Global Partner Christmas

Global Partner Christmas

One of our Fall CBC traditions is joining together in sending a Christmas gift to our active Global Partners. It has been a wonderful way to bring joy, encouragement, and refreshment to families serving in ministry around the world. Our goal this year is to raise $14,000 over and above our regular giving throughout the month of October.

If you’d like to contribute to our Global Partner Christmas fund, you can text “GIVE” to 734-212-8812 or give online at cbjoy.org/give and allocate your giving to Global Partner Christmas. 

Instead of distributing “cash/change” jars this year as we have in the past, we would invite you to set up your own jar at home for collecting loose cash or change throughout the month of October (this is a great option for kids!). If you’d like to print a label for your jar, we’ve got a printable you can download here. All donations should be completed by November 1. 

If you’d like to learn more about our ministry of supporting Global Partners, check out this info on our website. To look back at some of our Global Partner Update videos, check out this YouTube playlist.

Precautions for In-Person Indoor Gatherings

• We will have one Sunday worship service on our campus, in the church Auditorium, that will include live music and teaching at 10:45 a.m. Anyone planning to attend this in-person worship service needs to RSVP!

• Our Sunday worship service will also continue to be live streamed online at 10:45 a.m. The link to jump in for the live stream remains the same: cbcjoy.org/live

• In addition to our Sunday worship service, other indoor ministries are being offered including some of our adult and student classes, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, prior to the worship service. You can visit cbcjoy.org/fall2020 for more information about the different ministry offerings. If you’re planning to attend one of the first hour classes at 9:30 a.m., you do not need to RSVP for those – only the worship service.

• Consistent with our desire to love our church family and community during this pandemic, we are requiring all attendees to wear a mask or face covering inside the building for the duration of their visit (infants and preschool aged children are exempt). Additionally, we will provide a brief temperature check for all upon entering the building.

• Please note that our Nursery and Calvary Kids programming will not meet in-person until October 25. Until then, children younger than middle school are encouraged to attend an Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) class and/or the worship service with their families.

• There will be no coffee provided, but please feel free to bring your own!

Please use the button below for more in-depth information and an FAQ section

Update On Ministry For This Week

Hey Calvary Family! 

In light of this past weekend’s activity cancellations, we wanted to follow up and let you know that we are proceeding as planned with all scheduled ministry offerings for this week. This includes any in-person, indoor gatherings that were slated to begin. Our plan to kick off our in-person, indoor worship services at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, preceded by first-hour Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) and Student Ministries classes at 9:30 a.m. For more details on ministry offerings, visit cbcjoy.org/fall2020.  

If you haven’t had a chance to take a look at the video update from Pastor Dave regarding the our approach to indoor gatherings, check it out here. You can also visit cbcjoy.org/rsvp to learn more and to RSVP to join us on October 4.

Additionally, we’re excited for our Bring Your Own Lunch event this Sunday, immediately after the worship service. All are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair along with your own food and stick around for lunch outside, together with the rest of the CBC family! In the event of inclement weather, Bring Your Own Lunch will be postponed to next Sunday, October 11. 

Finally, with the transition back to in-person, indoor services, there is a need for some volunteer help as we seek to foster a safe and friendly environment for those attending. Roughly fifteen (15) individuals are needed each Sunday to make this happen. If you’re planning to attend in-person worship, would you consider helping out? You can learn more about the different jobs and let us know you’re able to help by visiting cbcjoy.org/rsvp and scrolling down to “Sign Up To Serve.” Thanks in advance for jumping in to serve!   

As always, any questions can be directed to our executive pastor, Dan Arbitter (dan@cbcjoy.org). We’re excited for what this week holds, and we look forward to connecting with you soon!

Update On September 27 Worship

Hello, Calvary Family:

Late last evening, we received notice that an individual from within Plymouth Christian Academy (PCA) had received a positive test result for COVID-19. That individual was present in the church building throughout last week, including Friday. The church and PCA leadership worked throughout the night and into the early morning hours, following Wayne County protocols for things like facility cleaning, as well as communication. 

As we progressed through those protocols, initial efforts at contact tracing indicated interaction between school and the CBC church family. At that point, a decision was made that it would be best to cancel all in-person ministry activities until additional tracing could be completed and further direction from Wayne County Health and Community Services was received. The persons who were identified in the initial contact tracing have already been notified separately.

In light of all of this and as we shared in a brief message last night, ALL Calvary ministry activities scheduled for today, September 27, are cancelled. As you can certainly imagine, we were and are very disappointed to make these decisions, but this cancellation encompasses everything that was going to take place throughout the entire day, including our membership class and Student Ministries small groups. Given the nature of this situation, we additionally felt it would be unwise to bring staff and volunteers into the building today to facilitate an online livestream of our worship service, so that will not be occurring. You will receive further updates on weekday in-person ministry activities as the week progresses. 

In closing, we’d like to thank you in advance for your ongoing prayer support relative to health of all those involved, and for God to provide wisdom and direction to the leadership at PCA and CBC throughout the week.

Helping people follow Jesus together...

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor

Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

In-Person Gatherings Cancelled • 9/27

Change Of Plans For September 27 

Hey, Calvary Family:
Our sincere apologies for the very late notice, but we wanted you to know that, unfortunately, all in-person activities scheduled to take place at CBC  tomorrow, September 27, need to be cancelled. More details will follow as we’re able to share them.

UPDATE: Please visit this post for more information

Transitioning Indoors on 9/27

Our Elders are so appreciative of all the prayers and expressions of support and encouragement over the past few weeks as they worked through decisions about in-person ministry offerings for the fall. As Pastor Dave announced on Sunday, we are looking forward to transitioning to in-person, indoor worship services beginning on September 27. Specific details about the logistics for those services, as well as decisions about other fall ministry offerings will be communicated in the weeks to come. Please continue to be in prayer for our church leadership and staff as they navigate these challenging times. Thank you! 

Stay tuned for more info soon!

New Song Devo: Graves Into Gardens

It seems like every time I’m scrolling the internet these days, I come across some sort of joke or sarcastic comment declaring the year 2020 as a terrible year, a waste of time, and that crazy bad things are just the norm these days. I’ll admit that I’ve been back and forth to that place too – feeling pretty hopeless, purposeless, stuck in a world where I had zero control of anything. 2020 has definitely been and continues to be a challenging year. The seasons shift, the challenges change, but in the midst of all the craziness God keeps showing up.  

I was recently challenged by this statement: We do not serve a God of a wasted season.  

Let me say it again for the people in the back: We do not serve a God of a wasted season! 

Not only do we not serve a God of a wasted season, we serve a God who is purposeful, and who is in the business of restoration. We serve a God who is a creative Creator and who is making all things new and who is the same yesterday, today, and forever! None of the struggles and challenges of this year are a surprise to Him. Our God is good all the time – all the time our God is good, and so our God is good in 2020 – in 2020 our God is good.  

In the book of Hosea, God likens the nation of Israel to a promiscuous woman, unfaithful and untrusting, seeking satisfaction anywhere but the presence of God. Purposed to restore Israel to Himself, God says in Hosea 2:14, “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” Did you catch that? God was the one who led His beloved into the wilderness. It was purposeful and intentional. Why? To allure her and speak tenderly to her. The chapter goes on to describe how God would restore and rebuild her life in a way that would bring her back to a loving relationship with Him. 

God has led us into the wilderness – on purpose. This season where things seem more unpleasant and difficult than we’d prefer is not a waste and it presents some unique opportunities. As the need to seek God’s guidance and purposes becomes more apparent with each new challenge, we have the opportunity to consider it a blessing to be drawn to Him in pursuit of wisdom. As our sense of control and familiarity continues to wane, we have the opportunity to take joy in seeking direction from the One who is completely sovereign over all things. As we grieve what has been lost, we have the opportunity to look forward with expectancy to the new, good things God is doing in and through each of us, as well as the year 2020.  

I’m excited to share this new song with you all on Sunday! I’d encourage you to take a look at the rest of Hosea 2 and the other Scripture passages listed below, and to listen to the recording of “Graves Into Gardens” as you prepare personally to worship corporately on Sunday.  

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. 

GRAVES INTO GARDENS 

I searched the world but it couldn't fill me

Man's empty praise and treasures that fade are never enough

Then You came along and put me back together

And every desire is now satisfied here in Your love

Oh there's nothing better than You

There's nothing better than You

Lord there's nothing

Nothing is better than You

I'm not afraid to show You my weakness

My failures and flaws Lord You've seen them all and You still call me friend

'Cause the God of the mountain is the God of the valley

And there's not a place Your mercy and grace won't find me again

You turn mourning to dancing

You give beauty for ashes

You turn shame into glory

You're the only one who can

You turn graves into gardens

You turn bones into armies

You turn seas into highways

You're the only one who can

CCLI Song # 7138219
Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Steven Furtick | Tiffany Hammer
© 2019 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (Admin. by Heritage Worship Publishing)
Bethel Music Publishing 
For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 702888

Exodus 14:10-14, 21-22

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!  This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

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.

