Calvary McAllen

DON'T CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS

This weekend is a "time-change" weekend. "Spring Forward" means we lose an hour on Saturday at mindnight. That always means one hour less sleep on Saturday night in preparation for the most important day of our week, SUNDAY.

I am asking all of Calvary to NOT set your clocks forward an hour until AFTER church on Sunday. This way we will all get our much needed sleep on Saturday night in preparation for Sunday.

Thanks for being a part of a great church family, and I'll see you on Sunday!

blessings,

ellis

I'M BACK!

After a 2 month hiatus (o.k., maybe a little more, but whose counting?) ... I'm back to blogging. A lot has happened since November 12th (my last blog). My family and I moved into a new house. Moving is a pain, but the house is a blessing. I went on a 2 week vacation over the Christmas holidays. We spent three days with my family in Houston. We spent four days with Priscilla's family in Dallas. We spent three days on the road. And we spent four days relaxing in McAllen. During that time I read three books and slept a lot.  One day I didn't even get out of my pajamas. I love it when I can do that, but it doesn't happen very often.

Now it's time to get back to work ... for all of us. We have so much to do in 2007 that I don't even know where to start. We are going to be focusing on two things this year. We'll take Mark 12:30-31 as our focus text for the year. Jesus was asked for his opinion on which of the Old Testament laws was the most important. "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

This is where we will live this year -- Loving God AND Loving our neighbor. This is how we will say it: WORSHIP (Loving God) AND MISSION (Loving Neighbor). We will spend the entire year learing how to do both and learning how to do them together.

It's going to be a great year!

blessings,

ellis

BUDGET PASSES

We had a great business meeting tonight. The turnout was the best in a long time. Thank you to all who came out to support the work of Calvary. There was a sweet Spirit that permeated the entire meeting. Everything that was decided, and especially the WAY it was decided, was evidence that God is at work at Calvary!!

We passed a budget that is a 5.1% increase over the 2006 budget. In hard dollars that comes to about a $97,000.00 increase. We will be short of this year's budget by aproximately $150,000.00 (give or take $10K). That means that we have voted for the church to attempt to bring in (as a goal) almost $250,000.00 more next year than we did this year. We CANNOT do that ... without God. We need to hit our knees early and stay on them long.  We need to emphasize the great things God is doing at Calvary and we need to call everyone to their BIBLICAL obligation to tithe to the Lord.

It's going to be a great year. God is going to honor our amazing and over-the-top faith goal of almost $2 million.

Tonight we also elected six new active deacons: Danny Drefke, Jack Cronkhite, Mary Moore, Jeff White, Joe Averill, David Cross, and John Booth.

The deacons do so many acts of service and ministry around the church and beyond ... too numerous to count. We are grateful for these who are willing to serve.

We also selected a Worship Pastor Search Committee. They are: Richard Vaughan, Jason Hatton, Danny Drefke, Patia Walker, and Ashley Stockel.  The first alernates are: Ruben Rojas and Lina Salinger.

We need to be praying for them as they begin the search for a new Worship Pastor.

It was a great night in which Calvary proved herself, again, to be a great Church!! We are blessed!!

blessings,

pastor ellis

TOP TEN

We are having a church business meeting this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. It will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Children's Building. This is an extremely important business meeting and I want to encourage every member of Calvary to be there.

We will be making some very imortant decisions, including:

1. Electing a Worshp Pastor Search Committee. This will be a committee of five Calvary members who will be given the task of finding a candidate to be our next Worship Pastor.

2. Voting on the 2007 Calvary Budget. This is our church goal for what we want God to do in us and through us next year. It is the document that pastors and leaders use as a guide to our spending.

3. Electing new deacons. These are key leaders and servant ministers in our church.

Now, for my TOP TEN REASONS YOU SHOULD GO TO THE BUSINESS MEETING:

10. The food and snacks ... They're always good.

9. See all your friends in one room.

8. Get an overview of all that the God is doing at Calvary.

7. Feel more connected to the work of the Church.

6. Find the answers to, "Why do we do it that way?"

5. Get to say, "I don't think we should do it that way." (You really can't say it if you've never been a part of the process).

