March Newsletter
The Emphasis
Live with Urgency
We must share Christ “while it is day.”—John 9:4
What opportunities have you had to be intentional and deliberate in sharing your
faith in a tangible way? Come and be challenged by North American Mission Board
missionaries living with their eyes wide open to seize the moment.
You can meet Marisa and Pedro Sanchez of the Eastern Shore at the Association
Prayer Breakfast, March 1st, 8:00 a.m. at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church.
In addition, day five of our Week of Prayer features David and Shirley Proffitt
who are working as collegiate church planters at James Madison University and
Virginia Commonwealth University. These missionaries are all at work here in
Virginia. Support them through your gift to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®
(AAEO). Calvary’s goal is $3,000.
A Gift To Annie
While the majority of AAEO gifts provide salary
support for missionaries, some are used for ministry supplies.
Below are tangible examples of how missionaries use AAEO funds.
$1 A hot meal at the Open Door Soup Kitchen in
Barre, Vermont
$5 Snacks for Kids Club ministry at an apartment complex for one week
$10 A can of paint for a World Changers project
$15 A textbook for an English as a Second Language student
$20 100 Gospel of John booklets to be given out at special ministry events
$50 Hot chocolate reception to introduce college students to Christ
$100 Supplies for a brand new Sunday School at a mission church
$250 Newspaper ads promoting the first worship service of a new church start
$500 Materials and supplies for a new church to hold their first Vacation Bible
School
Here are some of the things we are working on
with the youth. In Sunday school we are taking up the case for Christ and
learning how to understand our faith from a logical, practical and
analytical point of view. Helen is heading up this study and her husband Steve
is helping out. We are studying evangelism on Wednesday nights with our youth.
The approach is a non-threatening one, starting with the question: "Do you think
you are a good person?"
We had a ski trip the weekend of February 22-24. Our group consisted of 13
youth and 5 adults. Our pastor came along and enjoyed skiing with the youth and
leading in devotionals on the wonder and majesty of God’s creation. One of
the items we started planning during the ski trip was a Youth Sunday. I can't
give you any details yet, but it will be a great day, an exciting and
inspirational time of worship. Stay tuned for more ...
That is all for now,
May God bless us all
Bob
CHOIR NOTES
Thanks to all who participated in
the “Gospel Sing” on February 17th. It was a wonderful evening of good music,
good friends, and good food.
Each year we remember the resurrection, attempting to recall and celebrate all
the things that led up to that first Easter Sunday. It is right for us to
rejoice in Christ’s triumph over death and the cross. It was His death on the
cross that paid for our salvation. Without the shedding of blood, there can be
no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22).
On Palm Sunday morning, March 16th, the Adult Choir will lead
in worship by singing an Easter Musical entitled “You are My King”. Included in
this musical are a variety of songs about Jesus’ life and ministry leading up to
and after His crucifixion and resurrection. A very meaningful Lord’s Supper
celebration is also included in the musical. I’m sure that you will feel God’s
presence among us as we worship through song and narration. Invite a friend to
join you in our worship on Palm Sunday.
God Bless,
Don
At the February business meeting the church family
voted to amend the church’s constitution regarding business meetings.
Regularly scheduled business meetings will be held quarterly on the second
Sundays of November, February, May, and August.
Calvary will be participating as a host church this year for the Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless on March 9 thru March 11 (Sunday thru Tuesday nights). 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 evening from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., preferably a male and female. If you would be interested in assisting with this special “Jerusalem” ministry, please sign up. If you have questions, please contact Regina Harrington (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
Resurrection Sunday
Easter comes early this year. We will celebrate the resurrection of Christ on
Sunday, March 23rd. As always this will be a special occasion in the life of our
church, beginning with hot cross buns at 9:00 a.m., Bible study at 9:30, and a
resurrection celebration during the morning worship service at 11:00. Let’s fill
our sanctuary with God’s people as we honor the One who was victorious over
death and the grave.
Sunday
March 9th
Why Is It Called “Good Friday?”
