Calvary Church707 East Beltline Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 1600Grand Rapids, MI 49501

Ph: (616) 956-9377Fax: (616) 956-9723calvarygr.org

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HospitalizedIf you have been hospitalized, or an-ticipate hospitalization, and would like a visit from a Calvary pastor, please call the church office.

Blodgett: Linda Hamlet

Butterworth: Norma Warner

Mercy Health St. Mary’s: Fatmata Fofana, Dick Roeters, and Leim Tran

Prayer Chain: If you need prayer, con-tact Don & Cindy Marrell (cmarrell@calvarygr.org) at 450-9622.

BereavedWe extend our Christian sympathy to Donald & Samantha Tuuri at the homegoing of Samantha’s father, Budd (Ichikawa) Noriko, on December 10; Ruth VanSweden; Chad & Jenette VanSweden; Trent & Lori VanSweden; and Jason & Kellie VanDyke at the homegoing of their husband and father, Rick VanSweden, on December 11; and to David & Sarah Goodman at the homegoing of David’s father, David Goodman, on December 14.

Salvation CandleThe candle on the platform is lit to celebrate those who have recently come to faith. Join us in celebrating God’s work among His people. Con-tact Jim Stortz (jstortz@calvarygr.org) if you know someone who has come to faith.

Evangelism & DiscipleshipPlease contact Jim (jstortz@calva-rygr.org) to join a prayer team for what God is doing here at Calvary and the city in evangelism and discipleship.

Thank YouThank you for the beautiful flowers in memory of our daughter, Michelle. The prayers carried us.

Sam & Donna Evans

During a time like this we realize how much our friends and relatives really mean to us. Your expression of sym-pathy will always be remembered.

Maria Schmid & Family

December 20, 2015 8:10, 9:40 & 11:15am

ToDay’s messageJim Samra, Senior Pastor

Congregational Care

Gifts From GodMatthew 1

For The recorDProjected offerings

actual offerings

surplus/ (Deficit)

Last Week $ 281,116 $ 152,830 ($ 128,286)

Fiscal YTD Sept. 1-Nov. 29

$ 2,506,067

$ 2, 237,308 ($ 268,759)

For further explanation regarding the finances of Calvary Church,visit calvarygr.org/about. Alternatively, this information is available in the Finance Office.

open Door Project: $ 70,438

graceBEYOND

building a people of obedience

building project

update

Construction UpdateBetween services, enjoy a time lapse video showing some of the latest work happening during Phase One, including both the student space and construction of the prayer garden. Some of the work that has taken place this month in the student space and gym, includes painting the ceiling and beginning to paint the walls. Drywall has been hung and finished and they are currently framing in the stage ceiling.

In the Prayer Garden and surrounding corridor, 60 yards of concrete have been poured. The laying of Jerusalem stone has been completed, as has the framing of the outside walls of the Garden.

Year-End GivingAs you consider your year-end giving to Calvary, please continue to fulfill your regular gifts to the operating fund to ensure that we are able to meet our financial responsibilities. If you would like to give above your regular level of giving, please prayerfully consider if the Lord is asking you to give toward Grace Beyond.

Please note that the church office will be open regular office hours (8:30am-5:00pm), December 31 to receive year-end gifts.

Welcome to Calvary Church! If you are visiting today, we are glad you are here. For information about our many communities, programs and events for all ages, pick up a copy of the monthly Calvary Life, visit us online at calvarygr.org, or stop by the Connection Point in room 215 (beside the Chapel). We would love to meet you! If you need hearing assistance, listening and closed captioning devices are available at the Information Center.

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Weekly Focus:

Coming Events & AnnouncementsFamily ServicesToday & Next SundayDuring family services, Nursery will be available but children preschool age and older are encouraged to attend the service with their family (activity boxes will be available at the desk near Entrance N). If needed, room 254 will be open for children ages three through five.

Wednesday Night ProgrammingAll weekly Wednesday night program-ming (including Wednesday Fellow-ship Dinner) will not be meeting, De-cember 23 and 30, for the Christmas holiday. We look forward to meeting again on January 6.

Scripture Readers NeededPeople are needed to read scripture during the Christmas Eve services, at 5:00, 7:30 and 10:00pm. If you are available and interested, con-tact Mark Welling (mwelling@calva-rygr.org) at ext. 5154.

DivorceCareTuesdays, Jan. 5 - Mar. 15 | Rm 152Register at mycalvarygr.org | $20This is an 11-week class, led by peo-ple who understand the pain and separation of divorce, helping you recover from the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life. Questions? Contact Claire (cwalker@calvarygr.org) at ext. 3613.

