Pressure Points • Real Faith. Real Life.
This sermon and small group series is a look at the book of James in the New Testament. James wrote this book to followers of Jesus (including us) experiencing all kinds of trials and struggles. He wants to help us see how we can best live out faith. James even challenges us to consider it joy when we face struggles in life. Easier said than done, right?! The truth that we will focus on this week is that our faith best grows and strengthens when it is stretched.
January 10, 2021
What if…Vision 2021
The Bible tells us that without vision people perish. It is important to know where we are heading, and to be reminded about what God is calling us to do. 2020 was a year like we never expected, and in many ways felt like life was put on pause. While 2021 still holds much uncertainty it also holds great promise and potential. What if this new year we started to move forward in faith again? What if, even amidst all the uncertainty, we started to live out our faith in new and powerful ways? What if 2021 could set us up for even greater growth and impact into the future? Join us this weekend as we move forward in faith together!
January 3, 2021
At the beginning of last year, people were claiming 2020 to be “a year of vision”. A year that would bring wisdom and revelation, or bring them to a place of deeper understanding. However, looking back on the year, it was not what any of us expected. The year was filled with curveballs and unexpected hurdles that have lasted the entire year. Join us on Sunday, Jan. 3 as we consider how our vision and understanding changed after what we experienced in 2020, how it serves as a reminder of what really matters, and where our true hope is found.
December 27, 2020 Worship From Home
REMINDER: There will NOT be in-person or livestream worship services on Sunday, December 27.
Join us in this special worship experience any time, at your convenience and from the comforts of your own home this Sunday.

A Weary World Rejoices • Christmas 2020
This line from the Christmas carol “O, Holy Night” so accurately describes our world today. Our world is weary. Not just because of the virus. Our world is weary of brokenness, pain, stress, disappointment, and the list goes on. But when we recognize what God has done in Jesus, and we see what He is doing still today (making all things new) we have a reason to rejoice!
What are you waiting for? • Advent 2020
This year has been full of many challenges and lots of waiting. But this is not unique to our time. People throughout history have been waiting. Waiting for peace. Waiting for help. Waiting for a Savior. The prophet Isaiah, lived over 700 years before the time of Jesus. And he vividly described what the coming Savior would be like. He used four powerful names which describe exactly what humankind has always been waiting for. Now, two thousand years after the savior’s birth, as we wait, these promises remain true for us.
The Church Just Wants Your Money
Have you ever heard someone say that? Have you ever thought that? This series is going to be about our money…but we don’t want something from you, we want something for you! Jesus talked about money more than heaven and hell combined. That’s because our money can become one of the biggest barriers in our relationship with God and living for Him. Jesus said we simply can’t trust both God and money. So, what if there were some key principles that could help us live our life the way God intended? To live with open hands. To live life focused on accomplishing Jesus’ mission. To consistently invest into eternity instead of just the temporary. Come join us as we learn how to trust God more and to experience a truly fulfilling life lived for Him.

Series Discussion Guides
“Finding Your Way Back To God”
Just like with all of life, our spiritual life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes we might feel especially close to God. Other times we might feel distant. During this pandemic, statistics say many people have disconnected from church and from God. But no matter what your story is, God is here and He wants a relationship with you. This series is an invitation to start – or restart – your journey toward a real, living relationship with God. We all have longings in life – for things like meaning, love, significance, and purpose. Yet oftentimes these longings end up leading us away from, instead toward, the God who loves and created you. In this series we are going to see how we can understand our longings in a new way. It’s about waking up to who God created you to be, and how He wants nothing more than for you to know Him for real!

Talking Points: The Perfect Blend of Religion and Politics.
We don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we are living in a very divisive time. Nothing divides us like politics, because nothing divides us like fear. As Christians we should be the least fearful people on earth, because of the God we serve. The early church, including Jesus’ own disciples, were incredibly diverse politically. Yet they stayed united in the gospel, and the world took notice. We have the same opportunity today. To show the world what it looks like to embrace unity and grace over division and fear. As Andy Stanley said, “Your candidate will win or lose based on how American votes on a Tuesday in November. The Church will win or lose based on our behavior every day between then and now.” We hope you join us and invite a friend!

