May 2023

E-Navigator

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

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com:

Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

Church: 574-457-3778

From Pastor Paul:

 

One of my favorite Easter stories comes from the Gospel of John. It takes place a few days after Easter, Jesus has appeared to the disciples twice now. And one day Peter and a few other disciples decide to go fishing. It seems like a perfectly normal thing to do, after all they have spent the majority of their adult lives fishing.  

And so now that their time following Jesus around Galilee seems to have come to an end they return to fishing.  

But they were not very successful. They fished all night and they did not catch a single fish. They are discouraged and frustrated, and then just after dawn they hear a man standing on the beach asking them if they have no fish. When they honestly reply that they do not, he tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat because there they will find fish.  

So, figuring it can't hurt to try, they cast their nets to the other side. And they cannot even haul the nets into the boat because they were so full with fish.  

Immediately they recognize that this stranger on the beach is the risen Jesus and they quickly go to shore to meet him, build a fire, and feast on fish with him.

I love that the disciples, at a loss for what to do now that Christ has risen, return to something familiar. They return to what they know.  

But they find that it does not quite work out for them anymore. And here comes this man with a ridiculous suggestion that the problem is simply that they are fishing from the wrong side of the boat! The man tells them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Like all fishermen at the time, the disciples were fishing from the left side of the boat. This is because the steering apparatus was located on the right side of the boat and thus fishing from that side risked tangling the net with the steering apparatus when a full net of fish was raised into the boat.  

This meant fishing from the right side of the boat could result in damage to the boat or the net, something any fisherman would want to avoid. And yet the disciples find, when they allow the risen Jesus to change their old fishing habits they get an abundant catch. 

We are so like those disciples returning to fishing. After celebrating the Easter season many of us return to our old habits, routines, and patterns of life. Like the disciples, we too return to what we know.  

Jesus does not admonish the disciples for returning to their old way of fishing. Instead he offers them a small but significant transformation, a twist on the old way that has huge results.  

The risen Jesus offers us a twist on the old way, we are called to respond to the Resurrection with fearless love that transforms even our smallest habits, routines, and ways of life.  

What would it look like for you to fish on the other side? What would it look like for you to go about everyday life responding to the call of the risen Christ?  

Cast your nets to the other side. Allow familiar ways to be transformed by resurrection love.

 

See You Sunday,  Pastor Paul

 

 

Pastor Paul Burris Weekly Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 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

 

Breakthrough Prayer Initiative

Calvary United Methodist Church

Join us in prayer renewal of our own hearts and of Calvary’s life together and ministries for our community and world. Please devote 5 to 10 minutes two or three times per week, offering this prayer and then listening for Spirit-nudges for any area of Calvary’s life. 

 

God, please break through and open doors to new

hopes, dreams and possibilities for our church and 

in our own lives…and we will surrender and faith-

fully follow Christ onto the open road adventure of

Your new and unknown future.

May your will be done. Amen!

****************************************************************

 

 

                                                                                                                  

Project 52

You’ve probably heard the term, “Project 52,” around Calvary. It is sponsored by our Missions Team and the idea is to give a dollar a day or more (preferably as one payment for the year) to one or more to one of the many outreach missions we support. Examples are Redbird Mission in Kentucky and Habitat for Humanity. These offerings also include local missions such as the Syracuse Food Pantry. The campaign is held the first two months of the year but gifts may be given to any mission at any time. This year $946 was given to ten different missions. “One person can make a difference.

 

NURSERY NEEDS YOUR HELP: One Sunday a month if you could help in the nursery with the precious little ones that would be great! Please contact the church office to set up your Sunday. 

You will be a blessing to the little ones and you will be blessed!

                             Mothers Day                                  

         Take time to thank your Mother for all that she does for you or has done for you! Pray for her daily! Pray for many blessings for her! Many blessings for all of the Mothers as we celebrate Mother’s Day!