Baptists, along with all peoples who know God through what Jesus did at Calvary,
have always considered the cross to be the heart of the good news. Easter’s
Resurrection is proof of the substance of what Jesus has done for us, but His
death is the deed itself by which we are saved. It is, therefore, altogether
fitting that we should recognize not only His resurrection on Easter Sunday, but
His passion and death on the Friday before.
In the light of all that, you are urged to come to Calvary Church on Good
Friday, March 21st, at 7:00 p.m., as we remember what Jesus did for us at
Calvary’s Hill. It is there that our sins past, present, and future are washed
away.
Hal
J
A Note from the “Senior Saints’
Our February dinner meeting had another record attendance of 124. We had a
Valentine’s theme with wonderful fellowship, great food, and spiritual
blessings. Mary Barnes, soloist and guitarist, presented a wonderful music
program. Thanks to our committee who do so much to make the fellowship
hall and dinner meetings beautiful and inviting. Thanks to all our hosts and
hostesses who help with welcoming people to their tables. Thanks to David House
for taking care of the sound system for us.
We had more than twenty churches represented. We feel this is a wonderful
outreach ministry to our community and we give God the Glory.
Next month’s date is March 20th. We are planning a St. Patrick's Day theme.
Remember this date, and plan to be with us. Program will be announced later
It’s that time of year again, when we are invited and
encouraged to participate in one of the 2008 disaster relief training
opportunities. Everyone who desires to participate in the SBC of Virginia
Disaster Relief Ministry must attend one of these events. Events begin
on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and run until about 9:00 p.m. Training resumes on
Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. and concludes around 3:00 p.m. The cost for the
training is $30 and includes your t-shirt, hat, ID badge, course materials and
Saturday lunch.
All present Disaster Relief volunteers must be re-credentialed every two years.
The cost of re-credentialing is $15. Feel free to wear your t-shirt and hat!
To register via the internet, go to the SBC website at:
www.sbcv.org/disaster_relief/
Local training:
April 25-26 Suffolk Southside Baptist 917 Carolina Road Suffolk, VA 23434
Check the website for other training locations and opportunities.
On Good Friday, March 21st, Cottage Place United Methodist Church will have a three hour service beginning at 12:00 noon and ending at 3:00 p.m. Six local pastors, including our very own, will speak in half hour segments on the last words spoken by Christ as He hung on the cross. Special music will be presented by local musicians. You are free to come and go as your personal schedule permits. We, at Cottage Place, hope this will be a special time of worship this Easter.
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.! Our
current total has exceeded $12,000! 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
keep filling that box!
In spite of some bad weather,
especially during one of the Sundays in January, we’ve just about caught up in
terms of our giving to the Unified Budget.
The financial support and generosity of our church family is appreciated.
2008 SBCV Evangelism Conference
This year’s Evangelism Conference will be held in our region on March 11, at the
Peninsula Korean Baptist Church in Newport News, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and
concluding that evening. There will be a number of inspirational speakers as
well as small group breakout sessions. Contact the church office if you would
like to attend or visit the SBCV website to register at:
http://www.sbcv.org/evangelismconference/
Just knowing that in countless ways our family and
friends are with us, makes the way easier.
Thank you.
Nancy Goodloe
Dear friends,
You have been so faithful in remembering me since I have been in Richmond. Thank
you for your cards and prayers during my surgery and other difficulties. I am
feeling great and doing fine. Miss you, but am sure that I am where God led me.
Love, Ardelle Brooks
We would like to welcome those who have recently joined
our church family. Adam Harrelson, Rachael Duncan, Kris Griggs, and Lori Hassett
all come by statement of faith. We also welcome Brian Hassett and Kristiana
Spitler to our fellowship of believers, and rejoice with them in their
profession of faith.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER CANCELLED MARCH 12
Because of our ministry to the homeless, the Wednesday Night Dinner regularly
scheduled for March 12th has been cancelled. It will resume the following
Wednesday. All other activities will meet at their regular times on March 12th.
February Statistics (based on 3 weeks)
Monthly Budget Needs $21,514.86
Monthly Budget Gifts $25,793.51
Year to Date Needs $50,201.34
Year to Date Gifts $48,268.34
Designated Gifts $2,459.15
Love Offering, Zion Baptist $416.00
Annie Armstrong $100.00
Sunday School average attendance 179