June 10, 2026

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

In Worship This Week...

This Sunday promises to be a joyful and meaningful day in the life of our church as we celebrate Youth Sunday, honor our high school and college graduates, and worship alongside some of our youngest disciples.

In 2 Peter 1:5–11, we hear a powerful invitation: “Make every effort to supplement your faith…” Peter reminds us that faith is not merely something we believe; it is something we practice. Like any relationship, our relationship with God grows deeper through intentional habits, disciplines, and experiences that shape us over time.

This year, our youth have been reflecting on one of Calvary’s core values: Spiritual Growth. They have planned and will lead a worship service centered on the practices that help them grow closer to Christ. Through prayer, service, generosity, silence, and communion, they will share how God is at work in their lives and how these spiritual disciplines help them become more faithful disciples.

What a gift it is to hear from the next generation—not only about what they believe, but how they are learning to live out their faith.

We will also celebrate our graduates, recognizing an important milestone in their journeys. As they prepare for new chapters of life, we have an opportunity to surround them with encouragement, prayer, and the reminder that the church walks beside them wherever God may lead.

Adding to the joy of the morning, our Children’s Choir will present a special “cantata,” sharing several of their favorite anthems from the past year. Their music will be a beautiful testimony to the faith, creativity, and enthusiasm of our youngest members.

While this Sunday is certainly an opportunity to support our children, youth, and graduates, it is about something even greater. It is an invitation for each of us to consider our own spiritual growth. How is God calling us to deepen our faith? What practices help us draw closer to Christ? What might happen if we made “every effort” to grow in grace, knowledge, and love?

Come ready to celebrate. Come ready to encourage. Most importantly, come ready to encounter God and be inspired to take the next step in your own journey of faith.

We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!

Music Sunday and Father's Day

Join us next Sunday June 21st, as we celebrate Music Sunday and Father’s Day in worship! We will honor the men of our congregation with a small gift and reflect on Psalm 150, which calls us to praise God with every instrument and voice. Our Music Ministry will share several favorite anthems from the past year, and a special instrumental ensemble will offer a festive postlude. Come give thanks, celebrate, and lift your voice in praise!

Summer Music Opportunity

Talents needed!

Do you sing or play musical instrument? Does your child like to perform? Calvary worship team invites you to share your musical talent during summer months. Accompaniment / coaching can be provided. Recordings are welcome.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Natalia Shevchuk at yellow_frog@outlook.com.

Running the Race Together

A Celebration and a Few Important Clarifications

What a day!

This past Sunday's Running the Race Together Celebration was everything we hoped it would be and more. Together, we celebrated the successful conclusion of our campaign with joyful worship, a spirit-filled community gathering, a fun run/walk that welcomed more than 60 participants, and a delicious luncheon shared by more than 100 people.

Most importantly, we celebrated God's faithfulness and your incredible generosity.

As of Celebration Sunday, campaign commitments have exceeded our original goal of $235,000 by more than $38,000, with commitments potentially exceeding $273,000 as monthly commitments are fulfilled. What an amazing testament to what can happen when a congregation runs the race together!

One of the more inspiring moments from the day happened outside during the race. A neighbor, so moved by the joy, encouragement, and community they witnessed, came out and offered a donation to support the campaign. It was a beautiful reminder that when the church lives its faith publicly, people notice.

Thank you to everyone who made the day possible; our race organizers and volunteers, worship leaders, musicians, hospitality teams, luncheon coordinators, setup and cleanup crews, campaign team members, and everyone who participated. The day was filled with joy, laughter, gratitude, and hope for the future.

A Few Important Clarifications

As we move from celebration into fulfillment of our commitments, we want to provide a few important reminders and clarifications.

1. Campaign Commitments Are Separate from Current Expense Giving

The commitments made to Running the Race Together are in addition to our regular giving that supports the church's annual operating budget and ministries.

Running the Race Together commitments support:

Sanctuary renewal and accessibility improvements
Paying off one of our two mortgages to create greater freedom for future ministry

Several members have shared that they initially thought their campaign commitment was intended to replace or represent their annual current expense pledge. If that was your understanding, please contact our Financial Secretary, Ellen Danis, as soon as possible so we can ensure your commitment is recorded correctly.

2. Monthly Commitments Are Assumed to Continue Through December 2027

Because Running the Race Together is an 18-month campaign, monthly commitments are currently being calculated based on payments beginning in July 2026 and continuing through December 2027.

If you selected a monthly amount but intended a different schedule or total commitment amount, please contact Ellen so we can update our records accordingly.

3. Campaign Gifts Must Be Given Separately

To ensure campaign gifts are properly recorded and credited, please keep Running the Race Together gifts separate from your regular Current Expense donations.

If you give electronically:

Please make two separate transactions.
One transaction for Current Expense.
One transaction selecting Running the Race Together from the designation menu.