                                                                                   

MONTHLY CALENDAR

May 2023

1 Mon.       Purple Hearts Ladies, 9:00 am, activities room

                     Trustees meeting 6 pm

4 Thurs.      Staff Parish meeting, 5:00 pm, Fellowship Hall                 

6 Sat.           Bake & Plant Sale 9 – 1 pm

9 Tues.        Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 pm, activities room

                      Church Council meeting 6 pm

11 Thurs.    Red Cross, 12 - 6:00 pm

12 Fri.          Community Dinner, 5:30-7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

14 Sun.        Mother’s Day!

15 Mon.      Purple Hearts Ladies, 9:00 am activities room 

16 Tues.      Gideon’s 6 – 8:30 pm

23 Tues       Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 pm

24 Wed.      R.O.M.E.O.S 11:30 am Hammers

26 Fri.,         Friday Fun Night at 5:30 pm at the church. Details to follow!

28 Sun.        Pentecost Sunday

31 Wed.      Martha / Ruth Circle 1 pm

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for May are flour and vegetable oil. These items can be placed in the narthex and a volunteer from our church will take it to the Syracuse Food Pantry.

Altar Flowers Needed 

Every Sunday in May

If you would like to contribute altar flowers, sign your name on the date of the hallway calendar at the north end of the building, or call the church office at (457-3778) or email the church at syrcalv@kcaccess.com. You may deliver or we will have someone deliver for you. 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. Mary Hursh will use them to create altar arrangements with them.

Bashor Home Celebrates 100 years of Ministry

Our United Methodist Bashor Children’s Home, we nurture God’s most precious gift; His children. We work with children who have been through horrendous storms in their lives. They may have been abused, neglected, have addiction problems, or have no family to take care of them. As a result, they have become withdrawn, angry, or guarded. The “dirt” they have encountered in their young lives is with then when they come to Bashor.

Every day we work with these children to help them wash away this dirt and help them discover their true beauty beneath it. We help children to love themselves, trust others, and care about the world around them. We help children find joy and a sense of peace. We do this by showing them unconditional love.

Please pray for these children that we have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives and give them ”Help for Today and Hope for Tomorrow”

Bake and Plant Sale

Event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Anything that doesn’t sell will be available to the congregation on Sunday at a discount.

If the weather is nice we may set up the bake sale under a tent outdoors to draw people in.

Volunteers are needed for 8-10 a.m., 10-12 a.m. and 12-2 p.m. 

Other items/Help needed for Plant/Bake sale on May 6:

Gently used, CLEAN plant containers, garden décor and tools.

1. Any seed starts that you’ve grown and have thinned out.
2. House plants and any divided perennials.

Bake Sale – would LOVE a chairperson(s) to oversee this.

1. Cookies, brownies, pies, cakes, quiches, breads, casseroles.
2. Any plates, platters and other dishes that you are willing to donate.

Amy Rensberger

 

Report on Breakthrough Prayer Initiative

Presented to Administrative Council for Approval, March 14, 2023

Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our Community

Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse offers several events for the community this spring. 

Join us for our new Friday Family Fun Night each 4^th Friday of the month, May 26. We’ll begin the evening at 5:30 with a free light meal (no carryout for this) and move into games for the whole family (all ages, young and old). Everyone is welcome, families and individuals.

Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2^nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday, May 12, from 5:30-6:30. Take out or dine in options are available.

Our May Friday Fun Night will be held May 26, beginning at 5:30.

Saturday, May 6, our Bake and Plant Sale returns, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This indoor event features luscious baked goods and plants for your spring garden.

Friday evening, May 12, we offer our Free Community Dinner from 5:30-6:30.

And Friday, May 26, join us for the Friday Family Fun night beginning at 5:30.

July 23, After Worship Dinner with Birthday-theme Tables and entertainment, Carol Elder and Linda O’Connor

Additional Events

Community Center 4-6 week courses, Dan Sharp

Series for parents, Lauren Jamison

September 17, Reunion Sunday, with special singing group, Carol Elder

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep Reading >>

April 2023

Syracuse Calvary United Methodist

E-Navigator

 

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

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com:

Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

Church: 574-457-3778

From Pastor Paul:

Every year when the NCAA men’s basketball tourney takes place I am often reminded of past tourneys and feats of heroics (and no I’m not referring to IU’s 5 National Championships, sorry Boilermaker fans). In mid-March every year teams take the stage with high hopes of going as far as they can in the tourney regardless of the odds.