John 15:13-15

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

Pray For Our Elders

Please Pray For Our Elders

Dear Calvary Family,  

Consistent with our church-wide focus on being joined in prayer this week, the Elders would sincerely appreciate your prayer support now and on an ongoing basis, relative to fall ministry planning. Despite the ongoing uncertainty around all of us, the Elders have continued to lean into a number of key principles as the foundation upon which to guide our church as we live out our mission of “helping others follow Jesus together,” even in this unique season of ministry. Although we continue to be encouraged by the growth we see in many areas, we readily acknowledge the challenging aspects of our ability to gather in person as significantly constrained and painful. 

The timing has certainly been beyond what many of us would have anticipated, and we recognize that some churches in the surrounding area have chosen different approaches than we have to date. We all long to be together again and to return to some sense of “normalcy." We also have great appreciation for your perseverance during this period of time and recognize the impact of the prolonged nature of the pandemic. The fall season has always brought with it a time of great expectation for ministry together at Calvary. As such, the Elders are requesting your prayers that there would be clarity and unity as we continue to seek God’s wisdom regarding next steps moving forward in the coming weeks and months.

Thanks, in advance, for your faithfulness in prayer!

Bob Baker, Brett Comstock, Paul Ellinger, David Gregory, Evin Hutton, Dave Riddle, Rod Windle and Bob Yerks

(CBC Elder Team)

CALVARY WOMEN DAY OF FASTING & PRAYER - Thursday, August 20

 Fasting is mentioned throughout Scripture. Refraining from meals or eating was instructed and requested in various circumstances and times. Fasting helps to illustrate and add to our hunger for God. Through fasting, we put our stomach where our hearts are to give added intensity to our ache for Jesus. *Fasting is never commanded for all believers, but the Bible does give us lots of good reasons to fast including:

• Fasting before making an important decision (Acts 13:2, 14:23).

• Fasting to overcome addiction (Isaiah 58:3-7).

• Fasting for God’s intervention (2 Samuel 12:15-17).

• Fasting to show humility (Psalm 35:13).

• Fasting in response to grief or mourning (Psalm 35:13, Esther 4:3).

• Fasting to request God’s protection (Ester 4:15-16 Ezra 8:21-23).

• Fasting to set apart leaders for Christian service (Acts 13:2-3).

• Fasting with repentance (Joel 2:12-15).

• Fasting as a leader who desires God to work amongst your people (Jonah 3:6-10). *Resource from Erin Davis

We are fasting and praying together because during these days of the pandemic, social and political strife, and uncertainty in many of our lives and families, we have a sure place to go. The Eternal, All- Knowing God who is over all has made a way for us to know Him and be in relationship with Him when we recognize our deep need for Him and respond through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Not only has He made a way for us to know Him, He has made a way for us to communicate with Him through prayer.

We invite you to approach the throne boldly with us to seek the Lord in humility and trust. We invite you to pray through these five points utilizing the Scripture included throughout the day. For each of the five points, we’ll ask God to shape and fuel our minds, hearts, attitudes, and actions SO THAT He will be made known to and through each one of us individually and as a group of women as we follow Jesus together.

We suggest that you pray for the first two points in the morning, two in the afternoon, and one in the early evening. Then we’ll have the opportunity to gather together outside on the CBC campus at 7pm to pray together. Even if you can’t be with us for that gathering, we still would love to know if you’ve joined us in fasting and prayer throughout the day, so please email Heidi Fulk (heidi@cbcjoy.org) with any responses or thoughts from the day.

We’re praying for and with you!

Praying for Yourself

o Mind: Being Rooted and Grounded in the Word

o Heart: Love of God Evident

o Attitude: Ongoing Examination of our Life and Repentance 

o Actions: Acting on the Word

Scripture to Pray:

• 2 Timothy 2:15—Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth.

• James 1:22,25—Prove yourselves doers of the Word, not merely hearers who delude themselves... an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

• Psalm 139:23-24—Search me O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way,

• Ephesians 5:1—Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for you, as offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Praying for Your Family

o Mind: For a Framework for Truth

o Heart: Love of Christ that Radiates

o Attitude: Willing and committed to reading, study, and instruction in God’s Word 

o Actions: Being an Example of Christ—particularly parents

Scripture to Pray:

• 2 Timothy 3:16,17—All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequately equipped for every good work.

• Ephesians 6:1—Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

• 1 Timothy 1:5—The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

• Deuteronomy 6:5-7—You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

• 1 Corinthians 16:14—Do everything in love!

Praying for Our CBC Family

o Mind: Understanding need for Unity in Body

o Heart: Humble and Ready to Serve with Purity of Heart 

o Attitude: Edifying and Building Up

o Actions: Using Gifts for His Glory

Scripture to Pray

• Psalm 133:1—Behold, how good and how precious it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

• 1 Peter 3:8-9—All of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

• Philippians 2:3-5—Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.

• I Peter 5:5b-6—...all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11—Encourage one another and build up one another.

• Ephesians 4:29—Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

• 1 Corinthians 12:24-26—God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to the member that has lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice in it.

Praying for Our Neighbors

o Mind: Recognizing and Seizing Every Opportunity 

o Heart: Loving Neighbor as Self

o Attitude: Ready to Give a Godly Response

o Actions: Reaching Out and Serving Community

Scripture to Pray

• Ephesians 5:15-16—Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

• 1 Peter 3:15—Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

• Romans 13:9b-10—You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

• Galatians 6:9-10—Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we no not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Praying for Our Country

o Mind: For people to Turn or Return to God of Truth

o Heart: Humble Ourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God

o Attitude: Submitting to All Leaders God allows while asking God for Godly Leadership 

o Actions: UpholdGodlyValues

Scripture to Pray

• Proverbs 9:10—The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

• Proverbs 29:2—When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.

• 1 Timothy 2:1-4—I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

• Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

• Micah 6:8—He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Parking Lot Construction

Hey Calvary Family – 

It was great to connect online again this past Sunday! We were bummed that the weather prevented us from meeting outside as planned but remain incredibly grateful for our team’s ability to flex and livestream the service from our Auditorium. We loved having our Student Ministries worship team lead us in worship as well; big thanks to them! 

This week marks the beginning of an exciting change to the look of our campus! As many of you are aware, our parking lot has been in need of repair for quite some time. Since we had made a significant down payment prior to the onset of the pandemic, this is the one major facility upgrade project that we are actively pursuing this ministry year. Construction on this project began earlier this week and is scheduled to be wrapped up in time to accommodate PCA’s start of school on August 24.   

Due to the logistics of this exciting project, there will be some weeks we are unable to provide outdoor services. The patio area and driveway where we’ve been meeting on Sundays is being affected, and parking on campus will be limited and challenging. So, we are currently planning for our worship service to be online only this coming Sunday, August 9. If weather and construction logistics allow for ideal progress throughout the week, there is a slight chance that we would be able to offer the outdoor services. In that case, we would let you know and offer links to RSVP later this week. Either way, we will send a communication no later than Saturday, August 8, confirming our final plan for this Sunday’s worship service.

Regardless of how we end up being able to gather, we certainly look forward to worshiping our Lord together as a church family this coming Sunday. If you have any questions about the parking lot construction project or the worship service plans, please feel free to reach out to Dan Arbitter (dan@cbcjoy.org). Thanks so much for your understanding and cooperation! 

Helping people follow Jesus together, 

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor
Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

New Song Devo: Oh My Soul

Anyone who has ever been around me in a worship setting has probably heard me emphasize the idea that worship is a RESPONSE. A response to who God is and what He’s done. Whether at a worship team or choir practice, while leading a worship service, or just in general conversation, I’ll come back to this point fairly consistently. I think it’s important that as Jesus-followers we understand what it means to be worshippers – not just while singing a few songs on a given Sunday, but in the way we offer our lives as a living sacrifice to God. A life surrendered to God is our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). While it’s important to emphasize worship as a lifestyle and not contained to just music, I also believe that the songs we sing are a key tool to setting the tone for a worshipful life.  

Music has a way of retaining content in our brains. Think about jingles from advertising commercials, hit songs on the radio, or even popular movie themes. The melodies hook us and the lyrics stick with them and dance around in our heads, whether we want them there or not. The same is true with worship music. Whether it be a chorus, a hymn, or even a good beat, these songs stay with us, sometimes for many years, their words shaping our understanding of who God is and what He’s done. When we sing songs in a church worship service, we are, as the psalmist said, “rehearsing what we know of God” (Psalm 42:6 MSG), which allows us to respond with a posture of awe and gratitude there in the moment and as we continue throughout our daily lives.  

