CalvaryLife - Holiday2025

y a d i Hol Calvary Life

2025

Nov-Dec

Holiday 2025 NOVEMBER · DECEMBER 3

Program Guide

9

Mercy & Missions

Your guide to the activities at Calvary Church this upcoming season.

Updates from our Mercy & Missions Team.

13 Faith in Silence

Calvary members share about trusting God in the midst of infertility and the resources available through Calvary for those in that pain.

There Be Peace 15 Let A devotional from Calvary’s Minister & Adult Ministry Team Leader that is sure to be an encouragement in this chaotic time.

17 Frequently Asked Questions About the Calvary Library

Did you even know that Calvary has a library? Find out where it’s located and more.

Have a Gift 18 You Serving Facilitator, Neil Kassuba, highlights opportunities for you to volunteer for and offers an encouraging reminder on the gifts we each bring to these roles.

Project Update 19 Jerusalem The Jerusalem Project is our year-end focus and we’re looking at the impact this ministry makes around the globe.

20 Coming in January

Some classes and events are so epic, you have to start planning for them now.

707 E Beltline Ave NE Grand Rapids MI 49525 Mailing Address: PO Box 1600 Grand Rapids MI 49501

2

Ph (616) 956-9377 Fax (616) 956-9723 calvarygr.org CalvaryChurchGR calvarygr

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 PROGRAM GUIDE S U N D AY M O R N I N G S Worship & Prayer

9:00am Classes

Sunday Morning Worship Service Calvary Church Sanctuary 9:00 & 10:45am

Ambassadors | Chapel A medium sized teaching-oriented class comprised of senior adults.

Both services are identical. Join us!

All services are also streamed live at calvarygr.org. We are currently in a series on the Epistles of John.

Faith Builders | Room 260 A medium sized teaching-oriented class of couples and singles 40s-60s.

Calvary Church welcomes people of all abilities. Special accommodations including reserved seating and wheelchair assistance are available. Inclusive worship is encouraged for all - in the Sanctuary with additional spaces available for those with sensory sensitivities. Many hearing aids offer hearing assistance by selecting the t-coil setting on your device. You can take advantage of this feature on the main floor behind row 6 of the main seating area. For more information, please contact Zach Schmuck (zschmuck@ calvarygr.org) .

Pre-Service Prayer 8:30-8:50am | Room 211B Come pray with the morning’s teaching pastor and other participants that God would bless our worship services. All are encouraged to join.

Boiler Room Prayer 8:50-11:55am | Room 212 Pray over every aspect of the service as the Holy Spirit leads, assisted by a request sheet composed by staff. Open to all, come and go as able.

Adult Sunday Classes Adult Sunday classes are committed to engaging deeply with the Bible and authentic biblical community. The focus of each class is growing in God’s Word, care, prayer, and community. Visit a few of the classes to see where God may lead you.

Questions? Contact Karen (kvanholstyn@ calvarygr.org) at ext. 5173.

Family Tree | Room 251-253 | Does not meet on the 1st Sunday of the month A medium sized multi-generational sermon discussion class focused on doing life together as we pray for one another and share what God is teaching us through the Sunday sermons. First Sunday is a potluck at someone’s home after second service.

Growing in Relationships | Room 261 Meet 2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays A large teaching-oriented class of married, single, and remarried adults.

Breathe Room 255 | Does not meet on the 2nd Sunday of the month A small teaching-oriented class for women of all ages and life stages.

Young Marrieds | Room 264 | Meets First & Third Sundays | Designed to create community among newly married and engaged couples, while learning to keep Christ at the center of our relationship.

10:45am Classes

Legacy Builders | Room 106A A small discussion style class of all ages and life stages that studies the Bible inductively verse by verse.

Sojourners | Room 252 A medium-sized teaching-oriented class comprised primarily of senior adults who are seeking to become more intergenerational.

Kids 9:00 & 10:45am (Nursery - Fourth Grade) Check-in: All children need to receive their nametags at the check-in area at the bottom of the stairs, then be escorted by a parent or guardian to the room number printed on their name tag.

Inclusion is encouraged for children of varied abilities, K – 4th grade. If extra support is needed, an individualized Care Plan can be developed alongside our facilitator, Pamela Cook, (pcook@ calvarygr.org).

Holiday Sundays: November 30, December 21 and December 28. On these Sundays, only nursery & preschool are available in Calvary Kids. We encourage families to worship together on these days.

Students

Faith & Fellowship | Room 264 A medium sized sermon discussion class of all ages and life stages.

5th-8th Grade: Sunday Class Unit 3: Orthodoxy | Nov. 16, 23, Dec. 7 10:30am | Room 108 | $5

Heirs Together | Chapel A welcoming community of adults who love biblical principles, prayer, missions, revival, member care, and ministry to others.

56 & 78 are hosting a joint Sunday class. This joint parent/student class is a supplement to our families and student’s full engagement in Sunday services. This year we are going to be walking through the topic of Church history, and taking a look at how we as the church have lived out the great commission over the last 2,000 years.

Journey | Room 265 A large, teaching-oriented class of all ages and life stages.

Koinonia | Room 260 A medium sized sermon discussion class of all ages and life stages who love Jesus.

Register at calvarygr.org/5678sunclass.

3

S U N D AY NIGHTS

*

W E D N E S D AY N I G H T S

*

Wednesday Night programming will not meet on November 26. The Fall Semester will end December 20 and Wednesday Nights will resume on January 7.

The Fall Semester ends December 20. Also, there will be no programming on the following Holiday Sundays, November 30, December 21 and December 28.

Students High School Ministry 6:30pm-8:30pm | Room 208 (Entrance E) Welcome to High School Ministry!

At HSM, our goal is to help students become ROOTED in a personal relationship with Jesus—so they can grow full of love, walk in truth, engage in meaningful community, and live fruitful lives wherever they go (Colossians 2:6–7, Philippians 1:9–11).

We’re all about growing deeper in faith and having a ton of FUN along the way.