    

One tourney that sticks out as one of my favorites took place in 1983. That year the North Carolina State Wolfpack won eight consecutive games which propelled them into the title game.  They faced the University of Houston Cougars, whose twin towers, Clyde Drexler and Hakeen Olajuwon, had earned the nickname “Phi Slamma Jamma.”

     

Experts considered the championship match an afterthought. Houston needed to go only through the motions. But the Wolfpack had other ideas. Another contest as an underdog didn’t faze Jim Valvano’s team.

    

NC State used the same strategy that had carried it on its winning streak. The team stuck to a controlled offense, tight defense, and planned to foul late to force Houston into pressure free throws. The tactics worked well. The Wolfpack led 33-25 at the half.

    

Houston regrouped and went on a 17-2 run. With three minutes remaining, the Cougars forged ahead 52-46. NC State began to foul. The plan worked. Houston missed free throws, and the Wolfpack hit buckets.

   

With the score tied at 52, Valvano ordered his team to work for the final shot. But the Pack’s offense wasn’t clicking and time ticked away. Dereck Wittenberg fired a desperation shot that touched nothing but air. Suddenly, two monstrous hands reached up, grabbed the ball, and stuffed it through the hoop as the buzzer sounded. The hands belonged to NC State’s Lorenzo Charles. The Wolfpack reigned as the NCAA Basketball Champs.

     

NC State proved that things don’t always go as planned. The strongest and the swiftest don’t always win. The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote: “I have seen something else under the sun: the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise nor wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

    

Time and chance happen to all. And God controls both. Let that be a reminder to us as we continue the work God has called us to here at Calvary. The Wolfpack’s 1983 championship season is a powerful statement as to what can be accomplished if one stays focused on the task at hand. As we move forward in ministry let us continue to pray for the readiness to receive the unexpected from God.

 

See You Sunday, Pastor Paul

 

 

Pastor Paul Burris Weekly Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 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

 

Breakthrough Prayer Initiative

Calvary United Methodist Church

 

Join us in prayer renewal of our own hearts and of Calvary’s life together and ministries for our community and world. Please devote 5 to 10 minutes two or three times per week, offering this prayer and then listening for Spirit-nudges for any area of Calvary’s life. 

 

God, please break through and open doors to new

hopes, dreams and possibilities for our church and 

in our own lives…and we will surrender and faith-

fully follow Christ onto the open road adventure of

Your new and unknown future.

May Your will be done. Amen!

****************************************************************

Photo with “Jesus”

Don’t miss this opportunity to have your picture taken with Jesus (a look-alike) THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 1 FROM 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM. Although this event is for all of Calvary’s congregation, it is an outreach ministry to our community. It is intended for all ages, adults and children. There will be no charge (donations accepted). Snacks and a light lunch will be available for visitors coming for pictures. Come and support your church and invite family members, friends, in-laws, neighbors and anyone else you can think of!

 

 

IT’S BARBECUE TIME!

Mark your calendars for Calvary Class of 2025’s annual Nelson’s Golden Glo barbecue! It will be at 

 

the church on April 15, from 10:00 am until 1 p.m.. Yum!

 

 

Calvary Women's Retreat

 

“Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow,

Encouragement from the Book of Ruth

 

Calvary Women’s Retreat

Debbie Roth, a speaker, singer and published author, will lead the church’s women’s retreat on Saturday, April 29 at the church. A coffee hour and sign in will begin the day from 8:00-9:00 am, followed by the message from Roth, based on the Book of Ruth, which offers encouragement to all women. There will be door prizes and a soup and salad luncheon. You are invited to bring sisters, friends and neighbors. Debbie’s music and book, “Drenched, Only Hope in the Storm,” will be available for purchase. Ladies, use this opportunity to “retreat,” relax, laugh and fellowship with other women. There is no cost (donations accepted). Registration is required by April 22 (for materials and lunch count). To register, call Bev Hiatt at 574-528-0131 or the church office at 574-457-3778. There are flyers with a registration form in the narthex.

