Calvary's Lexi Showalter talks about her Workcamp 2017 experience. See other stories at http://link.connectwithcalvary.org/workcampstories
God Stories (Sydney Beggs on Workcamp)
Sydney shares her experience on Workcamp 2017. Watch other Workcamp 2017 stories at http://link.connectwithcalvary.org/workcampstories
God Stories (Syria’s Children - Fleeing Violence)
Learn more about what’s happening and how you can help by walking through the World Vision Experience at Calvary’s parking lot Sept 14-17. See times and more info at http://www/worldvisionexperience.org
God Stories (The Shake Family and FPU)
Adam and Nicole Shake tell their story about the impact of taking a Financial Peace University class. Calvary is offering two opportunities this fall to jump in. Go here for more info.
God Stories (Ryan Watkins on Workcamp 2017)
Ryan Watkins and Michael Pitzer talk about Ryan's Workcamp 2017 experience.
God Stories (Tasha Schuckman on Workcamp 2017)
Calvary member Tasha Schuckman talks with Michael Pitzer about her workcamp experience this past July.
God Stories (Agriculture in Liberia)
See how God is working through the land and through those who care for it in the nation of Liberia.
God Stories (UMC advocates in Sierra Leone)
Read how United Methodists in Sierra Leone are advocating for those whose voices have been marginalized and silenced in the face of brutality, hate, and evil.
God Stories (UMC response to unrest in the Philippines)
Take a look at how God is working through the United Methodist Church in the Philippines as they respond to violence and unrest.
God Stories (Reach Workcamp)
As students and adults from Calvary hit the middle of their Workcamp week, we’re looking forward to the God Stories they’ll share with us when they return.
God Stories (The Babyfold)
God has been working for over a century through the Babyfold. Over the decades, they have transformed and risen to face new challenges and opportunities. The video below outlines their wonderful journey of serving children and families in Illinois.
God Stories (What's Yours?)
We'd love to hear what God is doing in your life and share those stories with the rest of the Calvary family. If you're interested in sharing a story (written, audio recording, or video recording), please connect with Isaac Gaff (isaac.gaff@connectwithcalvary.org or text to 309-310-9109).
God Stories (Rewind)
Time to take a look back and celebrate the great things that have happened over the year. If you've missed a few God Stories here and there, it's a great time to catch up.
God Stories (UMC and Muslim Community Find Peace)
We prayed on Sunday about the peace and well being of Muslims in our country in light of recent violence against them. See how a UMC church in Virginia has been reaching out to their Muslim neighbors to foster peace. Read more at UMC.org.
God Stories (Workcamp)
As students and adults from Calvary prepare to go to workcamp next month, it’s great to reflect on why this important ministry of Calvary is transformative in both the lives of the students/adults and those they serve.
God Stories (IGRC Annual Conference)
Every year representatives from each United Methodist Church in downstate Illinois gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, and discernment. Below is a post from Bishop Frank Beard looking forward to sharing stories about God's work in our churches at this year's conference:
5/23/2017
It’s a celebration!
“Celebrate good times, come on!”
The speakers were thumping out Kool and the Gang’s super hit, Celebrate, and I was dancing on my roller skates in perfect rhythm with the music. Yes, I was singing and screaming the lyrics too:
“There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you, celebrate good times, come on!”
One of the blessings of this job is getting to travel around the Annual Conference and to be a part of the many services of celebration. Some services are formal with much liturgy and others are relaxed but reverent. I enjoy taking part in each of these services because they act as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Each church has its own unique story of God’s intervention and provision at a crucial point in time.
Often folks share a key individual, couple or family that God used to become a major blessing to the growth and development of that congregation. It is amazing to hear stories of how folks sensed the tug of the Holy Spirit upon their hearts and lives. Because of their faithful response and obedience others can now stand on the legacy of faithfulness that they laid.
Celebrations and services of remembrance should not be limited to special days alone. Each Sunday should be a time of festivity and thanksgiving as we remember what Jesus Christ has accomplished. Joy and happiness should be evident as we gather for worship. Our enthusiasm should be contagious. The word that comes to my mind is “fire.”
Our churches should be on fire for Jesus! Fire has many characteristics and traits that are applicable to the church. I’ve never seen a fire that failed to attract a crowd. Perhaps the downturn in some of our churches is a result of our not allowing the Holy Spirit to stoke the fire.
The IGRC is a great place to serve! As I travel throughout our episcopal area I am amazed at what God has done and what God is doing in and through our churches and institutions. I’ve attended anniversary services in churches that regularly worship under thirty and churches that worship over three hundred. Each church has many reasons to celebrate and offer thanksgiving for God’s amazing grace and steadfast love displayed over several years.
Perhaps we should do as the old song advises, “count your blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” As we recount the blessings of God and proclaim the wonderful works of Jesus, a divine spark should kindle a fire within our hearts. As we lift the Lord and exalt his name, I believe, folks will be attracted to the flames.
In just a couple of weeks we will gather for our Annual Conference. I encourage you to come prepared to share your church stories with one another. It’s okay to brag on God and to tell others, even those within the family connection, what the Lord is doing in your church and community. Maybe if we spend more time accentuating the positive, we can stop focusing on the negative.
My heart longs for the fire of revival to be kindled in the IGRC. I have witnessed, first hand, pockets of renewal being fed by celebrations all over our Conference. Instead of returning to “business as usual” the week after the celebration services have concluded perhaps we should find ways to keep the fires burning.
My dancing on roller skate days are most likely over, but I can try and inspire others through sharing my personal testimony and experiences. I can still celebrate, offer thanksgiving, and pray for others to have their own hearts to become warmed by the touch of the Lord Jesus Christ. I could provide funds for roller blades for some young kids so that they can have their own experience and gain a story to tell. I can brag on God’s goodness and faithfulness and hopefully create a hunger within others that will cause them to seek a personal encounter with Jesus. As they seek and find the Lord they will have their own reason to join in the celebration.
The best days of the IGRC and of your church don’t have to be in the rearview mirror. God is still able to light fires and kindle sparks of hope. I celebrate because I know that I serve a God that can start fires anywhere, even on wet wood.
In my head and my heart, I’m still skating, “Celebrate good times, come on!”
God Bless,
Bishop Beard
Bishop Beard's post first appeared at http://www.igrc.org/blogpostsdetail/8309431
God Stories (Jon Butler on ISU Wesley Foundation)
Jon Butler talks about how the ISU Wesley Foundation helped him as a college student and why he (and Calvary) continues to support this life changing ministry.
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.
Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Love Your Neighbor
About the Author
Jon Butler is a member of Calvary UMC, a delegate for Calvary to our IGRC conference, and serves as Calvary's liason to the ISU Wesley Foundation.
God Stories (Ripples of Mercy)
Read why the work of Mother Teresa was important to United Methodist Bishop Laurie Haller. Read more…
God Stories (The Methodist Connection to Mother's Day)
Hear how Methodists Ann and Anna Jarvis developed the roots and original vision for what we now call Mother's Day.
God Stories (Buliisa)
Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.
Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Love Your Neighbor