Every Sunday night, we come together to play games, worship, hear a teaching, and have real conversations in small groups. After that, stick around for Overtime—an extra hangout time until 9:30pm to relax, connect, and build friendships.

Come as you are—we’re excited to grow with you!

Adults Calvary Care: Loving Your LGBTQ+ Child Well This class is for parents of children who identify as LGBTQ+. We will use a series of videos produced by Dr. Preston Sprinkle, followed by a guided discussion with the aim for you to learn to continue to love your child well. Meets: Room 255 Questions? Contact: Christie Thompson at 616-956-9377 ext 5628 or cthompson@ calvarygr.org.

Fifth-Sixth Grade (56) Wednesdays | 6:15-7:45 | Room 108 Register at calvarygr.org/56

The foundation of the Wednesday Night experience at Calvary is the Wednesday Fellowship Dinner (WFD). A hearty, healthy meal featuring a rotating entree, pizza or chicken nuggets, and a salad bar.

More than just solving the equation of what you’ll have for dinner on a busy weeknight, WFD is a lowstakes opportunity to gather around the table with your church friends.

It’s a casual time for community that you don’t have to organize or plan - just show up! Every week is a chance to meet someone new or deepen an existing relationship.

JOIN US! 4:30-6:30pm Gathering Place Cost: $7 $28 max per immediate family

Calvary Kids: Kids-N-Action Wednesdays | 6:30-7:45pm | $10 per child Children from birth through 4th grade are invited to join us on Wednesday evenings for our Kids-N-Action programming! It is our desire that children understand what God says in the Bible, believe it, and put it into action in their daily lives. KNA is designed to foster social interaction through Bible stories, electives, and small groups while facilitating spiritual growth in learning how to put your faith into action! Register at calvarygr.org/kna.

The $10 registration fee helps us offset the cost of some really fun things we will be giving away to your child! If cost is an issue, reach out to Kirsten DeMoss (kdemoss@calvarygr.org) about scholarship opportunities.

4

We have large group worship, small group discussions, and free time activities all centered around our study of the Word.

This framework along with engaging video skits and our loving leaders helps to create a space where students can feel known, loved, cared for, and trained up in truth as we gather together each week!

Seventh-Eighth Grade (78) Wednesdays | 6:15-7:45 | Room 208 We kick off our nights early from 5:306:00pm for some game time in the gym, but our doors officially open at 6:15! We are studying the book of Revelation in our series, Revel. We hope to see you on Wednesdays!

The Conversation - Jump in anytime!

6:30-7:15pm | Room 215 In The Conversation, our goal is to create a spontaneous community comprised of anyone who might walk into Calvary.

Together we seek out scriptural truth, transparency in our lives, truth in repentance, and take time to just fully love on one another by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord! Questions? Contact Sara Blue (sblue@calvarygr.org).

Intercessors / Prayer Chain 6:30-7:45pm | Room 212 Open to anyone interested in praying for Calvary Church, its congregation, pastors, staff, volunteers and programming.

Meet to pray over requests emailed through week. Submit requests to Cindy (cmarrell@calvarygr.org).

Unshackled Wednesdays | 6:30-7:45pm | Room 256 Unshackled is a weekly Bible study designed for men who are transitioning out of the jail/prison system and looking to build a firm, biblical foundation to help them grow and maintain their walk with Christ. Questions? Contact Lou DeGraaf (ldegraaf@calvarygr.org).

KIDS & STUDENTS

High School

Calvary Kids

HSM Sunday Nights Sundays | 6:30-8:30pm | Room 208

Birth-Fourth Grade Contact: calvarykids@calvarygr.org

Freezer Full of Love November 14 | 6:30-8:30pm Gathering Place Roll up your sleeves and join us for Freezer Full of Love — a hands-on family event where we’ll chop, stir, and pack homemade frozen meals to bless foster and adoptive families at Calvary Church.

Together, we’ll fill freezers with comfort, care, and Christ’s love — one meal at a time. Great for all ages, this is a fun way to serve, connect, and make a tangible difference! All necessary food items will be supplied; feel free to bring your favorite prep tools from your own kitchen!

Pizza dinner will be provided. Register online at calvarygr.org/freezer.

Kids-N-Action Wednesdays | 6:30-7:45pm See page 4.

Fifth & Sixth Fifth-Sixth Grade

Contact: Darcy Walukonis dwalukonis@calvarygr.org

56: Wednesday Nights Wednesdays | 6:30-7:45pm See page 4 for details.

Underground Church Night November 14 | 6:30-8:30pm | Free Meet & Pick Up: Room 108 | Entrance F Psst… wanna join the resistance? We’re meeting in secret, playing a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek, cops and robbers style. Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you – the authorities are always watching. If you’re brave enough to risk it all, meet in room 108… but be discreet. And remember, mum’s the word.

Seventh & Eighth Seventh-Eighth Grade Contact: Darcy Walukonis dwalukonis@calvarygr.org

78: Wednesday Nights Wednesdays | 6:30-7:45pm See page 4 for details.

9th-12th Grade

Contact: Darcy Walukonis dwalukonis@calvarygr.org

See page 4.

Mall Manhunt Friday, November, 14 | 5:30pm- 8:00pm Bring: $10 for dinner at the food court Meet and Pick-up: Rivertown Mall Think you’ve got what it takes to outsmart the masters of disguise? Then get ready for Mall Manhunt — a high-energy, fast-paced spin on your same old Friday night. You and a team will race against the clock to track down a stealthy crew of people who might be familiar. Disguised and scattered throughout the mall, these undercover operatives won’t be easy to spot. You’ll need sharp eyes, quick thinking, and a whole lot of hustle to be the ultimate mall manhunters! Register at calvarygr.org/hsmmall A Very Merry Mystery Dinner Sunday, December 14 | 6:30pm- 8:30pm Meet and Pick-up: Room 208 | Entrance E Have yourself a mysterious little Christmas. Join us for a fancy Christmas dinner this holiday season. Instead of decking the halls with boughs of holly, why not deck out yourself in your fanciest formal attire! But wait, there’s a mystery afoot and we need your help to solve it. This is sure to be the most intriguing Christmas dinner you have had. Most certainly more interesting than your great aunt Gertrude’s mystery meatloaf. So come join your friends at HSM for a night of intrigue, sleuthing, and celebrating the heart of Christmas. Please register at calvarygr.org/hsm by December 7.

