1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

May 2015
Vol. 20 No. 5
Connections
A Publication of Calvary Baptist Church
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Thursday, May 7, 2015
The 64th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer will
take place on Thursday, May 7. Millions of people will unite in
prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. Serve the City
and the Linn County Association of Evangelicals will cosponsor a community prayer gathering led by area pastors and
other Christian leaders from noon to 1:00 at Greene Square Park
(3rd Avenue and 5th Street SE in downtown Cedar Rapids). Our
theme for 2015 is Lord, Hear Our Cry, emphasizing the need
for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith
in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over
all governments, authorities, and men. To further highlight our
theme, we’ve chosen 1 Kings 8:28 as our Scripture for this year:
“Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in
your presence this day.”
FLOAT INTO SPRING WITH JANE VAN DEN BERG
Jane van den Berg has been one of our missionaries for many
years, beginning when we supported her parents.
Jane is coming to Calvary for the evening service
on May 3. She will tell us of the many projects
she is involved in, especially the building of the
girls’ school. The Mission Team is inviting you
to come to the evening service, and then to stay
for fellowship time — you might have guessed
that we are having root beer floats! You won’t
want to miss any of this.
“IRON SHARPENS IRON” MEN’S CONFERENCE
Guys, don’t miss out on this special day! The “Iron Sharpens
Iron” men’s conference comes to Cedar Rapids on Saturday,
May 2, 8:30am – 4:55pm, at First Assembly of God. Go to
www.FocalPointMinistries.net for information or registration.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Please note that the church office will be closed on Monday,
May 25 in celebration of the Memorial Day holiday.
IN PURSUIT OF THE FRUIT
Since January, the Sonshine Singers have been on a superhero
adventure about the fruit of the Spirit. They invite you to join
them at Calvary Baptist Church at 6:00pm on Sunday, May 17, as
they present “The Agape League,”
which brings together the “Zap!
Pow! Zowee!” fun of the superhero
genre with the life-changing truth
of God’s Word empowered by the
Holy Spirit. When we submit our
lives to the Holy Spirit’s control,
He will supernaturally enable us to
demonstrate virtues that reflect our
identity in Christ. Invite your
friends and family members to come with you, so we all can
learn what it means to live our daily lives “in pursuit of the
fruit.”
REHEARSAL REMINDER
Sonshine Singers and parents, please make sure your calendars
are marked for our special rehearsal on Wednesday evening
May 13, from 6:30 to 8:00, and dress rehearsal on Saturday
morning, May 16, from 9:00 to noon.
PARENT-CHILD DEDICATION CEREMONY
A parent-child dedication ceremony is planned for the Sunday
morning worship service on Mother’s Day, May 10. If you
would like to participate in this public expression of your
commitment to “bring them up in the training and instruction of
the Lord,” please notify the church office by Sunday, May 3.
AWANA AWARDS SUPPER
The Awana year will conclude with a special awards night on
Wednesday, May 6, beginning at 6:30pm in the gym. All Awana
children and their families are invited to enjoy a supper
provided by the Awana leaders, followed by a program to
recognize the efforts of our clubbers and leaders.
AN EVENING OF WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC
An evening of worship through music is planned for Sunday, May
31, at 6:00pm. Musicians of all ages and all levels of experience
are invited to glorify the Lord through their use of the musical
abilities He has given them. We are looking for a variety of
music: vocal and instrumental; solos, duets, or small ensembles;
diverse styles, etc. If you would like to contribute a musical
offering of praise to the Lord, contact Pastor Mike.
