Calvary United Methodist Church

6/28/2023 8:08:30 AM

Wednesday, July 28

E-Navigator

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

Church: 574-457-377

From Pastor Paul

Stealthily they walked through the jungle, a single column of men, cautiously looking right and left as they traveled. They were well armed as they moved through the brush. Their enemies would have been fools to rush them head on. Instead, one by one, they began to emerge from the bushes grabbing the last man in line, carefully covering his mouth so he could not cry out in warning to the others.

Isn't that the way it usually goes? I couldn't tell you how many movies I've watched wherein it happened this way. You'd think they would get wise to this plot after a while and put two men back to back, heavily armed with some sort of siren device on them. That way when the enemy tried to pick them off from the end of the line they would be very well guarded. But no they continue doing it the same old way. I've tried to tell them as I watched, "Look behind you buddy!" But they just refused to listen to me.

But isn't life a little like that? Many live day to day looking back to what happened yesterday. We fret and worry about what we have done. Many a movie star or sports star has ruined their lives and careers because of choices they made yesterday. Perhaps they are sorry for what they've done, although in too many cases they are only sorry after they have been caught. Regardless, we can't change what took place yesterday. We can apologize if an apology is in order; we can try to repay others if we have cheated someone. We can attempt to make right what we did wrong yesterday. Still, the mark is there and we cannot erase it.

Many have said, "If I could just live that incident over I'd do things differently." You know what? If we made the choice we made yesterday, unless we could relive it with the knowledge we have today, more than likely we'd make the same choice as we did before.

Let's just face facts here; we make bad decisions. We get angry; we feel justified and we do things in haste as a result. God calls it sin. If we could only have a heavily armed guard in the rear protecting us from those wrong choices, mistakes, and sin that we did yesterday wouldn't life be a whole lot easier?

In Isaiah 52:12 God, through the prophet Isaiah, speaks of this very thing. It says, "For you shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard." Isn't that a neat thought? It tells us that God will not only go in front of us but He will also be the heavily armed guard in the back. If we listen to Him, and if we follow Him, He will not only lead us down the path of safety but He will also be at the end of the line taking care of the enemy who desires to pick us off one by one from behind.

In essence He is also saying that if we are faithful in following Him, by doing what He tells us in the Bible as it witnesses to our conscience, He will not only take us down the right road of the future, protect us and guide us today, but He will also be there to help us make the right decisions that will protect our yesterdays. In other words, we won't have to live in regret of yesterday.

I know we all make mistakes and wrong choices. The Lord knows that I've certainly made my share, and then some, of bad decisions. But that only happens when we aren't in tune with God; when we act without seeking His will and His instruction. But when we are orchestrated with the God of Heaven, and we are following His music, the music of life, then He will become our guard against yesterday.

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 p

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 July - August issue is available in the literature rack.
These are offered at no cost to you; please take one and another for a friend.

Please Pray for our church family and friends: 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.

The Purple Hearts originated from the Ruth Circle, who wanted a project to benefit many in fall of 2015.

The project took off when a garage sale was getting rid of approximately 100 yards of fleece at a real bargain! This was donated to start the project. To date we have given the gift of warmth to over 600 people. Inside and outside of the Church!

There have been up to 40 people, men, women, and family members from Calvary who have contributed to this project in some way. The Purple Heart want to thank everyone that who has made this project possible

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 Martha’s 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 Martha’s Circle member if you are interested in helping.

Our 4^th Friday game night has been postponed for the summer due to scheduling conflicts…we will keep you updated on when we will start it back up again, most likely in August so mark your calendars and come ready to play!

“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 one that would be great! Please contact the church office to set up your Sunday. You will be a blessing to the little one and you will be blessed.

MONTHLY CALENDAR

July 2023

3 Mon. Charlie Garner 100^th Birthday open house 1:30 – 3:00 pm in fellowship hall of Calvary Church. If you can’t make it to the open house you can send a card to Charlie

Trustees 6 PM

6 Thurs. Red Cross 12 – 6 pm

Staff Parish 5 pm

11 Tues. Church Council meeting 6 pm

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

20 Thurs. J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meet at 11:30 am at Salvatories Italian (Warsaw)

23 Sun. After Worship Birthday Lucnch/Program 11:30 am

25 Tues. Gideon 6 – 8:30 pm

25 Tues E - Navigator

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

Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our Community

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

Our 4^th Friday game night has been postponed for the summer due to scheduling conflicts…we will keep you updated on when we will start it back up again, most likely in August so mark your calendars and come ready to play!

