Read the Bible In 2026

The start of a new calendar year is a great time to consider a Bible reading plan or tool to help you better engage with Scripture. At Calvary, we believe that as disciples of Christ we are called to a practice of Bible Engagement: learning to know, love, and follow the teaching of Scripture.

After a great experience with our all-church reading plan in 2025, we wanted to broaden the scope and offer a few great options to help you engage on your own with the Bible in 2026. Whether you choose to do a full reading of the Bible again this year, use some of these options to help supplement the passages you’re studying in ABF or in your men’s/women’s Bible study, or anything in between, we believe that an investment of time and energy into regular Bible reading and study is a key part of our spiritual growth.

If you enjoyed the all-church reading plan in 2025 and are wanting to do something similar in 2026, check out the Chronological Bible option listed below!

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ONE-YEAR CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE

What we like: Chronological reading rearranges the Bible so that you read in the historical order of the events in Scripture. You’ll read the Psalms and books of prophecy scattered throughout the historical account of Israel’s kings, read Paul’s epistles throughout the historical account of his travels in the book of Acts, and the various accounts of Jesus’ ministry in the gospels all in order. The One-Year Bible Chronological plan breaks the Bible into 365 daily readings, roughly 15 minutes each.

Bonus: We’ll have a Calvary reading group on the YouVersion Bible app kicking off on January 1 where you can connect with others at Calvary who are doing this plan.

Find it: Amazon or Printable PDF or Join the YouVersion Group

THE BIBLE RECAP

What we like: The Bible Recap follows a chronological Bible reading plan along with a short daily recap by creator and host, Tara-Leigh Cobble. She’ll highlight and summarize that day’s Bible reading in a casual, easy to understand way. The “Recap” portion comes in several forms—book, podcast, or video. Each day’s Bible reading is approximately 12 minutes long and each recap is about 8 minutes long. This is a great option for someone looking for extra help in understanding what they’re reading.

Bonus: They offer a devotional and reading plan for kids that follows the adult reading plan, so you can read together as a family. Plus, starting Jan 1, 2026, they’ll be launching a daily podcast recap just for kids!

Find it: thebiblerecap.com, in the YouVersion Bible App, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

BIBLE REF

What we like: A newer resource from gotquestions.com, this is a free commentary study tool built around the principles of Biblical authority, accessibility, and discipleship. It offers a deep look at Scripture from a book, chapter, and verse-by-verse perspective in an easy-to-read format. You can also view selected verses in multiple translations side-by-side. It’s not yet complete – they’re adding a few chapters of different books every couple of weeks.

Bonus: Their monthly blog posts offer Biblical perspective on current societal and world events (website and monthly newsletter only).

Find it: Free at bibleref.com or on the app (Apple / Google Play)

ESV SCRIPTURE JOURNALS

What we like: These individual book journals are a great companion resource as you read and study books of the Bible. The wide spaced ESV text and blank opposite page gives plenty of space for note-taking and journaling or drawing as you explore the book. They’re available in simple black and white format or in the “illuminated” version with some added artwork and design, typically for less than $10/book.

Bonus: Journals are also available as bundles of the complete Old Testament or complete New Testament books.

Find it: Crossway website or on Amazon.

Spring All-Church Prayer Focus

Join us as we pray together as a church for the months of April, May, June.

Primary Focus

Pray that we would worship god in spirit and in truth.

Key Scripture

John 4:23 “But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him..”

Ways To Pray

Meditate on each of God’s attributes revealed in Scripture and praise Him for them.

Specifically name God’s many blessings to you (starting with your salvation) and thank Him for them.

Pray that the Spirit would help you resist the tendency to “go through the motions” during worship, but to respond authentically with your full heart.

Pray that the Spirit would fill you with the desire and joy to submit to God in obedience.

Kids Pray Too

Thank God for specific ways He has blessed you.

Ask God to help you show your love for Him by obeying His commands.

Be His Light - Christmas Outreach Opportunities

As followers of Christ, we are called to be HIS light to the world around us (Matthew 5:14). We have some different opportunities to share the light of Christ with those in our community this Christmas season. We hope you and your family can participate in one or more of these options as we strive to bring Christ’s light to a dark world as we celebrate Christmas together.

Christmas In Plymouth

Christmas In Plymouth is a community-wide event in downtown Plymouth that will take place December 12-14. Volunteers are needed on Thursday, December 12 to distribute hand-warmers and invitations to our Christmas Eve Service to people attending the event.

pride for parents - gifts

Gifts are needed for the Pride For Parents Christmas Store. Stop by the wooden tree in the Lobby and grab a tag (or tags) to purchase coats, underwear, socks, toys, or to even contribute extra funds for this special event hosted by Central Detroit Christian. All items are due back by December 8.

Pride for parents - store volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help set up the Christmas Store on Friday, December 13 in the evening, and to assist shoppers during the event on Saturday, December 14 during the day - all onsite at CDC. This is a great way to get more hands-on in serving our friends in Detroit.

Thanksgiving 2024

As followers of Christ, the Thanksgiving celebration is a reminder to praise our God with gratitude for who He is and what He’s done. We do this through worship and fellowship together. Here’s a look at what’s happening at Calvary this Thanksgiving Week.

Thanksgiving Worship Night

Join us Sunday, November 24, at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of worship through song as we remember God’s goodness to us as His children. All ages welcome!

