Attentiveness and Responsiveness to The Risen Savior

By: Rev. Thomasine Adams

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus predicts his death three times. It is during the third
prediction that he says, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be
delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn
him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on
him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34)

Jesus’ predictions reveal the importance of attentiveness and responsiveness for his
disciples and Christians today.

Jesus had high purpose and deep vision for as we see “…he steadfastly set his face to
go to Jerusalem where he would die for the sins of the world” (Luke 9:51). The
disciples were given three predictions of His death and resurrection, but seemingly,
they were not as attentive as Jesus desired them to be.

In the first prediction, Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him (Mark 8:31-
33). In the second prediction, the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant and
were afraid to ask him about it (Mark 9:31-32). Finally, in the third prediction, the
sons of Zebedee wanted to sit on Jesus’ right and left (Mark 10:33-37). The disciples
were not attentive to Jesus’ predictions.

What does it mean to be attentive? It means to be mindful of God's presence in all of
life. You cannot truly experience Jesus’ presence if you are not attentive to His call on
your life. It is important to be attentive to what you resist. Attentiveness means not
turning away when Jesus ask you to accept and do the hard things, just as he tried to
explain to the disciples.

How are you responding to the Risen Savior on this Christian journey? Is your face
fixed on the Cross as you respond to the Risen Savior in all of life? Are you responding
with love, obedience, compassion, and thankfulness for the great Gift of Salvation?
God calls us to be attentive and responsive in our daily lives which will enable us to
desire and embrace a deeper relationship with the Risen Savior.
As you seek to be attentive to the Risen Savior and respond with “A Heart to Follow
Jesus”, your prayer life will be your foundation, the Holy Spirit will be your guide,
and your faith will be your anchor.

Meditation From The Pew...

Authentic Missions: Being A Reflection of Christ
By Sis. Roxanne Epps

For just a moment allow your imagination to carry you off to the Christmas season when we tend to be more compassionate and kindhearted than any other time of the year. Be still for a minute and listen to the chatter and enthusiasm. "Do we have enough turkeys? Does anyone know where we put the sweet potatoes and green beans?" Take notice of the merriment and excitement during the holiday when missionaries are diligently working to prepare baskets for families in the community. There are certain seasons when we customarily go the extra mile to do something for those we consider to be less fortunate than us. Why - often we believe it makes us look good and because it makes us feel good. However, that should never be the primary reason we serve God's people. If God isn't glorified then we've missed the mark.

Missionary endeavors afford us the opportunity to represent God. God should be the motivating factor; therefore, we shouldn't lose sigh of Him. There is nothing sinful about feeling good when we have reached our objective to serve others, be it through missions, our calling, or our gift and talents. But its imperative to stay focused on His light and not allow ourselves to get caught up in the "act". Be it Jamaica, East Towson or wherever, people should see God in action through us. They should see a spirit that is humble, pure, and meek. Authentic missions should replicate a spirit that is stripped down of everything that is not a reflection of Jesus Christ. Let's remember to keep God as our focal point in our ministry of missions and Jesus Christ as an example.

A Message from Our Executive Minister

"The Harvest In Plentiful and We Still Need Laborers!"

Peace and blessings to my Mt. Calvary Family!

We are still in the dawn of a new year and there is a lot of work to be accomplished. As the Lord brings the harvest the real question is this, who will be available to gather up the crops? So if the Lord is calling you to serve, step outside of your comfort zone and say here I am Lord, use me.

We need your talents and remember no talent is too small or large to be used in kingdom work. e need kingdom workers in every facet of church life. From teachers to cleaners, from cleaners to cooks, from cooks to communicators - the Lord has need of you!

The Lord need your time, which means in 2015 we must being to reprioritize our lives so that kingdom matters have priority in our lives. We can no longer come to church on Sunday and just expect everything to be in order, especially if we have not given any time to the up building of this church. Please think of the church when you are at home, work, or even at play. Ask yourself what I can do or give to make the church even more effective?

Finally, the Lord has called for your treasure, yes beloved, the money! The church does not just operate on good wishes and prayer, but on tithes and offerings as well. Become a tither today, try God and put Him to the test in 2015. Watch God bless you in areas you were dried up and withering away. Mount Calvary, you have witnessed what your tithes and sacrificial gifts to the kingdom have accomplished: A beautiful sanctuary, a state of the are Life Center, supporting missions in Africa, Caribbean, and right here in the communities of Baltimore and Towson. Here is the truth - the best is till yet to come!

So listen to the words of Paul, "I beg you therefore, my brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, that your present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service!" (Romans 12:1)

Determined to live by faith,
Dr. Stanley

Youth Perspective on the Movie "SELMA"...

There I sat with my mom in the Cinemark,
Looking at the movie "Selma" wondering why life was so complex.
I remember reading all the textbooks
How my ancestors struggled while the other game them dirty looks.
Whips and chains because they wanted to vote.
The test they took were not a joke.
While forming lines, the marched the streets of a small town.
Those who opposed gave them several dirty frowns.
But MLK, as my generation calls him, did not stop.
 Several times, he went to the White House to voice his concerns without arguing or shout.
Peace, not violence, was the plan for you to see.
They marched and cried till they saw victory.
I ask how one man can stand the test,
But I see he had God and that was best.
They kneeled down in silence and began to pray.
His followers wondered why did he just walk away.
Finally LBJ saw the light.
Because Martin Luther King did not give up his fight.
A good eye opener for the youth to see.
A good eye opener for the young at Mt. Calvary A.M.E.

