Calvary Caller for September 2013 C A L VA R Y B A P T I S T C H U R C H, T U P E L O, M I S S I S S I PPI Calvary s Goal: $5,000 SEPTEMBER EVENTS 9.2 Labor Day (buildings closed) 9.3 Weekday Early Education classes begin 9.4 Wednesday Fellowship Meals resume 9.8 Deacon Election (with completed ballots turned in by end of morning worship) 9.25 See You at the Pole 9.29 Serendipity church picnic & worship
Welcome New Members Genna & Luke McAlpin 1207 Beauregard Street Tupelo, MS 38801 (temporary address) Joyce Miller 2440 Avon Lea Cove Tupelo, MS 38801 Nan & Wayne Francis 1207 Mockingbird Lane Tupelo, MS 38801 From Your Pastor As we enter the month of September, Mississippi Baptist churches unite their prayers and giving toward the cause of Mississippi Baptist missions through the Margaret Lackey State Mission Offering. You might wonder, What does this offering support? Your giving to Margaret Lackey allowed Mississippi Baptists to be a crucial part of the first responders after the tornado that struck Smithville along with other locales in Monroe and Chickasaw counties two years ago. Your giving allowed Mississippi Baptists to be some of the first responders to the scene through our Disaster Relief ministry. Our chainsaw crews and mobile feeding unit are just a few examples of Margaret Lackey funds in action. Beyond these examples, your giving to Margaret Lackey goes to support Language-Ethnic Ministries, Christian Women s Job Corps, Church Planting, Pastoral Benevolence, International Collegiate Ministry, Associational Mission Projects, and Volunteer Missionary Assistance. In addition to these ministries, our two state mission camps, Central Hills and Camp Garawya, receive Margaret Lackey funding. As you can see, your mission offering supports a wide-range of social, spiritual, and physical ministry and outreach throughout our state and even beyond. Calvary s heritage was forged with a passion for missions locally and abroad. The theme for 2013 state mission emphasis is Unlimited. The Apostle Peter reminds us that God s manifold grace empowers us to become generous servants in His Kingdom, and His Kingdom reaches to all generations (1 Peter 4:10). Let s not place limits on His leadership in our lives and His call for us to reach out to those who don t know Christ. Be in prayer to give and support the vital work of Mississippi missions and ministry. Our Margaret Lackey offering goal this year is $5,000. I look forward to Calvary meeting that goal and sacrificially going beyond. Blessings, Pastor David Page 2
Minister of Music Minister to Students 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) While preparing to record his latest album, Matt Redman and friend, Jonas Myrin, sat down together and wrote what Redman calls one of the fastest songs he s ever been a part of writing. The song was 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) and was written in just an hour. 10,000 Reasons would later become the title cut off the album. The song s genesis was the melody of the current chorus (written by Myrin) and the verses were added later by Redman. Though the song was written in under an hour, Redman doesn t see that as a negative thing. sometimes songs take so long to write, and I don t think that s a bad thing I think its a good thing to work hard and learn your craft. You learn to shape things, polish things, and remold things. But now and again its good when things drop in your lap. The Psalmist was a deep inspiration for Redman: if you wake up one day and you cant think of a reason to praise Him, there is something wrong with your spiritual outlook. This song brings a unique freshness to our worship services. This song is a little folksy in its style, yet modern in its progression. Congregations can open with this song, or sing it as a response. It can be a choir anthem, or a solo sung by a child or senior adults. Variety of uses within a song is a true sign of music drenched in the Word and one that will last for years to come. For all Your goodness I will keep on singing, 10,000 reasons for my heart to find. Saturday, November 2 nd Hosted @ the Orchard Sponsored by Tupelo Student Minister s Network $30 for family of 2 $35 for family of 3 $40 for family of 4 or more includes box lunch, conference materials and more Saw You at the Pole Worship 7 pm Ballard Park September 25 th Follow us on Twitter @calvarystudent1 Worship Bethany Barr Phillips Speaker Josh Braddy Page 3
Minister of Missions Each year in September, Mississippi Baptists focus on praying for the Margaret Lackey State Mission Offering. In 2012 more than $2.1 million was received through the offering, which helped fund key mission emphases like volunteer missionary mobilization, in-state church planting, community evangelism projects, disaster relief training, and cross-cultural ministries. Our two state mission camps (Camp Garaywa and Central Hills) were also funded through Margaret Lackey offering monies, and they now provide year-round leadership training opportunities as well as exciting residential summer experiences. Though we celebrate the goodness of God and the generosity of believers in participating churches all across our state, we also understand those monies only provide the annual operating funds for these ministries. The theme for 2013 state mission emphasis is UNLIMITED. Our experience from last year should give us confidence to know