4. Become even more interested in the work of God.

3. Hear the opinions of others in the church.

2. Experience God leading His Church.

1. YOU ARE THE CHURCH. We can't do it without you!

I hope to see you there ...

blessings,

pastor ellis

I'M HERE

Rumors can be pesky little things. I don't usually pay attention to them, because they have a way of quickly morphing into their kissing cousin: gossip ... and the Bible calls that "sin." But there's been a pesky little rumor going around that I feel needs to be addressed. The rumor is that I'm talking to another church, and thinking about leaving Calvary. The only reason I address it is because I have been asked by more than one person, and this time the rumor isn't dying.

It may have started because I have a "For Sale" sign on my front yard. It may have continued because someone mentioned to someone else that I was "moving." And once that information made three or four iterations, it became: "Ellis is moving from Calvary." The first two observations are true: I DO have a "For Sale" sign on my house. That's usually the best way to sell a house (get a realtor and put up a sign). And I AM moving, or rather have moved, from my old house to a new house (both are in McAllen). I still own both houses, by the way, in case anyone would like to buy my old one.

But let me say this as clearly as I know how: I AM NOT LEAVING CALVARY. I AM NOT SPEAKING TO ANY OTHER CHURCH. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN LEAVING MCALLEN.

I hope that was clear enough. This pesky little rumor rears its ugly head about twice a year. There may be those who are nervous because we have had a rash of pastors leaving over the last two years. Of course, there could be someone perpetuating the rumor hoping I take a hint (ha!ha! just kidding.) It could be that other churches ARE looking at me. If they are, I don't know about it, and I'm NOT looking at them.

Please understand what often happens is that churches get my name from others and I don't even know about it. When churches are looking for a pastor they call other pastors, seminary professors, and State Convention leaders to get names. I know many of these people. I have preached in front of them numerous times. There are a few Convention leaders, and professors who give my name to just about every larger church that calls them. Other churches around the state will call me on the average, about twice a month. I always tell them the same thing: NOT INTERESTED.

God led me to Calvary to accomplish certain things (for HIS honor and glory). I know exactly what they are, and none of them have been completely accomplished. So, I won't even talk to God about leaving -- He wouldn't listen to me anyway. On top of that, I have no desire to leave. Calvary is, without a doubt, one of the greatest churches in the state of Texas, and I feel humbled and honored (and totally unworthy) to be her pastor.

Anyway ... the next time you hear that pesky rumor ... do me a favor ... lift up your foot and squash it.

blessings,

pastor ellis

WE MOVED!

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in the last few days. I promise to make up for it over the next week by blogging every day. The reason I haven't blogged is that I've been busy moving into a new house. We began the move on Thursday and finished on Friday. We spent Saturday "de-boxing" things. Of course, we're not nearly finished. But we are "in." That means all our stuff is in the house and we can close the front door. It'll take us a while to get settled in with everything in it's place.

Pray for us during this transition. We thank everyone who (physically) helped us with the move: David Heflin, Dennis Chang, Doug Funk, Stefan Acera, Esmer Leal, and her sister, Cindy. Ya'll are AWESOME! Thanks also to all the others who volunteered and were willing ... we appreciate you. We also want to thank Mark and Kelly Dizdar for their grace and generosity in helping us to build our house. Mark designed the house and it's a beauty. He is truly talented. And thanks to all at Calvary for supporting us in such a way that we can take good care of our family. You are truly a blessing.

I have so much to be thankful for ... I could go on for hours ... but, I won't.

I'll try to post some pictures of the house in another blog. The address is: 2504 Ulex, McAllen, Texas 78504.

blessings,

pastor ellis

TOWNHALL MEETING

This Sunday (November 5th) at 5:30 p.m. we will have a "townhall meeting" to discuss the 2007 proposed budget. I hope you can be there. The stewardship committee needs to know what you think about next year's budget goals. We have so much to do for Jesus in 2007 and in order to accomplish everything, we have to be together. We need everyone pulling in the same direction.