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

Additional Events

THIS IS Calvary (3 week courses to be held at the church starting in the October), Dan Sharp

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

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for July are Canned Chicken, Beef Stew and peas 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 prayers!

Altar Flowers Needed

Every Sunday in JulyIf 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

How many of us struggle to wait? There are many disciplines in our world, but the one that I struggle most with is patience. We live in a time where patience is replaced by a constant and fast paced life. The rise of Amazon allows us to get virtually any item imaginable at your doorstep in only a few days. Texts are sent instantly, and communication has never been faster. However, because of this, it is difficult to slow down enough to read a single chapter from our Bible. Chasing a fast pace life is a race that can never be won, and in the end there is oftentimes more lost than gained. A year ago I went to Israel, and during my time there I learned how important slowing down was to the Jewish people. Witnessing Shabbat first hand was revolutionary to the way that I think about a “Sabbath rest day.” Here in the United States, we attribute Sunday as our day or rest, but is it really? Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong; and let your heart take courage, wait for the LORD!” This week I want to encourage you to slow down, whether that be fifteen minutes less of screen time, or taking a walk outside instead of watching television. Slow down and allow God to speak into your life, for we will never hear if we are not listening.

CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ALL CHURCH BIRTHDAY PARTY

AT Calvary UMC

July 23, 2023

Bless us with your Presence to celebrate everyone’s Birthday!

Please bring food item for the Food Pantry to help them out!

Party begins with:

Church 10:00 A.M.

Lunch 11:30 AM (Church will provide Meat, Drinks, table serves)

Please bring salads, fruit, and vegetables for the meal to share

12:30 PM Begly’s Illusion’s

There will be a freewill donation for Begly

The day of program. (If you write a check

make it out to Begly’s Illusion’s)

Cake & Ice Cream after program

Balloons

Face painting

Time to visit

Please call church to RSVP or if you would like more Information:

Calvary UMC 801 S. Huntington

P.O. Box 9 Syracuse Indiana 46567

475-457-3778

Rebecca Scott

Office Administrator

Calvary UMC

801 S. Huntington St.

Syracuse Indiana 46567

574-457-3778

syrcalv@kcaccess.com

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12/20/2023 1:02:23 PM

January, 2024

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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8/27/2023 8:22:22 AM

September, 2023

September 2023

E-Navigator

Address: P.O. Box 9,

Syracuse, IN 46567

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com:

Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

Church: 574-457-377

From Pastor Paul,

Do you have a dream and a goal for your life? Do you envision something is changing in your circumstances? Did you make a commitment to change some bad habits in your life? Do you feel that God wants you to step out in faith and start a new ministry or a business? Do you know deep down in your heart that God wants your life to go in a totally different direction?

The Bible says in Philippians 2:13 that "God is working in you, giving you both, the desire and the power to do what pleases him." Another translation puts it this way: "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will."

You see, so many times we have an idea or a desire. We are so sure that it comes from God. We get all exited over it. And then, all of a sudden the excitement is taken over by doubt, fear, and uncertainty and disbelief.

But I want to encourage you to go for it and stick with it. If you feel that God is up to something in your life, please realize, that God did not only put the idea, the dream and the will into your heart, but that he also has already equipped you with the power to accomplish his plan that he has for your life.

And it is a wonderful plan that God has for your life! He has put a dream and an idea in your heart and mind and he has given you the power to fulfill that dream. It gives God great pleasure to watch you accomplish his plans for your life.

Here is a lesson that you can learn from a postal stamp. When you mail a letter, the stamp stays on the envelope until it reaches the final destination. Many people have great and noble plans but they give up to soon. As soon as some problems come along the way they quit. Some quit because some good Christian friends just 'can't see it being from God'. Others work hard towards accomplishing their dream but then they give up just steps away from the finish line.

