This Week at Calvin

As Calvin Church bids farewell to Pastor DeLapp and his family, the lyrics of Michael W. Smith's song Friends come to mind. "Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them, and a friend will not say never and the welcome will not end. Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's Hand we know, that a lifetime's not too long, to live as friends."
This Sunday, August 23 is Rev. Dr. Nevada DeLapp's last Sunday to lead worship at Calvin. It will be celebrated with communion around the Lord's Table and then a Farewell Dinner in the Fellowship Hall following the service. Worship begins at 10 AM. Miriam Hector has chosen a "Friend's Medley: Friends, The Bond of Love, and Bless Be the Tie" for the prelude on the grand piano.
The All For Him band will accompany the singing of "Hear the Call of the Kingdom", "Great is the Lord", and "Thy Word."
Pastor has chosen Acts 9 for his message - God has used us all to make a pastor. Following the message we are planning to celebrate communion. All who have been baptized, are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and who desire to live in obedience to Him are invited to come with gladness to the table of our Lord this morning.
The elements will be distributed to the members by the elders. During the distribution all will sing "You Are My King (Amazing Love).
For the benediction, Patrick Visscher has volunteered to sing and accompany himself on "The Blessing" from Kari Jobi.
The special offering this week is for the Northern Lighthouse in Lincoln, NE. All tithes and offerings can be placed in the basket at the rear of the sanctuary, mailed to the church at 326 7th St SE, or dropped off at church during office hours, Monday through Friday, 10 to noon.
As is Calvin's tradition when we celebrate communion, we to contribute items to the Christian Needs Center. Their August needs include: mac & cheese, Jello/pudding, fruit, pancake mix, syrup, granola bars, hamburger helper, shampoo, bar soap, and toilet paper.
A Farewell Dinner will be served following the service. The Fellowship Committee is providing all the food. Menu: grilled pork chops, burgers, baked potatoes (butter and sour cream); vegetables and fruit, milk, water and lemonade. Cake and ice cream will be served for dessert.
Calvin invites all members and friends of Nevada and Karin to join us for this farewell event. As John Fawcett wrote "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. When we asunder part it gives us inward pain; But we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again." Amen.