May 2015 Vol. 20 No. 5 A Publication of Calvary Baptist Church
Transcription
May 2015 Vol. 20 No. 5 A Publication of Calvary Baptist Church
May 2015 Vol. 20 No. 5 Connections A Publication of Calvary Baptist Church NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Thursday, May 7, 2015 The 64th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer will take place on Thursday, May 7. Millions of people will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. Serve the City and the Linn County Association of Evangelicals will cosponsor a community prayer gathering led by area pastors and other Christian leaders from noon to 1:00 at Greene Square Park (3rd Avenue and 5th Street SE in downtown Cedar Rapids). Our theme for 2015 is Lord, Hear Our Cry, emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men. To further highlight our theme, we’ve chosen 1 Kings 8:28 as our Scripture for this year: “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” FLOAT INTO SPRING WITH JANE VAN DEN BERG Jane van den Berg has been one of our missionaries for many years, beginning when we supported her parents. Jane is coming to Calvary for the evening service on May 3. She will tell us of the many projects she is involved in, especially the building of the girls’ school. The Mission Team is inviting you to come to the evening service, and then to stay for fellowship time — you might have guessed that we are having root beer floats! You won’t want to miss any of this. “IRON SHARPENS IRON” MEN’S CONFERENCE Guys, don’t miss out on this special day! The “Iron Sharpens Iron” men’s conference comes to Cedar Rapids on Saturday, May 2, 8:30am – 4:55pm, at First Assembly of God. Go to www.FocalPointMinistries.net for information or registration. CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY Please note that the church office will be closed on Monday, May 25 in celebration of the Memorial Day holiday. IN PURSUIT OF THE FRUIT Since January, the Sonshine Singers have been on a superhero adventure about the fruit of the Spirit. They invite you to join them at Calvary Baptist Church at 6:00pm on Sunday, May 17, as they present “The Agape League,” which brings together the “Zap! Pow! Zowee!” fun of the superhero genre with the life-changing truth of God’s Word empowered by the Holy Spirit. When we submit our lives to the Holy Spirit’s control, He will supernaturally enable us to demonstrate virtues that reflect our identity in Christ. Invite your friends and family members to come with you, so we all can learn what it means to live our daily lives “in pursuit of the fruit.” REHEARSAL REMINDER Sonshine Singers and parents, please make sure your calendars are marked for our special rehearsal on Wednesday evening May 13, from 6:30 to 8:00, and dress rehearsal on Saturday morning, May 16, from 9:00 to noon. PARENT-CHILD DEDICATION CEREMONY A parent-child dedication ceremony is planned for the Sunday morning worship service on Mother’s Day, May 10. If you would like to participate in this public expression of your commitment to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” please notify the church office by Sunday, May 3. AWANA AWARDS SUPPER The Awana year will conclude with a special awards night on Wednesday, May 6, beginning at 6:30pm in the gym. All Awana children and their families are invited to enjoy a supper provided by the Awana leaders, followed by a program to recognize the efforts of our clubbers and leaders. AN EVENING OF WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC An evening of worship through music is planned for Sunday, May 31, at 6:00pm. Musicians of all ages and all levels of experience are invited to glorify the Lord through their use of the musical abilities He has given them. We are looking for a variety of music: vocal and instrumental; solos, duets, or small ensembles; diverse styles, etc. If you would like to contribute a musical offering of praise to the Lord, contact Pastor Mike. May 2015 Sunday 3 9:00am 9:00am 10:00am 10:30am Sunday School (Children/Youth) Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s) Inner Mission Worship Service (Communion) 4:30pm Calvary Choir 6:00pm Sonshine Singers 6:00pm Jane van den Berg (Missionary Guest Speaker) 10 Mother’s Day Monday Tuesday 4 5 6:00pm Monday Night Moms (MNMs) 9:15am MOPS 7:00pm Men’s Small Group 11 7:00pm Board of Deacons Meeting 12 Wednesday 6 9:00am Staff Prayer 9:15am BSF 6:30pm Awana Awards Night 6:30pm Youth Groups and Adult Prayer 13 Thursday 7 Friday 2 7:00pm-9:00am Youth Guys Overnighter 8:30am “Iron Sharpens Iron” Men’s Conference at First Assembly of God 8 9 10:00am-3:00pm Positive