Let me encourage you to

1. Set yourself a goal, that is reachable and has value for yourself and others
2. Start today to take at least on step every day toward that goal
3. Never lose sight of your goal. (Think and dream about it all the time)
4. Don't listen to people that have no interest in your accomplishments
5. Stick to it until you reach your destination. Just like a stamp!

Let your dreams, goals and desires come alive in your heart and mind again. They must fill you with a burning desire. Be convinced, that you will reach your God given goal because with God NOTHING is impossible!

And never give up! Tell yourself every morning: It is too early to give up!

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.

THANKS

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 is starting up on August 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm so mark your calendars and come ready to play!

The Outreach (Missions) Committee has been reconstructing the Christmas Catalog and Project 52. There were many overlapping funds.

The Christmas catalog will be called Calvary Community Outreach. This special offering will

be collected in September.

Project 52 will remain the same format and will be distributed in January. This allows the congregation to choose projects for the year.

Christmas Shoe boxes will be happening in September.

“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! This will be letting the parents have time Please contact the church office to set up your Sunday. You will be a blessing to the little one and you will be blessed!

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for September are Spaghetti paste, Spaghetti sauce, Laundry soap. 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

September 2023

2 Sat WHS Band Fundraiser all day

7 Thurs. Red Cross 12 – 6 pm

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

11 Mon. Trustees 6 pm

12 Tues. Church Council 6 pm

17 Sun. Church Reunion

21 Thurs. J.U.L.I.E.T.S 11:30 am at Coppes Common (Nappanee)

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

26 Tues. E - Navigator

27 Wed. R.O.M.E.O.S meet at 11:30 am at Louie’s

27 Wed. Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm.

Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our Community

Calvary United Methodist Church Reunion September 17, Will start with worship with Barb Bartles playing bell/piano for us during church service and after the meal for a hymn sing. The Northmen & Cathy will be singing during worship and will be giving their testimonies. The Northmen & Cathy have been together for over 34 years, visited 40 states and been to 6 foreign countries. There will be a meal after worship church will provided chicken noodles, mashed potatoes, ham, drinks, table service, cake and ice cream. Please bring a side dish to share with everyone.

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

Our Family Fun Night is Sept. 22 mark your calendars and come ready to play and Fellowship with others!

Additional Events

THIS IS Calvary (3 week courses to be held at the church starting in the October), Dan Sharp

THIS is Syracuse Update: To give time for recruiting presenters and permitting sign-up, we are asking the congregation to begin making contact with people they know with Talents, Hobbies, Interests, or Skills they could share with community members. A script with basic facts is available to use, along with an information sheet to complete regarding that person. They need only express an interest to receive a contact from our committee.

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

How many of us feel like they never have enough time in the day? This week at work, I have been in training for eight hours each day. Because of this, I have felt the squeeze of time when it comes to getting my normal work done. In fact, I am writing this prayer message later than I usually would. However, this week isn’t necessarily unique in my lack of time. I am often someone who is constantly busy doing something, whether at work or in my personal life. So often the things I wasn’t able to complete in a given day, will keep me up at night as I think of how I will be able to accomplish them the next day. As more things build up over time, I look at other activities throughout my day where I can squeeze a bit of extra time out to accomplish another task. For a bit, I was squeezing time out of my designated space for God. For many of us caught up in a fast paced lifestyle, it is too easy to shave away that time with God, until we completely forget to give even five minutes to building that relationship. I am thankful for colleagues and friends who have helped me back onto a path of giving God more time in my day. If your time with God has slipped away recently, then I want to encourage you to look at your lifestyle. It is our duty to accept that hand that is reaching out and calling us to a loving relationship. The more time you give, the further that relationship with God will continue to blossom.

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4/26/2023 6:55:45 AM

Wednesday, April 26

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 ï¬shing. It seems like a perfectly normal thing to do, after all they have spent the majority of their adult lives ï¬shing.

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

But they were not very successful. They ï¬shed all night and they did not catch a single ï¬sh. They are discouraged and frustrated, and then just after dawn they hear a man standing on the beach asking them if they have no ï¬sh. 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 ï¬nd ï¬sh.

