DECEMBER 2016 A publication of Calvary Baptist Church, Tupelo, Mississippi

From Your Pastor

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Christmas Day Worship10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

No Sunday School or Evening Activites

Christmas is a marvelous time of year. There is just something about the feeling you get at Christmas. There are traditions that we keep, gifts to buy for special people, menus to plan, parties to attend, and work to get done before the holidays disrupt the schedule. There are also all of the emotions to deal with as we think about Christmases throughout the years, and the cherished memories. Along with this, there may be the possibility that Christmas doesn’t stir up those feelings in you. There may be angst or even anger at the past Christ-mases which have not met your expectations. There may be no menus to plan or gifts to buy, because of various factors in your life. You might even be wishing you could just fast forward to January 2nd and be done with it all. An interesting thought is that neither of these two circumstances should

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CalvaryCaller

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONSDECEMBER 5 - 12

Associate Pastor

November 27The Story of Redemption:Brokenness, Fracture, Sin

December 4 The Story of Redemption:

Deliverance

December 11The Story of Redemption:

A Longing for What Will Come

December 18The Story of Redemption:Darkness Will Be Broken

December 25 The Story of Redemption:

Hope is Here

Continued...

From Your Pastor

be our primary considerations at Christmas. All of these things exist secondary to the real reason for Christmas: Jesus. Life’s troubles are real, but can be sec-ondary when we consider what has been given by God. We can have an expec-tation of hope, and a realization of joy in the reality that Jesus has rescued us from a helpless state of sin. His birth and the miracles that surround it, concern-ing a holy and righteous God, are cause for wonder. I invite you to consider the most marvelous thing about Christmas: “A Savior Born to Us: Christ the Lord.” December is a busy month for everyone, so make it a point now to plan how you will be involved in fellowship with your church family. There are ser-vices each week meant to exalt the Lord and praise Him for the sending of His son. There are also fellowships and other events. Don’t miss these opportuni-ties! I look forward to seeing you there. Most of all, this month I pray that there is joy in your heart as a result of the peace that comes through Christ.

God Bless,Pastor Chris

As we get to the end of 2016 and begin a new year, I’m excited about where God is leading Calvary and HIS church! I pray that we are all ready and willing to follow HIM where He takes us. Looking ahead, I’ll be posting mission opportunities for 2017. We will resume our Compelled by Love ministry in March, as well as other local ministries. There are also national trips coming up that will put us in partnership with some wonderful mission organizations that are doing amazing work. Be on the lookout for that! Do you want to serve here at Calvary? Many opportunities are available for you. Whether it’s participating in our GREETER ministry, being a teacher or helper in one of our church ministries, these opportunities are all designed to be your NEXT STEP in growing into the IMAGE of CHRIST.

More D-Groups (Discipleship) will be offered soon. Grow DEEP in your walk. Be involved and grow deep in your relationship with Christ and let’s see what He will do!

Jim

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINESSUNDAYS AT 6:00 P.M.

SANCTUARY

NOVEMBER 27 - MEDITATION

DECEMBER 4 - PRAYER

DECEMBER 18 - FASTING

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Minister of Music

A Night of Christmas Worship

Led by the Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra

Senior Adult ChoirStudent Ensemble

and the Preschool & Children’s Choirs

Sunday, December 11 6:00 p.m.

in the Sanctuary

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Glory to God in the highest!

Can you believe it’s really time to celebrate the Christmas season already? It seems like we were just ringing in the New Year. The beautiful thing about the story of Christmas is that as believers, we actually celebrate it all year long...oh I know we break out the Christmas carols and sing them after Thanksgiving and all through December. But all year long, in prayer, in song, in our daily words and actions, and in the preached Word of God, we get to tell and retell an amazing story of redemption that only the heavenly Father Himself could have fashioned. For without the Son of God being born in human flesh and taking on the servant form of Emmanuel, God with us, there would have been no path to Calvary. There would have been no cruel crucifixion where He became sin and took my place to pay my debt and reconcile me to God. Without His birth, there wouldn’t be an empty tomb, no falling tongues of fire at Pentecost, no ascension to His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, and no hope and blessed assurance for us that He is coming a second time to take us to be with Him in His presence for all of eternity. Without that beautiful, humble entrance into this fallen world, one so devoid of any pomp and circumstance that it de-fies our human logic — without that we wouldn’t be celebrating anything at all this Christmas. We would be on a road to death and destruction. In fact, there wouldn’t be any Christmas. You see, this, my friend, is what Christmas is really all about. Do have a wonderful time with family and friends, but never, no nev-er, forget what Christmas really means.