If you give by check:

Please use separate checks.
Clearly write "Running the Race Together" or "Capital Campaign" in the memo line.

If you give with cash:

Please use a Running the Race Together envelope available at the campaign information table.

This helps us ensure campaign gifts are recorded accurately.

4. Additional Commitments Are Always Welcome

If you were unable to make a commitment on Celebration Sunday, or if you would like to make an additional commitment, commitments may be made at any time throughout the campaign period.

Pledge Card - 2026

Questions?

If you have any questions about your commitment, payment schedule, giving method, or campaign records, please contact:

Ellen Danis, Financial Secretary: ellendanis@gmail.com

Thank you again for helping Calvary run this race together. We celebrate what God has already done among us, and we look forward with excitement and hope to what God will continue to do through this congregation in the years ahead.

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: Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Michael & Chelsea, Laura & Marc, Patrick G., Katherine D., Tom and Family, Cheryl, Laura, Paula.

And those members of Calvary who are no longer able to be active among us as they once were: Joan, Bernie, 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 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

For more information, please visit our Family Ministry page.

Children's Church This Sunday

This Sunday, June 14th is Children at Youth Sunday! There will be no Children's Church on this day but we would like to invite the kids to grab their coffee hour snacks and join us outside for some play time following the service!

Youth Group "Giving Tree"

Please stop by and take a look at the "Giving Tree" in the Gathering Space. There are many cards available with items that the youth will need for their upcoming mission trip to West Virginia. If you are able, please consider taking a card from the tree to donate. All items are due back to church by June 28th. Thank you for supporting our youth and the mission trip!

Vacation Bible School

Join us July 13th through 17th from 5:30pm to 8pm for Cokesbury's Snowball Mountain Challenge!! Join us for a week of Bible stories, fellowship and ski-themed fun! Our VBS is a FREE event and open to ALL! Dinner is included each night! Please email Kristen with any questions at:

kristenrains.calvaryumc@gmail.com.

Sign up begins May 1st! You can sign up here: vbspro.events/p/c19404. Interested in volunteering? Visit the link to explore volunteer roles and sign up!

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? Calvary offers scholarships to help support getting youth to camp. Click the link below for the scholarship application.

Summer Camp Scholarship Application

Application are due by June 15th

PASSIONATE SERVICE

We Care List

An updated We Care list is now available. Please contact the church office to get a copy.

Calvary Night @ Sidewalk Warriors

Thursday, June 18th

Our next churchwide night to volunteer at Sidewalk Warriors will be on Thursday, June 18! We will volunteer to help with distribution - please plan to arrive at 5:30 pm, and stay until about 8:00 pm. If you're able to help with set-up, you may arrive at any earlier time that works for your schedule (set-up begins around 3:30).

The mission of Sidewalk Warriors is to "provide compassionate support to those in need, offering hearty meals, essential supplies, and a sense of community." They are located outside of Christ Church UMC, 35 State St., Troy. Please contact Grace Paster if you're able to volunteer in June, or if you have any questions (gracepaster@gmail.com, 518-248-3780). There will also be a sign-up on the round table in the Gathering Space.

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
Sidewalk Warriors Troy

Find More Volunteer Opportunities

Pride Month

June is Pride month. Pride is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and to bring awareness of our struggle for equal rights. Thank you to all who attended last Sunday’s event here at Calvary with April Snow.

Some upcoming events to help us all participate include:

Capital Pride Parade & Festival - Sunday, June 14, 2026

The Pride Center of the Capital Region is excited to announce the 2026 Capital PRIDE Parade and Festival on Sunday June 14, 2026 in Albany's historic Washington Park,11:30am - 5:00pm.

Transgender Awareness Information Session

1 PM Saturday, June 27, Living Hope UMC, 126 Middletown Rd., Waterford. Please come and join us for a time of learning and discussion surrounding issues and new challenges that those in our transgender community are facing in our country. A representative from the Pride Center of the Capital Region will be present to provide information and to answer questions.

For more information see:

https://www.518capitalpride.com/

https://www.gcorr.org/

https://rmnetwork.org/

JOYFUL GIVING

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.

OPEN TO ALL

Skye Farm Day at Camp Event

Friday, June 19th at 9:30am to 5pm

Join us for our annual Skye Farm Day at Camp Event on Friday, June 19th from 9:30am - 5pm! This day includes a service project followed by lunch and an afternoon of recreation! This is a great opportunity to give back while becoming acquainted with the summer camps brought to us by the Upper New York Conference. Please note: This event IS on a Friday this year. This is Juneteenth, a federal holiday so recognize that many people and children will have this day off. Consider using this time to honor the day through service and fellowship!

Please sign up in the Gathering Space or click here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48AEAE2CA6FEC43-63771902-skye

Tellers Schedule

The Tellers for this Sunday, June 14th, 2026

Paul Breslin and Dave Weary

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.

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