May 20, 2026

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

In Worship This Week...

This Sunday we come to the final week of “This Is My Song Too", and we arrive at Pentecost—the day the church remembers the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of a people sent into the world.

Our contemporary guide this week is Mark Miller, and our scripture is Acts 2:1–12, where people from many places hear the good news in their own languages. It is one of the most powerful moments in all of scripture because it reveals something essential about the church: the Spirit does not erase difference; the Spirit gathers people through it into a new kind of community.

That is a profoundly Methodist truth. Our hymnody has always taught that faith is not only personal. It is communal. Grace awakens us, steadies us, sends us, and finally gathers us into a people whose life together bears witness to Christ. The songs we sing shape not only what we believe, but how we belong to one another.

This final week is not simply about inclusion in a general sense. It is about the church becoming what the Spirit creates: a body marked by welcome, reconciliation, courage, and shared witness. Pentecost reminds us that the gospel is meant to be heard, embodied, and carried by a people whose life together tells the truth about God’s expansive love.

That is why this series has mattered. We have not been looking back at hymns as relics of the past. We have been listening for the faith they still teach. We have been learning that the theology Methodists sing is meant to become the theology we live.

So this Sunday, as we celebrate Pentecost, we do so with gratitude and expectation. The song has come down through generations.

Now it becomes ours.

Come join us as we ask:
What kind of church is the Spirit forming us to be?

Pentecost Message from Bishop Burgos

Beloved siblings in Christ,

When I was in my late teens, I joined the praise team at my local church. Every Sunday before worship, our pastor gathered all who were helping lead the service and prayed over us. His words changed from week to week, but one sentence never did:

“God, we are in the upper room, and we have an expectation that You will show up and bless us in ways only You can.”... See More

Running the Race Together

11 Days Till Race Day

As Race Day draws closer at the end of this month, excitement is building for the journey we are running together! Over the past few weeks, we hope you have been thinking and praying about how God may be calling you to be part of this important campaign. This is more than just raising funds — it is an opportunity to dream about the future of Calvary and the new ways we can grow, serve, and share God’s love with our community. Imagine the possibilities that financial freedom could create for our church family and beyond! As we prepare for Race Day, we continue to pray that God will guide us, inspire us, and provide for us every step of the way. If you would like to make a pledge, a fillable pledge card is linked below. You may send it to the church office or bring it with you on May 31st for our Race Day Celebration and Worship service.

Pledge Card - 2026

Also, today May 20th is the last day to RSVP for the lunch/race. If you are planning to join us please fill out the invitation below and email it to the church office asap.

Click Here: Running the Race Together Invitation

Please Note: An RSVP is required whether you are running/walking the race, attending the luncheon (and cheering the racers), or both.

Please keep in your prayers:

Calvary’s mission and ministry and for the mission and ministry of the church in the world; for those who need the presence of God in their lives; for those serving in armed forces; and for those serving in ministry around the world and here.

And for: Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Michael & Chelsea, Laura & Marc, Patrick G., Katherine D., Kristen R./Tim C. and Margo, Tom and Family, Cheryl, Laura, Paula.

And those members of Calvary who are no longer able to be active among us as they once were: Joan, Bernie, Bob, Pepper, Shirley, Marj, June, Helen.

Virtual Prayer Request

If you have a prayer request that you would like lifted during Sunday services you can now submit them online at our website or by clicking the link below. We have also created this QR code, which can be found in the Sanctuary and round the building. It can be scanned at any time to send a request.

Calvary Online Prayer Requests

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Join a House Church

Calvary’s House Church ministry continues to grow and remain a vital component of our worship life together. With five active house churches, thirty participants we are seeing tremendous response. One participant has said “Joining house church was the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.”... See More

Click here to see the Top of the Week email

For more information, please visit our Family Ministry page.

Children's Chuch - This Sunday

Please note that there is no Children's Church this Sunday, May 24th. As always, the kids are invited to stay in church!

Skye Farm Day at Camp Event

Friday, June 19th at 9:30am to 5pm

Join us for our annual Skye Farm Day at Camp Event on Friday, June 19th from 9:30am - 5pm! This day includes a service project followed by lunch and an afternoon of recreation! This is a great opportunity to give back while becoming acquainted with the summer camps brought to us by the Upper New York Conference. Please note: This event IS on a Friday this year. This is Juneteenth, a federal holiday so recognize that many people and children will have this day off. Consider using this time to honor the day through service and fellowship!

Please sign up in the Gathering Space or click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48AEAE2CA6FEC43-63771902-skye

Vacation Bible School

Join us July 13th through 17th from 5:30pm to 8pm for Cokesbury's Snowball Mountain Challenge!! Join us for a week of Bible stories, fellowship and ski-themed fun! Our VBS is a FREE event and open to ALL! Dinner is included each night! Please email Kristen with any questions at kristenrains.calvaryumc@gmail.com.