The 2007 budget is one that is impossible for us to reach ... on our own. It is a God-sized goal. WE cannot do it! Just shy of 2 million dollars it is the most challenging budget we have ever faced. We MUST hit our knees in prayer in 2007. We don't have, because we don't ask. Prayer is absolutely essential. Everyone getting on board is the key.

As a church family we have a clear vision of what God wants us to be and do. We want to encourage people to BELIEVE God, BELONG to a vibrant, Bible-believing community of believers, and BECOME the ministers and missionaries that God wants us to be.  We do that through WORSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP, AND MISSION WORK. Those are the three things we will focus on in 2007.

In 2006 we started two new worship services, and various ministries. Our Men's Ministry is strong. Our Women's Ministry is vibrant and growing. Our social ministries are expanding. Our mobilizaton to the mission field is grander than ever before. We now have hundreds of people involved in missions and ministries in the Valley, Mexico, and all over the world.

All of this work takes resources. It takes money to keep the ball rolling. We have more to do in 2007. We want to solidify all the ministries that are currently operating. This is a major task in and of itself. Most of our ministries are less than three years old. We want to help solidify the four church starts that we have been a part of (Fayesville, Sullivan City, Journey, Valley Fellowship). We want to solidify the new worship services we have started, even as we continue to nurture the ones we have always had. This may be the year that we move the Spanish-language worship from Wednesday night to Sunday afternoon. We need to get serious about helping that worship service to grow. We have a super-contemporary worship service at 12:34 on Sunday. This may be the year we begin a classic worship (traditional hyms) service at the 8:00 a.m. hour.  If we do it, we must do it will all our heart to the honor and glory of God!

It's a lot of work. We need God to give us the resources to get it all done. God wants to give us those resources. He will do it through you. Please make plans to attend the Townhall meeting on Sunday, so that you can be an active part of the process and the victory in 2007!

Calvary is one of the greatest churches in the state of Texas. I am humbled to be your pastor.

blessings,

pastor ellis

AND JESUS TOO

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  -- Luke 3:21a

I'm in Waco (Truett Seminary) at a 2 day preaching workshop. Dr. Fred Craddock was the guest preacher in chapel today. He preached from Luke, chapter 3, focusing on verse 21. Jesus being baptized with all the people. He spoke of what that looked like when Luke reports it. Jesus is standing in line at the river waiting his turn to be baptized. He's standing there with all those who have come to hear John and be baptized. The clergy are there. The poor are there. The rich are there. The harlots and the tax-collectors are there. The soldiers are there. And Jesus is standing in line with them ... waiting to be baptized.

"I don't like standing in line," Craddock says. Well, who does? I hate lines. I'm always looking for the express lane. I always want to know if there's a way around it. Can't I pay online? Can't I register by email? Do I really have to stand in line with all the other people? I know there are those who have to wait in line ... but, I think I should be expempt from such a time wasting activity.  And then there's Jesus ... waiting in line with all the rest of the folks.

Everyone's the same in a line. That's the problem. The person who got there two seconds before you, is before you ... it doesn't matter who they are or who you are ... who they know or don't know ... what station in life they are in ... what they do for a living ... NO! In a line everyone is treated the same. First come, first serve. No cutting. Everyone the same. And there's Jesus waiting in line to be baptized by John just like the rest of the people.

John baptizes in the Jordan and then yells, "Next." And the next person steps forward. Down they go, up they come. They move back to the shore shaking the water from their hair, and John yells, "Next." And there's Jesus waiting in line just like all the rest. Don't they know who he is?  Don't they know where he comes from? John does. But it doesn't matter. When all the people were being baptized. Jesus was batized too. There's Jesus -- just look at him -- waiting in line right behind the harlot and in front of the tax-collector -- there's Jesus ... waiting in line.

When it's his turn the heavens open up. But not while he's in line. While he's in line, he's just like everyone else. He's with the people. That's why he came. To be with the people. To be one of them.

