July 15th, 2026

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

In Worship This Week...

Everyone enjoys a good love story. Boy meets girl. Two lives become one. A new chapter begins.

This Sunday, our Family Reunion series arrives at one of the most beautiful stories in Genesis as Isaac meets Rebekah. It has all the ingredients of a memorable romance: an unexpected journey, generous hospitality, courageous faith, and what can only be described as remarkable providence. It is easy to see why generations of readers have cherished this passage. Yet Genesis isn't simply trying to tell us how two people fell in love. It is telling us how God quietly keeps promises.

After everything Abraham's family has experienced; the impossible birth of Isaac, the painful separation from Hagar and Ishmael, and the terrifying journey up Mount Moriah, the story slows down. There are no dramatic miracles here. No angels interrupting the action. No booming voice from heaven.

Instead, God works through ordinary people making faithful decisions. A servant faithfully fulfills his responsibility. Rebekah courageously leaves everything familiar. Isaac waits with hope. Step by step, conversation by conversation, God continues weaving together the family through whom all nations will one day be blessed.

Perhaps that's how God works far more often than we realize. We sometimes expect God to reveal divine purposes only through extraordinary moments, but Scripture repeatedly reminds us that the kingdom of God is often built through everyday faithfulness. A kind word offered at the right moment. An unexpected conversation. A quiet act of generosity. A difficult decision made with courage. Looking back, we often discover that what seemed ordinary at the time became one of the defining chapters of our lives.

Maybe your own story contains moments like that. Moments you almost overlooked, only to realize later that God was quietly present all along.

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate one of Scripture's most beloved love stories while discovering that it is ultimately about far more than romance. It is about the quiet faithfulness of a God who continues guiding history—and our lives—even when no miracles seem to be happening.

Of course, every growing family eventually encounters conflict. Next week, twin brothers enter the story, and the family reunion becomes a little more complicated.

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: Coleen, Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Michael & Chelsea, Laura & Marc, Patrick G., Katherine D., Tom and Family, Cheryl, Laura, Paula, Kathy, Dave & grandson Jesse.

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

Youth Group - Thank You!

The Youth Group would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to our ASP mission trip! With your help, the trip was a huge success, and we couldn't have done it without the love and support of our church family. From tools to air mattresses, snacks to hand sanitizer, gift cards to tissues, we appreciate all of it! Perhaps most of all, we appreciate your prayers and support. We could feel you cheering us on in West Virginia, and we are so grateful!

Vacation Bible School - Important Update

Just a reminder that Children's Church and VBS have joined forces this year! Our VBS learning experience is taking place during our regular Children's Church time following young disciples time during and until 12pm. In this time frame, the kids will experience lessons, fellowship and enjoy an extended fun time together!

Dates of VBS:

Sunday, July 12th 10am to 12pm

Sunday, July 19th 10am to 12pm

Sunday, July 26th 10am to 12pm

August 2nd 10 am to 12pm

Children will attend church (parents are able to drop off if they cannot stay for worship)
Pre-registration is not required but is preferred- please email me directly!
Attendance for all four Sundays is not required to participate. Attend as you are able!
Ages K-6 and 7-12 are welcome to attend! 7 and 8th graders will participate in programming and help some of the younger kids. 9-12 will help with younger kids, snacks, hallway monitoring and will serve as assistants to station leaders.

Preregistration is not required but is preferred. Please email Kristen Rains at: kristenrains.calvaryumc@gmail.com.

VBS Needs Volunteers!!

In order to run our VBS program we rely on our amazing volunteers!

We are currently in need of:

Team leaders
Kitchen helpers
Help with decorating and with set up and take down

Please reach out to Kristen for more information: kristenrains.calvaryumc@gmail.com

Or sign up using this link: vbspro.events/p/c19404

Vacation Bible School - Amazon Wish List

Vacation Bible School needs some unique supplies this year for our snow mountain theme! If you are interested in serving our VBS Ministry through the purchase of supplies visit the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LN0D2BTAKCFH?ref_=wl_share

PASSIONATE SERVICE

Help Calvary 'Shower' This Family with Love

Calvary's Youth Group and adult volunteers recently returned from a week helping a family in West Virginia through the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). The family has an urgent need for a handicap-accessible shower due to the father having surgery soon. The cost to build the specialized shower is $7,000. Please consider joining Calvary in making a special donation, designated for the "ASP Family Fund". It would mean so much to the family -- and to our youth, who became invested in the well-being of this family whom they worked so hard to help.

Lunch, Learn & Be Inspired

ASP Q&A and BBQ

Sunday, July 26 at 11:30 am

Learn more about the Appalachian Service Project from the youth volunteers and chaperones while enjoying a picnic lunch. Donations appreciated; please label with "ASP Family Fund".

OR Donate Online

Select ASP Family Fund from the drop-down menu
If you don't have an account, you can "Donate as a Guest"
Donations must be received by July 26

Calvary's Cook and Serve at the City Mission

Friday, July 31st

We are looking for a few more volunteers to help with our meal ministry for the Albany City Mission. No cooking experience is necessary—just a willingness to serve! We cook a hot meal of chicken, potatoes, vegetable and gravy at the church and deliver it to the mission in time for their evening meal service. Calvary has provided this meal for many years! In addition, volunteers from Calvary go to the mission to serve the hot meal. There is also an opportunity to donate 9 x 13 sheet cakes in disposable pans for dessert. These should be dropped off at the church kitchen by 5:00, Friday July 31st.

If you're interested in helping to cook, meal preparation begins at 2:45 p.m. in the church kitchen, and we are usually finished with cleanup by 5:45 p.m. If you're interested in serving, there may be an opportunity to carpool from the church (5:15 p.m.) or meet at the mission (5:30 p.m.), wrapping up about 7:30 p.m.

If you would like to be part of this wonderful ministry, please contact Tracy Balogh at tdb1214@gmail.com to help cook or Linda Melanson at melansonlinda@hotmail.com to help serve at the mission. We would love to have you join us.

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

Help Us Keep Our Church Safe

To help maintain a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, and building users, please do not bring any chemicals—including cleaning products, soaps, lotions, or other similar items—to the church without prior approval. All chemical products kept in the building must have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on file.

If you would like to donate or bring cleaning supplies or other chemical products to the church, please check with Mike Danis (Trustee Chair) or Pastor Drew first. Thank you for helping us keep our church safe and in compliance with safety requirements.

Tellers Schedule

The Tellers for this Sunday, July 19th, 2026

Dottie Norvik and Michelle Simkulet

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.

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