When I first heard Travis Cottrell’s “Oh My Soul”, it made me want to get up and dance! We’d hoped to introduce this song for our Easter service, but ended up delaying until we could meet in person. We shared it at our outdoor service a few weeks ago and will share it again this Sunday. The message of the song is a simple invitation to response. When we recognize who God is and what He’s done we cannot help but respond with celebration! We lean in to the wonder of God’s great mercy and love toward us and allow it to reinforce our identity in Christ as we continue on mission as his disciples.  

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. 

Psalm 34:1-3

I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Oh My Soul 

Father of mercy
King of all kings
Even in darkness
I will sing I will sing

‘Cause I've been set free
Running out of the grave
Set free all my sin washed away
Set free breaking out of the chains
And I'm alive

Oh my soul lift up the name
Of the One who saves
He reigns forever
Oh my soul lift up Your praise
I will rise and bless the Lord

Oh my soul
Oh my soul
Oh my soul
Oh my soul

High as the heavens
Deep as the sea
How great Your love
That rescued me rescued me

I will sing Your goodness
I will sing Your grace
I will love You all my days all my days

CCLI Song # 7141764
David E. Moffitt | Jeff Pardo | Travis Cottrell
© 2019 Great Revelation Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
TimeChange Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
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Outdoor Worship - What to Expect

Outdoor Worship at Calvary

We’re very excited to be transitioning back to in-person worship! We have four options for how you can join in: worship from your home via livestream, worship on campus from inside your vehicle, worship on campus outside on the lawn, or (NEW!) worship on campus inside our Lobby via livestream. Here’s what to expect as you prepare to worship on Sunday!

At Your Home – Via Livestream
- We’ll be streaming live at 10:45 a.m. from our on-site outdoor services.
- You can find the links to watch the stream at cbcjoy.org/live.

On Campus – From Your Vehicle
- Join us for either the 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. service times. Please plan on arriving roughly 15 minutes before the service begins to get settled in your parking spot. When you arrive, signage & staff will direct you to the “Stay-In-Car” parking and worship area.
- Signs will also note a radio station frequency number to which you can tune in and listen to the service.
- We ask that you please plan to remain in your vehicle for the duration of your time on campus, unless you need to use the restroom.
- No RSVP is needed to attend from your vehicle.

On Campus – On The Lawn
- Our on-campus capacity is 100 persons and requires an RSVP. Links to RSVP for the 9:00 and 10:45 services are available at cbcjoy.org/rsvp.
- Those who have RSVP’d to join us at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. should also plan to arrive roughly 15 minutes before the service begins. When you arrive, signage and staff will direct you to the “Lawn RSVP” parking and worship area.
- We encourage lawn attendees to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating, but we will have chairs available if needed. Please note, as we endeavor to be respectful of the current executive order in effect in Michigan, our expectation for on-the-lawn worshipers is that they would observe appropriate social distancing standards (6’ minimum between different family units, please!). 
- We will be outside on the grass so please feel free to dress appropriately and comfortably for the weather and environment and to consider sun and bug protection. You are welcome to bring your own drinks or snacks.
- If you are bringing young children with you to worship on the lawn, we kindly ask that you be sure to keep them close to you at all times and please refrain from using the playground equipment while on campus.
- The wearing of masks for outdoor worship is optional – we expect to see people with and without masks. If you prefer to not wear a mask, we ask that you please be respectful of those who do. Note: since singing may have the potential to increase the risk of virus transmission, we are recommending (but not requiring) the use of a mask by those who choose to sing along with our worship music while attending from the lawn seating. Thanks in advance for your grace, consideration, understanding, and cooperation!

NEW OPTION: On Campus - In The Lobby
- Participants can view the 10:45 livestream from our West Lobby on our newly installed large-screen televisions.
- Our indoor capacity is limited to 10 persons and requires an RSVP. A link to RSVP can be found at cbcjoy.org/rsvp.
- This worship option is open to anyone, though we’ll try to give preference to those who may have limitations in being able to attend an outdoor service or connect online in their home.
- Please note, per the current executive order in effect in Michigan, a mask/face covering is required for all who attend this indoor service.

A few other thoughts for those planning to join in-person…
- Restrooms will be available in the Barn and in the lower level of the church building.
- There will be no Calvary Kids activities for our in-person services, but printable resources will be emailed out to families with children; that can be brought along for them to use during the service.
- A songsheet with lyrics of our songs for the day is available at cbcjoy.org/lyrics. We will be projecting lyrics on screens during the service, but they may be difficult to read so please consider either printing the songsheet at home and bringing it with you or following along on your mobile device.
- If inclement weather is expected for Sunday morning, we will make the call by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday to cancel both the indoor and outdoor in-person, on-campus venues. In the case of a cancellation, our team will lead the worship service from the church building via livestream only at 10:45 a.m.

Did we cover all your questions? If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please email Dan Arbitter (dan@cbcjoy.org). We look forward to worshiping together this Sunday!

Update: July 20

Updated Monday, July 20th

Sunday Worship Services

You have three different options for worshipping with us on Sunday morning.

1)  Worship from your home via livestream. Please note, we will only be streaming our 10:45 a.m. outdoor service only. You can stream the service on Facebook or YouTube via cbcjoy.org/live

2) Worship on campus from your vehicle at either 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. No RSVP is needed for this option.   

3) Worship on campus on the lawn at either 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. We have space for 100 people at each service time, available on a first-come, first-served basis via RSVP. If you would like to RSVP for a spot on the lawn you can visit cbcjoy.org/rsvp … The new links will go up each week on Wednesday afternoon.

For Text Updates

Sign up for text alerts by texting cbcjoy to 734.212.8812

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Previous Updates

Updated Tuesday, June 9th

We've Added A Second Service! 

Hey Calvary Family, 

We are looking forward to coming together for our return to in-person worship this Sunday, June 14! You may remember that we sent a communication this past weekend (see below) detailing your choices: worship from your home via livestream (www.cbcjoy.org/live); at our campus from inside your vehicle; and at our campus, outside on the lawn (lawn option capped at 100 persons maximum).  

Due to your overwhelming response, we’ve decided to expand the options for this Sunday and offer two identical worship services, at 9:00 am and 10:45 am, so thankfully we now have the ability to accommodate 100 more people who would like to worship on the lawn! See action steps to take below: 

• If you would like to sign up to attend the 9:00 service on the lawn, please RSVP here. 

• If you would like to switch your RSVP from the 10:45 service to the 9:00 service, simply go ahead and RSVP for the 9:00 service and we will automatically cancel your RSVP for the 10:45 service.

• Spots on the lawn for the 10:45 service may become available as people decide to shift to the 9:00 service. If you would like to be added to a waitlist, please contact Emma Prong (emma@cbcjoy.org). She will notify you if and when space opens up!

• If you’re planning to attend either service from your home or within your vehicle, there’s no need to sign up at all. 

We are so encouraged by positive response to the announcement of the in-person service and are very excited about worshiping together this Sunday! If you have any questions, please contact Dan Arbitter (dan@cbcjoy.org). 

Helping people follow Jesus together, 

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor
Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

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Updated Saturday, June 6th

In-Person Outdoor Worship June 14 

Hello Calvary Family, Last week we provided you information on some opportunities for small in-person gatherings. Our intent in highlighting those opportunities was to let you know of some church-sponsored in-person activities in which you may want to participate.This week we are reaching out to you to announce a new, outdoor, in-person church worship service on June 14. This new offering will be in addition to our existing online worship for those who prefer to remain at home at this time.At the in-person, outdoor service we will be offering two different levels of engagement in which you’re invited to participate. Both of them will be taking place simultaneously on the CBC campus at 10:45 am.

1)     Drive-in Worship

For those who select this option, you and your family would remain in your vehicle and listen on your vehicle’s radio. This option may best suit families with young children, people who are among the “at-risk” population, or those who would simply be more comfortable staying in their vehicle.

2)     Worship on the Lawn

In this second option, we will have availability and space for people to be outside of their cars and on the lawn closer to the “stage.” For the June 14 service, we are capping the number of those on the lawn at a maximum of 100 persons. Chairs will be set up in such a way to enable proper social distancing and we ask that you remain in your chairs throughout the entire service. If you are interested in this option, you will need to RSVP here. Determination of those to attend would be on a first-come, first-served basis, i.e. the first 100 persons to RSVP.During this worship service, restrooms located in the Barn and lower level of the church facility will be open for your use. You are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks. If there is a high potential for rain, we will cancel on Saturday night, June 13 and thus have our online service only. Online Student and Adult DU classes will continue in their current manner, prior to the service. Please note: Though we love your kids and apologize for the inconvenience, we are unable to provide nursery or childcare at the church in support of this in-person outdoor service. Our intent is to provide parents on-line with activity materials that can bring with you for the service. We’re so excited about this step forward in gathering together as sisters and brothers in Jesus! Please consider your participation and remember that being “on the lawn” requires an RSVP on our digital invitation, so take care of that right away if you’re planning to attend in that manner. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Dan Arbitter (dan.arbitter@cbcjoy.org).

