Calvin Caller – Spring 2026
CALVIN CALLER… Calvin Church News
From the Pastor’s Desk…
A number of years ago, Nick Brown and I found ourselves in a field. This wasn’t just any field. We were in the intense Nicaraguan sun, digging up, by hand, a huge stump that needed to be removed. It was full sun and truly challenging work, with no shade surrounding us. After many hours, we were finally successful, but we were both exhausted from the work and we paid a price. We were probably not too far away from passing out.
Often life can feel this way. Work causes stress, families keep us busy, and we can easily feel discouraged by challenges we face. We all have anxiety about things happening in our lives and it can feel like we are stuck out in a field, with no shade, facing what feels like an impossible task.
We just finished up a series on the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is what theologians call “Wisdom Literature.” Wisdom often comes from those who have experienced the ups and downs of life. Most cultures honor the elderly for this very reason. They have navigated the tough waters that we face and perhaps learned some valuable lessons along the way. Many Psalms begin with a problem. The author cries out to God because they are facing a “full sun” sort of moment. Often this time of crying out is balanced with a promise from God. The author is in need of wisdom.
One Psalm that we didn’t preach on but was high on the list was Psalm 91. Psalm 91 is unique because it does not begin with a problem. It begins with a promise. It says “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Our church is a busy place, filled with people. We are in the final weeks of many ministries. We are walking through a season of lent. There is a building project looming. We continue to reach out into the community. We are also busy caring for each other. Many people have many needs, and many people have many expectations, so I find myself, at times, feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with and meet those expectations.
It is in those times that I am feeling overwhelmed when these words from Psalm 91 often come to my mind. I find myself coming back to these words of wisdom and this promise of God often. I wish I could offer a silver bullet solution to the chaos of life, but I don’t have that ability. God has something much better to offer us: rest, refuge, and protection. Our job is to trust him despite the chaos around us, to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. What Scripture do you turn to in times of chaos in life? Have you shared that with someone?
~ Pastor Brian Kingshott
Faithful Family Verse of the Month…
We use a designated verse(s) in some way during worship on a monthly basis. Our hope is that this verse(s) will go home with you and be in your heart and mind during each month. You will find our monthly verse used in various ways during the month. You can find this focus verse in the bulletin, on Facebook, and on our website. Let’s keep digging into God’s Word together.
Fellowship…
Fellowship continues to be a meaningful tradition at Calvin with so many people contributing their, time, skill, and resources. We thank the congregation for their involvement supplying 27 soups for “Souper Bowl” Sunday and 26 salads for the Spring Salad Luncheon/Potluck. We also wish to thank the Early Morning Coffee Hosts, the Coffee Fellowship Hosts, the Youth Group Snack Providers, as well as those who volunteer to plan and prepare meals during special events. You are ALL appreciated!
Upcoming Events:
- Easter Breakfast: Sunday, April 5. Serving 8:30 – 9:45 AM.
- Mother’s Day Breadfast: Sunday, May 10. Serving 8:30 – 9:45 AM.
- Father’s Day Breadfast: Sunday, June 21. Serving 8:30 – 9:45 AM.
~ Bert VanAndel, Fellowship Coordinator
Hearts & Hands…
Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
Easter bags for Special Friends (homebound) have been placed in the narthex again this year. Thank you for joining with us in filling these bags with items that will bring joy to those who are homebound. They not only enjoy the treats, but they are also reminded of our love and care for them.
We are grateful for the Pickleball group that meets in our Family Life Center and who generously contribute financially to our support for many faith-based organizations. The following donations from the Pickleball Fund were approved in January, February, and March:
Calvinist Cadet Corp Muskegon Pregnancy Services
Supper House Mobile Food Pantry of Calvin
Calvin Church (utilities) Muskegon Rescue Mission
Many of the ministries of Hearts & Hands could not be carried out without the help of all of you. Some of these include baby baskets, get well baskets, Easter bags, prayer quilts, cards, phone calls, and visits. Thank you to all of you who provide financial support and who share your gifts and talents to help us in our mission to show love and support to our church family.
