Greg and Maggie are going Coastal

(Associate Pastor Greg Ellis accepts a new call)

First and Calvary offers congratulations and many thanks to Associate Pastor Greg Ellis as he accepts a call to serve as Pastor/Head of Staff for Birchwood Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, Washington. Greg will continue to serve here at F&C until August 31. We will be honoring him with a reception on August 31 at 12:00 pm following Worship and we hope you will stop by to congratulate and thank Greg for his years of faithful service to First and Calvary!


Greg's letter to the congregation:

 

Dear People of First & Calvary,
 

With great excitement and deep sadness, I bring you news of a change in our lives: God has called me to serve as Pastor/Head of Staff for a congregation in the state of Washington. I will continue to serve here at First & Calvary until August 31st, and then Maggie and I will travel to Bellingham, WA to make our new home.
 

Early in my seminary days, I read that a pastor will forever be shaped by the first congregation he or she serves. Now, after nearly seven years as your associate pastor, I certainly understand and celebrate that truth. You, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, have given me an irreplaceable privilege by letting me serve as your pastor. You have allowed me to marry you, baptize your children, and walk with you and your families through the loss of loved ones. You have patiently listened to my preaching, even when I was fresh out of seminary and "green" in the pulpit. You have shown me your love for Christ's church in both smooth and turbulent years. You have joined with me to serve the Lord on committees and ministry teams. You have prayed for and with me, and shared the deepest joys and sorrows in your hearts so that I have been able to pray with and for you. You have celebrated my growth as a pastor and a person, and you have forgiven my mistakes and shortcomings. Though a pastor is never finished learning and growing, you have "grown me up" and taught me how to be a pastor. In a sense, you have also taught me how to be a husband, since First & Calvary is of course where Maggie and I met, became friends, and married (what a joyful celebration it was in February...we have been so moved by the outpouring of love and support by this congregation in celebration of our marriage). For all these things and more, thank you!
 

I have such a vivid memory of being called to serve First & Calvary. During that summer of 2007, the call to come here was confirmed in so many ways. And now the Lord is calling me to take all that I have learned here to serve His church in Bellingham. The congregation I will serve (Birchwood Presbyterian Church) is a great bunch, keen to continue growing in faith and discipleship.
 

I am confident that God will continue to bless First & Calvary. Ours is a great church, with faithful members and leaders. Andrew has consistently encouraged me in my ministry here, and he heard my news about God calling me to my next assignment with the mixed celebration and sadness of a true colleague and friend in Christ. Maggie and I do have some significant sadness about leaving you. We are comforted by these thoughts: we are all in God's hands, and we will see each other again. Our family and our extended church family are here in Springfield, and we will continue popping up among you for years to come. I am so pleased that we will all get to worship together the last four Sundays in August, and I hope you will each come and celebrate our years of ministry together at a goodbye celebration on my last Sunday (August 31). Between now and then, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding or circumstance, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
 

With love, in Christ, Greg Ellis 

 

Stephen Ministry is a caring ministry by trained members in our congregation. It is a ministry to help those who are struggling with any life issue. It is a blessing to have a Christian friend to listen, support, and encourage us as we try to resolve these issues. We are encouraged in Galations 6:2 to "Bear one another's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." If you need more information, contact Tina Marble (889-6622), Jo Morton (882-4092), or Nancy Clementson (882-0201) or call the office (862-5068) to sign up for the next training class on September 18. 

Is God Calling YOU to help with our new "College Worship Gathering"?

On Sunday night, August 17, First & Calvary will begin a new chapter in college ministry.  We will offer a "College Worship Gathering" at 7 pm in our multi-purpose room, led by Ryan Hunt. You can help in two ways:
  • You can PRAY for this service, and for the students who will be attending.   
  • You can consider serving on a "mini meal" team one Sunday evening a month.    
  • Each mini-meal will be a light "to-go" style meal that the students can pick up before or after the service. 
If YOU are willing to help, please contact Sheila Grisham Pippin at [email protected] or 862-5068 (office) or 861-0861 (cell).  Thank you!

