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 2nd 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 4th 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 (2nd 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.