2024
E-Navigator Address: P.O. Box 9,
Syracuse, IN 56567
Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com
Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org
From Pastor Paul,
This is a story I received via email and thought I’d share it with you.
Bibs or Aprons?
I recently visited a fast-growing church in Minnesota to learn from their staff. It was a privilege to witness their passion for doing high quality ministry in Jesus' name. I left with some new insights and renewed passion for the Gospel.
One of the phrases that I heard while I was there was, "We want our members to wear aprons, not bibs." Here's what they meant:
Bibs are for people who only want to be fed.
Bibs are for those who are not yet ready or willing to feed themselves.
Bibs are for those who are more interested in being served than in serving.
Bibs are for those who insist that the church exists for them and their needs.
Bibs are for babes in the faith, those who haven't caught God's vision for the church, or those who are not yet of the faith.
Aprons are for those who have a heart to serve others in Jesus' name.
Aprons are for those who know that they are the church.
Aprons are for those who don't mind getting their hands dirty.
Aprons are for those who take the time daily to feed their spiritual hunger.
Aprons are for those who are growing in faith, and hunger to help others grow.
Church growth consultant, Win Arn, interviewed thousands of Christians in America several years ago and asked them, what they though the church existed for. Eighty-eight percent said, "The church exists to serve my needs and the needs of my family." In other words, 88% of Christians in America are still wearing bibs.
On the night when he was betrayed, just hours before he was crucified, the very Son of God took off his outer garments, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed his disciples'
feet. When he was done he said, "I have just given you an example to follow." In other words, Jesus called his disciples to wear aprons, not bibs.
In Matthew, Jesus is recorded as saying, "For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." He also said, "If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it."
Jesus calls us to wear aprons, not bibs. Which are you wearing?
Bringing It Home:
1. How would you answer the question, "Why does the church exist?" Does your answer reflect your bib or your apron?
2. How can you help others in your Christian community to trade their bib for an apron?
3. If you're not already serving in a ministry in your church, make a commitment to begin this month.
"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28
Prayer: "Lord Jesus, thank you for feeding me daily with your word. Fill me with your redeeming love. Open my eyes to clearly see the needs of those around me, and then open my hands to serve them. Each day, strengthen me with your Spirit, so that I might choose to wear an apron, not a bib. This I pray in your name. Amen." ~Author Unknown~
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
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 March/April issues are available in the narthex for your free copy.
Calvary Church Family I would like to thank you for allowing me to serve the Lord and most of all you for this last year it has been a blessing to be here with such a loving and caring family! You are in my prayers always to grow and to continue serving the Lord in the many ways that you do! I will stop in and see you when I am up this way, please stay connected with me I will miss all of you. Love & Blessings, Rebecca Scott
“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.
March is Pudding, Hamburger, Chicken, Tuna Helper, Applesauce, Spaghetti sauce, Pasta. 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!
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. Sherri will use them to make arrangements for the church.
Dear Calvary Church Family
We are going to try something new for decorations for the church for the Easter season. Sherri has done a wonderful job decorating the Church for Sunday mornings so we are asking if you would like to help out with the funds for that. So for Easter she will be using some fresh lilies and some silks. If you would like to have a lily in memory of someone you can do that. Should you choose to purchase a lily we are asking that you make sure that you take it home with you after the service Easter Sunday. Another option would be to make a donation, in honor of someone, that will be used to purchase silks for decorating the church for Easter. Any leftover funds will be used to purchase flowers for the outside of the church. We will be sharing the names of the ones that are in memory of or in honor of on the power point on Easter Sunday. Please contact the office If you would like to order lilies call or email. Have a blessed day.
MONTHLY CALENDAR
March 2024
4 Sun. Food Pantry Sunday
5 Mon. Trustee 5:30 pm
5 Tues. Afternoon Ladies Bible study March 6.13,20,23, Ladies Bible study Feb 13,20,27
5 Tues. Evening Bible Study at 6 pm
9 Fri. Free Community Dinner 5:30 - 6:30 pm
12 Tues. Church Council 6 pm
13 Wed. Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm
14 Thurs. Red Cross 12-6 pm
14 Thurs. Staff Parish 5 pm
21 Thurs. J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meet at 11:30 at Louie’s.
22 Fri. Family Fun Night 5:30 -7:30 pm
26 Tues. E – Navigator
26 Tues. Gideons 6 – 8:30 pm
27 Wed. R.O.M.O.E.S meet at 11:30 am The Frog
27 Wed. Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm
Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our community.
Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday March 8, 12 from 5:30-6:30. Take-out or dine in options are available.
Family Fun Night March 5:30 – 7:30 pm come and fellowship with others and play some games, put puzzles together, play cards and much more!
Thoughts from Bashor Home
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