Impressions National Day of Prayer 6:00am Men’s Small Group 12:00Noon-1:00pm LCAE Prayer Gathering at Greene Square Park 14 15 9:00am Staff Prayer 9:00am 9:00am 10:00am 10:30am Sunday School (Children/Youth) Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s) Inner Mission Worship Service (Parent-Child Dedication) 7:00pm Committee and Ministry Team Meetings 18 19 No Evening Church Activities 17 16 9:00am-Noon Sonshine Singers Dress Rehearsal 6:00am Men’s Small Group 7:00pm Men’s Small Group Saturday 1 6:30pm-8:00pm Sonshine Singers Rehearsal 6:30pm Youth Groups and Adult Prayer 20 21 22 23 29 30 9:00am Staff Prayer 9:00am 9:00am 10:00am 10:30am 2:00pm Sunday School (Children/Youth) Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s) Inner Mission Worship Service Taylor Slippy’s Graduation Open House in Youth Building 6:00pm Sonshine Singers present “The Agape League” 24 Sunday School (Children/Youth) Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s) Inner Mission Worship Service (Senior Recognition) 2:00pm Reuben French’s Graduation Open House in Youth Building No Evening Church Activities 9:00am 9:00am 10:00am 10:30am Sunday School (Children/Youth) Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s) Inner Mission Worship Service 6:00pm An Evening of Worship Through Music 9:15am MOPS 7:00pm Board of Deacons Meeting 6:30pm Youth Groups and Adult Prayer 6:00am Men’s Small Group 7:00pm Men’s Small Group 25 9:00am 9:00am 10:00am 10:30am 31 6:00pm Monday Night Moms (MNMs) MEMORIAL DAY Church Office Closed 1:00am-4:00pm Jason Chung’s Graduation Open House in Church Fellowship Hall (gym) 26 27 28 9:00am Staff Prayer 11:30am 6:30pm Youth Salt & Pepper Club at Groups and Adult Ryans (church bus Prayer leaves at 11:00am) 6:00am Men’s Small Group 1:00pm-3:00pm Sarah Frey’s Graduation Open House at Frey’s Home Family Forum CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY We extend our sympathy to Dan & Cindy Hauschildt, Dennis & Leslie Lorenc, David & Donna Lorenc and family on the death of Cindy, Leslie, and David’s father, Joe Lorenc, who went home to be with the Lord on March 29. BAPTISM We praise the Lord for His gracious work in the lives of Steven LeMont, Madison Jensen, and Natalie Matteson, who were baptized Sunday morning, April 5. NEW MEMBERS Brian & Mooneen Gossett, Daniel Hunter, and Steve LeMont were voted into the membership of Calvary Baptist Church on April 19. WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING Two Calvary men are about to wed: Brad Tower to Cara Evans and Aaron Graber to Ashley Kilpatrick. Let’s join in the fun of a CARD SHOWER celebrating their commitment to a Christian marriage by showering them with monetary gifts and gift cards. Look for the wrapped wedding gift boxes at the Welcome Center during the month of May. 2015 EASTER OFFERING The 2015 Easter Offering was designated to help support a mission team of about a dozen young people coming to Cedar Rapids from the Beautiful Baptist Church of Tecate, Mexico. We will be partnering with them July 24–31 in outreach to the Hispanic community of our city, along with other service projects. Contributions to the 2015 Easter Offering totaled $3,080. Thank you for your generous gifts. SIGN PROJECT At the Annual Meeting on April 19, the congregation approved the proposal to erect a new church sign. We want this outreach tool to show the community that we care about them, declare Biblical truth, and announce our activities and times of services. The sign is to be a two cabinet, two-sided digital sign located along Johnson Avenue. The top cabinet will contain the church name and logo. The lower cabinet will be a matrix of LED pixels forming a programmable message board. Nesper Signs of Cedar Rapids will build and install the sign for just under $30,000.00. We have special envelopes available for your gifts to the project. As money is received we will keep you updated on the progress. Because the price of the bid is time sensitive, we would like to have the funds raised as soon as possible. Fabrication and installation cannot begin until the funds are in hand. EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION Thank you for your most generous love gift of $1,675! Wow! I had just been thinking about the fact that I need to buy clothes for the next several years for our family before going back and wandering how that was going to work since we have spent a lot of money on my medical expenses for my back/neck. When God provided this through you. Thank you! You have indeed loved on us. With much gratitude, Dan & Esther What a joy it was for me to be a part of your Missions