 

**************************************************************************

Flowers for Easter

Each year, we decorate for Easter Sunday by purchasing flowers to adorn our sanctuary. You have the choice of purchasing either lilies, hyacinths, tulips or azaleas at a price of $15 each. Using the insert in your bulletin, you may list names of people you would like to honor or in memory of. You also have the option of donating to the Calvary Decorating Fund, which is used throughout the year to keep the church decorated in God’s honor. Whether you choose to provide Easter flowers or donate to the fund, both will be listed with your name and those you are honoring, on an insert included in Easter Sunday’s worship bulletin. ORDER DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, APRIL 4. The insert can be placed in the offering tray, brought to the office or place in the file box on the east wall near the office at the north end of the building.

 

You’ve probably heard the term, “Project 52,” around Calvary. It is sponsored by our Missions Team and the idea is to give a dollar a day or more (preferably as one payment for the year) to one or more to one of the many outreach missions we support. Examples are Redbird Mission in Kentucky and Habitat for Humanity. These offerings also include local missions such as the Syracuse Food Pantry. The campaign is held the first two months of the year but gifts may be given to any mission at any time. This year $946 was given to ten different missions. “One person can make a difference.

 

NURSERY NEEDS YOUR HELP: One Sunday a month if you could help in the nursery with the precious little ones that would be great! Please contact the church office to set up your Sunday. 

You will be a blessing to the little ones and you will be blessed!

 

MONTHLY CALENDAR

 

March 2023

 

28    Tues., Gideons meeting in Fellowship Hall from 6:30-8:30 pm

 

April 2023

1  Sat.       Photo with Jesus in the sanctuary

2  Sun.      Palm Sunday

                   Food Pantry Sunday (bring flour and vegetable oil)

                   Holy Communion

3   Mon.,   Purple Hearts Ministry, 9:00 am, activities room

                   Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 pm, activities room

                   Trustees meeting at 6:00 pm, room 13

6  Thurs.   Staff Parish meeting, 5:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

                   Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm – St Andrews

7   Fri.        Good Friday Service (community) Wawasee Community Church – 6:30 pm

9   Sun.      Easter Sunday

                   Community Sunrise Service 7 am Oakwood Hilltop Chapel

11  Tues.   Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 pm, activities room

12   Wed.  Ruth and Martha Circles meet, 1:00 pm, activities room

                   Hannah Circle meet, 6:00 pm

14   Fri.      Community Dinner, 5:30-7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

15  Sat.      Annual Nelson’s Barbecue at the church, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

17  Mon.    Purple Hearts Ministry, 9:00 am, activities room

18  Tues.   Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 pm, activities room

20  Thurs.  J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meeting for lunch at 11:30 am at Tiffany’s, Topeka

25 Tues      Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00, activities room

                    Gideons  6:00-8:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

26 Wed.,   R.O.M.E.O.S., 11:30 am for lunch at Sleepy Owl

                   E-Navigator mailed

28 Fri.,       Family Fun Night at 5:30 pm at the church. Details to follow!

29 Sat.,      Women’s Retreat at Calvary, meets in the sanctuary, 9:00 am-2:00 pm

 

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for April are flour and vegetable oil. These items can be placed in the narthex and a volunteer from our church will take it to the Syracuse Food Pantry.

 

Altar Flowers Needed 

Every Sunday in April

 

If you would like to contribute altar flowers, sign your name on the date of the hallway calendar at the north end of the building, or call the church office at (457-3778) or email the church at syrcalv@kcaccess.com. You may deliver or we will have someone deliver for you. 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. Mary Hursh will use them to create altar arrangements with them.

 

Bashor Home Celebrates 100 years of Ministry

Our United Methodist Bashor Children’s Home will celebrate 100 years of faithful, life-changing ministry this spring! The UMC Indiana District is suggesting a “100 for 100” drive. Here are ways you/we can participate:

 

Gather 100 school supplies and donate to Bashor. Send a monetary gift of $100 directly to Bashor Children’s Home (place in the offering trays). Give as an individual, group or church. Attend the anniversary festivities on April 23 beginning with an open house from 2-4pm EST. Tours and refreshments will be available the. A celebration worship with Bishop Trimble preaching at 4:00 pm.  

