For the week ending Sunday, January 24, 2016 Volume 49 Number 4

The Calmeth News (USPS 555560). Published weekly, free of charge by Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 S. Grant St., Arlington, VA

22202-2599. Periodicals paid at Arlington, VA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CALVARY UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH, 2315 S. Grant St., Arlington, VA 22202.

Calvary United Methodist Church

www.calmeth.org Office: 703-892-5185

Fax: 703-892-0414 Calvary Children’s School:

Preschool: 703-892-4112

Periodical Address Service Requested The Calmeth News

2315 South Grant St., Arlington, VA 22202

Our Mission: Through worship, education, service, and

fellowship, we'll share with all people Christ's message of faith, hope, and love.

What’s Going on at Calvary Tuesday, January 19, 2016

7:30pm—Church Council in Harris Hall Wednesday, January 20

6:30pm—Wednesday Night Dinner— Lasagna ($7adult / $5child) RSVP before NOON Wednesday to 703-892-5185

Thursday, January 21 7pm—Adult Handbells in Memorial Hall 8pm—Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Memorial Hall

Friday, January 22 2-9pm—Portrait Session in the Parlor 7-9pm—Triple Threat

Saturday, January 23 10am-5pm—Portrait Session in the Parlor

Sunday, January 24 8:30am—Worship with Holy Communion 9:30am—Children’s Choir rehearsal in Memorial Hall 9:45am—Learning for All Ages (various locations) 11am—Worship 12pm—Coffee Hour 12:30pm—Conformation in Classroom 2 —Young Professionals go to Lunch on 23rd St.

Calvary Directory Directory and the Database In conjunction with the new picture directory we are updating / confirming the database. This information is very important as it helps to keep contact information and addresses accurate. Information is not posted on line, but is printed periodically for use by members and friends. Thank you for helping to make sure we are accurate and up-to-date. If you have questions about the directory, please contact the church office at admin@calmeth.org or 703-892-5185.

Information Needed Forms are available in the narthex or from the church office. There is an on-line version available on the website—use the “media” tab. The information needed: Family Last Name:, Street address:, City, State and Zip:,

Family E-mail:, Home Phone: Your First Name:, Preferred Name:, Middle Name:, E-

mail:, Cell Phone:, Birth Date:, Anniversary Spouse’s Last Name (if different):, First Name:, Preferred

Name:, Middle Name:, E-mail:, Cell Phone:, Birth Date:, Children:, First Name:, Middle Name:, Birth Date:, Repeat

as needed… Other information that will help the church office is: __ I would like e-news (help reduce number of mailed copies) __ I am a member __ I am a regular attender __ I would like to become a member __ I would like a call from the church office

Homework Club Have Fun and Finish Your Homework? On Thursdays, from 4ish to 5ish, kids meet in Harris Hall for Homework club. Snacks are provided, help is available, and homework is finished! Homework helpers would be wonderful and Homework do-ers are welcome. Do you want more information? Please talk with Beth Posey bposey@comcast.net or 703-892-4112.

It’s Chili Time! Place Your Pre-Order Today! The chili cooks are set to create on Thursday, February 4 if there is sufficient interest. People can pick up their orders after choir practice that evening or at the pancake breakfast on Saturday, February 6. We will also have chili to pick up and sell until it is gone at both coffee hours following worship on Sunday, February 7. The price is $8.00 per 24 oz. carton (or 2 cartons for $15). Proceeds go to support various special projects. Please place orders to nancetop@aol.com or phone 703-684-8828 on or before Tuesday, February 2. Leave a message if there is no answer.

Thank you, Nancy Taylor

January Sermon Series Heroes and Villains Join us at Calvary in January as we embark on a topical sermon series titled “Heroes & Villains”. Each week we will explore the lives of the Bible’s greatest sinners and saints, gleaning wisdom about faithful living in our lives and how to remain in God’s favor. January 24 - Samson & John Mark - Redeemed January 31 - Jezebel & Pilate's wife February 7 - Herod & Christ the King

Contributions to Calvary E-Giving is Safe and Secure You can give to Calvary through the offering plate, or electronically by going to E-Giving link on the website, or by using the QR code (using a smart phone app). Through e-giving there is an option to give regularly or you can also give as a one-time guest. Thank you for supporting Calvary UMC. Contribution statements will be mailed later this month. If you have questions, please contact the church office at admin@calmeth.org.

Offering Envelopes Have Arrived If you signed up to receive a box set of offering envelopes for 2016 they are located in the narthex. There are a few dated, but not addressed boxes available from the church office. Contact the office at admin@calmeth.org or 703-892-5185 for more information.

Learning For All Ages Sunday Morning

Children’s Sunday School Children meet in the Preschool building (the building behind the fellowship hall) on Sunday mornings. Contact Beth Posey at bposey@comcast.net for questions.

Classroom 1 Group at 9:45am The Classroom 1 Group is starting a new series and has selected the book, What’s So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey. Walk-ins are welcome as the group studies the most powerful force in the universe – grace. The author considers grace to be “truly our last best word” and so the group will study how the word has managed to retain the deep and profound meaning it had in the days of Jesus and the apostles while learning how to convey grace in everyday life. Books are available through the church office ($10). Please contact the church office at admin@calmeth.org or 703-892-5185 if you have any questions or want to reserve a copy of the book.