A D U LT S

Mark Comer. Questions: contact Sheri Schmidt (sschmidt@calvarygr.org) at (616) 956-5524.

Men

Contact: Jessica Henkaline jhenkaline@calvarygr.org

Basketball Mondays | 6:30-9:00pm | Gym Men’s open gym pick-up basketball. This is a great opportunity for men (age 19+) to enjoy some fellowship over a good game of basketball. For more information contact Mike (mensbball@calvarygr.org).

Men at Noon Tuesdays | 12:00pm | Zoom This group of men meet weekly throughout the whole year to do an inductive Bible study. Contact Russ (menatnoon@calvarygr.org) for details.

Men of 6:10 Wednesdays | 6:00-7:30am | Room 265 Inductive study of the book of Ezekiel meets on Wednesdays. Contact Earl (menof610@calvarygr.org) for more info.

Men of 7:24 Saturdays | 8:00-9:00am | Room 265 Journey through the Bible to discover what God is saying and to grow and mature as an active disciple of Christ Jesus. Contact Denny (menof724@ calvarygr.org) for more information.

Men of Prayer Third Tuesday | 6:30-7:30am | Room 253 We need prayer warriors now more than ever! Join the praying men of Calvary church for a one-hour prayer meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. There will be a brief devotional, worship, and a time of inviting the Lord’s presence in united prayer. Coffee will be available and you will be out by 7:30am.

Forever Hope Adoptive & Foster Care

Men’s Futsal Pickup Thursdays | 7:30-9:00pm | Room 208 (Gym) Moves to 7:00pm beginning November 13

Adoptive & Foster Moms Book Study November 12, December 17 | 6:30-7:45pm Calvary Kids Family Room (139)

Would you like the opportunity to play this fun and exciting game? Join us at Calvary for Thursday or Friday night pickup Futsal! Futsal is 5 on 5 indoor soccer played on a hard pitch. It is a fast-paced game with lots of opportunities to sub in and out with other players. You

Contact: Lou DeGraaf ldegraaf@calvarygr.org

Join other adoptive/foster moms for inspiring discussions. We will be reading Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus.

Become Like Him. Do as he Did by John

5

can drop in for a half hour or stay for the whole night. Grab a friend and join us for some friendly fun. Students age 16+ are welcome with a parent. Contact is Eddie (eduardo.ramirez.mx@gmail.com).

Men’s Breakfast November 8 | 8:00-9:30am | $5 Room 208 (Entrance D) We’ll dive into a powerful topic: depending on the Lord. Consider David’s journey: after Samuel anointed him king, he still spent years running from King Saul, learning to depend on God for his very survival. What can we learn from his story about deepening our own reliance on God? How can we live more fully through the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives? Join us for a great morning of worship, fellowship, and encouragement as we explore these questions. Register at calvarygr.org/men.

Men’s Thursday Night Football Watch Party December 4 | 7:30-11:45pm Room 208 (Entrance D) Get ready for game-time with your brothers in Christ! We’re hosting a special Thursday Night Football Watch Party on Thursday, December 4, as the Lions take on the Cowboys. All men are welcome— even fans of the other team—for a night of food, fellowship, and football. We’ll be kicking things off at 7:30 PM. We’ll provide the pizza and drinks, so just bring a friend, your favorite snack, and get ready for an evening of gridiron and community. To make sure we have enough food for everyone, be sure to register at calvarygr.org/men.

Men’s Breakfast December 13 | 8:00-9:30am | $5 Room 208 (Entrance D) We are excited to invite Dr. Anthony Bradley to share with us about the importance of brotherhood and multigenerational connections among men. Dr. Anthony Bradley is a research professor at Kuyper College and a distinguished research fellow at the Acton Institute.

His work centers on topics that hit close to home for many guys, like mass incarceration, social ethics, poverty, and race. Join us for this exciting morning of worship and encouragement from God’s word. Register at calvarygr.org/men.

6

OASIS (Senior Adults) Contact: Carla Julien cjulien@calvarygr.org

Oasis Bible Study Wednesdays | 9:45-11:00am Gathering Place Oasis has the wonderful privilege to journey through the book of John. To recapture and reexplore our first love, Jesus, and to deepen our abiding faith in Him. So, come, see, know, and believe, Jesus, our Messiah! This is a great time of fellowship, worship and Bible study. No registration needed. *Not meeting November 26 Thanksgiving Eve Oasis Christmas Luncheon December 1 | 10:00am-12:00pm | $10 Gathering Place We will enjoy a concert by John & Kate and their daughters. They have been on the road for 13 years in full-time, national music-missionary work. A delicious lunch will also be served. Purchase your ticket

by November 23 at calvarygr.org/events.

OASIS Singles (60+) Contact: Gladys Ramsey oasissingles@calvarygr.org

Oasis (60+) Singles Sunday Lunch November 2 | 12:30-2:30pm Gladys’s House Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast and good fellowship right after church.

December 7 | 12:30-2:30pm Cantina Mexican Grill Meet for a tasty lunch and good fellowship right after the second church service. Cost of lunch will be on your own.

R.S.V.P. to Gladys.

Oasis (60+) Singles Christmas Gathering December 13 | 4:00-8:30pm | Room 251 We will attend the “Christmas at Calvary” program together at 4:00pm, and then enjoy dinner and fellowship. R.S.V.P. to Gladys (oasissingles@calvarygr.org) by December 11.

Oasis (60+) Singles New Year’s Eve Dinner December 31 | 5:00-8:00pm First Wok, 6740 Old 28th St SE Join us for dinner and say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025. The cost of dinner will be on your own. R.S.V.P. to

Gladys (oasissingles@calvarygr.org) by December 27.

