9/30/2024 6:37:44 AM
October, 2024
E-Navigator
Address: P.O. Box 9,
Syracuse, IN 46567
Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com
Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org
From Pastor Paul
Mark 4:23-25, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.' And he said to them, 'Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and for the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away'” (ESV).
John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (ESV).
The different contexts of the above passages is not what I would like to focus on for this devotional thought. What I do want us to focus on is the emphasis Jesus puts on hearing in both cases.
You know what I find interesting? How easy it is for us to remember the lyrics of songs from all genres. Whatever type of music we listen to it seems we absorb what we hear and can often name a song or remember lyrics as soon as we hear the first few notes. Just ask Lisa, this happens to me all the time. I was thinking about this recently and Jesus' phrase in our reading from Mark came to mind, “...anyone who as ears to hear, let him hear... Pay attention to what you hear.” The words made me stop and think for a moment: “Do I really listen to words from God as I should? Do I focus with as much intent and pay as much attention to Scripture, sermons, etc., as I do (whether consciously or subconsciously) to songs playing from my speakers? Why can I recite lyrics without a problem, yet Scripture memorization seems to be such a struggle?”
My intent is not to make anyone feel guilty, it's simply to point out the importance of hearing and listening to what God may be “saying” to us. This is vital because paying careful attention to Scripture, sermons, lessons, and the “whispers” of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds helps us immensely with growing in our faith and Christian Walk. If we devote as much of our attention to listening carefully to God, as many of us do with music, we will grow in our understanding and insight. Not only that, but we will also find ourselves growing in our relationship with Him as well. However, if we don't pay attention, we risk the chance of losing our perception of Christ and of God's kingdom. Not to mention possibly missing an area of God's will for our lives. If we dedicate ourselves to listening to God through his Word and Spirit with focused attention and eagerness, we will deepen and strengthen our faith.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Paul
Pastor Paul Burris Weekly Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Church: 574-457-3778 Pastor’s cell phone: 260-609-9260
Church Office Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Calvary is a caring and welcoming church, greeting visitors and new congregants with a smile, a handshake, and a brief friendly chat about what brought them to Calvary and what we most appreciate in being here.
Part of that is asking their names and sharing our own. In that spirit, be encouraged to wear the provided name badge. When we learn someone's name, it goes a long way toward feelings of acceptance and caring by others. We are all God's people. No one should leave as a stranger.
If you do not have a name badge in the narthex or the north door rack, please notify the church office and one will be made. You may call (574) 457-3778) email (syrcalv@kcaccess.com) the office, or a paper in the offering box with the word "badge" and your name.
Calvary United Methodist Church
Breakthrough Prayer Initiative
Miraculous God of Breakthroughs, speak, show, and inspire us where your Spirit is leading next for Calvary Church and in our own lives. Open doors that will usher in a new season of creativity, faithfulness, and fruitfulness in the name of Jesus. And together grant us boldness, courage, and power without limits to step through the doors you open, in Christ’s name. Amen.
Upper Room
The September/October issues are available in the narthex for your free copy.
Please Pray for our church family and friends
NOTE: Only names written on the blue cards, given directly to Pastor Paul, or called into the office will be on the prayer list and Guidelines for Prayer. Prayer requests will remain on the list until the person who requested it asks to have it removed.
Pastor Appreciation Month
The Staff Parish Committee has decided to honor Pastor Paul with a card shower in October, which is Pastor Appreciation Month. You may mail cards directly to the parsonage, drop them off in the church office, or bring them to the church any Sunday in October. You can put them in the offering box in the narthex. If you wish to include an additional token of your appreciation in your card, feel free to do so. Thank you in advance for showing your appreciation to Pastor Paul for his dedication and service to the Lord and to Calvary. If you have questions, please contact a Staff Parish member.
Thank you and God Bless,
Staff Parish
Volunteers Needed: One person can make a difference!
NURSERY! Needs your help to take care of the little ones for an hour during Worship! If the Lord lays it on your heart to help guide these little ones to know Jesus, please sign up for Nursery time on one Sunday a month!
Where Are you called to Serve at Calvary?