"What Christmas Really Means"

We’re invited to the sacred manger where Glory sleeps upon the hay,To bow in wonder at the mystery of all that is fulfilled that day.

Oh, hallelujah! Where there was darkness, no heaven’s light has intervened.A Child is born and we watch breathless to see what Christmas really means.

We’re invited to relive the journey from Bethlehem to Calvary.The Lamb will lead us to the hillside where every willing soul is freed.

Oh, hallelujah! He dies to save us and we fall silent at the scene.Oh, pierce our hearts to feel the sorrow. This is what Christmas really means.

We’re invited to the tomb, now empty for dawn has come and hope is here.The curse is swallowed up in victory, and there is nothing left to fear.Oh, hallelujah! Jesus has risen. Come sing the song of the redeemed

As we proclaim to men and angels, behold what Christmas really means.

Oh, hallelujah! We’ll shout forever. Love’s final chapter is complete.And He will reign and we will worship. Oh, hallelujah to the King.

Words by David Moffitt and Sue C. Smith

To help celebrate the story of redemption, we’re calling the evening of Sun-day, December 11th “A Night of Christmas Worship.” I hope you will plan to attend this special worship time with your friends and family as all the choirs and groups of Calvary’s Music Ministry will be leading this service: Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra, Senior Adult Choir, Student Ensemble, 1st-6th Grade Choir, and the Sanctuary Bells. What a glorious night of celebration of the Savior we’ll have together!

Merry Christmas!!!Doug

Followed byChurchwideSoup SupperIn Family Ministry Center

Please bring cornbread and/or your favorite dessert!

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Gloria in excelsis

Deo!

This is my favorite time of year! I love the Christmas lights, getting together with friends and family, delicious food, and most of all celebrating our Savior's birth. Christ's birth was an amazing event that transformed lives forever! I pray this season we all remember the perfect Son of God that came to us so that we would have forgiveness of our sins and so that we could share in His holiness. I often ask myself how

God was able to send His only Son for someone such as myself. It brings me to my knees in thankfulness. Oh, how I pray that we always remember the perfect Child that was sent to die for our sins. Thank you, Heavenly Father!Seeking His Will,Candice Reed

Student Ministry

Children’s Ministry

Nov. 27, Dec. 11 & 1810:30 in C107

Ages 4, 5, and 1st grade

M4 Camp for grades 1-6July 7-9

Contact Candice by January 6 to sign up!

One of my favorite songs is ‘It is Well,’ written by Horatio G. Spafford after a series of devastating events in his life. He had lost everything in the Great Chi-cago Fire of 1871 because of his investment in real estate along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. A son had died just before the investment disaster, and four daugh-ters were killed when a ship sailing to England was sunk after being struck by another vessel (only his wife survived). It is said that, as Spafford approached the location where his daughters had died, he penned the words to this famous song. And what a testimony of his faith in God, even in the midst of great disas-ter! My favorite verse includes these lyrics:

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thoughtMy sin, not in part, but the whole

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no morePraise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul!

As we approach the day set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s not re-member Him as a baby in a manger, doting over how cute He is or how stylish his swaddling clothes are. Instead, let’s worship Him as the King, so highly ex-alted and worthy of praise. Let’s remember the purpose of his birth, which we know was to serve as the perfect substitution for us in payment for our sin! In His death on the cross, he effectively rendered sin and death powerless over those who confess Him as Lord, believing that God raised Him from the dead and trusting Him for salvation, being cleansed by His blood. And let’s allow this worship of the King of Kings to move us to live a life devoted to honoring Him and bringing Him glory!Todd

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Announcements and Opportunities

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Kevin, Lesley & Dawson Tackitt1213 Maxwell StreetTupelo, MS 38804

(also pictured is their daughter, Diana Tackitt)

Walker & Lexie Wildmon251 North Ridge Drive

Saltillo, MS 38866

Bob & Sue Martz668 County Road 261

Tupelo, MS 38801

David & Liz Dawson1508 Audubon DriveTupelo, MS 38801

(also pictured is their grandson, Dawson Tackitt)

Josh & Stephanie Campbell4727 Ridgemoor Drive

Belden, MS 38826(also pictured is their son,

Reese Campbell)

Trenton & Jessica CookeAnthony & Gabriel

1210 Zentwood RoadTupelo, MS 38801

Watch our services on your computer!