Widows & Widowers

Contact: Lynnell Bok (lbok@calvarygr.org)

Widows & Widowers Thanksgiving Lunch Sunday, November 9 | 1:00-3:00pm Gathering Place | Cost: $10.00 Our guest speaker will be Ardo Draper, Director of Prison Ministry at Calvary Church. Ardo will be sharing about how God is working in the prisons, establishing his church, people being baptized, and communion services being held.He will also be sharing about Calvary’s Pen Pal Ministry as well as other opportunities for volunteering. Please register at calvarygr.org/widowtgiving or contact Lynnell (lbok@calvarygr.org) at ext 5520.

Widows & Widowers Christmas Luncheon Sunday, December 7 | 1:00-3:00pm Gathering Place | $10 Come join us this Christmas season as Bruce Huseby leads us in great and familiar hymns of Christmas past and present. A time to reflect Christ’s birth celebrating his goodness and the gift God has given us. Register at calvarygr.org/ widowchristmas or contact Lynnell (lbok@ calvarygr.org) ext 5520 by November 30.

Women

Contact: women@calvarygr.org

Prayer Shawl Ministry Second & Fourth Thursdays 10:00am-12:00pm | Room 215 (Entrance C) Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? We would love to have you serve with us in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. We meet the twice a month for a time of prayer, devotions and fellowship while creating prayer shawls. Join us in person or work from home; we supply yarn and patterns.

Blessed2Bless Prayer November 12 | 11:15am-12:15pm Room 215 (Entrance C) As we continue to step out in faith into our neighborhoods, workplaces and friend groups with simple Bible studies (Women’s Ministry has these resources), you may need encouragement to carry on or maybe God has been prompting you to take the first step. Blessed2Bless gatherings are for prayer and encouragement as we continue to reach out.

Homeschool Moms First Fridays, Beginning October 3 9:30-11:30am | Room 139 Calvary’s Homeschool Moms meet once a month for a time of prayer and building community. We invite you to join us on the first Friday of the month, October through May. Children are welcome and we provide care, activities and a place for studying. For additional questions, contact Andrea Reiffer (areiffer@ calvarygr.org) or women@calvarygr.org.

Generations A multi-generational evening of dessert & fellowship for ages 8-108!

November 20 | 7:00-9:00pm | Free Gathering Place Register at calvarygr.org/generations Enjoy dessert, fellowship, worship, and hearing Calvary women testify to the peace of God they have experienced in the midst of a busy season and challenging situations! Our topic will be, “Come Let Us Adore Him.” If you have a friend or family member caught up in the chaos of life, invite them to join you as we pause together and receive God’s gift of peace.

Whatever season of life you find yourself in, let’s usher in the holiday season together, focusing on the Prince of Peace and the Shalom He offers us.

Young Adults

College & Career (Ages 18-30) Contact: Abby Nuenke anuenke@calvarygr.org

Tuesday Nights Tuesdays | 7:30-9:00pm | Room 208 (Entrances D & E) We exist to help Young Adults know God and actively live out their faith where they live, work, and play. So, come encounter Jesus in a community of young adults through worship music, teaching, testimony, and friendship. Doors open at 7:00.

For updated information on events and other happenings at YA, head to our linktree: https://linktr.ee/ya.calvarygr.

Christkindl Market & House Rules December 5 | 6:00 – 10:00 pm | Free Downtown Market 435 Ionia Ave SW Get ready for the coziest night of the season! We’re heading to the Christkindl Market for holiday vibes, twinkly lights, and festive treats—and then we’re keeping

the fun going with board games at House Rules! Come for the hot cocoa and ornaments, stay for the laughs and a little friendly competition.

Register on the YA Linktree

CARE & SUPPORT GROUPS Contact: Christie Thompson cthompson@calvarygr.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Sundays – Women’s Stag 5:00-6:00pm | Room 112 (Entrance G) Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm | Rm 112 (Entrance G) Monday-Friday 12:00-1:00pm | Rm 112 (Entrance G) Al-Anon Thursdays | 7:30-8:30pm | Room 110 (Entrance G) Tuesday Women’s Meeting 7:00-8:00pm | Room 114 (Entrance G) Al-Anon is a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics, whether or not the alcoholic recognizes the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.

Avenue Help for men who are struggling with pornography and/or sexual brokenness.

Contact avenue@calvarygr.org.

Hannah’s Heart Support for those grieving a miscarriage or the loss of an infant. Contact: Deb Donker at (616) 363-7818 or Judy Wetters at (616) 433-1533.

Mental Illness Support Group Second Thursday | 6:30-8:00pm | Rm 255 If you are caring for a loved one with mental illness, this support group is designed to give you encouragement, training and fellowship with others walking a similar journey. Contact mentalhealth@ calvarygr.org with questions.

Our Journey of Hope Cancer Care One-on-one support ministry partnering cancer patients with trained Cancer Care Volunteers who will walk alongside them to provide hope and encouragement on their cancer journey.

P R AY E R Contact: Cindy Marrell (cmarrell@calvarygr.org)

Elder Prayer First Tuesday | 6:15-7:15pm Contact: Cindy Marrell at ext. 5997 Are you seeking healing? Do you need others to come alongside you right now?

Experience the encouraging power of prayer with the Elders. Schedule a time and let us come before the Lord with you in this season.

High School Parents Prayer First & Third Sundays (September-May) 5:15-6:15pm | Room 207 (Just show up!)

Starts with the HSM team sharing what they see God doing in the youth group as well as prayer requests, then lifting those before the throne of our gracious God. Jerusalem Project Monthly Prayer Second Sunday | 10:20-10:40am | Room 110 Pray for the Jerusalem Project. Sign up for our monthly prayer email, contact: jp.prayer@calvarygr.org.

Pastors’ Prayer Partners Sundays | One Service Monthly Receive weekly updates from the Pastoral Staff via email or postal mail. Your role is to pray with a team of prayer warriors during one service a month and pray in your own home regularly.