So ... you want to be like Jesus? Get in line.

blessings,

pastore ellis

PROPOSED BUDGET

Here is a breakdown of the changes in the budget from 2006 to 2007. You will need Adobe Reader to download and read this file:

DOWNLOAD 2007 PROPOSED BUDGET HERE.

The Stewardship Committee has worked hard to keep the costs down for 2007. They cut in numerous areas in order to make room for rising costs that are beyond our control. The largest cost increase next year will be in the area of utilities and maintenance. With the wonderful new Children's Building we have an additional 30,000 square feet to maintain. That means more A/C and janitorial costs.  There are other areas that go up with rising costs in insurance, paper goods, and other materials. We have numerous yearly contracts on things like copiers, maintenance repairs, the elevator, and others that go up each year as well.

Thanks to all those who worked so hard, devoting many hours of their time, to create this budget proposal. Please make plans to attend the "Townhall Meeting" on November 5th at 5:30 p.m. to get more information and ask any questions you might have. Also, mark your calendars for the Business Meeting on November 12th at 6 p.m. to vote on the new budget.

God is going to do great and mighty things at Calvary in 2007!!

blessings,

pastor ellis

THE TRUTH

But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.  -- Mark 6:16-17

Jesus' fame has spread far and wide. Herod Antipas hears of him and fears that he might be John the Baptist re-incarnated.  John had baptized Jesus and pointed to him as the Messiah who was foretold by the prophets of old. Jesus has healed thousands with the touch of his hands. He has cast out violent demons. He has even raised a little girl from the dead. Now, Herod sees the power that lives in Jesus and thinks that the spirit of John has inhabited Jesus.

Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great (the one who killed all the babies when Jesus was born). Herod the Great had many wives, mostly for political reasons. He married a Samaritan woman named Malthace.  She had a son named Herod Philip. He married a Jewess named Mariamne. She had two sons Alexander and Aristobulus. Herod has both murdered along with their mother when he thinks they are plotting against him (they probably were). He had a wife named Cleopatra (not the famous one ... the asp had killed her a few hundred years before this). He married another Mariamne (the Hasmonean). She had two sons: Archelaus and Herod Antipas.

After Herod the Great died (in 6 b.c.), Archelaus became ruler over the southern part of the kingdom (including Jerusalem). He was a sickly young man and was a terrible leader. He was exiled and replaced by his fourteen year old brother, Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas would rule until 39 a.d.

Herod Antipas' brother, Herod Philip, was married to an ambitious woman named Herodias. They had a daughter named Salome.  Herodias decided that Herod Antipas was a better bet, so she packed her things and moves to his palace.

Enter John the Baptist. What does he do? He speaks against Herod Antipas and Herodias ... against their adulterous affair and illegitimate marriage. He speaks the truth. That's what a prophet is supposed to do. No matter the consequences. No matter the political climate. No matter the popular opinion. No matter the magnitude of power against him.

The prophet speaks the truth, and truth has a way of cutting. Herod Antipas didn't like getting cut. None of us do. But, in a strange inexplicable way, he loved listening to John. He was intrigued by him. If there was one thing Herod knew about, it was power, and he knew that John had it. Not political power or financial power or influential power ... but true, pure power ... power that comes from an other-worldly source. He recognized John's power; he recognized that it was far greater than his own power, and he was afraid of him. Herodias, on the other hand, wasn't afraid of anything. She uses her daughter to get John the Baptist's head on a platter. John is murdered and his disciples scatter.

But it doesn't end there. Truth doesn't die with one person. With John's death the truth he spoke (Word of God) becomes even stronger. It lives in Jesus. Herod was wrong ... Jesus wasn't John the Baptist reincarnated ... that's silly. But, what Herod rightly saw in Jesus was power ... Pure, unadulterated power ... the power of God concentrated in one life. A thousand deaths cannot kill it. Herod was right to be afraid. Jesus said, "I am the TRUTH ..." and even a Roman cross could not kill him. The TRUTH never dies.

blessings,

pastor ellis