Teach Us to Pray (Jonah 1:4-16)

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“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you. Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.”
— Jonah 1:13

Each week we include a prayer of confession in our worship together. It’s a safe moment where we all admit that something has not gone right in the world and we are, in some way, responsible for it. It’s not a moment of community shaming, it’s quite the opposite – a moment of connection to each other that fosters compassion and empathy. When Jonah confesses to the crew that he’s to blame for their trouble, they don’t turn on him. The crew first tries their best to row back to land, and when that doesn’t work they reluctantly do what he asks and throws him into the sea. The crew is an unlikely conveyor of mercy in Jonah’s confession. Instead of hypocritically pointing their own judgmental finger, they journey with him through confession and find themselves closer to God in the process – through solidarity with Jonah by rowing more, through struggle with God about their upcoming actions, and through acceptance marked by sacrifice (Jonah 1:16).

As you pray this week, make space to both confess and become an empathetic receiver of those confessing around you. A great place to begin is our confession from Sunday based on Psalm 139:

O LORD, all knowing, most wise God!
Our Father,
you have searched me and known me.
You have looked into the deepest desires of my heart.
You know my secret loyalties as well as my hesitations.
You know my doubts and my reservations.
All knowing and still all loving Father,
have mercy on us,
for we have gotten confused.
We love you and we love your ways,
yet we have loved this world, too.
O LORD, our Father,
have mercy on us.
We have been wayward.
We have fled your presence.
We have even made our bed in Hell,
and somehow you discovered us there, too.
All knowing and still all loving Father,
have mercy on us.
O LORD, all knowing, most wise God.
Our Father, have mercy on us!
Grant to us purity of heart.
Focus our erratic desires.
Unite us in Christ.
Grant that in him we may find integrity,
that our hearts may be yours and yours alone.
To Christ, our Savior, then,
be all praise, all honor and glory,
together with you, O Father and the Holy Spirit.
One God, now and evermore. Amen.

About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Jonah 1:4-16)

This week we'll be exploring Jonah 1:4-16.  

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: 'Teach Us to Pray' through Jonah 1:4-16. 

A Light to My Path (Jonah 1:4-16)

Our text for the week ahead is Jonah 1:4-16):

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

Question for Reflection:

Have you ever found yourself on a "rough sea" after running from something? If so, how did you see things at the time? How do you see things now?

Who Is My Neighbor (Haiti Part 1)

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Calvary recently sent a mission team to Haiti which consisted of 5 Calvary folks, a friend who now lives in Chicago, and our Haitian friend, Junior Cineas who lives in Port Au Prince (the other side of Haiti from where the mission team works).  I asked each of the participants to write a paragraph about how they saw God at work in Haiti.  This is part 1 of these stories.  See next week’s ‘Who Is My Neighbor’ for Part 2.

From Bob Bills:

Of the numerous areas where I the Holy Spirit’s presence, three stand out to me.  The team had the opportunity to conduct a Bible study with the staff at Streethearts (www.streetheartshaiti.org).  While the kids were at school, the staff of 6-8 gathered outside and we began to study John 5.  We read the chapter, dividing the verses into 3 sections, and answered a series of questions after each section.  Their participation was outstanding, and you could see and feel the passion they have for Jesus Christ by their answers.  Each person was eager to dive into God’s word.  Our lesson lasted for more than an hour.
The second area I saw and felt the presence of God at work occurred at our church service in Fev.  Pastor Walnique and Junior provided the message with many hymns being sung.  One of the hymns prompted a little dance.  I noticed an older lady, perhaps in her late 70’s, dancing outside our covered area and, at one point, she held up both arms as high as she could, her head looking up, and it was as if she was touching the fingers of God.  Surely the peace of Christ was with her.  There is no doubt that church every Sunday, worshipping the Lord, was very special to her and all of the others.
The third area I saw God at work was in our Calvary team.  Each team member poured their heart and soul into sharing the love of Jesus Christ wherever we went, and we were able to feel God’s richest blessings.  Humbled to be a part!

From Austin Smith:

This is my 6th short term trip to Haiti, along with living there for 6 months. God has moved and worked in mysterious ways every year. My faith takes steps forward every year. During this time I have gained perspective into the lives and culture of the Haitian people.  One cannot go to Haiti once and gain an understanding of the culture and community of the Haitian people, and this is what has kept me intrigued into learning the language and building relationships.
Just when you think you understand how to operate and navigate reality sets in and puts you right back in your place.  The rugged, rough and ruthless nature of this country is the most beautiful thing about it. I already cannot wait to return and see my family in Haiti next year.