Prayer For the Persecuted Church Fourth Sunday | 10:15-10:40am | Room 110 Pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for their faith. Register for our prayer list by emailing a request to prayerforpersecuted@calvarygr.org.

Third Monday Missionary Prayer Third Monday | 11:30am-12:30pm | Rm 255 Join us to hear updates and pray for our missionaries around the world.

Saturday Night Prayer Team Contact: Amber Koster (satnightprayer@ calvarygr.org) Team members pray on their own for a half-hour shift from 8:00pm-8:00am every Saturday night with a minimum one-year commitment. Participants specifically pray for Pastor Jim, his family, and all aspects of the Sunday services.

Prayer guides and the order of service are provided.

7

Destination Bethlehem AT Come and experience Christ’s birth through stunning visuals and epic music provided by the Calvary Choir, Orchestra, and Kids-NAction as we travel together for “Destination Bethlehem!”

December 12, 7:00pm December 13, 4:00pm Grand Rapids

Bethlehem

GRR

BTH 1hr 30min

Immerse yourself in a first class trip as our knowledgeable Tour Guide moves us through time and space with wit and humor. We will sing, celebrate and navigate together the signs pointing us to the birth of Jesus. Afterward, there will be a hot chocolate bar with delicious cookies. Enjoy tasty treats and take advantage of a fun travel-themed photo booth in the Gathering Place.

Celebrate the reason for the Christmas season and enjoy a fun, musical event with your family and friends.

at Register calvarygr.org/cac 8

Departure

Passport ID

December 12, 7:00pm December 13, 4:00pm

23895710 79347950

MERCY AND MISSIONS

Can I Call You Uncle?

Jon and Kris Shepherd have been Global Partners with Calvary since 2015 and have outreach to unreached diaspora peoples through the global gateway city of Detroit, as well as leadership and training support for partners they have among the Bangla people in Rome, Lisbon, Delhi, and Bangladesh. In their recent update, they share about their growing relationship with a Ruby* and her Bangla family in Detroit. Be encouraged and in prayer for them as you read what God is doing below.

Ruby* hadn’t seen our boys for a long time. They’ve been busy with football and Isaiah has been busy with work and school. She invited us over for dinner Sunday night, but insisted we bring the boys: “I want to see Isaiah and Zach. They are like little brothers to me.”

Together with most of our team, we enjoyed delicious biryani, togetherness, and a round of Uno. We all had a great time together.

Ruby’s son Toby* loves the boys. They are like surrogate big brothers to him. The youngest daughter Sally* has taken a liking to Jon. They look at Jon like an uncle. In fact, Toby said, “What should I call you? Can I call you uncle?”

The next day Kris took Ruby to her doctor’s appointment. Since it’s on the other side of Detroit, they spent hours together. Ruby unfortunately pays an Islamic tutor to teach her 3 kids to read the Quran. Many times they seem to become more entrenched in Islam.

But Ruby and her family sense a light and a freedom in us. Ruby is comfortable around us, so comfortable she doesn’t wear a hijab unless her husband is awake. Whenever she or her children hear the Bible, they are captured by it. They are still captured by Islam, but we love and serve them, praying the truth will set them free.

Pray the truth will set Ruby and her family free! *Name changed for security Photos (Top to Bottom): 1.

Kris with Ruby and two other Global Gates teammates

2.

Kris and Jon’s sons Isaiah and Zach with Toby

3.

Jon with Ruby’s husband and daughter Sally

9

Refugee Highway Partnership

Conference Recap

In September, Calvary’s International Ministry was privileged to host the Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) regional conference.

This volunteer-run grassroots network of Christ-followers shares a common passion to see the church minister the gospel among those resettled refugees and asylum seekers who arrive in North America each year.

RHP’s vision is to see a Kingdom movement of transformational ministry with and among forcibly displaced people in North America and beyond.

It was a fantastic experience as representatives from ministries, church leaders, and non-profit organizations across the Midwest gathered to learn in breakout sessions, share ideas in a collaborative learning forum, and then get the chance to pray, lift voices, and praise in all different languages. We had insightful discussions on many topics, like immigration, and shared innovative ideas on how to continue to foster and build a spirit of welcoming within the refugee communities. Calvary’s guests experienced the beauty of diversity in worship; it was an excellent illustration of Revelation 7.

10

The main speaker reminded us that “God sees refugees as people to be loved, not a problem to be solved.” – God is so good to invite each one of us to partner with Him to love our neighbors and proclaim His goodness to the nations. The worship band “Abana Band” led us in a diverse worship, singing in different languages and raising our voices to the One true King. This celebration of diversity was a powerful reminder of God's love for all nations and cultures, making everyone feel included and respected.

Our guests left Calvary with refreshed spirits and a wealth of new creative ideas. This event has inspired us to continue the work of showing Jesus’s love to refugees, offering them a place to belong where faith, identity, and community are offered in Jesus' name.

If you would like to get connected with Calvary’s Refugee Ministry, please email Lana Duoibes (lduoibes@calvarygr.org).

Stock the

CHRISTMAS STORE Calvary Church is partnering with Urban Family Ministries to brighten the holiday season!

DONATION OPTIONS: Best Option: Shop the Amazon Wish List! Gifts will ship directly to UFM Shop local and drop off at Calvary Entrances A, C or H Send a financial donation to UFM or donate at urbanfamilyministries.org

Accepting donations through Monday, November 24 DROP-OFF LOCATION URBAN FAMILY MINISTRIES - 543 EASTERN AVE SE CONTACT STAFF TO SET UP A TIME AT 616-365-9009 // INFO@UFMGR.ORG WISHLIST

SIGN UP HERE

VOLUNTEER

We need helping hands to wrap gifts, shop with students, and pack things up.

11

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:35-40

LEAST In Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples ask, “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus responds with what will take place before he returns and reminds them that no one knows the day or the hour except the Father.

In Matthew 25, however, Jesus shifts that focus from what will happen before he comes to how we are to live as we wait for him.

