Over the past several months, the Worship and Music Committee, the Discernment Committee, and Church Council have prayerfully considered the future of worship and fellowship at Calvary. Thank you to everyone who shared feedback through the congregational survey and summer conversations. Your input helped shape these decisions.

During our six-week summer worship experience, we heard strong support for worshiping together as one congregation. Therefore, beginning Sunday, October 4, we will move to one Sunday morning worship service.

Childcare will be available during that time. We hope this schedule will help us worship together, reconnect with one another, and grow as one Calvary family.

We also heard from many people who would like the opportunity to receive Communion each week. We will continue celebrating Communion together in the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of each month. On the other Sundays, Communion will be available immediately following worship in the Ages and Stages classroom. We will evaluate how that arrangement works and make adjustments if needed.

We are also excited about the future of music at Calvary. The Summer Choir received enthusiastic participation and positive feedback, so it will now become the Calvary Choir. The choir will sing on the last Sunday of each month, giving anyone who enjoys singing an opportunity to participate without a weekly rehearsal commitment.

Additional teams will continue exploring ways to make our worship meaningful, engaging, and honoring of God.

Change can be challenging, but we believe these updates provide new opportunities for connection, worship, and growth. Beginning October 4: Sunday School at 8:45, worship at 10:00, monthly Communion in the Sanctuary, weekly Communion available after worship, and the Calvary Choir on the last Sunday of each month.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, participated, and contributed to this process. We are excited about what God has ahead for Calvary and look forward to moving into this next chapter together as one church family.

 

Roxanne Morris shares about connections groups and how you can PLUG IN as well.

Mikea Braden received the Ann Parker YCS Scholarship which is designated to help YCS teachers continue their education. This week, we received a thank you letter from Mikea. She says, “Words truly cannot express how grateful I am for the love, support, encouragement, and generosity you have shown me throughout this journey. Because of your kindness and belief in me, I am now graduating with my master’s degree in early childhood education — something that once felt like a distant dream but today has become my reality.”

Mikea is just one recipient, and you can contribute to the Parker Scholarship fund which is part of Calvary’s Foundation. You can read more about it here: https://calvaryumc.com/foundation/#scholarship and if you would like to read Mikea’s full letter it is on Calvary’s website today as well as on the bulletin board in the administration building second floor hallway.

“Your kindness has planted seeds that will continue to grow far beyond me.” Mikea reminds us, “The children I will teach, the families I will impact, and the communities I will serve are all connected to the love and support you first showed me.

Our ministry teams were out in full force this past weekend to serve local neighbors facing end-of-month resource scarcity.

On Saturday, August 29, a 15-person Holy Smokers team served over 120 hamburgers and 120 hot dogs (plus sides, desserts, drinks, and ice cream) to residents at Urban Housing Solutions’ Rex Court affordable housing community. UHS General Counsel Alan Mazer shared that residents are deeply grateful whenever our team cooks for them.

Book Circle:  Tuesday, September 15th Room 306, 10:00 A.M.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Alicia Berenson shoots her husband of seven years five times in the face and never speaks another word.  Alicia’s silence captures the public’s imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety.  She is hidden away from the public in a secure forensic unit. 

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time to work with her.  His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisted path.

Our discussion will be led by Abby Luffman.  All are welcome!

Calvary member and realtor, Alice Charron, is bringing, Amy Delaplain, co-founder of It’s Arranged, a home organizing and move management company, to the Hilltoppers September meeting.  Together they will share their insight and experience in these areas with us.  Amy’s superpower is described as handling the overwhelming stuff inside the home. Wherever you are on life’s journey this will be helpful information!  Join us on Thursday, September 17th at 11:00 in Fellowship Hall.  Lunch will follow.  

For reservations contact:  Barbara Shields, bandb3713@gmail.com, Marilyn Vernon, mpvernon@comcast.net or the church administrator admin@calvaryumc.com.   

There will be a winter trip to Estonia. We’re looking to build a small team to go play with the kids at the Lighthouse after school and to travel to our partner church in the village of Reeküla, on the island of Saaremaa. We’ll enjoy the short days, brisk weather, and the best Christmas market in Europe. Trip dates are Dec 2 through Dec 9, 2026.

Contact Andy Morris if interested.

Names will remain on the Extended Family Concerns list for one month.

After four weeks, if you want the name to continue to be listed for another month, contact the church office at 615.297.7562, or  admin@calvaryumc.com

We will extend the length of time on the list (monthly) for as long as prayer is needed for your family member or friend.

We continue to remember members of the armed services who are deployed in various places around the world. May God help us hasten the day when the entire world will be at peace.

Prayers for Liz Sharpe-Spraggs on the death of her father, Mark Sharpe, on August 28, 2026.

Help us extend a warm welcome the moment someone walks through the door! 

We’re looking for friendly, upbeat volunteers to serve at the church Front Desk, an easy but meaningful way to make a big impact. You’ll be the first smile people see, offering hospitality, answering simple questions, and helping connect people to what’s happening in the life of the church.

If you enjoy people and want a flexible way to serve, this is a great place to plug in and be part of something important. Scan the QR code to view available times and sign up to volunteer.