Thanks so much; we can’t wait to see many of you Sunday, June 14th at 10:45am!

Helping People Follow Jesus Together,

Dave Riddle – teaching + vision pastor
Dan Arbitter – executive pastor

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UPDATED Friday, May 29th

Update On In-Person Gatherings 

Hey, Calvary Family:  

In the ministry update email that you received last week, we mentioned that we would be following up with some specific in-person CBC-sponsored events. These opportunities are focused on gatherings of people in groups of 10 or less.   

Virtual Life Groups: If your group would like to take advantage of in-person engagement, please feel free to do that! Each group has unique needs and perspectives relative to in-person group meetings and we will leave that up to your particular group to decide if an in-person venue fits well. Please have a heart of grace and flexibility if there is a difference of perspective in your group. Weather permitting, you may want to meet outside in a park or in someone’s backyard. If someone in your group is uncomfortable in moving to in-person or is part of the at-risk population, you may just continue to meet virtually. Some groups may decide that based on schedules, the best plan would be to remain online long term, and that’s totally fine. Please choose the option that works best for your group! Consistent with this opening up of in-person group interactions, we are officially changing the name from Virtual Life Groups to simply, Life Groups. Please let Bobbie Lee Barr (bobbielee.barr@cbcjoy.org) know if you choose to move to an in-person format. 

Sunday Morning Watch Parties: Are you interested in having another family over to your home to participate in our Sunday worship live feed together? Consider throwing an in-person watch party! For those of you longing to get back together, this might be the best next step for you. If this is something with which you’d be comfortable, go for it! 

Student Ministry: Are you feeling kinda Zoomed-out? Schedule a get together with Jordan Baker, Phil Woodman, or a volunteer leader to catch up without staring into a screen. While continuing our current online programming, Phil and Jordan will also be communicating opportunities for possible small group outdoor events that would be optional and require your parental approval; look for details soon!  

Children’s Ministry: As you know, Calvary loves your kids! But at this time, we are unfortunately unable to sponsor any activities focused specifically on children younger than middle school, due to the challenges of maintaining social distance and the wearing of face masks. If you choose to participate in a watch party with your children, we ask that you please check with your host and other attenders first, and please be attentive to the oversight of your children, so as to not put others at risk. Thank you very much! 

Stephen Ministers: You’re free to meet in-person if you and your care receiver feel comfortable! 

Calvary Loves and Ministry Partners: Please pray and think about moving forward with in-person volunteering related to helping our community. A full description of opportunities can be found on our website at cbcjoy.org/needs. Consider joining together with your Life Group or some other friends to reach out during this unique time of opportunity! 

Women’s Ministry: Similar to the watch parties described above for Sunday morning, please feel free, at your comfort level, to invite others to in-home watch parties for Women’s Ministry online programming. 

Campus Usage: At this time, we are not utilizing CBC’s indoor facilities. However, if you would like to do something outside on our campus, please contact the church office so we can coordinate with others who may have plans to use the outdoor space as well.  

Important: If you choose to participate in any of the church-sponsored events, we do expect that you will follow the State of Michigan criteria for gatherings, which can be found HERE.

Those guidelines include a maximum of 10 persons at gatherings, wearing of face masks for all indoor events, social distancing of 6 feet, protection of at-risk population, and opting out if you have any signs or symptoms characteristic of the coronavirus.  

Our intent in highlighting these opportunities is to let you know of some church-sponsored activities in which you may want to participate. Certainly, there are always occasions for you to reflect and share Jesus to your neighbors, friends and co-workers during this time apart from Calvary-sponsored events. In addition, we want to thank you for your ongoing commitment to staying connected with and loving on each other in so many ways! We hear lots of great stories of how each of you are looking out for one another, truly being the family of God; praise him for that!  

Helping People Follow Jesus Together, 

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor
Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

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UPDATED Thursday, May 21

"Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest? He said to him, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself...All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.'"  (Matthew 22:36-40, CSB) 

Greetings Calvary Family,

We wanted to communicate with you relative to the ministry happenings as we journey together during this ever-changing and unprecedented time. Specifically, we would like to speak to you about these three areas:

• Our Process for Transitioning to In-Person Church Sponsored Gatherings

• Our Plan for Our Spring Business Meeting and Elections

• Our Current Financial Status 

Process for Transitioning to In-Person Gatherings

As a Church Staff and Elder Team, we long to be back together again in-person. We believe it would be hard to find a group of people more passionate about being back together, in-person, and able to do what we love to do: serving God and this wonderful family. We miss you!

We are also keenly aware that this time has changed us as a church. It has sharpened our focus and provided opportunities for ministry that we would have never imagined possible. God has certainly used this time for Calvary to be the church, despite our doors being closed.

Since the very beginning of our discontinuation of in-person gatherings, the Staff and Elders have been meeting together to discuss navigating these times and the plans, preparedness, and precautions related to meeting together again in-person.

Over the last weeks it certainly has been encouraging to see the reduction of new COVID-19 cases and with that the potential for opportunities to gather together again, initially in small groups and eventually larger groups.

Our overarching goal relative to making choices about in-person gatherings is centered around where we believe God would have us go, step by step. Like many topics in our world, the re-opening of churches has become extremely polarizing. Some principles we’ve been utilizing to develop our plans moving forward are these:

• We will continuously seek God’s wisdom and look for His unique perspective and calling during this time, through prayer and meditation on His Word.

• We desire to leverage the wisdom and expertise of governmental health experts provided to us at the state and federal level, in and through their recommendations.

• We recognize the need for added protection of the at-risk population and children/students within our church family. Today, just over half of those in attendance at a typical Sunday worship service are in this group of people.

• We will be mindful of how our decisions impact the health and well-being of the broader overall community, to whom we continue to reach out and witness, with sincere hope that they become followers of Jesus.

• We will extend grace, and practice patience and flexibility as we face decisions around in-person gatherings, putting aside our personal desires, needs, and political views and focusing instead on how we can best love our Lord and our neighbors. 

• We will move forward by delivering plans with excellence, preparedness, and in an orderly manner, rather than rushing to be among the first churches to re-open.

• We will be honest and transparent, providing the CBC family with clear communication.

Over the next few weeks, our goal is to provide you with more details about specific and upcoming in-person church sponsored opportunities, while simultaneously continuing to provide and enhance our virtual online ministry. 

Additionally, we have developed a comprehensive plan for providing in-person Sunday worship services and have been at work preparing both facilities and ministry formulations for that day. Given the current state of the pandemic, we do not anticipate an in-person, indoor Sunday morning gathering until mid-June at the earliest. We continue to stay informed on State of Michigan and CDC recommendations and directives related to gatherings, as well as approaches being taken by other ministries within metro Detroit and our state. 

Making decisions at this time relative to in-person gatherings requires a great amount of wisdom. As such, the CBC Staff and Elders ask for your prayers as we continue to develop, refine, and communicate our plans. May we know and follow His leading, for His glory!

Plan for Our Spring Business Meeting and Elections

Our Spring Business meeting is scheduled for June 21. While we hope to provide for in-person participation at this meeting, it will also be broadcast online, regardless. 

During this meeting we will not be electing board members. The Elders determined and communicated to all current leaders (Trustees, Deacons, Regents and Elders) that their term is extended for one year, if they choose to serve it. This decision was made based on the current process of nominations and voting by ballot, which are not well suited for an online delivery. We will ask all existing members of the Nominating Committee to work with us over this next year to develop new nomination and voting methods for future elections, which will provide flexibility for times like these and streamline our existing in-person, paper-based processes. 

The focus of the Spring Business meeting will be on living into the new ministry realities of our time, and approval of the 2020-21 budget. Voting for the annual budget will be accomplished through on-line anonymous polling. Additional methods will be provided to those who need special accommodation, so please let the church office know as soon as possible if you would like assistance in this area.

Financial Update

As of May 18, 2020, our combined General Fund and Building Fund giving total was $76,100 below our budgeted target for giving. From the time our in-person worship services were suspended, we have seen week-to-week giving be erratic, though overall it has been strong.  However, based on our current giving trends and unemployment projections, it is anticipated that the 2020-21 budget we will bring to you for approval at the Spring Business Meeting will need to be reduced as compared to the 2019-20 budget. Thank you so much for your continued generosity during these challenging times; we are overwhelmed by your faithful, loving, and sacrificial investment into our ministry! God bless you, sisters and brothers!

Please note: If you have questions related to any of the above information, please contact Dan Arbitter: dan.arbitter@cbcjoy.org.