The final parable in this chapter is an unexpected invitation to encounter and serve the King and Kingdom here and now; we do not have to wait until the end of the age.

Vida Wilson Director, Mercy & Outreach

The word least in Greek refers to the smallest in size, amount, importance, authority, esteem, and rank - a description in stark contrast with the world’s definifiation of kingship. But we are not of this world; our King is not of this kingdom. We are a part of a kingdom that is flipped backwards and upside down.

Two encouragements stick out in these verses.

Our goal

within the Local Outreach

1. We can serve the King of Heaven even as we wait for his return.

Ministry is to use the resources and relation-

2. He has told us where to find him.

ships God has given us to serve the least of

As follow the Lord, love others, and seek to encounter Jesus, keep your eyes and heart open to the places and people that you might least expect.

these in the Grand Rapids area. We partner with organizations that provide shelter and housing, clothing, friendship, ESL lessons for immigrants adjusting to a new culture, and health care for those without access to the medical system.

Thank you for your faithful giving to the general fund, which allows this ministry to continue bringing the love of Christ to our

12

community.

FAITH IN SILENCE

trusting God through infertility

By Russ Climie, Calvary Member

For more than ten years, Rebecca and I prayed for a family. The longing was constant. The disappointment was relentless. Doctor visits blurred together, treatments ended in frustration, and miscarriage left us gutted. At one point the words we dreaded most were spoken: “Rebecca will not be able to have children, we don't know why.”

It felt like someone had slammed the door on everything we had dreamed of. The weight of that news was crushing. We cried, we prayed, we wrestled with God. There were nights of silence, nights of anger, and nights when hope felt foolish.

And yet, in the middle of that grief, God was quietly at work. We didn’t see it then, but He was shaping us, teaching us. He whispered promises when we least expected it. We were eventually referred to a doctor that gave us a glimmer of hope. At the first appointment, God spoke directly, as clearly as I ever have: “Russ, you’re going to have a baby.” Those words didn’t erase the pain, but they gave us something to hold onto.

In early 2019, after another painful reminder that close friends were having yet another baby, I reached the point God wanted me to be in. I emailed our adoption agency and told God, “We’re ready. However You decide to build our family, we trust You.” That same day, Rebecca came home from work feeling off. She took yet another pregnancy test, both of us expecting another wave of disappointment. But this time, this time, it was positive. Tears, laughter, shock, relief, worship, all in the same breath. After a decade of heartbreak, God had given us a miracle. That day remains a watershed moment for us both.

Our son Bruce is now a thriving boy who keeps us on our toes and fills our days with joy. He is our answered prayer, our miracle, the reminder that God had been listening all along.

But the lessons are bigger than one answered prayer. We’ve learned that God is present in both the best and the worst. He saw us in the years of infertility, and He was still good then. He saw us in the tears after miscarriage, and He was still faithful then. He saw us in the shock and joy of that positive test, and He was faithful then too.

Though we received the blessing of Bruce, God needed to know, "Will you worship me even if I don't give this to you?"

We answered with a resounding, "Yes we will!" If you are in the waiting, know this: God sees you. He has not forgotten you, even if He does not give you the answer you desire. And His plan, though rarely what we expect, is always good.

HANNAH’S HEART This ministry provides comfort and support for women, couples, and families who are grieving a miscarriage or the loss of an infant. We would be so honored to walk with you and encourage you on this incredibly difficult journey.

CONTACT

Calvary Care (hannahsheart@calvarygr.org) at 616-956-5628 for more information.

13

Come Let Us Adore Him G E N E R AT I O N S A N E V E N I N G O F D E S S E R T & F E L LOW S H I P F O R A L L L A D I E S ( AG E S 8- 108)

November 20 | 7:00-9:00pm | Gathering Place Register at calvarygr.org/generations Come hear Calvary women testify to the peace of God they have experienced in the midst of busy seasons and challenging situations!

14

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Peace

In this Advent season, we anticipate the coming of the Prince of Peace! Yet, we often feel a great lack of peace in the midst of lots of activities, difficult family dynamics, and the hype of holiday expectations. Does your heart cry out to experience God’s peace?

Susan Sorensen Mine does! Thankfully, God’s gift of a Savior Minister takes what is broken on so many levels and & Team Leader, does more than simply bring an absence Adult Ministries of conflict. Our God restores to wholeness and completeness! Through Jesus, we can experience peace with God, the peace of God, and the peace from God that flows to others. But it all begins when we experience peace with God. PEA CE W I T H GOD ( VE R T IC A L P E A C E ) The philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote, "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, which cannot be filled by any created thing but only by God the Creator." True peace begins when we are restored to our Creator through His gift to the world, Jesus Christ. This is the peace Jesus referred to in John 14:27 when He said, “My peace I give you.”

I stepped into that perfect peace when I was 13 years old. I was a fearful, shy and quiet child who cried out to God in prayer one day. My grandmother had been a wonderful witness to me. She told me how much God loved me even while my human condition was to turn from a holy God and do things my own way. Yet this pursuing God made a way for me to know Him through Jesus who died on the cross for all of my sins so that I could experience cleansing and peace. As I cried out, I remember being overwhelmed by my heavenly Father’s love that day. I was now a child of the living God! All of a sudden, nothing else mattered. I was loved, cherished, created with purpose, guided by an unseen Hand. I experienced peace with God in a profound way. My feet were solidly on the Rock (who is Christ) and I was given a firm place to stand!

I’d like to contrast that with one of our sons who has been a restless wanderer for years. He came into our family through

Let There Be adoption and appeared to have an oppositional spirit since he was little. Through the years we have desperately wanted him to experience perfect peace but he has resisted. In our desire to help him we even opened the door for him to know his birth mother when he was a teenager. But he remained a restless wanderer, lacking peace.

Then an interesting thing happened this summer. We had given him a Christmas gift of ancestry.com and he finally did it. When the results came back, it was clear the birth father who signed off all those years ago, was not his birth father. Our son started calling a group of Canadians who appeared to have a genetic connection explaining who he was, and ten people later, he found his actual birth father in Vancouver! They have gotten to know each other and have much in common. I feel our son has come to a greater peace in who he is as a result.

