January 2024

E-Navigator

Address: P.O. Box 9, 

                                                           Syracuse, IN   46567                                                                     

                                                        Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com

                                                 Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

From Pastor Paul,

Why Go to Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time, and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes in the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical and our spiritual nourishment! (Email forward from unknown author)

It is my prayer that over the course of the past year that our worship services and my messages have in some way provided you with the spiritual nourishment you have needed in your daily lives. It is also my prayer that in the coming year you will make an attempt to be a part of worship here at Calvary United Methodist Church. Church is not only a place where we come for our spiritual nourishment. Church is also a place where we come to be a part of the family of God. Church is a place where God’s plans can be worked out through a group of believers with a common cause. Church is a place where God’s love is on display weekly as we find new and unique ways to minister to, not only one another, but to others. Church is the physical body of Christ in action.

I would like to personally thank all of you for your role in making Calvary United Methodist Church a vital part of this community. You are truly a blessing and I pray that God will bless you as much this coming year as He has my family and I in 2023. See You Sunday!

In Christ Service,

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 for the 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 to 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 January/February 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 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.

January is canned soups, Shampoo, Jello. 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.

 

                                                                   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                                                       

                                                        MONTHLY CALENDAR                                                                                                 

January 2024

  2 Tues.   Afternoon Ladies Bible study Jan 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

  8 Mon.   Trustees 6 pm

11 Thur.   Staff Parish 5 pm

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

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

23 Tues.   E-Navigator

24 Wed.   R.O.M.O.E.S meet at 11:30 am Coffee Depot

24 Wed.   Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm

26 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 January 12 from 5:30-6:30. Take-out or dine in options are available.

Family Fun Night January 26^th 5:30 – 7:30 pm come and fellowship with others and play some games, put puzzles together, play cards and much more!

Thanks to the Calvary UMC Handbell choir, the Ponsler’s, Martin’s Brent Bobeck, for sharing their gifts at the Calvary Christmas Program.

Thanks also to Jude Ann, Lisa Burris, Chris Elson, Lucy Rensberger, Jackie, and the Ponlser’s for their Christmas Eve Program participation.

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful Church Family.

Amy Rensberger                                                  

Thoughts from Bashor Home

This week marks the third week in our advent devotionals. The third week in advent covers the topic of joy. No doubt, many things come to mind when we think of joy. Each one of us has something unique that may come to mind specifically regarding joy. Joy is great, for all of us, we imagine joy to come easy. Joy is something that we imagine only happens when we are living and experiencing the best of times, right? The Scripture I chose this week redefines how we may see joy. James 1:2-3 says, “2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” Do you experience joy when you are tested? I’m sure I am not alone when I say that joy is not something that I feel when I am tested. Instead, I find myself feeling frustrated, angry, or upset… certainly not joy! What I have found from reading this passage in James is that joy is a product of growth. God calls us all to persevere through whatever challenges us in life, and through that perseverance we will grow and experience more joy! That equation sounds simple, but it doesn’t always work out that way. The challenges that we face in life can weigh us down and blind us to the joys in life. This week, whether you experience challenges or not, look to the joy of the world. The celebration of Christ is closer every day! Continue to persevere, grow, and find joy through Christ Jesus.

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December 2023

E-Navigator

Address: P.O. Box 9

Syracuse, IN 46567

                                                                                                

                                                        Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com

                                                 Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

From Pastor Paul,

Luke 9:18-20 18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets from long ago has come back to life.” 20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 20 Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” (NIV)

As we go through the day we talk to the Lord and read his word. We are trying to get closer to him and allow him to work through us. We want his power and anointing, but do we really know him? In order for most people to get something from someone, the person doing the giving needs to know the person receiving. You say I know Jesus and have a personal relationship with him. I ask this question do you really know him? If someone walked up to you and started talking to you about Jesus, do you know enough about him to convince them that they need him in their lives? Not just as Hell insurance but as Lord and Savior. If you have a personal relationship with someone you know how they think, act, and what they would do in a particular situation.

I do not want an answer right now, but I do want you to think about these questions and answer them. No, we do not have to defend Jesus or the word of God, but we do need to be able to explain who Jesus is and what he is like. Make your answer personal, generic answers do not convince anyone about anything, but personal answers can.

Jesus asked his disciples in Luke 9:18b "Who do the crowds that I am?" and they answered him John the Baptist, Elijah, and one of the old Prophets. Then Jesus made it personal and asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" in verse 20. Then Peter answered from what he had seen, heard, and experienced from Christ himself that he was the "Christ of God". Peter could not have answered that question in that manner if he had not known Jesus on a personal basis.