Helping people follow Jesus together,

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor
Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

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UPDATE 4/24/2020

In this video Pastor Dave shares an update and some encouragement in response to today’s news that the Stay Home order will be extended until May 15.

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UPDATED 4/07/2020

Dear Calvary Family,

In this difficult season, may we also consider that together we have a gift: a time in our lives to focus on things which are eternal; to have relationship with a God who is greater than this crisis around us. Recent research indicates that this week, perhaps more than any time in our lives, the people of our nation are open to a life-changing gospel. The combination of the magnitude of all those impacted by the pandemic, mortality levels approaching their peak, and the Easter season converging calls on us to “be” the church in deeds and words through ways in which we might not ever have considered! 

On March 17, we sent you an e-announcement titled “A New Ministry Reality,” which highlighted steps we were then taking relative to CBC’s ministry operations through early April. Today, we’d like to provide you with a brief update on where we are headed, moving forward. As such, we want you to know that the entire church staff will continue to work remotely from home; in addition, we have now cancelled all in-person activities, programs and events, until further notice. As in the recent past, we will continue to stay in regular communication with you in the days ahead. Thanks, in advance, for your consistent prayer support!

We are greatly encouraged by the way in which many of our key ongoing ministries transitioned to an online format! In addition, we’re very excited about the new opportunities to be the church during this season, such as Calvary Loves_______, Virtual Life Groups, Calvary Community Facebook Group and a number of organic expressions you have pioneered, based on your individual gifting and creativity. As a ministry staff, our hearts are filled with joy as we hear the many stories of how you are sharing and showing the love of Jesus at this time!

We also want to make you aware that everyone in the Calvary family is invited to join through Zoom for a time of prayer on Wednesday, April 8, at 7:00 p.m. You can get in on this all-church prayer by following the meeting link below. For those of you who already have the Zoom app on your computer, tablet or phone, you should be all set. Some of you may need to download Zoom, but it is free and easy to use. We hope to see you there and look forward to praying together! 

Topic: CBC All-Church Prayer

Time: Apr 8, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/6830514364 

Meeting ID: 683 051 4364 

As your time allows and God leads, please continue to be involved in the opportunities we’ve highlighted above, which will help you to grow, connect and minister during these challenging times. We urge you to spend time in God’s Word, follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, and be an ambassador of Jesus to your family members, neighbors, co-workers, and those you know who are struggling! In short, let’s all fill up on Jesus, creating an overflow that will allow us to bring God’s presence to those who are on our minds and crossing our paths during this very unique time for each of us, everywhere in the world.   

Helping people follow Jesus together,  

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor
Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

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UPDATED 4/04/2020

“And after this Job lived 140 years and saw his sons, and his grandsons, four generations.”

Job 42:16 (NASB) 

“And after this…” 

One way that I have tried to keep perspective during this time is to keep my mind focused on the “after this.” I think about the joy of being together and doing all the things that, for most of my life, I have taken for granted. Things like being able to go shopping, travel to see friends, go up north for a break, see my kids graduate, attend weddings and sporting events, visit relatives in nursing homes, enjoy a dinner at a restaurant, not be so concerned with my own health or those around me, and even offer a hug or handshake as we join in worship together. 

As we head into Holy Week and anticipate Easter, I was thinking about Jesus’ followers as they started seeing their world being turned upside down – starting in the upper room, then in the garden, and at the crucifixion. For us these recent days have certainly been life changing. But take a moment and walk through those days living in their sandals. The more I ponder each of those events and wonder how I would have responded, I am humbled, for sure. 

The “after this” of Jesus’ crucifixion changed the whole world forever. The disciples lived “after this” lives that no one could have ever imagined. They became the kind of disciples that God had planned for them to become from the beginning of time. They experienced Jesus in a whole new way in the “after this” of the resurrection.  

So, sisters and brothers, here we are today. Can we live knowing that the same God who was with the disciples during those dark days long ago is also with us today, and that He has a plan for us in the “after this,” just as He did for Job and the first followers? Will we just return to our pre-COVID lives? Or will we allow His Spirit to make us new people and a new church “after this” experience?  

As Jesus and His disciples prayed in the garden, let’s be in prayer that COVID-19 would be a marker stone of personal transformation in our lives. May we look back on how we drew closer to Him, how having less made us more sensitive to others; how we pulled together as a church; and how we realized the value of neighbors, face-to-face relationships, handshakes, hugs, solitude, and personal worship. 

As we enter Holy Week and anticipate Easter, here are some suggestions for living in the pre-“after this” 

• Invite your friends, especially those far from Jesus, to our online worship services: www.cbcjoy.org/live

• Engage in the Holy Week Prayer & Meditation Guide (coming this Sunday!) that will provide you an opportunity for daily reflection, prayer, and application throughout the week.

• Sign up for a Virtual Life Group so that, like the disciples, we can live life together, providing encourage and support in our collective journey.

• Ponder the “after this” in your life. Consider journaling through this time; just start writing down, “when this is over, I will…” 

“After this,” Job lived for an additional 140 years. The Bible doesn’t speak to what Job was like or what he did during those 140 years, but I’m confident that, like the disciples after the resurrection, Job’s life was radically changed. Let’s encourage one another to live our lives today and be planning for the “after this,” knowing that the One who loves us has a plan for our lives beyond all this that will be so much better than what we left behind in February.   

Helping People Follow Jesus Together,  

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastorDan Arbitter, executive pastor

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UPDATED 3/27/2020

The facility doors may be closed, but our church has never been more open and engaged in ministry! This update is designed to let you know of ways in which our staff can minister to you, you can minister within our CBC church family, and we together can minister to our surrounding community! 

In this note we’ll cover some NEW THINGS:

• Stephen Ministry Graduates

• Calvary Loves ____ Ministry

• Chinese-Speaking Prayer Time 

We’ll also update and review some ONGOING ITEMS:

• Virtual Life Groups (VLGs)

• Online Giving & Budget Update

• Submitting Prayer Requests

• Calvary Community Facebook Group

Keep reading for all the details!

EXCITING AND NEW!

Stephen Ministry Graduates

This week, twelve of our church family members completed their certification as Stephen Ministers. As we met virtually for our last night of training, we reflected on the timing of our training completion, with all that is going on around us. For some of us, it was almost a year ago that we began our training and it is encouraging to see how, throughout this process, God has given us a glimpse into seeing the need to be prepared to serve His people!  

With that in mind, these Stephen Ministers are ready to serve you and your loved ones. Stephen Ministers are trained in providing care though life-on-life, long-term relationships (including in a virtual manner). If you or someone you know is experiencing grief, depression, sickness, loss, or just have a need for someone to walk through life with you during a difficult time, we are praying that you will let us know. We’d love to share Jesus’ love with you! Please contact Dan Arbitter (dan@cbcjoy.org) if you are interested in talking about starting a relationship with a Stephen Ministry caregiver.

Calvary Loves ________

The opportunities to serve the communities around us has never been greater. Over the past few weeks our staff has been primarily focused on transforming the “IN” ministry and support from our homes – including worship services, specific ministries (Kids, Students, Women, etc.), communication, and business operations. We believe it is now critical that we add to our existing focus a greater emphasis on being who Jesus would be to the community, at this time. 

We are in the initial stages of developing a campaign around Calvary Loves ___. The “blank” represents areas where we as a group can use our creativity and presence to impact an area of our local community. Some initial areas we are focusing on are Calvary Loves (a specific apartment complex), Calvary Loves (a specific fire station), Calvary Loves (a specific unit at a local hospital), Calvary Loves (a specific nursing home). If you would like to be involved in the leadership of one of these Calvary Loves ___ opportunities, please contact Bobbie Lee Barr (bobbielee@cbcjoy.org). 

Chinese-Speaking Prayer Time

Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m. our Chinese-speaking community is gathering virtually for a special time of prayer. If you’re interested in participating or would like to spread the word to friends, neighbors, and co-workers who might want to participate, please contact Charles Bai (chengbai@gmail.com). 

ONGOING REVIEW! 

Virtual Life Groups

Last week we introduced Virtual Life Groups. We appreciate those who responded to that announcement and signed up to participate. We are now in the process of forming groups and setting up leader training. NOW is the time to let us know if you’re interested in participating (before the rollout stage). Visit cbcjoy.org/lifegroup or contact Bobbie Lee Barr (bobbielee@cbcjoy.org) with questions or to sign up!  

Online Giving and Budget Update 

In previous announcements we have encouraged you to consider new methods to financially support Calvary with your gifts of generosity. All the details regarding online giving opportunities can be found at cbcjoy.org/give-online. We are also still receiving checks by mail (43065 Joy Rd., Canton, MI, 48187) if that is your preference. Thank you so much for your continued investment into this ministry! 