So, ï¬guring 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 ï¬sh.

Immediately they recognize that this stranger on the beach is the risen Jesus and they quickly go to shore to meet him, build a ï¬re, and feast on ï¬sh 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 ï¬nd 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 ï¬shing from the wrong side of the boat! The man tells them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Like all ï¬shermen at the time, the disciples were ï¬shing from the left side of the boat. This is because the steering apparatus was located on the right side of the boat and thus ï¬shing from that side risked tangling the net with the steering apparatus when a full net of ï¬sh was raised into the boat.

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

We are so like those disciples returning to ï¬shing. 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 ï¬shing. Instead he oï¬€ers them a small but signiï¬cant transformation, a twist on the old way that has huge results.

The risen Jesus oï¬€ers 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 ï¬sh 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!

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

Upper Room

The May - June issue is available in the literature rack.
These are offered at no cost to you; please take one and another for a friend.

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.

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

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

Cookies, brownies, pies, cakes, quiches, breads, casseroles.
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 >>

12/4/2023 4:26:15 AM

December, 2023

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

Donate

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

â€‹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!

Keep Reading >>

2/27/2024 10:56:34 AM

March 2024

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 (2^nd 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

A few weeks ago, I was with my fiancé shopping for wedding rings. When I pulled into the jewelry store, I saw a homeless man only a few feet away from my car. I immediately knew the right thing to do was to support the man, but in my mind I kept making up excuses for why I shouldn’t be helping the man. I overcame my thoughts and asked to buy the gentleman some breakfast, to which he accepted. Not only did I buy him a meal, but I got the chance to talk with him and the life he has lived. Not to see him as a prideful story for me to tell, but to love him as the human he was. This story leads me into the topic of selfishness. One of the hardest things our world teaches us today is selfishness. On the surface, we may not be selfish people, but our environment always drives towards a small bubble rather than a large community. John 13:34-35, in the last few moments that Jesus shares with the disciples, Jesus gives them a new commandment which says, “34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This statement by Jesus is not a suggestion of how to live, but rather Jesus himself calls it a commandment. This commandment is oftentimes overlooked. We can personally live a great life in our own bubble without the need to ever interact with those on the outside, but is that the love that Jesus is talking about? I told my story in the beginning not to gain praise, but to affirm that truly loving someone the way Jesus intended has a far greater reward than anything we can receive on this earth. As you go about this week, ask yourself, “What ways do I need to get out of my bubble this week?

Keep Reading >>

3/26/2024 11:10:18 AM

April, 2024

2024

E-Navigator Address: P.O. Box 9,

Syracuse, IN 46567

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com

Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

From Pastor Paul,

Can You Forgive and Then Forget?

Forgiveness isn't something that you do for the sake of the person who wronged you. It is something you do for yourself. I don't forgive people because they deserve it, or earn it, or even ask for it. I forgive them for a very selfish reason.

The main purpose of forgiveness is to free yourself from the burden of the pain inflicted on you. Bitterness is a cancer that'll destroy you and your relationships. As a pastor of a Church, I've witnessed this root of bitterness defile so many things that a person holds dear.

I knew a woman that held so much pain and bitterness against a person that she had literally made herself sick and physically weak. If she could forgive the person that had wronged her, she'd be able to release the burden of that pain and the bitterness.

The truly tragic thing about a grudge is that it hurts you more than the person you hold it against. In many cases, the other person is unaware of your grudge or the depth of your grudge or even of the fact that they may have hurt you. So, your anger, bitterness, and pain are only hurting you. It is only destroying your own spirit.

Christians are supposed to be big on forgiveness. I should know. But even they miss the main purpose of forgiveness. It isn't to pretend that the wrong done to you is okay. It's not so that you can give some offender a pass on his wrong, or to pretend you weren't hurt or angry. It isn't even to demonstrate how holy and righteous you are. It is to release that anger, to release the burden of the pain that you carry around.

Jesus told Peter to forgive people until it became instinctual or habitual. He, being the Son of God, had much more clarity in this than we do. But the example suffices to demonstrate that unless we forgive, we have a human tendency to carry a grudge, to carry bitterness, to carry the burden of pain. This burden crushes you, not the person who hurt you.

