Church guide

It's easy to snooze through life, stuck on autopilot, making little progress in the things that actually matter. This Sunday's worship service is an opportunity to awaken to the Lord - to join him in His work in our midst and remember what matters for eternity. You're invited to wake up and worship at Calvary this week, 9:00 & 10:45am. The time is now.

This Sunday is Pentecost, a day where we get to celebrate the birth of the church. As we do so, we praise God for the way He is building His kingdom in and through the body of believers. Prepare your heart for this Sunday's time of worship by enjoying this song from Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbdJXKqVgtg.

This week we're focusing on Calvary's Refugee Ministry. The Refugee Ministry comes alongside, befriends, and welcomes those who come into the United States as refugees. Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their country because of persecution, war or violence. We respond to their needs, help restore them to functional living, and pray for the redemption that can only be done by the Holy Spirit. But, it does not stop there. We learn and take in the goodness they share with us. From our new friends we learn how to become more hospitable to others. We need them to come and help us be the Church that God is making us into. We need their help, just as they need ours. Today, we're sharing this song as a call to prayer. Join us in praying for refugees settled here locally and living around the world. Pray that God will give us hearts to respond in love and generosity, representing the overwhelming love of Christ.

As you reflect on the message from Isaiah 50 this past Sunday, what does it look like for you to walk in the dark instead of lighting a torch and making your own path out? How are you trusting the Lord today? Missed Sunday's service - catch up on the sermon at http://calvarygr.org/sermon/the-ideal-servant/.

This Sunday morning we continue our series in Isaiah by looking at chapter 50 together. Join us as we come before the Lord together and explore His model for the ideal servant. No matter what this week has brought your way, we hope you'll make space for worship this Sunday.

Waiting is an inevitable part of life. What do we do in that space? How do we wait on God and not turn to our own devices to make things happen in our timeframe? One answer - worship. As we prepare to gather as followers of Jesus this Sunday, let's prepare our hearts by pausing and enjoying this song from Lincoln Brewster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NswPPVgMaPE

This past Sunday we opened up Isaiah 48 together. In this passage we see how often humans are stubborn and rebellious toward the Lord. We think we know best, yet time and again God mercifully reminds us HE knows best. Today, is there a situation where you're clinging to your own way? What would it look like for you to confess your rebellion and turn to the Lord? Wouldn't you like to experience his peace today? Catch up online: http://calvarygr.org/sermon/father-knows-best/

The Summer Calvary Life is now available. Pick up a print copy this Sunday as you come into the Sanctuary. Or view it online now -http://calvarygr.org/news-events/calvary-life-magazine/. This issue is filled with ways that you can connect to God and to one another this summer.

Whether you come together this Sunday to declare that Jesus is Lord of your life or to declare that you're willing to explore if Jesus is who He says He is... you are welcome here. Join us this week as we open the book of Isaiah and hear how our Father knows best. This week is a family service (9:00 & 10:45am), nursery is provided. Kids preschool and older are encouraged to attend the service with their family.

The gods of this world weigh us down. They promise happiness but instead of relieving our burdens, they just add to our trouble. In contrast though, the One True God is all powerful and faithful to care for His people from the time they are born until the time their hair is gray with age. If you missed Sunday's message, catch up online: http://calvarygr.org/sermon/the-god-who-carries-you. Be encouraged that God is carrying you and your burdens today.

Have you noticed it makes a difference when you take an intentional step to prepare yourself for worship each Sunday? The Sunday morning service follows a different rhythm than many of us walk in each weekday. One way you can pause and set your heart for this particular beat is to sit and listen to a song of praise. This week we're suggesting Great is Thy Faithfulness (Beginning to End). Listen & reflect: https://youtu.be/rZ3_12XgVa0.

You are invited, you are welcome, you are wanted. No matter what your week has looked like, no matter your age, no matter where your faith stands - will you join us this week? We have two Sunday morning worship services at 9:00 & 10:45am. Let's gather together and hear from the God who carries and sustains us in all things.

No matter what we are going through, God promises to have compassion on us and will comfort us in our affliction. Our response to this promise may vary, but no matter what, God will never forsake or forget us. How can you thank God for His unending love for you today?

We gather on Sundays to declare the truth of who God is - that He is as great as His Word says! Join us this week as we worship the God who is compassionate, caring, protective and forgiving. As we do, may we be encouraged together to love like He loves.

Looking ahead to Sunday, we encourage you to take a moment to set your heart for worship. Enjoy the song, Build My Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYMjO9mL0Tw), and ask God to lead you with His love. As you look to Him, may the recognition that there is no one like Him bring you joy and a renewed sense of purpose.

Stop looking around. Start looking up. There is no other God who will save you, who will provide for you, who will give your life meaning. There is only the One True God, the Lord Almighty. What does it look like for you to live this truth today? Missed Sunday's message? Catch up online at http://calvarygr.org/sermon/how-big-is-your-god/.

Do you have a testimony of how you have experienced God’s love through a mother figure in your life? In this Sunday's service, we’d like to feature stories of people who have witnessed God’s love through an aunt, a mom, a small group leader, a grandma... any woman in your life who has made God’s love real to you! Email your story to Kristen ([email protected]) by Tuesday at midnight.

