Calvary Chapel Farmville

05/30/2026

05/29/26
Pastor's Perspective: "The Blessings of Belief"

Dear Calvary Family,

This Sunday we will make a careful study of the resurrection of our Lord. We will observe the significant changes that take place in each person in the story when they believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

A life full of joy and peace is directly connected to believing in Jesus Christ, and in His Word. The elevation of people seeking humanistic wisdom and opinions over the life-changing Word will cloud the joy and peace that comes from hearing first and foremost from the Good Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls.

Here in the Piedmont area of VA, we are experiencing great blessings from the Lord. The rains that fell over the past week, and now the cooler, sunny days, should spark in us a shout of praise to our God. Droughts add value and develop deep roots, but the rains of heaven produce amazing fruit. Drink in the season before it passes.

Pray for President Trump; pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May God open the eyes of our hearts to see the work of God in the world today. We are living in the fulfillment of prophecy. What a joy to know the Savior of our souls!

See you on Sunday,

Pastor Marv

05/22/2026

05/22/26
Pastor's Perspective: "It Is Finished"

Dear Calvary Family,

This Sunday in our John 19 study, Pilate will complete his trial of our Lord and hand Him over to the Jews to be crucified, declaring to them, “Behold your King.” We will look carefully at the final words spoken by Jesus, including His final instructions to those close enough to hear.

Studying the trial, crucifixion, and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ brings a fresh reminder to the church of the severity of our sin and the costly ransom required for our redemption. The love of the Father is a deep, ever-flowing river of grace. May we drink freely and daily from this river of life. May the life-giving power of God flood over us, filling us with all we need for life and godliness. And may we always worship God with hearts, voices, and hands surrendered to Him.

By the grace of God, Calvary Chapel Farmville is now airing our Bible teaching each weekday at 5:00 PM on Equip FM radio. Please be in prayer over this new outreach. May many Christians in our community be encouraged, and may the lost find salvation in Jesus Christ alone. Also, please pray for the many believers in Jesus who do not attend church, that they would feel welcomed to come to CCF. May we always be prepared to extend the gracious invitation our Lord gives: “Whosoever will, may come!”

As I write this Friday morning Pastor’s Perspective, the rain is gently falling on the thirsty ground around me. May the Word of God also fall richly upon us, and may we too thirst for more, receiving refreshment from the presence of the Lord. I am reminded of our CCF membership slogan: “Membership is fellowship, and commitment is through consistency.” It is a treasure to worship our Lord with you each week.

Much love,

Pastor Marv

05/16/2026

05/16/26
Pastor's Perspective: “The Cup, Shall I Not Drink It?”

Dear Calvary Family,

Our Lord Jesus had a cup that He knew He must drink. Peter could not comprehend the plan of the Father and tried to stop His arrest with his sword. The cup of suffering is rarely understood until it has been fully embraced and the one who suffers comes out on the other side. The cup our Lord would drink would bring about a joyful deliverance from bo***ge for a hurting world of humanity. Still today, a great work for God is often born when a servant of God suffers. The cup that God has for us to drink will be an amazing blessing. It is a blessing because it is His choice for us and, ultimately, for His glory.

This week in John 18–19, we will examine the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This cup was consumed by our Lord for us. We deserved the anguish and death, the separation from the Father, but because of His great love for us, He took our place. Jesus suffered and died on our behalf. He now asks that we be willing to suffer for Him. The cup we are to drink can help bring about God's beautiful plan for His church.

The cup we drink involves sacrifice. What is the cup in your hand today? Are you a father raising a family? Are you a mother nurturing children? Are you handicapped in some way? Do you have an unbelieving spouse? Do you manage a company? Have you lost your job? Our Heavenly Father cares for each of His children and is preparing an eternal home for every one of us. He is ready to receive us when we drink the last drop from the cup!

See you tomorrow,

Pastor Marv

05/08/2026

Pastor's Perspective

Good evening church family! As Pastor Marv is away traveling this weekend, let’s keep him in prayer for safe travels. We look forward to having him back with us soon, and we’re also looking forward to the teaching Jacob will be bringing this weekend!

