This Sunday is the beginning of Advent, a season of preparation in the church calendar before we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Each week of this season follows a theme, and for this Sunday it is hope. Biblical hope is anchored in a God who does not change, who keeps His promises, and who is coming again to rule and redeem. On this cold, snowy night we are reminded that the light of Christ has come to be with us and break through the darkness. While we cannot be together this Sunday to acknowledge that light and proclaim our hope in Christ as a body, we are grateful for the technology that allows us to share an abbreviated worship experience with each of you. The service includes song, prayer, and a word from 1 John 4 delivered by Young Adults Minister & Director, Jon Nuenke. May the Lord graciously be with you in the midst of these unique circumstances.

Speaker: Minister & Director of Young Adult Ministry, Jon Nuenke

Passage: 1 John 4:1-3

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 29, 2025

This Sunday is the beginning of Advent, a season of preparation in the church calendar before we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Each week of this season follows a theme, and for this Sunday it is hope. Biblical hope is anchored in a God who does not change, who keeps His promises, and who is coming again to rule and redeem. On this cold, snowy night we are reminded that the light of Christ has come to be with us and break through the darkness. While we cannot be together this Sunday to acknowledge that light and proclaim our hope in Christ as a body, we are grateful for the technology that allows us to share an abbreviated worship experience with each of you. The service includes song, prayer, and a word from 1 John 4 delivered by Young Adults Minister & Director, Jon Nuenke. May the Lord graciously be with you in the midst of these unique circumstances.

Speaker: Minister & Director of Young Adult Ministry, Jon Nuenke

Passage: 1 John 4:1-3

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 29, 2025

In this message we see that God gave us His Spirit to help us discern His voice from the others that enter our heart. Whether you struggle with an inner critic, a guilt complex, impostor syndrome, or crippling insecurity, know that this is not from God. God has given us His Spirit so that we might learn not to listen to the voice from our hearts that condemns us but to listen to His voice, the voice that loves us enough to make us His children.

Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra

Passage: 1 John 3:19-24

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 23, 2025

There have been times in all of our lives when we have wondered about our purpose. But for those who have Jesus, you are a child of God and that gives you purpose. Your purpose is to love others! We’ll explore the implications of this purpose more in this message.

Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson

Passage: 1 John 3:11-18

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 16, 2025

Calvary Church, Grand Rapids, MI

Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Samra

(616)956-9377

Calvary Church, Grand Rapids, MI

Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Samra

(616)956-9377

God has written a great story, and we are right in the middle of it. The middle is not an easy place to be. There are antichrists all around us and the spirit of antichrist is at work in this world. And even more, an Antichrist is coming. In this sermon we are encouraged to remember, it’s still God’s story and He is the author. Rescue is coming! Jesus is going to return! The question is are we ready for that return?

Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson

Passage: 1 John 2:28-29

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 26, 2025

In this message, we see that the Bible makes it clear there is an end-time Antichrist figure coming. We don’t know when, but it is already decreed and there is no stopping it. The far bigger concern for us today though is that the spirit of antichrist is rampant in our culture and in our world. This message tells the story of the Antichrist and helps us recognize that spirit of antichrist at work in this world. As we listen, we’ll learn to embrace the Spirit of the real Christ, the Spirit of the True Messiah so we are not led astray.

Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra

Passage: 1 John 2:18-27

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 19, 2025

We all enjoy the things of this world, and this enjoyment is from God. However there is always a danger that good stuff lapses into a love that is unhealthy. In this sermon we look at discerning if we are loving the things of this world too much and how God can help us stop. May God give us the humility to hear this from him and accept it.

Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra

Passage: 1 John 2:15-17

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 12, 2025

In this message, we come to understand poetically and powerfully that all of these benefits we receive through salvation, are possible because Jesus is God. Because Jesus is God, God is our Father and as sons and daughters we are forgiven. Because Jesus is God, there are no responsibilities we will be asked to face that are too much for us. And because Jesus is God, we have all that we need to overcome any darkness and win any battle we face.

Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra

Passage: 1 John 2:12-14

This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 5, 2025