May 2015
Sunday
3
9:00am
9:00am
10:00am
10:30am
Sunday School (Children/Youth)
Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s)
Inner Mission
Worship Service (Communion)
4:30pm Calvary Choir
6:00pm Sonshine Singers
6:00pm Jane van den Berg (Missionary
Guest Speaker)
10 Mother’s Day
Monday
Tuesday
4
5
6:00pm
Monday Night
Moms (MNMs)
9:15am MOPS
7:00pm
Men’s Small
Group
11
7:00pm Board of
Deacons Meeting
12
Wednesday
6
9:00am Staff Prayer
9:15am BSF
6:30pm Awana
Awards Night
6:30pm Youth
Groups and Adult
Prayer
13
Thursday
7
Friday
2
7:00pm-9:00am
Youth Guys
Overnighter
8:30am
“Iron Sharpens Iron”
Men’s Conference
at First Assembly
of God
8
9
10:00am-3:00pm
Positive
Impressions
National Day
of Prayer
6:00am Men’s Small
Group
12:00Noon-1:00pm
LCAE Prayer
Gathering at Greene
Square Park
14
15
9:00am Staff Prayer
9:00am
9:00am
10:00am
10:30am
Sunday School (Children/Youth)
Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s)
Inner Mission
Worship Service
(Parent-Child Dedication)
7:00pm Committee
and Ministry Team
Meetings
18
19
No Evening Church Activities
17
16
9:00am-Noon
Sonshine Singers
Dress Rehearsal
6:00am Men’s Small
Group
7:00pm
Men’s Small
Group
Saturday
1
6:30pm-8:00pm
Sonshine Singers
Rehearsal
6:30pm Youth
Groups and Adult
Prayer
20
21
22
23
29
30
9:00am Staff Prayer
9:00am
9:00am
10:00am
10:30am
2:00pm
Sunday School (Children/Youth)
Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s)
Inner Mission
Worship Service
Taylor Slippy’s Graduation
Open House in Youth Building
6:00pm Sonshine Singers present
“The Agape League”
24
Sunday School (Children/Youth)
Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s)
Inner Mission
Worship Service (Senior
Recognition)
2:00pm Reuben French’s Graduation
Open House in Youth Building
No Evening Church Activities
9:00am
9:00am
10:00am
10:30am
Sunday School (Children/Youth)
Adult Bible Classes (ABC’s)
Inner Mission
Worship Service
6:00pm An Evening of Worship Through
Music
9:15am MOPS
7:00pm Board of
Deacons Meeting
6:30pm Youth
Groups and Adult
Prayer
6:00am Men’s Small
Group
7:00pm
Men’s Small
Group
25
9:00am
9:00am
10:00am
10:30am
31
6:00pm
Monday Night
Moms (MNMs)
MEMORIAL
DAY
Church Office
Closed
1:00am-4:00pm
Jason Chung’s
Graduation
Open House in
Church
Fellowship Hall
(gym)
26
27
28
9:00am Staff Prayer
11:30am
6:30pm Youth
Salt & Pepper Club at
Groups and Adult
Ryans (church bus
Prayer
leaves at 11:00am)
6:00am Men’s Small
Group
1:00pm-3:00pm
Sarah Frey’s
Graduation Open
House at Frey’s
Home
Family Forum
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY
We extend our sympathy to Dan & Cindy Hauschildt, Dennis
& Leslie Lorenc, David & Donna Lorenc and family on the
death of Cindy, Leslie, and David’s father, Joe Lorenc, who
went home to be with the Lord on March 29.
BAPTISM
We praise the Lord for His gracious work in the lives of
Steven LeMont, Madison Jensen, and Natalie Matteson, who
were baptized Sunday morning, April 5.
NEW MEMBERS
Brian & Mooneen Gossett, Daniel Hunter, and Steve LeMont
were voted into the membership of Calvary Baptist Church on
April 19.
WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING
Two Calvary men are about to wed: Brad Tower to Cara Evans
and Aaron Graber to Ashley Kilpatrick. Let’s join in the fun of
a CARD SHOWER celebrating their commitment to a
Christian marriage by showering them with monetary gifts and
gift cards. Look for the wrapped wedding gift boxes at the
Welcome Center during the month of May.
2015 EASTER OFFERING
The 2015 Easter Offering was designated to help support a
mission team of about a dozen young people coming to Cedar
Rapids from the Beautiful Baptist Church of Tecate, Mexico.
We will be partnering with them July 24–31 in outreach to the
Hispanic community of our city, along with other service
projects. Contributions to the 2015 Easter Offering totaled
$3,080. Thank you for your generous gifts.
SIGN PROJECT
At the Annual Meeting on April 19, the congregation
approved the proposal to erect a new church sign. We want
this outreach tool to show the community that we care about
them, declare Biblical truth, and announce our activities and
times of services.
The sign is to be a two cabinet, two-sided digital sign located
along Johnson Avenue. The top cabinet will contain the
church name and logo. The lower cabinet will be a matrix of
LED pixels forming a programmable message board. Nesper
Signs of Cedar Rapids will build and install the sign for just
under $30,000.00. We have special envelopes available for
your gifts to the project. As money is received we will keep
you updated on the progress.
Because the price of the bid is time sensitive, we would like to
have the funds raised as soon as possible. Fabrication and
installation cannot begin until the funds are in hand.
EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION
Thank you for your most generous love
gift of $1,675! Wow! I had just been
thinking about the fact that I need to buy
clothes for the next several years for our
family before going back and wandering
how that was going to work since we
have spent a lot of money on my medical expenses for my
back/neck. When God provided this through you. Thank you!
You have indeed loved on us. With much gratitude,
Dan & Esther
What a joy it was for me to be a part of your Missions
Conference last month. Thank you for your kindness and
thank you for committing yourselves to world missions. Your
missions conference is one of the few remaining that really
takes the time and effort to get the whole church involved–that
is very refreshing! Kim and I want to thank you for your
gracious financial–it was a huge blessing for us and we really
appreciate your generosity. Thanks also for your continued
support and prayers. They mean so much to us. May God
continue to bless each one of you as we together shine brightly
for the Lord Jesus in a darkening world that desperately needs
the Savior. By His grace,
Craig & Kim Jentink
It was an absolute blessing to be a part of your Good Friday
service. My husband and I were so moved by the experience.
Thank you for choosing Bridgehaven to receive the generous
offering that evening. I was blown away by God’s goodness
and the hearts of those that filled the church. With
appreciation,
Chelsey McDill
Thank you for participating in Bridgehaven’s 2015 Baby
Bottle Boomerang! Your congregation has joined over 40
churches, businesses, and youth groups in praying for and
supporting the ministry. Your generous donations of loose
change, cash, and checks are so appreciated. So far, you have
returned 73 bottles. You are making an eternal impact by
supporting our work of empowering choices for life, and we
wanted to share some exciting news with you. Donations
given by Calvary Baptist totaled $1,281.98. Total donations
received from all organizations was $55,100.93. Thank you
for being a part of the amazing work God is doing through this
simple effort! More than sending out baby bottles and
receiving back essential funds for the ministry, Baby Bottle
Boomerang is a way to share the life-affirming message found
in God’s Word, and the love and grace that Christ
demonstrated while on earth. Your support is vital to this
ministry and your partnership is cherished. Together, we are
empowering choices for life through Christ-centered education
and support. As we provide a safe place for women and men
facing unplanned pregnancies, they are able to experience
God’s love and receive hope. Thank you for helping share this
hope and investing in life!
Jessica Bass, Development Director
Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center
Upcoming Activities
POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS
Positive Impressions is scheduled for Saturday, May 9,
10:00am–3:00pm in Room #23/24. 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.
SALT & PEPPER CLUB
The Salt & Pepper Club (retirees) will meet Tuesday, May 26,
11:30am at Ryan’s. The church bus will leave from the church
parking lot at 11:00am. The buffet cost is $6.99 (plus $2.29
for a drink, if desired) plus tax. The suggested 15% gratuity
may be left on the table. For more information, please contact
Nadene Roberts or Marilyn Seamans. We will benefit from the
following presentation shortly after noon.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OPEN HOUSES
Jason Chung – Monday, May 25 from 1:00am-4:00pm in
Church Fellowship Hall (gym)
Reuben French – Sunday, May 24 from 2:00pm-4:00pm in
Youth Building
Sarah Frey – Saturday, May
30 from 1:00pm-3:00pm at
Jerry & Cindy Frey’s home, 61
E. Cemetery Road, Fairfax
Taylor Slippy – Sunday, May
17 from 2:00pm-4:00pm in
Youth Building
Most believers lose sight of this story after the New Testament
account. Their knowledge and appreciation of the subject ends
with John and Revelation. But, for us to go beyond this point
in history is beneficial both from the standpoint of sheer
interest and also for the bolstering of faith it affords. Hence,
this brief account of a vast topic—some roughly 1600 years of
church history.
Our Outline
 Beyond the New Testament Account—How It All Begins
for Christianity and the Church
 Constantine and the 300’s—Christianity Takes Over and
Merges mostly into Catholicism
 Major World Events Have Impact
 Doctrinal Errors Creep in—and, “Salvation”?
 The Protestant Reformation
 A Counter-Catholic Reformation and Reaction
 England Breaks Away—The Church of England
 Christianity and Its Reformation Come to America
 And, All Along—The Baptists
 Some Final Reflections
COLLEGE GRADUATION
Congratulations to Ty Slippy on receiving his Bachelor of
Science degree in Information Systems & Bible from Grace
College. Graduation ceremony will be held on May 9.
