Calvary Connection Calvary United Methodist Church

Office: 332-2447 www.calvaryloves all .com Rev Dr Sarah J Rohret pastorsarahrohret@yahoo.com

cell 330-7953 March 2010

Many Gifts, One Spirit

There have been several stories in the news media lately about the topic of persons with disabilities or, better put, different abilities. For example:

• A White House official calling colleagues “retarded” • A Facebook page in Italy advocating the killing of children with Down Syndrome since they

are “defective” • A Virginia Representative stated in speeches that an increase in children being born with

disabilities is punishment from God for abortion

All of these stories together point to a need for teaching and understanding. Some persons assume that because God knows everything, God makes everything happen. While God can make good come out of all circumstances, God doesn’t wish for bad or create bad situations for us. Some bad things happen because of human sin or error, but sometimes bad things just happen with no obvious reason at all. Our bodies are frail, our genetics are not perfect, and our world is full of chemicals that attack our bodies daily. Therefore healthy people get cancer and good parents can have a child born with a disability. These things are trials and can be tragic, but they can become opportunities for God’s love to shine through. Consider this story from John’s Gospel, chapter 9 verse 1+:

As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life . . . “

Jesus affirms that being born blind is not a sign of sin or the fault of the man’s parents. In fact, the man’s “disability” allows God’s work to be displayed in his life for others to see. If you have ever met a person with Down Syndrome, you know that they are blessed with an innocence and love that is truly a special gift to those who know them. Birth defects are not a sign of punishment or sin. Parents should never be made to feel ashamed of their children or somehow responsible for a birth defect. Every child is a child of God and beloved.

This is why in the United Methodist Church we baptize infants and anyone who requests baptism at any age. We humans don’t need to be able to recite a creed or take a class to know God or be loved by God. God’s love is freely given to every person, but especially every child. This is God’s Prevenient Grace – the gift of God’s love for all humanity before we even realize who God is and without expectation. God simply is love.

We the church, the people of God, have a special calling to live out God’s love in the world, especially to those the world is saying are “unlovable”. Therefore let us especially stand up for the parents, the children and the persons that are differently-abled and put a stop to the nonsense that we have heard these past weeks. Let us proclaim that God is love, and we love all God’s children!

See you this weekend ----Pastor Sarah

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FACEBOOK & TWITTER You can now follow Calvary United Methodist Church on both Facebook and Twitter! Need help getting on? please contact Pastor Sarah at pastorsarahrohret@yahoo.com

03 Sampson Rohret 04 Bev/Dean Downing 06 Cheryl Harms 06 Gary Rosenboom 07 Karla Dougherty 10 Scott Berry 11 Nancy Lathrom 14 Chelsey Gunderson 14 Greg Mohr 15 Darrel Harms 16 Bob Faulkner 17 Taylor Duncan 19 Doug Naab 19 Bonnie/Orville

Belken anniv 23 Leona Haye 24 Gordon Benit 24 Kris Goetsch 25 Cathy Abbott 27 Elliot Tuttle 30 Lue Bradshaw 30 Shanna Brandt

HEALTH KITS FOR UMCOR Thank you for putting 24 Health Kits together in a very short time. Due to disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti, there continues to be a great need for health kits. We are also collecting items for sewing kits this month. Bring items to Fellowship Hall and kits will be prepared. HEALTH KITS 1 hand towel - 15”x25” up to 17”x27” (No kitchen towels) 1 washcloth 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized) 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers) 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up in original wrapper) 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes) 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages $1 to purchase toothpaste and $1 per kit for shipping costs SEWING KITS 1 pkg. hand sewing needles 3 yds. cotton or cotton blend fabric 1 spool matching thread 1 sewing scissors 6 matching flat buttons All items must be NEW and only requested items can be used in the kits – nothing more.

MATTHEW 25 MINISTRY - If you know of someone who would enjoy having a meal delivered to them when there is sickness, following surgery, a death in the family or some other time of need, contact Kris Heitner, Mission Committee Chairman.

Note Cards & Note Pads are available. Thank you for supporting the youth with your purchases and for donating recyclable cans and bottles. We continue to raise funds so they can go to camp next summer.

