In the aftermath of our annual conference there were several celebrations that we should note:
* This first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) saw nearly 300 people in attendance, mostly children, who have come to learn about putting on the full armor of God. Our Calvary building is decorated like a Medieval castle, complete with drawbridge, barred windows, thrones, family crests, and wall tapestries. If you want to see Calvary's creativity in full-bloom, make sure you drop by before Friday afternoon. And don't forget that there is a great deal of learning going on.
* Calvary continues to receive the incredible gifts of our young people. Adam Hammerle played Bach on the organ this past Sunday, and Malachi Henry sang "Ride On, King Jesus" (a song in which he recently won a state-wide vocal competition for high school students).
* And how's this? I noted that Calvary paid 15% to the conference and district in 2012--one of the highest percentages among all congregations in the annual conference--a tithe and a half!!!! We did get behind in our conference tithe in 2011, so this percentage reflects our "catch up" . . . but nevertheless, we did go the second mile. And better yet, our giving to missions over-and-above these gifts meant that nearly 25% of Calvary's total revenue went to meet needs outside of our own congregation and community. And we won't even note the number of people who participated directly in these missions with their hands, time, or individual gifts!
* Finally I want to say a big THANK YOU to the congregation for your generosity in giving to all of these needs, and more. While we have dipped behind in our mortgage payments for several months now, we are finding that God is able to supply every need, and I am confident we will see our mortgage funds grow from our own frugal prunings. So, again . . . thanks for your generosity to God's work.
And remember . . . we are praying and working that the kingdom of God may come on earth as it is in heaven. YOU are integral to this work, vital to its success, and all of your time, talent and treasure does make a difference!
~Pastor Todd
*
* This first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) saw nearly 300 people in attendance, mostly children, who have come to learn about putting on the full armor of God. Our Calvary building is decorated like a Medieval castle, complete with drawbridge, barred windows, thrones, family crests, and wall tapestries. If you want to see Calvary's creativity in full-bloom, make sure you drop by before Friday afternoon. And don't forget that there is a great deal of learning going on.
* Calvary continues to receive the incredible gifts of our young people. Adam Hammerle played Bach on the organ this past Sunday, and Malachi Henry sang "Ride On, King Jesus" (a song in which he recently won a state-wide vocal competition for high school students).
* And how's this? I noted that Calvary paid 15% to the conference and district in 2012--one of the highest percentages among all congregations in the annual conference--a tithe and a half!!!! We did get behind in our conference tithe in 2011, so this percentage reflects our "catch up" . . . but nevertheless, we did go the second mile. And better yet, our giving to missions over-and-above these gifts meant that nearly 25% of Calvary's total revenue went to meet needs outside of our own congregation and community. And we won't even note the number of people who participated directly in these missions with their hands, time, or individual gifts!
* Finally I want to say a big THANK YOU to the congregation for your generosity in giving to all of these needs, and more. While we have dipped behind in our mortgage payments for several months now, we are finding that God is able to supply every need, and I am confident we will see our mortgage funds grow from our own frugal prunings. So, again . . . thanks for your generosity to God's work.
And remember . . . we are praying and working that the kingdom of God may come on earth as it is in heaven. YOU are integral to this work, vital to its success, and all of your time, talent and treasure does make a difference!
~Pastor Todd
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