| Thank God for the Rain We've been praying for rain, and we can thank God for the showers we've seen this week. Our land needs the moisture. We rely on snowpack in the mountains to help fill reservoirs. The rain is a good gift.
The rain is also a good reminder. It reminds us of God's Word. It reminds us that his Word is a gift too. Like the rain, it's not something we control, and it's not something we take for granted. We need it at work in our lives, and we trust in its work in the lives of friends and family. Let the rain remind you of this promise.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
You can take that to the bank... or maybe you take it to the reservoir? Either way, it's a great promise from which we derive confidence. We we have shared God's Word in the past, it has done what he's desired. Where we continue to share his Word, it accomplishes what he has planned. As we share his Word in the future, it will do the work for which he sends it.
Notice, the Word doesn't do what we intend. It doesn't go where we decide. That's just like the rain which we don't control and we don't direct. We celebrate the Word which God sends, and we celebrate the fact that he sends us with his Word.
I'm glad to be sent with you. This week, let's thank God for the rain!
here for you,
Matt Behrens, Pastor | |  | Online Worship
Join brothers and sisters from Calvary for worship this Sunday. The pre-recorded segment will be available on Facebook and YouTube at 9:00am. We meet on Zoom at 9:30am. | | | You shouldn't need this with the above link,
but the password for Zoom is slz. | |  | I Have to Confess
Last Sunday you were invited to practice personal confession with a brother or sister in faith. Here's a friendly reminder that you've still got this weekend to make that happen. If you want to review what that might look like, access the file linked below. | |  | There's Still Room
If you've been thinking about Alpha, we've got good news. If you have a friend who's been interested, and might still want to join... this is a great time. You and your friend can join the Alpha which just started and it'll feel like you haven't missed a thing. Alpha is meeting on Thursday nights, 8:00-9:15pm on Zoom. Sign up and you'll receive an email with the Zoom info. It's that simple! | | Women's Bible Study
Perseverance: Praying Through Life's Challenges
We all have it. That one thing that's keeping each of us from a fuller life. It could be a habit to break, a goal to accomplish, or a lingering project to complete.
What if we, like Nehemiah, persevered with single-minded focus and trusted God to accomplish something incredible? | | | Nehemiah may not be the first biblical example who comes to mind when we talk about perseverance, but we look to his example to discern helpful steps that we can apply on our one-thing journey. God, through the life of Nehemiah, provides insight into how we can respond to struggles—the one thing—in our life.
We will walk with Nehemiah from Persia to Jerusalem as God gives him the strength to persevere past seemingly insurmountable obstacles into His redeeming grace. | | Password for Zoom is slz. | |  |
You're invited to join in watching and discussing topics covered in The Truth Project. Dave Schultz will facilitate discussions on Zoom Sundays at 10:15am. If you're on Zoom following worship you'll be able to remain on the same call, or you can jump in at 10:15 for The Truth Project (use the Zoom link above - listed with worship). You can watch a brief introduction by clicking on the title above. If you have questions, feel free to contact Dave Schultz by email or phone (510-507-5634) | |
Money to Give
In the Behrens' family budget we actually have something we call "Money to give." It's money that we set aside to give as opportunities show up. Calvary has a similar budget item. We call it Direct Missions, and it's time to gather some ideas concerning where to share those funds. | | | | Since the last gifts we gave back in August, we've set aside 2% of our church income every month for Direct Missions. Now, you get to nominate individuals and agencies to receive those gifts. Use the link below to send a nomination to the Calvary Board of Governance. The board plans to make decisions for distribution by the end of February. | |
Drive-In Communion
We will celebrate communion in vehicles on Sunday, February 7 at 10:45am. Arrive at Calvary and enter the parking lot from Via Magdalena. You'll be directed to a parking space and given the FM frequency for our service. | | | You'll be able to see Pastor Matt up front, and hear him through your car stereo. At distribution, our elders will bring the bread and wine to you, and then we'll all commune together. Please plan to join us that day!
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