HOW’S YOUR FOUNDATION?

After months of cleanup, it is estimated that the total amount of flood damage in the state of Iowa is $10 billion. In Cedar Rapids that figure is $1.3 billion. One thousand homes were damaged in the 100 year flood plain and two thousand in the 500 year flood plain. Many of those houses will be demolished because their foundations have been damaged or are unstable.

As I reflect upon the number of families that will lose their homes due to foundation trouble, it makes me think about the number of Christians whose lives are shattered because their faith is not resting upon the solid Word of God. When the rain comes, the streams rise, and the winds blow against them, they will fall with a great crash. Why? Because they have built their emotional and spiritual houses on sand. They don’t really know God or His spiritual truth which brings security.

Jesus taught that everyone who hears His words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. They will face the storms of life as well but won’t fall because their foundation is solid. Their knowledge of God’s character and promises, along with their obedience, gives them the stability to stand strong in the face of every trial.

Because of this reality, during the Sunday school hour this fall, we will be shoring up our spiritual foundation by focusing upon the foundational truths of the Bible. Beginning September 7, all adult classes will be studying the big picture of the Scriptures, highlighting key chapters, events, people, and principles. If you don’t understand how the Old and New Testaments all fit together, this will be an excellent opportunity for you to learn. If you know someone who is just beginning to seek spiritual truth, this would be a great place for them to start. And if you are already familiar with God’s Word, this will be a great refresher course.

The rest of the year, from December through May, we will be studying the foundational doctrines of our faith, those core beliefs about the Bible, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, creation, salvation, sanctification, good and evil, the afterlife, the Church, and the Second Coming. After Labor Day, I will also begin a sermon series during the Sunday morning worship services called “Bible 101,” which will address our attitudes toward the Scriptures. Our goal is to strengthen the spiritual foundations of our church family so that no one’s faith is destroyed by the floods of fear and doubt.

Pastor Jay

MINISTRY TRAINING ELECTIVES
We encourage everyone to participate in Ministry Training Electives at 6:00pm each Sunday from September 14 through November 9. These electives are intended to equip our body of believers with knowledge and skills to help them become all that God wants them to be. Stop by the Welcome Center in the church foyer or call the church office to sign up for the course that best meets your needs. (Children in grades K–6 will have Sonshine Singers during this hour, and child care is available for younger children. Jr/Sr High youth will have musical practice during this hour in the youth building.)

The Quest for Authentic Manhood
When men connect in life-changing ways, a powerful ripple effect touches families, workplaces, and the church. Through this powerful series, men learn to reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and expect God’s greater reward. This transforming study helps men come together to honestly examine their lives and take the courageous steps necessary to embrace authentic manhood on a journey to become who God intends them to be.

A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place
Beth Moore’s study parallels for us the Old Testament Tabernacle’s building and your life as a chosen vessel of God. One student said of the study, “Beth led us to a greater knowledge of God’s tabernacle in heaven and on earth, ending the journey in the heart of each member. On our final session, as I looked around the room, tears were flowing.” Discover why a holy God chose to dwell in an earthly Tabernacle made by human hands and what that means to your life today.

7 Laws of the Learner
The world’s best teachers instinctively understand the needs of their students. Dr. Bruce Wilkinson will provide a powerful boost for teachers as they learn the seven laws of the learner. Teachers are given new insights into the learning styles of their students. They'll also understand how a teacher’s actions can motivate low achievers, how to create a great environment for learning, and how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. As participants learn and apply these principles, their teaching will be transformed.

Upcoming Activities

CONCERT OF PRAYER
With the beginning of another school year comes the start of a new season of ministry for many of our church programs. The effectiveness of these ministries is dependent upon the Lord’s involvement in them. The concert of prayer Sunday evening September 7, at 6:00pm, will provide an opportunity for us corporately to express our dependence upon the Lord and to seek His blessing and empowerment for life-changing impact through the various ministries of the church as well as through the other opportunities and situations He brings into each of our lives.

FLY SONSHINE AIRLINE
Attention, Sonshine Singers! You are scheduled to take off on a wonderful musical journey at 6:00pm on Sunday, September 7, boarding at “Gate 22” (room #26). Your flight attendants, Jeannette Frey (396-6882) and Kim Nelson (364-6647), look forward to helping you have an enjoyable and uplifting flight, in which you’ll discover the plane truth about Christmas. Thank you for choosing Sonshine Airline!

CALVARY CHOIR
The Calvary Choir will begin another season of ministry on Sunday, September 14. Rehearsals are Sunday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:45. New members are welcome! Contact Pastor Mike for more information.

DISCOVERY CLASS
If you want to become a member of Calvary or just want more information about the church, we invite you to the Discovery Class on Saturday, September 27, 9:00am–noon in Room #14. Please notify the church office if you plan to attend. If childcare would be helpful, please let us know.

BAPTISM
The teaching and example of Scripture calls followers of Jesus Christ to be baptized as a public profession of their repentance and saving faith. If you have not been baptized as a believer and would like to take this step of obedience to your Savior and Lord, please express that desire to one of the pastors.

POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS
Positive Impressions is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 10:00am–3:00pm in room #27. Invite your friends to join you in creating with rubber stamps or working on some other favorite craft project. This is an enjoyable and non–threatening way to spend time developing relationships and building bridges in order to make a positive impression for Christ on your unsaved friends and family members. Even the greeting cards or other crafts that you create for other people can be beneficial in making a positive impression on their lives. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Kim Nelson (364–6647) and bring a snack or drink to share with the group.

AWANA
The Awana clubs begin again on Wednesday, September 3, with a hot dog supper for the children at 6:00pm, followed by the regular program from 6:30 to 8:00.

DIVORCE CARE
Maybe you haven’t experienced it yourself, but most of us at least know someone, a friend or family member who is going through or has been through a separation or divorce. They are desperately hurting. Most everyone that experiences a marriage separation or divorce goes through emotional exhaustion, financial difficulties, loss of friends, and many other issues. The road to recovery can be long and tiresome. What they need is DivorceCare.
DivorceCare is a relatively new ministry here at Calvary and we are asking for your assistance in getting the word spread throughout the community. If you would be willing to hang up a flyer at work or hand a brochure to a friend or family member who may profit from this ministry, please contact Jeff or Carina Kraayenbrink (364-7489). A new 13-week session will begin Thursday, September 11, 6:00pm, at Imago Christi at Central Park Church, located on the corner of 17th Street and B Avenue NE. The program is biblically based, but non-denominational. Every session is “self-contained.” So come for one, a few, or all of these sessions and get practical help that teaches how to move on with life after divorce.

MOPS
The first meeting of MOPS will be Tuesday, September 9, from 9:15am to 11:15am. If you are a mother of an infant to pre-kindergarten age child, we would love to have you there! If you do not have any preschool-age children and have any Tuesday mornings free to volunteer to serve in this ministry, please call Jennifer Crittenden (845–5032) or Sarah Wibowo (892–0246). We appreciate the support that so many of you give to the MOPS program!

YOUNG MOTHERS MOPS (Previously Teen MOPS)
The fall session of Young Mothers MOPS will begin Thursday, September 4, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. We will be meeting at Imago Christi at Central Park Church, located on the corner of 17th Street and B Avenue NE. If you are a teenage or young mother of an infant to pre-kindergarten age child, we would love to have you join us! To register, please call Roxann Von Lienen (390-9892). Volunteers are also needed to help with child care or providing food.

SALT & PEPPER CLUB
At 10:30am on Tuesday, September 30, the Salt & Pepper Club (retirees) will head out from the church by bus to go to Bloomsbury Farm for lunch at 11:00am. For more information, contact Violet Johnson or Nadene Roberts or watch the Sunday bulletin. Please save this date!

“IRON SHARPENS IRON” MEN’S CONFERENCE
The “Iron Sharpens Iron” men’s conference comes to Cedar Rapids Saturday, October 4, 8:30am–4:55pm. First Assembly of God will host this special event for guys ages 13 and older. Registration and information are available in the church foyer. Registration price is $39 per person, assuming we will have a group of 10 or more. Young men (ages 13–22) who are in school full time register at the student discount price of $29. If you would like an on-site lunch, add $8, for a total of $47 ($37 for students). Checks should be made payable to Calvary Baptist Church. Contact Jack Lindstrom for information.

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
Please note that the church office will be closed on Monday, September 1, in celebration of Labor Day Holiday.

BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP (BSF)
Bible Study Fellowship International, an inter–denominational organization, begins the fall study with Life of Moses in four area classes.
• Evening Men’s Group at 6:50pm on Mondays, starting September 8, at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3500 29th Avenue in Marion
• Evening Women’s Group at 6:40pm on Tuesdays, starting September 9, at Faith Bible Church, 95 Mentzer Rd in Robins
• Day Women’s Group at 9:15am on Wednesdays starting September 10, at Calvary Baptist Church, 5338 Johnson Ave SW
• Day Women’s Group at 9:10am Thursdays, starting September 11, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2301 E Court St in Iowa City
A preschool program is available at the day women’s class and a school-age program (1st through 12th grades) at the evening women’s and men’s classes. There is an introduction class for those interested in learning more about this study the first two weeks. We request that you not bring your children with you for the introduction class. Call Carol Berchenbrieter (521–6151) or Mary Tiedemann (393–0265) for more information.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Starting in September, the children who are in the Beginner (Pre-kindergarten – Kindergarten), Primary (1st – 3rd grade), and Junior (4th – 6th grade) departments will be using new curriculum. Included in the curriculum will be a parent resource page that will be given to the children each week.
Deuteronomy 6:5–9 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk to them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
As this Children Desiring God curriculum states, “Clearly the responsibility (as well as the privilege) of nurturing the faith of children rests primarily on parents. Parents will also have the most opportunity for ‘teachable moments’ — situations that arise in everyday life, which can be opportunities to apply the truth of God. Faith nurturing should not be seen primarily as a classroom experience, but rather as a consistent weaving of spiritual truth into everyday life. The Parent Resource Pages are designed to help the church and home work together to nurture the faith of children.” Parents, please work on the pages together with your children. Don’t just place the paper on the table or throw it in the garbage. Let’s “work together to nurture the faith of children.”

