August 27, 2025
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CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
This Sunday promises to be a joyful celebration of faith, music, and blessing! We will gather for a worship service that blends the richness of our Wesleyan heritage with the vibrant spirit of our community today.
One of the highlights of our time together will be a Hymn Sing, lifting our voices in some of the most beloved hymns of our tradition. Together we’ll sing the classics penned by Charles and John Wesley, hymns that have shaped the spiritual life of Methodists for centuries: "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," & "A Charge to Keep I Have."
We’ll also explore some Wesley hymns that may be less familiar, yet still carry profound meaning for us as disciples of Jesus Christ. Each hymn tells a story of faith, hope, and mission—reminding us of the deep roots of our tradition and inspiring us to continue living into our vision of being a place for the spiritually curious to live and learn the way of Christ.
In addition to this celebration of song, we will take time in worship to bless our Preschool ministry, as teachers and staff prepare for another year of nurturing and guiding young children. We are so grateful for their commitment to forming young lives in love, learning, and joy.
We will also extend a blessing over all educators within our congregation—teachers, staff, professors, and administrators—who are preparing for a new school year, carrying both the challenges and joys of their sacred calling.
Finally, our service will include a special moment to bless the backpacks of our children and youth. These backpacks go with them into classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds, and our prayer is that they carry God’s presence and encouragement each day as they learn and grow.
What a rich and meaningful morning it will be! Come ready to sing, to pray, to celebrate, and to be blessed. Together, we will give thanks for God’s faithfulness and set our hearts on Christ as we move into a new season of ministry.
We look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Strengthening Safety at Calvary
Strengthening Safety at Calvary
Dear Calvary Family,
Your Trustees have been hard at work this summer to ensure our church building remains a safe, welcoming, and secure place for all who enter. In partnership with the North Colonie Community Resource Officer, we’ve been reviewing our security practices and developing proactive steps to strengthen the safety of our facility—particularly during the week and on Sunday mornings.
Beginning this week, all exterior doors will remain locked during the week. If you need access to the building during office hours, simply ring the doorbell, and someone from the office will be happy to let you in.
On Sunday mornings, to maintain a secure worship environment, our ushers will lock all exterior doors at 10:10 AM—ten minutes after the service begins. If you happen to arrive after that time, please wait in the vestibule. An usher will be monitoring the door and will come to welcome you in as soon as possible.
We understand that these changes may bring small inconveniences, but they are important steps toward ensuring a safe environment for our worship, our ministries, and all those who use our building throughout the week.
We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding as we implement these protocols, and we remain committed to being a church that is both open-hearted and responsibly mindful of the world we live in.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Pastor Drew or a member of the Trustees team. Let’s continue working together to make Calvary a place where safety and welcome go hand in hand.
Blessing of the Backpacks
Blessing of the Backpacks
All children are encouraged to bring their backpacks to church on Sunday August 31st, as we celebrate the new school year with a Blessing of the Backpack.
Welcome Back Sunday at Calvary!
Welcome Back Sunday at Calvary!
Join us September 7th, as we kick off a new season of worship, connection, and community on Welcome Back Sunday! We’ll celebrate with inspiring worship, joyful fellowship, and opportunities to reconnect across all generations. Don’t miss this special day — invite a friend and come home to Calvary!
Please keep in your prayers:
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 & Chelsea, Bob & Nancy, Laura & Marc.
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
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
Join a House Church
Calvary’s House Church ministry continues to grow and remain a vital component of our worship life together. With five active house churches, thirty 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
"Rooted in Wesley - Book Study: Wesleyan Vile-tality by Ashley Boggan"
"Rooted in Wesley - Book Study: Wesleyan Vile-tality by Ashley Boggan"
This fall, as we launch our worship series Rooted in Wesley, we invite you to go deeper with a companion book study of Ashley Boggan’s powerful and provocative work, Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity.
Boggan, the General Secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Archives and History, helps us reconnect with the gritty, grounded, and radically grace-filled heart of the Wesleyan movement. This study will not only enrich your understanding of our Methodist heritage, but also challenge and equip you to live out your faith boldly in today’s world.
In her words:
“Wesleyan vile-tality reminds us that the church is most vital when it is most vulnerable—when it enters the spaces the world deems vile. The Wesleyan tradition is one that brings people together not to escape the world but to transform it.”