Conference last month. Thank you for your kindness and thank you for committing yourselves to world missions. Your missions conference is one of the few remaining that really takes the time and effort to get the whole church involved–that is very refreshing! Kim and I want to thank you for your gracious financial–it was a huge blessing for us and we really appreciate your generosity. Thanks also for your continued support and prayers. They mean so much to us. May God continue to bless each one of you as we together shine brightly for the Lord Jesus in a darkening world that desperately needs the Savior. By His grace, Craig & Kim Jentink It was an absolute blessing to be a part of your Good Friday service. My husband and I were so moved by the experience. Thank you for choosing Bridgehaven to receive the generous offering that evening. I was blown away by God’s goodness and the hearts of those that filled the church. With appreciation, Chelsey McDill Thank you for participating in Bridgehaven’s 2015 Baby Bottle Boomerang! Your congregation has joined over 40 churches, businesses, and youth groups in praying for and supporting the ministry. Your generous donations of loose change, cash, and checks are so appreciated. So far, you have returned 73 bottles. You are making an eternal impact by supporting our work of empowering choices for life, and we wanted to share some exciting news with you. Donations given by Calvary Baptist totaled $1,281.98. Total donations received from all organizations was $55,100.93. Thank you for being a part of the amazing work God is doing through this simple effort! More than sending out baby bottles and receiving back essential funds for the ministry, Baby Bottle Boomerang is a way to share the life-affirming message found in God’s Word, and the love and grace that Christ demonstrated while on earth. Your support is vital to this ministry and your partnership is cherished. Together, we are empowering choices for life through Christ-centered education and support. As we provide a safe place for women and men facing unplanned pregnancies, they are able to experience God’s love and receive hope. Thank you for helping share this hope and investing in life! Jessica Bass, Development Director Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center Upcoming Activities POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS Positive Impressions is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 10:00am–3:00pm in Room #23/24. Invite your friends to join you in creating with rubber stamps or working on some other favorite craft project. This is an enjoyable and non-threatening way to spend time developing relationships and building bridges in order to make a positive impression for Christ on your unsaved friends and family members. Even the greeting cards or other crafts that you create for other people can be beneficial in making a positive impression on their lives. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Kim Nelson (364-6647) and bring a snack or drink to share with the group. SALT & PEPPER CLUB The Salt & Pepper Club (retirees) will meet Tuesday, May 26, 11:30am at Ryan’s. The church bus will leave from the church parking lot at 11:00am. The buffet cost is $6.99 (plus $2.29 for a drink, if desired) plus tax. The suggested 15% gratuity may be left on the table. For more information, please contact Nadene Roberts or Marilyn Seamans. We will benefit from the following presentation shortly after noon. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OPEN HOUSES Jason Chung – Monday, May 25 from 1:00am-4:00pm in Church Fellowship Hall (gym) Reuben French – Sunday, May 24 from 2:00pm-4:00pm in Youth Building Sarah Frey – Saturday, May 30 from 1:00pm-3:00pm at Jerry & Cindy Frey’s home, 61 E. Cemetery Road, Fairfax Taylor Slippy – Sunday, May 17 from 2:00pm-4:00pm in Youth Building Most believers lose sight of this story after the New Testament account. Their knowledge and appreciation of the subject ends with John and Revelation. But, for us to go beyond this point in history is beneficial both from the standpoint of sheer interest and also for the bolstering of faith it affords. Hence, this brief account of a vast topic—some roughly 1600 years of church history. Our Outline Beyond the New Testament Account—How It All Begins for Christianity and the Church Constantine and the 300’s—Christianity Takes Over and Merges mostly into Catholicism Major World Events Have Impact Doctrinal Errors Creep in—and, “Salvation”? The Protestant Reformation A Counter-Catholic Reformation and Reaction England Breaks Away—The Church of England Christianity