By: Jada Scruggs, Grade 10

Leave it There!

One of the greatest challenges to one’s faith is taking things to God in prayer and leaving it there! No matter how long we’ve been walking on our Christian journey, it’s natural for all of us to feel the need to be in control of our lives and destiny. When challenges arise – whether it be facing sickness, encountering a financial burden, or watching our families fall apart – we feel a need to figure out ways to fix things. It’s our natural human response, BUT in this Lenten season, we are being asked to take a step of faith and trust God with the things in our lives that we can’t fix. We are being challenged to trust God more and more on a daily basis to deliver on His promises for our lives.

What are God’s promises for your life? Do you truly trust Him with these promises? Are you willing to trust God with those things that may make you look a bit crazy?

We can’t expect God to deliver on His promises without recognizing our role in the relationship. God’s request for us is to bring our burdens to Him and leave them there. God’s request is for us to bring those things that we struggle to release from our hearts and hands to Him, so He can show us that He can meet our every need. God’s Word tells us that His yoke is easy and His burdens are light. We can find rest and giving our lives and our burdens to God. Mt. Calvary, will you be bold enough to take your burdens to our amazing God and leave them with Him, trusting that He will deliver on His promises!

Why not draw a circle around God’s promises for your life today?

You have longed for sweet peace,
And for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest,
Or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

​Is Your All on the Altar?
​Elisha A. Hoffman

Lenten Season 2013

Amazing Things!
The 40 Day Prayer Challenge

2 Chronicles 7:14


"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."


When Pastor Corey Brooks got fed up with the murder and mayhem that became a way of life around his south Chicago church, he drew the proverbial line in the sand. Instead of complaining about, "Those people in our neighborhood," calling the cops, or turning his head, he decided to do something about it. During the coldest 94 days of the year, Pastor Corey lived in a tent across the street from his church on top of an abandoned hotel that served as headquarters for drug dealers and prostitutes. He wound up birthing Project HOOD and raising $450.000 to tear down the hotel to make room for a new community and economic development center. I don't know if Pastor Corey read the Circle Maker, but his actions put fast feet and crazy faith to what God had spoken to him. Sometimes when God speaks to us about our purpose and our destiny it may look crazy to other people. I know that it looked downright ridiculous for Pastor Corey to hole up in a tent in the middle of the winter in Chicago, but he did it anyway. I encourage you to move on what God is saying to you this Lenten Season. Like Pastor Corey, you are not going to understand it completely, and it doesn't matter if others understand it, however, moving on what God has said shows God that you trust Him and that you believe the promises He has designed just for you. Where do you start? By listening to God and knowing His voice. How do you act? By moving to circle your prayers. When you go to Mt. Calvary this week you will see circles drawn all over the property. Get inside of a circle and pray. If that circle is too small for your problems and prayers-get your own chalk and draw one that suits your needs. Draw one that you can fit your entire family or your ministry in. Draw one that you can leave your heartbreaks or dreams in. I don't care....just draw your circle. When the rain or snow washes it away...draw another one. Will you look crazy drawing a circle with chalk and standing in it and praying? Probably so, but it felt crazy suggesting it until I read ahead to the chapter in Draw the Circle that speaks about crazy faith. God knows your beginning and your end. Get to drawing and watch God move.

The 40 Day Prayer Challenge

Lenten Season 2013

Amazing Things!
The 40 Day Prayer Challenge

2 Chronicles 7:14


"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."


When Pastor Corey Brooks got fed up with the murder and mayhem that became a way of life around his south Chicago church, he drew the proverbial line in the sand. Instead of complaining about, "Those people in our neighborhood," calling the cops, or turning his head, he decided to do something about it. During the coldest 94 days of the year, Pastor Corey lived in a tent across the street from his church on top of an abandoned hotel that served as headquarters for drug dealers and prostitutes. He wound up birthing Project HOOD and raising $450.000 to tear down the hotel to make room for a new community and economic development center. I don't know if Pastor Corey read the Circle Maker, but his actions put fast feet and crazy faith to what God had spoken to him. Sometimes when God speaks to us about our purpose and our destiny it may look crazy to other people. I know that it looked downright ridiculous for Pastor Corey to hole up in a tent in the middle of the winter in Chicago, but he did it anyway. I encourage you to move on what God is saying to you this Lenten Season. Like Pastor Corey, you are not going to understand it completely, and it doesn't matter if others understand it, however, moving on what God has said shows God that you trust Him and that you believe the promises He has designed just for you. Where do you start? By listening to God and knowing His voice. How do you act? By moving to circle your prayers. When you go to Mt. Calvary this week you will see circles drawn all over the property. Get inside of a circle and pray. If that circle is too small for your problems and prayers-get your own chalk and draw one that suits your needs. Draw one that you can fit your entire family or your ministry in. Draw one that you can leave your heartbreaks or dreams in. I don't care....just draw your circle. When the rain or snow washes it away...draw another one. Will you look crazy drawing a circle with chalk and standing in it and praying? Probably so, but it felt crazy suggesting it until I read ahead to the chapter in Draw the Circle that speaks about crazy faith. God knows your beginning and your end. Get to drawing and watch God move.