Whether you’re a lifelong Methodist or just curious about what makes our movement distinct, this book will stretch your heart and mind—and inspire your walk with Christ.
There are 12 books available from the church, so signup today to secure your spot. A sign-up sheet is on the round table in the Gathering Space.
Wednesday Evenings at 7:00pm
September 10th - October 8th
In person or via Zoom
For more information, and upcoming events check out our Family Ministries Page.
Children's Church Break
Children's Church Break
Just a quick reminder... Children's Church is officially on break! We will be back and ready to serve on September 7th! Please know that during the break children are always welcome in church!
PASSIONATE SERVICE
Calvary Night @ Sidewalk Warriors!!!
Thursday, October 2nd
Calvary Night @ Sidewalk Warriors!!!
Thursday, October 2nd
Show up and show your support of this mission on Thursday, October 2! The mission of Sidewalk Warriors is to "provide compassionate support to those in need, offering hearty meals, essential supplies, and a sense of community." You may volunteer to assist with set-up from 4:00 - 6:00pm, distribution from 6:00 - 8:30pm, or stay for the entire time. They are located outside of Christ Church UMC, 35 State St., Troy. Please contact Grace Paster if you're able to volunteer in October, or if you have any questions (gracepaster@gmail.com, 518-248-3780).
We Care List
We Care List
An updated "We Care" list is now available. Please contact the church office for a copy.
Calvary Missional Partnerships
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
OPEN TO ALL
OPEN TO ALL
Albany/Adirondack Districts - United Women In Faith Fall Meeting
Albany/Adirondack Districts - United Women In Faith Fall Meeting
Saturday, September 27, 2025
East Greenbush United Methodist Church, 1 Gilligan Rd., East Greenbush, NY 12061
Kristin Morelli, Director of NYS Refugee Services, as well as someone from both the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and the NYS Office for New Americans, will be the speakers.
Cost is $12.00, which included Registration, Breakfast and Lunch. If interested, please contact Diane Kendall at
(518) 393-3120 or dandianek@gmail.com by Wed., March 27th.
Burning Bush Newsletter - Fall 2025
UWF - 2025 Fall Meeting Registration Form
UWF - Upper New York Annual Meeting Registration Form (October 17th & 18th)
Prime Timers News
Prime Timers News
I hope your summer is going well. Prime Timers kicked off the summer at the June meeting with a presentation by Geri Ann Laiacona on eating for good health. Mary Francese led a mini session of chair yoga. Thank you to Cheryl Articola and Diane Kendall for planning and organizing this very informative and energizing meeting!
It’s time now to sign up for the next Prime Timer meeting in September. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17th, 12 noon at Calvary.
The program is on a topic that unfortunately we hear a lot about these days, financial scams. The Town of Colonie Police Department, in recognition that senior citizens are a vital part of Colonie, has many programs to keep us safe and informed. One of the programs is on Elder Fraud since sadly, seniors are often targeted by financial scams. These scams can be perpetrated by strangers or even caregivers. Town of Colonie Community Services Officer, Tracy Burns, will be attending our September 17th meeting to speak to us about how to avoid these scams.
Lunch will be a potluck with beverages provided. Please bring a dish to share. If you are interested in attending, RSVP to Sharon Kunkel (kunkesilk@gmail.com) or call 518-368-3968 by Wednesday, September 11. Please RSVP so we will know how many tables and chairs to set up.
Thank You:
It has been my pleasure to serve first as president and then for many years as treasurer of Prime Timers. As word got out that I was resigning my position this year, I was very surprised and honored to receive cupcakes at the board meeting and a very thoughtful gift certificate from the group. We have had a wonderful time together, traveling and having all sorts of great and varied meetings. Thank you, my PT friends, very much.
Ellen Barnes
Reminders:
Make sure you have marked your calendars for the last meeting of 2025, December 10.
If you would like to attend a meeting but need transportation, please let us know. We will try to coordinate a ride for you. Or if you can provide a ride, let us know.
Hope to see you in September!
Support Calvary
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
Tellers Schedule
The Tellers for this Sunday, August 31st, 2025
Neil Francese and Dottie Norvik
Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.
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