and Its Reformation Come to America And, All Along—The Baptists Some Final Reflections COLLEGE GRADUATION Congratulations to Ty Slippy on receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems & Bible from Grace College. Graduation ceremony will be held on May 9. GRADUATION Congratulations to Sharon (Potter) Mitchler on receiving her Doctorate of Philosophy in English from University of Washington in March 2015. Graduation ceremony will be held on June 4. VOICES OF HOPE COMMUNITY CHOIR Would you like the opportunity to sing in a choir but can’t make a long-term commitment? Can you do about 5 weeks? Voices of Hope, a community choir sponsored by Serve the City, will present the patriotic musical “One Nation Under God” Tuesday through Thursday, June 30–July 2, at 7:00pm each evening, at New Covenant Bible Church. Rehearsals also will be at New Covenant on Wednesday evenings (8:00–9:30) from May 27 through June 24; Saturday, June 13, 8:00am–11:45am; and Monday, June 29, at 7:00pm. There are usually about a dozen singers from Calvary in a choir of about 100 singers from churches throughout our metropolitan area. If you would like to sing in Voices of Hope or would like more information, please contact Pastor Mike. VBS: CAMP KILIMANJARO June 15–19, 9:00am–11:30am For children Alternative Kindergarten (AK) through 6th grade. We need lots of volunteers! Call Donna Jentink at 390-2516 or email CBCPJ@aol.com, if you're willing to help even for just one day. A survey study… Christianity and the Church After the first century through the Reformation by Bob Ask YOUTH ACTIVITIES May 1-2 Youth Guys Overnighter 7:00pm-9:00am May 20 INREACH – Sr High May 20 New 7th Graders night with Jr High May 24 Senior Recognition June 12 Adventureland Trip June 15-19 VBS June 22-27 SEMP July 1 Voices of Hope Concert July 12 Summer Sizzler July 12-17 Jr High Camp July 19-24 Sr High Camp July 24-31 Spanish Ministry w/friends from Tecate ATTENTION: 6th GRADERS WELCOME PARTY Starting Wednesday, May 20, the youth who are completing 6th grade are invited to come on Wednesday evenings to the Junior High youth group, which meets in the youth building from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. ADVENTURELAND TRIP A junior high and senior high trip to Adventureland is planned for Friday, June 12, from 8:00am to 9:00pm. Cost is $30 plus money for two meals. Permission slip and $30 are due Sunday, May 31. SPRING VALLEY BIBLE CAMP DATES July 5–10 Intermediate Camp (grades 5 & 6) July 12–17 Junior High Camp (grades 7 & 8) July 19–24 Senior High Camp (grades 9–12) July 26–31 Junior Camp (grades 3 & 4) Cost is $225. Early registration will save you some money! If registered by May 24 with full payment, cost is $200. Spring Valley Bible Camps $25 discount only applies to early registrations. To meet the camp’s early registration deadline, you will need to have your registration form and $160 to the church office by Sunday, May 24. If you register through the church office, Calvary will provide a $40 subsidy for each child entering grades 3– 12 (or just graduating from grade 12) who is a regular participant in our church programs. If financial assistance is needed please notify church office. Brochures with registration forms are available in the church foyer. Please make checks payable to Calvary Baptist Church. Call the church office (396-3233) for additional information. Option 1: Register through church office by May 24. $200 Amount due to Spring Valley Bible Camp by registering by May 24 -$40 Calvary Baptist Church Subsidy $160 Registration Form along with total payment Option 2: Register through church office after May 24. $225 Amount due to Spring Valley Bible Camp if you do not register early with total payment -$40 Calvary Baptist Church Subsidy $185 Total payment if you register after May 24 Multi-camper family discount! For those families who have multiple children coming to Spring Valley we would like to offer a discount. If you register two campers at the cost of full registration, the third and each additional child will cost $125. VERB226 FAMILY CAMP (Spring Valley Bible Camp in Muscatine, IA) July 31-August 2 When your kids come home from camp, do you ever find yourself wishing you could have come to camp with them? Are you looking for something fun to do with your family? This is your chance! We are excited to invite you to our first VERB226 Family Camp. