November 2023

E-Navigator

Address: P.O. Box 9, 

                                             Syracuse, IN   46567                                                                     

                                                        Email:syrcalv@kcaccess.com

                                                 Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

From Pastor Paul

I've heard a lot of droopy prayers in my life. Hey, I've prayed a lot of them, too.

Prayers of desperation -- God, you've got to help me!

Prayers of self-pity -- God, things are so awful!

Prayers of resignation -- God, if you want to leave me unemployed, then I can't stop you!

But I'm learning how to pray a different kind of prayer -- prayer said with thanksgiving. I learned it from Paul who, writing from prison, taught me a most powerful lesson. He said,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."1

Strange. Here he is suffering himself, yet he's telling me to pray with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is the seasoning that makes our prayers edible to God. After all, who wants to hear people whine all the time? I've learned that you can't whine and give thanks in the same breath. Self-pity and thankfulness don't mix any better than oil and water.

In fact, mixing thanks with prayer somehow changes it. When we remember what God has done for us in the past and think about who he is in the present -- and express that in thankfulness -- our prayers become more gentle, more trusting somehow. Thankful prayers are offered with faith. And faith is an essential ingredient for prayers that God chooses to answer.

We remember the Pilgrims on Thanksgiving Day, not so much for their turkey dinner, but for the sheer faith that inspired them to give thanks in a year that saw nearly half their number die of sickness. Yet they prayed with thanksgiving.

When your annual day of feasting is over, you may bemoan your extra helpings of dressing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. But if you can hang on to the "thanks" part of Thanksgiving, you'll be a different person. Because when you learn to talk to God about your needs -- mixed with a healthy dose of heartfelt thanks -- then you have crossed the divide from whining at God to real prayer.

Happy Thanks-giving!

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!

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Upper Room The November/December issues are available in the narthex for your free copy. Issue is available in the literature rack. These are offered at no cost to you; please take one and another for a friend.

 

     Thanks to all who are helping with our community dinners each 2^nd Friday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30. Kudos to UMW Hannah Circle and all those who provide volunteer help and donations. We are serving anywhere from 100 to 140 people each month, and more are joining us for fellowship. We will make announcements in church if any specific items are needed. Or feel free to reach out to a Hannah Circle member if you are interested in helping.    

     Our 4^th Friday game night from 5:30 – 7:30 pm so mark your calendars, bring a friend, and come ready to play!   

 Nov 26 and 27 Come help and fellowship in Hanging of the Greens!

“One person can make a difference!

NURSERY NEEDS YOUR HELP!

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!

                            

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for November are corn, instant potatoes, and saltines crackers. 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 4 times a year.

 Please keep the ones in need in your prayer!         

    

MONTHLY CALENDAR 

November 2023

  2 Thurs.     Red Cross 12 – 6 pm

  2 Thurs.     Staff Parish 5 pm

  5 Sun.        Poinsettia order forms in bulletins

  6 Mon.       Trustees 6 pm   

  6 Mon.       Bible Study 7:30 pm bible study will is Life of Mary  the Mother of Jesus    

 10 Fri.          Free Community Dinner 5:30-6:30 pm  

 11 Sat.         Baby Shower for Baby Ponsler at 11:30 am with a Luncheon

 14 Tues.      Church Council 5 pm                                       

 16 Thurs.    J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meet at 11:30 am Chubbie’s

 19 Sun.        Deadline for ordering Poinsettias

 19 Sun.        Thanksgiving Lunch 11:30 am

 19 Sun.        The SWAMA Thanksgiving Community Service will be at Calvary on 19^th at 6 pm         

 22 Wed.      Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm

 22 Wed.      R.O.M.O.E.S meet at 11:30 am Boondocks

 24 Fri.          Family Fun Night 5:30 - 7:30 pm

 26 Sun.        Mon. 27 Hanging of the Greens!

 28 Tues.      E – Navigator

 28 Tues.      Gideon’s

                                Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our Community

Shoe Boxes are due this Sunday October 29^th!

Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2^nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday Nov10 from 5:30-6:30. Take out or dine in options are available.

THANKSGIVING MEAL Nov.19 at 11:30 am traditional dinner if you would like to bring your favorite thanksgiving dish please do. Table service will be provided by church.

SWAMA Thanksgiving Community Service will be on November 19^th at 6 p.m. The Syracuse and North Webster Elementary Choirs will be preforming at the service. Come join us and bring a friend.

Our Family Fun Night is Nov 24 mark your calendars and come ready to play, bring a friend, and Fellowship with others!

Calvary Community Outreach due anytime

Poinsettias: It’s that time of year to order your Poinsettias! Order forms will be in bulletin Nov. 5 and deadline for orders is Nov19. Let’s decorate the Sanctuary in memory or in honor of our love one!

 

Mark your Calendar for Dec 17 Christmas Program at 3 pm. Come and enjoy and fellowship with your church family and invite some to come with you!

 

Altar Flowers Needed

Every Sunday

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.

 

Thoughts from Bashor Home  

If I am talking to you, hear this word from God in Psalm 107:1, “O give thanks to the LORD for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” God does not lose hope, God does not forget about you, and most importantly, God loves forever. I encourage anyone reading this week to take a few minutes out of your day, and name all the things you are thankful for. Develop a habit of giving thanks so that your relationship with God will be fruitful.

                                                                                                                      

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October 2023

E-Navigator

Address: P.O. Box 9, 

                                                        Syracuse, IN   46567                                                                     

                                                        Email:syrcalv@kcaccess.com

                                                 Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

From Pastor Paul

Hard things. What makes them bearable? Doable? Where do you find the inner strength that you need to endure them?