The Adult Bible Study (Classroom 2 Group) at 9:45am Classroom 2 Group is looking at the Old Testament prophecies predicting the coming of the Messiah. For questions, contact Rev. Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon drhsquared@gmail.com.

On-Line Book Group For the Love, by Jen Hatmaker, is the current on-line study. Each week, we read a chapter, have a discussion and reply on line. Contact Beth at bposey@comcast.net

Praying Wives A daily reminder with scripture and devotions for wives is sent (from a wife!) to pray for our husbands. If you would like more information about these e-mails, please contact Beth Posey at bposey@comcast.net.

Save the Date! Churchwide Mission Trip The week of July 4th has been designated CALVARY’S WEEK at SPY (Service Project Youth) this year. SPY is located in Christiansburg, VA, right at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains. Work (hammering, staining ramps, replacing roofs, building things) is done every year by teams of youth and adults. THIS YEAR, will feature family camp - all ages together working to make a difference in this community. Are you interested in more information? Please contact Beth at bposey@comcast.net. Cost will be about $54 per day per person (less for youngers, with a cap for families). That includes deluxe accommodations on a church floor, delicious (truly delicious) meals and materials for the work that will be done. We will be Making Our Mark this summer, and spend some time helping others.

Women’s Retreat Where Women Rest in God’s Faithfulness February 26-28 at Mt. Aetna Camp and Retreat Center in Hagerstown, MD. 2 nights (meals on Saturday and brunch on Sunday $100) or Saturday only (8:0am-7pm $40). Talk to Beth Posey if you have any questions. To register officially, please email: newhopebrunswick@gmail.com or call 301-834-7320.

Have something to post in Calmeth News? Deadline is THURSDAY 12 noon to submit your articles or announcements, please contact us by email: admin@calmeth.org, or simply call the church office: (703) 892-5185. Due to limited space we can only publish a limited number of articles. Articles or announcements that are lengthy may be edited. Thank you for keeping our family and friends up-to-date.

Pastor: Matthew Smith Pastor.matthew@calmeth.org Min. Int.: Angelique Bradford meetingwithpurpose4purpose@gmail.com Church Admin.: Molly Sessions admin@calmeth.org Family Ministries: Beth Posey bposey@comcast.net Youth Ministries: Kathy Harrington kathye84@gmail.com Financial Admin.: Barbara Harslem barbara@calmeth.org Lay Leader: Keith Sessions mksessions@aol.com Music Director: Mickey Fuson mickey@calmeth.org 8:30am Music Dir.: Wayne Kemp wayne@calmeth.org Organist: Custodian: Thuan Tran

Something for Everyone What Happens at (or with) Calvary Many activities and events happen all year long at Calvary. Some are once or twice—or for a week or two. This is a sample of the various offerings available. If you have any questions please contact the church office. ADULT BIBLE STUDY each Sunday morning at 9:45am.

There are currently two groups—watch the bulletin for details and walk-ins are ALWAYS welcome!

COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST from 8-10am the (usually) first Saturday of the month September—June.

CONFIRMATION CLASS for youth seeking to claim their faith. This year’s group is nearly done. If interested in a class for next year, please contact Pastor Matthew.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER MEETING from 10-11am in the sanctuary (usually) following the Pancake Breakfast. Come connect with others and with God in prayer.

PARENTS AFTERNOON OUT with a time for kids to have some fun while parents are out. Watch the calendar.

On the 3rd Thursday of the Month come to the SALTY DOG LUNCH (Sep-Dec, Feb-Jun) for time with friends, food, and fellowship at 11:30am. $5 / no RSVP.

SIX FOR SUPPER where six (or more) people gather in homes or at restaurants to get to know one another. The kick-off potluck is coming up—watch for information!

TRIPLE THREAT event for 3-6 graders to gather for service, snacks, and silliness from 7-9pm. Watch for info.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER each week at 6:30pm come for food and fellowship (menu rotates each week). RSVP (necessary because the dinner is provided by Arlington Diner) by noon on Wednesday to the church office. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children.

WEEKLY HOMELESS MINISTRY with CENTRAL UMC Join us at Central United Methodist Church (located in Balston at 4201 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203) Thursday evening from 6:30-8pm to prepare meals, and Friday mornings from 5:30am-noon for meal distribution. This ministry is an extension of ASPAN (Arlington Street People's Association). Feel free to enter the rear downstairs kitchen entrance at Central UMC and jump right in! New participants always welcome.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS meet up at 12:30pm at coffee hour and go to lunch on 23rd Street one Sunday / month. The date will be posted (or contact the church office).

There are other events: watch the calendar for specific times and watch the newsletter for more activities and events. ASH WEDNESDAY, February 10 MAUNDY THURSDAY, March 24 GOOD FRIDAY, March 25 EASTER SUNDAY, March 27

Prayer Corner How to Have a Daily Devotional Time—Other Ideas Start small. Keep it manageable. Look for help. Find a spiritual "buddy." Remember the value of having a pattern. Remember the value of being flexible. Be creative. The most important thing to remember as we try to grow closer to God is that God is already reaching out to us. God is the one who gives us the desire to grow, and God wants us to grow. And we can trust that if we do so, God will show up, too.

By Mary Lou Redding (The Upper Room) http://devotional.upperroom.org/resources/devotional time

For information about the Prayer Team, please contact the church office.