Prayer, Praise, & Pie

Calvary Students (6th-12th grade) are invited to a special Wednesday Night at the Barn on Thanksgiving Eve (November 27) at 6:30 p.m. for a time of games, prayer, worship, and delicious desserts, led by our Student Leaders. All other regular Wednesday activities (Calvary Kids and Adults) will not meet on this day.

Turkey trot & turkey bowl

All are invited to participate in a special 5k walk/run through our community on Friday, November 29, starting at 9:00 a.m. All ages and abilities (and even strollers) are welcome! The race will begin and end at the Barn.

Then at 10:00 a.m., Calvary Students and Leaders are invited to participate in the long-standing tradition of the Turkey Bowl flag football tournament.

christmas decorating

We’ll be decorating our Auditorium and Lobby for the Christmas season on Saturday, November 30, starting at 10:00 a.m. Many hands make quick work! We especially need helpers who can do heavy-lifting and navigate stairs and ladders. RSVP to emma@cbcjoy.org if you’re planning to join us!

Calvary Kids Adventure Days

what are adventure days?

Calvary Kids Adventure Days began last summer with the intent to take the heart of Vacation Bible School out into our community and to better connect with families. They are designed for elementary/preschool aged kids and their parents or caregivers to enjoy some summer fun in a local park AND have an encounter with the Gospel. We had a great response last year and are excited to do it again!

This year our three Adventure Days will be held at Plymouth Township Park (McClumpha) during the evening (4:00-7:00 p.m.) on three consecutive Mondays where we’ll be learning that God is a friend who’s real, a friend forever, and a friend for everyone!

There are 5 ways you can get involved:

#1 Come! Especially if you have kids in your home, we hope that you’ll plan to come and participate and be ready to meet new people and make some new connections.

#2 Invite! We have some flyers out at the Guest Services desk and a Facebook Event for you to share with your friends, neighbors, co-workers - even if you don’t have kids in your home, you can still help spread the word!

#3 *NEW* Donate! Sign up here to help feed our volunteer team!

#4 Volunteer! Many hands are needed for these events to be successful! If you’d like to volunteer at one or more Adventure Day, sign up here!

#5 Pray! Be praying for the kids and families that will come - that good connections will be made and that their hearts will be open to the good news of the gospel!

MON. JULY 15 • PLYMOUTH

MON. JULY 22 • PLYMOUTH 

MON. JULY 29 • PLYMOUTH

New Song Devotional: Never Get Over It

Growing up in a Christian home, I came to put my faith in Jesus for the first time as a kindergartener and have had the distinct privilege of attending thousands of church services, Sunday school classes, youth group meetings, and bible studies. A rough estimate would be about 7,000 religious meetings in total over my 34 years of life. Add in personal bible study, religious podcasts, and listening to sermons, and I’m well over 10,000 encounters with the truth of God’s word. 

That’s a whole lot. At a majority of these encounters I heard the gospel:

God created us to be with Him but our sins cause a chasm of separation. No matter how hard we try, our sins cannot be removed by good deeds. Paying the price for our sin, Christ died and rose again, defeating sin and death. Everyone who repents (turns from our sin and to God and His ways) and trusts in Christ alone for salvation has eternal life. This life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.

Originally the gospel was the best news I had ever heard. Over time, with repetition, there have been seasons that I let it become routine. Good news still, just…old news. This is not okay.

It’s my prayer that we would stand as a community in glorious rebellion to the tendency of our flesh to take the truth of the gospel for granted. This week we will be introducing a new song that addresses this tendency and presents us with an opportunity to lift high a commitment to The Lord.  May we never get over the great news of what our God has done!

Verse 1

I once had a heart that was dead in the grave

Bound in the darkness a powerless slave

Then heaven reached down from the cross to my soul

Hell started to shake and it had to let go

Chorus

I'll never get over it

I'll never get over it

I was dead in my sin but Your love wouldn't quit

And I'll never get over it

Verse 2

I once was a prisoner in sin's heavy chains

Held for a debt I could never repay

Then out of the grave with a great victory

He shattered those chains and He set me free

Bridge

After ten thousand years on that golden shore

I'll sing it again and a million times more

Eternity spent with one song on my lips

I'll never get over it

Michael Farren, Michael Neale
CCLI Song #7127416
Capitol CMG Paragon; Michael Neale Music; Farren Love And War Publishing; Integrity's Alleluia! Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #702888

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
    because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13:5-6 (ESV)

Let the whole earth sing to the Lord.
Proclaim his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his wondrous works among all peoples.
1 Chronicles 16:23-24 (CSB) 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9 (CSB)

Elder Letter 12.20.23

Dear Calvary Family,

Merry Christmas! What a joy it is to take time to reflect on God’s greatest Gift, Emmanuel, God with us!

 As a church family, we’ve seen God with us consistently throughout this ministry year. You may recall in June we provided clarity and reaffirmed our mission to be a disciple-making ministry by “helping people follow Jesus together.”  Specifically as elders, we outlined four priorities: implementation, Constitutional & Policy Manual review, transparent & timely communication, and progressing our role within the Calvary family. Through almost six months of our ministry year, we’ve made progress in all these areas; some more than others.

Relative to implementation, the Calvary staff is heavily engaged in assessing our various ministry strategies and programming, evaluating effectiveness through the lens of being and making disciples. Budget constraints continue to be a concern, but we remain steadfast to minimize costs and trust God’s faithfulness through His people to meet our most critical needs.

