August-September 2010

There is still more summer to enjoy but this is not too early to get you all thinking about what the autumn season will bring to Calvary. We say goodbye to the MacDougalls and hello to Jay and Michelle Scharfenberg. We say goodbye to Kathy Bender, and say hello to our new Office Administrator, Jessica Hong. And we welcome Jon Bonomo on the staff as an Intern. I have sensed a mood of change and expectancy in the air.

Here are some things for you to consider as we begin the church year in September:

• A sermon series will begin in September from the book of Acts.
• A revamped Adult Sunday School elective program is being put together by our intern, Jon Bonomo, to be approved by the Christian Education committee and the Session. Stay tuned for further information.
• Elder Jeremy Westhuis is putting together a program for our Adult weekly Small Groups. At least one of these groups will study Acts concurrently with the sermon series.
• On Wednesday, August 18, we will have a pot-luck supper at the church for some end of the summer fellowship. We want to take the opportunity to welcome Jay and Michelle and get acquainted with them
• Grief Share, a ministry to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, will begin in October. A steering committee is being put in place to plan this program for members of the church and community. Don Wallace is heading up this ministry. If you or anyone you know could benefit from this, please contact Don
• The Hospitality and Fellowship committee is being retooled under the leadership of Betty Hasiuk. Our September 5 (Labor Day) Fellowship Meal after the morning service will welcome new Westminster Seminary students into the area.
• Jay Scharfenberg will begin his duties on August 8. His first priority will be to retool the evangelism committee and work on outreach to our community. One of the great resources the Lord has given us is a wonderful church site that is used by our community. Jay wants to incorporate our evangelistic efforts with the use of our buildings.
• In October the annual Women in the Word conference will be held on October 1 and 2 (Sue Logan). The Men’s retreat is scheduled for October 16-18, and the “Equip for Ministry” Conference, sponsored by the P.C.A.’s Christian Education Department is on October 23 for teachers, leaders and youth workers of our presbytery.

Please pray for the year ahead. Ask God to bring spiritual growth and numerical growth to Calvary. Ask God to give us generous hearts to serve and to give to meet the challenges we face as a congregation.