Syracuse Calvary United Methodist

E-Navigator: January 12, 2022

 

Address: P.O. Box 9,   Syracuse,  IN   46567;   

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com;   Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

Church:  574-457-3778  -  Pastor Mindy: 317-442-2959

 

On our faith journey as we are seeking to grow and mature in our faith, why are we always being urged to spend time alone with God? Is it really necessary to spend daily time alone with God? Why is it so important? I believe that until we gain an understanding of the immense value and availability of encountering God, we will never consistently engage in this basic, bedrock, vital practice. The more time alone we spend with God, the deeper and closer our relationship with God grows. And in the process we discover God’s heart to meet with us in order that we might experience the very depths of his love and grace. I pray that your lives would be marked by a new grace to consistently and powerfully encounter the living God, each and every day in your quiet time.

Our minds are the battleground on which the war for our emptions, purpose, effectiveness and fullness of life is won or lost. It’s our mind that is attacked daily by the enemy. It’s our mind that the world is trying to influence for its own benefit. And it’s our mind that the Lord desires to renew daily in order for us to live in abundant relationship with him. So, if the mind truly is a battleground, how do we come out a winner? How do we come out victorious over the evil one and his schemes?

Scripture is clear in this matter, as it says very clearly, that to achieve victory over our mind it must be continually renewed by the power of God’s word. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”God puts conforming to the world and being transformed by the renewal of our mind in opposition. There is no grey area. Our mind is either being won for the kingdom of God or lost to the world. We are either thinking pleasing thoughts to God or not. We are either experiencing the abundant life Jesus made available to us or not. 

For many of us, I think the idea of renewing our mind can feel exhausting. Reading the Bible can be incredibly boring if we are reading it merely for the sake of saying we read it. The Bible is only as life-giving to us as we are willing to be transformed by it. Until we actually sit down, open our hearts, and allow ourselves to be transformed by God’s word, we will never experience the life that comes from victory in our minds. The thoughts that plague us – the thoughts that rob us of freedom, peace and joy – will never leave us until we allow our mind to be renewed by God’s word.

To ignore the war being waged around us is to lose the war. The evil one longs for us to become complacent against his attacks. He longs for us to believe sinful thoughts, wrongful attitudes and lies are just a part of life on earth. He knows he has no power against the ability of God’s word to transform us.

So, how do you renew your mind? Paul, in Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” In other words, set your thoughts on the things of God. Begin every day by setting your mind on the wonderful character of the living God and your new identity in Christ. If we will allow God’s word to be the foundation of our thought life by spending daily, alone time with God, mediating on Scripture then the battle for our mind will be won for the kingdom. The negative thoughts and insecurities we face daily will flee from us in the glorious light of God’s truth. That’s God’s promise for us today and every day.

I invite you to take time each day and meditate on God’s Word and experience for yourself, the transformative power of grace. 

Shine the Light – Share the Love

Pastor Mindy

 

This Sunday,    January  16  -   2^nd Sunday after Epiphany  

 

Message: by Pastor Mindy Huffman

“Varieties of Gifts:   

Love Never Ends: Being the Body of Christ”

 

Scriptures:    Isaiah 62:1-5;    Psalm 36:5-10;    1 Corinthians 12:1-11;    John 2:1-11

 

Project 52 Promotion Sunday

 

Devotional: Carol Elder

 

Next Sunday,   January  23  -   3^rd Sunday after Epiphany  

 

Message: by Pastor Mindy Huffman

 

Scriptures:    Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10;    Psalm 19;    1 Corinthians 12:12-31a;    Luke 4:14-21

 

Special Music:  Calvary Handbells

 

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PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD

  

2022 Budget - $223,683;   Need per week - $4,302

 

Given week of January 9 - $ 12,300;    Rec. to date - $12,365

Attendance January 9 – 35

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THIS WEEK:

 

Jan. 14  –  Calvary Community Dinner,  5:30-7 p.m. (fellowship hall).   Carry Out or Dine In

        16  –  Promotion of 2022 Project 52

 

THIS COMING WEEK:

 

Jan. 17  -   Calvary Handbells, 6:30 p.m.  (sanc)

        18  -   Ladies Bible Study  (activities room)  1 p.m.