Reviewing our Constitution and policies has proven challenging; however, we have identified several areas that need evaluating, updating and/or adjusting. Our desire is to focus more attention to this area in the second half of the ministry year.

We’ve received a great deal of positive comments relative to our communications, visibility, and shepherding. As a result of your feedback in June, these areas are where we’ve spent the majority of our energy. We’ve been especially intentional through various channels to ensure you are aware of who we are, increasing our visibility and accessibility, as well as sharing what we’re working on and how it fits into the mission God has for us. We still have work to do and realize this will be an on-going effort, so we will continue to leverage multiple channels to ensure you have confidence in the leadership as we continue to move forward.

We plan to invite the entire Calvary family to a special evening discussion where we will provide greater detail into these areas and solicit your feedback. We’re currently targeting early February, so look for an invitation soon.

We indeed have much to be thankful for and we give God all the glory. Praise Him for His precious Gift and for His faithfulness to us all!

Merry Christmas,

Calvary Elder Board:

Paul Ellinger
Chris Gregory
Bob Malcolm
Neal Murrin
David Qian
Dave Riddle (VE), Vice-Chair
Paul Trulock, Chair
Bob Yerks

2024 Bible Reading Resources

2024 Bible Reading Resources

Have you been struggling to read the Bible regularly? Are you looking to encounter Scripture in a fresh way? Spending regular time reading, studying, and listening to Scripture helps infuse our minds with truth about the God we worship and how we are to live as we follow Jesus together. The start of a new calendar year is a great time to consider a Bible reading plan or tool to help you better engage with Scripture. There are tons of options out there, but here are a few of our favorites:

The Bible Project – Digital Bible study with video integration & more
Bible Ref – Digital commentary tool Dwell – Audio Bible App
ESV Scripture Journals – Print resource for personal/group study
Foundations – Simplified family study tool
Meet Me In The Bible Cards – Personal/group study tool

The Bible Project App

What we like: The group you know from their engaging animated teaching videos has an app that teaches you HOW to read the Bible WHILE you read the Bible. Pointing out how to identify key words and concepts, literary styles and themes, The Bible Project focuses on the Bible as one unified story that points to Christ. All their videos are conveniently linked right in the text to provide additional context to your reading.

Bonus: Expansions to the app this year include the Bible Project full video library, full podcast library, and the Bible Project Classroom, which offers free, self-paced, graduate-level classes to help foster deeper engagement with Scripture. Find it: bibleproject.com or download the free app (Apple / Google Play)

BIBLE REF Website & App

What we like: A new resource from gotquestions.com, this is a free, commentary study tool built around the principles of Biblical authority, accessibility, and discipleship. It offers a deep look at Scripture from a book, chapter, and verse-by-verse perspective in an easy-to-read format. You can also view selected verses in multiple translations side-by-side. It’s not yet complete – they’re adding a few chapters of different books every couple of weeks.

Bonus: Their monthly blog posts offer Biblical perspective on current societal and world events (website and monthly newsletter only). Find it: Free at bibleref.com or on the app (Apple / Google Play)

New Song Devo: Bless God

Over the past few weeks, I have been so incredibly encouraged by this new song, Bless God. It has convicted and challenged me, been a balm to my weary soul, and energized me for corporate worship. As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I pray this song will push our church family to an attitude of praise in all circumstances. As we anticipate introducing the song this Sunday, I want to unpack a few questions I’ve been pondering as I’ve been preparing for worship.

What does “bless” really mean?

The word bless is a tricky one in the English language. Like the word, love, it is used interchangeably to mean multiple things. It shows up in common casual expressions like, “bless you!” or “bless my soul” or “have a blessed day”. We pray that God will bless us and our loved ones with good things. And we sing praises to God using words like “bless the Lord oh my soul / worship His holy name”.

The Hebrew word typically translated to bless is, “barak”. It is used interchangeably of people blessing God and of God blessing people, and according to Blue Letter Bible, the word ultimately means “to kneel or give praise”. Our English definition of bless reflects these 2 distinct contexts. According to dictionary.com, it can mean to consecrate, sanctify, or pronounce holy, or it can mean to request divine favor from God. Ultimately, when we look at the word bless, its meaning depends on the object of the blessing.

When we echo the words of Jesus saying, “blessed are those who…”, it is implied that divine favor is promised to those who exhibit a specific behavior or belief. When we say or sing “bless the Lord” or “bless God”, because God is the object of the blessing, it is implied that our meaning is to ascribe worth and honor and praise to Him. Both of these examples are present in the lyrics of Bless God.

Why should we all sing “praise the Lord with me”?

At a first glance, this lyric may seem to imply that the song is meant only for the worship leader to be singing. It’s an invitation, but potentially awkward for the congregation at large to be singing. May I humbly remind us of Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 5 to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” and in Colossians 3 to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit”. When we collectively sing the words, “praise the Lord with me”, we are inviting each other into a moment of corporate, group praise of our shared God. Our worship in the corporate setting is truly for the benefit of those around us.

What is the caution in this song?

With these repeated lyrics about blessing, I was reminded of the caution in James 3 that, “out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing”, and Jesus’ caution in Luke 6 that, “out of the heart the mouth speaks”. How easily my heart turns dark and spews curses instead of blessings! My hope and prayer is that as I fill my mind and heart with blessings and praises to God and “fix my gaze” on Christ, He will fill my heart with things of His kingdom. That I will seek to bless His name “every chance I get”. That when I sing about blessing God with my church family on Sunday it will truly become the posture of my heart throughout the week. I pray this for all of us!