From Junior Cineas:

Based on the question that pastor Debbie asked, "Where do I see God is moving during this trip is in the life of the group?” Comparatively to all the other trips before, I feel more satisfied with everything that the group did this time. I could clearly see that God is working in the life of our team. This time, the team really focus on God.

From Abraham Zuniga Alzamora:

This is my third time going to Haiti and every time I go I am blessed.  I love the children….they are so happy and curious.  They remind me of myself and though I am an adult in size I am still a child at heart.  One doesn't needt o study a career in social work to understand them, because they transmit what they feel and think through their eyes.  It’s all about sitting down on the dirty floor and just loving on these kids.  I tickle and they tickle back.  I say something and they repeat the same thing back to me.  I spend time hugging them and just playing with them and they do the same thing.  My heart resides where there is an innocent little smile.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment. 

Love Your Neighbor (Jonah 1:1-3)

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As we talked about in Tuesday's podcast, Nineveh was not just a place that Jonah preferred to avoid simply because "bad company corrupts good character," it had a reputation for violence, war, and general unsafety for non-natives of the city. As we reflect on how to love our neighbor in light of this passage, I want us to stand in the shoes of both sides.

First, are we afraid to reach out to those around us who have a reputation for violence - for those who intentionally create environments of unrest and terror? If so, how can we begin to gain God's perspective for these people who are our brothers and sisters?

Second, have we ourselves become know for a reputation of violence and aggression among our neighbors? Perhaps we're not throwing punches or bombs, but maybe our speech is more caustic than needed toward our neighbors. How can we watch for the Jonahs coming our way and be ready to hear what they have to say? 

About the Author

Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC 

 

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

 

Deeper Dive Podcast (Jonah 1:1-3)

Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about the historical background and culture of fear at the beginning of the Book of Jonah to set the context for Jonah's journey to Nineveh.

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: God Stories

About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
 

Teach Us to Pray (Jonah 1:1-3)

“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.” In light of Jonah’s attempt to flee from God, Psalm 139 is an appropriate Psalm to pray through today. Be careful toward the end the Psalm not to rush to judgement about who/where enemies are. As with the city of Nineveh, “enemy” is not a permanent role in God’s story.

Psalm 139 (New Living Translation)

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
    and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
    and the light around me to become night—
    but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
    Darkness and light are the same to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!
O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
    Get out of my life, you murderers!
They blaspheme you;
    your enemies misuse your name.
O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
    Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
    for your enemies are my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Deeper Dive Podcast

About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Jonah 1:1-3)

This week we'll be exploring Jonah 1:1-3.  

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: 'Teach Us to Pray' through Jonah 1:1-3. 

A Light to My Path (Jonah 1:1-3)

The text for the coming week is Jonah 1:1-3:

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Question for Reflection:

Running away is a common theme in Scripture and in literature throughout human history. What issues, people, ideas, tasks, or experiences are you running from today?

Who Is My Neighbor? (Mom and Me Camp)

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”  (Matthew 25:35-36)
Of course Jesus didn’t intend for us to minister only to those groups he mentioned.  However, among those people described by Jesus, the group most often neglected are those in prison.

Even more neglected are the children of those who are incarcerated.  That was the impetus behind the development of Mom & Me Camp in 2002.  The Chaplain at what is now the Logan Correctional Center discerned that there would be great value in bringing inmates together with their children in supportive Christian experiences.  He talked with Calvary’s Shirley Ryan, who embraced this vision, began to help the chaplain overcome what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles….and  ministry was born.  Mom & Me Camp joins with East Bay Camp in their mission:  “To Welcome, Witness, and Send forth in the name of Jesus Christ.” Shirley brought other Calvary folks and many, many others on board at the onset and we’ve been involved ever since in various forms.  

God has not only moved mountains to make Mom & Me happen, but the ways in which God has transformed hearts through the years is astounding.  Here’s just one of those stories of transformation.

A caregiver contacted Shirley and said that her nephew had been acting out and she didn’t think she was going to send him to camp that year for fear of what he might do.  Shirley assured the aunt that they could deal with it and that God would love this child no matter what happened.