 

Bake and Plant Sale

Event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Anything that doesn’t sell will be available to the congregation on Sunday at a discount.

If the weather is nice we may set up the bake sale under a tent outdoors to draw people in.

 

Volunteers are needed for 8-10 a.m., 10-12 a.m. and 12-2 p.m. 

 

Other items/Help needed for Plant/Bake sale on May 6:

 

1. Gently used, CLEAN plant containers, garden décor and tools.
2. Any seed starts that you’ve grown and have thinned out.
3. House plants and any divided perennials.

Bake Sale – would LOVE a chairperson(s) to oversee this.

1. Cookies, brownies, pies, cakes, quiches, breads, casseroles.
2. Any plates, platters and other dishes that you are willing to donate.

If you could put this in the E-Navigator and perhaps the bulletin we’d appreciate it.

 

Report on Breakthrough Prayer Initiative

Presented to Administrative Council for Approval, March 14, 2023

 

Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our Community

 

Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse offers several events for the community this spring. 

 

Join us for our new Friday Family Fun Night each 4^th Friday of the month, beginning March 24. We’ll begin the evening at 5:30 with a free light meal (no carryout for this) and move into games for the whole family (all ages, young and old). Everyone is welcome, families and individuals.

 

On Saturday, April 1, we invite you to drop in for a Photo with “Jesus” in our sanctuary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. Our Jesus look-alike will be photographed with individuals, children, adults, neighbors, and families. No reservations are needed. Please come when you would like. Sandwiches and snacks will be available.

 

Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2^nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday, April 14, from 5:30-6:30. Take out or dine in options are available.

 

Saturday, April 15, brings “Nelson’s Port-a-Pit BBQ.” Drop by beginning at 10 a.m. until sold out in Calvary’s parking lot.

 

Our April Friday Fun Night will be held April 28, beginning at 5:30.

 

On Saturday, April 29, a Women’s Retreat with Debbie Roth, will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Coffee hour and sign in will begin at 8 a.m. Soup and salad lunch is included. There is no charge for the day, but reservations are requested. Donations will be received at the retreat. Call the church office by April 22 and leave a message to register: 574-457-3778. Debbie Roth is a nationally recognized speaker, singer, and author.

 

Debbie Roth will lead our Worship on Sunday, April 30, at 10 a.m.

 

Saturday, May 6, our Bake and Plant Sale returns, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This indoor event features luscious baked goods and plants for your spring garden.

 

Friday evening, May 12, we offer our Free Community Dinner from 5:30-6:30.

 

And Friday, May 26, join us for the Friday Family Fun night beginning at 5:30.

 

Dwight Judy will work with folks to send some sort of “Come to Easter Worship”, April 9 for inactive church members.

 

 

July 23, After Worship Dinner with Birthday-theme Tables and entertainment, Carol Elder and Linda O’Connor

 

Additional Events

 

Community Center 4-6 week courses, Dan Sharp

 

Series for parents, Lauren Jamison

 

September 17, Reunion Sunday, with special singing group, Carol Elder

 

                  

 

Keep Reading >>

January 18 to February 15, 2022

Syracuse Calvary United Methodist

E-Navigator

 

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

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com:

Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

Church: 574-457-3778

From Pastor Paul:

As I sit here in my office looking out the window, it’s raining and the wind chill is hovering around 30 degrees. It’s on days like today when I think how nice it would have been to stay in bed wrapped in a warm blanket or to be sitting in front of a warm fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate. However, I realize that we can’t always do what we want to do. In fact many times in life we find ourselves dealing with climate changes (and I don’t mean just the temperature) that we just don’t want to face. We would rather be anyplace but where we are.