This restored relationship with a birth father is just a small reflection of the peace we experience in a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father, the very One who created us and knows us intimately. Jesus came to restore to wholeness the most important relationship, the reconciliation between God and man that brings true completion and wholeness!

PEACE OF GOD (PEACE WITHIN) When we have peace with God we can experience the peace of God that brings an inner calm and trust. Jesus said the words of John 14:27 the night before He was crucified. He was telling his disciples, I’m leaving… I’m going to the cross to die for the sins of the world, but do not let your hearts be troubled. I’m not leaving you all alone.

Moments earlier Jesus said, “I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” (John 14:2526 Amplified Version)

15

We have foundational peace when we have peace with God but our gracious Father has also made provision for us to have peace every moment of every day through the Holy Spirit. This is one of the most underrated gifts we are given as a Christian. We are given God’s abiding presence and constant help, comfort, advocacy as our Intercessor, Counselor, and Strengthener. He’s always standing by!

While in elementary school, my other son struggled with getting assignments finished and turned in. At the end of one school day, I arrived early to search for all the missing papers. An intense week of catch up would follow!

Even when life seems to be On this day, the teacher told all completely out of control, the children they should take a few minutes to clean their desks. we can experience God’s While sitting on the floor, I heard peace as we look to Him. my son cry out a girl's name. Instantly, this cute little blond came running and cleaned his desk for him! I couldn’t believe it! I later told my husband I finally knew what our son needed though only in 3rd grade... a wife!

Even more amazing than my son’s friend who was eager to help him... do you realize God is standing by? He’s waiting for us to ask, ready to step in and bring help and peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Even when life seems to be completely out of control, we can experience God’s peace as we look to Him. Isaiah 26.3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”

God is faithful to give His peace in the most difficult of circumstances!

16

PEACE F ROM GOD (HORIZONTAL PEACE) The Holy Spirit helps us experience the peace of God but also brings peace that flows through us, an enabling strength and power to live differently. One of the most important messages I heard early in my Through surrendering control we allow the walk with Jesus was about the Spirit-filled life. We can live as a Christians Spirit to fill us. our whole life and still have self on the throne. We are the ones calling the shots. The self-directed life is one full of discord and frustration… and there is no peace. Life is an up and down spiritual experience.

God, instead, desires us to have an abundant and fruitful life as a result of being filled (directed and empowered) by the Holy Spirit. How does that happen? First, we must sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We need to agree with God that we have been doing things our way and present every area of your life to God. Then by faith, we claim this fullness. The Bible tells us “Do not get drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), so we ask Him daily to fill us with His love, joy, peace. It’s a bit like breathing. We exhale or confess any known sin. And then we inhale. Through surrendering control we allow the Spirit to fill us.

The Holy Spirit is resident in everyone who has placed faith in Jesus but is He President? As we live the Spirit-directed life we are ready and able to step into the world, bringing light and life to others.

I love John 14:27 in the Amplified version: “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.

[Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]”

As this busy Advent season begins, let’s seek Peace and pursue it. May you experience peace with God (that right relationship that comes through Jesus and brings security and peace), the peace of God (His peace in the hardest of situations), and the peace from God (that flows through us to others).

Calvary Library Frequently Asked Questions

We have a library? Where is it?

Yes, we have a library! We are located in the lower level beneath the sanctuary. The easiest way to get to us is to take the main staircase near entrance B, down to the lower level and take a right. There are signs to help guide you!

When are you open?

The Calvary Library is staffed with volunteers on Sunday Mornings from 8:30am-12:30pm and on Wednesday Evenings from 6:30-8:30pm. However, the library is also open anytime the building is. You can visit the library anytime to study, read or check out books with our self checkout system.

What sorts of resources do you have?

We have a large variety of books, bible studies and study resources. We have a fiction section and children’s section as well!

Why have a library?

Our library mission is to edify, challenge and equip the church. This is based on Ephesians 4:12-16. We hope to provide resources that help our church come to know God more and be more equipped for his purposes.

What is the Library Cart in the gathering place?

This cart is not meant for checking out books, it is meant to offer people something to read while spending time in the gathering place. All of the books on the cart are available to be checked out in the library, so if you find one you like, come on by and check it out.

How can I get connected at the library?

Come down and see us! To check out a book we will just need some basic information from you. You can also view our catalog on the Calvary website to see what books we have in stock.

Featured Book Advent is a season of waiting, preparation, expectation, longing, anticipation and sometimes grieving.

We long for Jesus to be here with us, for Him to come back and make all things new.

We long to go to Heaven to be with him and reunite with loved ones that have passed away. Life here on earth can be dark and hard. Yet, we have hope knowing that Jesus will return to make everything right. We know a day is coming that will change everything for the better for all who believe in Him. This is the theme that E.M. Welcher focuses on in his book, Advent, A Thread In the Night. This book is written into 24 daily sections, meant to be read on the 24 days of December that lead to Christmas.

Welcher wrestles with the loss of his beloved wife while still clinging to the hope he has in Christ. The daily readings are short, and easy to read, and I find them to be very relatable, authentic and inspiring. Grief and loss can feel so heavy and dark and yet we know, Resurrection day is approaching.

17

You Have a Gift C ALL FOR E N TRIES

The benedictions for each sermon series serve as a type of “Standing Stone,” memorial, and reminder of the learning journey God has taken Calvary through.

The Calvary Art Committee would like to invite artists who call Calvary their church home to create a text-based artwork from these Benedictions as visual reminders of this journey for the congregation and visitors. This collection of past and present benedictions will be on exhibit Spring 2026 and then purchased as part of our permanent church collection.

If you are interested in participating we would encourage you to find more information by visiting calvarygr.org/art or reaching out to info@calvarygr.org and putting “Art Committee - Benedictions” in the subject line. Please feel free to include which past benediction/passage you’re interested in if you have a specific one you’d like to depict.

