Calvary Update for 3/28/25

George Winfrey
Apr 1
4 min read

Updated: Apr 9

Greetings and Salutations,

Can you picture Jesus saying to his disciples, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death” (Matthew 20:18). He was trying to prepare them for the journey ahead. Gut wrenching events that would change the history of the world were to unfold. Is it possible God could be positioning us for life changing moments as well? Every Easter season could we ask God for more insight? Do you find yourself hungering for more? Even if your desire for more has grown cold, you and I can ask God for a “fresh wind” to call us to come closer. Let’s pray that for each other.

Gaining New Ground this Easter?

To “move the needle” spiritually will require a purposeful focus. I was reading the account of Joshua taking Jericho and tragedy struck them because Achan lost his way. He took his eye off the prize. He coveted other things above obedience to the Lord and it cost him and the nation. 36 soldiers died because of his disobedience. In the battle against the city of AI Israel was routed and 36 soldiers died because Achan kept back for himself some of the spoil from the capture of Jericho. Have you and I had our eyes on the wrong prize? Have you been coveting possessions or priorities over your relationship with Jesus? Is there anything God wants to ask you to lay aside as we move into the Lenten season? Ask God to show you, He is faithful to do so.

Special Easter Opportunities for You

Survey Saturdays: April 12 and 19. Learning about our community and meeting neighbors. 10:30- 12:30. I’ll explain more this Sunday.

Good Friday Prayer: The church will be open from Noon to 5 pm for meditative prayer.

Easter Sunrise Service at 6am at Mineral Springs Park at Pavilion.

Easter Sunrise Breakfast to follow back at the church.

Deuteronomy 6

4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. a 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Youth Conference April 4th and 5th.

In keeping with the instructions of Deuteronomy 6, God has given our Calvary Kids ministry a wonderful opportunity to attend the “Ignite Youth Leadership” conference next week Friday and Saturday. Eight of us are preparing to go, four adult leaders and four kids. It will be a power packed 24 hours for us. Main sessions of preaching and worship followed by breakout sessions on a variety of subjects. We need you to uplift us on this trip. Ask God to do a work among us that only He can do. Pray the kids will capture all that God offers to them.

This week:

Schedule for Sunday, 9:15 am Donuts and Coffee, 9:30 am Sunday School, 10:30 am Worship. Ken is leading us on the fruits of the Spirit. The upstairs class is exploring Francis Schaeffer's video series, “How Shall We Then Live?” By the way, you can look up, “How Shall We Then Live” online. You can find the lessons we watch on YouTube.

Wednesday Prayer, 5:30 PM. We need your voice! Add your voice to ours. “Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:2). We are stronger together! Come and check it out!

Connecting people to Jesus first, Calvary second!

Ask God to lay on your heart some people to pray for. Ask the Lord to give you connections with them and ways to show concern and love.

Looking for some creative ways to see people join us?

) Invite them to view our messages on YouTube by going to Calvary Church Pekin. 2) You could say, “Would you come to church with me? I can pick you up.” 3) It starts with developing a friendship. Ask God to give you a greater burden for people to come to know Christ.

Chronological Bible reading: you should have reached Judges 2 this Sunday. Here is a link for this reading schedule. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/chronological.html

Notes of Encouragement

Bring a note with you this Sunday to put in the “Bless you boxes.” Ask God to impress on you someone to encourage.