 

Every year, many of us resolve to do things differently in the coming year. We do so in hopes that maybe the coming year will be the year that we overcome some of the addictions and habits that have become a burden in our lives. Maybe you resolved to lose weight. Maybe you thought that it was time to lay off the chocolates or caffeine. Maybe you decided this was the year you were going to make amends with someone whom you have had a falling out with. One month into the New Year, I can’t help but wonder how many of you are struggling to keep those New Year’s Resolutions that you set. We tend to make excuses and the climate might not always seem right for change. Many outside circumstances force us to alter our commitments and so we struggle along doing the best we can.

 

As Christians, we have been called to present the Gospel message to the world. To do so, we need to change our way of thinking and find a way to come together. It is only when we come together that we are truly the body of Christ. It is as a collection of members that we accomplish the works of apostles, prophets, teachers and healers. It is only when we work together that the whole Christian story can be told.

 

Last Sunday we embarked upon a journey to be unified in prayer as a church community. Through this Prayer Initiative we are making a commitment to come together in prayer (this prayer can be found in this month’s E-Navigator, our weekly Guidelines for Prayer and the bulletin each week) on a regular basis and listen for God’s guidance (nudgings) through the process. The leadership at Calvary believes that this is one way we can come together as a unified body and as we share our stories about what God has laid on our hearts we will begin to understand how God is calling us to present the Gospel message to the community that we serve. This will allow us to focus on matters outside our own personal lives and perhaps change the narrative of this church as we venture out into the unknown future.

 

So, how will we tell the Christian story in the year that lies ahead? What New Year’s Resolutions will we make as the body of Christ in our church today, and what will we do to show that our commitment is more than skin deep? This is the year to:

 

• Show real warmth as we reach out to the community, welcome visitors to our congregation, and work to strengthen the bonds of Christian community among us.
• Demand authenticity in our Christian education, congregational care and personal interaction inside, and outside, of the church, so that we won’t settle for pat answers to difficult questions or challenges.
• Encourage passion in our worship and outreach to our community, so that everyone will feel and see, our commitment to the work of our gracious and powerful God.
• Focus on Jesus in every aspect of our church’s life, so that we will be able to deepen our relationship with the One who is our Lord and our Savior.

 

Warmth, Authenticity, Passion and Jesus. These are the four key characteristics of a healthy church, and they are the four qualities that will be decisive for the vitality of the body of Christ in 2023 and in the years to come. See you Sunday!!

 

Pastor Paul

 

Pastor Paul Burris Weekly Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Church Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 7:30 am – 2:30 pm

 

 

Breakthrough Prayer Initiative During Epiphany (through February 19)

Calvary United Methodist Church

 

God, please break through and open doors to new

hopes, dreams and possibilities for our church and 

in our own lives…and we will surrender and faith-

fully follow Christ onto the open road adventure of

Your new and unknown future.

May Your will be done. Amen!

 

Join us in prayer renewal of our own hearts and of Calvary’s life together and ministries for our community and world. Please devote 5 to 10 minutes two or three times per week, offering this prayer and then listening for Spirit-nudges for any area of Calvary’s life. Plan to stay after worship for conversation on our Spirit-inspired breakthroughs 

January 22 and February 19. For conversation about your Spirit-nudges, please contact Pastor Paul Burris (260-609-9260), Dwight Judy (574-457-6119), or Roz Schwartz (574-453-8213).

 

PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD

2023 Budget - $209,423   

Received through January 15, 2022 – $6,507

Need per week - $4,207

Attendance January 15, 2022 -- 56

 

 

 

Altar Flowers Needed 

Sundays, January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 12, 19, 26.

If you would like to contribute altar flowers, sign your name on the date of the hallway calendar, or call the church office at (457-3778) or emailing the church at syrcalv@kcaccess.com. You may deliver or we will have someone deliver for you. Some ideas are flowers for anniversaries, birthdays, our children and grandchildren and to God’s Glory.

