During fall 2018 Session meetings, Session members discussed and agreed that church policies and procedures needed clarification as we continue to transition into ECO. Session then voted to form a committee, the CBC, to research past committee manuals, talk with committee chairs, staff, and others. The committee members were charged with reorganizing and rewriting guidelines where needed so that a solid understanding of church operation can be available to all. The good news is that much of our history has been preserved in our notebooks… we do not have to reinvent the wheel!  We only ..read more

Jazz Service Planned for July 29 at First & Calvary The 13th Jazz Service at First & Calvary will be held in the Sanctuary on July 29 at 11:00am, and will be the only service held that day. The worship service music will be played by Dave Gravatt and the Creole Jazz Band with Gary Ellison playing piano and telling the stories of the great gospel songs.  The annual Mardi Gras jazz service was scheduled for the past February, on the Sunday of the ice storm that shut down most of Springfield.  The Jazz Service was played as usual, even though Ellison fell on the ice entering t ..read more

The Table Resumes at First & Calvary Our Wednesday evenings at First & Calvary center around a family meal, which we affectionately call The Table. The Table will resume on August 22, and will run through November 14. Dinner is served continuously between 5:30-6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.  The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children (ages 3-10), with a family cap of $15; children under three and college students are free.  Following dinner, there are opportunities for children, youth, and adults to develop their faith from 6:00-7:00 pm.   ..read more

First & Calvary Youth Choir Trip -- A Success TWENTY-TWO HUNDRED:  The number of miles our Youth Choir traveled together last week. OVER FIVE HUNDRED:  The number of people who heard our message in song and word. SEVEN:  The number of days we spent together on a bus, and the number of "family devotionals" we shared together. SIX:  The number of states we traveled through and the number of concerts/worship services we presented. NOT MUCH:  The amount of sleep we got while on the trip. TWENTY-EIGHT:  The number of amazing First & Calvary Youth Choir members ..read more

Harmony House Christmas in July Please help in making Christmas a joyous time for women and their children who will be spending Christmas in Harmony House, away from physical and verbal abuse and neglect. Gifts are being collected in July, wrapped, and then delivered to Harmony House in December. A table will be set up outside the church office in July to accept new gifts for Harmony House. The generous Christmas our church has helped to give them is appreciated by the mothers, children, and staff.  No used items will be accepted. New items needed include: For children ages 1-16: Shoe ..read more

"Noel" --  A Special Music Event in Worship Join us for "Noel", a special music event in combined worship on Sunday morning, December 10.  This special music offering will feature First & Calvary's Chancel Choir, Youth Choir, Modern Worship Team, Orchestra, soloists, and narrators offering their gifts to inspire you as we celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior.  There will be two identical services at 8:30am and 11:00am in our gym.  There will be NO sanctuary worship on December 10.  Join us for this special worship event!   ..read more

The 85th Annual Candlelight Musical Service Join us on Sunday evening, December 17 at 5:00pm in the beautiful sanctuary at First & Calvary for the 85th Annual Candlelight Musical service.  This magical service will feature all of our dedicated First & Calvary choirs and instill the true meaning of Christmas in each of us.  The service begins at 5:00 pm.  Doors open at 4:15 pm.  If you would like to make cookies for the Candlelight reception, please deliver them to the church kitchen by Sunday, December 17.  ..read more

Celebrate! With Breakfast in Bethlehem   Start Advent on the right camel ...foot by joining us and inviting others to a morning filled with a yummy breakfast, our kids sharing their Christmas musical, singing of Christmas carols, making crafts and decorating and lighting the Christmas tree! RSVP to Kiki by 11/30 with # of adults and # of kids — k.eldridge@firstandcalvary.org ..read more

Christmas Poinsettias   Poinsettias are now available to order. This tradition allows the congregation to help adorn the church during the Christmas season. An order form will be included in next week's Review, and  will also be available at the welcome desk, and in the bulletin beginning November 19. The deadline for ordering is Sunday, November 27. Completed forms and checks with Poinsettia in the memo line should be placed in the depository drop box or turned into the office. The cost for each poinsettia is $15 and the dedications will be printed in an upcoming edition of the Revi ..read more

Downsizing?  Donations Collected at First and Calvary for Great Circle Any extra items you need to move out of your house can help a teenager setup his or her first home. Great Circle (formerly Boys and Girls Town) has recently received a grant to pay for apartment housing in Springfield for older teens who are ageing out of their traditional residential facility, but are not equipped to be on their own yet.  Teens will be carefully chosen to participate in this new mentoring program, which will provide them assistance on their journey to learning the skills they will need to live in ..read more