Blessed are those who run to Him

Who place their hope and confidence in Jesus

He won’t forsake them

Blessed are those who seek His face

Who bend their knee and fix their gaze on Jesus

They won’t be shaken

Come on and praise the Lord with me

Sing if you love His name

Come on and lift your voice with me

He’s worthy of all our praise

Blessed are those who walk with Him

Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage with Jesus

They’ll see His glory

Blessed are those who die to live

Whose joy it is to give it all for Jesus

And for Him only

Oh Jesus all for Your glory

Come on and praise the Lord with me

Sing if you love His name

Come on and lift your voice with me

He’s worthy of all our praise

Come on and bring your offering

Sing if you’ve known His grace

Come on and lift up your holy hands

He’s worthy of all our praise

Bless God in the sanctuary

Bless God in the fields of plenty

Bless God in the darkest valley

Every chance I get I bless Your name

Bless God when my hands are empty

Bless God with a praise that costs me

Bless God when nobody’s watching

Every chance I get I bless Your name

Bless God when the weapon’s forming

Bless God when the walls are falling

Bless God ‘cause He goes before me

Every chance I get I bless Your name

Bless God for He holds the vict’ry

Bless God for He’s always with me

Bless God for He’s always worthy

Every chance I get I bless Your name

Brandon Lake, Brooke Ligertwood, Cody Carnes
CCLI Song #7206380
© 2023 Brandon Lake Music; Capitol CMG Paragon; City and Vine Music Publishing International; Writer's Roof Publishing
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #702888

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV)

…Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18b-20 (NIV)

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV)

A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Luke 6:45

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:10 (NIV)

New Song Devotional: Ancient Gates

My family will tell you I’ve always been singing. When I was a kid, my two younger brothers would be continually annoyed by my constant singing. They even tease me to this day that I sing-talk. I participated in every youth choir opportunity at school and church, even giving up my recess at one point to attend choir practices. When I was a senior in high school, I started singing on worship teams. In college I had the opportunity to be part of a 300-voice choir at the mega-church connected to my school, as well as to travel to Germany on a choir tour. One of my bucket list items is to be a part of the choir for a performance of Handel’s Messiah. I love to sing, but I really love to sing with others.

In reading the book of Revelation, we see that not only is there plenty of singing at the end of all things, but that the singing is corporate singing. Saints, elders, mysterious creatures, all lifting their voices in praise to the One who is Creator and Lord of all.

“When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:

You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slaughtered,
and you purchased people
for God by your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.
You made them a kingdom
and priests to our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:8-10 (CSB)

“Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of cascading waters and like the rumbling of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists playing on their harps. They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.”

Revelation 14:1-3a (CSB)

“I also saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had won the victory over the beast, its image, and the number of its name, were standing on the sea of glass with harps from God. They sang the song of God’s servant Moses and the song of the Lamb:

Great and awe-inspiring are your works,
Lord God, the Almighty;
just and true are your ways,
King of the nations.
Lord, who will not fear
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All the nations will come
and worship before you
because your righteous acts
have been revealed.”
Revelation 15:2-4 (CSB)

Can you hear the harmonies? The beauty? The joy? Our Creator God receiving pure, unadulterated worship from His beloved creation. This description is a great encouragement to me, but I think there’s also an invitation here. The curtain has been pulled back on this vision for a reason. God has allowed us this peak into the events that are to come, I believe, to give us a sense of hope. That all wrongs will one day be made right and that everything will be as it should be – including God’s creation worshiping him together.  

Our new song, “Ancient Gates”, paints a picture of joyful worship in heaven and invites us to worship NOW as if we’re already there. To stir in us an anticipation for when we will see Christ face to face. To take our cues from the saints and elders and mysterious creatures and openly, without restraint, pour out praise to the One who was and is and is to come. To worship Him together.

Ancient Gates

There is singing at the ancient gates

There's a melody of ceaseless praise

Age to age the sound is only growing stronger

There's a throne beneath the Name of Names

There is seated on it One who reigns

And His Kingdom now is here and getting closer

Praise Him like we're there in glory

Here and now He's just as holy

Jesus He's so worthy of it all

He exists in everlasting light

So on heaven's streets there is no night

Every tear is wiped away

We'll know no sorrow

Worship Him with joyful sound

Sing until your voice gives out

No matter where or who's around

Release your worship

Bring your song He loves to hear it

Bring Him every prayer soaked lyric

Jesus He's so worthy of it all

The One who was

The One who is

The One who is to come

Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood
CCLI Song #7192505
© 2022 City and Vine Music Publishing International; Be Essential Songs; My Magnolia Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #702888

Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.

If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.

New Song Devo: Your Will Be Done

Submission. It sometimes feels like a dirty word. As an independent-minded oldest daughter, submission has been a challenging thread that’s followed me all my life. Scripture has plenty to say on the subject, clearly explaining how as we follow Christ’s example and submit our lives and actions to the Lord, we live into the upside-down kingdom and give glory to God alone.

Here are 4 things I’ve learned about submission that have helped make it less of a dirty word:

1. Jesus modeled submission.

Setting aside the comforts and perfection of heaven, Christ obeyed his Father and took on the form of a human infant, spent 33 years on our sin-sick planet, and died a torturous criminal’s death. Philippians 2:5 instructs us to “adopt the same mind as Christ Jesus”.

