CALVIN CHURCH’S WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Below are our congregational announcements for the week of April 4th – April 11th. (***Please be sure to check out the updated calendar for April that’s attached)
A Lenten Prayer – Week 5
A Prayer for Renewal:
“Almighty God, create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
May this Lenten season bring spiritual growth and a deeper connection with You.
Amen.”
Bible Study Continues – Thurs. Apr. 3 (Updated)
Our current 5-part bible based on the life of the Old Testament’s Joseph continues today, Thurs. Apr. 3, with in-person afternoon sessions @ 1:00 p.m. and online evening session @ 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM. This Lenten study, entitled “A Journey with Joseph” will focus on the Joseph’s life, and the challenge of striving to do what’s right even when it’s hard. We hope you will make plans to join us for this study! (Please see the attached poster for more details.)
For those planning to join us for our online evening Sessions, please use the link below to join each Thursday night (we will be using this same link each week for the duration of the study, and it will be recirculated each week in our regular weekly announcements).
The LINK to join our Faith Study on Worship is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89453741698?pwd=LWSjiaMoJTMiza5KbWQrkeIH9l7vMw.1
Meeting ID: 894 5374 1698
Passcode: 975600
Calvin Crafters – Sat. Apr. 5: (Last Reminder!)
Just a reminder that the Calvin Crafters will be meeting on Sat. Apr 5 @ 1-3 p.m. to enjoy a time of crafting and fellowship together. So whether you knit, crochet, sew, or do any other sort of craft you’re invited to bring your current project and join us. All are welcome!
Choir Rehearsal: (Updated!)
This week, the choir will be meeting at 9:00am in the back meeting room downstairs for this week. All are welcome to come, and join, and to share in Calvin’s music ministry!
Hymn Sing – Sun. Apr. 6: (Last Reminder!)
Come join us for our monthly Congregational Hymn Sing, which will take place again this Sun. Apr. 6 just prior to worship beginning at @ 10:45 a.m. Come early and enjoy singing some of your favourite hymns to God’s praise!
Eldership Ordination & welcoming new members – Sun. Apr. 6: (Last Reminder!)
On Sun. Apr. 6 we will be officially welcoming a number of people who have recently become a part of the congregation, and ordaining newly elected elders on to our Session. Our New (and in some cases ‘returning’) elders include: Alice Cail, Murdena Dupont, Jemma MacKay, Peter Ndiforchu, David Parker, & Kaitlyn Power. We pray you will come and support them, and our new members, as a part of our church family!
First of the Month Fellowship Luncheon – Sun. Apr. 6: (Last Reminder!)
Just a reminder that Sun. Feb. 2 will be the first Sunday of the month, and that on the first Sunday of the month we invite everyone to bring potluck goodies to share during our time of fellowship downstairs following the worship service.
Men’s Breakfast – Sat. Apr. 12: (New)
A men’s breakfast has been planned for Sat. Apr. 12 @ 9:00 a.m. at the I.H.O.P at 80 Hogan Ct, Bedford. To help ensure enough seating is reserved, those interested in attending are asked to sign-up, on the sign-up sheet located on the table outside the sanctuary. Our organizer, Don Ambler, is hoping to connect with previous attendees via email with reminders. So…if you get an email from aquashed@eastlink.ca don’t be alarmed, it’s only Don!
Rightnow MEDIA is coming!: (Updated)
Calvin’s 1-year subscription to ‘rightnow MEDIA’ (an online education resource with access to a library of Bible Study videos, as well as biblical videos on topics like marriage, parenting, youth, children’s programming, recovery, leadership, finances, mental health, loss, and much more) is set to begin on Sun. Apr. 6. The goal is to try to provide increased opportunity for all of us to explore and to deepen our faith journey with God. As a part of Calvin’s 1-year subscription, those who have agreed to, will be receiving an email invite from ‘rightnow MEDIA’ to set up their own free access to the site and its resources as a part of our congregation. That email will arrive in your email in-box on Sun. Apr. 6! *
Next Service of Holy Communion – PALM SUNDAY, Apr. 13: (New)
Our next regular celebration of Holy Communion will be held on Sun. Apr 13 @ 11:00 a.m. Like our last communion service we will continue to try to respect the various levels of comfort within the congregation regarding the passing of common elements. As such, the Session would again ask that you please note the following:
- For those interested, or wishing for a gluten-free option, gluten-free self-serve communion sets will be available, and can be picked up on a table outside the sanctuary prior to worship on your way in. Please be sure to pick yours up in preparation for later in the service.
- For those comfortable with receiving the elements as per our pre-Covid practice, trays of bread pieces and communion cups will be circulated during worship as a part of celebrating the Lord’s Supper. (if you have already picked a self-serve set, please simply pass the trays along to the person beside you)
Good Friday Worship Service:
This year we will be holding a special Good Friday worship service on Fri. Apr. 18 @ 10:00 a.m. If you would be willing to take part, please see the special sign-up sheet for scripture readers on the table outside the Sanctuary!
Easter Sunday Pancake Breakfast!: (New)
This year we will be holding a pancake breakfast on Sunday, April 20th at 9:45am! If you would like to attend, please use the special sign-up sheet on the table outside the Sanctuary so that we can anticipate how many people will be coming!