As part of our recent (ongoing) Prayer Initiative, we have all been challenged to come to a better understanding as to how the Spirit is moving in our daily lives. A big part of the process is coming to the realization that we have all been gifted with special talents that are to be utilized in building the kingdom at Calvary UMC and in the community that we serve. In I Corinthians chapter 12 Paul reminds us that every gift from God is special and important. We are created by God, and He loves us. By acknowledging the spiritual gifts from God, we are glorifying Him. Each gift has the ability to help draw others to a relationship with the Lord. God’s people are like a body with many parts, yet those parts work together. Even though there are many people in the world, we can work together to share His love and glory. Every person has a purpose and is gifted by the Holy Spirit.
We are looking for people who are willing to provide much needed leadership which would enable us to carry out God’s mission here at Calvary. There are several areas, and committees you could serve such as: Trustees, Worship, Finance & Stewardship, Administrative Council, Staff-Parish Relations, Missions, Congregational Care, Prayer Team, Funeral Dinners, Nominations etc. etc… Please carefully consider where God might be calling you to be in ministry. If you feel you have been called, or need more information, concerning any area of ministry please feel free to contact Pastor Paul or Roz Schwartz. We are all part of the same body here at Calvary. It is going to take a group effort for us to make a difference in the community that we serve.
Food Pantry
Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for October are instant potatoes, jiffy corn mix, cake mix or brownies. These items can be placed in the narthex and a volunteer from our church will take it to the Syracuse Food Pantry.
The Outreach Missions continue to support the food pantry will be Pack the Pantry with food four times a year.
Please keep the ones in need in your prayer!
MONTHLY CALENDAR
October 2024
Tuesday Ladies Bible Study 1:00 pm (1, 8, 15, 22, and 29)
5 Saturday Fall Harvest Festival 10:30-11:30 at Lakeside Park
Some members of the Praise Team will be playing in the Gazebo.
7 Monday Trustee Meeting 5:00 pm
8 Tuesday Stewardship Finance 5:30 pm
11 Friday Free Community Dinner 5:30 – 6:30 pm
17 Thursday J.U.L.I.E.T.S. 11:30 pm at Fashion Farm
22 Tuesday Gideons 6:00 – 8:30 pm
23 Wednesday R.O.M.E.O.S. 11:30 am at Louie’s
23 Wednesday Martha/Ruth Circle 1:00 pm
25 Friday Family Fun Night 5:30 – 7:30 pm bring/help with candy treat bags.
26 Saturday Trick or Treat Trail 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Lakeside Park
Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our community.
Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday October 11, from 5:30-6:30. Take-out or dine in options are available.
Family Fun Night October 25, 5:30 – 7:30 pm come and fellowship with others and play some games, put puzzles together, play cards and much more!
Adult Sunday School is now studying Psalms.
Greeters for October are Leah Curtis and Eva Curtis.
Mark your calendars! The Calvary Christmas program will be held at 3 pm Sunday Dec. 8. More details in November!
Beginning Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:15 pm, Amy Rensberger will lead an evening weekly Advent Bible Study, “Awaiting the Already: An Advent Journey Through the Gospels” by Magrey R. DeVega. No purchase necessary. On that night she will hand out books and go through the Introduction. The study will conclude prior to Christmas. For more information, call or text her at 574-529-0080.
During the Advent Bible study, handbell rehearsal will be moved to 7:15 pm.
Amy and Brian Rensberger would like to thank all those who helped celebrate their 30th Anniversary with cards and kind words. They love being part of the Calvary family.
Altar Flowers Needed
Every Sunday
If you would like to contribute or donate to altar flowers, in honor or remembrance please call the church office at (457-3778) or email the church at syrcalv@kcaccess.com. Some ideas are flowers for anniversaries, birthdays, our children, and grandchildren and to God’s glory. NOTE: If you have silk flowers you no longer need, consider donating them to the church. Sherri will use them to make arrangements for the church. You can leave them on a shelf upstairs across from the Peace Room.
Thoughts from Bashor Home
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​By Dan Wolschlager ​​As humans, we all experience fear. I enjoy the fear I get when I go to a haunted house or a scream park, but fear in general is usually not good for our health. Like all things, we can either choose to deal with our fear or bottle it up if we cannot deal with it. So, what can we do if our fear is too much to deal with? 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” The way to counter that fear is with God. The spirit God has given all of us is power, not fear. God is love, and that love covers the fear that we face. Reach out, ask God to help you with your fears. |
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