Stewardship Kicks Off in October!

 

In this week's Review, we kick off the Stewardship season with the first article in a series based on 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

When the Apostle Paul was gathering a collection to support the poor Christians of Jerusalem, he initially overlooked the churches of Macedonia. It is possible he overlooked them because they were so poor, but they found Paul and actually begged him for the privilege to give! The result was a joy so inspirational that Paul used them as an example to the Christians of Corinth.  The church of Corinth had been supportive in the past, and Paul was trying to encourage them to start giving again. He was doing more than just building connections between the Gentile and Jewish Christians, he was teaching that joy comes from being generous. If these two churches began to cooperate, Paul knew that it would benefit the entire Christian family.  When churches help each other, God's glory is magnified.

Two churches were across the street from one another, one was a Presbyterian church and the other was a Baptist church. They disagreed on the way that they viewed baptism. The Presbyterians only wanted to sprinkle water, but the Baptists insisted upon full immersion. The two churches could have accomplished great things in the community if they would have cooperated, but this issue divided them greatly. When a fire burned the Baptist church, the Presbyterians wrote a letter of invitation asking the Baptists to come worship with them until their sanctuary was repaired. The Baptists wrote back, "We'll come over if you'll go under."  I love that story!  Speaking of baptism, this Sunday, October 5, is World Communion Sunday--a day when churches around the world celebrate the Lord's Supper. During our service, we will offer an opportunity for anyone in the congregation to receive Baptism.   If you or a friend would like to be baptized, please call the church office so we can prepare for this important event. This is a wonderful time to be baptized!  (Now back to the churches of Macedonia and Corinth.)

Paul was attempting to unite the churches across the Empire, and the giving of the Macedonian churches represented a certain attitude he wanted to teach and encourage--an attitude of blessing.  We tend to fall into an attitude of lack.  Are we running out of money? Are we going to run out of health? Are our relationships running dry?  Instead of opening up in generosity, we hold back, thinking we might need to keep more in order to survive. We worry about what we might lack, and that holds back a generous heart. This can apply to finances, of course, but also to emotions, to loving others. Have you ever considered that you might be holding back love to another because you feel as if you have a short supply of love?  In the same way, we may neglect our spiritual lives because we do not feel as if God has blessed us with a reservoir of love. We may feel as if we are not really gifted in that way, when in fact, God invites everyone to share in the grace He offers.  As we kick off Stewardship season, let us ask ourselves how we might be holding back, and remember that God calls each of us to open our hearts in generous living. 
 

May God bless you and yours, Andrew

New Connections

A New Connections class will be held October 5 during the Sunday School hour for new people who want to learn more about being a part of the First & Calvary family or someone who feels called to do something new at the church.

Congregational Forum

A Congregational Meeting will be held on October 29 at 6:00 pm to accept the Nominating Committee's slate of officers and Associate Pastor Search Committee as well as to discuss the General Assembly issues.

Help Stock the Swap!

The PW Clothing Boutique will be "open for business" in the MPR from 10:00 am until Noon on Saturday, November 8. Come pick out some "new" clothes, shoes, and accessories (Free! No money will be exchanged!). Stay for lunch - served from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm.


ALL WOMEN are invited even if you don't donate any clothing. The MPR will be transformed into an easy-to-browse women's boutique.
 

On any Sunday in October just before or after the services (8:20 am to 12:00ish), bring your gently used fashionable clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, scarves, etc. to the 8th grade classroom in the Youth Lounge. After the event, all leftover items will be donated to local womens' charities. Hangers will be greatly appreciated, too! To sign up your child for childcare or for more information call/text Farrow Carson: 417-496-0704

Stephen Ministers are the After People
  • After the phone call you hoped you'd never get;
  • After the divorce;
  • After the funeral;
  • Stephen Ministers are ready to come along side you and provide comfort and support.
Contact Stephen Leaders Tina Marble 889-6622 or Jo Morton 882-4092 or Nancy Clementson 882-0201.

A care group for single moms is starting here at First and Calvary as part of The Table on Wednesday nights. It begins September 24 from 5:15 pm until 7:15 pm in the Reception Room (026). After family dinner, children can participate in the fun child and youth activities while Mom participates in the care group. The Caring People, founded in 1997 by JoDee Herschend, reaches out to single moms with unconditional love, acceptance and friendship. Connect with F & C's Care Group! For more information, contact Sara Hester at 840-4437.  

First & Calvary's "55 and Over" group invites ALL AGES to join us for "Christmas on the Trail" at The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead in Branson on Monday, December 1st. We'll leave the church at 4pm and return around 9pm. $50 per person includes transportation, driver gratuity, dinner, and a tram ride through the light display. Only 55 seats are available and the reservation deadline is November 16th.

