he June 2015 Calvary Baptist Church, Mount Airy, NC Vol. XXXI No. 6 Pastor Ponders: Summer Blessings? What are the summer blessings that you look forward to most? Although I won t pretend that summer months are free from challenges or that they magically release us from all of our standard routines and responsibilities I do think that summer often provides some unique pleasures that we look forward to all year. Maybe it s a vacation with family or relaxing by the pool. Perhaps it s a backyard barbecue with friends or working in the garden. Whatever the specifics might be for you, I wouldn t be surprised if summer is a time that brings you some much anticipated happiness. But could this summer open our eyes to an even deeper joy? It might be worth noting that when Jesus gave his most extensive reflection on the life that leads to happiness, he didn t talk a lot about the kind of things that we tend to focus on. He didn t highlight vacations and achievements. He didn t encourage us to pursue leisure or acquire possessions. Instead, he said that happiness is found in poverty of spirit and meekness. He taught that blessing comes in purity of heart and persecution. At the very least, Jesus take on what brings true happiness certainly strikes us as unexpected. That s why we ll be spending a good portion of our summer studying Jesus reflections on happiness in a series of messages that I m calling The Unexpected Kingdom. Beginning in mid-june and running through early August, we ll be taking an in-depth look at the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) to learn what they can teach us about the life that offers lasting blessing. I hope that you ll plan to participate in what I think will be a transformative worship journey; and I hope, too, that you ll invite others to worship with us. If you really want to get into the spirit of the effort, why not make it your goal to memorize the Beatitudes (it s only 12 verses, after all) before the summer is out? Remember, too, that I m still seeking your input for Jesus Rocks: Finding God in the Greatest Hits of Rock and Roll. This is the series of messages that I m planning for the end of the summer, and you can learn more about it (and submit your favorite songs) by visiting my blog: www.ruralrev.net. Blessed are those who get to pastor the church family at Calvary Baptist. Okay, Jesus didn t say that. But that s the way I feel. And I look forward to a summer in which we ll be blessed and be a blessing as we continue working together to expand the embrace of God s kingdom. I m here if you need me. Stop by and visit sometime! Yours in Christ, Pastor Alex
Special Note on 2014 Anniversary Offering In 2014, Calvary s anniversary offering was designated for the repair or replacement of the picnic shelter. Since then, the Buildings and Grounds Committee has determined that the shelter will need to be replaced, which is a project for some time in the future. Therefore, at the business meeting on May 17, the church voted to re-designate the 2014 anniversary offering to be used for the proposed Fellowship Hall renovation project. If you donated funds to the 2014 anniversary offering to be used for the picnic shelter and do not wish your contribution to be used for the Fellowship Hall renovation, you may request a refund of your contribution, or you can request that it be designated for another purpose. Please contact the church office before June 6 if you wish to change the designation of your contribution. The Story Behind The Words "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" Isaac Watts was a brash young man who often complained about the church's "stuffy psalm-singing." His father asked if he thought he could write something better, and Isaac did, writing a new paraphrase of a psalm each week for several years. He went from being precocious to prolific. Several of Watts' hymns were from Psalms, but "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" is a Communion hymn. It appeared in 1707. It has been put to several tunes, but Lowell Mason's "Hamburg" has had the longest lasting connection. Poet Matthew Arnold considered "When I Survey" to be the greatest hymn in the English language. If Watts had been around to hear this praise, he would have enjoyed it! But as his text displayed, he knew "his richest gain was still a loss, compared to the greatness of knowing Christ." Remember the stories as you sing the hymns, Teresa (Adapted from Be Still My Soul, Randy Petersen, P. 365) Vacation Bible School You re invited to Journey Off the Map, where kids go to uncharted territory and where they begin to understand that obedience to God can lead them beyond the expected. Toss the map, stick close to your guide, and prepare to listen for God's direction in this journey that is unknown to us, but known by Him. Kickoff and registration will be held on Sunday, June 28, at 5:00 PM. The adventure continues each night from Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2 from 5:30-8:30 PM. Snack suppers are provided to give nourishment as we dig into God's lessons for us. Come and join us for a week full of fun and excitement.
