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!
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Photo with “Jesus”
Don’t miss this opportunity to have your picture taken with Jesus (a look-alike) THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 1 FROM 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM. Although this event is for all of Calvary’s congregation, it is an outreach ministry to our community. It is intended for all ages, adults and children. There will be no charge (donations accepted). Snacks and a light lunch will be available for visitors coming for pictures. Come and support your church and invite family members, friends, in-laws, neighbors and anyone else you can think of!
IT’S BARBECUE TIME!
Mark your calendars for Calvary Class of 2025’s annual Nelson’s Golden Glo barbecue! It will be at
the church on April 15, from 10:00 am until 1 p.m.. Yum!
Calvary Women's Retreat
“Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow,
Encouragement from the Book of Ruth
Calvary Women’s Retreat
Debbie Roth, a speaker, singer and published author, will lead the church’s women’s retreat on Saturday, April 29 at the church. A coffee hour and sign in will begin the day from 8:00-9:00 am, followed by the message from Roth, based on the Book of Ruth, which offers encouragement to all women. There will be door prizes and a soup and salad luncheon. You are invited to bring sisters, friends and neighbors. Debbie’s music and book, “Drenched, Only Hope in the Storm,” will be available for purchase. Ladies, use this opportunity to “retreat,” relax, laugh and fellowship with other women. There is no cost (donations accepted). Registration is required by April 22 (for materials and lunch count). To register, call Bev Hiatt at 574-528-0131 or the church office at 574-457-3778. There are flyers with a registration form in the narthex.
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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 4th 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 (2nd 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