A Rose

In my hometown in Minnesota, there is a floral shop that randomly selects a person's first name and puts it on their outdoor sign. If your name is selected, you can stop in for a free rose! Receiving the free gift of a rose... your name was on the sign... grace?


One of my friends, Suzanne, writes about her experience of receiving a rose from this florist. You can read about it on her blog Every Season. Suzanne works with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Bemedji State University in Minnesota. It's an on campus ministry found at many colleges that reaches out to college students. Her blog centers on Christ and I hope you enjoy perusing Every Season.

Enjoy! & Happy Monday!
Sarah

Rookie Rehearsals This Week

What are rookie rehearsals?
A time to try an ensemble and a time to see how your children are learning and growing in their faith.

Why should you come?
It's fun!
See what our ensembles are like.
To support our music ministry.

Rookie Rehearsals help promote our ensembles by giving our congregation members a first hand experience of our rehearsals. Even if you would never, even on a blue moon, think music is for you, if you come, you'll then be able to be a first hand witness for our groups! Word of mouth is our biggest form of advertising. Hope to see you tonight:)

Sarah

After a Busy Weekend of Ministry

This past weekend was a HUGE weekend in Youth and Family Ministry. On Sunday, we had over 70 students involved in ministry at Calvary - from Sunday School, to a children's choir leading music in worship, from 13 Middle School students taking part in a fun afternoon at Basse's Farm and Corn Maze, to the Bridge (3rd, 4th and 5th grade students) carving pumpkins, and our 9th graders preparing to affirm their baptism on October 31. LOTS going on! On Saturday evening a group from the congregation went to Westbrook Church to hear Brandon Heath and Jars of Clay perform. Their music was a wonderful way to praise God, and I want to share my favorite Jars song with you: Like a Child. May we each have faith just like a child!

SMALL GROUPS ARE COMING SOON!

There used to be a sign hanging on the wall in one of the watering holes I frequented back in my twenties. The sign read, "Free Beer Tomorrow".

And of course, the sign never changed. Each day you'd come in, it would advertise free beer tomorrow.

I kind of feel like that when it comes to registering for Small Groups. Last weekend I announced that small group registration begins next week.

And this week ... I am again announcing ... "Small Group registration begins next week."

But I mean it. Seriously, look for full participation registration to begin the weekend of October 23/24.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Small Groups, they are a fantastic way to forge deeper connections with God, with others in the church, and with the Bible. Small Groups are all about Faith and Fellowship, about Bonding and the Bible. So ... consider joining a small group!!!!

Registration begins next week. :)

Yours in Him,
Pastor Mark

Music

Here's the Senior Choir Selections for worship this weekend.
Enjoy!
Sarah

Lord I Lift Your Name on High

I Am the Bread of Life

Contemporary Worship Music

Here's our worship songs for the contempoary worship this weekend!
Enjoy! Praise God!
Sarah

Gathering – Meet With Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMb3xBsGiZU

Opening – Here I am To Worship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbZIop1hQXg

Response – Better is One Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIq1j59R6tI

Prayer – We Fall Down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hT4jKDiGdY

Offertory – Jesus Saves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpdYgbMf0L8

Communion – You Never Let Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIAdgLR1ZGw

Sending – Blessed Be Your Name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qp11X6LKYY

Interested in Music?

If you've got the fall music fever, here are some websites that may be of interest to you. Each website has resources to listen to music and to learn about the instruments and music relative to the particular music ministry.

Enjoy!
Sarah

Choristers Guild











Association of Lutheran Church Musicians











AGEHR Handbells














K-Love Radio

CCLI - Christian Music Liscense

Lifest - Christian Music Concerts

American Guild of Organists - Milwaukee Chapter