February Newsletter
The Emphasis
Boxes of heart shaped candy are on the shelves at the grocery store. Jewelry advertisements on TV are about to begin. A whole host of cards, both silly and sentimental, are on display. Yes, soon we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day, a holiday in honor of love.
For most people it's a day that emphasizes the romantic side of love. But love is a multi-faceted emotion. Not only is there romantic love but also friendship love, family love, and finally Godly love.
Godly love is special. It's the kind of love that goes the extra mile. It's the kind of love that desires the best for others, even at its own expense. It's the kind of love that we see in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
With that in mind, let's do something special on February 10th, the Sunday before Valentine's Day. Let's reach out to a friend or neighbor who doesn't have a church home, someone who may never have had a personal, life changing encounter with Christ. Let's invite them and bring them as our guests to the Sweetheart Breakfast, our time of Bible study, and the morning worship service. It could be the very best Valentine's Day celebration that they have ever experienced.
Philip
February is the month set aside by our nation to recognize, appreciate, and learn more about our African American citizens and to promote a positive relationship among all our peoples. It is appropriate for Calvary to think of all our brothers and sisters in the Lord who come from many different origins. Considering the fact that our city is nearly fifty percent African American and that our more immediate neighborhood reflects an even higher percentage, it is altogether appropriate that we spend some time in the Lord's work sharing information and seeking to enhance fellowship amongst our different peoples. Look to be blessed by library displays, music, testimonies, messages, and the prayers of God's people concerning our roll as reconcilers in this fallen world. May Christ be praised.
Hal J
The challenge of the year 2008 is to do a better job than 2007. What does this mean? More money? More success? New car? Bigger house? Promotion? I guess it means different things to different people. Two of the things that the holidays bring into sharp focus are God and family. Wouldn't it be nice if we focused on God and family all year the same way that we do at Christmas time? I know that we all have hectic lives and less and less time. I find that the time I spend with God and my family (including my church family) is always rewarded. What a blessing this church is! My hope for everyone is an even better year in 2008 than you could possibly imagine.
God Bless,
Bob
FROM OUR CHOIR DIRECTOR - Don Carter
Last month I mentioned the possibility of a Sunday evening "Gospel Sing" using some of the giant pool of talent from within our church. This event has now been scheduled for Sunday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m. This will surely be an evening filled with beautiful music from your favorite singers. To be sure, please let me know who are your favorite singers and what song title you would like for them to sing or play. We may even have some refreshments to round out the evening.
Easter is coming early this year! On Palm Sunday, March 16 during the 11:00 a.m. service, the Adult Choir will be presenting an Easter worship musical entitled "You are My King". This musical includes some beautiful songs and narration that will help us identify with the Easter season. Begin to think of unchurched friends or family you might invite to this special service.
God Bless,
Don
Church News & Events
"Inasmuch" Ministry
Calvary will be participating as a host church for the Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless on March 9 thru March 11 (Sunday thru Tuesday nights). Later this month, sign-up sheets for those interested in assisting will be posted on the bulletin board in the hallway to the sanctuary. As always, we need people to help register and greet our guests, as well as to help as facility hosts/monitors. Two persons are also needed to spend the night each night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. If you would be interested in assisting with this special ("Jerusalem") ministry, please let Regina Harrington know (966-7044).
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40
A revised constitutional amendment regarding the business meetings of our church family will be presented at the February business meeting on Wednesday, February 13th, at 7:30 p.m. Please plan to attend.
Tuesday, February 12th, is the day to pick up your delicious Brunswick stew, made straight from the kitchen of our own Emily Green Shores. Place orders with Cindy Kochersperger or Carol Rowe, or call Emily Green Shores at 399-3442. Quarts are $7 and all orders must be placed by February 5th.
Thank you for bringing in canned food to share with others. And, thanks to Bryan DeVault for sharing surplus bananas from his company in January. The folks at Effingham Plaza and The Oasis benefited as well as our own congregation. During Feb. and Mar. please recycle your grocery bags at an alternate location as we still have plenty left from Christmas. Helpers are welcome on the 4th Thursday at Effingham Plaza to bag groceries. The elderly there look forward to our visits.