Join us on Sunday morning (9:00 & 10:45) as we gather together to learn from God's Word found in Isaiah 44 & 45. Our hope is that this service will expand your understanding of God's greatness and leave you in awe of His majesty. Come and worship.

We have extended our survey deadline to today. If you have yet to respond, please do so right now (surveymonkey.com/r/calvaryfamilies)! Thank you for your time. As a reminder, the staff of Calvary Kids & Students is conducting a short, 5-minute survey in an effort to better serve you.

On Sunday mornings we gather together to declare our love for the One True God. As you prepare your heart for dwelling in presence of His Spirit with other believers, may this song be an encouragement to you. https://youtu.be/GfVd5x9W1Xc

At our end of the year celebration in 7th/8th grade, we wrote down things we wanted to praise & thank God for that happened this year in Middle School Ministry. Afterwards, we gathered together in the gym, prayed and threw confetti to celebrate! Below you will find the list, and our hope is that it will encourage you and that you will join us in praising God for the many, many ways he has shown us his love. THANK YOU GOD FOR: - Showing me how to love others and for helping me to start believing in myself. - Friends - The chance to be a part of something - Helping me transition - The opportunity to make the amazing new friends I have now! - Helping me get baptized - For showing me His love through the lessons and teachings 10 years later - Everybody getting together to learn about God - Teaching me more patience - Giving me courage - My small group - Comforting me - Taking away my heart condition - Confidence to make friends - My leaders & fellow students - Making new friends - Good discussions in our small group - My group, which has 2 new friends for me. :) - Giving me a small group the help me get to know Him better - Making me like you, Lord! - God's direction in my life! - Giving me amazing friends here - All the amazing people you have put in my life. - Being so crazy faithful - always! - Sara & Austin - Closer Relationships - Fun I had each week on Wednesday - Playing with and seeing my friends every week. Also for the teachings - Listening friends and leaders - Closer relationships - Dying on the cross for me - Fun! - An amazing youth group to talk to when I was going through a really hard time in my life <3 - Growing our group in love for Him and for one another - A new school with loads of good friends! - Fun this year! - Jackie's cookies - New doctor, summer off work, and a great small group - My friend Shawn - The girls in my small group GOD IS SO GOOD.

Calvary Church celebrated 90 years on March 10, 2019. This look back at the history of the church is an opportunity to praise the Lord for His abiding presence over this time.

The Jerusalem Project is tasked with helping Calvary Church be more intentional and systematic in planting new churches, strengthening existing churches, and training residents for ministry. In this video, we are highlighting the pastoral residency arm of this project. Our hope is that you would prayerfully consider how God might want you to be involved in giving to the Jerusalem Project as we continue to serve, equip and build his church in West Michigan and around the world. Give online at mycalvarygr.org, text your $ amount and “JER” to 616-294-0700. Thank you.

Sometimes in the midst of carrying out our daily work, we can feel unseen. Today, Kirstin Herbruck is sharing how an encouraging note refreshed her spirit to keep doing the work God has called her to here at Calvary. How can you encourage others to persevere today? Do people know how much you appreciate their efforts?

The Jerusalem Project is tasked with helping Calvary Church be more intentional and systematic in planting new churches, strengthening existing churches, and training residents for ministry. In this video, we are highlighting the church strengthening arm of this project. Our hope is that you would prayerfully consider how God might want you to be involved in giving to the Jerusalem Project as we continue to serve, equip and build his church in West Michigan and around the world. Give online at mycalvarygr.org, text your $ amount and “JER” to 616-294-0700, or use the giving envelope next to your seat. Thank you.

One of the things we love as a staff is hearing about how God is moving in each other's lives. Today we're sharing one of these stories with you! We hope it's an encouragement to bear witness to God's presence in your own life. If you have a story to share, send us a message - we'd love to hear from you.

As we celebrate the ways God has grown Calvary Church, we are excited to see the community He is developing in Calvary Students. If you’re not currently involved in Calvary’s student ministries, the summer is a great time to jump in! Get to know our team of pastors and facilitators through this fun video.

God is moving in West Michigan. As we prepare to join other churches across our region for CityFest this September, we’re excited for the entire Church to come together on March 1 for a special night of inspiration, prayer, worship, and unity. God willing, this campaign will shake this region with the Gospel of Jesus as we reach thousands who are in need of hope.

Over the past few years, God has been remaking Calvary Church. In 2018, we want to bear witness to the growth that He has created throughout our church. One of these areas of growth involves our staff structure, how we make decisions and the ways that we minister to the congregation. Enjoy this opportunity to get to know a little about Calvary's leadership team and celebrate with us how God is moving at Calvary Church.

This summer we've been sharing Stories of Redemption. On Sunday, we continued our study in the book of Ruth, looking at the redeeming power of hospitality as demonstrated by Boaz. One of our Calvary staff members shares how God used her team's work with refugees to restore her own heart to offer this same kindness to the foreigners in our community.