As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, we want to honor and appreciate all the wonderful mothers and mother figures in our church family for your love, sacrifice, prayers, strength, and faithfulness. Your impact on your families, our church, and the next generation is truly a blessing from God. We also want to be mindful of those for whom Mother’s Day may be difficult — those who have lost their mothers, mothers who have lost children, those longing to become mothers, or anyone carrying grief during this season — and we are praying for God’s comfort, peace, and strength to surround you.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed…” — Proverbs 31:28

We pray this weekend is filled with love, encouragement, comfort, and appreciation for each of you!

05/02/2026

Pastor's Perspective: "The Hour Has Come"
Dear Calvary family,

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus often avoided public recognition of His works, saying, “My hour has not yet come.” On Sunday, we see that His hour has finally arrived. We will begin a two-week study of John 17:1–26, the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in Scripture. While we often bow our heads and close our eyes during prayer to reduce distractions, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven, and His first words were, “Father, the hour has come.”

These next two weeks will teach us much about our Savior as He pours out His heart to the Father. In this prayer, observed by the disciples, He never mentions His upcoming trials—only ours. Though prayed only hours before His arrest, it is filled with hope and even joy. May we also learn to look to heaven for our help, for our help comes from above, from the Maker of heaven and earth. Lord, teach us how to pray.

This Sunday will also be special as we share communion together—and a meal! Breaking bread together was one of our Lord’s final commands before the cross. May we taste the love and grace of the Father as we remember the greatest sacrifice in history and enjoy good food and sweet fellowship around the tables of His provision. The gospel is glorious, but it is also a bloody reminder of just how messy sin is. May the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus be mighty among us!

Today is May 1st, a beautiful day to rejoice in the daily faithfulness of our Lord. Take it in, and keep your eyes lifted in prayer and readiness, watching for our Lord’s return.

The hour has come!
Pastor Marv

04/18/2026

We’re excited to share that this week’s Pastor’s Perspective is now available to watch.

You can view the video here:
https://ccfarmville.churchcenter.com/episodes/653017

We hope this message encourages and strengthens you throughout the week.

Blessings,

Calvary Chapel Farmville's 4-18 Pastor Perspective on Church Center.

04/11/2026

Pastor's Perspective: The Lifeline

Recently, a 7-year-old boy came to me with a question. He asked, “What is the will of God for my life?” In Matthew 22, Jesus is asked a similar question by a lawyer who was trying to test Him. Jesus’ response was simple but profound: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.”

Hopefully, it is the desire of all of us to walk in the will of God. The apostle Peter said, “Where else shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.” In John chapter 15, we learn that apart from abiding in the Vine, we can do nothing. Nothing? I mean, didn’t Artemis 2 just encircle the moon for the first time in human history this month? While it is certainly an amazing feat, nothing of eternal significance can be accomplished on our own.

Like each of you at CCF, I want my life to be productive and effective, bearing much fruit to be used for His glory. In the springtime, the favorable results of winter pruning are realized. The buds come forth and begin to blossom, pointing to a peak harvest in late summer. After the harvest, the vinedresser begins the process all over again so that the vine will produce even more fruit. The Vine and the Vinedresser do all the work, and the grape simply hangs onto the branch, waiting to be picked and enjoyed by others.

May we each abide in Christ’s love, welcome the Father’s pruning, and anticipate an even greater harvest to be enjoyed by those around us.

Blessings,
Dawson

04/04/2026

Pastor's Perspective: "A Believer"

Dear Church Family,

Good Friday is a holy day in the Christian church. In this context, the older English meaning of good was holy. The holy will of God, though sometimes difficult, is always good. Isaiah 53:10 says, “It pleased the LORD to bruise Him.” In Hebrews 12:2, we are told that Jesus, “for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Good work can come at great cost. Good Friday is certainly a holy day and truly good for us, providing our redemption—but the best is yet to come!