Children’s ministries:
Our congregation’s Nursery (ages 0-4 yrs.), Sunday School (Primary – Grade 6), and Youth programming (Grades 7-12), are available each Sunday during worship. Nursery-age children can be dropped off prior downstairs in the nursery prior to worship beginning at 10:50 a.m.. Older Sunday School and Youth Group age children are invited to take part in the first part of our worship time, before leaving to go downstairs to their respective programs during the passing of the peace (which most often accompanies the ‘Assurance of Pardon’ in the bulletins). Parents are asked to please help keep older children out of the nursery prior to Sunday School starting to allow the nursery-age children space.
Sign Up sheets for those interested in reading Scripture or leading in prayer:
Sign-up sheets for May 2025 – August 2025 are now on the table in the Narthex for anyone interested in signing up to either read scripture OR to lead in prayer during one of our Sunday worship services. Having different people share their voices, words, perspectives and prayers in worship has been a real blessing, and our hope is that you might consider sharing yours!\
Senior’s Friendship Group:
The Seniors’ Friendship Group is currently meeting each Wed. from 1 – 3 p.m. in the church hall. It’s a fun social time of games and good conversation and you’re invited!
Food Cupboard:
Helpful items you can donate include: canned meat (Flakes of Tuna/Chicken/Ham/Spam) Paper Towel/Toilet Paper bars of soap and toothpaste – dishwashing soap, Kraft Dinner canned soup and vegetables and pet food. Please see the donation box in the narthex or speak with Allison Power (patpower@eastlink.ca or 902-445-9161) or any member of the Mission and Outreach Team.
Pastoral Care Team:
If you know someone in the congregation that could benefit from hearing from their Church Family please contact Tracy Koslowski (tracy.koslowski@icloud.com or 902-448-0828). Cards will be sent from the pastoral care team to those who are identified as grieving, celebrating a special occasion, or a thinking of you or get well wish.
Bulletin Dedications:
You can now, once again, place dedications into the bulletins in celebration or memory of a special event or individual. Dedications can be made using the printed form on the table just outside the sanctuary, or online, at a suggested donation of $15 (which is used to offset printing costs). And if you don’t have $15, don’t worry. Just give what you can.
For those wishing to submit an please email the church at calvinhalifax@bellaliant.com.
(***PLEASE NOTE that online dedications must be submitted no later than the Wednesday immediately prior the Sunday on which they are intended to the printed)
Breakfast Program
Items needed on a weekly basis include cereal, granola bars, puddings, individual wrapped snacks, arrowroot cookies, fruit (applesauce, mandarin oranges, peaches, pears, fruit cocktail), pancake mix (just add water), oats, and 1L juices (apple, orange, fruit mixture). We currently support 21 families, (over 44 children) on a weekly basis. If you would like to donate with your offering, please note “Mission and Outreach Breakfast Program” with your contribution. Any questions about this program – please contact Allison Power (patpower@eastlink.ca or 902-445-9161)
Prayer Chain:
Brittany Power has stepped into the role of overseeing the Prayer Chain! So, for items to be added to the Prayer Chain, please email prayerchain@calvinhalifax.ca or speak to Brittany (902-449-7715). Please ensure you have permission from the individual to have their name added to the list. Updates are also appreciated! All requests are kept in confidence. We currently have a team of 16 who pray for those requested. If you feel called to be part of the Prayer Chain Team – please speak to Brittany Power or Rev. Mike Koslowski.
Remember the Halifax West Ecumenical Food Bank!
Donations of non-perishable food items to the Food Bank can be placed in the shopping cart just inside the front doors of the church. Monetary donations should be earmarked ‘Food Bank’ and can be placed into the offering plates on any Sunday morning. If you would like to donate directly, monetary donations in the form of cash or cheques can be sent to their Treasurer, Russell Cooper, at 33 Chartwell Lane, Halifax, NS, B3M 3S7. Cheques should be made payable to the Halifax West Ecumenical Food Bank. They will also accept e-transfers at the e-mail address halifaxwestfoodbank@gmail.com. If you could leave your address in the comment section (or return address on posted donations), they will be sure to issue a tax receipt.
Who’s Who at Calvin
Not sure who’s who, or who to reach out and direct your questions to? Below are just some of those involve in leading our ministry here together at Calvin:
Minister: Rev. Michael Koslowski, B.A., M. Div.
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Dr. W. G. S. (Sydney) McDonald, B.A., D.D.
Elder Emeritus: Murray MacDonald
Music Director: Faith Daley, B.A., B.Ed.
Interim Clerk of Session: Lilla Tanner
Envelope Secretary: Dan Campbell
Ministry Team Leaders
Worship and Congregational Life: Rev. Michael Koslowski
Mission & Outreach: Allison Power
Personnel & Ministry Opportunities: Lilla Tanner
Finance and Stewardship: Pam MacFarlane
Property & Maintenance: Marian Smith
Prayer Chain, Contact: Brittany Power
Pastoral Care: Rev. Michael Koslowski
Peace,
Rev. Michael Koslowski
Calvin Presbyterian Church
3311 Ashburn Ave., Halifax N.S.
(o) 902-455-7435 (c) 902-402-6747