2. Submission establishes God as supreme.

When we submit to the will of God, we acknowledge that His will is greater than ours. We are so prone to make ourselves the god of our little universe, so this frequent reminder of God’s supremacy every time we submit is so needed. Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God”.

3. Submission is a choice.

This might be my favorite one. When I choose to submit, it’s a deliberate act of love and worship to God. There’s plenty of teaching on how God chooses us as His children, but it’s good to remember that we respond to this by choosing to serve Him. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that “we love because He first loved us”.
 

4. Submission is for everyone.

Whether we’re submitting to God Himself or to an earthly authority that God has ordained, the call to submission is for all believers. It’s part of God’s design for His honor and our good. James 4:7 says to “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Submission is all about setting aside our own desires, preferences, privileges, etc. and accepting the will of another. It’s saying, “not my will, but yours be done” and letting it become our act of worship. Our new song, “Your Will Be Done”, is a call and reminder to always be seeking the will of the Father. To follow after Christ’s example in choosing to honor God, together as His church, for His glory.
 

Your Will Be Done

Your will be done my God and Father

As in heaven so on earth

My heart is drawn to self-exalting

Help me seek Your kingdom first

As Jesus walked so shall I walk

Held by Your same unchanging love

Be still my soul O lift your voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

How in that garden he persisted

I may never fully know

The fearful weight of true obedience

It was held by him alone

What wondrous faith to bear that cross

To bear my sin what wondrous love

My hope was sure when there my Savior prayed

Father not my will but Yours be done

When I am lost when I am broken

In the night of fear and doubt

Still I will trust in my good Father

Yes to one great King I bow

As Jesus rose so I shall rise

In ransomed glory at the throne

My heart restored with all Your saints I sing

Father not my will but Yours be done

As we go forth our God and Father

Lead us daily in the fight

That all the world might see Your glory

And Your Name be lifted high

And in this Name we overcome

For You shall see us safely home

Now as Your church we lift our voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

And in this Name we overcome

For You shall see us safely home

Now as Your church we lift our voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

Father not my will but Yours be done

Father not my will but Yours be done

CCLI Song # 7149566
Jonny Robinson | Rich Thompson
© CityAlight Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 702888

 Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.

If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.

Calvary Kids Summer 2023

We have some exciting new summer plans for Calvary Kids this year! In this post I’ll share my “behind the scenes” look at the heart of these plans, explain the new options for this summer and their purpose, and share how you can get involved.

How did we get here?

As I began planning for summer, I felt the Lord pushing me to look at two main things: how our Calvary Kids activities are both equipping parents to be spiritual leaders in their home, and reaching the lost through outreach. These are both such important elements of discipleship. Because of this, I felt led to make some changes to how we usually do Vacation Bible School (VBS) and other summer programming with Calvary Kids to be more purposeful in trying to reach the community with the truth of the gospel and to better equip parents as they disciple their children. 

How can we equip families for discipleship?

Parents are called to be the spiritual leaders of our households. Many parents know how important this is, and the desire is there, but they find it daunting, overwhelming, and they do not even know where to start. The question I kept pondering was, how as a church can we support, model, and train the family discipleship process? How can we equip families to take on discipleship with confidence?  

To help equip parents to live into this discipleship role, we will be having monthly Family Discipleship Nights where we practice family discipleship together throughout the summer! We will meet on the first Wednesday of each month starting the night with a meal together at Open Table, and then from 6:30-8:00 p.m., parents and kids will work through a discipleship training activity together.

Calvary Kids Family Discipleship Nights
June 7
July 5
August 2

How do we reach the lost?

We are living in a secular culture and many people are not comfortable, for various reasons, with bringing their kids to church. With the traditional VBS model we’ve used for many years, we have seen that we attract many kids from the surrounding community that already have a church home, but we have not seen very many kids attend VBS who have no church home. How can we reach those are not hearing the gospel? How can we lower the resistance of kids and parents in coming to church?  What would it look like to take VBS out into the community?

As I pondered those questions, it became clear to me that we cannot keep waiting for people to come to us to hear about the saving love of Christ. We must go to them. 

Because of all this, we are making plans to have three Calvary Kids Adventure Days this summer where we will take the heart of VBS out into the community. The purpose of these days will be to build relationships in the community, love families well, present the Gospel, and of course, have fun! Our Adventure Days will be filled with all the same fun VBS activities that we know and love: games, crafts, Gospel presentations, and more! Instead of meeting on our Calvary campus where parents drop off their kids, Adventure Days will take place in three different community parks and parents/caregivers will stay with their kids as they enjoy the activities together.

Calvary Kids Adventure Days 2023

June 21 (Wednesday)
at Plymouth Township Park in the morning

July 10 (Monday)
at Livonia Rotary Park in the evening

August 12 (Saturday)
at Canton Heritage Park in the afternoon

How can I get involved?

We are still planning and preparing for this upcoming summer of ministry, and there are many ways for you to get involved.

Pray: I sincerely ask for you to be praying for these new opportunities. Pray for the logistics and details as we plan, but more importantly, pray for relationships to be made, and for hearts to be softened and changed by the gospel message of Jesus.

Volunteer: If you are interested in being part of the brainstorming/planning team for the Adventure Days or the Family Nights, I would love to hear from you. There is great flexibility in this as the events are spread out over the summer. Please contact me at carrie.macklem@cbcjoy.org to get involved in this way. Once the events are more developed, more specific volunteer needs will be announced.

