May 21, 2025

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

This week we continue to explore in the Book of Revelation, John’s visions of a world that is made new. John while exiled on the island of Patmos, around 95 CE, nearly 25 years after the fall of Jerusalem, offered a vision of hope for renewal and restoration in a time when Roman rule had been devastating to the people in Jerusalem and the followers of the way. Scholars suggest that John’s writings were structured in what would be understood as coded messages for the followers of Jesus, but not so much the Romans. In these passages John seems to connect the original creation story accounts with the vision of creation that includes people’s participation as co-creators with God in the world.

John reminds the people of how they (and we) are co-creators with God in something that is already created and yet is also and will be new. Something that is both present now and also part of something beyond now. In the passage from this week, John uses the example of a tree which provides a source of healing and life. Trees have been symbolic throughout history to mark historic events; of friendship (think cherry trees in Washington D.C), and medicines (think about indigenous peoples), and can also be for us, symbolic of God’s creation of the earth with all the vegetation and animals. As noted in the United Methodist Social Principles, “We affirm that all creation belongs to God and is a manifestation of God’s goodness and providential care”.

John, in perhaps is one of the most difficult times for early followers of the way, provides hope and renewal. His vision is one where the world and its people are interconnected with one another and I believe, with the natural world. Guided by God, we become co-creators of a new heaven and new earth by the choices. What if we see the creation this earth, as a sacred space? How might that affect the decisions and choices we make in the efforts to not only preserve the natural world but also to create a world where people live in harmony with the natural world and with one another? What a vision that would be; what peace that could be for us all.

Click on the links below to see the following informational documents:

· Instruction on how to find the Sunday Worship service on Facebook

· Calvary UMC Covid-19 reopening guidelines

Please keep in your prayers:

Calvary’s mission and ministry and for the mission and ministry of the church in the world; for those who need the presence of God in their lives; for those serving in armed forces; and for those serving in ministry around the world and here.

And for: Duane, Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Carol F., Tom, Michael and Chelsea.

And those members of Calvary who are no longer able to be active among us as they once were: Joan, Bernie, Dottie, Bill, Bob, Pepper, Shirley, Marj, June, Helen.

Virtual Prayer Request

If you have a prayer request that you would like lifted during Sunday services you can now submit them online at our website or by clicking the link below. We have also created this QR code, which can be found in the Sanctuary and round the building. It can be scanned at any time to send a request.

Calvary Online Prayer Requests

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Join a House Church

Calvary’s House Church ministry continues to grow and remain a vital component of our worship life together. With six active house churches, forty five participants we are seeing tremendous response. One participant has said “Joining house church was the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.”... See More

Click here to see the Top of the Week email
For more information, and upcoming events check out our Family Ministries Page.

Children's Church This Sunday

Just a reminder we will not have Children's Church on Sunday, May 25. Children are of course welcome at church.

Skye Farm Day at Camp

Join us June 7th, 10am to 5pm, for our annual Skye Farm Day at Camp Event! This event is an all-ages event that includes a service project, lunch and an afternoon of recreation! For families curious about the camp experience, we encourage you to come spend the day with us and check it out!

OR a Sign up sheet will be available after worship on May 11th.

Send Your Kids to Camp!!

Summer is just around the corner and Skye Farm is counting down the days to when the first group of campers arrives! Are your campers registered for camp yet? Summer camp is an amazing opportunity for youth to live in Christian community, spend time unplugging, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Calvary offers scholarships to help support getting youth to camp, Click Here for the new scholarship application. We offer scholarships to all the Upper New York camps although Skye Farm is our preferred camp given its proximity and long-standing connection with Calvary.
Check out their summer programs here.

If you have any questions about sending a camper to Skye Farm, please reach out to our Camp Agent, Robyn Vernon at robynvernon@unyumc.org

2025 College Scholarship Applications

Calvary United Methodist Church is pleased to offer financial assistance in the form of a one-time only scholarship for students who are members of Calvary and who will be attending college in the fall of 2025. Awards will be determined based upon several factors including church and community service, leadership and academic achievement.

This scholarship program, established initially through the George Baker Memorial, is maintained by the Trustee and has been an active program for many years. Contributions to this program are always appreciated.

Click here for an Application or one can be obtained at the church office during the month of May and must be submitted to the office by the deadline of May 30, 2025.

Howe Music Endowment

The Howe Music Endowment is in place for the benefit of members of Calvary United Methodist Church for music education. The endowment is managed by the Trustees and offers an annual gift for the pursuance of vocal and (or) instrumental instruction. It is the intent of the endowment to encourage candidates (7th grade to adults) who are members of a musical performance group at Calvary, to enhance their musical skills.

Click here for an Application or one can be obtained at the church office during the month of May and should be submitted by the deadline of May 30, 2025.

