Informational Meeting

Informational meeting - Elder Announcement

On Sunday, September 25 during the evening service there is an informational meeting regarding the proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws of Calvary Bible Church. The amendment has been recommended by the Elders so that our baptism requirements for Membership are consistent with our Statement of Faith.  The proposed changes will be presented in writing and be fully explained; there will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Although everyone is invited, we are especially encouraging all Members to attend. A quorum of the church Membership will be required on October 23 when we vote on the proposed amendment in the evening service, and it will be important for everyone to be fully informed of the changes and the reasons for them before they vote.  All Members, please plan to attend tonight and again on October 23. 

Sabbatical Announcement

Sabbatical Announcement - Note from the Elders

Pastor Jeremy has faithfully served our congregation for the past 15 years in several roles, but most dear to his heart is the family ministry. The Lord has been working through him to bless, encourage, and equip each of us in this ministry focus. We are now offering him a 3-month sabbatical through June, July, and August in accordance with the sabbatical policy for Pastors recently approved by the Elders. Jeremy will use this time to refresh and spend time with his family, research other family ministry programs, and attend a family ministry conference. He will also continue to refine the program he has initiated here at Calvary and develop ministry specific training. During this time, please keep Jeremy and his family in your prayers, asking the Lord to continue to work in and through him. We firmly believe this will be for the benefit and growth of Calvary Bible Church.

To the Congregation

Ukraine Crisis Response

Summary:

The Elders established a special project to create a three way partnership between local churches in Ukraine, Romania, and the USA whose goal is to meet the spiritual and physical needs of refugees and civilians who are suffering as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Guiding Principles:

  • We will share the gospel (Mark 8:36): If we provide each suffering person with every provision in the world, but neglect their eternal soul, we will fail to love them as Christ commanded.

  • We will prioritize the needs of believers (Gal. 6:10): While we are called to “do good to all,” our first responsibility is to meet the needs of fellow believers. Doing good “especially to those of the household of faith” strengthens our gospel witness, since the world will know us by our love for one another.

  • We will follow Biblical standards of financial accountability (2 Cor. 8:20-21): While wartime circumstances often require creative methods, principles of wise stewardship and accountability must still be practiced.

  • We will partner with local churches (Mat. 16:18): While we will gratefully utilize the vital assistance provided by parachurch missions, we will strive to work as closely and directly as possible with local churches on the ground who know specific needs and have a long-term presence in their community. 

Ministry Goals:

  1. Share the gospel, and meet both the spiritual and physical needs of suffering civilians in the Odessa region. All Nations Bible Church is preparing a bomb shelter in the basement of the building they are renting. Since grocery-store infrastructure is breaking down, they will likely serve meals and become a distribution center for basic necessities. Most importantly they will share the gospel and minister to the spiritual needs of the local population. This strategy may also be expanded to other churches in the area. 

  2. Share the gospel and assist refugees fleeing the violence into Romania. Ukrainian churches will connect refugees with the hospitality of local churches and believers in Romania who are willing to open their homes and facilities. Ukrainian believers will minister and assist refugees on their journey to the border. Romanian believers will meet them at the border and get them settled.

  3. Encourage and equip believing refugees to implement an Acts 8:4 missionary strategy. Because of the persecution of Saul, “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” Our goal is to encourage believers who have been displaced by the violence to follow their example. We believe the refugee crisis will become a missions movement. What man intends for evil, God will use for good. 

 How To Participate

  1. Sign up for prayer and financial need updates by emailing us at: ukraine@calvarybible.org

  2. To donate to this special fund simply designate on your envelope or electronic gift “Ukraine Project Fund.”

 

 

To the Congregation

Elder’s Update

The Elders held an all-day retreat on Saturday, February 12, 2022, here at Calvary.  The primary focus for the day was prayer for the Body at Calvary. The agenda included:

  • A challenge from Pastor Jeff to the Elders regarding their responsibility to disciple others, using Barnabas as an example of one who used his spiritual gifts to disciple Paul and then John Mark.

  • A discussion to reach out to those who have not yet returned to church for various reasons, recognizing there has been a limited response to “Church on the Porch”. This was followed by a lengthy time of prayer by each Elder. 

  • A debrief of the first several weeks of “Go Groups”. More than 100 people are currently in groups and the initial reactions have been extremely encouraging, with many intentionally initiating conversations with neighbors and others they meet. A goal will be to provide an opportunity for those with small children to be included. This again was followed by a lengthy time of prayer by each Elder.

  • A process to effectively care for the needs of the congregation at Calvary was discussed.

  • A committee was established to study the biblical basis for membership and its application at Calvary.

The meeting was closed in prayer.

 

To the Congregation

Service Time Change

Effective January 2, the start time for the second service will return to 10:30 a.m. When the pandemic started, the second service start time was delayed to ensure that there was adequate time to complete any additional procedures necessary. At the request of the Deacons, those serving in the Next Generation Ministries, and others, the Elders decided to return to our historical service times. 

To the Congregation

New Opportunities for Fellowship!

If you are post-college through age 35 you are cordially invited to join us for NextSteps, meeting at 9:00 a.m. in Room 300! Together we will enjoy community, growth, service, outreach, worship, and prayer in a focused, yet relaxed, interactive and engaging environment. In order to encourage us in our quest for growth in grace and truth, multiple formats will be utilized to address a broad array of topical and biblical studies, issues of shared life experience, and current challenges in our post-Christian culture. Come join us!

Women's Thursday Morning Bible Study will begin January 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Center and will run through April 1. We will be going through the book "Choosing Forgiveness," by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. There are no secret formulas for forgiveness, but there are biblical principles that will help us break free from bitterness and pain. Discover specific strategies for putting God's grace and mercy into practice as we study God's Word, pray for one another, and grow in obedience and love. Click here to sign up or call the church office. Today is the last day to register!

To the Congregation

Date Change for Global Impact Weekend

Due to an unexpected demand on the Ripkin’s schedule the Global Impact Weekend Dates have changed to this weekend.

Global Impact Weekend, October 17 & 18.

  • Saturday, October 17: All Day Conferenece from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    • Speaker Nik Ripkin whose life story is captured in the movie “The Insanity of God” will present a 5 session conference on Saturday. Lunch is included for the first 200 individuals. Registration is required by Thursday, October 15 at noon.

  • Sunday, October 18: Women’s Event - Reflections with Ruth Ripkin

    • Ladies are invited at 4:00 for a time of worship, fellowship as Ruth Ripkin shares her part of the Ripkin story of walking by faith. Registration is required by Thursday, October 15 at noon.

To the Congregation

Here’s What’s New

Bread of Life Ministry
The Elders have established a partnership with the South Michigan Food Bank to provide food boxes to families and individuals who have been negatively affected by the economic shutdown associated with Covid-19. On Thursday, April 30, between 2-4 p.m., people can drive up to the south entrance of the church and both a food box and an evangelistic letter from Calvary will be placed in their trunk. For those without a vehicle, walk-up pickup will also be available. Volunteers can also deliver a limited number of boxes directly to people’s porches, but this must be arranged in advance by completing the online form. This ministry is for anyone, either in the church or in our community, who could benefit from supplemental grocery assistance. For example, South Michigan Food Bank’s guidelines list an income of $70,320 or less for a family of 6 or $25,520 for an individual, as meeting the standards for the USDA and donated grocery-store food they are providing. This means many students, individuals, and families in our own congregation qualify. We will have 275 boxes available, so please take advantage of this ministry, and also help us get the word out!