GRADUATION
Congratulations to Sharon (Potter) Mitchler on receiving her
Doctorate of Philosophy in English from University of
Washington in March 2015. Graduation ceremony will be held
on June 4.
VOICES OF HOPE COMMUNITY CHOIR
Would you like the opportunity to sing in a choir but can’t
make a long-term commitment? Can you do about 5 weeks?
Voices of Hope, a community choir sponsored by Serve the
City, will present the patriotic musical “One Nation Under God”
Tuesday through Thursday, June 30–July 2, at 7:00pm each
evening, at New Covenant Bible Church. Rehearsals also will
be at New Covenant on Wednesday evenings (8:00–9:30) from
May 27 through June 24; Saturday, June 13, 8:00am–11:45am;
and Monday, June 29, at 7:00pm. There are usually about a
dozen singers from Calvary in a choir of about 100 singers
from churches throughout our metropolitan area. If you would
like to sing in Voices of Hope or would like more information,
please contact Pastor Mike.
VBS: CAMP KILIMANJARO
June 15–19, 9:00am–11:30am
For children Alternative Kindergarten (AK)
through 6th grade. We need lots of
volunteers! Call Donna Jentink at 390-2516
or email [email protected], if you're willing
to help even for just one day.
A survey study…
Christianity and the Church
After the first century through the Reformation
by Bob Ask
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
May 1-2
Youth Guys Overnighter
7:00pm-9:00am
May 20
INREACH – Sr High
May 20
New 7th Graders night with Jr High
May 24
Senior Recognition
June 12
Adventureland Trip
June 15-19 VBS
June 22-27 SEMP
July 1
Voices of Hope Concert
July 12
Summer Sizzler
July 12-17 Jr High Camp
July 19-24 Sr High Camp
July 24-31 Spanish Ministry w/friends from Tecate
ATTENTION: 6th GRADERS WELCOME PARTY
Starting Wednesday, May 20, the youth who are completing
6th grade are invited to come on Wednesday evenings to the
Junior High youth group, which meets in the youth building
from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
ADVENTURELAND TRIP
A junior high and senior high trip to Adventureland is planned
for Friday, June 12, from 8:00am to 9:00pm. Cost is $30 plus
money for two meals. Permission slip and $30 are due
Sunday, May 31.
SPRING VALLEY BIBLE CAMP DATES
July 5–10
Intermediate Camp (grades 5 & 6)
July 12–17
Junior High Camp (grades 7 & 8)
July 19–24
Senior High Camp (grades 9–12)
July 26–31
Junior Camp (grades 3 & 4)
Cost is $225. Early registration will save
you some money! If registered by May 24
with full payment, cost is $200. Spring
Valley Bible Camps $25 discount only
applies to early registrations. To meet the
camp’s early registration deadline, you
will need to have your registration form
and $160 to the church office by
Sunday, May 24. If you register
through the church office, Calvary
will provide a $40 subsidy for
each child entering grades 3–
12 (or just graduating from
grade 12) who is a regular
participant in our church
programs. If financial assistance is
needed please notify church office.
Brochures with registration forms are available in
the church foyer. Please make checks payable to Calvary
Baptist Church. Call the church office (396-3233) for
additional information.
Option 1:
Register through church office by May 24.
$200 Amount due to Spring Valley Bible Camp by
registering by May 24
-$40 Calvary Baptist Church Subsidy
$160 Registration Form along with total payment
Option 2:
Register through church office after May 24.
$225 Amount due to Spring Valley Bible Camp if
you do not register early with total payment
-$40 Calvary Baptist Church Subsidy
$185 Total payment if you register after May 24
Multi-camper family discount! For those families who have
multiple children coming to Spring Valley we would like to
offer a discount. If you register two campers at the cost of full
registration, the third and each additional child will cost $125.
VERB226 FAMILY CAMP
(Spring Valley Bible Camp in Muscatine, IA)
July 31-August 2
When your kids come home from camp, do you ever find
yourself wishing you could have come to camp with them?
Are you looking for something fun to do with your
family? This is your chance! We are excited to
invite you to our first VERB226 Family Camp.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will not
turn from it.” We want to provide an
opportunity for families to experience
camp together, worshipping and
learning about God together and
being in fellowship with other
Christian families. Families will be
challenged to “DO
SOMETHING” with their faith,
following the theme for the
youth summer camps found in
James 1:22, “Do not merely
listen to the word and so deceive
yourselves. Do what it says.”
