The Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, “Go and do likewise.” Here is a way Calvary can “Go and do likewise’" by bringing a gift of love and the message of Jesus Christ to children around the world.
For the past several years, Calvary Outreach Ministry has participated in Operation Christmas Child project (OCC). OCC is one project, under the Samaritan Purse organization, that collects shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Shoe boxes for packing, along with detailed packing information, will be available in the atrium on Sunday, November 2, 9, 16 and 23.  
For additional information, contact Lurinda Venezia at lurjv48@gmail.com.

Join us for Calvary’s blood drive in the gym on Monday, November 17. Walk-in or sign up for a slot from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and receive a pair of Pac-Man socks for participating.

We are limited in our addition of care receivers due to need to add volunteers. Those care receivers that are getting cancer treatment or dialysis are considered a priority. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jan Kibler.

Opportunities through FIA: 

• Spring Bus Trip to Mackinaw Island is scheduled for May, 2026.

• The Christmas Card Signing event will be at the First Presbyterian Church on November 14th.

• We will be doing Leaf Raking the weekends of November 8th and 15th. We have several youth groups that help with this along with some athletic teams (including ISU and IWU). 

• Transitions by Go Green Commercial Cleaning Fundraiser – (continues all 2025!) When you book their service and mention Faith in Action in 2025, Transitions will donate a portion of the proceeds! Visit or call (309) 585-0423.

Join us at Evergreen Village (1701 Evergreen Village Blvd, Normal) on Tuesday, October 21. Starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Room, we will be hosting a Casino Night. Volunteers can run different activities for the residents, including: Texas Hold 'Em, Dart Poker, Human Slot Machines, Horse Races, Monopoly, and more. We will also provide snacks and take-away prizes for everyone participating. Be sure to bring your smiles, but feel free to leave the rabbit's foot at home. Anyone interested in helping can contact Erin Scott. Thanks for all you do to support our neighbors at Evergreen! 

In his book, Five Practices of Fruitful Living, United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase identified five characteristics that he believes faithful people and fruitful, growing churches all have in common: radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity. Beginning on September 28, Calvary UMC will be studying these five practices. Each Sunday, our worship services will focus on one of those themes so that we may seek God’s leading as we reflect on that together. We will also have members of our church sharing each week about how they have experienced some of those practices of fruitful living here at Calvary. Those who are present in worship each week (in person or online) will receive a Heart Card tool that will encourage you to reflect on the day’s practice of faithful living, and how you have experienced that here. Everyone present will be encouraged to use these Heart Cards for reflection, and we will also invite you to share those cards for display if you are willing to do so in order for it to be shared with the church. We will even have some fruitful snacks available if you return your Heart Card.

Join us for Junior and Senior High Midweek Programming on Tuesday nights! Junior High meets at from 6 to 7 p.m. and Senior High meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Hub. All are always welcome!
Students don't have to come every week to be part of the fun and fellowship. Reach out to kb.smith@connectwithcalvary.org with any questions or for more information.

47% of area students qualify for free and reduced lunch through their school. With grocery prices on the rise it is getting harder for families to afford food for meals.  Midwest Food Bank tries to fill that gap for families by providing food for students that qualify for free and reduced lunch over their weekends when students are at home and not in school. Calvary has been a partner with Parkside Elementary School for many years now and this year we will be partnering with them again to provide bags of food for the children to take home for the weekend. Each month we receive a pallet of food from Midwest Food Bank and we meet as a group and unload the truck, organize the food and pack grocery bags that are delivered to Parkside Elementary School and given to the students on Friday to take home for the weekend. We are in need of volunteers to help once a month to unload the truck, organize the food and pack the bags. We meet at 10:45 a.m. in the lower level classrooms on October 15, November 12, December 17, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 15, and May 13.
All ages and abilities are welcome to help. If you have any questions please contact Brenda Leopard.Brenda Leopard.

Do you love to hold babies and play with toddlers? A new KidVenture Nursery will be opening in October during our 9 a.m. service and those babies and toddlers need you! You can choose to serve once or twice a month (or more) but don't have to serve every week. We're also looking for volunteers for our Preschool/Kindergarten room (both worship hours) or people who are willing to be on call or a sub in any of the rooms. If interested, please contact Miranda Lanza or Lori Short.

At Calvary, we invite youth in eighth grade (or older if they have not previously completed Confirmation) to participate in Confirmation. We will be starting a Confirmation Class in January, to conclude with a Confirmation Sunday in May. Please complete this form to confirm your participation in Confirmation. We will also be having an informational meeting about Confirmation 2025-26 on Sunday, September 28 at 10:05 in room 113. 

It’s Habitat for Humanity Season! 
Calvary is proud to announce our sponsorship of the Faith House for the 2025–2026 building season — Habitat for Humanity of McLean County's 201st house!
A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and labor last year to help build a home for Dionne Anding and her family. Your generosity made a lasting impact.
This year, we’re excited to build for Davasha Williams and her family. 
Build Dates: Third Saturday of each month, starting in October
Location: 701 West Market Street, Bloomington
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Who Can Volunteer: No experience required! Volunteers must be 16 years or older
Snacks Needed: Calvary is also looking for people to provide snacks for volunteers
If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back, Habitat for Humanity volunteering is a great place to be. Let’s make this another incredible season of service and community!