Calvary Updates 08/7/2026
- Frank Winfrey
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 8
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 ministry is to the life of the local church. When we speak of a "body ministry" we are referencing the fact that believers who are part of a local fellowship make up the local body of Christ. In this body we are each individual parts with spiritual gifts granted by the Lord meant to encourage and strengthen the other parts of the body. In this model, we are stronger together than separate.
You will get a powerful example of this as you walk by the serving table tomorrow and see the variety of side dishes prepared. Different approaches and a wide palate of flavors will be present. We will all benefit by the contributions of all who prepare a dish.
God shapes and molds us to have a powerful positive impact on others near us. A limitation that often prevents the maximum effectiveness of this design is that we seldom take the chance to be "up close and personal." This is the benefit that small groups can provide. When our friendships deepen we gain compassionate friends who understand our joys, fears, concerns and needs. The spirit of God within them prompts them to pray for us regularly. God will also put people near us who have walked down a similar life experience and they can pass on how God has ministered to them and still is ministering. This is the value of being able to connect with other believers in Christ. The source of that connection is described in Ephesians 4:5: "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." God inter-connects us. So it is a divine interjection in normal fellowship that is intended to build us up and encourage us in our walk with God. I Corinthians 12 also speaks to this body ministry in verses 17, 18. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
Be expectant of God to place you along side others that need you to exercise your spiritual gift(s). You will encourage others in special ways that no one else is gifted to do. To believe this will not lead you to be arrogant, but that belief should only cause you to accept that you, even you, are an important part of the body given a specific divinely orchestrated function.
Sunday, August 9th Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:30 AM.
Our studies in I John continue in our series, "Verification Code Please?" The title this Sunday is "Did God Really Say That?" Do you believe that God is still able to speak to us today? Come and make new discoveries in our Sunday School as we learn more about King Solomon's step into leadership in one class and our second study is, "Connecting with Others Like Jesus did." Donuts and coffee at 9:15 AM. Yum!
A Song you will hear this Sunday
Zach Williams: Jesus Loves
Flourish Tuesday, August 11th & 25th 10-12 noon
Prayer Wednesday, August 12th, 5:30-6:30 PM
Brazil Trip Report: Sunday morning, August 16th 10:30 AM
Men's Breakfast Saturday, September 5th 8:30 PM
Today's readings were: Judges 21•Acts 25 | Jeremiah 31•Luke 4. If you are looking for a different reading plan, you might enjoy:
I Corinthians 12 mentions that there are different kinds of gifts, service and working. But Paul says there are three connections that are the same, the same Lord, the same God and the same ______________.
In Jesus joy,
Pastor Frank Winfrey
cell: 309-645-9621
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