Greetings Calvary Family,
We are coming up to August, the back side of summer. Many families are gearing up to get their kids ready for the new school year. A few of our families are heading out to enjoy a short time for vacation. And there are some of our families still looking for work, and the utility bills are the highest they have been all year. We have been able to help out many families so far this year, not only with food boxes, but with some finances as well.
In the midst of all the challenges individually, as a family and as a church body, we all must remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
We have secured a venue for our upcoming Married’s Retreat. The theme for this retreat is REFRESH!. On Fri., Aug. 27 – Sat. Aug. 28 we will be meeting at the Embassy Suites Resort south of Paradise Valley Mall. This will be our only Married’s Retreat this year. It begins at 7 pm on Friday night and goes through Saturday at 3 pm.
The cost is $150 per couple which includes your suite for the night, full breakfast and lunch and three sessions: TRUE SOUL MATES; TRUE COMPANIONSHIP; TRUE COMMITMENT; these will be taught by myself and Pastor Jesse. Friday night dinner will be your responsibility. There are many restaurants nearby the resort.
I would like to suggest a project for you as a couple: put together a yard sale and see how much of this cost you can come up with so it doesn’t tax your budget. If you have a little to start with, go ahead, sign up and put it down as a deposit. We have secured 20 rooms so far, so we quickly need to get an estimate of how many couples would like to be a part of this retreat. If you cannot go but would like to offset the costs for another couple who may be having financial difficulties, let the person at the sign up table know.
On another note, I want to thank you all for your continued support and attendance during the Sundays I have been gone, helping other pastors throughout AZ and in Oregon. Pastor Jesse has done a wonderful job of feeding the sheep here at Calvary in my absence. Pastor Jesse will continue teaching the Wednesday night SANCTUS worship service. I am also going to be leading the worship team at least two Wednesday nights a month here at Calvary.
Please be in prayer over our children’s ministry. We are in need of teachers, helpers and coordinators to serve the many children of our congregation. The previous teachers and helpers are doing a great job, but we want to give them the opportunity to take a break. We offer training and materials for those of you who would like to step up to this opportunity; all that is needed is a heart to love them and teach them at their age level. The new quarter begins in September. We ask for a 13 week commitment and do require background checks for the safety and security of our children. Call Pastor Chris at the church office for more information: 602.992.6922
Looking forward to all that Jesus wants to do in us, through us and around us in the coming months, should He tarry.
Pastor Bob Claycamp