On Sunday, we will continue our study in John, moving to chapter 20. What a glorious celebration we will enjoy! The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ changes destiny forever for all who believe. Our own eternal resurrection is now a reality for those who believe. In our study this week, Jesus tells Thomas, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Are you a believer today?

Join me in prayer for the gospel of Jesus Christ to spread throughout our town and beyond. The time is at hand!

Pastor Marv

03/27/2026

Pastor's Perspective: "The Orphan"
Dear Church Family,

Who are the orphans? In the past, an orphan was simply a child under 18 whose parents had died. Today, children are considered orphans if they have been deprived of parental care through abandonment or separation. I believe we are also seeing a new wave of children that I will call “social orphans.” These children may have a parent in the home but experience almost no communication or care from them. Mom and Dad are often too busy on social media, communicating with a world of strangers, that their own children are essentially orphaned socially. Many children have no one in the home willing to teach them about the birds and the bees, and other vital information that was once considered part of parental care.

In our John 14:15–31 study this Sunday, Jesus indicates that we, His disciples, will sometimes feel like orphans in this world. Jesus has gone home to the Father’s house, where we cannot yet come. He also says that we are living under the ruler of this world, Satan. Philippians 3:18–21 speaks of the many people around us who are enemies of the cross, setting their minds on earthly things, whose end is destruction. This Scripture goes on to say that we (as Christians) have citizenship in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our home is being prepared by God, and He is ready to bring the orphan home.

On this earth, God gives us spiritual siblings. Our emotional, spiritual, and even physical health can be greatly strengthened by participating in the gathering of believers. At CCF, we continue to provide multiple opportunities for you to do just that. Here are a few special gatherings:

Tomorrow morning, 7:30–10:00 AM — “Refined by Redemption” Men’s Breakfast! It is time for men to step up, embrace our calling from God, endure the fires of life, and lead with courage. Get the boys up early, and as Jesus says in John 14:31, “Arise, let us go from here.” It’s time to face our cross and move forward.

After the men’s breakfast, we are giving everyone the opportunity to help clean the church from 10:00–11:00 AM—first come, first served :)

See you soon!
Pastor Marv

03/21/2026

Pastor's Perspective: "Cure for the Troubled Heart"

Dear Calvary Family,

In the first verse of our John 14 study this Sunday, Jesus addresses the all-too-common troubled heart. In this text, the word troubled means to be anxious or distressed, to be disquieted, to be made restless, or to have a perplexed mind or troubled spirit. Jesus knew that the eleven disciples in the upper room with Him were about to enter the most difficult time of their lives. His arrest, the brutal trial, and the cross were just several hundred yards away from the peaceful upper room they were enjoying. The hour of testing had finally come.

Jesus' words in John 14 have comforted many troubled hearts over the past 2,000+ years. May this Scripture, combined with our faith, bring peace to the depths of our hearts as we gather around the Word once more this Sunday.

Resurrection Sunday is fast approaching. Please seek our Good Shepherd regarding how you can be used by Him to reach the lost, depressed, or lonely traveler with the hope of the gospel. We have just printed 200 more Easter Sunday invitations; they are available on the welcome table. Easter continues to be a wide-open door for inviting people to church, as hearts are still drawn to the powerful message of the cross. Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).

Bring the boys! Our quarterly men's breakfast on March 28th is just a week away. This is a special time for men and boys to gather and strengthen the call of God to rise up and lead. Our "Refined by Fire" 2026 focus comes from 1 Peter. Pastor Dawson will teach, Johnny Stoltzfus will share a testimony, and we will have meaningful time for interaction. Coffee will be ready at 7:30 AM, and breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM.

Following the men's breakfast, anyone (women included) who is available at 10:00 AM is invited to join us for a few hours of church spring cleaning.

Breakfast at CCF! Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. Our hospitality team invites everyone to come early to the Sunday morning service for a church breakfast. From 8:15 to 9:40 AM, a breakfast buffet will be served in the Overflowing Cup. Prayer time from 9:00 to 9:45 AM will continue as normal.

Much to celebrate!

Pastor Marv