January 18—31

19—Thurs., (today)  J.U.L.I.E.T.S meeting at 11:30 at the Coffee Depot

24-- Tues., Ladies Bible Study, 1:00 -2:00, Activities Room

25—Wed., R.O.M.E.O.S meet for lunch at Louie’s Bar & Grill, 11:30

28—Sat.,   Fellowship Hall is reserved 

31—Tues., Ladies Bible Study, 1-2:00 pm, Activities Room

February 1-15

2 – Thurs., Staff Parish meeting at 5:00 in Fellowship Hall

5 – Sun.,   Communion Sunday, Pantry Sunday (bring spinach & pasta)

6 --Mon., Trustees meeting at 6:00 in Fellowship Hall

                  Purple Hearts meet at 9:00 am in the Activities Room

7—Tues., Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 in the Activities Room

10--Fri.,    Community dinner, 5:30-7:00 in Fellowship Hall

14—Tues., Stewardship & Finance meet, 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall

15—Wed., E-Navigator mailed

16—Thurs., J.U.L.I.E.T.S meet at 11:30, tentatively Peterson’s Fish

 

 

                                      Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for February are spinach and pasta sauce. These items can be placed in the narthex and a volunteer from our church will take it to the Syracuse Food Pantry.

 

7^th Annual “Night of Hope & Inspiration”

Fellowship Missions, Kosciusko County’s homeless and recovery shelter, is presenting a concert that promises to be inspirational. It is Sunday evening, January 29 at 7:00 pm at Grace College, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake. The purposes are to raise operating funds and investing in the community. For more information, go to FaceBook.com, “Fellowship Missions.”

 

THANK YOU

The Missions Team (Outreach) thanks everyone who so generously donated to the Angel Tree. The school was able to help 41 families this year! These donations help families have a Merry Christmas.

 

 

                   

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November 16—December 18, 2022

Syracuse Calvary United Methodist

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

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com:

Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

Church: 574-457-3778

From Pastor Paul:

From Pastor Paul

November 27th begins the season of Advent. For 28 days, we journey to the manger where we experience God’s presence become flesh and dwelling among us. God’s good news takes human form to tell us we are not left alone in this life. Emanuel, God with us, comes to us. It is a life-changing story that we enter at this time of year.

This year, I wonder how we will get there. It seems now with the branding of Christmas that there are many other paths to Christmas Day. For some, Christmas is now about what sits under the tree after searching at length for presents we may or may not need. Encountering God’s life-transforming presence seems less interesting if it is even remembered as the story of this season.

The basic definition of Advent means the coming or arrival of a notable person, thing or event. As Christians, we know how our familiar story ends (or begins) with God arriving through poor, unknown parents in a back alley of a small city. In a poem unrelated to Advent yet very pertinent, T.S. Eliot speaks about being in a familiar place and yet exploring it until we arrive at the same place and know it in new ways. He writes,

We shall not cease from exploration

 

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

~T.S. Eliot

We know the destination of Christmas, but what path will we take in our travels through Advent to the manger and Christmas Day? Jesus’ own words in his Sermon on the Mount can be helpful: seek and we will find. We find God’s way in the midst of searching for it. We find God’s dream for us when we follow the Way of hope, peace, joy and love.

What if we take that path, a path less traveled this season? Let’s search for the manger using God’s Way of hope, peace, joy and love as if they are points on a compass and we are seeking ways to live authentic and faithful lives to a story that has transformed us and wants to do so again. What might we see in an otherwise routine and annual story? What unexpected turns will we take? What stops will we make along the way?

I’m looking forward to our journey together and what God will reveal to us along the way and on Christmas Day. I’m looking forward to searching for God’s Way this Advent and the ways God will make us living examples of God’s presence in the world.

Traveling Mercies,

See You Sunday,

Pastor Paul

Pastor Paul Burris Weekly Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Church Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 7:30 am – 2:30 pm

 

 

 

 

 

Message for November 20

Pastor Paul Burris

“Giving Thanks”

Colossians 1:13-14

 

Today – All-Church Thanksgiving Meal in the fellowship hall following worship.

Everyone is invited!

 

 

6:00 p.m. - Syracuse Wawasee Ministerial Association’s

Annual Community Thanksgiving Service

At the Sanctuary, 10121 St Rd 13, Syracuse, 6:00 pm.

Come worship with us and hear the combined Syracuse-North Webster Elementary Choir sing as the Syracuse Community comes together to give thanks to God for His bountiful blessings.