Participate: Make sure to save the dates listed above in your own family calendar and plan to attend some or all of them! Attending or serving at the Calvary Kids Adventure Days will be a great way for you to be a part of making relationships within our community, loving well, and changing hearts.

Invite: Just as we have always encouraged our church family when preparing for VBS, be thinking about who you could invite! Consider how you can be intentional about inviting the neighbor, the friend, or the coworker who needs to hear the truth of Christ.

Holy Week Reading Plan

Hey Calvary Family!

As we head into Holy Week (the week before Easter), we’ve put together a Scripture reading plan and some suggested music listening suggestions to help you prepare personally and/or as a family to worship corporately on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We pray that your time with the Lord this week will be meaningful and strengthening as we experience this special season in the life of the church.

Palm Sunday: Luke 19:38-44, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118:25-29

Monday: Matthew 21:12-22, Isaiah 56:1-8
Album: The Joy Of Being (Citizens)

Tuesday: Luke 21:1-38, Luke 22:1-2, Daniel 7:13-14
Album: The Blood & The Breath: Songs That Tell the Story Of Redemption (Caroline Cobb)

Wednesday: Mark 14:3-11, Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:3-6, Zechariah 11:12-13

Thursday: John 16:16-24, 32-33, Matthew 26:17-75, Psalm 41:7-13, Zechariah 13:7
Album: SIN by Kings Kaleidoscope

Good Friday: Matthew 27:1-61, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-7
Album: Resurrection Letters: Prologue (Andrew Peterson)

Saturday: Luke 23:54-56, Matthew 27:62-66, Isaiah 53:8-12

Easter Sunday: Matthew 28:1-15, Luke 24:13-49, Psalm 16:9-11
Album: Resurrection Letters Vol. 1 (Andrew Peterson)

New Song Devo: It Was Finished Upon That Cross

Easter is my favorite holiday, and I’m not shy about it. Part of this stems from fond memories of Easter weekend traditions as a kid, and part of it is tied in with the anticipation that accompanies the new life of spring, but on a deeper level it’s more than that. In my home, I strive to celebrate Easter with the same enthusiasm as holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Because when you stop and think about it, as believers, what we celebrate at Easter represents everything that matters. What happened at Easter defines our faith, our worship, and our purpose in life.

This Easter season at Calvary, we’re singing the song “It Was Finished Upon That Cross”. This song is a modern hymn with a great lilting melody that reminds of what it means for us when Jesus said “it is finished” as he gave up his spirit on the cross. The words help teach us why Easter is so significant.

Because of Easter, we have HOPE!

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 

Romans 5:2b-6, 8, 10 (NIV)

Because of Easter, we have RELATIONSHIP!

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,…For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Jeremiah 31:31, 33-34 (ESV)

Because of Easter, we have FREEDOM!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:1, 13-14 (NIV)

Because of Easter, we have PURPOSE!

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 

Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10: 19-25 (CSB)

I pray that as we walk through the busy weeks leading up to Easter, and even in the busy weeks after Easter, that we would not miss the weight of what we celebrate. I hope that this song will help guide our celebration. Because of Easter, EVERYTHING is different. Christ’s work on the cross and his triumph over the grave should move us to a place of deep rejoicing and celebration as we remember his great love for us. It was indeed finished upon that cross!

It Was Finished Upon That Cross

How I love the voice of Jesus

On the Cross of Calvary

He declares his work is finished

He has spoken this hope to me

Though the sun had ceased its shining

Though the war appeared as lost

Christ had triumphed over evil

It was finished upon that Cross

Now the curse it has been broken

Jesus paid the price for me

Full the pardon He has offered

Great the welcome that I receive

Boldly I approach my Father

Clothed in Jesus' righteousness

There is no more guilt to carry

It was finished upon that Cross

Death was once my great opponent

Fear once had a hold on me

But the Son who died to save us

Rose that we would be free indeed

Death was once my great opponent

Fear once had a hold on me

But the Son who died to save us

Rose that we would be free indeed

Yes He rose that we would be free indeed

Free from every plan of darkness

Free to live and free to love

Death is dead and Christ is risen

It was finished upon that Cross

Onward to eternal glory

To my Savior and my God

I rejoice in Jesus' victory

It was finished upon that Cross

It was finished upon that Cross

It was finished upon that Cross

CCLI Song # 7171907
Jonny Robinson | Nigel Hendroff | Rich Thompson
© 2021 SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CityAlight Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 702888

Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.

If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.

New Song Devo: God Is Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.  (1 John 4:7-12)

 This past Sunday we introduced a song that celebrates the character of God with the title, “God is Love.” It is a strong reminder of the perfect love of God, and a reminder is often what we need.

How easy it is to fall into the patterns and fears of this world – to forget the love of God, or at least to forget its magnitude.  His love is BIG.  REALLY BIG. 

Our sin is big too.  This is often something we don’t like to think about, but it’s important to remember that the sin of mankind warranted the unfathomable sacrifice of Jesus.  Each one of us deserves death for the sins that we have committed. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

That’s right folks: the love of God, shown most perfectly in the sacrifice of his son, has removed the weight and debt of sin, has put us in right standing with our creator, and has made an eternity in heaven a possibility.  Not just a possibility, but a reality for all who put their faith and trust in Jesus.

That’s what I call a big love. 

Brothers and sisters, I am overjoyed to share this song with you.  When we get to the bridge section and join as a community of Christ-followers in loud and fervent acknowledgment of the perfect love of our perfect king, it’s a beautiful moment.