Forgive people. Do it for yourself so you can function in life, see clearer, and not have to live with the painful burden of bitterness.

Don't look at the other person to determine if they are worthy of your forgiveness. It's not an issue of worthiness or even of relevance. It is about you releasing anger, pain, and bitterness. Carrying such a burden will affect your marriage, your friendships, your family, and every other relationship you possess. Your revenge plotting twists your mind more than it makes the person who hurt you suffer.

Let it go-for your own sake.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Paul

Pastor Paul Burris Weekly Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10:00 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.

Breakthrough Prayer Initiative

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful response to the recent Breakthrough Prayer Initiative and our after Worship gatherings. We have received many good suggestions (and volunteers) to implement new Sunday morning Greeters; research ways to be in mission with our local schools; enhance visibility for Calvary in our community; develop fundraisers throughout the year; reach out to children and youth. Be mindful, also, of our need for strengthening our day-to-day functions through our church committees. There is a place for everyone to share your time, talents, and gifts for our life together in Christ and our mission to our community and the world.

We will be bringing specific ideas to the congregation over the next few weeks!

Your Breakthrough Prayer Team

Pastor Paul Burris, Roz Schwartz, Dan Sharp, Dwight Judy

Upper Room

The May/June issues are available in the narthex for your free copy

“One person can make a difference!

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 April is Canned Chicken, Beef Stew, Flour, 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.

Please keep the ones in need in your prayer!

The Missions Committee will be having “Pack the Pantry” with paper items April 14th. Grocery bags will be passed out Sunday the 7th.

Where Are you called to Serve at Calvary?

As part of our recent (ongoing) Prayer Initiative, we have all been challenged to come to a better understanding as to how the Spirit is moving in our daily lives. A big part of the process is coming to the realization that we have all been gifted with special talents that are to be utilized in building the kingdom at Calvary UMC and in the community that we serve. In I Corinthians chapter 12 Paul reminds us that every gift from God is special and important. We are created by God, and He loves us. By acknowledging the spiritual gifts from God, we are glorifying Him. Each gift has the ability to help draw others to a relationship with the Lord. God’s people are like a body with many parts, yet those parts work together. Even though there are many people in the world, we can work together to share His love and glory. Every person has a purpose and is gifted by the Holy Spirit.

We are looking for people who are willing to provide much needed leadership which would enable us to carry out God’s mission here at Calvary. There are a number of areas, and committees you could serve such as: Trustees, Worship, Finance & Stewardship, Administrative Council, Staff-Parish Relations, Missions, Congregational Care, Prayer Team, Funeral Dinners, Nominations etc. etc… Please carefully consider where God might be calling you to be in ministry. If you feel you have been called, or need more information, concerning any area of ministry please feel free to contact Pastor Paul or Roz Schwartz. We are all part of the same body here at Calvary. It is going to take a group effort for us to make a difference in the community that we serve.

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.

MONTHLY CALENDAR

April 2024

1 Mon. Trustee 5:00 pm

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

7 Sun. Grocery bags passed out for “Pack the Pantry” with paper items

9 Tues. Stewardship/Finance 5:30 pm

10 Wed. Hannah Circle 6 pm

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

14 Sun. “Pack The Pantry” with paper items collected

15 Mon. Deadline for E-Navigator articles

18 Thurs. J.U.L.I.E.T.S. 11:30 am at Stubby’s (Stacy’s)

23 Tues. E- Navigator goes out

23 Tues. Gideon 6 – 8:30 pm

24 Wed. R.O.M.O.E.S. at 11:30 am at The Sleepy Owl

24 Wed. Martha/Ruth Circle 1 pm

26 Fri. Friday 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 April 12, from 5:30-6:30. Take-out or dine in options are available.

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

Plant, Bake an Craft Sale

Attention all gardeners, crafters, and bakers!

We will be having a bake, craft, and plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday May 4.

I would love donations of any kind in those categories. If anyone is interested in overseeing the craft or bake sale portions of this event I would love some help.

We would be thrilled to have crafters set up booths with their creations, no booth rent, just ask for a donation of a portion of what is sold.