 Youth Mission Projects!

For these mission opportunities and other youth events, contact Rob Howard at [email protected] or 417-689-3592 (cell).  More information is also included on the Youth Group Facebook page (www.facebook.com/fandcyouth).  While there, 'like' the page so that you get updates and keep up-to-date on Youth happenings!

 

Wednesday, August 6, 4:30 - 8:00 pm at the Ozarks Family Resource Center*  Work project includes renovation of outdoor playhouse, painting and landscaping.  Service projects will be followed by a pizza party and ice cream social with residents.  We will meet at and pick up from the Resource Center at 1212 W. Lombard.  We hope that you can join us for this wonderful service opportunity!

 

Saturday, September 13, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at The Kitchen.  We will prepare and serve lunch for the residents at The Kitchen. We will meet at and pick up from The Kitchen at 1630 N Jefferson Ave.  Join us as we reach out to our community to help individuals and families in need.

 

*Parents/Adults - You are welcome to participate in this project--in fact we'd love it if you did!  However, we will be interacting with children/clients at the Resource Center, so we ask that younger siblings stay home for this event.

 Kindergarten Breakfast

 

August 10, 2014, 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall


 

All 2014-2015 Kindergarten students and their families are invited to a breakfast to celebrate this important milestone in their lives.  The breakfast also gives families an opportunity to get to know each other and pray together and for each other as they transition into the school-age years.  If your child or grandchild is a Kindergarten student, but did not receive an invitation to the breakfast, please email Erika at [email protected].

Wanted:  Children to do Liturgical Dance in Worship on August 17!

We are excited about organizing a children's dance troupe to share a liturgical dance in contemporary worship on Sunday, August 17.

 

The group will be directed by Hannah Adams and Claire Moore.  If you are in elementary school or middle school, and would like to be a part of this group, please contact Sheila Grisham Pippin at [email protected] or call/text her at 417-861-0861 to let her know. 

 

Rehearsals will be held on Wednesday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 13 from 5-6pm each week and are required for participation on August 17.

"American Roots" Worship Service

 

On Sunday, August 17, our sanctuary worship services will take on a considerably different sound as we offer our gifts of music to God. 

 

We will celebrate worship with sacred music from our early American and Appalachian roots at 8:30 and 11am. Folk music, or "Roots Music", communicated the hopes, sorrows, and convictions of ordinary people's everyday lives.  It was sung in churches, on front porches, in the fields, etc. 

 

Join us as we explore our roots in creative worship in the sanctuary on August 17. 

New Bible Studies!

  • Have you ever wanted to know more about the Bible as a whole?  Do you feel like you know many of the stories, but not how they fit together?
  • Have you ever wondered how God is working in your life each day?  Do you wonder how your personal stories fit together to become your faith journey?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, come and see if God is calling you to participate in one or both of the new Bible Studies this fall.

Informational Meeting on Wednesday, August 13 @ 6:30 pm in the Reception Room (026).  Childcare will be provided.

Please come if you would like to know more about one of the two new options:

 

  •  Scribing our Stories (Men and Women) - Sheri Austin, Facilitator:  A series of 7 workshop sessions, offered on Sunday evenings beginning September 14, during which participants will map their personal faith journeys.  There will be guided facilitation intended to help participants discover how God has been working in their life; outcome includes a physical record of personal stories.  Participants may come to new understandings in their God-concepts, their self-concepts, and ways in which they can relate to others and share the Gospel.
  •  Amazing Collection: The Pentateuch (Women) - Jessica Keltner, Facilitator:  The Bible, inspired by God, is His story and message of redeeming love for all.  The Amazing Collection Bible Study will take the participants through the Bible, book by book, from beginning to end. This study is divided into eleven "sets", beginning with the Pentateuch, which covers Genesis through Deuteronomy.  Participants will purchase a workbook, which includes daily lessons and other material relevant to each book.  Weekly group time will include a DVD, teaching, group discussion and prayer.  The day and time of this study will be determined based on what's best for the group.

