Resurrection!

           
           Jesus is risen from the dead!  What a powerful message!  This incredible event sets the gospel apart from other religions.  The resurrection of Jesus is a historical event.  Yet it is a relevant truth for us today.

           This Sunday we will celebrate this earthshaking event as we gather together.  We will worship a living Savior who is at work in our world today.  We will be reminded of his power to change lives and our call to share His message with those who do not know it yet.

           As you gather with your group this Sunday take time to thank God for this.  Remember that you and your group will be exploring Mark 9:1-13 which is the account of the Transfiguration.  The following Sunday (April 8) you and your group will explore Mark 9:14-29 where Jesus delivers a boy who is possessed with an evil spirit.  I hope that you are getting the benefit of using the three thirds method with your group and that it is now second nature to you.

          Should you have any questions about the three thirds method and how to continue to use it, please do not hesitate to contact me, or Pastor Paulo or Pastor Chad.  We are here to encourage you and support you as you make disciplemakers.

2020 Vision

          After seven years of prayer, study, discussion, reflection and training, we feel it is time to have a clearer vision for our church's future.  Last year we celebrated 60 years of legacy.  This year we build on that legacy and we prayerfully join God's future for Calvary.

      This Sunday at our Church in Conference we will briefly share what we understand that vision to be initially.  We hope you will join us in praying for greater clarity and in figuring out the vision path.  We want to make disciple-makers for the glory of God among the nations.  We feel the best way to do this is through multiplying disciple-making groups.  You're already a part of this initial process!  We count on you to join us for the rest of the journey.

     This Sunday your group will have the opportunity to discover what God is saying in Mark 8:27-30 (Peter's Confession).  I hope your group participants will set some meaningful application goals that will result in disciple-making.

         As we continue in our 40 Days of Prayer remember to pray this week for Reconciliation among the peoples and for the Middle East.

        Click here to see the document we will share with the Church in Conference on Sunday.  Click here to see the bibliography of what has fueled our conversations on the pastoral staff level.

Preview of the following week:

     Please notice what we will be studying and praying for the weekend of March 25 (Palm Sunday):

1. Text: Mark 8:31-38 (Life and Death)
2. 40 Days of Prayer emphasis beyond Luke 10:2: The Hope of Christ's Visitation and The Peace of Jerusalem

Halfway through 40 Days of Prayer

          We are halfway through our 40 days of prayer.  I hope you are beginning to sense a greater concern for those who are far away from God and that you are growing in expectation for what God is going to do in the days ahead.

          Remember that this week (March 4-10) we are praying for the Transformation of entire communities.  (Remember that God works in unexpected places!).  We are also praying for the continent of Africa.  Of course, the primary focus of our prayer is Luke 10:2.  May God raise up a multitude of workers for His harvest!

          Also remember that this weekend you are exploring Mark 8:1-21 with your group.  (We are thankful to be back in our usual spaces on Sunday morning).

         I hope last weekend's visit by Ying and Grace Kai was an encouragement to you and your group as we continue to make disciple-makers.

          For those who are able to take off a couple of days from work, please note that we are holding a 4-Fields Intensive training at the end of this month.  Click here to see the Facebook event.

Preview of the following week:

     Please notice what we will be studying and praying for the weekend of March 11:

1. Text: Mark 8:22-25 (The Blind Man at Bethsaida)
2. 40 Days of Prayer emphasis beyond Luke 10:2: Evangelization of Every People (every people group) and Europe and Central Asia