Related to this topic, our desire is to be transparent as possible with you! As you might imagine, our giving over the last two weeks has been reduced. In addition to the disruption of normal giving habits due to our worship services being online instead of in-person, we also recognize the impact of unemployment within our church family both now and moving forward. Our Trustee Team is following these trends and is taking appropriate actions commensurate with these reduced giving levels. If our current giving trends continue, adjustments to church ministries and staffing will need to take place.  

At this time, our year-to-date budget need is $999,633, while our current year-to-date giving is $886,400. We will continue to adjust our actual spending to be in line with actual giving, but we want you, our church family, to be aware that more significant reductions may be needed as we move forward. We thank you for continuing to pray about all of this! If you have questions about our financial position, or need assistance in setting up online giving, please contact Dan Arbitter (dan@cbcjoy.org). 

Submitting Prayer Requests

We have several different pathways for you to share prayer needs with us!

• Send you prayer request to Prayer@cbcjoy.org.

• Visit cbcjoy.org/contact, enter your prayer need into the contact form, and send to “church office”.

• Call the church phone number and leave a message (734-455-0022).

For the three above methods an office staff person will contact you to get specifics on your needs and identify who you would like the request shared with, including the option of sending out an e-prayer announcement.  

You can also:

• Enter your prayer request in the “Virtual Guestbook” during the livestream of the Sunday Worship Service (Requests submitted here are distributed and prayed for by the Elder Team and Calvary Staff Team only).  

Calvary Community Facebook Group

Don’t miss this opportunity! If you’re on Facebook, this is one of the most effective ways to stay connected in the lives of other Calvary family members. This week we laughed, cried and shared life with each other as a community through this tool. It’s a great place to be family together. If you need help getting into the Calvary Community Facebook Group, contact Bobbie Lee Barr (bobbielee@cbcjoy.org) 

That’s the latest on All-Church news! Don’t forget to visit the cbcjoy.org for more information on all these above items, as well as updates on our different Calvary ministries (Kids, Students, Women, etc.). And, please, don’t hesitate to call us at 734-455-0022 if we can help you in ANY way!

We’re looking forward to “seeing” you this Sunday at 10:45 a.m. for our online worship service!

Helping People Follow Jesus Together, 

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor

Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

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UPDATED 3/20/2020

When they said, “Let’s go to the house of God,” my heart leaped for joy.

(Psalm 122:1, The Message)

Hey, Calvary Family!

This Weekend

Though David’s words above were referring to a physical place, we still share in his genuine and obvious excitement, as we prepare for our online worship time this Sunday! We again will be streaming our worship service, beginning at 10:45 a.m. To jump in on the livestream, please visit www.cbcjoy.org/live for all your viewing options!

Please note, we will be sharing in Communion as part of our worship experience this week, so if possible, have some things ready to use for the elements of bread and juice. Please, feel free to use whatever you have on hand (bread, crackers, chips, etc.; juice of any kind, water, milk, etc.). Don’t stress about not having the “normal” stuff!

Connect in the Scriptures!

Thanks to the good folks at Dwell, an app that allows you to listen to the Bible, CBC has been gifted a free 60-day access to their church account subscription. We’ve gladly accepted their offer, so all you have to do is click on this link: https://dwellapp.io/signup/with/5kSuJD and start listening to God’s Word! If you have any questions about this, contact Dan Arbitter (dan.arbitter@cbcjoy.org).

Info and Support

For the most up-to-date information, please remember to text CBCJOY to 84576. By texting this number, it allows us to provide ongoing updates to you regarding the latest status on things concerning the ministry. Additionally, by texting this number you will also be joining a Calvary-based support network that is mobilized to bless our church family and the community.

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UPDATED 3/18/2020

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UPDATED: 3/17/2020

Dear Calvary Family,

During these unprecedented and uncertain times, we rejoice in the great hope found in God, and we cling to that! Each day new challenges arise, and they call out to us to respond, often in ways that we wouldn’t have imagined only days ago! These challenges are impacting such a wide range of our normal daily experience, including those areas which were sources of joy, contentment and stability. For most of us, we’ve never experienced a time of such broad impact, all at one time: our health, our jobs, the economy, our social interactions and relationships, and beyond! Some of us may have gone through a crisis like this at a personal level, but right now the entire world is experiencing this at the same time. Truly this is an exceptional time in history, certainly for our generation. May God’s faithful love rest on us as we put our hope and trust in Him. Amen. 

Ministry at Calvary is likely very similar to what we assume you are all experiencing in your families, homes and workplaces. The chaos and rate of change required to progress forward is at times overwhelming, and yet mixed with glimpses of opportunity, anticipation and potential that we would likely not have seen if this microscopic organism had not invaded our world.

The CBC leadership is more solidified in our unity, mission and focus than we have ever experienced. These times are certainly challenging, but we continue to believe that we will come out of this experience changed for the better.  

As we move forward, living out our mission of helping people follow Jesus together, we certainly recognize the need to lean into a new reality of ministry, given all the change that is taking place. Often these changes are occurring at a rate that highlights our need to listen and trust God more deeply, so that we can be both wise and courageous in our decision-making.

Listed below is an update on the steps we have taken over the last week. It also includes some opportunities we would encourage you to take advantage of in the days ahead. Given the nature of our world right now, we expect that our communication to you will be frequent, and desire for it to be informative, encouraging, and also transparent.

Church Staff- On Sunday night, we sent a letter to all CBC staff announcing that effective immediately, the church was moving to a model where all personnel would be working remotely from their homes. Certainly, there will be essential tasks that will require specific individuals to be onsite for short periods of time, but our overall mode of operation is to maximize social distancing and avoid in-person interfaces among our staff. 

Please understand that despite the staff not being physically present on campus, we are full throttle in living out our calling of ministry together. The pace and passion around ministry here are at an unprecedented level. Many of you have shared some great suggestions for all sorts of ministry, including community outreach; thanks so much! We are praying, dialoguing, planning and thinking about all of those and more! There will no doubt be some bumps in the road as we continue to deliver day-to-day operations and as we roll out new ministry approaches, but those bumps would be due neither to distraction from mission nor lack of commitment!

Ministry Programing and Events - Given our current reality, we have chosen to eliminate all in person CBC-sponsored activities, programs and events through, at a minimum, April 5th. You will be receiving more specific details from our individual ministry leads, but as an overall summary, the church will not be sponsoring any in person interactions of any size through the first week of April 5th.

One area we are passionate about at Calvary is that life-on-life, face-to-face, “being together” ministry interaction. The impact of the corona virus on these types of interfaces is significant and painful, but we are adapting quickly by leveraging as many contemporary (online, virtual, etc.) and long-standing (phone calls, cards, etc.) touch points to enhance our ministry and be there with you. At last count there have been nearly 800 online views of last Sunday’s worship service, in addition to the 200 households who experienced it live. Isn’t that amazing? Praise God! For certain, there are new norms and opportunities into which we’re all living. We will continue to livestream our worship service for the foreseeable future; all the details about our next Sunday morning (March 22) will be provided later this week.

Financial Stewardship - We are closely monitoring our giving status and taking the appropriate near-term actions regarding our spending. Additionally, we are developing long term plans for PCA and CBC. You can greatly help us to plan for the months to come by maintaining (if possible) your consistency in giving. Your cooperation in setting up recurring online giving helps Calvary’s leadership know how to best plan. If you need help setting up an online giving account, please let us know, so we can help you. If you are uncomfortable with online giving, or unable to do it, please feel free to mail checks to Calvary Baptist Church, 43065 Joy Road, Canton, Michigan, 48187. The sooner we can assess our giving pattern in this new reality, the better we are able to plan and adjust. Please know that we completely understand that this is a time of economic and employment uncertainty, and sincerely appreciate your investment in this ministry, at whatever level God may be calling you to give.

Facebook Groups - You will soon be receiving information on an opportunity to join various CBC Facebook groups. These are online forums which promote increased dialog within the Calvary family specifically. If you are a Facebook user, we’d love for you to accept our invitation to the various groups we will be creating! If Facebook isn’t your thing, no problem. We are just trying to connect in as many ways possible to make up for the lost face-to-face interactions that many of us are missing so much. 

Virtual Life Groups - We are in the process of releasing Virtual Life Groups (VLGs). These are small groups, but through an online platform. VLGs will consist of 3 – 4 same-gender adults (i.e. 4 men OR 4 women). The goals for a VLG is that it would provide connection and support in the Body of Christ. We will be providing more details on this as we move forward. But for now, here are some next steps:

• Think about the makeup of your potential VLG. Are there men or women with whom you already have a relationship? Or, are there people with whom you’d like to connect? If so, go ahead and contact them, to see if they would be interested in participating in a VLG with you.

• If you’re interested, but are also kind of confused or uncertain, that’s completely OKAY; this is a brand-new thing! We will pray and think along with you, and help you connect in a group!