  

PASTOR PAUL’S OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

(Exceptions for meetings or visitation)  

 

PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD

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

 

Received through November 13, 2022 – $154,734

Attendance November 13, 2022 -- 47

Financial Report as of October 31, 2022: 

Total Income to Date: $149,800 Total Expenses to Date: $155,590  

CHRISTMAS MUSIC PROGRAM

A Christmas music program will be held the afternoon of Dec. 18. If you would like to participate in any way, please reach out to Amy Rensberger

Coffee Tiu

Don’t forget the coffee time before Sunday worship beginning at 9:15 a.m. Volunteers are welcome to participate so this can continue. Please reach out to Amy Rensberger at 574-529-0080 or emai

 

Thank you from:

----Syracuse Food Pantry …”who gave graciously to the Syracuse Food Pantry,” wrote Pantry Director, Arlene Glover for this much-needed ministry in our community on our twice-monthly donations, Pantry Sunday.

Also, the Outreach Ministry Team thanks everyone for the generous donations in Pack-The-Pantry, as does Arlene. Pack-the-Pantry has ended for this season.

---Marty Gordon, for the thoughts, prayers and cards given in the death of her brother, Richard Endsley.

---Calvary’s Outreach Ministry Team, for everyone who filled shoe boxes, bought items for the boxes and gave money for the postage. Twenty shoe boxes were filled and donations for postage covered it all.

---Lucy Fry, for the prayers, flowers and cards during her surgery and recuperation.

 

Thank you to

---Buddy Martz for delivering the donations to the Syracuse Food Pantry and other things he does in his ministry to the church.

---To all who have donated food and paper items to the Syracuse Community Food Pantry.

---Brent Bobeck, for checking, doing repairs and starting the boilers for the heating season.

---Barb McClintic, for her many years of service in the Calvary office, and the ministry she provided.

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.

 

 

ALTAR FLOWERS NEEDED

 

Sundays in December.

 

If you would like to contribute altar flowers in honor or memory of a loved one, please sign your name on the date of the hallway calendar, or call the church office at (457-3778) or email the church, at syrcalv@kcaccess.com.     We can order them for you or you can arrange to have them delivered. 

 

Church Calendar

 

November 16—30, 2022

Sun.    20  All-Church Thanksgiving meal following worship. Bring a dish to share, everything else will be furnished.  Final Sunday to donate to Pack-the Pantry.

Mon.   21  NO Purple Hearts group meeting. They will be back In February, the first and third Mondays of each month at 9:00 am

Tues.   22  Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 pm in the Activities Room

      NO Gideons this month

Wed.    23  R.O.M.E.O.S meet for lunch. 11:30 a.m., at the Sleepy Owl, Syracuse

                   Ruth and Martha Circles meet, 1:00 pm in the Activities Room

Thurs.   24 Church office will be closed for Thanksgiving

                    Elder Dinner at noon

Sun.      27  First Sunday of Advent, helpers needed to carry the Christmas decorations down from the loft.

Tues.    29  Ladies Bible Study, 1:00-2:00 pm in the Activities Room

Wed.    30  Ruth and Martha Circles meet at 1:00 pm, in the activities room

 

December

Thurs.   1   Staff Parish meets at 6:00 pm

Sun.      4   Second Sunday of Advent, Holy Communion

                   Pantry Sunday (bring cans of beef stew and Spam)

Mon.    5   Trustees meet, 6:00 pm

Tues.    6    Syracuse-Wawasee Ministry Association meets at 8:00 am

                    Ladies Bible Study 1:00-2:00 pm in the activities room

Fri.        9    Community Dinner, 5:30-7:00 pm.

Sat.      10   Little Lambs leaders will be here packing up the items they have upstairs

Sun.     11   Third Sunday of Advent

Tues.   13   Ladies Bible Study’s luncheon at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall

                    Stewardship and Finance meeting at 6:00 pm.

Wed.   14   Lifeline Screening will be here from 8:00 am—6:00 pm.

                 Hannah Circle meets at 6:00 pm

Thurs.  15  J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meet for lunch at the Kimmel house

                     

                                         

 

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