For more information call Amy Rensberger at 574-529-008

Thoughts from Bashor Home

Prayer Message of the Week

By Dan Wolschlager

This past Sunday, March 17^th was St. Patrick’s Day which has become a fun holiday to celebrate for many here in the United States, but this week I wanted to shine a light on the amazing person that was Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick was a missionary in the fifth century who was venerated as a Saint for bringing Christianity to Ireland which was previously dominated by paganism. The part of his story that goes often unseen is that Saint Patrick was taken from his home in Britain as a child and became a slave by his captors in Ireland until he escaped six years later. After being captured and enslaved by the Irish people, Patrick felt a calling to come back and bring Christianity to Ireland. Psalm 31:15 says, “My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.” Imagine going back to the place of your captors, not to get revenge but rather to spread the love of Christ. We know that Patrick ended up converting many in Ireland to Christianity. In fact today, Ireland is a majority Christian. More than eighty percent of the country is said to be Christian. After looking at the history of Saint Patrick’s Day, ask yourself, “Who has wronged me in life?” How do I respond to that? Look to Saint Patrick this week and be encouraged that all are deserving of the love of Jesus Christ!

Keep Reading >>

3/26/2023 6:18:24 AM

Wednesday, March 22

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!

Upper Room

The March-April issue is available in the literature rack.
These are offered at no cost to you; please take one and another for a friend.

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:

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

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

Cookies, brownies, pies, cakes, quiches, breads, casseroles.
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 >>

1/19/2023 11:59:58 AM

Wednesday, January 18

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

Upper Room

The January-February issue is available in the literature rack.
These are offered at no cost to you; please take one and another for a friend.

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.

Keep Reading >>

7/24/2023 10:06:51 AM

Monday, July 24

E-Navigator

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

Email: syrcalv@kcaccess.com:

Website: www.syracusecalvaryumc.org

Church: 574-457-377

I would like to share with you one of my favorite illustrations shared by Charles Swindoll:

Let’s play ‘Let’s Pretend’. Let’s pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I’m the owner and I’m interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets established. I make all the arrangements to take my family and move to Europe for six to eight months. And I leave you in charge of the busy stateside organization. I tell you that I will write you regularly and give you directions and instructions. I leave and you stay. Months pass. A flow of letters are mailed from Europe and received by you at the national headquarters. I spell out all my expectations.

Finally, I return. Soon after my arrival, I drive down to the office and I am stunned. Grass and weeds have grown up high. A few windows along the street are broken. I walk into the Receptionist’s room. She is doing her nails, chewing gum and listening to her favorite disco station. I look around and notice the wastebaskets are overflowing. The carpet hasn’t been vacuumed for weeks, and nobody seems concerned that the owner has returned. I asked about your whereabouts and someone in the crowded lounge area points down the hall and yells, "I think he’s down there." Disturbed, I move in that direction and bump into you as you are finishing a chess game with our sales manager. I ask you to step into my office, which has been temporarily turned into a television room for watching afternoon soap operas. "What in the world is going on, man?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, look at this place! Didn’t you get any of my letters?" "Letters? Oh yes! Sure! I got every one of them. As a matter of fact, we have had a letter study every Friday since you left. We have even divided the personnel into small groups to discuss many of the things you wrote. Some of the things were really interesting. You will be pleased to know that a few of us have actually committed to memory some of your sentences and paragraphs. One or two memorized an entire letter or two - Great stuff in those letters."

"OK. You got my letters. You studied them and meditated on them; discussed and even memorized them. But what did you do about them?"

"Do? We didn’t do anything about them." (Improving Your Serve, Chuck Swindoll)

What are we doing with what God has placed us in charge of us?

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!

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

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.

Please pray for those living at senior-living homes

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 is starting up on August 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm so mark your calendars and come ready to play!

The Outreach (Missions) Committee continues to support the food pantry, Syracuse Elementary School, and other local organizations. Calvary Cares has obtained grocery cards that can be used every three months by community members. These cards are distributed by Pastor Paul and Rebecca Scott.

“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! This will be letting the parents have time Please contact the church office to set up your Sunday. You will be a blessing to the little one and you will be blessed!

