February 25, 2026
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CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
In Worship This Week...
In Worship This Week...
This Sunday we continue our Lenten journey with Peter as we step into one of the most powerful stories in the Gospels. The disciples are in a storm. The wind is against them. The boat is battered by waves. And in the darkness, Jesus comes walking toward them. Peter does something bold. He steps out of the boat. For a moment, he walks in trust. Then he notices the wind. And he begins to sink. His prayer is simple and desperate: “Lord, save me.” And immediately, Jesus reaches out his hand.
This story is not ultimately about Peter’s failure. It is about Christ’s nearness. It is about the courage to step toward Jesus even when the storm hasn’t stopped. Lent is a season for telling the truth about the winds in our own lives — fear, doubt, exhaustion, uncertainty — and for remembering that the presence of Christ does not depend on our perfection.
Sometimes faith is not steady walking. Sometimes faith is crying out while sinking. And sometimes faith is simply taking the first step out of the boat. This Sunday we will explore what it means to trust Christ in the storm, to risk stepping toward him, and to discover that rescue comes not with shame—but with grace.
Join us as we worship, pray, and continue this wandering journey with Peter.
Sanctuary Renewal Update
Sanctuary Renewal Update
Dear Beloved Church Family,
This Sunday is more than a return to a room. It is a milestone in a race already in motion. In October of this past year we claimed a vision for our church by voting to begin a capital campaign to fund this renewal and pay off one of our two mortgages from earlier renovations. Yet the truth is this vision began decades before our October vote. Calvary has always been a church of forward moving church, with it's feet following in the foot steps of Christ. Hebrews 12 reminds us:
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us throw off everything that hinders… and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Thus, we are not beginning from scratch. We are stepping into a story already being written. Before us is a great cloud of witnesses, the saints who built this sanctuary, who sacrificed, prayed, gave, and served so that Calvary could be a place where lives are changed. They ran their leg of the race faithfully. Now the baton is in our hands.
Because of your generosity, fourteen families have already made early contributions and pledges totaling $95,000. Those first fruits have fully funded the sanctuary renewal. When you walk back into the sanctuary this Sunday, you will see tangible signs of that faithfulness, a renewed space that reflects beauty, accessibility, flexibility, and welcome.
This was never about renovation for renovation’s sake. It has always been about throwing off what hinders.
Throwing off inaccessibility.
Throwing off inflexibility.
Throwing off anything that quietly suggests, “This might not be the place for you.”
We are building a community that says clearly:
You belong here.
You are welcome here.
There is room for you here.
As we return this Sunday, a few practical notes:
We will once again park in the upper lot.
We will enter through the main Belle Ave. entrance.
And while we await the arrival of our new sanctuary chairs, which have been delayed, we will be worshiping with a variety of chairs temporarily in place.
Even in that small detail, there is something fitting. We are not waiting for perfection to gather. We are not waiting for everything to arrive before we worship. We return as we are; grateful, hopeful, and still in process.
And yet, the vision is bigger still. Our original campaign goal of $235,000 remains before us. With the sanctuary renewal funded, Phase Two now focuses on financial freedom; specifically, paying off one of our two mortgages. Why does that matter?
Because when we are financially unburdened, we are freer to live our mission.
Freer to invest in people.
Freer to expand ministry.
Freer to respond quickly to need.
Freer to grow in inclusivity and accessibility.
Freer to follow where Christ leads.
This campaign is not about bricks and budgets. It is about freedom for continued growth: growth within our church and growth in the community God has placed us in.
Let's remember We run this race not only with the cloud of witnesses behind us — but for the generations ahead of us. For the child who will one day sit in this beautiful sanctuary. For the family searching for hope. For the spiritually curious neighbor who does not yet know they are looking for Christ.
This Sunday, we will celebrate. We will rededicate the space. We will give thanks. And we will take the next faithful step together. The first mile has been strong. Now we run on.
With gratitude for what has been accomplished , and with courage for what remains, we continue the race marked out before us.
Running the Race Together.
Pastors Gordon and Drew
2025 Annual Report
2025 Annual Report
Calvary's 2025 Annual Report is now available. Please click the link below for the pdf. version. If you would like a paper copy, please sign up when you arrive for Sunday worship or contact the church office or John Drake at jhdrake40@gmail.com.
Maundy Thursday Potluck & Worship
Maundy Thursday Potluck & Worship
April 2nd in Fellowship Hall - 6pm - 8pm
April 2nd in Fellowship Hall - 6pm - 8pm
Join us to celebrate Maundy Thursday, April 2nd, at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall for a potluck meal and worship service at 7pm. Bring a dish to share!
Good Friday Worship Service
Good Friday Worship Service
April 3rd at 7pm
April 3rd at 7pm
Join us for Worship - in person or virtually on Friday, April 3rd at 7pm for our Good Friday service as we remember the sacrificial love of Christ. We look forward to sharing this meaningful time with you!