Sign up begins May 1st! You can sign up here: vbspro.events/p/c19404. Interested in volunteering? Visit the link to explore volunteer roles and sign up!

Memorial Scholarship Program

2026 College Scholarship Applications

Calvary United Methodist Church is pleased to offer financial assistance in the form of a one-time only scholarship for students who are members of Calvary and who will be attending college in the fall of 2026. Awards will be determined based upon several factors including church and community service, leadership and academic achievement.

This scholarship program, established initially through the George Baker Memorial, is maintained by the Trustee and has been an active program for many years. Contributions to this program are always appreciated.

Click here for an Application or one can be obtained at the church office during the month of May and must be submitted to the office by the deadline of May 29, 2026.

Howe Music Endowment

The Howe Music Endowment is in place for the benefit of members of Calvary United Methodist Church for music education. The endowment is managed by the Trustees and offers an annual gift for the pursuance of vocal and (or) instrumental instruction. It is the intent of the endowment to encourage candidates (7th grade to adults) who are members of a musical performance group at Calvary, to enhance their musical skills.

Click here for an Application or one can be obtained at the church office during the month of May and should be submitted by the deadline of May 29, 2026.

Send Your Kids To Camp

Summer is just around the corner and Skye Farm is counting down the days to when the first group of campers arrives! Are your campers registered for camp yet? Calvary offers scholarships to help support getting youth to camp. Click the link below for the scholarship application.

Summer Camp Scholarship Application

Application are due by June 15th

PASSIONATE SERVICE

Small Items, Big Impact:

Special St. Ambrose Collection

Calvary’s Missions Team continues its partnership with the St. Ambrose Food Pantry to help address food insecurity in our community. Once a month, alongside our “Joyful Giving” food donations, we will collect a much-needed personal care or hygiene item not covered by food benefit programs. Donations may be placed in the center aisle with food items or in the outer vestibule on the first Sunday of the month.

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ITEM OF NEED for June 7th:

Shampoo

(NO Conditioner)

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Cook and Serve at the Capital City Rescue Mission

Our next night to cook and serve at the Rescue Mission is Friday, May 29, 2026. As always, cakes of any variety should be in 9x13 disposable pans. Please have them in the church kitchen by 5:00 PM. We are also looking for servers. If you would like to be a volunteer server at the Rescue Mission or have any questions, please contact Linda Melanson at 518-312-0399 or email her at melansonlinda@hotmail.com.

Learning Opportunity

Sunday, June 7th at 11:30am

When Calvary joined the Reconciling Ministries Network 3 years ago we made an ongoing commitment to learning and growing. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7 for a learning experience focused on transgender persons. April Snow from Center Brunswick UMC will join us for a conversation about how we, as a congregation, can deepen our care for and support of these beloved siblings in Christ. She brings both lived experience and thoughtful leadership which could help deepen our collective understanding and appreciation for the trans community. Grab your coffee and join us following service for this conversation. You may get answers you are not yet aware you were looking for!

Calvary Missional Partnerships

Calvary has long standing relationships with a number of mission organizations that impact people from the local area. For more information on the following organizations, please click here.

Rags to Riches
St. Ambrose Food Pantry
Sidewalk Warriors Troy

Find More Volunteer Opportunities

JOYFUL GIVING

Support Calvary

If you would like to Support the ministry of Calvary, you may do so using the link below or QR code. Thank you for your generosity.

https://giving.servantkeeper.com/CalvaryLathamUMC

For more ways to support Calvary, please click here.

OPEN TO ALL

Part-Time Church Sexton

With the retirement of Bill Artini coming at the end of August, a job opportunity has arisen at Calvary for a part time church sexton. This is an 18 hour a week position. The specific schedule will be determined in collaboration with Pastor Drew and Mike Danis, the chair of Trustees. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, a complete job posting is available on our website:

Calvaryumclatham.org

Safe Sanctuaries Training – Sign Up Today!

We will be offering an in-person Safe Sanctuaries Basic Course on June 14th following worship, from 11:30am–2:30pm in Room 202.

This 3-hour training is for all who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. It is an essential part of our ongoing commitment to creating safe, welcoming environments for everyone in our care.

Please sign up using the form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdndXGz6MSv3l0wfm8o13SLZaxCmU6y1IZbf23XaGF3X-2ObA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Preschool Update

We hatched baby chicks! This is a favorite activity each year. We learn about the chicken life cycle, and practice taking care of them.

Thank you to everyone who came out for our pasta dinner.

Please contact Michelle at LathamCalvaryPreK@gmail.com if you or anyone you know is still looking for a preschool.

Tellers Schedule

The Tellers for this Sunday, May 24th, 2026

Dave Weary and Bob Savage

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.

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