CALVARY CHURCH LIGHTS WAY FOR ITS CONGREGATION; MEMBERS HELP SEEKERS BUILD RELATIONSHIP TO GOD.Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer Edith Pendleton believes that Calvary Church Calvary Church is the name shared by several churches in the United States:
``We're a beacon. We try to help out others. Reaching out to others is very important to us,'' said Pendleton, a church member since 1963. Just as a lighthouse is a guide through treacherous waters, the Southern Baptist-affiliated church has been a guide for 44 years for people seeking a relationship with God. ``That is the word we emphasize, relationship,'' said the Rev. John Powell. ``People hear the word religion and they say, I don't need it, or it's dead and boring. So many people, however, are seeking relationships, a meaningful relationship. We emphasize the relationship that has to do with the desire and delight to know God.'' Powell, who celebrated 15 years as pastor at Calvary Church on Sunday, said he often speaks to a congregation CONGREGATION. A society of a number of persons who compose an ecclesiastical body. In the ecclesiastical law this term is used to designate certain bureaux at Rome, where ecclesiastical matters are attended to. of 200. People find Calvary Church mostly from church members urging their friends to come and experience the services, he said. Others stop in because they are experiencing a personal crisis and wondered about the church they had driven by so often. ``It's a big step for many people to just come in the door,'' Powell said. ``We try to make it easy. I think we're comfortable as a group. I don't think that people go away thinking, these people are weird. We're a user-friendly and nonjudgmental non·judg·men·tal adj. Refraining from judgment, especially one based on personal ethical standards. Adj. 1. nonjudgmental group.'' The church, he said, is proud of the variety in age and ethnicity ethnicity Vox populi Racial status–ie, African American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic among its congregation. To help strengthen relationships among members, new associate pastor Tim English will arrange in the fall for small groups to meet regularly outside of church. ``Church members will be able to form other meaningful relationships when they plug into a small group,'' English said. ``It's a great way for them to share the needs of their everyday life and also explore the word of Jesus outside of the Sunday morning Sunday Morning may refer to:
English and Pendleton agree that the Sunday worship service has two major strengths: Powell's sermons and the lively and upbeat inspirational in·spi·ra·tion·al adj. 1. Of or relating to inspiration. 2. Providing or intended to convey inspiration. 3. Resulting from inspiration. music. ``We send out letters asking people for their comments on the service that they attended. The responses are most often, the sermon was what I needed to hear and loved the music,'' said Pendleton, who has been the church secretary since 1969. Pendleton said people have told her that they've never heard Scriptures explained in such an informative way. ``You're not going to fall asleep'' during a Sunday service at Calvary Church, she said. Church members greet newcomers at the door and introduce them to other members to put them at ease. Everyone is handed an outline of the sermon for the day, which lists the Bible verses Powell will base his message on. The outline is especially useful for those who aren't familiar with the Bible, Powell said. They can take the outline home and re-read the verses at their own pace. The service includes congregational con·gre·ga·tion·al adj. 1. Of or relating to a congregation. 2. Congregational Of or relating to Congregationalism or Congregationalists. Adj. 1. singing led by a worship team. Sometimes the church uses a video screen to project the words of the songs. Powell also uses this method to emphasize scriptural scrip·tur·al adj. 1. Of or relating to writing; written. 2. often Scriptural Of, relating to, based on, or contained in the Scriptures. verses. ``My goal is to explain what the Scriptures meant when they were written and what do they mean today. And then I ask the most important question: So what? I want the congregation to make the connection and make an application of the message to their life,'' Powell said. For the summer, Powell has started a series of sermons he calls Back to the Basics. Last Sunday's topic was ``Praising.'' Future topics will explore how Christians view belonging, praying and serving. The message this Sunday is ``Obedience OBEDIENCE. The performance of a command. 2. Officers who obey the command of their superiors, having jurisdiction of the subject-matter, are not responsible for their acts. .'' Powell said he will first give an overview using Abraham's obedience to God. Then, using Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20, he will explain the Christian view of obedience. This particular passage, focusing on baptism baptism [Gr., =dipping], in most Christian churches a sacrament. It is a rite of purification by water, a ceremony invoking the grace of God to regenerate the person, free him or her from sin, and make that person a part of the church. , is particularly relevant for Sunday because two members of the congregation will be baptized bap·tize v. bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism. 2. a. To cleanse or purify. b. To initiate. 3. during the service. ``My hope is that the congregation will see that we're in this process of learning and worshiping together as a group. I hope that people see that church relationship as a value in their life and that it's worth their time. We want people to say, I don't want to miss this.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: The Rev. John Powell, center, is flanked by associate pastor Tim English and secretary Edith Pendleton. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
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