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. Specific items you can bring for August are Mac n Cheese, Peanut butter, Jelly, dish soap. 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!

Please keep the Children and Teachers in your prayer as they start back to a new school year! Pray for them all daily for protection and love!

MONTHLY CALENDAR

August 2023

3 Thurs. Staff Parish 5 PM

7 Mon. Trustee 6 PM

8 Tues. Stewardship/Finance 6 PM

11 Fri. Free Community Dinner

13 Sun. Dave Martz Info meeting on Israel tour 4:00 – 5:30 PM

17 Thurs. J.U.L.I.E.T.S. meet at 11:30 am at Tiffany’s (Topeka)

22 Tues. Gideon 6 – 8:30 pm

22 Tues. E - Navigator

23 Wed. R.O.M.E.O.S meet at 11:30 am at The Owl

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

Calvary United Methodist Welcomes our Community

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

Our Family Fun Night is starting back up August 25^th so mark your calendars and come ready to play and Fellowship with others!

Our long-standing Free Community Dinner (2^nd Friday of the month) is scheduled for Friday Aug 11 from 5:30-6:30. Take out or dine in options are available.

Additional Events

THIS IS Calvary (3 week courses to be held at the church starting in the October), Dan Sharp

THIS is Syracuse Update: To give time for recruiting presenters and permitting sign-up, we are asking the congregation to begin making contact with people they know with Talents, Hobbies, Interests, or Skills they could share with community members. A script with basic facts is available to use, along with an information sheet to complete regarding that person. They need only express an interest to receive a contact from our committee.

September 17, Reunion Sunday, with special singing group, Carol Elder. If you would like to help Carol please contact the Church office.

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.

Bashor Home Celebrates 100 years of Ministry

This past week, some of our Bashor kids participated in a “LOG weekend.” LOG is a ministry that stands for “Love of God” and is a student led, retreat style event. One of the reasons why I love taking our kids to LOG is because they get to interact with other kids their age who are pursuing a life with God. When we first arrived to LOG on Friday evening, many of our kids were skeptical about LOG and the activities that were planned. However, as we left LOG on Saturday night, many of our kids had formed genuine friendships with some of the LOG students. During these two days of LOG, I saw kids from different backgrounds come together to sing songs and worship the glory of God. Romans 15:7 tells us, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Looking back on this weekend, I could understand our Bashor kids’ skepticism. “Will these normal kids accept who I am?” “What are they going to think about what I’ve done or where I’m at?” We live in a world where now more than ever, we constantly desire acceptance from others. All of us have no doubt faced similar instances where we question if someone will accept us. I have personally been guilty of acting like someone that I’m not in order to gain acceptance from others. Who are we if we lose ourselves in order to gain acceptance from others? Jesus Christ accepts you as you are, He loves you for who you are, and he died for who you are. Bring praises to God this week and continue to accept others just as Christ Jesus has accepted you.

Keep Reading >>

10/25/2023 11:10:27 AM

November, 2023

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!

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

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.

Keep Reading >>

10/4/2023 1:26:39 PM

October, 2023

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.

Keep Reading >>

11/26/2022 5:07:11 AM

Wednesday, November 16

November 16—December 18, 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:

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

Sunday, Nov. 27, help is needed following worship to bring the Christmas decorations down from the loft. â€œHanging of the Greensâ€ will be sometime the week of Nov.28, Marty Meyer will set the schedule.

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 Free Free Christmas Cliparts, Download Free Free Christmas ...

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.

ANGEL TREE HAS ARRIVED IN THE NARTHEX

Please take an angel from the tree, buy the child’s request, wrap the gift and place it under the tree with the angel. If you prefer, the Outreach Ministry Team will wrap it for you.

Gifts must be at the church by December 11^th. If you choose to make a monetary donation, the Ministry Team will buy the gifts. Donations can be given to the office or placed in your offering envelope, marked “Angel Tree.”

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

Keep Reading >>

June 2021

Wednesday, July 28

January, 2024

September, 2023

Wednesday, April 26

December, 2023

March 2024

April, 2024

Wednesday, March 22

Wednesday, January 18

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November, 2023

October, 2023

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