So the first question is this who do you say that Jesus Christ is? And why do you answer in that way? In other words, explain your answer. The next question is a bit deeper. Other than Hell Insurance, why do I need to make Jesus my Lord and Savior? No, I am not going to answer these questions for you, you must answer them for yourself in a personal way. I must answer them for myself also. The next question is a bit tougher. The Bible says that Jesus lived, showed us what he expected from us through his life then was crucified and on the third day rose again. How do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he lives today?

You may think that I am trying to place doubt in your mind and turn you away from God. I am not. I am trying to get you to dig in and really get to know Jesus Christ. Most Christians alive today cannot answer these questions or even the very basic questions. How are we to win people to Christ when we don't even know who he really is? If you cannot answer these questions, it is past time to get down and serious with the Lord and his word. When you get serious, he will show you and prove to you who he is. I believe that once we can answer this important question then our observance of the birth of the Christ child this Christmas season will take on a whole new meaning.

 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 for the 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 to 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.

 

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.

May your will be done. Amen!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Thanks to all who filled Christmas shoe boxes and helped with the postage.

for all the children. Please keep these children in your prayers!

The Angel Tree helps families in Syracuse from Elementary School! Take an Angel buy the gift, wrap, and return to the tree in the Narthex. Place the angel on the gift. Thank you for caring for these families in need! Not only give a gift but keep these families in your prayers! Thank you for giving!

Mark your calendars for December 17 at 3 pm! Christmas Program come and Fellowship with others!

“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.

December is Chili Beans, Elbow Pasta, Hot Chocolate. 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.

 

Lucy Rensberger

U.S.A., United States

March 2-9, 2024

TOTAL RAISED  $281 of $700

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About My Trip

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I! Laurel, Mississippi is a charming southern town to visit. Your will partner with The Glory House to serve their neighbors in need all while sharing the love of Christ to their community by loving God and loving people. You will have the opportunity to sort, stock, fill and distribute food bags to hungry neighbors through their Bread of Life Food Pantry, assist in planning and preparing for their Kids Club Spring Break Camp, visiting, praying for and providing needed assistance to widows in their community, and lead an after school program in a Hispanic mobile home park.

About Campus Ministry @ Grand Valley State University

Campus Ministry @ GVSU is a community of Christ followers called to: Engage college students with the life-changing love of God, Disciple leaders who make disciples, and Be a bridge to Jesus Christ and his local church worldwide.

Quick Links

• Campus Ministry Website

 

MONTHLY CALENDAR 

December 2023

 

  4 Mon.    Trustees 6 pm

  4 Mon.    Bible Study 7:30 pm Life of Mary the mother of Jesus

  5 Tues.    Stewardship/Finance 5:30 pm

  6 Wed.    Lifeline Screening

  7 Thur.    Staff Parish 5 pm

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

12 Tues.   Church Council 6 pm

17 Sun.     Christmas Program “A Prayer for Peace” 3 pm

19 Tues.   Afternoon Bible Study luncheon 11:30 am

21 Thurs. J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meet at 11:30 am Sleepy Owl

24 Sun.     Christmas Eve Service 7 pm

25 Mon.   Church Office Closed to Celebrate Jesus’s Birth

26 Tues.    E-Navigator

27 Wed     R.O.M.O.E.S meet at 11:30 am Sleepy Owl

27 Wed.    Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm

 

                                Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our community.

Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2^nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday Dec. 8 from 5:30-6:30. Take-out or dine in options are available.

No Family Fun Night in December

Calvary Community Outreach due anytime

Mark your Calendar for Dec 17 Christmas Program at 3 pm. Enjoy and fellowship with your church family and invite someone 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 you were to describe in the most basic way what being a Christian call you to do, how would you describe it? One of the beautiful aspects of humanity is that we are all different. Even identical twins are not completely the same! Differences are wonderful and fruitful, but we run into problems when we allow those differences to define who we are or what our purpose is. 1 John 4:7-11 says, “7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” When I think of what it means to be a Christian, the answer is always one word, love. The message to love one another is so simple, but so often it is the hardest thing for us to accomplish. We all struggle with our differences, but we cannot allow our differences to close us off to love. God made each individual with the capacity to love one another, to love ourselves, and most importantly, to love God. Go this week and love one another!

 

 

 

                                                                                           

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