• Please…reach out! Communicate with us! Let us know if you’re forming a VLG, if you’re interested and need help, or if you just have some questions! Relative to these VLGs, 

Bobbie Lee Barr is your primary contact (bobbielee.barr@cbcjoy.org).

Reminders:

• For the most up to date information, please text cbcjoy to 84576. By texting this number, it will allow us to provide ongoing updates to you regarding the latest status on things concerning the ministry. Additionally, by texting this number you will also be joining a Calvary-based support network that is mobilized to bless our church family and neighbors.

• Pray, pray, pray!  We sincerely and humbly request that you pray as follows:

  • That our CBC and PCA leaders would have God’s wisdom in making decisions which will glorify Him in our church and school.

  • For the protection of our church and school families from this disease.

  • That we would see opportunities to serve our friends, neighborhoods and respective communities; that by the power of His Spirit, we would shine God’s love brightly and intentionally during this trying time.

  • For our outreach partners serving around the world, many of which are in far more challenging environments than those of us. 

Okay, so that’s a lot for you to digest! Please know, we are so very much here for you! We want you to know we are all about doing ministry together in and through this very unique time. Please, please, please communicate with us on how we can help you, our Calvary family members, on our collective mission. To contact us, please feel free to call the church as normal, 734-455-0022. And of course, you may send an email to any of our staff persons. And if you’re unsure who to contact about a particular issue, feel free email to Pastor Dan at dan.arbitter@cbcjoy.org.

Helping People Follow Jesus Together, 

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor

Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

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UPDATED: 3/14/2020

To the Calvary Church Family:

As you would expect, we have been constantly monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic affecting our community, nation and world. After much further discussion, thought, prayer and information gathering, we have made the decision to CANCEL ALL in-person gatherings of ANY type for tomorrow, Sunday, March 15.  Please note: there will be a live stream of our service available, and it will begin at 10:45 a.m. tomorrow. We really hope you’ll check it out! To access that stream, please visit our website, www.cbcjoy.org. More information about programs, events, etc. beyond tomorrow will be forthcoming. 

We thank you all so much for your flexibility, prayer support and understanding during this uncertain and rapidly changing situation!  

Please text cbcjoy to 84576 for alerts and updates.

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3/13/2020 • Next Steps Related to COVID-19,

Dear Calvary Family,

“Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3, NASB)

Over the past two months, our church leadership has been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 as well as diligently staying informed on all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Together with Plymouth Christian Academy administration, we have developed integrated plans, and jointly started taking appropriate steps beginning last month, escalating them as we believed necessary. 

Our primary calling as church leaders during times like these remain unchanged: it is to shepherd the flock, looking out for our church family’s physical and spiritual needs. Additionally, as leaders, and the entire CBC family, we have also been called to seek the wellbeing of the broader community, including our neighbors who may not be part of our church, or any local church. 

Although there are many other factors that we need to consider in making decisions regarding our ongoing church operations, looking through these three lenses above (spiritual and physical needs of the Calvary family; loving our neighbor) has been and will continue to be the guide for our thinking, relative to the actions we will take. In the pursuit of this, we continue to call out to God in prayer for His perspective, wisdom, and hope as we journey down this path together. Our base calling, as in all things, is to follow and embrace His will, not our own. 

As you certainly know, this is a very fluid situation, and modifications to this plan over time are very likely. But effective this Sunday, 3/15/2020, we will be implementing some changes to our current church life. 

Sunday Morning Worship Services: The very recent executive order, issued this afternoon by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, prohibits all events with more than 250 people in attendance. As a result, we will be offering two (2) worship services of one (1) hour each, which will be identical in format. While having two services helps to better ensure compliance with the executive order, the size of our auditorium also allows us to “spread out” and be much more likely to experience recommended social distancing.  The first worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the second will start at 11:00 a.m. The time from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. will be used to clean and disinfect our meeting areas.  

Sunday Children’s Ministries: During both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services, there will be Nursery/Walker services only (birth – age 3). Beyond that, there will be no children’s classes, and Kids Worship will not take place.

Sunday Student & Young Adult Ministries: Student Ministries (Grades 6-12) classes are cancelled, as is our Young Adults group that meets on Sunday mornings. These persons are encouraged to participate in the Sunday Worship services as described above and invited to attend one of the Adult DU classes being offered, as described below.

Adult Discipleship U:  We are modifying our adult DU offerings as follows: The Core DU class will meet at 9:30 and the Cornerstone DU class will meet at 11:00 a.m., in their normal locations. All other adult DU classes are cancelled. Please note, children in grades 1-5 will accompany their respective adult (parent, grandparent, etc.) to the class.

Weekday Ministries: As of today, our plan for programming is that it will continue, with the following exceptions.

• All Wednesday night children’s clubs are cancelled.

• Our Student Ministries leadership is working to provide some type of ongoing ministry offering, which may need to include online and digital formatting. More details from our Student Ministries staff will be provided to you as soon as possible.

In addition to the programming changes highlighted above, there are some additional precautionary measures we will be embracing, moving forward:

• Our facilities team and ministry staff are working diligently to keep high-contact surfaces clean (including toys) and heavily trafficked areas disinfected, throughout service times.

• We will utilize individual pre-packaged communion containers, which will be available at the doors as you enter the auditorium.

• We will not be passing the offering plates during the worship service but will providing offering plates as you exit the auditorium, much like our practice for receiving monthly benevolent offerings. 

• With respect to monetary giving also strongly encouraging you to move to our online/digital platform, in part to reduce the risk exposure for our staff. Please visit our website (cbcjoy.org) for more information, and do not hesitate to contact the church office if you need any assistance with moving to this format. 

• The serving of food and drink at all of our gatherings is being discontinued for now. Please feel free to bring your own (as appropriate) to any specific gathering

• We are recommending that all church leadership team meetings (Elders, Deacons, Regents, Trustees and others) begin to use at-home teleconferencing tools. More information will be provided by your team chair.

• We have encouraged our volunteers and staff members to stay home if they are not feeling well. We appreciate your grace understanding for any reduction in ministry coverage that may occur as a result.

• When you greet others, we ask that you opt for a smile and a wave rather than a handshake. Our guest services team members will be doing the same.

• Please Note: If you or a family member have a weakened immune system or other health concerns, are in a higher-risk people group, are feeling unwell, are experiencing any of the recognized symptoms, or are simply uncomfortable attending for any other reason, we encourage you to stay home, and fully support you in your decision to do that, with no judgment or criticism! 

• If you do choose to stay home, we encourage you to join in live with the Sunday worship service at our website, www.cbcjoy.org.

• Please watch for subsequent communication providing details to those serving in volunteer positions, and for potential cancellations of specific upcoming events. We will work hard to keep our website and social media channels updated with the latest status on event cancellations, programming changes, etc.

• For the most up to date information, please text cbcjoy to 84576. By texting this this number, it will allow us to provide ongoing updates to you regarding the latest status on things concerning the ministry. Additionally, by texting this number you will also be joining a Calvary-based support network that is mobilized to bless our church family and neighbors.

• We encourage you to stay up-to-date about the virus and proper prevention measures by visiting: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Lastly, we encourage you to please be in prayer with and for us. In addition to those things you believe are important, we sincerely and humbly request that you pray as follows:

• That our CBC and PCA leaders would have God’s wisdom in making decisions which will glorify Him in our church and school.

• For the protection of our church and school families from this disease.

• That we would see opportunities to serve our friends, neighborhoods and respective communities; that by the power of His Spirit, we would shine God’s love brightly and intentionally during this trying time.

• For our outreach partners serving around the world, many of which are in far more challenging environments than those of us. 

Thank you so much for your patience, understanding and support. Please remember, it is in situations like those we are currently experiencing that highlight the riches we have of being in community together; the great hope we have in and through our Lord, Jesus; and the calling we have to demonstrate God’s love to a hurting world! If you have any questions, please reach out to Dan Arbitter at dan.arbitter@cbcjoy.org.  

Helping People Follow Jesus Together,

Dave Riddle, teaching + vision pastor Dan Arbitter, executive pastor

Spring Business Meeting 6/28/20

We held our 2020 Spring Business Meeting on Zoom on Sunday, June 28. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the information and materials presented in this meeting.

New Song Devo: New Wine

New Wine

There’s usually a lot of feelings surrounding the word new. Excitement, longing, fear, uncertainty. Whether you’re talking about big things like a new job or a new family member, or little things like a new sequel to your favorite movie or a new (to you) piece of secondhand furniture, newness implies change. Something is now different than it was.

Our God is very keen on new things. All throughout Scripture we see examples of God creating and re-creating people and hearts and kingdoms and ideologies. In the Old Testament He gave Israel a New Law, which was good and beneficial for them. Many years later Jesus came to bring a New Covenant that would replace the need for keeping the Law. As believers, we look forward to the day when Christ will return to establish his New Kingdom.