        20  -   J.U.L.I.E.T.s (Join Us Ladies in Eating Together), 11:30 a.m. at Peterson’s Fish

                       Call Karen Stiver if you need a ride. 457- 6704.   All Ladies Welcome!

 

COMING JANUARY EVENTS:

 

Jan. 24  -   Calvary Handbells, 6:30 p.m.  (sanc)

        25  -   Ladies Bible Study  (activities room)  1 p.m.

                      –   Gideons,  (fh) 7 p.m.

        26  –   R.O.M.E.O.s, (Retired Old [yet young at heart] Men Eating Out),  11:30 a.m., 

                           at  Chubbies.   All men are cordially invited.

        31  -           Calvary Handbells, 6:30 p.m.  (sanc)

 

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Children’s Message by Pastor Mindy

                                                           

https://youtu.be/-tm7E3SDZ1A   is the link to this week’s YouTube message on our website.  If your child is interested in the activity pages that go with this message, please contact Pastor Mindy at (mhuffman730@gmail.com)  and she will e-mail the activity pages to you.  

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--2022 Numbered Giving Envelopes are available for pick-up on the bench by the north doors.  If you would like an envelope box and it’s not on the bench, please let the church office know.

 

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Toiletry Box Project

 

During the month of January we will be participating in a mission project with the other Syracuse area churches, as we partner with COMPASS for their Toiletry Box Project.  The aim of this project is to provide at least 100 18 gallon totes to the school (spread across all of their buildings).  The school will then distribute to families they know are in need of these items.  We have been given 16 totes to fill.  The items to be put in the totes are:

 

Shampoo & Conditioner ~ Toothpaste ~ Toothbrushes ~ Deodorant ~ Feminine products ~

Baby wipes ~ Lotion ~ Hand Sanitizer ~ Bar soap ~ Q-tips ~ Toilet paper ~ Kleenex/Tissues

 

We will be collecting items through Sunday, February 6.  There are totes available for you to place your items at both the north doors and in the Narthex.  You can also make monetary donations.  Please mark your giving envelope “Toiletry Box”.  We will also need people to help pack the totes and get them to their next destination.  Thank you, in advance.   Pastor Mindy

 

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J.U.L.I.E.T.s

(Join Us Ladies in Eating Together),

 

Thurs., January 20,  11:30 a.m., 

at Peterson’s Fish

 

If you need a ride, please call Karen Stiver.

 

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  R.O.M.E.O.s

(Retired Old [yet young at heart] Men Eating Out),

 

Wed., January 26,  11:30 a.m., at Chubbies

 

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2022 Project 52 Promotion

Sunday, January 16

 

Project 52 is a unique United Methodist program which allows all of us to provide financial assistance to projects of our choosing from worldwide, national or local projects. Administrative costs are paid by the general fund of the UMC, so 100% of what we give goes directly to others.

 

The term Project 52 refers to giving $1.00 per week to the project of your choosing.  This is going the extra mile in our faith journey.  The Outreach Committee’s goal is that each member of Calvary support at least one project, or as many as you choose.  This may be done individually, as a family, as a class, or a small group.

 

Your Project 52 mailing was sent out this week.  In the mailing is a Project 52 commitment card.  Please feel free to sponsor any of the programs listed; or if you feel called to support one not listed, just add the name under “other”.   You’re welcome to return completed cards via the offering plate, tithe box, mail or to the church office.

 

Thank you for your continued support of this ministry.

 

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Keep Our Family Connected

Not everyone in our congregation has an e-mail account.  Please help to keep those persons informed of changes in our schedule as listed in the e-navigator. If you are in need of a phone number, please call the church office.

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Upper Rooms

 

The January/February 2022  issue of the Upper Room 

is now available in the church office.  If you prefer, just call ahead and 

I will be happy to bring one out to your car.  

As always, donations of $1 are always accepted for Devotionals.

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Altar Flowers

 

Altar flowers are needed for  Sundays, January  23, and 30.

 

You’re welcome to reserve a date by marking your name on the hallway calendar,

calling the church office at (457-3778) or emailing the church at syrcalv@kcaccess.com.

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