In that moment we are praising our God for His love and reminding ourselves and one another of its magnitude. I invite you to come prepared for this moment, and to consider it an act of love to both God and one another. 

I know my God is love
I know my God is love
This is enough to know my God is love

God Is Love

How great this love

Oh it's moving all my mountains

This perfect love it's casting out my fear

How great this love

Oh it welcomes me like family

And anywhere I go it meets me there

He is good and He is God

What I earned it's not what I got

And He is just yet oh so kind

What I deserve it's not what I find

What more could I say about Him

My God is love

How great this love

Oh it's faithful through my failures

This trusted love is with me 'til the end

How great this love

Oh it's closer than a brother

This is love He died so I could live

I know my God is love

I know my God is love

This is enough to know my God is love

CCLI Song # 7136019
Chris Renzema | Christian Hale | Patrick Mayberry | Seth Condrey
© 2020 Centricity Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Music At North Point (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 702888

Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.

If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.

New Song Devo: Rejoice

The word “rejoice” isn’t used very often these days outside of Christian worship, so I think it’s worth reviewing what it actually means. A quick Google search tells us that “Rejoice” means to feel or show great joy or delight.

 Okay. That seems do-able. I sometimes feel joyful or delighted.

 But a quick look at Paul’s instruction to the Philippian church in Philippians 4:4 gives us pause when it says to Rejoice in the Lord always. Wait, what? Always? Even when I’m having a terrible day? Even when my anxiety is smothering me? Even when tragedy strikes? Yes. Always.

 I think if we are to truly comprehend “rejoicing always”, we must remind ourselves WHY we are rejoicing. What is prompting our feelings and display of great joy and delight? Paul tells us: Rejoice in the Lord always.

 The Lord is the object of our joy and delight. He has made us, breathed life into us, loved us, showered us with blessings, sustained us, and most importantly, given His son as a sacrifice for us so that we can exist in relationship with Him. He is eternally good and gracious, slow to anger and abiding in steadfast love (Ex. 34:6), the truly righteous judge who causes nations to rise and fall (Ps. 82:8) and in the same breath longs to gather His children under His wing like a mother hen (Mt. 23:37). He is deserving of our rejoicing.

 The song, “Rejoice”, is a reminder of why we worship. It calls us to come together and worship our God in the good times and the hard, in every season, every time of change and challenge, as we collectively respond to who God is and what He’s done.

 Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord now and always

Sing it again we rejoice

Delight in the love He has shown us

Gratefully lift up your voice

His gentleness among us

Will join our hearts with praise

We gather in His goodness

A family of grace

With each breath He’s given praise the Lord

In these times we live in we will praise the Lord

Throughout every season I am sure

We have every reason to praise the Lord

Rejoice and be anxious for nothing

Praying for all that you need

Come with a song of thanksgiving

Lay your requests at His feet

His peace will fall upon us

To guard our hearts and minds

In Christ who reigns eternal

The Shepherd of our lives

Rejoice in the Lord now and always

Tell of the good He has done

Worship the Lord to remember

All of the joy yet to come

The hope that burns within us

The dark cannot destroy

With praise that’s never ending

We say again rejoice

CCLI Song # 7206654
Ben Shive | Bryan Fowler | Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Skye Peterson
© 2022 Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), bryanfowlersongs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), Getty Music Hymns and Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Junkbox Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 702888

Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.

If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (CSB)

 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4 (ESV)

 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 (ESV)

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. 
Psalm 62:8 (ESV)

The Lord came down in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed his name, “the Lord.” The Lord passed in front of [Moses] and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. 
Exodus 34:5-7 (CSB)

Rise up, God, judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.
Psalm 82:8 (CSB)

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
Matthew 23:37 (CSB) 

New Song Devo: Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel

Christmas is an all-encompassing season. The sights, the smells, the flavors, and especially the songs. As children, we become familiar with the Christmas songs of old as we hear them played on the radio and in stores, attend concerts and church services. As believers, we celebrate the season by singing Christmas carols, or more specifically, Christmas hymns. While many modern Christmas songs have been written for the church, few have had the staying power of the Christmas hymns. Their familiar melodies and strong lyrics stir our hearts to the hope of the gospel represented in Christ’s first coming as the infant Jesus.

As modern hymn-writers have strived to continue the practice of singing “a new song” to the Lord (Ps. 96:1) and to produce rich lyrics and melodies for the modern church, the occasional modern Christmas hymn has emerged, one of which is the tune, “Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel”. Like many familiar Christmas hymns, this tune walks us through the story of the advent of Christ: celebrating the long-awaited Emmanuel, worshiping Emmanuel, and telling others the good news of Emmanuel. This is the message of Christmas, the challenge for all believers.

The lyrics “sing we” alone have great meaning. First, the implication that we are singing. To sing is to declare. To sing is to resonate. To remember, to comfort, to celebrate. There is great power in singing. Second, the implication that we are singing. The church, gathered together, is sharing in testimony, admonishing each other with the words of the song (Col. 3:16). We share in the challenge and hold each other accountable to live out the truths we collectively proclaim. As the song continues, it is filled with more collective, plural language, further describing how we as a family and body are to celebrate the coming of Emmanuel, God with us.

As we sing this modern Christmas hymn in our worship services this December, I pray that its familiar message would take on a fresh meaning for us. That perhaps a new way to sing the Christmas story would draw our hearts to worship and response, and that we would be challenged and encouraged as we sing truth together.

Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel

Sing we the song of Emmanuel

This the Christ who was long foretold

Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem

Promise of dawn now our eyes behold

God Most High in a manger laid

Lift your voices and now proclaim

Great and glorious Love has come to us

Join now with the hosts of heaven

Come we to welcome Emmanuel

King who came with no crown or throne

Helpless He lay the Invincible

Maker of Mary now Mary’s son

O what wisdom to save us all

Shepherds sages before Him fall

Grace and majesty what humility

Come on bended knee adore Him

Go spread the news of Emmanuel

Joy and peace for the weary heart

Lift up your heads for your King has come

Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark

Glory shining for all to see

Hope alive let the gospel ring

God has made a way He will have the praise

Tell the world His name is Jesus

Gloria Gloria

Gloria Gloria

CCLI Song # 7078042
Keith Getty | Matt Boswell | Matt Papa | Stuart Townend
© 2015 Getty Music Hymns and Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Love Your Enemies Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Messenger Hymns (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Townend Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.

If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.

“Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” 
Colossians 3:16 (CSB)

“Sing a new song to the Lord; let the whole earth sing to the Lord.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples.”
Psalm 96:1-3 (CSB)

“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 1:22-23 (CSB)

“When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Luke 2:15-18 (CSB)

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.”
Philippians 2:5-7 (CSB)

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned…But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:12, 15-17 (CSB)

Calvary Elders Statement on Prop 3

Dear Calvary Church Family:

As you are most likely aware, Election Day is coming soon, on Tuesday, November 8. For those of us in Michigan, that includes casting our vote on Proposal 3. We (The Elders) have received questions from several people in the CBC family about this proposal. If you are not familiar with it, Proposal 3 is a ballot initiative that would expand abortion “rights” and, depending on actual implentation resulting from the proposal’s passage, open the door for other practices. While we believe that our right to vote is one that is valuable, we also recognize the potential danger in over-politicizing God’s Church. At CBC, we are not committed to or in the habit of endorsing a particular party, candidate, or ballot initiative. Instead, our allegiance is to God’s Word, His Will, and His Way for our individual and collective lives.

As Calvary’s Confession of Faith, preaching and teaching, and ministry partnerships (e.g., Care Net, Hope Clinic) clearly articulate and indicate, we unequivocally believe in and celebrate the sanctity of life, from conception to death. We absolutely believe that God created the first and every individual human being in His image and likeness (Psalm 139:13-14, Genesis 1:27) and loves each one and everyone intimately (John 3:16).

As followers of Jesus, we are called to care for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40), and to seek justice for those who have no voice (Proverbs 31:8-9, Psalm 82:3-4). It is our belief that this calling compels us to stand up for and protect the lives of the marginalized and vulnerable, including those not yet born. In addition to its damaging effects on women, abortion is the termination of an innocent life, a violation of Scriptural truth,and we stand in opposition to it. 

As servant-leaders in our church family, we continue to pray that each of us would embrace Biblical truth and God’s mission for our lives. If you have been affected in any way by abortion, please know that we love you, and so does Jesus. We will walk with you in genuine relationship and heartfelt compassion. Because God Loves, Calvary Loves! If we can be of any further assistance, or if you have questions about having a relationship with God, please don’t hesitate to contact us(elderboard@cbcjoy.org).

Helping People Follow Jesus Together,

Calvary Baptist Church Elders

A Free Gift from Calvary

We're excited to share that our church now has access to an extensive, new video library called RightNow Media! It's like the "Netflix of Video Bible Studies" and has a HUGE library of faith-based videos that you can access whenever and wherever you want – on your phone, iPad, computer, or at home on your TV.

As a church staff, we're always looking for ways to help you develop and strengthen your faith. We believe that RightNow Media will be a tool to serve you as you live out your faith at home, at work and in your neighborhood. RightNow Media has videos for everyone – kids, youth, parents, married couples, college students, single adults, working professionals – all aimed at helping you grow.

We pray that RightNow Media will be a blessing for you and your family!

Would you like a FREE account? contact us and we'll get you signed up!

rightnow-screen

You prepare a table before me...

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts… Acts 2:42-46

Over the last couple of years, the Lord has guided us through a ministry journey—Blessing Box to Blessing Bags to Open Table. He remains faithful to leading and we obediently follow His plan. During the summer months, we paused our meals with Open Table with the intent of being still and listening to Him. During that time, we maintained relationships with the community members who attended Open Table. With the Lord’s equipping we will increase the invitation and challenge of Open Table. This intentional gathering will allow us as a church family to connect and deepen relationships with our community. 

Who attends Open Table? EVERYONE IS INVITED

• Calvary Family

• Language Learning Friends

• Community Friends who previously attended Open Table

• Kids, Students, Adults…all ages
  

What will Open Table look like now?

• First Wednesday of every month

• 5:30-6:30pm

• Lower-Level Cafeteria

• Family-style meal with Calvary AND our community

• Blessing Bags will be available for anyone in need

David says, “You prepare a table before me…” (Psalm 23:5) which emphasizes our dependence on our Father. He prepares, He provides, He invites. It is by His divine power that we have been given everything we need for a godly life. Let’s speak and share those truths with those in our ministries and our community. His table is OPEN. Let’s sit with Him.

This meal will be provided by Calvary LOVEs

Want to be involved? Email Bobbie Lee Barr at bobbielee@cbcjoy.org

• You can contribute financially with a financial gift to Calvary LOVES

• Join our team who prepares the meal (cooking, setting the table, etc).