Information and registration forms for
Spring Valley Bible Camp’s VERB226 Family Camp are
available at the Welcome Center.
LADIES CAMP AT SPRING VALLEY
June 5-7, 2015
The women of Grace Baptist Church in Des Moines are
excited to be hosting Spring Valley Women’s Bible Camp
2015. We are looking forward to the opportunity to get to
know and share with women from other churches. Those of
you who have attended Ladies Camp in the past know it is a
weekend of FUN, FOOD, and FELLOWSHIP. Come join us
this year for “LET IT GO!” We will consider what we may
need to surrender or accept in order to experience the
abundant life God has for us.
Our special speaker is Sarah Stevenson. Sarah lives in Ames
and serves a Women’s Ministry Care and Counselor at
Cornerstone Church in Ames. She has been married to her
husband, Greg, for 33 years. They have three adult children,
their spouses and six plus grandchildren. Sarah is passionate
about encouraging women in their walk with Jesus Christ. She
cherishes time with her family and friends and enjoys the
beauty of God’s creation, the arts, swimming and bicycling.
Registration forms are at the Welcome Center. Registration
deadline is May 25.
May Birthdays
1 Mike Hauptly
Allison Jensen
Aliyah Walker
3 Taylor Bredenberg
Jenni Chung
6 Neal Armstrong
7 Jerry Frey
8 Gary Hensch
9 Lori Abben Goodwin
Simeon Johnson
10 Heidi Hauptly
11 Donald Winchester III
Joey Goodwin
13 Phyllis Linkenback
14 Chris Jones
16 Janice Tomash
Verne Johnson
Troy Patton
Cindy Parks
17 Ashlynn Heskje
18 Bob Ask
19 Abigail Hauptly
20 Carl Fields
Sue Graham
21 Steve Howard
23 Joe Napier
24 Val Vogeler
Caden Jacobs
Jackson Goodwin
Jason Goodwin
25 Neil Bredenberg
Brianna Taylor
26 Sadie Hanna
28 Ron Ehrle
30 Linda Pearson
Jenn Pearson
Anton Sandersfeld
31 Cheryl Van Zile
Brittany Ryon
Connections (USPS 086-000)
Periodicals
Postage Paid at
Cedar Rapids, IA
Published monthly by
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
5338 Johnson Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 396-3233
(Periodicals Postage Paid at Cedar Rapids, IA)
POSTMASTER: send address changes to Connections,
5338 Johnson Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.
Library News
WHO ARE THE SPECIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE?
God blesses our lives with some people who truly are special.
Although we may tend to focus on the limitations of people
with “special needs,” they are precious to God, and He can
work through them to produce exceptional results in the lives
of family members and others who are privileged to have a
relationship with them. Two new books in our church library
give testimony to this reality.
In “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage,
and a Story of Unconditional Love,” Scott LeRette tells the
story of his son, Austin, an eighteen-year-old who has a rare
brittle-bone disease, was locked in a mental ward as a child,
and is autistic. It weaves a beautiful and often humorous tale
of Austin’s joyful embrace of life’s tragedies and triumphs and
how he teaches his father—and others—to have faith in God
and trust that one day life’s messes will all make sense.
“Dancing with Max: A Mother and Son
Who Broke Free” is the true story of
Emily Colson, a single mother who has
faced life’s toughest obstacles. This is also
the story of her nineteen-year-old autistic
son, Max, a young man who struggles to
speak, who some professionals deemed a
waste of time, but a young man with a gift.
Emily shows how Max unraveled the thinking of those who
tried to teach him and help him, demonstrating that seemingly
weak people can be more powerful than the strong. This is a
real life story of grace and second chances and fresh starts in
spite of life’s hardest problems. It will inspire you to “get up
and live,” to break free of the barriers that threaten to constrict
your life.
Do you have an inquisitive child whose incessant questions
sometimes leave you stumped? Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge, of
Answers in Genesis, offer help for you with their 6-volume set
of the “Answers Book for Kids,” which we have just added to
the children’s section of our library.
 22 Questions from Kids on Creation and the Fall
 22 Questions from Kids on Dinosaurs and the Flood of
Noah
 22 Questions from Kids on God and the Bible
 22 Questions from Kids on Sin, Salvation, and the
Christian Life
 22 Questions from Kids on Space and Astronomy
 22 Questions from Kids on Babel and the Ice Age