DC4K (DivorceCare for Kids) Tuesdays, Jan. 5- Mar. 15 | Rm 143Register at mycalvarygr.org | $10DC4K is designed to run alongside DivorceCare for adults. The class pro-vides a safe, neutral, fun place where children learn to understand their feelings, to express their emotions

appropriately, improve their self es-teem, develop coping skills and are introduced to biblical concepts that bring comfort. Questions? Contact Claire (cwalker@calvarygr.org) at ext. 3613.

Monday Night Bible Study: Jesus, Our Wonderful Lord Mondays, January 11-March 147:00-8:30pm | Room 15 | $5Join us as we seek an understanding of who the Lord Jesus Christ really is and to make certain that we respond to Him properly in worship and obe-dience. No pre-registration is neces-sary and new members are always welcome throughout the semester. Sorry, no childcare is available. Con-tact Karen (kvanholstyn@calvarygr.org) at ext. 5173.

Leader Training OpportunityJanuary 16 | 8:00am-12:00pmJoin us for a practical leadership training workshop. You will receive the tools you need to facilitate and lead a group in any setting. We will even provide a great breakfast for you! Contact Jakob (jjackson@calva-rygr.org) at ext. 5908 with questions. Sign up at mycalvarygr.org by Jan. 12

Note: Support Group CancellationsThe Long-Term Illness Support Group and Mental Illness Support Group will not be meeting in De-cember.

Note: Closing Back DriveDue to increasing safety concerns, we will be closing the back Leffin-gwell drive except for Sundays and Wednesday nights. Midweek traffic will be able to use the Bradford street entrance.

For a complete list of this week’s events, use the QR code to the left to visit calvarygr.org or pick up a Calvary Life magazine. Note: AA meetings take place at Calvary throughout the week. Contact the church office for times and locations.

This Week at Calvary

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*Childcare Not Available

6:00pm | SanctuaryLUMIN8 Children’s Christmas Musical,The Loaned Manger

This Sunday

Night:

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Approximately, two thousand years ago, out of his love, God gave a gift to mankind—intended for all who would ever walk the earth. It was meant for us today—for you and me. This gift centers on restoration and second chances—for all of us who make poor choices and desire forgiveness. For all who have lost their way and desire a way back. For the fatherless. For the harassed and helpless. For people who seem to have everything but still feel alone. For those of us who don’t want to go on another day—there is hope.

In a world growing darker every day, with the announcement of yet another gruesome act against humanity, this gift is not only relevant, it is essential. This gift is a person and his name is Jesus, the Son of God. He walked among us, as one of us, to carry our burdens and make a way for us out of the pits of our life—from the pits of guilt and

shame and sin in our life. Fully God, he left the throne room of heaven to become fully man to save us from ourselves and an eternity separated from him because he loves us. He came to rescue us from our sins and restore us to himself; to meet us just as we are, so that we would be with him forever. He came to give us hope for a future, and a Father who would never leave us nor forsake us.

Don’t wait another day to be restored to and rescued by the giver of life. He is waiting with open arms for you to come to him. If you would like to hear more about the peace, hope and love God has for you, please contact Jim (jstortz@calvarygr.org) at ext. 5194.

If you proclaim with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that he was raised from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

LUMIN8 Christmas MusicalTonight | 6:00pm | SanctuaryJoin us for a fun evening celebrating Christmas with our LUMIN8 Children’s Choir. In the small western town of Incarnation, Christ-mas is celebrated with grit, giddy-up, and gusto! Round up some rambunctious cowpokes, and join us for a fun evening with the Wild West Christmas adventures of The Loaned Manger!

Christmas Eve ServicesDecember 24 | Sanctuary | 5:00pm, 7:30pm & 10:00pmThere’s nothing quite like the night before Christmas, the anticipation of the birth of the Savior. We invite you to make Calvary’s Christmas Eve service part of your holiday tradition. The Christmas story is read for all to enjoy, and we’ll sing carols around the piano throughout the night. It’s a simple service; a warm and spirited prelude to your Christmas celebration.

Church Offices ClosedThe church offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 24-25, for the Christmas holiday. If you have a concern and need to reach a pastor, please go ahead and call the church at 956-9377. A pastor is always on call to help.

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Cancellation: Third Monday Missions PrayerThe Third Monday Missions Prayer group will not meet tomorrow, Decem-ber 21. Please plan on meeting on January 18 in Room 130-132.

CommunionThe ordinance of communion will be observed during next Sunday’s service. We will also receive an offering for our Benevolent Ministry. Gluten-free bread is available at the Information Center.

Merge (Ages 22-34): Guest Speaker Today | 11:15am | Room 137 Join us for a special Sunday morning as fellow young adult (and former Merge member) Jaime Clore shares with us about his mis-sionary work in Spain.

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