Favorites
Our “Favorites” sermon series is an opportunity to hear from voices you don’t typically hear on Thursdays or Sundays. We are incredibly blessed at Calvary to have some really talented young preachers on our staff. In fact in sports terms, we are developing a really deep bench! So during this “Favorites” series, each preacher will share a message based on one of their favorite passages, verses, or stories in the Bible. We can’t wait to hear the messages that God puts on their hearts for us!

Worship Night @ Calvary Golden Valley
Sunday, August 23

Dangerous Prayers
Prayer is powerful. Yet we so often end up praying safe, predictable and generic prayers. But God invites us to pray dangerous, adventurous and bold prayers. He invites us to believe our risks will be rewarded. To believe what we ask for is possible. If you’re ready to see a spark in your life, pray boldly. Pray daringly. Pray with fire. When you pray bold prayers and invite God to work in your life it will lead you to an even deeper relationship with Him.

Relationship Goals
Every day, and in every situation, we all experience the power of relationships. From business partnerships to lifelong friendships, from casual acquaintances to committed marriages; relationships are a vitally important part of life. And they should be. Life was never intended to be a solo sport. God created us as relational beings with specific relationship goals. The question is, are we making the most of those relationships in our lives?

Finding Hope in Uncertain Times
Even though the prophet Habakkuk lived around 600 BC, many of the questions he raised are still relevant today. “God, why are you so unfair?” “God where are you when life hurts?” “God, are you even listening?” Join us as we learn about how to deal with these kinds of questions. And also how it is actually a good thing that God isn’t always fair!

A Night of Hope
Forward: Where we are going in the next five years
While it may seem like we are just stuck in our homes right now and only able to focus on the present, God is moving His mission forward at Calvary! Tune in to our new four-part message series, and explore with others how God wants you to be part of His plans.
Sunday, April 19, 2020

Easter at Calvary • Sunday, April 12, 2020

Good Friday, April 10, 2020
“GOAT (Greatest of All Time)” Message Series
We usually associate someone’s greatness with his or her skill or position or wealth. But Jesus’ way of living turns that all upside down. What if greatness isn’t found in popularity or prestige? What if greatness comes from serving and putting others first? Join us as we look at how Jesus is most certainly the Greatest of All Time!
- Greatest Teacher
- Greatest Friend
- Greatest Example
- Greatest King
#believe Message Series – Lent 2020
Wednesdays, Feb. 26-April 1, 6:30 p.m.







This Is Us: The Book of Ephesians











What Is Christmas All About? • Pastor Zach Thompson • 12.24.19
“God’s Grace in Action!” • Pastor Zach Thompson • 01.05.20
“Choosing Obedience” • Katelyn Mapes • 12.29.19
“THE ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST”
‘Tis the season for Christmas music virtually everywhere we go. But did you know that there are four original Christmas songs shared within the Gospel? These songs and their surrounding stories help us better understand who God is and why that matters for us today.






“FOR”
In this series, we are going to see that God isn’t against us or the world. God’s heart is to restore and to redeem all that is broken. God is FOR you. God is FOR our community. God is FOR the world. So, in response, the question is, what are you FOR?






“Benefit of the Doubt”
Doubt is often thought to be the opposite of faith, but it’s not. Doubt is a natural part of having faith, and even though we’ll always have doubts about certain things, God’s character need never be doubted.






“Back to Reality”
Fall often means it’s time to get “back to reality.” Summer vacation is over. School is back in session. Structure returns.





“Favorites”





“Stranger Things”







“Unsubscribe”
Does your emotional inbox feel full? Are you running out of bandwidth trying to keep up with all of life’s demands? Together, let’s learn how to opt out of the things that don’t really matter!







Relational Vampires
They drain our joy, eat up our time and rain on our parade, but there’s a
better way to deal with “relational vampires” than stakes, garlic and pitchforks. Come learn how to love the people who suck the life out of us—and how not to become vampires ourselves!