Thank You Thank you to all who continue to donate used jeans, khaki, corduroy and dress pants for the ministry at Hope Haven Work Center in Sibley. Your generosity helps 25 – 30 challenged men and women have a job and paycheck. Thank You Don Nielsen

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PURCHASE LILIES IN MEMORY OR

HONOR

You may purchase an envelope in memory or in honor of a friend or relative, for $10. The extra money over what the lilies cost the church will be put in the memorial fund. Put your $10 in a pew envelope and write both the name of the person and your name. Thank You

Like to Sleep In on Sunday mornings? Would you like something different for worship? Plan on joining our relaxed worship: Sat Eve at 6 pm and Sunday morn at 10:42 Guitar played by Travis Janzen

Join us on Sunday mornings at 9 am for our traditional but very friendly worship

Our Sunday School meets each Sunday immediately after the Children’s Sermon, approx 9:10 am

March 28th is Palm Sunday Weekend Continental Breakfast Served by Youth between

services to benefit Campers

Maundy Thurs April 1st, 6 pm Last Supper

Good Friday April 2nd, 7 pm

Sat Easter Basket Give Away 10 am – noon

Easter Weekend Worship Sat 6 pm, Sunday 9 am & 10:42

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Valentines Sunday

Many couples renewed their wedding vows during the 3

worship services on Valentine’s Day. Shown

above are Frank & Lorraine Little,

who are celebrating 66

years of marriage.

Thank you for praying for: Cheryl/Darrel Harms’, grandson, Owen; Kris Berning’s grandson, Hudson; Luana Jaycox Terry Overocker’s mother, Bonnie JoGonnerman’s uncle, Joe; Tammy Kirschbaum; Sandy Goetsch relative, Mike; Scott Berry’s friend, Warren Gordon Benit Jan Stevens Families affected by unemployment in our area. Victims of the earthquake in Haiti and the IRS victims of the plane crash in TX.

Families who have lost loved ones: Jean Buchman, Craig larson Deborah Weideman, and Katie Youberg. If you have a prayer request, please call the church office, call Pastor on her cell, leave a note in the basket at the back of the church or contact Betty at grmmabty@ncn.net or by phone at 332-5194. If you wish to have your name added to receive the prayer chain by e-mail, please let Betty know. Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17 The month of March, we will be reading

Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. This book describes in detail the struggles of the Haitian people and how we can make a difference if we do mission work, particularly health care the right way. The book follows a world famous doctor as he starts a non-profit clinic in rural Haiti. This is a fascinating, entertaining and inspiring work of nonfiction which takes you to Haiti, Peru, Cuba and Russia as Dr. Paul Farmer changes people’s minds and lives through his dedication. If you would like a copy of the book, contact Betty Naab. This book will be discussed Thursday, March 25 at 2:00 pm at Homestead Cooperative located at 2311-27th Street in Spirit Lake. If you can't make it to the discussion, you can discuss online at our blog or on Facebook.

ECUMENICAL LENTEN SERVICES

Men AND women are invited to attend ALL services @ 9:30 AM Fridays

March 5 – World Day of Prayer (Light of the Lakes Church in Arnolds Park)

March 12 – Union Memorial

March 19 – First Lutheran

March 26 – St Joseph Catholic

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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NEWS

Wednesday, March 3 - 1:30 in Fellowship Hall

Hostess: Betty Naab Program: Pastor Sarah

Coffee Tasting by “The Market” in Spirit lake

ALL WOMEN INVITED TO COME & BRING A FRIEND! BRING ITEMS FOR HEALTH & SEWING KITS

March flowers by Beverly McGlothlen

Calvary’s “Joyful Noise” Kids Bell Choir recently played during the 9 am worship service. ALL children are welcome to come play. Practice is prior to worship.

Left to right: Maya Whithaus, Catherine Rohret, Carley Carstens, Isaac Rohret, Sampson Rohret and Kole Carstens

Once again the confirmation class will be going on a mission trip to Urban Servants in Minneapolis. The dates have been changed to June 27th to July 1. ALL youth in 6th grade and above are invited to come with! We will spend 5 days in mission service and have a fun overnight camping in tents and doing “adventure camping”. For more info & registration form go to our website www.calvarylovesall.com and click on “youth & kids” or talk to Pastor Sarah.

Faithweaver Friends Elem Kids afterschool – 445

Community Meal for Everyone! 5-5:45 PM

Adult Small Group “What on Earth are we Here For?” 5:45-6:30

FBI Youth Group & Bell Choir 5:45- 6:30

Confirmation Class 6:45-7:45 PM

Jack Paxton shows us his cheese & marshmellow guy at Faithweaver Friends

Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner Potatoes, Chili, Broccoli, Cheese & more

Wednesday March 17 4:30 – 6:30 PM

To benefit Youth Mission Trip, Come & Eat!!

Calvary United Methodist P O box 280 Arnolds Park, IA 51331