Issue No. 6�

April 2018

The MIDTOWN �1

To reach for Christ | To see God work | To teach the Word

The MIDTOWN

On the first Easter morning, a small band of women made their way to the tomb of Jesus, but hope was in short supply. Their spirits were troubled and their Lord was in a tomb.

What these ladies wanted was to honor Him by anointing His body with spices and perfumes. But as they approached the tomb, it suddenly dawned on them that someone would need to roll away the stone that blocked the entrance, and separated them from their Lord.

We know that their planning was unnecessary; the physical stone had already been rolled away and Jesus had risen. But Jesus also rolled away metaphorical stones on Easter morning - stones that trouble us and wear us down. In dying and resurrecting, Jesus lifted those burdens from us.

THE STONE OF DISCOURAGEMENT- Jesus commands us not to be discouraged. Even before His brutal death, He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). By His death and resurrection, He offers hope that as sinners, we have salvation through Him, and we can be encouraged by that promise.

THE STONE OF DOUBT- “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive” (Acts1:3). Jesus presented proof of His resurrection, and gifted His followers with a method of always knowing and feeling Him: the Holy Spirit. Jesus also told His apostle Thomas to “Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27). As followers of Christ, we have cast away doubt and are blessed with belief.THE STONE OF DEATH- “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death” (Revelation 1:18). Jesus conquered death and we have no reason to fear it. The message of the gospel is simple: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Therefore death has no hold on us. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

The Tomb Was Empty ''But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.''

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. - John 11:25

Issue No. 6�

April 2018

The MIDTOWN �2

Joy In The Wilderness Women’s conference April 14Our women’s conference is scheduled for this month. If you know anyone that would be blessed by the event, please bring her!

Shannon will be leading the worship, the men will be providing food and there is a special guest presenter: Rondi Lauterbach.

Rondi says she grew up wanting to be a doctor, dancer, or diplomat, but was swept into the Kingdom instead. Christ called her to follow Him all over the country as a pastor’s wife and teacher.

Rondi blogs regularly at Feasting on Christ and has written a fantastic book titled “Hungry: Learning to Feed Your Soul with Christ.”

Please join us for the conference and enjoy a day meant to bring you closer to God through worship, learning & fellowship!

Missing Pieces Everyone has an important role as one piece of a giant puzzle.

Where do you fit?

-Coffee shop baristas

-Yard/grounds/repairs

-Children’s ministry

-Safety team

-Ushers

-Special events

Let us know where you can help.

Contact us on social media. our website, talk to Dan, or leave a note in a donation box.

As always, thank you for your prayers and donations of time and money.

1. Name a need in your ministry. We need both Ushers and Safety Team Members. Could use a biblically mature Lady Sheepdog on the Safety Team. All Usher/Safety Team Members must be trainable and put loving ones neighbor as thyself and the Great Commission ahead of everything else when serving on either team.

2. What Biblical person inspires you? King David and Isaac's son Joseph.

3. What is your go-to bible verse? 23rd Psalm. 4. What do you most enjoy about your ministry?

Taking care of others.

Ministry Spotlight: Bill Marshall - Head Usher/Safety Team Director

Issue No. 6�

April 2018

The MIDTOWN �3

Calvary Kids Time Act in faith | Lead with love | Follow His example

CUB CORNER Play place for cubs

from 0-5

KID CREW School disciples aged

6-12

TEEN DISCIPLES Youth aged 13-18

C

Hunting for Eggs! Great tradition, fun event

The Children’s Ministry Team presents our second annual EASTER

EGG HUNT.

There will be plenty of eggs, and separate sections for older and

younger hunters. The eggs will also include raffle numbers and

lucky winners will be entered

in a drawing to grab an extra

prize from our prize chest.

Join us TODAY after service.

NEEDS We need volunteers to help on Sundays. You can choose to volunteer as infrequently as once every 4 weeks.

Don’t forget, we also need helpers for VBS 2018. Openings for: Team Leads, Registration Team, Kitchen Team, Craft Leader, Games Master, and other ringleaders & wranglers.

C K T

Eggcellent Ideas Message Eggs

Dye your eggs using your favorite method - solid,

ombre, tie-dye, etc.

Then, using a black marker, add your favorite

inspiring image (cross, heart) or words (risen,

glory, hope, love).

Sticker Fun Use stickers to cover portions of your eggs

during the dying process. The kids will love adding their own patterns with

small stickers!

Then just dye the egg and peel the stickers back off. For added depth, you can take the sticker off & dye

the egg another color.

Issue No. 6�

April 2018

The MIDTOWN �4

Events

In Planning...

Spring: Community Outreach Picnic

Summer: 2018 VBS

????: Bible Studies

Worship: Sundays at 9 a.m. PASTOR DAN SWANSON 3618 East Pima Road

midtowncalvary.com Join us on Facebook, Twitter

and Instagram, too!

The MIDTOWN