What We Do
Calvary normally meets as a church on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights:
Childcare is provided for all regular meetings. Also, if you would like to join us, but need a ride, please contact us and we will do our best to provide one for you!
Below is a description of what we do on each of these occasions.
1. Sunday Mornings
Sunday School
We also hold a Fundamentals of the Faith Sunday School, available in lieu of the regular adult Sunday School. This course is targeted for new believers, or for those who wish to learn about the faith. It meets currently in the back building.
More in-depth overviews of Sunday school for teens and children are available.
Fellowship and Refreshments
A time of fellowship and refreshments. Come and get to know us over a cup of coffee or two!
Morning Service
- Announcements
Even this is worship, as we inform God's people of ministry opportunities, evangelistic opportunities, things God is doing in the church, etc.
- Great Hymn of the Faith
Our services begin with a traditional hymn put to simple music. Hymns contain great theology, and connect us to hundreds of years of faithful church history.
- Private Confession
A short opportunity to privately humble ourselves before the Lord, confessing our sins and preparing our hearts for worship as the instruments play through a verse of the hymn.
- Pastoral Prayer
The congregation is led in a prayer of praise, thanksgiving and petition.
- Scripture Reading
A passage from the New Testament is briefly explained and read in Morning Service, and a passage from the Old Testament is read during the Evening Service. Passages are read sequentially week after week so that we work our way through the entire Bible as a congregation. We look to the Holy Spirit to impress these precious words deeply upon our hearts and minds.
- Worship through Giving
A chance for members of the church to worship the Lord out of the gladness in our hearts, by giving back a portion of what He's given us. If you are a visitor, please simply let the offering plate pass, or better yet, fill out a welcome card and put it in the plate as it passes by.
- The Psaltery Reading
The book of Psalms contains songs that have been used by God's people to worship Him through song and reading for thousands of years. They express the depths of human emotion, and also express the majesty and glory of God objectively. We have chosen to read the Psalms responsively in order to foster better participation and gain a greater awareness of the fact that we are worshipping God as a community. (This simply means that we alternate verses: A leader reads a verse, the congregation reads a verse, the leader reads another verse, etc.)
- Spiritual Songs
We sing engaging contemporary worship songs that are rich in truth. Our songs vary widely thematically, from reflection and repentance to songs focusing on the cross, our Savior and his work in our salvation, God's great and glorious character, etc. We are reverent, but joyful and exuberant! (See more about our philosophy of worship.)
- The Preaching of God's Word
God's Word is taught to His people. This is the core of our worship service. See our section on expository preaching for a more in-depth explanation of our philosophy on this.
- Closing Song
We close with a joyful song of response to God, led by our praise band.
In addition, we may sometimes have a special baptism service, allowing new believers to give testimony of God saving them. We celebrate the memorial of the Lord's Table (communion) during alternating mornings and evenings on the first Sunday of every month. On the day we take communion, we hold Family Fellowship after the Evening Service, during which the whole church shares a meal and fellowships together. While only baptized believers may participate in communion, all are welcome to join us for dinner!
2. Sunday Evenings
Evening Service
On the 1st, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month, we return to the church on Sunday Evenings for Evening Service, which follows the same format as Morning Service. However, on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays (though there are some exceptions; check our calendar), we meet in Home Groups.
Home Groups
Home Groups are currently meeting in homes in the Somerset, Piscataway, and Clinton areas. Instead of meeting at the church, we meet at the home group closest to where we live, for mutual spiritual edification, fellowship, study and evangelism. We hope that everybody at Calvary will join a home group, as it is a great place to get involved, get to know one another on a deeper level, and to edify, exhort, and encourage one another in a more personal way.
3. Wednesday Nights
Prayer Meeting
Our congregation meets at the church building each Wednesday night from 7:15 to 8:45 pm to gather for singing and congregational prayer.
As a body, we share how God has answered prayer and discuss one another's needs. After breaking up into small groups, we pray for one another. In addition, each group prays for a portion of our church's prayer list. To add a request to the list, contact the church office or, better yet, come to prayer meeting!