Women of Faith is a faith-based women’s organization encouraging women of all
ages and stages in life to grow in faith and spiritual maturity through a
relationship with Jesus Christ and an understanding of God's love and grace.
This year our Baptist Women’s group would like to organize a trip to Washington,
D.C. for the "Infinite Grace Conference." The conference will begin Friday
evening, July 11th at 7:00 pm and conclude Saturday, July 12th at 6:00 pm. We
will plan to leave the church early Friday and return Saturday evening. If you
are interested in attending this conference please call Connie Powell at the
church office (399-1050) and have your name added to the list.
Bring your sweetheart and join us for a Valentine
Breakfast, Sunday February 10th, 9:00 am
Lisa Whelchel is an
author, speaker, homeschooler, and founder of Mom Time ministries. She is
perhaps best known for her role as Blair Warner on NBC’s long-running series The
Facts of Life. Today, however, Lisa feels her most important and challenging
role is a wife and mother to her three children.
This is My Story: Creating a Scrapbook Legacy of Faith is a fun and
Christ-centered approach to legacy building for women of all ages. And you don’t
have to be a scrapbooking expert to participate in this unique new Bible study!
Through daily journaling, Bible study, and preparing pages in their own
scrapbook each week, women remember and record significant experiences that have
shaped their lives. This six-session study is more than personal
introspection- it becomes a beautiful keepsake that captures important life
lessons to pass down to the next generation.
The cost for this study will be $51.90 and will include an album, all materials
to complete your album, plus all Bible study materials. We will meet beginning
Saturday, February 2nd at 9:30 am in the church fellowship hall. Please call the
church office at 399-1050 if you would like to participate. This study is open
to anyone within or outside of our congregation.
LIBRARY NEWS
It’s been a while since we reported. However, as always there are many new items in the Library for your use. Please come to see us soon! Also, please continue to ask for “Ministry Stamps” at the Family Christian Bookstore locations. We use them toward the cost of new media throughout the year.
Thank you—Your Library Staff
FARM FRESH RECEIPTS
Calvary is collecting Farm Fresh Receipts! The Farm Fresh ABC's program offers places of worship the opportunity to earn free educational equipment by simply saving their Farm Fresh receipts. Farm Fresh will donate one point to our church for every dollar spent in their stores. If you shop there, save that portion of the receipt that reads, "Retain this receipt and give to your church for redemption by May 31, 2008." A box has been placed in the lobby for the receipts. Let’s join together and fill that box!
Thank You Notes:
Dear Church Friends at Calvary,
Once again I am so thankful for the love that Calvary has shown us. Thank you so much for the Christmas basket. There is much love at Calvary and you have shown it to us on countless occasions. We love you and appreciate it very much. My daughter and I enjoyed your Christmas program and it was good to see many of our friends. Marshall is missed very much, but we know that he is in a better place.
Love in Christ,
Barbara Corbett & family
Dear Church Family,
Words cannot express the love we have felt from all of you during Phill's hospitalization and recovery. We have felt your prayers and they have meant so much. Thank you for the visits, cards, and other remembrances. Please continue to remember us all in your prayers.
Love,
Phill and Gayle Palmer
The family of Mary Blackburn would like to thank everyone that remembered our family with food, cards and prayers during this difficult time. Mama loved Calvary and considered you an important part of her life. Many thanks for all of your kindness during her illness and journey to a better place.
Ginger Blackburn-Hasty & Family
Robin Burt & Family
Church Family News
Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the families of Flora Leatherwood, Mary Blackburn, & Phyllis Elliott.
January Statistics
(based on 3
weeks)
Monthly Budget Needs
$21,514.86
Monthly Budget Gifts
$17,371.15
Year to Date Needs
$21,514.86
Year to Date Gifts
$17,371.15
Designated Gifts
$1,274.11
Capital Fund
$250.00
World Missions
$298.00
Building & Expansion $975.00
Sunday School Attendance Average - 129