If you are interested in getting more involved in the work of Hearts & Hands, please plan to join us at our next meeting. It will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Fireside Room. We will welcome you!
~ Antje Waldo, Secretary
Connection Card…
- Would you like more info on a ministry?
- Do you have a prayer request you’d like to share?
- Do you have a change in contact info or a new family photo for the directory?
All this information can be shared through our connection card.
Click the QR Code in the printed bulletin to access or feel free to fill out a printed copy located at the Info Center.
Beautifying the Church…
“The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledoves is heard in our land.” Song of Solomon 2:12
This verse reminds us that Spring has arrived and the beauty and fragrance of the flowers are God’s gifts to us.
Flower gardeners, if you are willing to share your fresh flowers with the Calvin family, please sign your name on the sign-up sheet at the Info Center. The flowers can be in memory of a loved one, in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, any special occasion, or just because. If you have any questions, please contact Maryann Wolffis or Vickie Curtis.
We have been blessed with weekly flower arrangements throughout the year and look forward to having vases of fresh flowers in the coming months.
Thank you!
~ Maryann Wolffis and the Calvin Decor Team
God Did It!
While we were serving at the Bradenton World Renew Disaster Reconstruction site earlier this year we encountered some unstable housing. Here is a bit of our story…
After the city would not allow us to stay at the local Baptist church, World Renew scrambled to find housing for the 20-member team who arrived January 17. For two weeks we stayed in 3 VRBOs within two miles of each other. There were challenges but they were resolved. Because of your prayers we were not homeless the last week of our assignment. In mid-February the team moved to a Retreat Camp east and south of Bradenton. We had our challenges there when the well pump broke that evening, but we got it fixed relatively quickly. The camp was a long way to the homes our crews were repairing as most of them were in coastal areas. Drive time of 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Team 2 then arrived and the housing looked good for them after we cleaned and repaired furnaces (it got down to 32 degrees).
Team 2 will stay at the camp uninterrupted, but Team 3 will have to vacate for 4 days to make room for a scheduled retreat. The camp was beautiful and our only rowdy neighbors were the cows and roosters.
Thank you for your prayers! We saw miracles!
~ Ric & Dee Scott
We could use your help!
Are you interested in helping tear-down/set-up the Family Life Center for worship during our upcoming construction? We aren’t sure what this will all entail yet, but if you are at all interested, please add your name to the list on the bulletin board by the drinking fountain.
Spring Life Groups…
Do you have an idea for our Spring Life Groups? They will be starting the week of April 12! Life Groups are groups of 8-15 people that will meet for six weeks, once a week. The groups will focus on various areas of ministry, service, faith learning, fellowship, and Biblical understanding. If you have an idea or would like to lead a group, please see Pastor Mark or Pastor Brian.
Words from the Cross…
Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Lord Jesus, thank you for your words to the criminal from the cross. I am both the criminal who insulted you and the one who believed in you. You could have climbed down from the cross, but because you loved your people—because you loved me—you stayed put. In these difficult days, I take great comfort in your words, “you will be with me in paradise.” In your sovereign name, Jesus Christ, Amen.
This is part of the TODAY Devotional from earlier in March. It’s one of my favorite passages! It has always struck me so deeply. Then this prayer identifying as both criminals… just wow! Picturing myself hanging on the cross next to Jesus is so powerful. The Third Day song, “Thief” brings it to life and helps make it so personal.
Take a listen… https://youtu.be/whGqv97rsMg?si=qkwxAjloo4UEsZ1n
As we continue to be challenged to share our stories during this Lenten season, remember to fill out your “What’s Your Story” prompts and place them at the cross in the front of the Sanctuary (during offering, before or after worship, anytime during the week). Extra copies of each prompt are available. Stay tuned to what is coming next…
~ Vickie Curtis, Administrative Assistant
Family Promise…
From a male caller to the Family Promise hotline: “Do you know what it is like to be a single dad on the street? You are supposed to be the provider, and here you are trying to take care of a sick kid in a car, while working…. Everyone talks about how hard single moms work, and they do, but at least agencies will help them. There is no place that will help a single dad without a place to stay. So, kids get taken away from hard working dads, and my kid loses the only stable parent in their life to go live with some stranger that I can’t trust”
Recently Family Promise of the Lakeshore was able to work with two single fathers. Each of their cases is unique. One has been with his children since birth, and the other had his very sick child dropped off on his doorstep a few months ago when the mother abandoned the child. In both cases, the fathers were unable to access any other shelter, due to the fact that their household did not include a female who was the children’s legal guardian. Men’s shelters don’t take children. Both fathers had a strong work history, and stable housing, before having to quit their job to take care of their children. In both cases, the schools reached out to Family Promise when the children reported they were sleeping in their cars.
