Calvary Connection April 2022

​Calvary Connection
 
                Spring is upon us, and it looks like congress has pass a bill to permanently keep the clocks as they are; no more changing the time. I think we can all say, Praise the Lord for that no matter what side of the aisle you might be on. But hey, this newsletter really is not for political things, so let me tell you what God has been up to at Calvary in the Youth, AWANA, Sunday School, and Family Ministry areas. 
                God is still at work within the youth group despite our feeble efforts. He is using the youth to bring in more youth each week; and praise the Lord of Heaven, we have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. We have finished our study of “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman. We spent time watching an intense video and breaking up into small groups, working through some questions and sharing life together. I believe God has used and will continue to use this study to change the young peoples live in the days ahead.
                It is always hard to decide how one will live their life for Christ. In the beginning most all say they want to give all, but at some point, that changes. Compromises happen and the next thing one knows is they are really only siting on the outside looking in; they have become a FAN of Jesus Christ. However, Christ has called His disciples to be FOLLOWERS asking them to, “come after Him, denying themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him” (Matthew 16:24, emphasis added).  
                To be a Follower of Christ requires one to give-up, sacrifice, or deny one’s self things, for the sake of Christ; intern doing whatever God has called them to with all their heart and soul, out of love and devotion to their Lord and Savior. This is what Paul was trying to illustrate when he said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, ESV). My question to you is are you a Fan or a Follower?
                AWANA has been doing well, they have had a stead number of children and workers. We would ask for your continued prayers for this program as the pandemic has affected it probably more than the youth. Ask God to show us how we can reach other young families with the gospel, to be an encouragement to them and show them the love of God. We would also like some ideals about how to improve the children’s department, to make it more appealing for them by bringing that area alive with color, murals, lights, furniture, etc.. Your thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.
                We are always looking to improve our Sunday School, grow our Sunday School classes and even see new ones get started. For this to happen we need to see an increase in attendance which can only happen by you inviting people to come. Here is the question you have to ask, “Is Sunday School Important to You?” If the answer is. “Yes” then you ask. “What is important about Sunday School?” and that is what you use to invite someone to come. Tell them you will pick them up. Be intentional, call them Saturday Night to remind them; maybe say, “We can go to lunch after church.” Or something like that.
                It all must start some place. When I was interviewed for the Associate Pastor of Youth/Family Ministry position I was asked, “How are you going to get more youth to come?” a good question, and my answer was, “I won’t.” Which shocked most of the council member, but then I said, “the youth will see what we are doing and invite their friends and so on.” It has taken time, but that is what has happened. If it is important to us, exciting to us, something we enjoy and desire, then we will invite others to be part of it, otherwise, we will not.
                As for the Family Ministry, we are still trying to get the under ‘50s to gather together. I need a couple of couples to be the leaders for the “Next Generations” planning a monthly gathering of food and fun. When the church family is meeting and fellowshipping together it is growing together. The men are still meeting for their Monday Night Bible Study, “No More Excuses.”
                We have three mission trips planned for this summer along with VBS (June 6-10), and Summer Camp at Camp Inlow (July 25-29). There are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board for most of these things. I want to encourage you to be involved in something here at Calvary. Pray about it, see what God is Calling you too, and jump in with both feet and see what blessings God will pour out upon you.
 
Serving King Jesus with you, your humble servant,
Associate Pastor Jonathan Wallenbeck