Newness may be beautiful, but it’s not always easy. Scripture uses analogies of refining fire (Prov. 25:4), the vine and the branches (John 15), and the potter and clay (Isaiah 29:13-16) to explain the process of becoming new, and to show the challenges that come with it. But it’s when God takes us through these processes that we ultimately become more useful to him.

My favorite lyric in the song New Wine, is “when I trust You I don’t need to understand”. My whole life I’ve struggled to be obedient and submissive to things I don’t understand. There’s a level of control that needs to be given up and that can be super painful. But ultimately if we have complete trust and confidence in the One who is shaping and making us into something to be used for His purpose and glory, we really don’t need to fully understand. Rather we can embrace the newness and the pain of change and loss with joy and confidence knowing that our Creator God works all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

As we are moving into a marked new season of life and ministry is the weeks and months to come, I’d encourage you to be looking for ways that God is making something new – in the Calvary ministry as a whole and in you personally – and to embrace it wholeheartedly. As always, I look forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday!

Emma Prong

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 64:8

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

2 Timothy 2:21

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

New Wine

In the crushing in the pressing

You are making new wine

In the soil I now surrender

You are breaking new ground

So I yield to You and to Your careful hand

When I trust You I don't need to understand

Make me Your vessel

Make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be

I came here with nothing

But all You have given me

Jesus bring new wine out of me

'Cause where there is new wine

There is new power

There is new freedom

And the kingdom is here

I lay down my old flames

To carry Your new fire today

CCLI Song # 7102397

Brooke Ligertwood

© 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 702888

Calvary’s Response to Injustice

Calvary Women - Summer Studies!

Join us this summer for one of two Summer Bible Study options.

Monday mornings at 10:30am - June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Join us on Zoom to discuss With All Your Heart: Living Joyfully Through Allegiance to King Jesus by Christine Hoover.

or

Wednesday mornings at 9:30am - June 10, 17, 24 and July 1, 8, 15, and 22. Join us on Zoom to walk through and discuss the book of Jude using Jackie Hill Perry’s workbook, Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture.

Learn more about both options by visiting this page!

Holy Week Meditation & Prayer Guide

Holy Week Meditation & Prayer Guide

Sunday, April 5 – Sunday, April 12, 2020

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Sunday, April 5

Read: John 11:55-12:1, 12:12-19

Think/Talk: It was public knowledge that the religious leaders desired to arrest Jesus if he showed up at the Passover celebration. Why do you think people still flooded the streets and celebrated his arrival in Jerusalem, hailing him as king?

Pray: Spend some time praising God for Jesus, our King.

Act: Take a walk around your neighborhood and think about God establishing his kingdom where you live and what your role in that might be. Share your thoughts with a family member or friend.

Monday, April 6

Read: John 12:20-36

Think/Talk: Jesus knew that his death was necessary for all people to come into relationship with him, and the thought of this death caused him great stress as he anticipated it. As followers of Jesus, we are asked to follow him in sacrifice so that God’s kingdom might grow. What does this sacrifice look like for you personally? For your marriage? For your family? In other aspects of your life (work, school, friendships, etc.)?

Pray: Ask God to strengthen and empower you to follow Jesus sacrificially.

Act: Identify one thing you can give up today in order to show kindness to someone else and then do it!

Tuesday, April 7

Read: Matthew 23:1-36

Think/Talk: Now face-to-face with those seeking his demise, Jesus aggressively calls out the religious leaders for their arrogance and pride as they set the spiritual example for the Jewish people. Have you ever put the “letter of the law” over your love for others?

Pray: Ask God to give you a spirit of humility as you model Jesus to those around you.

Act: Service is a form of humility. Find one way you can serve others today and then do it!

Wednesday, April 8

Read: Mark 13:1-13

Think/Talk: Jesus’ disciples ask him to tell them details about the future and he shares with them about the difficulties that lie ahead for his followers. What sort of difficulties and/or opposition have you faced as a Jesus-follower?

Pray: Pray that you would have a strong testimony of faith as you face trials and challenges. Pray also for those suffering around the world because of their faith in Jesus.

Act: As you respond to and interact with people on the internet today, consider your testimony as a Jesus-follower in your actions and words.

Thursday, April 9

Read: Mark 14:1-11, John 12:4-6

Think/Talk: Judas’ dark attitude is revealed in this exchange. How could one who was so closely connected with Jesus over the course of his earthly ministry still have such a hardened heart? Is it possible that some of us who have walked with Jesus for some time might also struggle in a similar way?

Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you are resistant to his leading and calling. Then, with an attitude of repentance, ask God to soften your heart and make you more like Jesus.

Act: Have you been holding on to bitterness toward a spiritual brother or sister? Repent and then reach out to that individual for forgiveness.

Friday, April 10

Read: Luke 22:39-53

Think/Talk: Jesus twice urged his disciples to pray so they would not fall into temptation. When the authorities arrived to seize Jesus, his followers panicked and acted impulsively. Do you think there is any relation between these two ideas? How does prayer prepare us for trouble?

Pray: Pray that when difficult moments come, you would be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power and be able to respond like Jesus.

Act: When you encounter a challenging situation today, stop before you react and choose to respond in a way that follows Jesus’ example.

Saturday, April 11

Read: Matthew 27:50-66

Think/Talk: As Jesus breathed his last breath, a rock-splitting earthquake occurred, along with other miraculous things. When he was buried, a large stone was placed and sealed in front of the tomb entrance. What do you think the women who witnessed both Jesus’ death and burial might have thought of this?

Pray: Spend time praising God for his great sovereignty and control over all things.

Act: Identify something in your life that you’re struggling to accept or don’t really want. Write a short letter of “thanks” to God for his control over the situation.

Sunday, April 12

Read: Luke 24:1-12

Think/Talk: Consider the angels’ words: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” How might those words sound like nonsense to the apostles? How does Peter’s response display a hopeful outlook?

Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the hope and purpose you have because of your faith in Jesus. Then spend time praising God for this great gift.

Act: Make a list of things in your life that seem hopeless. Then consider them in light of Jesus’ resurrection and rewrite your list. Does it look more hopeful? Use your observations to encourage an unbelieving friend this week.

Free Dwell (Audio Bible) Subscription

Connect Through Scripture with “Dwell”

This audio Bible app is known as the “Spotify of Scripture” because it lets you explore the Bible like you would a music streaming site. Reading plans (or “playlists”) can be book-by-book, topical, or customized as you’d like. Calvary has been gifted a free 60-day access to our church account subscription to share with you! Just click here to get started! Any questions? Contact Pastor Dan (dan@cbcjoy.org)

New Song Devo: He Will Hold Me Fast

This tune has been around for a while now, gaining popularity as a modern hymn. I first heard it at a conference a few years ago, singing in a crowd of several thousand voices, and was struck by the sense of peacefulness it brought. Strong themes of God’s sovereignty and great love seemed to envelop the room and rest over each one present, their confidence growing as together they were reminded of the character of this God they worshiped.

One of the first times I fully felt the weight of God’s love for me was when a close friend challenged me in the midst of a season of great self-doubt by saying, “Jesus paid the highest cost to hold your heart – don’t you think you can trust him with it?” 

What a great way to sum up the Christian walk! Am I willing to trust Christ to lead my life? My emotions, my fears, my choices? If his love for me is so great that he was willing to take on the wrath of God and be murdered instead of me (Isaiah 53:4-5), is he not worth trusting? If he is one with God the Father (John 17:21), the creator of everything seen and unseen (Gen 1) who knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), does he not hold my life in his hands for the purpose of his glory?

I don’t think it’s accidental that the songwriter chose to put the lyric He will hold me fast practically every other line. How greatly we need to be reminded of this truth! 

When my faith is weak and I’m consumed with self-doubt, he will hold me fast. 
When I’m overcome with worry about current events, he will hold me fast.
When temptation seems like it’s going to win again, he will hold me fast.
When the cloud of depression hangs heavy in the air, he will hold me fast.
When my family seems to be falling apart, he will hold me fast.
When I one day leave this life behind, he will hold me fast.

As we prepare to worship together with this song on Sunday, I encourage you to meditate on the lyrics and corresponding Scripture passages and to listen to the recording. May you be strengthened and encouraged as you are reminded of the faithfulness and love of our sovereign God. I look forward to worshiping together this Sunday!

Emma Prong

Verse 1

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

Chorus
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Verse 2

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost
His Promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

Verse 3

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last

CCLI Song # 7016161
Ada Ruth Habershon | Matthew Merker
© 2013 Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Matthew Merker Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 702888

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (CSB)

The Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 147:11 (NIV)

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 24-25 (NIV)