Expressions of Appreciation

Thank you to everyone who has helped the ministry of Aid to Women since the June floods. We truly appreciate your prayer support, donations, and help down at the building. The people of Calvary have been such a blessing during this challenging time! Thank you so very much, and we much appreciate your continued prayers in the coming months.
Amy DeLay

We have been amazed again and again at the blessings God has poured out during the last few months. Many of those have come through His people at Calvary Church. We are settled now and have most of what we need, thanks to so many generous gifts from our church family. Thank you so much to all of you who have blessed us with gifts and time during this flood recovery.
Matthew, Amber, Isaiah and Elias Hale

Thank you for your prayers during my health crisis. Thanks to those who brought meals to us. Thanks for the many cards. Thanks to Lynne Barker and Colleen Abodeely for getting me to St. Luke’s and staying with me until tests were done and I was admitted. Thanks also to Jeff and Carina Kraayenbrink for coming to the hospital to pray with us when so many questions were unanswered. To Cindy Fisher and Bob Kemmerer for visiting and praying. Thank you to Greg Sharp for being there alongside us. The visit from Judy Potter was appreciated. Thanks to Helen for the phone calls and keeping the prayer chain updated. A special thank you to Pastor Jay and Donna for prayers, visits, and Jay's calming presence. The road to full recovery is long but the Lord is teaching me day by day to be patient and lean on Him. I have seen His hand at work through many others during this ordeal and am amazed and humbled at how He has worked. In Christ,
Jana Shatzer and Family

I would just like to say thank you for the generous financial gift Calvary has given to Aid to Women. Although we certainly have great financial need right now, we are seeing God’s faithfulness to the ministry and are so blessed by the many individuals and churches that have stepped forward to help our ministry get back into our building. I, as well as the other ATW staff and board members, greatly appreciate Calvary’s financial, prayer, and volunteer support since the floods in June. Thank you so much for blessing our ministry so generously.
Amy DeLay

I want to thank everyone for your prayers, calls, cards, flowers, and Pastor Jay’s visit while I was in the hospital with COPD and bronchitis recently. I’m so thankful for all your concern.
Joann Young

Our Heartfelt Sympathies to...

Pat Worsfold, Amber & Matthew Hale, Matt & Andrea Worsfold, Leslie Worsfold, and family on the sudden death of Pat’s husband and Amber, Matt, and Leslie’s father, Rick Worsfold, who went home to be with the Lord on August 23.

Pat & Chloe Colgan and Galen & Becky Stahle and family on the death of Chloe’s & Galen’s father, Wayne Stahle, who went home to be with the Lord on August 6. Address for Pat & Chloe Colgan: 25 Inverness Lane, East Windsor, NJ 08520. Address for Galen & Becky Stahle: 4685 Maple Hill Drive, Excelsior, MN 55331.

Wayne & Susan Epperson and family on the death of Susan’s father, Robert Wensen, who passed away on August 7.

Births in the Church family

Congratulations to Travis & Nicole Webber on the birth of their son, Malachi Michael, who was born August 8. He weighed 7lbs, 1.4oz. Congratulations also to grandparents Tim & Cindy Fisher.

Congratulations to Austin & Sarah Temperley on the birth of their daughter, Lydia, who was born August 11. She weighed 9lbs, 4oz. Congratulations also to grandparents Jim & Carol Allen and great-grandmother, Leatte Allen.

Congratulations to Matt & Laura Santiamagro on the birth of their son, Micah John, who was born August 21. He weighed 1lb, 7oz.

September Birthdays

1 Ryan Hamilton David Min 2 Kayla Tjelmeland 3 Carol Hagen Curtis Aswegan Josie Chung 4 Amanda Waters Suzanne Joss Michelle Bunn 6 Peg Moore Jamaica Abben 7 Steve Patton Marilyn Ask Jeremy Lewis Isaiah Hale

8 Michael Frey Cy Bradshaw 9 Katie Hensch Anthony Mullinix 10 Joshua French Robert Ethan Nicol Rachel Pisini 11 Jared Jacobs Cody Barker 12 Phil DeLay Karla Tjelmeland Kassandra Rogan

13 Jamie Jentink 15 Amy Caldwell 16 Cindy Fisher Lydia French 17 Mark Fisher Andrea Smale 18 Marsha Maatta 19 Marla Hale Jaden Eiselstein Drew Techau Robert Eldon Nicol

20 Autumn Thayer David Eastburn 21 Margaret Rucker 24 David Rammelsberg Amy Waters 26 Katie Cohea 28 Phil Waters Tara Slippy 29 Joyce Bulen Alexis Anderson

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