Musical Offerings Concert Series


presents


The Springfield Chamber Chorus
Dr. Guy B. Webb, Director
Sunday, October 12
2:30 pm
First and Calvary's N. Atrium
The Springfield Chamber Chorus is a highly select, independent community choir specializing in the performance of unaccompanied choral literature, both sacred and secular. The chorus is comprised of singers from the Greater Springfield, Missouri area. Springfield Chamber Chorus strives to provide the Springfield community with professional caliber performances of a wide variety of choral literature.

The Chorus was founded in February 2008 by Kelly Garrison, Amelia Davidson, and James Davidson and gave its debut performance on May 18, 2008, under the direction of James Davidson, former organist at First & Calvary. Now in their eighth season, the group welcomes their new director, Dr. Guy B. Webb. 


This concert is free and everyone is welcome!
 

Finishing Well Seminars

The first Finishing Well Seminar went very well and the next seminar is just around the corner!  In the first seminar, guest speakers' presentations covered Power of Attorneys, Wills and Trusts, Non-probate transfers, Guardianships, and paying for Long-Term Health Care.  An audio CD as well as slides from the first seminar are available, and reservations are currently being accepted for the next two seminars scheduled for October 4 and November 15 from 9:00 am until Noon.  Topics for Oct. 4 include Chronic Illness, Care Continuum, Hospice Process and Procedures, Organ Donation, and the Grieving Process, and for Nov. 15 are the Theology of Life and Death, Types and Contents of Services, Disposition of the Final Remains, and Bequests, Memorials & Gifts.  Please RSVP your attendance by calling the church office at 862-5068 at least one week before each seminar.

What's Happening in Missions? 

A lot!  But it doesn't happen without you! 

 

A big shout out to March Fellowship for providing 40 sleeping bags, several cases of water and many boxes of granola bars to Rare Breed!


The Pregnancy Care Center needs men and women to be role models and mentors to expectant parents.  Male mentors are neded for first time Dads.  Can you HELP?  Contact Steve Proffitt at 877-0800 or [email protected].

The Hatching project is looking for host couples.  As a host couple you would:  welcome and check in participants; Help children to the childcare area; Assist with dinner preparations and clean up; Distribute materials; collect materials at the end of class; be a good role model and make them feel like someone is watching out for them.  INTERESTED?  Contact Laura Haselden 893-7884 or [email protected].
Coordinator Needed for Holidays!  Here is a Mission opportunity you've been seeking!  Beginning October 1, through the holidays, Crosslines is in great need of a volunteer to coordinate the Adopt a Family program.  The volunteer (or volunteers - a couple) will review client applications and match clients to donors for distribution of Thanksgiving and Christmas food and toys.  Prayerfully consider a gift of your time to continue this fine tradition of an F&C member serving those in need in this role.  Contact Rebecca Anderson, who is a longtime member of First and Calvary and Crosslines Program Coordinator, at [email protected].

Reminder, we are still collecting personal care items for Jarrett's "Hygiene Closet", which is open for distribution along with the "Backpack" distribution each Friday.  Items needed for the 2014-2015 school year include:  detergent (small bottles or pods in smaller counts), toilet paper, deodorant, feminine products, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes, chapstick, lotion, etc.  You may drop items off outside the church office in the collection bin or contact Terri Raaphorst for more information at [email protected]

Save the Date!  Step Out to Fight Hunger!  2014 Springfield Area CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, October 5 at 2:00 pm at South Street Christian Church.  75% will be given to fight global hunger and 25% will be given help fight local hunger through Crosslines & Well of Life food pantries.  If you have questions, call 417-860-9303 or email Beth Dehaven [email protected].

Around Town

You might be interested in the following events happening around town!

Heritage of Hymns Concert on Saturday, October 4, 7:00 pm at the Evangel University Chapel.  A Community in Harmony is the theme of this year's inclusive experience.  It is a time for the greater community to sing, to speak, and to proclaim our faith through some of the greatest music ever written.  Partnering with the Springfield Symphony, this concert is free and open to the public.

The Springfield Community Band, Ron Brammer, Conductor, will be performing a concert of best loved band repertoire on Monday, October 6, at 7:30 pm at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.  The Springfield Community Band is a unique organization whose members reflect a wide range of ages, vocations, and professions who have been drawn together by a common love for making music on their chosen instruments.

Sunday School-October 5

9:45 am - 10:45 am

Adults

Crazy Love

Branches/014 - Mary Coulter

The Minor Prophets

McClung/026 - Neil Stenger

Telling God's Story

March Fellowship/015 - Phill Burgess

Fresh Air: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life

Practices/114 - Leadership Team

Rooted in Good Relationships

Crossways/016 - Panel Discussion

Great Questions of Human Existence: How and Why?

