Food for Thought is a time of fellowship with anyone in the community who wants a hot meal and a time to relax. Every month, a different theme or menu is chosen, some at the request of regular attendees. This month's theme is "Breakfast for Dinner." See you November 30th at 6pm! For additional questions, call the Church Office at 775-0358.
There is one God, eternally existing in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and each possesses all of the attributes of God. God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and everything in it.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is one with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is our Savior, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross for all sin, and was raised from the grave after three days to demonstrate His defeat of sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will return again to earth to reign as our powerful King.
The Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Those who accept Christ as their Savior will receive the Holy Spirit to live inside them. The Holy Spirit serves as our comforter, guide and advocate. The Holy Spirit is given to Christians and provides guidance in living, an understanding of the Bible, and prayerfully intercedes for them.
Our foundation is based firmly upon the Bible as our final authority on Christian beliefs and as a guide to living. The Bible is divinely inspired by God, without error, given to man so that we may know and understand the truth of God and His love.
All people are made in the image of God and were created to live the adventure of following Jesus Christ. Although people have tremendous potential for good, we also have the freedom to do evil. Our disobedience toward God is called “sin” and that separates all humanity from God.
Salvation is not something that can be purchased or earned. It is a free gift from God provided by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and is received through faith. It is available to everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. That faith is expressed through repentance of sin and baptism by immersion.
People were created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally in union with God in heaven through following Jesus Christ or eternally separated from God in hell due to our refusal to follow Him.
God's Purpose: Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life—abundant and eternal.
The Bible says ...
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." —Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." —John 3:16
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." —John 10:10
Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?
The Problem: Our Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God
The Bible says ...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."—Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." —Romans 6:23
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God ...
The Bible says ...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." —Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." —Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
No bridge reaches God ... except one.
God's Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says ...
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." —1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." —1 Peter 3:18
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." —Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Our Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible says ...
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." —Revelation 3:20
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." —John 1:12
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." —Romans 10:9
Here is how you can receive Christ:
Homes come in a Variety of colors shapes and sizes. Some are extraordinary, some are simple and humble. Some home meet the needs of the family, others are too cold, too small, and structurally ill-equipped to meet the everyday need of each of your family members.
We find that churches have the same strengths and challenges as the typical home. At Calvary we desire to be a church family where you know you are welcome and people are glad you came; we are purposeful in our attempt to be a place where you can find help for today and Hope for tomorrow. Calvary is a church where you can find thoughtful answers, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships.
Communication has the power to make or break relationships. Help your marriage by improving the way that you and your spouse communicate. You can discover how to recognize communication barriers, fight fair during conflict and support each other through the trials. Invest six weeks in your marriage: talk is cheap, but communication is priceless. Hosted by Jon and Staci Davis (88 South Main St. Rutland). Sundays, beginning September 26 at 6:30 pm. Led by Tim and Rose Engler, 773.7286.
Are you interested in taking your marriage from “good” to “great”? Why not consider investing in a relationship with another couple that is more “experienced” than yourselves? Mentor Couples have been trained throughout area churches. Scott and Annette Hoyle can connect you with these mentor couples or church contacts. Call the Hoyles - 747. 7963 and get paired up today!
If your marriage is struggling, “911 - First Response” is a tool that can help you as a couple or as a single partner learn healthy and productive ways to deal with a troubled relationship. This Christ - centered 12 week program helps you focus on first becoming a healthy individual. It then emphasizes foundational keys and offers steps toward a transformed marriage. Material Cost: $10/person. Call Calvary Bible Church office - 775.0358.
CLASS = Calvary’s Life and Service Seminars
C.L.A.S.S. = Calvary’s Life and Service Seminars
With the goal of turning members into ministers the leadership team here at CBC encourages all our members to complete 101,201,301 and SHAPE interview, and 401. With four different topics, these teachings lay a solid foundation for all believers at Calvary. Attend each of these seminars only once, each are just over three hours.
Class 101 Connect –People to Each Other
This class is an introduction to our church family. Since we have people from many different church backgrounds, this class was designed to clearly explain how to connect with other people, the basics of the Christian faith, the history of our church and Calvary’s philosophy of membership and ministry.
“…you are a member of God’s very own family…and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19
Class 201 Grow – In Relationship with Christ
This class is the second of Calvary’s four basic classes. It focuses on the four habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow in a relationship with Christ. These four habits are: prayer, personal quiet time with God, spending meaningful time with other Christians and tithing. Practical biblical skills will be shared that will help you experience the pathway of spiritual growth.
“…that you may become mature Christians and may fulfill God’s will for you.” Col. 4:12b
Class 301 Serve –In Your Strength on Our Team
You will understand the purpose you were created for when you understand the kind of person you are. This is the secret to knowing God’s will for your life! This class will help you to discover your strengths and to match you to an area of service that is in line with your passion
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph. 2:10
Class 401 Attract –People to God
Once we have come to know Christ He gives
us the privilege and responsibility to live and share our story with those He brings into our lives. This class will help you to understand the spiritual levels of the people in your world and how to communicate “chapters” of your life as well as the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.
“Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:4-6