The youth are preparing their hearts and minds for their upcoming mission trip to Gatlinburg, TN. We will be leaving on Sunday, June 21, and returning on Saturday, June 27. We will be staying at a boarding school called "The King's Academy," and we will have use of their dorms and facilities. We will be working on various construction projects and building relationships in and around the Gatlinburg community during our time there. Please pray for our upcoming travels, pray for safety for our students and leaders, but most importantly, begin to pray that these students experience Christ in a real way and that their hearts draw closer to His as they serve and share His love. Youth and Children Youth Fundraiser: On Saturday, June 6, the youth will be selling port-apit chicken from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dine-in or carry out will be available. Tickets are $10 and a plate includes half chicken, baked beans, slaw, roll and dessert. You can purchase tickets from Alex Bracey and/or pick up some to sell. Graduation Sunday: There will be a service honoring our graduates on Sunday, June 7th at both the 8:30 and 11 o'clock services. Please come and support our students as they lead you in worship! Parent Meeting: There will be a parent meeting about the mission trip on Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m. in the youth room...please make plans to attend!!! Music Ministry Calvary's Got Talent!: We are going to have a talent show on Sunday, July 12, at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We know Calvary has a lot of talented people, so bring your skills to the show! Do you juggle? Do you sing? Can you say the Pledge of Allegiance backwards? Please let Teresa Martin know what you would like to do for the show (teresabmartin125@gmail.com), or call the church office. Lay Reader Ministry: We are starting a new ministry at Calvary - the Lay Reader ministry. If you have an interest in reading scripture aloud during either of our Sunday morning services, we will have a short training session, and then you will be called on a few times a year to read during one of the services. Our first training session will be Sunday, June 7, at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.
June Food Drive for Yokefellow The needs of our community don t disappear just because it s summer, and Calvary responds to these needs by partnering with community organizations like Yokefellow Cooperative Ministry. Through Yokefellow, working families in crisis receive food and other assistance that can help sustain them until they re able to get back on their feet. During the month of June, we ll be sponsoring a Food Drive (non-perishable items only, please) to support this important work. Our goal is to collect at least 1000 items. Please bring your donations to the chapel between now and June 28. Notes of Gratitude The family of Donald Vaughn acknowledges with grateful appreciation the kind expression of your sympathy. Thank you for the cards, food, and prayers during his illness. Continue to keep me in your prayers and thoughts. Sincerely, Thank you so much for the blanket donations. I had a student mention he needed one today and he was thrilled to receive one you had sent. Many thanks, Terry Richardson, Counselor at Gentry Middle School Thank you so much for the cards, phone calls, and prayers for Juliana West and LeAnn West during their kidney transplant surgeries. The love, support, and concern of a caring church and work family meant so much to me. I am very blessed to be part of Calvary. Sincerely, Jane Bowman In Memory of Dennis Brintle Co-Ed 4 SS Class Lee and Judy Mills Kenny and Amy Nowlin Recent Contributions In Memory of Lois Jarrell Roger and Carol Jarrell In Memory