News from Calvary

Calvary Baptist Church

120 W. Pennsylvania Avenue

Towson, Maryland

Telephone    410-825-3360

 

 

 

OCTOBER

 

From the Pastor:

 

            After talking about my old running mate from college in last Sunday’s sermon, it was good to talk with him on the phone yesterday.  Charlie is a partner in a Denver firm that brokers sales of large properties like apartment complexes.  As you can imagine Charlie’s business is not booming in this economy, but he said he is managing to keep his head above water.  Being that we were both economics majors, Charlie being a far better student than I, we talked about the economic situation.  It was interesting that, as Charlie talked about his fears and concerns for the housing and financial markets, he did see one positive outcome from all of this.  The benefit would be that people in America would turn back to the true values of life… family, simplicity, community, faith, etc.  I would certainly pray that that would happen.

            Sadly in many religious messages today, especially those in the media, there is a pull in two, almost polar opposite, directions.  One of the poles of attraction is that of the success and prosperity gospel, which has been forged in the same furnace that shaped our current economic morass.  The other extreme is pulling in the direction which would best be called ‘other worldly’, and it has a great appeal to those who would like to escape from all their earthly problems.  Neither of these two polar perspectives offers a great hope for building a new ethical foundation for people who find themselves in difficult times.

            To me the traditions which have the greatest possibilities for helping shape a healthy ethic are those of the historic Abrahamic religions.  Judaism and Islam have a strong emphasis on the demands of the law, and we have a need for that legal structure as economic realities force us to live in closer global communities, where sharing becomes the key to survival.  We need a faith that will help us to define the extents to which we will go for self preservation and when we will extend ourselves to lift up our neighbors.  However, laws by them selves, un-tempered by the love, found in the Christian commandments, would lack the compassion and inclusiveness necessary for the community we truly need at this moment.  More than ever we need that ‘greater love’ that Jesus spoke of in John 15: 13 “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.”   

            It would be wonderful if faith communities would be ‘faithful’ to the God in whom they profess belief, and equally wonderful if those beliefs would confirm a new generation of people who would walk, not in narrow sectarian ways, but in harmony with God and neighbor.

 

October 1st  1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Flu Shots at Church.  Note change of time to 1:00 p.m.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday Evening Programs as usual.

October 3rd   Return cakes early or by Friday as there is a wedding Saturday at 10:00 am

 

October 4th   Communion.

 

October 8th

3:00 p.m. Shelter Meal Preparation

 

October 11th

Coffee Hour following Church Service.

 

October 12th  

12 Noon Annie Armstrong Circle,  Leah Holland is hostess;  be sure to call her if you plan to attend. 410-321-0043.

7:30 p.m. Needles and News  meeting in the home of Ann Ray, 410-321-0202.

 

October 14th  6:00 p.m.   Deacons’ Meeting

 

October 17th  4:30 p.m. Fall Fest get- together, An  Evening of fun Dinner and Magic.

 

Everyone is invited to help celebrate the Fall Season. There will be pumpkin carving at 4:30.  Spaghetti  Dinner will be served for all at 5:30, followed by a magic show. Be sure to mark this date on your calendar now. Contributions are accepted for our Mission Project.

Sign up on the sheet at the back door or on  you r attendance cards for an evening of family fun and activity.

 

October 26th    

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sarah’s Hope.  Volunteers are needed.

 
October 31st
Set your clocks back one hour.

 

November 1st 9:00 a.m.   

Plans are being made now for our Missions Breakfast.  Sign up on the cards and let us know if you would like to help with the preparation of or clean up after the meal.

 

November 14th  11:00 a.m. 

Retreat - "Techniques in Meditation and Yoga to Release Stress" and a study in Hindu Philosophy.

 

More to be announced.

 

 

Be sure to purchase your Christmas Cards with the picture of our sanctuary decorated for

 Christmas Eve.

 

 

Tithes & Offerings Budget to date

                             $116,839

Tithes & Offerings Received

                               100,038                                                    -$  16,801

 

The Assistance Center  is planning  for its annual Thanksgiving Basket Project.  Last year, the supporting Churches and Towson Community contributed 2300 baskets for distribution throughout the area.  The Center  must be notified as to the number of baskets we will provide by October 30th so that a specific number can be pledged to the Dept. of Social Services and this also determines how many gift certificates they will need  to  purchase. A list of items, needs, and instructions are in the Church office. (Dry milk is off of the list). It is important these instructions be followed to keep the baskets consistent. The food baskets are to be delivered to and distributed from Trinity Episcopal Church’s Memorial Hall.  Volunteers are needed to help in the preparation and distribution of these baskets. All who are interested in participating by contributing items of food, cash, or by volunteering, please contact the  Church office 825-3360 for any information you may need.

 

 

2009 ACTC THANKSGIVING BASKETS

 

Please include ONLY the following items in each basket:

All additional items should be in separate bags and marked “MISCELLANEOUS”

 

I  can sweet potatoes/yams (23-29 can)

2 cans meat/main dish: beef stew or chili-

 (15-24 oz cans)

1 large  can fruit (20-30 oz can)

4 cans vegetables (green beans, peas, corn-

15 oz cans)

1 cranberry sauce

2 pkg macaroni & cheese

1 box instant mashed potatoes

1 cake or brownie mix

1 bag or box of stuffing mix

1 lb bag or box of rice

 

*Attention: Dry milk has been deleted from the list.  We are asking that instead of this item, the donor might give a monetary contribution to be used for SuperMarket Certificates or gift cards.

 

 PLEASE DO NOT PUT MONEY IN THE BAGS.

 

Please be careful when packing.  Put large cans on the bottom and lighter or bagged items on the top to ensure the stability of the bag.  Identify, again this year, on each basket whether its contents are complete or incomplete.  Incomplete bags should be marked with what is missing.  This identification on each bag helps the committee be sure that each family receives a complete Thanksgiving Basket.

 

It is requested that items be packed in a double paper grocery bag inserted in blue plastic bags with handles or in an appropriate size box.  Packing items in a reusable plastic basket or trash container would be a welcomed bonus. 

 

 

Baskets should be delivered to Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Hall on Wednesday November 18th through 20th , between the hours of 10 and 3.  Someone from the Thanksgiving Basket Committee will be there to meet you on those days only.

 

  PLEASE TRY TO ARRAANGE DELIVERY TO TRINITY CHURCH DURING THE SCHEDULED DATES AND TIMES.

 

 If you have questions OR problems, please call us at 410-296-4855

 

Thank you for your faithful support, Co-chair Thanksgiving Project

 

Leesa Sipe –St John’s Methodist (410-525-7562)

Mark Stokes-Immaculate Conception

 (410-825-2540)