If you are unable to attend, visit calvarytupelo.com.

Catch up on sermon audios, too!

Television Broadcast Schedule

on WEPH:Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.Sunday @ 10:00 a.m.

Comcast Channel 4Dish Channel 49

Cable One Channel 11MaxxSouth Channel 20Over the air Channel 49

Announcements and Opportunities

BUDGET GIVING as of November 15, 20162016 Budget Goal..................$ 2,017,675.30Received to Date......................1,558,264.19Spent to Date...........................1,588,298.18MISSIONS GIVINGTotal Missions Giving to Date.....$ 309,752.79TOTAL OUTSTANDING DEBTSpain Property Purchase............$ 135,847.16

Sunday School Average Attendance for November

General Officers..............................9Adults.........................................253Youth............................................51Children.......................................34Preschool.....................................45Jail................................................29Fire Station.....................................5

Total...........................................426

Regular Weekly Schedule

Sunday:8:45 am.............Orchestra Rehearsal9:15 am......................Sunday School10:30 am.................Worship Service10:30 am...............Children's Church

(except 1st Sunday of the month)6:00 pm................ROCK Bible Study6:00 pm................Children's Activity6:00 pm..................Evening Worship

Monday:5:15 pm.............................Handbells

Wednesday:5:00 pm.............................Bible Drill6:00 pm..................Children’s Choirs6:00 pm......................Student ROCK 6:00 pm....................Prayer Meeting 6:00 pm............Orchestra Rehearsal7:00 pm...Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Thursday:6:45 am.....Student Prayer Breakfast9:00 – 4:00...........Mother’s Day Out

Judd Wilson will be presenting our program.

Program at 10 a.m. followed by lunch. Be sure to join us if you are

55 and up!

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Sewing MinistriesMorning Sewing Group

Dec. 7 at 9:00 a.m.Covered in Love

Prayer Quilting GroupMonday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Contact the office if you can volunteer at the Christmas Parade! Cookies may be

dropped off in the office all day.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Women on Mission General MeetingMonday, December 5

11:00 a.m. in the Activity RoomMeeting followed by a light lunch.

Join us as we pray for our missionar-ies who need our prayers and support

more than ever.

Congratulations toLuke & April Campbell

on the arrival of their baby girl, Lane Elizabeth Campbell,

born Monday, November 14. Lane is welcomed by her brothers,

Conley & Noah.

Weekly Servants NurseryDecember 4Babies Cindy Pike Margaret Ann Kennedy Gail ChisholmPreschool 1 Jennifer Locke Jim Locke Preschool 2 Corey Summerford Vickie CochranPreschool 3 Camille Dallas April BakerDecember 11Babies Goldie Wesson Sherry Magee Gail ChisholmPreschool 1 April Baker Janya RogersPreschool 2 Ashley Benjamin John Benjamin Preschool 3 Loren Duke Justin Duke December 18Babies Sarah Gray Carolyn Gray Gail ChisholmPreschool 1 Ashley Gray Nyanza StewardPreschool 2 Kate Gray Stacy TollisonPreschool 3 Brittany Irwin Kevin IrwinDecember 25Babies/Ones Ashley Gray Sarah Gray Gail ChisholmPreschool 2/3 Kate Gray Barbara Davis Caroline Gray

Media TeamDecember 4Jeff Rogers Andrew HayesMary Preston EversTracey MortonKerri Wampler Bob ChisholmOdis Henry - Projection

December 11Mary Preston EversJack NewellJosh CochranClay StewartBob ChisholmTracey MortonEllen White - Projection

December 18Clay StewartJeff RogersAndrew HayesJack NewellTracey MortonBob Chisholm Odis Henry - Projection

December 25Kerri WamplerAndrew HayesJosh CochranJeff RogersBob ChisholmClay Stewart Jack Newell - Projection

