In the middle of preaching last Sunday morning, the wonder of preaching the Word of God to people who are physically present in the Calvary Sanctuary gripped my soul. For several months, I preached to an empty Sanctuary. While I am so thankful for the technology of livestream, radio, social media, and online sermons — preaching to people in the Sanctuary is different. Why has the worship experience been so different since we began to regather?
The Holy Spirit was impressing on my heart that with the church regathering, we are indeed “in God’s temple” and “God’s Spirit was dwelling in us” (1 Corinthians 3:16). It is true that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but it is also true that when we gather as the Body of Christ we are the temple of God! God has given us a beautiful Sanctuary to meet in, but we know that the Sanctuary itself is not God’s temple. However, when we meet there as the Body of Christ we
are God’s temple and the Spirit of God dwells in us! Therefore, as we praise God together and as I open the Word of God with you, we realize that this is different from watching a service online! In the book of Acts, those saved were “added” to the church (Acts 2:41, 47). We are also instructed not to neglect meeting together, “as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).
I realize that because of age, medical conditions, and other good reasons, some are staying at home and watching on livestream. But others may be staying at home just because it is convenient and may be developing lazy habits on the Lord’s Day. Watching the service on livestream is a very different experience from physically meeting with your brothers and sisters in the temple of God where God’s Spirit dwells.
We are also instructed when we “come together” to celebrate the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17–34). This is sometimes called “Communion” as we share in the breaking of the bread (1 Corinthians 10:16–17). The Greek word translated “participation” conveys the basic idea of having something in common. That is, in the Lord’s Supper we share or have in common the same bread and the same wine which is demonstrating that we are one Body.
Since COVID-19 we have not been able to have Communion at Calvary, but I am glad to say that
this Sunday we will be celebrating Communion at both of the morning services. It will be a bit different from our usual practice, but I trust it will be meaningful and glorifying to our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
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Financial Information Meetings on August 9
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Our custom at Calvary has been to hold a Congregational Meeting at the beginning of August to report on the ministry of the preceding year and to look forward to plans for the next 12 months. (Calvary’s financial year is July 1 to June 30.) The elders previously called for a Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, August 9. However,
that call has now been rescinded having regard to the impact of COVID–19 on our Sunday morning services and attendance.
Although there will not be a formal Congregational Meeting on August 9,
there will be a short financial update immediately after the 8:30 and 11:00 AM services. Our members are encouraged to stay for this important report. It will not be livestreamed. We will use a variety of media to report on the other matters of congregational interest.
— JHM
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Sunday Morning, July 26
Calvary Connect at
8:25 & 10:55 AM
Worship begins at
8:30 & 11:00 AM
On-campus & Livestream
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"The Power of Touch and Word"
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August 2, 8:30 & 11:00 AM
Pastor Jim Cashwell
No Evening Service
August 9, 8:30 & 11:00 AM
Dr. Timothy Brown
No Evening Service
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August 16, 8:30 & 11:00 AM
"Follow Me"
No Evening Service
August 23, 8:30 & 11:00 AM
"Demons and Disease"
No Evening Service
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Thank you for continuing to give generously!
Please give your tithes and offerings via the link below or by mail. Our God is faithful!
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Calvary pastors and leaders are here for you.
If you have a need or want to talk to somebody or pray with someone, please reach out!
- Missionaries of the Week: Joel & Luda Graham serving in Russia
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Ministry Updates & Highlights
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Our service times are 8:30 & 11:00 AM.
NEW at 11:00 AM — we have a "Family Section" in the first balcony! Thank you for reviewing this checklist
so that you're prepared for worship this Sunday.
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Beginning July 27, the Calvary Bible Reading Plan will take us
through the New Testament, 2–3 chapters per day, over the next five months. We'd love to have you read with us!
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Thinking about getting married?
Engaged? Newlywed? Join us on six Tuesday evenings
beginning August 18 via Zoom to discover foundational biblical principles for a healthy marriage!
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Calvary ministries are reaching out in so many ways every week. Please join us!
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Blood Drive at Calvary
Friday, August 7 at 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Our community continues to experience a
critical blood shortage. If you are healthy and able to donate safely, please do so!
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Calvary supports
over 150 families in local elementary schools where we host Good News Bible Clubs during the school year. Thank you for your generous food donations
throughout the summer!
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- General Fund offering week of 7/19: $156,766
- General Fund weekly goal: $165,000
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Jennifer Bailey
Diane Cajal
Kathy Fulton
Timothy Fulton
Alex George
Dolly George
Daniela Ostas
Renata Ostas
Serghei Ostas
Tatiana Ostas
Frank Page
LuAnn Page
Iulia Sevcenco
David Slayton
Jennifer Slayton
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- Brent & Susan Cail and family in the loss of their 12-year-old son, Samuel James Cail, on July 24
- Brenda Aldridge and family in the loss of her husband, Mr. Doug Aldridge, on July 23
- Nereah Mattah and family in the loss of her husband, Mr. Naphtaly Mattah, Executive Director of Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre, on July 21
- The Strait family in the passing of Ms. Elsie Strait on July 17
- Darrell & Odette Smith and family in the loss of Darrell’s father, Mr. Fred Smith, on July 17
- Craig & Gail Dougherty and family in the loss of Gail’s mother, Mrs. Shirley Green, on July 16
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We have more videos and ministry content than ever on our social media channels — so join us and share with others. Stay connected at Calvary!
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"
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
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— 1 John 1:7
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