Reluctantly, the aunt sent this little guy to Mom & Me Camp.  Three weeks later, Shirley was at the prison when she saw the little boy and his caregivers (aunt and uncle) who were visiting the boy’s mom.  Of course the little boy ran up to Shirley and enthusiastically greeted her with hugs.  The uncle asked Shirley if they could talk and pulled her aside…..appearing to be upset.  He said to Shirley, “You sent a different child home to us from that camp.”  You can imagine what was racing through Shirley’s mind, “How could we just now find out that we mixed up the children?  How could that happen?”  Shirley said, “We sent home the wrong child?”  The uncle said, “You didn’t send home the wrong child.  You sent home a different child.  Before he went to camp, he was acting out every day.  When he came home, he took out the trash, helped around the house, and went around with a smile on his face telling us, ‘smile, Jesus loves you’ all the time.  I’m just waiting for it to wear off….and it hasn’t yet.  I just don’t know how you all could make this difference in just 3 days.”  A relieved Shirley Ryan responded with, “We didn’t make a difference. God did.  And when you read the book, you’ll see that God can do a whole lot in 3 days.”  Amen, Shirley!

As I talked with Shirley about the miracles seen throughout the years, she said, “It just shows us that when God says He has a plan, all we have to do is get on board and let God do His work and provide the passageway for God to work.  We just need to do what God tells us and stay out of God’s way.”

East Bay Camp helps to provide Mom & Me a unique opportunity for children ages 7-12 whose mothers are inmates at the logan and Decatur, Illinois Correctional Centers.  For three days, the children are able to participate in a day-camp at the prison with their mothers, returning each evening to East Bay Camp for swimming, hiking, boating and the fellowship of summer camp.

These children and mothers get to play games, do crafts, and renew their relationships.  During camp, a special program called Caregivers Camp is also offered to adults who care for the children of the mothers in prison.  These caregivers desperately need a time of relaxation and refreshment from the difficult task of raising young children.
If you’d like to be a part of this ministry, contact the church and we’ll get you connected.  If you’d like to hear more wonderful stories, catch Shirley at church and she’ll bless you with stories of transformation!  Thank you, Jesus, for letting us visit those who in prison.  

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path

About the Author
Shirley Ryan is a member of Calvary UMC
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Love Your Neighbor (Matthew 5:13-16)

Often, reading a familiar passage of Scripture in an alternate translation brings new and nuanced insight to the text. Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible called “The Message” has been extremely helpful to me (and many others) in this kind of study for the sake of transformation. Below is his translation of the familiar words of Jesus from Matthew 5. Notice how the neighbor-loving and God-revealing purpose of salt and light are brought out of the text:

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Who Is My Neighbor?

About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

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.

Deeper Dive Podcast (Matthew 5:13-16)

Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about the metaphors of salt and light as well as the role of the church.

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: God Stories (Jon Butler)

About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
 

Teach Us to Pray (Praying for Others)

For the next 4 weeks we'll be praying for those around us. Below is the prayer guide Randy distributed in worship on Sunday. As you pray today, lift up those around you who need encouragement, love, strength, and hope.

  1. Thank God for your salvation - that He loved you while yet a sinner -  “Thank you Lord for saving me - loving me - …”
  2. Thank Jesus - “Thank you Lord Jesus for living for me, dying for my sins, and rising so I might have life - now and forever.”
  3. Pray for humility and wisdom as you pray remembering we are all sinners saved by grace.
  4. Thank God for the person you are about to pray for.
  5. Speak the name of Jesus over them - “Jesus, I pray Your Name over _________________. 
  6. Lift the person to the Holy Spirit - the Spirit does the work of calling one to Christ - making one aware of their need for God - “Holy Spirit, cover _______ today.  I pray in Jesus name they would hear Your voice - yearning - desire.
  7. In general, bind whatever it might be that keeps them from God.  “Lord, in your name I bind doubt or fear or lack of knowledge or awareness that keeps ________ from coming to you.”  Again, pray the name of Jesus over them.
  8. Be patient - keep praying over them - allow the Holy Spirit to speak, work, call, urge, give hunger to the person.  (I had a friend who prayed for 40 years for their best friends - 40 years and one day, both of their friends came to Christ)
  9. Don’t push - this isn’t a sale - it’s an invitation to a friend.
  10. Keep praying daily the name of Jesus over them.  Daily.  Daily.  Daily.
  11. Continue to thank God for your salvation, pray for humility and grace, and pray the name of Jesus over them.
  12. Trust God and keep praying.  For forty years if necessary.

Sunday Worship (I Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13-16; and Ephesians 4:11-16)

This week we'll be exploring I Peter 2:9;

Matthew 5:13-16; and Ephesians 4:11-16.  

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: 'Teach Us to Pray' through I Peter 2:9;

Matthew 5:13-16; and Ephesians 4:11-16. 