Easter Sunday Worship Service
Easter Sunday Worship Service
April 5th at 10am
April 5th at 10am
Join us, in person or virtually, our inspirational worship service this Easter Sunday April 5th at 10:00am. The service will have communion and a Choral Anthem with brass.
Please keep in your prayers:
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: Duane, Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Tom, Michael & Chelsea, Laura & Marc, Patrick G.
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
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
Start Off 2026 With Bible Study:
Start Off 2026 With Bible Study:
Disciple Fast Track: Bible study for busy lives: Invitation to the Gospel of John
Disciple Fast Track: Bible study for busy lives: Invitation to the Gospel of John
We will have just celebrated the birth of Christ – Who do you say that Jesus is in your life? The Gospel of John asks us to “Come and See” and “Follow Me”. The gospel of John helps us to understand who Jesus is; through his life teachings, (including the beautiful “I am statements”) and as we move toward Easter, his death and resurrection.
The class meets on Wednesday Evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in The Adult Education Room (202).
Join a House Church
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
For more information, please visit our Family Ministry page.
Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Egg Hunt
March 29th 2pm-4pm
March 29th 2pm-4pm
Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 29th from 2pm to 4pm. More info to come!
PASSIONATE SERVICE
Small Items, Big Impact:
Small Items, Big Impact:
Special St. Ambrose Collection
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 March 1st:
Shampoo
preferably the 3 in 1 bottles
(shampoo/conditioner/body wash)
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Look at All the Good Calvary Can Do!
Look at All the Good Calvary Can Do!
Where Can You Help Out?
Where Can You Help Out?
The Missions Team is excited to offer several opportunities to help feed our neighbors. Throughout this Lenten season, in addition to the weekly St. Ambrose food collection, we will be collecting various items to support those in the community that might need a little extra help. Please see our collection schedule below for the suggested items.
Our final Lenten event will be a dinner for the North Colonie School District Backpack Program students on April 10th. More information will follow.
Calvary Missional Partnerships
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
JOYFUL GIVING
The Upper Room - An Outreach Opportunity
The Upper Room - An Outreach Opportunity
For years Calvary has provided copies of The Upper Room devotional magazine to senior living homes and Rita's church for free. In 2025, we budgeted $275 for this outreach effort, but actually spent $952. The cost of this publication has skyrocketed in recent years. We have assessed the need to continue this program and are assured that this devotional is well appreciated and well used. For 2026, we have reduced the number of subscriptions from 90 to 80. A few years ago we had individuals contributing to support this program. If you would care to donate, we suggest the cost of a month - about $80.
Please contact the church office with any questions.
Support Calvary
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
OPEN TO ALL
Lay Servant Basic Course
Lay Servant Basic Course
Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the United Methodist Church and grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ? The Basic Course offers a welcoming and accessible way to do both. Throughout the course, participants will gain:
A sense of belonging and purpose
A clearer understanding of personal calling
A deeper grounding in Wesleyan faith
Insight into their spiritual gifts
This course helps you grow spiritually, recognize your gifts, and serve in ways that fit your personality—quietly, gently, and faithfully. It also provides the required foundation for those who may wish to explore further involvement in Lay Servant Ministries.
The Basic Course will be offered via Zoom on March 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 13, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Participants must attend all sessions to receive certification.
For more information, contact Bruce France, course facilitator, at bfrance70@outlook.com or (518) 441‑9584.
Equalization Members at Annual Conference Needed
Equalization Members at Annual Conference Needed
The District is ooking for Equalization Members to represent the districts at the upcoming Annual Conference. If you're interested, read on!
Please note:
You must attend all of the Annual Conference Session from
Thursday, May 28 – Saturday, May 30, 2026, in person at the OnCenter in Syracuse NY.
For information on Annual Conference, click here.
Registration Deadline for EQ member applications is March 6, 2026. You will be notified if you have been chosen as an EQ member before registration opens. An application does not guarantee a slot.
Click here for the application.
Please send your application back as an email attachment to JoannaFeuer@unyumc.org or copy and paste the application into an email. Again, applications are due Friday, March 6.
Thank you for your interest!
Save the Date
United Women In Faith Spring Meeting 2026
Save the Date
United Women In Faith Spring Meeting 2026
“FRAUD PREVENTION AND AWARENESS”
Saturday, April 18, 2026
NewtonvilleUnited Methodist Church
568 Loudon Road. Latham, NY 12110
Registration Deadline is April 10, 2026
Click the links below to see the full "The Burning Bush" newsletter and the registration page. Please contact Diane Kendall at dandianek@gmail.com if you would like to register.
Preschool Update
Preschool Update
This week in music class we used bucket drums to practice keeping the beat, and changing tempo. The glowsticks added a bit more fun!
Registration is open for the 2026-2027 school year. Please email Michelle at LathamCalvaryPreK@gmail.com for more information.
Tellers Schedule
Tellers Schedule
The Tellers for this Sunday, March 1st, 2026
Dottie Norvik and Kathy Whitsett
Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.
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