our first and best response is prayer.  Please pray for those who survived the storm and will face hard days ahead, for those who mourn loved ones lost, and that the response of the church will be an example of the faithful love of God.

Heather Blair, College Ministry Director, and Sheila Grisham Pippin, Director of Music Ministry,  are leading a special Sunday School just for the college-aged folks who grew up
at First & Calvary. We will meet at 9:45am in Room 016 (the Branches classroom). Breakfast is provided!

Our theme will be "Past, Present and Future-Our Lives with God and the Church."

Please help us spread the word!

YOU are encouraged to join with women of all ages as we come together to share our joyful noise in the Legacy Women's Chorus!  Bring a "legacy" with you to our rehearsal...a grandmother, mother, daughter, cousin,  aunt or friend!  

Mark your calendar:

•  Rehearsal-Wednesday, June 12th at 7:15pm in the choir room
•  Worship-Sunday, June 16th at 8:30 and 11am (8:00am rehearsal)

We hope to see YOU on June 12th.

Inviting All Men!

YOU are encouraged to join our enthusiastic Men's Chorus as we share our joyful noise in worship on June 23rd!

Bring a friend and mark your calendar:

•  Pick up music-Beginning Sunday, June 2nd in the choir room
•  Rehearsal-Wednesday, June 19th at 7:15pm in the choir room
•  Worship - Sunday, June 23rd 8:30 and 11am (8:00am rehearsal)

We hope to see YOU on June 19th.

Contact Sheila Grisham Pippin if you have questions
or need additional information at 862-5068.

All-Church Patriotic Potluck Dinner  

Enjoy the harmony of Queen City Sound during this evening of  church family fellowship and food! "Real Women.Real Harmony.Real Fun" describes this award winning Springfield choral group! 

Sing along to patriotic music and other tunes as we share a meal together in the Fellowship Hall and North Atrium. Bring a favorite family dish to share. The church is providing drinks and paper goods.

This evening is sponsored by the Congregational Life Committee for your enjoyment!

Our US (PCA) missionaries in Tajikistan are supported through The Antioch Partners organization.  They are back in the U.S. for the summer.  The husband graduated from college earlier in May - CONGRATULATIONS!  He is completing his ordination and, at the same time, is going through the process to approve his call with The Antioch Partners.  He has many "hoops to jump through" to complete these goals before returning to Tajikistan with his family in early August.  Please pray for this family this summer and for their safe travels back to Tajikistan. (Names withheld)

Water and The Word-Starting June 3

Volunteers are needed to pass water out to the homeless on Tuesday mornings. Email Claudia Hartner or call her at 827-3497 or sign up in the church office.

Everywhere Fun Fair:

Where God's World Comes Together...

This interactive, energizing, Bible-based program that gives children a chance to discover God's welcoming love. At this exciting global fair, children will experience the love of Jesus, meet welcoming neighbors from the Bible, and explore the everyday lives of neighbors from Japan, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico. Children will learn that God's love welcomes everyone as they learn how to love and serve God and be a neighbor to the world.

The Children's Ministry Committee is in need of "Faith Guides" to guide children as they learn the word of God during VBS 2013. Would you like to spend a week guiding children and helping children grow deeper in their faith?

• Register your children here.
• Sign up to volunteer here.
• Or email Erika O'Bryant.

55 and Over

"Smoke on the Mountain"

Branson Show & Dessert

Join your friends as we enjoy a

NIGHT OUT in Branson!

• There are only 56 seats available on our Cavallo tour bus!
• The cost is $30 per person-covers  transportation/gratuity/show.
• (Shopping &/or dessert are on your own.)

Men's Retreat

October 4-6 at Roaring River State Park!  

We're giving you plenty of time to set aside these days so that you can plan to be part of our men's gathering this fall! Join Dr. Chaney and other men for a weekend of fellowship, fishing, and filling!

Women's Conference

Friday evening, October 18 and Saturday (all day) October 19 at First & Calvary.

Zoe Elmore will be our speaker.

Visit Zoe's blog here!