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” We want to provide an opportunity for families to experience camp together, worshipping and learning about God together and being in fellowship with other Christian families. Families will be challenged to “DO SOMETHING” with their faith, following the theme for the youth summer camps found in James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Information and registration forms for Spring Valley Bible Camp’s VERB226 Family Camp are available at the Welcome Center. LADIES CAMP AT SPRING VALLEY June 5-7, 2015 The women of Grace Baptist Church in Des Moines are excited to be hosting Spring Valley Women’s Bible Camp 2015. We are looking forward to the opportunity to get to know and share with women from other churches. Those of you who have attended Ladies Camp in the past know it is a weekend of FUN, FOOD, and FELLOWSHIP. Come join us this year for “LET IT GO!” We will consider what we may need to surrender or accept in order to experience the abundant life God has for us. Our special speaker is Sarah Stevenson. Sarah lives in Ames and serves a Women’s Ministry Care and Counselor at Cornerstone Church in Ames. She has been married to her husband, Greg, for 33 years. They have three adult children, their spouses and six plus grandchildren. Sarah is passionate about encouraging women in their walk with Jesus Christ. She cherishes time with her family and friends and enjoys the beauty of God’s creation, the arts, swimming and bicycling. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center. Registration deadline is May 25. May Birthdays 1 Mike Hauptly Allison Jensen Aliyah Walker 3 Taylor Bredenberg Jenni Chung 6 Neal Armstrong 7 Jerry Frey 8 Gary Hensch 9 Lori Abben Goodwin Simeon Johnson 10 Heidi Hauptly 11 Donald Winchester III Joey Goodwin 13 Phyllis Linkenback 14 Chris Jones 16 Janice Tomash Verne Johnson Troy Patton Cindy Parks 17 Ashlynn Heskje 18 Bob Ask 19 Abigail Hauptly 20 Carl Fields Sue Graham 21 Steve Howard 23 Joe Napier 24 Val Vogeler Caden Jacobs Jackson Goodwin Jason Goodwin 25 Neil Bredenberg Brianna Taylor 26 Sadie Hanna 28 Ron Ehrle 30 Linda Pearson Jenn Pearson Anton Sandersfeld 31 Cheryl Van Zile Brittany Ryon Connections (USPS 086-000) Periodicals Postage Paid at Cedar Rapids, IA Published monthly by CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 5338 Johnson Avenue SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 396-3233 (Periodicals Postage Paid at Cedar Rapids, IA) POSTMASTER: send address changes to Connections, 5338 Johnson Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404. Library News WHO ARE THE SPECIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE? God blesses our lives with some people who truly are special. Although we may tend to focus on the limitations of people with “special needs,” they are precious to God, and He can work through them to produce exceptional results in the lives of family members and others who are privileged to have a relationship with them. Two new books in our church library give testimony to this reality. In “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love,” Scott LeRette tells the story of his son, Austin, an eighteen-year-old who has a rare brittle-bone disease, was locked in a mental ward as a child, and is autistic. It weaves a beautiful and often humorous tale of Austin’s joyful embrace of life’s tragedies and triumphs and how he teaches his father—and others—to have faith in God and trust that one day life’s messes will all make sense. “Dancing with Max: A Mother and Son Who Broke Free” is the true story of Emily Colson, a single mother who has faced life’s toughest obstacles. This is also the story of her nineteen-year-old autistic son, Max, a young man who struggles to speak, who some professionals deemed a waste of time, but a young man with a gift. Emily shows how Max unraveled the thinking of those who tried to teach him and help him, demonstrating that seemingly weak people can be more powerful than the strong. This is a real life story of grace and second chances and fresh starts in spite of life’s hardest problems. It will inspire you to “get up and live,” to break free of the barriers that threaten to constrict your life. Do you have an inquisitive child whose incessant questions sometimes leave you stumped? Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge, of Answers in Genesis, offer help for you with their 6-volume set of the “Answers Book for Kids,” which we have just added to the children’s section of our library. 22 Questions from Kids on Creation and the Fall 22 Questions from Kids on Dinosaurs and the Flood of Noah 22 Questions from Kids on God and the Bible 22 Questions from Kids on Sin, Salvation, and the Christian Life 22 Questions from Kids on Space and Astronomy 22 Questions from Kids on Babel and the Ice Age