What will your Christmas plans look like this year?
Rain Like a Promise
Friends in Christ,
In church (online) this past Sunday we thanked God for the rain. The rain brings the promise of new life. The winter rains bear meaning for the spring and summer months. In a small way, our winter rains provide hope for the future.
We are a people of hope. Our God has given us many promises, and he has a history of keeping his promises. He follows through on his promises, and we trust he will continue to do that.
Our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. He will come again one day to bring us home with him. He will declare us righteous by the work he completed on the cross. As many times as we come to him in need of forgiveness, he will provide grace, mercy and pardon. He will one day make all things new, and we will live with him forever. These are all promises we know to be true. They bear meaning for our future.
These promises also strengthen us for the trials of today. May you be strengthened as we follow Jesus together in hope!
here for you, Matt Behrens, Pastor
"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.
"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55:10-12)
Sunday Worship
Online worship will take place with videos on Facebook and YouTube at 9:00am. Immediately following the video, we will gather on Zoom (about 9:30am) where we can interact and share prayers with one another.
The Home Worship handout is also available below (and mailed to a number of our Calvary members and friends each week). Our video worship will follow the same basic format.
You shouldn't need this with the above link, but the password for Zoom is slz.
Christmas Worship Plans
Look for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day online worship opportunities next week! This is a change from what was originally planned. A video for Christmas Eve will be available anytime on December 24th. Please make use of this service of readings and hymns as part of your Christmas Eve, whether staying home or gathering with a few family members.
On Christmas Day, we will have a Christmas worship video available at 10:00am (just like our Sunday mornings, only 1 hour later). This will be followed by a gathering on Zoom. Links for all of these will be provided on the Calvary website and via email next week.
New Portals of Prayer Available
Copies are available at the church office. If the office is closed there will be copies in a plastic bin outside the office door. Please come and pick up yours today.
Drive-In Communion on January 3
We will celebrate the Lord's Supper in vehicles on Sunday, January 3. Plan to join your Calvary family in the church parking lot. You'll be able to hear Pastor Matt by tuning your car stereo to the appropriate FM channel. At distribution, the elders will bring bread and wine to your vehicle. This will be a brief communion service following our regular Sunday online worship and Zoom. Gather at Calvary for a 10:45am start.
Christmas in a Sack - Still a Little Time!
Christmas in a Sack is a set of at-home family activities, discussion starters, and Christmas fun centered on the birth of Jesus. We want to supply a Christmas in a Sack for you and the people you care about.
Let your friends at Calvary know how many sacks you would like to reserve. We'll have them ready for pick-up at Calvary on December 20-22. We're asking you to take care of delivery for your friends and family. Think about sharing with your kids, neighbors or school friends. Each sack will be appropriate for a family of 4-6.
We have a limited number still available. Don't wait! Use the link below to reserve your Christmas in a Sack today!
One of the mission agencies you chose to support through a direct missions gift in 2020 was Lutheran World Relief. Specifically, Calvary directed funds to help in Beirut following the explosion in the harbor there. Click on the image above to access a brief video giving thanks for all the gifts received, and sharing insight into the movement of the Holy Spirit among people there. Thank you for your generosity which is helping bring the gospel to people around the world!
Received this By Forward? Want to Sign Up?
If you received this email from a friend and you want to be added to Calvary's email list, use the link below. Welcome, friend!
With our worship service mailed out by Wednesday morning, my Monday and Tuesday are sometimes a race to complete a message, liturgy and cover letter (alongside other needs). I've felt the need to speak into our cultural experience as well. In the end, rather than putting together something hastily or waiting one more day, I want to share this statement from our LCMS President, Rev. Matthew Harrison. As God's people we pray together for justice and healing in our world.
...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Introducing K.A.M.P. Calvary!
We're doing something new in children's ministry this summer. Check out the flyer we sent home with students from Lea's Christian School for information on K.A.M.P. Calvary. Who will you invite to become a KAMPer?
Melva Bland, principal at Lea's Christian School, sent a note to the church office last week. The card she sent is hanging in the office hallway. Here is some of what she wrote:
"I thank God for you daily. Blessings flow from you in ways unseen. I am blessed as the administrator of Lea's and with being at the helm, I have experienced your thoughtfulness in so many ways. Thank you for thinking of me during Teacher's Appreciation."
Read With Us!
This Sunday, Pastor Matt will introduce a new reading plan and teaching series on the book of Joel. Please make plans to read along with brothers and sisters at Calvary. You can find the 3 week reading plan at the link below.
Pastor Matt is meeting online with a group of guys at 8:30pm, Thursdays. We'll read through the books of Luke and Acts over two months. Plan to come, and bring a friend as well!
Join us Thursdays at 8:30pm on Zoom. (Use the link below or call 669-900-9128, use meeting ID 479-165-270 and password 068456 to connect by telephone.) A reading schedule is available at the link below.