Vacation Bible School
Cokesbury Kids Road Trip - On the Go with God!

Calvary UMC's Family Ministries is excited to announce Vacation Bible School 2025:

Cokesbury Kids Road Trip - On the Go with God!

July 21st - 25th

5:30pm to 8pm

Our VBS program is open for children entering Kindergarten through entering 6th. 7th - 12th graders may sign up and will participate as Jr. Leaders to the program!

Cokesbury's promo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWjlOtUGyqc

Early registration IS available now: vbspro.events/p/549865

As usual, we are looking for people who would like to volunteer to lead a station, a group of kids, help serve dinner, decorate, etc. It's a big undertaking and we couldn't do it without our incredible volunteers. Sign ups will be available soon!

If you have any questions, you may email Kristen anytime at kristenrains.calvaryumc@gmail.com.

PASSIONATE SERVICE

Calvary UMC: Visioning a Future of Food Justice
Becoming a Church That Feeds

"Do you love me? Feed my sheep." – John 21:17

On Sunday, May 18, Calvary UMC gathered in a spirit of discernment and hope to explore the future of our food ministries. Grounded in the words of Jesus to Peter, our church family asked: How can we continue to say yes to Christ's call to feed his sheep in both body and spirit?

We celebrated the strong foundation already in place:

Our partnership with St. Ambrose Food Pantry
Meals shared through Vacation Bible School
Cook & Serve Ministry with Capital City Rescue Mission
Food collections and Free Will offerings at church events

These ministries already nourish our neighbors and strengthen our mission. But the conversation revealed a shared desire to grow even deeper.

Emerging Dreams: Where God Might Be Leading Us

Expanding Partnerships Beyond the Familiar
- Many expressed a call to support under-resourced communities beyond those we already serve.
- Schools and colleges like Shaker, Watervliet, Green Island, Cohoes, Hudson Valley Consortium, Siena, and HVCC were mentioned as possible partners.
- This could mean providing food, supporting student pantries, or simply walking alongside their community efforts.
Making Calvary a Community Hub
- Could Calvary become a trusted place where neighbors come for help?
- Ideas include inviting agencies to help folks apply for programs like SNAP, hosting information nights with meals, or integrating resource sharing into events like Trunk or Treat or the Easter Egg Hunt.
Giving with Impact
- Let people give toward tangible food projects: a local pantry, community meals, or specific school partnerships.
- Share updates and stories to show how these gifts make a difference.
Serving Hidden Populations
- We were reminded to look for food insecurity among seniors and homeless families in Colonie and beyond.
- How can we serve quietly but faithfully in these areas of need?
Learning, Growing, Praying
- We want to deepen our understanding of food justice.
- Plans are forming to offer Bible studies and invite community partners to teach us.

Next Visioning Session
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
Time: After Worship (Bring Your Own Lunch!)

Goals:

Prioritize next steps and action items
Connect with potential new partners
Launch our "Church That Feeds" identity
Explore ideas like TAUM Friday Meals, SNAP nights, and Free Fridges

A Church That Feeds Is a Church That Follows Jesus

This visioning is just the beginning. Jesus calls us to feed his sheep — not just with bread, but with compassion, dignity, and hope. Calvary is blessed with kitchens, volunteers, cooks, and hearts ready to serve.

Together, we can become a beacon of nourishment and justice. Join us on this journey!

“See, I am making all things new.” – Revelation 21:5

Calvary Missional Partnerships

Calvary has long standing relationships with a number of mission organizations that impact people from the local area. For more information on the following organizations, please click here.

Rags to Riches
St. Ambrose Food Pantry

For other volunteer opportunities click here.

OPEN TO ALL

Preschool Update

This week we said good-bye to our baby chicks. We really loved having them around school. We were sad to see them go, but know that they needed a bigger space! Last week we had our first lunch at school. Every Thursday we will be sitting down for a meal together. This is a great way for soon-to-be kindergarten students to practice opening lunch containers.

We also had our last Chapel Chat of the year today. Pastor Drew talked to us about how God's love is protective and nurturing like a mother hen (Matthew 23:37) and read the book "When God Was a Little Girl" by David R. Weiss.

Registration is open for summer camp (ages 3-6) and the 2025-2026 school year (ages 2-5). For more information, email Michelle Hykin at LathamCalvaryPrek@gmail.com.

Thanks to everyone's generosity, our book wish list is empty! We also have a supply wish list on Amazon: https://a.co/8luFfKB

Thank you so much for all of your support.

Support Calvary

If you would like to Support the ministry of Calvary, you may do so using the link below or QR code. Thank you for your generosity.

https://giving.servantkeeper.com/CalvaryLathamUMC

For more ways to support Calvary, please click here.

Tellers Schedule

The Tellers for this Sunday, May 25th, 2025

Neil Francese and Dave Weary

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.

Google Sites

Report abuse