that our potential for effective ministry in Christ in Mississippi is UNLIMITED. The Apostle Peter reminds us that God s manifold grace empowers us to become generous servants in His Kingdom, and His Kingdom reaches to all generations (1 Peter 4:10). The state goal for 2013 is $2.1 million, and our church goal is $5,000. Throughout the month, you will see special offering envelopes labeled Margaret Lackey Offering, and most of you should have an envelope in your personal envelope box. Please prayerfully consider what you will give as special offering to Mississippi state missions through the Margaret Lackey State Mission Offering. Director of Childhood Ministry Fall Ministry Schedule Sundays 9:15 am- Sunday School for infants-6 th Grades 10:30- Worship 6:00 pm- Worship KStyle for ages 4 years-4 th Grade Life Groups for 5 th -6 th Grades Wednesdays 4:30-5:30- Supper in the Gym 5:00- Children s Bible Drill for 3rd-6th Grades (beginning 9/11) 6:00- Children s Choirs for ages 3 years- 6 th Grade Thursdays Mother s Day Out- 9:00 am-4:00 pm for infants- 5 years old Now is a great time to begin any of these ministries in which you may have never participated. Page 4
Ladies Bible Study Tuesdays, September 10th - October 22nd 9:00-11:00 am This study will encourage you to recognize your weakness as the key that the Lord gives you to unlock the full experience of His power in your life! Contact the office to register for the class and reserve child care. Weekday Early Education The Calvary Weekday Education Program began 42 years ago as a kindergarten class serving 14 children under the direction of Mrs. Earl (Chris) Sandifer. Presently, the program serves approximately 145 children ages two t h r o u gh kindergarten. Calva r y B a p t i s t members comprise 15% of enrollment, with the rest being from Tupelo and surrounding areas. C a l v a r y W e e k d a y s t r i v e s t o i n c r e a s e competence in academic, social, emotional, and physical skills. Children develop trusting relationships as they learn about the love of God through Bible lessons, prayer, music, and a loving and caring attitude shown by our staff. The program provides scholarships to several children each year. Donations can be made to the Anne Worthen Scholarship Fund. Please pray for teachers, assistants, parents, and children as we begin a new school year on September 3rd! Page 5
Reports SUNDAY SCHOOL Average Attendance for August General Officers 10 Adults 296 Youth 78 Children 60 Preschool 59 Jail Ministry 18 Fire Station 6 Total 527 Current Enrollment 1158 WEEKLY EVENTS SUNDAYS 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 5:00 pm Frontline Prayer MONDAYS-FRIDAYS 8:00 am Weekday Education WEDNESDAYS 4:30 pm Family Fellowship Meal 6:00 pm Prayer Meeting Life Groups Youth ROCK Children s Choirs Orchestra Rehearsal 7:05 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal THURSDAYS 9:00 am Mother s Day Out MONTHLY EVENTS WOMEN ON MISSION General meeting 11:00 am 1st Tuesday (Oct.-May) Small groups various times MEN S BREAKFAST 8:00 am 2nd Sunday SENIOR FRIENDS 10:00 am 4th Thursday FINANCIAL (As of August 29, 2013) BUDGET GIVING 2013 Budget Goal $ 2,289,536.00 Received to Date $ 1,305,253.79 Spent to Date $ 1,301,693.14 MISSIONS GIVING Total Missions Giving to Date $ 300,467.74 RIPPLE EFFECT CAMPAIGN Total Amount Pledged $ 3,873,525.00 Total Amount Received $ 2,997,677.00 Men s Breakfast Sunday, September 8th, 8:00 am Family Ministry Center Gym Speaker: Tony Carlton, Chief of Police, Tupelo Women on Mission General Meetings will resume October 1. Page 6
Contact Us Main Office 842-3338 Church Staff Pastor Dr. David Eldridge 401-1048 Minister of Music Doug Spires 610-4773 Mailing Address P. O. Box 1008 Tupelo MS 38802-1008 Physical Address 501 West Main Street Tupelo MS 38804 Email info@calvarytupelo.com Staff email addresses are @calvarytupelo.com preceded by the person s first initial and last name. Website www.calvarytupelo.com Minister of Missions Dr. Dickie Rhea 790-5986 Minister to Students Chad Thompson 397-2214 Director of Childhood Ministry Brandy Johnson (662) 312-1081 Business Administrator Michael Lunceford 397-8384 Pastor s Secretary Yvonne Merritt 401-1056 Education Secretary Rachel Crocker 372-4948 Receptionist/Support Secretary Mickie Gatlin 423-7618 Financial Secretary Samantha Barron 538-1856 Operations Coordinator Josh Cochran (601)405-0449 Mother s Day Out Director/ Nursery Coordinator Gail Chisholm 844-8958 Kindergarten/Preschool Director Elizabeth Rhea 620-7520 Media Director Tracey Morton 401-7717 Music Assistant Ellen White 871-7967 History of Calvary Baptist Church Calvary Baptist Church by-laws state that the principal function of the church history committee is to preserve records, documents, pictures, articles, and items of historical value concerning our church. Our committee has been working for over a year to gather items already on hand at the church. Now, before we begin this month to organize them, we would like to give you the opportunity to donate any items which we could have to complete our collection. If you have something you are willing to give to the church, please bring it right away to the church office marked for history committee. If it is a large item, perhaps it would be best if you call me first at 841-0228! Also call if you need to have your item picked up. Thank you, Stephanie West, chairperson Page 7