January 15, 2025

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

This Sunday, we gather for a powerful time of worship as we reflect on Luke 4:14-21, where Jesus proclaims His mission to bring good news to the poor, freedom to the oppressed, and sight to the blind. His words, echoing Isaiah, remind us that discipleship calls us to join Him in this transformative ministry.

In the spirit of this calling, we will also honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and love resonates deeply with the gospel’s invitation to dream God’s dream for the world. He showed us how faith can inspire action and how love can overcome hate. As we reflect on his life and ministry, we are reminded that following Christ means living into that dream—working for justice, embracing compassion, and being a light in a world longing for hope.

This Sunday, let us ask ourselves: How is God inviting us to step into this ministry? What might it look like for us, as individuals and as a church, to embody the good news of Jesus in our time?

Our time together will include meaningful prayers, inspiring music, and a shared commitment to following the way of Christ. Through this, we will celebrate the how God is calling us to imagine again—a world filled with grace, peace, and equity—and to live as active participants in His ongoing work of redemption.

We look forward to welcoming you at Calvary UMC this Sunday. Come with open hearts, ready to hear God’s word and recommit to the work of discipleship, as we dream again of a world transformed by Christ’s love.


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

Human Relations Sunday

Human Relations Day is a special Sunday across our denomination, focused on fostering better relationships and supporting community and youth outreach.  

You can support cause by making a special offering through the link below or by using the envelopes found on the round table in the Gathering Space.

Human Relations Day - Online Donations

UMCOR - Pray for California 

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is providing essential aid to the devestation cause by the California wildfires. For more information, read the attached article from UM News. To donate in support of relief efforts CLICK HERE.

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodists-see-loss-offer-relief-as-wildfires-rage 

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, Karen and Bud, Mike, Serena Rose, Marita, John and Audrey, Carol F. and Tom .

And those members of Calvary who are no longer able to be active among us as they once were: Joan, Bernie, Dottie, Bill, Bob, Mickey, Pepper, Jean, 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

Lenten Book Study
"Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week"
Mondays, March 10 - April 14th at 6:30pm

“Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week”, by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, will be the source book for this year’s Lenten Study, beginning Monday, March 10, at 6:30 PM in room 202.  Dr. Levine has said she would like all readers of the Gospels to read the Passion stories with compassion.  To see these stories within the context of the history behind the texts and to study the texts to see how brilliant the Gospel writers are. 

The study will delve into the history and literature of the last days of Jesus’ life.  In the process we may find ways to understand questions about our own lives through the stories of his trials and choices.  Information about the history of these stories can provide new insights into the texts and perhaps, even help us rethink how we act in the world today. 

There will be a sign-up sheet in the gathering space or you can contact the office to confirm your plans to attend this six-week study.  Please register by February 23.  Order the book from your favorite book source, or if you would like assistance, please contact Pastor Gordon.   

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.

Calvary Youth Group
Socks & Gloves Drive for Sidewalk Warriors

The Sock & Glove collection for Sidewalk Warriors Troy is off to a great start!! So far, we have collected 666 pairs of socks and 745 pairs of gloves. Thank you to everyone who has contributed already!

As a reminder, the biggest need is for HEAVY, THERMAL socks (sizes L or XL) and WARM winter gloves, any size. There are boxes in the Gathering Space, and the collection will continue through Sunday, January 19.  The youth will then be volunteering at Sidewalk Warriors on January 23rd to help with distribution of the collected items.

Help us make the impossible possible this Christmas season for our neighbors in need. Help us collect 1000 pairs of socks and 1000 pairs of gloves to share Christ's warmth and love around the world.

Confirmation Class

Our 2025 Confirmation Class Registration is open and class is set to begin in February. Our confirmation class is open to any youth in grades 6-12.  Click Here for the confirmation sign up link.


A Parent Question/Answer session regarding Confirmation will be held on Sunday, January 26th after worship in the Chapel. 

PASSIONATE SERVICE

CUMC Building Maintenance and Repair Team

Our Team is celebrating our one year anniversary. Our group of dedicated volunteers have met twice a month and accomplished over 80 projects, both big and small. Some of our projects included:

This team of dedicated amateurs meets for a few morning hours on the first and third Friday of the month. We could certainly use more help. Please consider joining us as we work to make our Church a more inviting place and maintain 'This Old House'.

If you're interested in learning more, please contact Ray O'Brien at rayobrien35@gmail.com  or call at (518) 441 8681. 

Christmas Adopt-a-Family:Thank you Calvary!

We recently received a thank you note from the County of Albany Department for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Three Hundred and Twelve donors "adopted" 366 families and a total of 440 families (1126 children) were assisted through other financial and unwrapped gift donations. Two of these families were assisted by Calvary - both of whom live in the Town of Colonie and one of which was unhoused and working toward a permanent home. Thank you for your generous Christmas spirit that assisted our neighbors.

Thank you also to all the faithful disciples who helped put up and decorate and then take down the adopt-a-family tree, made tags, added extra special items for each family and helped deliver the gifts. You are all blessings!

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.

OPEN TO ALL

Preschool Update

Our preschool friends are making the best of the winter season and talking all about polar animals and snow! This week in at class we made snowflakes and talked about symmetry and color mixing. 


The children also had a nice discussion about baptism and how God and the church love it's children during chapel chat with Pastor Gordon today. 


Calvary Methodist Preschool will be hosting an open house for all prospective students and their families on Monday, January 27th from 5:30-7pm. We invite all families with 2, 3, and 4 year old to stop by to learn more about our program. 

We are still accepting registrations. For more information about the preschool or registration please email Michelle Hykin at:  LathamCalvaryPreK@gmail.com.  

We have put together an Amazon Wishlist of books that we need to complete our preschool curriculum. You can find that Wishlist here: 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, January 19th, 2025

Neil Francese and Elliot Friedman

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.