|
 Dan's March 2008 Update
Easter
It’s coming! This month! (Yes, spring is on the calendar!) We will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. We’ll be walking with him in this experience. And we’ll be challenging people to put their faith in the One who rose from the dead. Since this faith is a matter of life and death (and since it is "culturally appropriate" to attend an Easter service), encourage your friends to join us for the celebration. We will add another Sunday service at 10:30a. And let’s fill them all up!
Pastor Ernie
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the resignation of Ernie Adkison from the position of Pastor of Middle School Ministries. Ernie will be developing and leading a retreat center ministry near New Sharon, Iowa. We celebrate the capable leadership impact he has had in the lives of students and their families. We also recognize how exciting it is to move into a work that aligns very closely with his gifts and the passion of his heart.
Ernie will officially conclude his duties here on March 31. For the immediate future the regular and special events which support our middle school students will continue with the team of very capable volunteer leaders and oversight from Pastor Scott Mauck.
Tithe Challenge Weekend
Four weeks ago we asked each person and family to give 10% of what they earned the previous week toward the offering. We wanted to "test God" in this (Malachi 3:10), check our own hearts, and see what would happen.
Well, here’s the report. Two hundred fifty three families participated (100 more than usual). We gave $71,000 (double what normally is received). And the email stories I got were encouraging about what God is doing as people realize it all belongs to Him! It was great for one week. But will we keep it up? I guess that’s up to you and me!
Kutless Acoustic
The storyteller show is a great way to watch Kutless perform in a more personal environment and be able to hear the life stories behind the songs. Kutless (www.kutless.com) will be joined by Esterlyn (www.esterlyn.com) & Chris Taylor when they come to the Calvary Auditorium on Wednesday, April 9 at 7pm. The evening is designed to be a high energy worship experience appropriate for all ages. (Frankly, at first, I did not recognize the name of the band but later realized I regularly listen to a lot of their music—guess I never paid attention to the announcement of the artist!)
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (go to www.calvaryonline.org for the appropriate link).
Sponsoring Liberian Children
Several weeks ago you heard of our new partnership with Vision Trust International (www.visiontrust.org) and the Prime System School of Christ in Monrovia, Liberia. When we first introduced the opportunity of helping Liberian kids we had an explosion of support! All of the initial group were sponsored within that first week! More profiles are coming. If you have interest in specific sponsorship please contact Jill Cawiezell, our Calvary missions director, jillc@calvaryonline.org.
Noah
Last Sunday Lea and I were delighted to hear that Noah Andrew Schoepf had arrived into this world! The people who will really have to take care of him are Andy and Megan. We’ll just get to be spoilers! And how do we love that grandparent role!
Dan Schoepf is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Church.
|