The housing first shelter model at Family Promise will allow these dads to stay in a safe place with their children. Family Promise was able to establish treatment for their child’s medical condition as well as connect them with daycare benefits, so that they can get back to work. These fathers also benefit from having a stable address so that they can apply for work, and disability for their children. Both fathers were blessed to be given a launching pad of stability, so they can work to get back on their feet. Family Promise is unique in being able to serve single fathers and mothers equally.
Please consider supporting this vital, local ministry, which is so valuable to families, with your financial gifts. Providing meals throughout the year is another way to serve this ministry. You can give through our Offering of the Day as they occur or directly by sending a gift to Family Promise of the Lakeshore, 2160 Crozier Ave., Muskegon, MI 49441.
~ Bonnie and Carl Bergman, Family Promise Board Members
~ Lucile Hackett, Church Coordinator
Muskegon Pregnancy Services Volunteer Opportunities…
(From MPS website) ‘Muskegon Pregnancy Services opened in 1985 as a non-profit, serving women and families, mentoring new fathers, and empowering the next generation to choose healthy relationships.
When a woman walks through the doors of Muskegon Pregnancy Services, she is welcomed with compassion, respect, and genuine care. Our team provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment where she can feel safe sharing her concerns, asking questions, and exploring her options.
We are committed to meeting each individual with empathy and understanding, offering encouragement and practical resources that help her move forward with confidence and hope for the future.’
If you would like to be a part of this worthwhile ministry, here is a list of the many opportunities for volunteering at MPS!
CLIENT SERVICES
- Female or male advocate (requires training)
- Baby boutique
RECEPTION
- Greet clients and obtain information (requires training)
- Answer client calls and take messages (requires training)
- Perform various administrative duties
FACILITIES & GROUNDS
- Perform maintenance in the building
- Clean the building
- Gardening, landscaping, raking
SPECIAL OPS TEAM
- Be “on call” to help with projects periodically such as phone calls, mailings, counting baby bottle change, and/or any needed helpful tasks
If any of these volunteer opportunities interest you, please reach out to MPS by calling 231-726-2677 or emailing mpsoutreach@bestoptions.org.
RightNow Media
This is a streaming library of the world’s largest biblical video resources for the entire family that inspire faith every day of the week. Click the QR code in the printed bulletin or text CALVINCRC to 49775 for easy access to the video library anytime, anywhere, browse the content available to you and find series that are relevant to your life.
Church Directory Info…
Our church directory tells a story.
Every name, every photo, every phone number is a thread in the beautiful tapestry of our church family. These are the people who show up—week after week, year after year—serving, worshiping, praying, and growing together. Behind each entry is a life touched by grace, and a heart committed to the body of Christ.
We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the stories within our congregation. To see not just names, but legacies of faith, love, and fellowship.
- If you have changes (address, phone, email, etc.) for the directory during the year, please let Vickie know and updates will be put in this section of the seasonal Calvin Caller (but will not be included in the Calvin Caller on the website).
- Have you updated your family photo recently? If your answer is yes, we would like to include it in our Online Directory! Please take a moment to email it to Vickie in the office at curtis@calvin-crc.org.
- The Online Church Directory is very user friendly! Call, text or send an email right from the app on your smartphone. All info is updated regularly. Download the app and get started today! Call/Email the office or stop in if you need instructions.
- I encourage you to see the directory as a living document, reflecting our congregation’s dynamic nature. Please help me keep it updated! ~ Thanks Vickie