I decided recently that I can put up with almost anything, endure tough things, stretch my comfort zone, and deal with hurts and disappointments. If they are for the Lord. I mean if my attitude ultimately impacts someone for the Lord, then it's worth it. If I sacrifice something for the Lord, it's worth it. If I'm hurting but I know that ultimately that hurt will be worth it because I'm giving it over to the Lord and He will use that situation or hurt for His greater good then it's so worth it. But things just don't seem very bearable or doable without being able to lean on the Lord or knowing that He will use them.

I think that is where hope is so valuable. In my life, I have hope because I know I can turn to God and He can bring good from what I am going through or use it in a mighty way. If I couldn't turn to Him, things would just feel so very lonely, hopeless and empty.

Hard things come into our lives all of the time. It's hard to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply. It's hard to sacrifice our desires, dreams, and wishes especially if other people benefit who may not deserve them. It's hard to feel like we are forgotten or "shafted" not noticed. It's hard to do the right thing when the wrong thing feels so good at the moment! It's hard to swallow our pride, let go of our bitterness, or squelch our anger. It's hard.

Doing something hard is worth it though. It's worth it if you do it for the right reasons. Do it for the Lord and not yourself. If you do it for yourself that only keeps the focus on yourself and you don't really benefit in the long run. But if you do it for the Lord, then you have a greater cause and something that motivates you to be better, stronger, wiser.

Yes, doing something hard is worth it if it's for the Lord. I know that I can do anything if it's for my God. You can too. Find the inner strength you seek by giving those hard things over to God today.

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!

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

Upper Room   The September/October issues are available in the narthex for your free copy.  Issue is available in the literature rack. These are offered at no cost to you; please take one and another for a friend.

 

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.

                                        

      Thanks to all who are helping with our community dinners each 2^nd Friday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30. Kudos to UMW Hannah Circle and all those who provide volunteer help and donations. We are serving anywhere from 100 to 140 people each month, and more are joining us for fellowship. We will make announcements in church if any specific items are needed. Or feel free to reach out to a Hannah Circle member if you are interested in helping.       

     Our 4^th Friday game night from 5:30 – 7:30 pm so mark your calendars, bring a friend, and come ready to play!     

       Wondering if anyone would be interested in representing Calvary at Trick or Treat Trail in the Park? It’s from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 28 at the community center or the park, not sure how they’re setting it up this year. We did trunk or treat a few years ago and it was fun and a good way to get our name out there. Call or text Amy Rensberger at 574-529-0080 if interested.

Thanks,

 

“One person can make a difference!

 

NURSERY NEEDS YOUR HELP!

NURSEY! 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!

                    

Church Reunion was a blessing for everyone! The Northmen & Cathy did a amazing job with music and testimonies. Everyone enjoyed Barb Bartles playing for all of the church during worship and during the sing along. The meal was amazing and enjoyed by many families and friends from the church. It was a time to share stories from the past and to see what is happening with the future. Thank you to the ladies that prepared the meal for the church!            

                            

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for October are Toothpaste, Flour, and Spam. 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 4 times a year. October is Pack the Pantry with paper products.

Pack the Pantry with paper products is October 15

Please keep the ones in need in your prayer!         

 Octoberr 2023

  1 Sun.       World Communion Sunday

  2 Mon.      Purple Hearts 9 am

  5 Thurs.    Staff Parish 5 pm        

 10 Tues.     Stewardship/Finance 6 pm 

 13 Fri.         Free Community Dinner 5:30 – 6:30 pm

 15 Sun.       Pack the Pantry with paper products                              

 16 Mon      Purple Hearts 9 am

 19 Thurs.    J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meet at 11:3o am Fashoin Farm (Ligonier)

 24 Tues.     E-Navigator

 24 Tues.      Gideon

 25 Wed.      Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm

 25 Wed.      R.O.M.O.E.S at 11:30 am at Los Tontes

 27 Fri.          Family Fun Night 5:30 - 7:30 pm

                                Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our Community

Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2^nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday Oct 13 from 5:30-6:30. Take out or dine in options are available.

Our Family Fun Night is Oct. 27 mark your calendars and come ready to play, bring a friend, and Fellowship with others!

Calvary Community Outreach due anytime

Shoe Boxes are due before Nov 1.

Mark your Calendar for Dec 17 Christmas Program at 3 pm. Come and enjoy and fellowship with your church family and invite some to come with you!

 

Altar Flowers Needed

Every Sunday

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. 

 

Thoughts from Bashor Home  

 

This past week, I had a life changing event happen in my life… I got engaged! I cannot express enough the opportunities that Bashor has given me, but even more so, the things that God has blessed me with in my life. While still on cloud nine from excitement in engagement, I began thinking about how easy it is to be thankful in a time like this. That led me to the question, “How many of us can say they are good with God when their life is going great?” I can point to many different times in my life where I gave thanks when life was good. I can also think of many times when I refused to give thanks when things were rough. Have you ever lost a loved one? If so, what did that feel like? Have you ever found yourself asking God why? Look at that question in the larger scope of your life. How many of us are quick to ask the question “why” instead of saying “thank you?” So often in life, we chase after answers, not stopping until we are satisfied. While this past week has been filled with blessings and great joy, it has also been a truly humbling time in my life. Many people never live to see engagement, or marriage. For some, marriage falls apart and leaves them hopeless. I write not to the one who is experiencing great success in life, but rather to the one who feels failure. If I am talking to you, hear this word from God in Psalm 107:1, “O give thanks to the LORD for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” God does not lose hope, God does not forget about you, and most importantly, God loves forever. I encourage anyone reading this week to take a few minutes out of your day, and name all the things you are thankful for. Develop a habit of giving thanks so that your relationship with God will be fruitful.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

 

     

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