Worship at Calvary

Empty

SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026 AT 10AM

Our passage from the Letter to the Philippians contains what is called the Christ Hymn. Perhaps they used it in worship. It is very poetic language about who Jesus was. Jesus is described in this hymn as someone who 'emptied himself'. 

We're told in this passage to 'let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus', which means we need to consider what it means to empty ourselves (among other things we'll see in this hymn). 

Our next Worship Service on Sunday, May 17:
"Empty"

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10am Sunday Worship Livestream

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Please enjoy this week's service.
Next week's service (5.17.26) will be uploaded Sunday before 10am.

Join us for Pack-A-Sack after worship on Sunday, May 17!

Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 10am

Philippians 2:1-13



If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was* in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

  did not regard equality with God

  as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

  taking the form of a slave,

  being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

  he humbled himself

  and became obedient to the point of death—

  even death on a cross.



Therefore God also highly exalted him

  and gave him the name

  that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

  every knee should bend,

  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

  that Jesus Christ is Lord,

  to the glory of God the Father.


Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Previous Sermons

By Rev. Marci Glass May 13, 2026
The apostle Paul experienced hardships for his preaching. He was imprisoned, kicked out of towns, and suffered harm. He was willing to talk about his struggles, but he never stopped there. It can be easy to see our struggles as the conclusion of a story. It can be more challenging to see them as a part of a bigger story. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, Paul reminds us to look for the bigger thread that weaves our stories together, and, in the midst of his suffering, he makes the decision to rejoice.
A vast purple mountain range covered in fog at dusk. The sun is setting a bright gold sunset behind.
By Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo May 3, 2026
In a city crowded with idols and an altar dedicated to an unknown god, the Apostle Paul discovered that humanity's deepest restlessness is itself a longing for the One in whom we live, move, and have our being.
A colorful scene of Paul & Silas' prison encounter - © Paul Oman Fine Art
By Rev. Victor Floyd April 26, 2026
When the earthquake opens every door and every chain falls loose, Paul and Silas don’t run. That inexplicable refusal — we are all here — is what converts a jailer, and what might yet convert us.
Show More

Join us for Bible Study

The Women of Calvary Bible Study

3rd Thursdays of the month • zoom • 6 - 7:15pm

The Women of Calvary Bible Study meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of the month from 6 pm - 7:15 pm starting on September 18, 2025.
This year's study is Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ by Rhashell D. Hunter. In this Bible study, we will explore resilience. This is modeled for us by several biblical characters, gospel and epistle writers, as well as Jesus. The Bible study is also about joy. How do we find joy in a chaotic world? Christian joy may be different from how a lot of people define joy. We will also seek to rediscover our identity.
Please join us for this study whether you're new to Bible Study or have participated in this study for years. Books are $10, scholarships available!
Please contact Rev. Joann for Zoom info: joannlee@calpres.org. Click to Email Joann

Music

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Calvary enjoys a long and treasured legacy as a center for great music in San Francisco. Through weekly liturgies, regular concerts featuring our choir and orchestra and guest musicians, and as an essential venue for the many arts organizations who perform in our historic sanctuary, that rich tradition is vibrantly alive today. Our weekly worship services feature our 40-voice Chancel Choir, our 6,155 pipe organ and Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano, professional soloists and other fine guest musicians, children and youth, handbells, and a range of exceptional music you likely won’t encounter in many other places of worship.

Learn More About Our Music Ministry

Enjoy our 2024 Choir Tour of Europe



A group of choir members singing with the music in the pews of the Chapel

More Faith Services at Calvary