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This Sunday we gladly welcome back the group from Adult and Teen Challenge It is always a beautiful morning when the residents of the Adult and Teen Challenge recovery program lead us in testimonies and song. Their stories of hope and healing never cease to amaze us. Make it a point to come and hear story after story of God turning a life around. You will also be invited to stick around for a meal after their presentation and enjoy good food and fellowship. Their facility

Are we able 2000 years later to know the true historical Jesus? For the past few months we have been encouraged through a sermon series based on I John and we have called the series, "Verification Code Please." I John seeks to put to rest any doubts about the validity of the holy character and practice of Jesus. I count at least 27 instances where the importance of truth and truthfulness is referenced in I John. The foundation of all that we believe is based in the person

Ephesians 5:8: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. As you begin this new week, do you see yourself on a mission? As you consider that question, think about God dropping Adam and Eve into the Garden of Eden. Adam & Eve were created and put on this earth and told to be fruitful and multiply. Yes, they were to know the blessing of having children, but also to pass on the light of the knowledge of God. They were to let thei

Come and celebrate the Harvest with us. Harvest Festival tonight from 5:30-7:30 PM. 921 Caroline Street Pekin IL We appreciate all the hard work invested by our farmers day in and day out! Moses instructed Israel to celebrate the harvest through three main annual agricultural festivals recorded in the Torah (Exodus 23:16; 34:22): the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Harvest (Shavuot or Feast of Weeks), and the Feast of Ingathering (Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles). Exodus

A MEASURED RESPONSE TO GOD'S BLUEPRINT I John 3... 19And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence ... because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. 23And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. Why do carpenters use a tape measure? Because they want to ensure that the board they are altering will fi

How much do you value a clean conscience? The title for our message this week is "Setting my Heart at Rest." We will be drawing from I John 3. A key verse for this topic is verse 19, This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence. Knowing we will one day stand in the presence of a holy and all seeing God and give an account, should make us careful to order our steps. Reflecting a godly character day in and day out, is a

A NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST OPENS THE DOOR TO A WHOLE NEW WORLD Robin and I recently went to a nice vacation resort, normally way out of our league or price range. We were able to spend three nights there because we paid an initial deposit and promised to listen to a two hour time-share presentation the day after we arrived. We escaped without buying what the marketers had hoped for, but in the process saw some amazing places I never knew existed. They believe their start up

25 years ago unbelievable tragedy hit our nation. This loss of life caused many to respond with humility and prayer. King David who faced so much adversity knew how to find strength in his God, his shepherd. Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the sha

What can we pass on to our friends who struggle to believe that the Bible record is accurate? One, would be that Jesus trusted it. From Matthew 5, we read: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished"(vss, 17,18).

Christ loves us, redeems us and calls us to walk together in pursuit of knowing Him. I love the I Corinthians 13 passage speaking about our future, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming (I John 2:28). The second coming of Christ has to be a part of every believer's game plan. The only way we are able to live unashamed is to continue yielding our lives to the guidance of the Spirit of God. Romans 12 reflects that sentiment. 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacri

Do you ever wonder if there is more to life than this? Alpha provides a safe place to explore some of life's most important questions. We start October 22nd.

Brazil Mission Team Report this Sunday Come and hear what God "cooked up" for our team Whenever you sign up to be a part of mission project overseas there are so many unknowns. Robin and I were fortunate to have had mission experience in Africa, Gary and Vonna had never ventured outside of the US. They were willing to take a big leap of faith. Robin and I were encouraged to see how they fought to persevere in the midst of physical challenges. God used all sorts of c

We are waiting for you to join us! Church Picnic tomorrow from 4-6:30 PM at the church gym, 921 Caroline Street. One of my favorite gatherings of the year. We are offering pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and amazing sides provided by the great cooks that grace us week in and week out. Games and prizes will add to our fun. You will also get more information on our "Connect Groups" and the strategy behind them. As we gather, I am reminded of how important the body mini

Introducing a new concept: "Favor on Five" I believe it is by no accident that God brings into our lives certain individuals. You have a certain set of friends that you care about, that you enjoy being around and for which you carry an empathy. As God allows certain friendships to deepen, God's love in you for them will cause you to carry a burden for their well being. And if we care at all about the friends God has given us, we will be concerned about their eternal dest

What a great name to give to a youth Bible! Having come back from Brazil I believe we were blessed to do just that. Would it seem at all strange to you to ask God to point you in the right direction today to make a difference in someone else's world, to impact their day with the love of Jesus? I would love to see the following true in my life on all occasions: 1) I would like to be known as a servant. Jesus said this, "For who is greater, the one who is at the table or

Was George Washington a Christian or a Deist? During this season of celebrations of our nation's 250th anniversary, I thought it would worthwhile to delve into George Washington's character and beliefs. I discovered a very good article written by Kirby Anderson. Up until about 70 years ago all the school textbooks identified Washington as a Christian, but the recent books have mostly leaned toward the belief that he, like Thomas Jefferson, was a Deist. The turning point

Calvary Mission's Team off to Brazil July 9th Our team includes Frank and Robin Winfrey & Vonna and Gary Hale (pictured left to right). We have a unique opportunity to partner with Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission (BGFM) as volunteers in the Living Waters English Immersion Course held at New Hope Bible Training Center located in Pacoti (northeastern part of the country), We get a crash course in ESL instruction before the camp begins on July 11th. Calvary Baptist Church

Today is a day for a good umbrella. My garden needed the rain today. Water obviously is a necessity of life. I think we've all heard of the amazing transformation a soaking rain can have on a desert landscape in a matter of hours. Psalm 65:9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. When we are feeling weak and vulnerable, I want to encourage you to

For the believer in Christ, death is not the final chapter of the story We had two special people pass on to their eternal reward this week, Sonny Copeland and David Litz. Sonny had known the Lord a long time. David just recently, about 3 months ago, accepted Christ as his Savior. Please be in prayer for Sonny's widow, Jan, and their family. David was not married, but leaves extended family behind that loved and cared for him. Pray for them too please. I love Jesus' w