As we navigate our way through the winter months, many people are focused on the holidays, and rightly so. Christmas is the pinnacle of this season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A big part of Christmas is gift-giving, as we look to bless those we love, so the hunt is on as people shop for the perfect gift to give to family and friends.

Neil Kassuba Undoubtedly, this is a beautiful and a wondrous season to celFacilitator, ebrate all the festivity and traditions. Through it all though, we Serving Ministry are reminded that Jesus is the perfect gift. He is the giver of life and life eternal. He not only offers us this promise through His death and resurrection, but He also gives all believers unique and supernatural spiritual gifts through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. As followers of Christ, we are called to use these supernatural, heavenly gifts from above to serve Him and unify the Body of Christ.

Each of us has a gift or multiple gifts to exercise for our good and God’s glory. We all are made in God’s image and have a call from the Lord to be a living sacrifice and to step into a ministry role as a teacher, encourager, giver, leader or server, just to name a few. Whatever that unique calling is from the Lord, we know that we can trust Him as it is the Holy Spirit who guides, empowers and directs our path to build up the Body of Christ as we step into our true heavenly purpose. If you have a sense that there is something more in life, that you have a greater purpose, it is true, and God is speaking to you right now. He’s calling your name and has a special uniquely designed role just for you to build up and unify His church. If you’d like to explore what this looks like, we have spiritual gift surveys available that can help you begin to process who you are in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

I am also available if you would like to have a one-on-one conversation so that I can pray with you, hear your story and help guide you to one of the many amazing volunteer opportunities available at Calvary Church. Contact me, Neil Kassuba – Facilitator, Serving Ministry at 616-956-9377 or nkassuba@calvarygr.org and let’s begin one of the most important steps of faith you could ever take.

H I GHLIGHTED

Serving Opportunities CALVARY KIDS – Come have an impact of raising up the next generation of faithful believers serving our children at Calvary Church ages birth through 4th grade. We are looking for room helpers to serve on Sundays during the first or second service.

SPECIAL NEEDS – We have a fun and vibrant adult special needs ministry that gathers for Worship on Wednesday evenings. Enjoy fellowship dinner with our ministry participants, greet our guests and provide engaging dialogue and interaction during your time together.

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY – Calvary’s welcome team is looking for hospitable and accommodating volunteers to continue to add to our culture of warmly greeting our guests with the love of Christ. Join us as an usher, parking lot guide or greeter.

BUILDING/OFFICE SUPPORT – Looking for a unique way for your family or small group to serve? Our campus facility blesses so many people with a clean, organized and welcoming environment. Come adopt a room each week making sure it’s ready for the next meeting or ministry event.

See the benedictions at

18

calvarygr.org/art

F I L L O UT A V O L UNT E E R A P P L I C ATI O N TO D AY ! calvarygr.org/volunteerapp

The Jerusalem Project is

I M PA C T I N G OUR CITY

O U R S TAT E

THE WORLD

BY S T R E N G T H E N I N G E S TA B L I S H E D CHURCHES, TRAINING CHURCH LEADERS A N D P L A N T I N G N E W C O N G R E G AT I O N S

Join with us!

P R A Y : Join our prayer team at calvarygr.org/jerusalemproject to receive a monthly email with the latest prayer requests from our team. Take part in a time of prayer on the second Sunday of each month from 10:20-10:40am in Room 110.

G I V E : The Jerusalem Project is primarily funded through the direct support of the congregation. Through your generosity, we can partner with established churches, train church leaders and plant new churches.

GIVE ONLINE: Set up a one-time or recurring gift at calvarygr.org/give GIVE BY TEXT: Text the word “JERUSALEM” to 616-294-0700.

GIVE IN-PERSON: Drop your gift in the offering boxes, available on the posts at the back of the Sanctuary and in the Crosswalk.

Check your mailbox in mid-november to learn more!

19

Christmas Eve at Calva ry Church

CANDLELIGHT SERVICES AT 5:00PM, 7:30PM, AND 10:00PM Make Calvary’s Christmas Eve service part of your holiday tradition! Join us for a special time of scripture and song designed to focus your heart on the birth of Jesus as you move into Christmas day.

Coming in January ADULT CLASSES Register at calvarygr.org/classes Horizons: a new Sunday Class with a target audience of couples and singles in their late 20s to late 40s will begin January 4 at 9:00am in Room 252. Just show up!

Using your Spiritual Gifts: January 7 – February 4 A Man & His Fatherhoody: January 7 – February 11 | $10 Freedom in Christ: January 8 – March 19 + Saturday, February 21 | Cost: $10 Marriage Class: You and Me Forever: Living in Light of Eternity

by Francis and Lisa Chan: January 21 – March 18 | $15

SPECIAL EVENTS CALVARY STUDENTS ROCKIN’ NEW YEAR! Friday, January 9 | 6:30-8:30pm | Room 208 (Entrance D) Register at calvarygr.org/newyear by December 19 Alright, America! Get ready for Student’s Rockin’ New Year, the hottest ticket in town for 5th through 12th graders! We’re bringing you a night of pure entertainment, a dazzling mix of talent show and skit night! Expect jaw-dropping performances, hilarious skits, and of course, those fancy snacks you crave. We’re talking a New Year’s bash, even if it’s a little late, that’ll have you buzzing with excitement!

SPORTSM AN BANQUE T January 24 | 5:00-8:00pm | $30 | Gathering Place

Note: Service is just under one hour; childcare is not provided.

We are excited to host our fifth annual Calvary Sportsman’s Banquet! This year’s theme is Experience the Catch of a Lifetime.

We will welcome keynote speaker and owner of Lake Effect Lure Company, Matt Goehler. This event is fun for the whole family, featuring a delicious gourmet meal, games, fellowship and more.

Your admission will come with 10 tickets for our free raffle and 1 grand prize ticket that could take you to Canada for a week of fishing or win a new gun or bow! This event will sell out, so don’t wait. Register at calvarygr.org/sportsman. There is a $5 early bird discount if you sign up before January 1.