Forty-Niners/115 - Chris Field

Keeping Holy Time

Little-Bacon/020 - Art Trask

The Minor Prophets (Meeting with McClung)

Hardin/116 -Neil Stenger

Youth @ 9:41 - Student Lounge

Children

Preschool Rooms, Teachers, & Lesson

Elementary Rooms, Teachers, & Lesson


 

2s:  Room 121 - Hannah Correll & Tamara de Wild

 

3s:  Room 214 - Chip & Cathy Potts, Becky & 

Eddie Tims

 

4/PreK5s: Room 215 - Ron & Kristin Butler

Kindergarten: Room 216Ann Collard, Krissie 

Stewart, Wayne & Marcia Hlavacek

Grades 1 & 2:  Room 219 - Chuck Hallam, 

Julie Peebles, David Shaw & Craig Young

Grades 3 & 4:  Room 220 - David & Kim 

Hess, Jim & Janet Weld

Grade 5:  Room 221 - David & Katie Moore, 

Robin & Jill Trotman

Hands On Lesson (3s)

Two by Two

Genesis 6:18-7:16

FaithWeaver Lesson (All other ages)

God Floods the Earth

Genesis 7:8, 9:8-16

Preaching ScheduleOctober 5

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

Andrew Chaney
God Gives the Law: The Ten Commandments
Contemporary Service [10:50]
Cal LeMon
God Gives the Law: The Ten Commandments

The Table - October 8

BIBLE STUDIES AND SMALL GROUPS
MENU AND ACTIVITIES
Search:
Exodus 32:1-14: Israelites Worship the Golden Bull.  Meets in Rm 020.

BodyLife:
 Jason Streubel - Meets in the Chapel

The Prodigal God:
 Lisa Frederick - Meets in Room 015
Dr. Pepper roasted pork loin, scalloped potatoes, tri-color beans, crescent rolls, caesar salad, dessert, fruit, veggies, chunked cheese, chicken strips, yogurt.

Children - Faith4Life: Choir and Bible Study
Youth: Recreation and Bible Study
Adult: Search and Small Group Bible Studies

Church Calendar for October 5 - October 11


Sunday

  8:30 Traditional Worship/Sanctuary
  9:30 Coffee Fellowship/FH
  9:45 Sunday School for all ages
          New Connections Class/021
11:00 Traditional Worship/Sanctuary
          Contemporary Worship/MPR
          Kairos/119
  4:00 Scribing Our Stories/015
         Momentum & Empower/001
  5:00 Youth Choir Rehearsal/202
  7:00 Sun. Night College Worship/001
Monday
  5:00 History Committee/Library
  6:30 Congregational Life/116
          Christ Care/016
  7:00 Lydia Circle/115
Tuesday
  9:00 Tuesday Ladies Bible Study/020
  1:00 Double F & C Knitters/Library
  2:30 Feed the Team Jarrett MS/FH
  3:30 Art Committee/021
  6:30 Men's Bible Study/015
         Local Mission Committee/116

Wednesday

  6:45 Men's Prayer Breakfast/FH
  9:30 Amazing Collection Bible St./015
10:00 Search Bible Study/020
11:00 Open Prayer Time/Chapel
  5:00 The Table/024
          Caring People Small Group/026
  5:30 Jesus in the Gospels Bible St./115
  5:45 Faith4Life Gathering/225
  6:00 Search Bible Study/020
         Joyful Singers/Meet in 225
         Junior Choir/Meet in 225
         Jubilate Ringers/303
  6:40 Faith 4 Life Children's Bible Study/220
         and 221
  7:15 Chancel Choir Rehearsal/202
Thursday
  9:00 Quilters/020
  9:30 Disciple Bible Study/116
  9:45 Bible Study/Library
10:00 Presbyterian Women Board/115
  4:30 Worship, Music & Arts/115
  6:00 Adult Ministry Committee/015
  6:30 Stephen Ministry Training/115
Friday
Saturday
 

News from the Church Family

Hospitalizations... Mercy... Greg Redfern, Alyse Hill, June Rudolph  Cox... Virginia Savage Other...

Sympathy to the family and friends of Louise Wammack who passed away Sunday, September 28.
 
Pray For Our Homebound Friends in...
Magnolia Square - 1502 W Edgewood, Springfield 65807
Jeanette Berry #306A
Sally Erke #212B
Mary Jane Hart #129

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.

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820 E. Cherry
Springfield, MO - 417.862.5068