If you have questions or are interested, but unable to attend the meeting, please contact Terri Blackmon at [email protected] or 862-5068.  Hope to see YOU there!

Crosslines Update

Fish Day, June 16 - 92 Families, 

235 Individuals


 

Fish Day, July 21 - 88 Families, 

235 Individuals

 

We had good days with government commodities, plenty of food and fresh vegetables from Farmer's Market. 


 

 

We still need canned food items!  With children

out of school, the need is great.

Thank you for your support!

Adult Summer Elective-August 3

9:40 am - 10:40 am

Fellowship Hall

During the Summer, Adult Sunday School meets in an intergenerational format in the Fellowship Hall. It's a great way to meet members of other classes! The Electives are taught by members of our congregation, members of the community, and faculty from nearby universities.

This Sunday, August 3, Cal LeMon will continue the series entitled First and Calvary's Next Building Project: A Sanctuary Without Walls. The predominant message of this entire series is, "God calls His Church to present the message of Christ to the world...and in the 'communities' where the world inhabitants live, work, shop, socialize, love, learn and die." In other words, the Church intentionally moves from the pew to the marketplace with the message of the Good News.
Preaching ScheduleAugust 3

Traditional Services [8:30 am & 11:00 am]

Cal LeMon
Contemporary Service [10:50]
John Anderson

Church Calendar for August 3 - August 9


Sunday

  8:30 Traditional Worship/Sanctuary
  9:30 Coffee Fellowship/FH
  9:40 Sunday School for all ages
         Adult Summer Electives/MPR
10:45 Kairos/119
10:50 Contemporary Worship/MPR
11:00 Traditional Worship/Sanctuary
         SS Teacher Training/221
Monday
  6:30 Congregational Life/116
Tuesday
  9:00 Tuesday Ladies Bible Study/020
  9:30 MOPS/114
  1:00 Double F & C Knitters/Library
  3:00 Art Committee/202
  6:30 Local Mission Committee/116

Wednesday
  6:45 Men's Prayer Breakfast/FH
10:00 Caring People Meeting/116
11:00 Open Prayer Time/Chapel
  5:00 Liturgical Dance Rehearsal/MPR
Thursday
  9:00 Quilters/FH
         Music Ministry Clean Up Day/202
12:00 Committee on Ministry/021
  4:30 Building and Grounds/114
  6:30 Stephen Ministry/115
Friday
11:00 Women's Retreat Planning/016
Saturday
10:00 Liturgical Dance Rehearsal/013
         Crossways Classroom Clean/016

 

News from the Church Family

Hospitalizations...  Mercy...  Cox...  Marjorie Bartow, Ron Miller  Other... 


Pray For Our Homebound Friends in...

The Gardens - 1302 W Sunset, Springfield, MO 65807

Mary Jane Hart, #178B

Jack & Shirley Crouch (Carol Scott's parents) #7

 

Thank You from Pat Ames:  We want to thank everyone for the cards and prayers during this uncertain time.  God Bless!

 

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Dan Turner, proud parents of Alex Grayson Turner, born July 24.  Grandparents are Ann and John Collard.  Great-grandmother is Harriet Neely.

 

Sympathy to the family and friends of David Yates who passed away on July 25.

Collect Box Tops for Springfield Schools! Drop the logo in the jars on the tables in the South Atrium or on the 2nd floor.

 

46-Oz Cans Needed for the Flower Committee: Please bring clean cans to the church office for the Flower Committee to use to bring plants to our homebound members.

 

Need Prayer? Call Ellen Van Osdol at 882-9291 or call the church office at 862-5068.

 

If You Need a Ride to Worship or Sunday school, please call the church office, 862-5068, by noon Friday, or David Young at 942-4435 by noon Saturday.

 

All submissions for the Review must to be given to the church office at least ten days prior to the publication date. All submissions are subject to editing for length and content.

 

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820 E. Cherry
Springfield, MO - 417.862.5068