In this category of blog posts, you can read about recent highlights from the ministry of Calvary, including information included in the Calvary e-mail newsletter.
Easter Sunday was a great day at Calvary. We started with an 8:30 acoustic service on the lawn with great weather. We heard two inspiring testimonies from Cynthia Carter-Wedgewood and Jade McMurray in response to the question: “How has God met you at the tomb?” Following that we had our beloved Easter breakfast, and then a full 10:30 a.m. worship service. You can view the 10:30 service at our normal archive site, and the 8:30 service is at https://bit.ly/CBC830Easter2025.
On Friday April 11th the church was abuzz with activity all-night as 26 of our youth and several adult chaperones took part in the youth group’s annual spring all-nighter. We traveled to SkyZone Trampoline Park for 2 hours of jumping fun and a pizza party. Back at the church we were locked-in for a night filled with games, an Easter egg hunt, 3AM ice cream sundaes, crafts, a movie, and more. During part of our time together we had a message from Pastor Corey on love, a time of worship and reflection, and our students took part in the “love looks like” project. A great time was had by everyone and a few of us even made it the whole time without falling asleep!
Youth Group All-Nighter Read More »
This past weekend 16 youth and 3 adult leaders from Calvary’s Youth Group joined up with over 65 students and adults from our ABCOPAD region for the annual Winter Blast Retreat at Camp Ichthus. The weekend was filled with fun and fellowship, crazy games, powerful worship, and Biblical teaching. The highlight of the event is evening snow tubing at Blue Mountain Ski resort. What a great time to get away from the world for the weekend and grow closer to Jesus and each other!
Youth Group Winter Retreat Read More »
On Sunday, Feb 2, as we kicked off a new worship series and the start of Black History Month, we welcomed ABC-USA General Secretary Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain as our guest preacher. The worship service featured not only her inspiring message but a guest vocalist and our new choir director’s debut. Afterwards, we filled out the fellowship hall to eat scrumptuous food at our 3rd annual Soul Food Luncheon. Rev. Dr. Jacobs-Strain gave a short presentation about American Baptists and answered a few questions
Black History Month Kickoff Read More »
Dr. D. Blake Smith D. Blake Smith is a native of Texas and has served in various capacities of church music ministry leadership for over 17 years, including in Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian churches. His father was a Baptist music minister and member of the Texas Gospel Hall of Fame, though Blake went on to follow a very different musical career path, pursuing a professional operatic singing career, earning a doctorate, and eventually joining the faculty of the University of Delaware School of Music. He is currently in his eighteenth year at UD and serves as Coordinator of the Voice Area and Artistic and Creative Director of the university’s opera and musical theatre company, UD Lyric Theatre. He lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with his wife, Noélia, and son, Dalton.
Introducing our new choir director! Read More »
During the cold the homeless of Newark are cared for by 5 Newark churches on a rotating basis. Sunday, Calvary Baptist Church extended the normal Code Purple hours due to the storm. We turned it into a football playoff fest. It was indeed festive. UD provides dinner, Friendship House coordinates, and a whole host of volunteers keep people safe. There is no government involvement. Just people living their faith.
Code Purple at Calvary Read More »
On a cold MLK day, 10 Calvary members joined others at the Friendship House clothing bank for a day of service. We sorted dozens of bags of clothes and had a great time doing it. Calvary is proud to partner with Friendship House in this ministry. Individuals in need of clothing can place orders for what they need at empowerment centers, and it is given free of charge.
MLK Day of Service Read More »
On Saturday, Calvary ladies and friends enjoyed a luncheon with activities focused on the mind, body and spirt. One participant said, “Yesterday’s Wellness Retreat was absolutely amazing! Every workshop was top-notch, offering valuable insights and inspiration. Pam’s message was both relevant and relatable, leaving a lasting impact. And let’s not forget the delicious food and the joy of connecting with one another in fellowship. It was truly a wonderful way to kick off the New Year! Thanks for inviting me.”
January Ladies Luncheon Read More »
fter very positive feedback from last year’s Advent series that included daily devotional readings and group gatherings, we will once again celebrate the season in this way, this year using the devotional, “Advent at the Welcome Table.” It is written by a group of 4 sisters, one of whom is an American Baptist minister. Advent begins Sunday, December 1, and the daily readings begin same that day. The diaconate has purchased 50 copies of the devotional, which are available in the church narthex starting today. We are happy to provide them to you free but will accept donations. Please take only one per household, and if you typically read books digitally, you are encouraged to purchase your own in that format to leave the physical copies for others. We may purchase more if needed. The authors also wrote two companion journals/workbooks to go with the main devotional, one for adults and one for children/families. We are not purchasing these companion books but you might consider getting one for yourself to enhance your experience of the series. There will be 4 group gatherings for discussion at the dates and times noted in the graphic below. You can click here for the full series calendar.
Advent 2024: “Expected Guest” Read More »
On Wednesday evening, we completed another round of our annual service project of filling and wrapping ditty boxes for seafarers coming in and out of the Port of Wilmington around Christmastime. Thanks to all who donated and organized!
Ditty box packing/service night Read More »