of Earlie Jarrell Roger and Carol Jarrell In Memory of Sharon Hardy Jeanette Bristol B.E. and Cindy Coone Dorcas SS Class Bodey and Vicki Fields Faye Haas James and Frances McBride Bob and Janet McPherson Wilma Roberson Mary Jo Roberts Howard and Thelma Shelton Guy and Mary Sparger Owen and Sandra Stone In Memory of Ray Haas Faye Haas In Memory of Lillian Hiatt Eric Hiatt In Memory of Matt Mitchell Joni Mitchell In Memory of Annie Seal Michael, Debra and Anna Beroth Bob and Janet McPherson Ashley Mills Brad and Shannon Putnam In Memory of Bernie Vaughn In Memory of Donald Vaughn Randy and Sylvia Gentry
Budget Year 2014-2015 As of 5/24/2015 Date Time Church Activities 03 12:00 Noon J.O.Y. Luncheon 04 6:30 PM Deacons Meeting 04 7:00 PM Nominating Committee Meeting 06 11:00 AM until Youth Port-a-Pit Fundraiser 07 9:30 AM Lay Reader Ministry 07 both services Graduate Recognition 13 Family trip to Great Wolf Lodge 14 5:30 PM Finance Committee Meeting 18 5:00 PM Friends Feeding Friends 18 7:00 PM Nominating Committee Meeting 22 July Newsletter Deadline 23 Medical Ministry Church Statistics Budget to Date 21 27 Youth Mission Trip to Gatlinburg, TN 28 5:00 PM VBS Kickoff 6/29 7/2 VBS 5:30 to 8:30 PM Nightly Receipts to Date Expenditures to Date Receipts minus Expenditures General $321,543.88 $343,772.21 $312,649.81 $31,122.40 Debt Retirement $13,090.00 $16,082.00 $17,104.43 ($1,022.43) Transportation $1,972.00 $1,462.00 $736.68 $725.32 Debt Reduction Funds Available as of 5/24: $4,538.00 Total Debt Balance as of 5/24: $77,127.90 Endowment Fund as of 5/24: $20,683.21 5/3/2015 5/10/2015 5/17/2015 5/24/2015 Sunday School 184 192 178 205 Uplift no service 99 71 91 Traditional 220 240 158 183 Total Worship 220 339 229 274 General $11,466.71 $7,530.76 $8,564.98 $7,602.31 Debt Retirement $965.00 $773.00 $90.00 $210.00 Transportation $74.00 $29.00 $4.00 $4.00 Date Deacon of the Week Good Shepherds 07 Danny Lineberry 14 Marvin Beasley 21 Phil Hiatt 28 Bill Belton Lee Mills Ken Nowlin Sam Critz Mike Francis Bill Belton Ron Stephenson Phil Hiatt Earl Varney
Calvary Baptist Church 314 South Franklin Rd. Mount Airy, NC 27030 The Herald is published the first of each month. Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage Toast, NC Permit #1 Return Service Requested Newsletter Deadline for next month is June 22, 2015. Please have all newsletters announcements turned into the church office by 12:00 Noon. C h i l d r e n & Y o u t h V o l u n t e e r s f o r J u n e Uplift Service Traditional Service Nursery Workers Bed Babies Toddlers 07 Chip and Jenn Fussell 07 Lee and Judy Mills 14 Benny and Pam Lisk 14 Brent and Anita Hull 21 Mike and Carol Lowe 21 Nancy Cockerham/Anna Martin 28 Tyler and Chelsy Payne 28 Sandra Byrd/Donna Keck 2 and 3 Year Olds 07 Graham and Laney Wright 14 Pauline Ransdell/Mary Nicholson 21 Ralph and Debbie Hiatt 28 Julie Warren/Joann Surratt Children s Church 07 The Odell s 14 Julie and Hadley Warren 21 Denise and Leah Cain 28 Clay and Audrey Nowlin Calvary Baptist Church Ministers... Our Church Family 314 South Franklin Road Pastor... Rev. Alex Martin Mount Airy NC 27030 (pastoralex@calvarybcmtairy.org) Phone: 336-786-4778 Minister to Youth & Children... Rev. Alex Bracey Fax: 336-786-2808 (alexbracey@calvarybcmtairy.org) Minister of Music... Teresa Martin (teresabmartin125@gmail.com) Administrative Assistant... Billie Doyle E-mail: office@calvarybcmtairy.org (billie@calvarybcmtairy.org) Website: www.calvarybcmtairy.org Office Assistant...Jane Bowman...(jane@calvarybcmtairy.org) Organist... Carolyn Greene Striving to glorify God by being a Christcentered, caring church through worship, Sound Engineers... Phillip Hiatt, Danny Lineberry discipleship, missions and ministry. Custodian... Carlos Delfin