A Light to My Path

Our Scripture for the coming week is I Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13-16; and Ephesians 4:11-16:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Questions for Reflection:

These three texts use the imagery of light, physical growth, and the human body. How might these three images be woven together and what insights come from that weaving?

Who Is My Neighbor (Backpack Ministry)

““My name is Sydney Cisco and I am part of  the backpack ministry. Here are three things that I like about it: I like to do things for other people, I like to see friends, and meet new friends. I really like to do the backpack ministry.””
— Sydney Cisco
““My name is Caleb Cisco and I participate in the backpack ministry.  One of my favorite parts is that I enjoy making new friends and inviting friends I already have.  Another part that I enjoy is helping to feed people who don’t have enough food.  I also like that there aren’t rules that you have to fill this many bags. You just do what needs to be done, like opening boxes of food to be bagged.  ALL THAT TOGETHER EQUALS FUN WHILE HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED!!!””
— Caleb Cisco


If you’re unfamiliar with this exceptional ministry, let me give you the basics.  Calvary partners with Parkside Elementary School (chosen based upon that school’s need) to provide bags of food for the weekends to children who depend on school lunches for nutrition.  We offer this to all children who receive free or reduced lunches, then parents decide whether they’d like to opt into receiving this food.  Every week, a group of volunteers from Calvary sorted out and packed enough sacks of food for 100 children.  The majority of food came from the Midwest Food Bank right here in Normal, but often, the congregation was asked to supplement because we were missing important items.

Erin Estes’ small group packed meals one week and these are her reflections:  “I liked that our children got to work alongside of us and we got to do something special as a small group.  Often there are areas that are available for adults to be in ministry, but they aren’t kid friendly.  Betty Crites (the coordinator of this ministry) was so great with our kids and made this an excellent experience for all of us.  It was nice to see the older children helping the younger children as they counted items to go in the bags.”  Darin Gully was also a part of this group and said that it was a great experience.  Darin said, “….especially getting the kids involved…..I think the kids had more fun than anyone else.  It’s important that the children understand that they also get to fulfill the ministry of Jesus at an early age.  I think it’s great to teach them that they are vital in the reaching out to help others for the Kingdom.”

We could not do this ministry without the dedication of Betty Crites who makes it all happen.  You might have read Betty’s thank you to the congregation elsewhere, but it’s worth thanking you again!  “Our last Backpack delivery for this school year was May 19. Calvary has made it possible for us to fill and deliver 3,200 bags of food to children at Parkside Elementary.  Thank you for the support you have given to this ministry.  Even though a great deal of food comes from Midwest Food Bank, the people of Calvary have added to the food supply abundantly every week.  Your consistent prayers and generous gifts of supplies and money have been so appreciated.  A special thanks to Mike Donald and Larry Gamblin for transporting food from Midwest each month and helping with the unloading.  Thanks to all of you who delivered the bins to Parkside, those who helped sort and pack and unload the truck, open boxes, flatten boxes, and count supplies. Thank you Calvary!”

Although this ministry has completed its work for this school year, we’ll be back at it in the fall.  If you’d like to participate, please contact the church office and we’ll get you set up to be ready for action in August.  We especially need folks who can carry some totes of filled food sacks from one of Calvary’s downstairs classrooms to someone’s car who will deliver the food to Parkside.

These are our neighbors and we’re thrilled to partner with them in the name of Jesus Christ.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path

About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Love Your Neighbor (Acts 1:1-11)

The tone of God’s work in the world gets transposed at the beginning of Acts. Up to this point in the story of God (the life cycle of Israel and the ministry of Jesus), the focus was on “come and see” – see how Israel lived a God-infused life, come Jesus’ call to see God at work in the lives of those on the boundaries of Israel, etc. But at the beginning of Acts, the tone shifts from “come and see” to “go and tell.” From it’s beginning, this new chapter (called the Church) in the story of God has been about going and telling. As God’s people in the world, our lives are proactive in sharing the work of God. As you consider how to love your neighbor today, remember that our DNA as the church is one of initiative and proactivity, not one of hesitancy and passivity. Make that invitation to lunch or coffee, ask your neighbor what you can do to help them out, serve them without expectation of response. When you do, you stand in a long tradition of “going and telling” while simultaneously being a part of the brand new work God is doing in the world.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Who Is My Neighbor?

About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Deeper Dive Podcast (Acts 1:1-11) (Revised)

We had a little trouble with yesterday's podcast file. All is now well.

Randy, Debbie, and Isaac continue the conversation on the nature and role of the church.

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 Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC