CELEBRATE TRADITION IMAGINE THE FUTURE Prayer Guide Bible verse reflections to read as we ponder the capital campaign to fund Calvary s renovation of the entry gathering space, sanctuary and new organ.
I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story, because I know it s true; It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. I love to tell the story, twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story; tis pleasant to repeat What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. I love to tell the story, for some have never heard The message of salvation from God s own holy Word. Refrain I love to tell the story, for those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. Refrain I love to tell the story of Calvary! What will that story be in 10, 20, 50 or 100 years from now? The continuation of that story begins now! 2
September 6 th 12 th 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God s varied grace. Calvary is a congregation flourishing with open doors and launching pads of every kind. Here, God s grace and gifts permeate each corner and space through spiritual renewal and reflection, celebration in music, insightful discussion, and the boundless inspirational energy of service. It is continuously humbling and encouraging when each act of service and each renewal of our spirit graciously yield comfort and encouragement untold. How blessed we are to have extremely varied talents and resources. How wonderful to know that the Calvary of now serves our own community and yet also looks to the Calvary of tomorrow. Marc Horn Lord, we come, rejoicing in your grace, grateful that we grow in our faith as we worship and as we study Your word. Help us to do Your work with our hands, serving people in need here and everywhere. Confident in Your plans for us, grant our hearts and minds the confidence to commit to always giving generously of our time, talents and treasure, but especially in our present capital campaign -- for we know that everything we have is a gift from you. Amen 3
September 13 th 19 th Second Corinthians 9:6-8 6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. Almost sixty years ago, the people of Calvary trusted in the Lord and in each other and decided to build a church here on Baker Boulevard. They gave generously to create a building, but they also built a legacy and a future. The generations who have worshipped here since then owe them a debt of gratitude. About twenty years after that, they trusted once again and built the new sanctuary, which not only added to the worship experience but also made the former sanctuary a home for the outreach ministries that are so much a part of the Calvary that we love. Ten years later saw the creation of the Family Life Center which has also made it possible for our congregation to reach out to the community in new ways and house events that have benefitted our members as well. I know that I have indeed reaped bountifully from the faithfulness and generosity of those who sowed bountifully to create the church which has become my home. I pray that we will also choose to sow bountifully to create a legacy for those who will come after us. I pray that Calvary will continue to be a blessing to its members and to the larger community of God s people throughout the world. Don Holmes Lord, we come, rejoicing in your grace, grateful that we grow in our faith as we worship and as we study Your word. Help us to do Your work with our hands, serving people in need here and everywhere. Confident in Your plans for us, grant our hearts and minds the confidence to commit to always giving generously of our time, talents and treasure, but especially in our present capital campaign -- for we know that everything we have is a gift from you. Amen 4
September 20 th 26 th Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. As a Minnesota farmer s daughter, I grew up with the three F s farm, family and faith. All three were closely interwoven. Thanksgiving Eve service was a joyful time, grateful for the harvest being completed and thankful that we were so blessed. My Dad, with chaffed, oil stained hands, would joyfully give our family offering as the plate was passed. He made sure that we all knew that because God and the land had given us so much, we needed to give back and share with those that needed it. Calvary has always been a church of giving back and helping those that need it. Benevolence is the cornerstone of this congregation. This capital campaign is not taking the place of our mission projects but preparing us to go out, serve and bring in new members. If we do not take care of Calvary, outreach will fade. I felt that special love in November 1996 as I walked through the doors of Calvary. Tergy Tergerson cornered me and said, You re a big ol Norwegian, aren t ya? At that moment I knew I was home. Many of those charter members like Tergy had a vision for Calvary. Now is the time to build on that vision for generations to come. Cheril Anderson Rios Lord, we come, rejoicing in your grace, grateful that we grow in our faith as we worship and as we study Your word. Help us to do Your work with our hands, serving people in need here and everywhere. Confident in Your plans for us, grant our hearts and minds the confidence to commit to always giving generously of our time, talents and treasure, but especially in our present capital campaign -- for we know that everything we have is a gift from you. Amen 5
Philippians 4:4-7 September 28 th October 3 rd Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Worship is the very center of our life of faith together. We are renewed, encouraged, filled with God s peace and sent out to share God s love. Nourished by Christ s body and blood, strengthened by extraordinary preaching and uplifted in sacred song, Calvary s worship equips us to be good servants. Our gatherings in worship at Calvary lead us to rejoice. We rejoice as we gather together around word, water and sacred meal: -Even during the somber days of Lent, reflecting on our own mortality on Ash Wednesday. -Even as we ponder the astounding sacrifice of our Lord as we hear the Passion narrative. -Even when we journey the way of the Stations of the Cross. -Even when we gather to celebrate the life of a loved one who has departed this earthly life. -Even in these solemn times, when our hearts are grieving and our eyes are flooded with tears, we rejoice in the full and certain knowledge of God s abundant grace. Viktor Andersson Lord, we come, rejoicing in your grace, grateful that we grow in our faith as we worship and as we study Your word. Help us to do Your work with our hands, serving people in need here and everywhere. Confident in Your plans for us, grant our hearts and minds the confidence to commit to always giving generously of our time, talents and treasure, but especially in our present capital campaign -- for we know that everything we have is a gift from you. Amen 6
Saturday, October 3rd For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18: 20 As we are about to commence this building capital campaign, please hold our Commitment Sunday in your prayers. We acknowledge that we may have differences of opinion. However, we are joyful in the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is present in the Calvary family and we are one in Christ Jesus. Lord, before I present my commitment and as Calvary moves ahead with expansion of our facilities, I place myself before You. You are filled with beauty and light and care deeply about me and the ministry of this church. Help me to listen, before speaking. Help me to respect and understand the opinions of others. Help me to value and appreciate those in the Calvary family. May Your light enfold me. May Your Spirit guide me. May Your grace abound in me. I make this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 7