Offertory Prayer Dec. 4—William ArmisteadDec. 11—John CurleeDec. 18—Jim DavisDec. 25—Rob EdwardsOffering CommitteeDec. 4—Thomas Walker & John CurleeDec. 11—Ricky Davis & Matt WessonDec. 18—Josh Hurt & Greg MileyDec. 25—Fred Pitts & Lee JohnsonTransportation CommitteeDec. 4—Larry WitcherDec. 11—Tommy McElroyDec. 18—Phil JonesDec. 25—Matt WessonHospital VisitationDec. 4—Ken Krason/Larry WitcherDec. 11—Greg Miley/Michael WilliamsDec. 18—Robert Magers/John NailDec. 25—Will Newcomer/Thomas WalkerWar RoomDec. 4—Ed Mitchell & Jerry NapierJack & Charlotte BusbyDec. 11—Christian Reed & Lee JohnsonRuth JohnsonDec. 18—Van Stone & Judd WilsonRobert MagersDec. 25—Bob Chishom & Al PleasantsBeverly Pleasants

Jail MinistryAdult MenDec. 4—Bill Taylor/LB Davis/Bill KlineDec. 11—LB Davis/Bill Kline/Gregg KennedyDec. 18—B. Kline/G. Kennedy/M. WilliamsDec. 25—G. Kennedy/M. Williams/B. MoreheadJuvenile BoysDec. 1—Jimmy Bowers/Bob ChisholmDec. 8—Bob Chisholm/Robert Gulley Dec. 15—Robert Gulley/Al Pleasants Dec. 22—Al Pleasants/Chris Weaver Dec. 29—Chris Weaver/Gregg KennedyAdult WomenDec. 4—Diane Wiese/Missy Lunceford Dec. 11—Debbie MiltonDec. 18—Nellie Epps/Rosemary MarecleDec. 25—Christmas DayJuvenile GirlsDec. 1—Melanie MooreDec. 8—Beverly PleasantsDec. 15—Chris MaynardDec. 22—Christmas WeekDec. 29—Cindy Pike

Holiday Closings and Cancellations

•Wednesday, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 -No pm activities•Fri., Dec. 23 and Mon., Dec. 26 -Offices closed•Sunday, Dec. 25 - Morning Worship only - no Sunday School or pm activ-ities•Sunday, Jan. 1 - Regular morning schedule, no pm activities•Monday, Jan. 2 - Offices Closed

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Church Staff

Contact Us

Senior Pastor Associate Pastor Minister of Music Minister to Students Director of Children’s Ministries Business Administrator Pastor’s Secretary Education Secretary Secretary/Receptionist Financial Secretary Operations Coordinator Mother’s Day Out/Nursery Coordinator Weekday Education Director Media Director Music/Media Assistant Pianist Organist

info@calvarytupelo.com(662)842-3338

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 1008Tupelo, MS 38802

Physical Address:501 West Main St.Tupelo, MS 38804

Chris DeGeorge Jim Yates 769-1211Doug Spires 610-4773Todd Summerford 315-2442Candice Reed 297-4849Michael Lunceford 397-8384 Mickie Gatlin 423-7618 Debbie Brouillette (615) 848-4737Yvonne Merritt 401-1056Samantha Barron 538-1856Mike Williams 231-9686Gail Chisholm 844-8958Kevin Ann Weatherly 791-1025Tracey Morton 401-7717Ellen White 871-7967Lisa Tally 231-2067Lynn McGrath 842-3437

cdegeorge@calvarytupelo.comjyates@calvarytupelo.comdspires@calvarytupelo.comtsummerford@calvarytupelo.comcreed@calvarytupelo.com mlunceford@calvarytupelo.commgatlin@calvarytupelo.comdbrouillette@calvarytupelo.comymerritt@calvarytupelo.comsbarron@calvarytupelo.commwilliams@calvarytupelo.comgchisholm@calvarytupelo.comkaweatherly@calvarytupelo.comtmorton@calvarytupelo.comewhite@calvarytupelo.comsixofus89@hotmail.comlynn_weeks@hotmail.com

Calvary Baptist ChurchP.O. Box 1008Tupelo, MS 38802www.calvarytupelo.com

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