Overflow | Pastor Kristi Graner | 05.12.19
Though we want to do the best we can in relationships, work, etc., sometimes we just don’t know what to do. God’s desire is to provide each of us with what we need to influence people and situations for generations to come.
The Week That Changed The World
Maundy Thursday, April 18
Good Friday, April 19
Easter Sunday, April 21







Lent 2019: “#follower”
Jesus used stories to draw people closer to Him, and the Bible tells us that our personal stories of God’s hand in our lives are powerful, too. Join us this Lenten season to hear “stories of everyday people following Jesus every day.”









On Purpose
You were created by God on purpose for a specific purpose. And God uses your entire “SHAPE” to help you live out your purpose…









Losing My Religion
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul makes it clear that the gospel is not just about the beginning of walking with Jesus. The gospel is the beginning, middle and end of the Christian life! The gospel shows us how to enter into and live as a part of God’s kingdom, and we look forward to continuing on the journey together!









Circles Are Better Than Rows | Pastor Zach Thompson | 01.06.18
Pollster George Gallup once observed, “Americans are among the loneliest people in the world,” but God created us to connect with others. Life change and spiritual growth best happens in circles, not rows!
New Year New Hope
Looking for Success in 2019 | Pastor Carol Skjegstad | 12.30.2018
In Philippians 3, Paul lays out a plan for how we can achieve a future that is full of hope and promise. He tells us how to live a successful life. Who do we look to as our ultimate model? Jesus the Christ, of course.
Advent(ure)
With all the busyness and stress and pressure of the season, Christmas can easily lose its joy. It is easy to find ourselves going through the motions and not stopping to really comprehend what Christmas truly means.
This year, let’s open our hearts to the adventure that God wants to take us on—no matter our circumstances, we can experience the wonder of Christmas in a fresh way!






Christmas at Calvary
From Darkness to Light | Pastor Zach Thompson | Christmas Eve, 12.24.18
We all experience darkness in our lives. But Jesus, the true light, enters into the darkness—and offers us the gift of his light and love.
Finding Freedom: Living Beyond Regrets
How to claim freedom as our own and, more than that, to live beyond regrets.







Live Generously
For three weeks in November, we will focus on a powerful passage of scripture that Paul writes to his apprentice Timothy (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Before we assume that Paul isn’t talking to us—that most of us are nowhere close to “rich”—we need to remember that, in comparison to the rest of the world, we are incredibly rich. In turn, we’re called to be rich toward God, which can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but His Word makes it clear that all of us are called to support the mission and work of His church.




SHIFT
Truth be told, young people often drift or are driven away from a life of faith because of the flawed ways others understand and model it. This fall, we’ll focus on the shifts all of us need to make, not only to help lead the next generation to Jesus, but also to continue growing in our own relationships with Him.






Twisted
Perhaps you’ve noticed, particularly in church circles, how people love to quote their favorite verses to encourage, advise or inspire others. Though their intentions are good, sometimes those verses get taken out of context or are just plain misquoted. In other words, sometimes the message gets all “twisted.”
During our final weeks of summer, we’ll dig into three familiar Bible passages that aren’t always used and understood in the right way.





Games People Play





Messy
Loving Others Isn’t Easy





7520 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, Minnesota 55427 [map]
Phone: 763.545.5659 | Fax: 763.545.6953 | Email: info@calvary.org
Worship Service Schedule
Worship from Anywhere at live.calvary.org*
- Sundays – Traditional – 8 a.m.
- Sundays – Modern – 9 & 10:30 a.m.
Worship In-person in the Chapel*
- Sundays – Traditional – 8 & 9:30 a.m.
Worship In-person in the Worship Center*
- Sundays – Modern – 9 & 10:30 a.m.
Worship On-Demand at Calvary.org/watch*
- 8 a.m. (traditional), 9 & 10:30 (modern) services are available on-demand
* Visit Calvary.org/regather for details