Every third Sunday of each month, Calvary hosts the Rejoicing Spirits service at 4 pm. Mark these dates on your calendar, and please join the worship and fellowship.
July 19
August 16
September 20
October 18
November 15
December 20
To receive a reminder email during the week prior to a service, send an email to: RejoicingSpirits@clcwc.org and provide your name, address, and email along with a request for Rejoicing Spirits monthly reminder.
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What is Rejoicing Spirits?
Rejoicing Spirits at Calvary is an inclusive worship and fellowship community. It is a ministry that reaches out to enrich the spiritual lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, friends and other supportive community members. This is done by offering a meaningful, inclusive worship and fellowship community which gives glory to God and shares Christ’s love. The worship service is adapted to be more welcoming to people with developmental disabilities, just as buildings are adapted to be more welcoming to people with physical disabilities. |
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The service includes lots of music and joyous singing along with brief, concrete and meaningful messages by our pastors, and there are plenty of opportunities to participate and serve. The "no shushing policy" gives worshippers the freedom to worship as God has intended for them, without fear of judgment.
The Rejoicing Spirits service is a worship opportunity for all families, especially those with young children. It has lively music led by the Rejoicing Spirits singers and band, provides a free expressive environment, involves youth in the Rejoicing Spirits singers and band, and provides opportunities to offer individual prayers and to share in the reading of the Good News.
Rejoicing Spirits at Calvary is associated with the growing organization, Rejoicing Spirits, which was founded at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lionville, PA.
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What Some of our Worshippers Say
“Rejoicing Spirits at Calvary is one our favorite life experiences.”
- Karen Gaffney, a mother who worships with her family
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“When we started Rejoicing Spirits at Calvary in 2004, I thought it was for people with special needs. Now I realize that it is for people with special gifts.”
- Dave Curry, assistant to the coordinator
“I love the people there because they are so nice and are so easy to talk to.”
- A Rejoicing Spirits singer
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Laurie so loves coming to church. She says, "I like that church" and "Thank you for taking me to church". She loves to listen to the Rejoicing Spirits CD in the car and from the corner of my eye, I can see her doing the hand motions and playing imaginary drums too to the songs. She so loves the warmness and welcoming reception of everyone and I know she feels quite comfortable expressing herself. Thank you for making us both feel welcome.
- Pam Abbott who worships with her sister |
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“I had heard wonderful things about Rejoicing Spirits from a friend and felt that I wanted to give my son an opportunity to learn about Christianity and become a part of a church community. From our first visit to Calvary Lutheran, we were greeted warmly and made to feel welcome.”
- A mother who worships with her son
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Rejoicing Spirits at Calvary Lutheran Church in West Chester has been a privilege and an enjoyable experience for our family and our son Robby, who has multiple disabilities. There is such a positive and loving atmosphere here each time we attend. The leaders are outstanding in their efforts to support inclusion in every area while surrounding the special needs population that is invited to attend this church service with such encouragement and love.”
- Lynn Powell, a mother who worships with her family
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“As grandparents of Robby Powell, we have thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Calvary Lutheran with him. It is a well organized service, but more importantly, the sermons are innovative, beautiful, and always have an important Christian message. Robby especially expresses his joy with the singing and music, knowing most of the words to the songs chosen. The people that volunteer and participate are warm, welcoming and dedicated servants of the Lord.”
- Margie and Ed Gruber, grandparents who worship with their family |
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“I love the services at Rejoicing Spirits. They are about accepting and respecting all people, regardless of their differences, and recognizing that everyone has so much to contribute and share with others. The services never fail to lift my spirits and have become a part of the fabric of our lives...And occasionally, when during the service he says, a bit too loudly, ‘When is it time for refreshments?’ no one blinks an eye (and in fact, the cookies are fabulous!).”
- Carol Lynch, a mother who worships with her son
"It was wonderful to experience so many
spirits freely and openly rejoicing."
- Mary Llewellyn, a mother who worships
with her son, Rex, who is a singer and actor
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"We are so blessed that Joshua was born in a time and place when people with “differences” are better accepted in the community and that there are programs in place that enable each and every one of us the chance to be everything we can be. And now Rejoicing Spirits offers the opportunity for everyone, no matter what their ability, a time and place to worship."
- Susan March, mother of Joshua
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Click here to view a special PowerPoint slideshow
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Sign Guest Book
View Guest Book
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Serves as a stepping stone for those wanting to take the first step into a faith community.
