December 24, 2024
Calvary Compass – December 24, 2024 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
As we gather with family, friends and neighbours, we give thanks for a God of love, grace and hope. We also give thanks for the message of light and hope found in Jesus as we are called to be disciples of the good news in Him through word and deed.
As the calendar year ends, I pause to acknowledge and give thanks for all Calvary's members and adherents, lay leaders and the dedicated staff that enables each of us to experience Christ in our presence. I am truly grateful for all you do to care for one another in love - whether it is within our congregation or as we serve the greater community of London or other parts of the world. As your Minister, I am blessed by the commitment, dedication and your determination to serve in His name when we come together as a "community".
May you and yours experience God's abundant life and joy this Christmas and for 2025.
In faith and peace,
Rev. Kerry Stover, M.Div. (he/him)
Minister with the congregation
The Church office will be closed from December 25th to January 1st. Messages will be checked and if it is an emergency, Rev. Kerry will be contacted. Please be aware that messages will only be checked during normal business hours.
Please join us for the Christmas Eve Family Worship Service at 7:00 pm. There will be a "pageant in the pews" in which members of the congregation can participate. If you have a cellphone or flashlight, please bring for the end of the service.
The next edition of the Compass will be Tuesday, January 7th, 2025.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
• December 24 at 7pm - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLUZKyQImPk
• December 29 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ngOEP9_w7M
• January 5 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLwXTLKwqMA
NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.
• Recorded service for December 22 – Communion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnP1qEgZYKc
Skating Event
Kilworth United Church would like to invite members of area churches to a skate on Sat. Dec. 28 at the Komoka Wellness Centre. Please email joshua.macdougall@gmail.com to RSVP. ( All skaters must wear helmets - rule of Middlesex County in Komoka and Ilderton)
ADVENT PROJECT
Part Two of the Outreach Committee's Advent project is sponsoring "Joan's Place - Youth Opportunities Unlimited". Part Two of the Outreach Committee's Advent Project is sponsoring "Joan's Place - Youth Opportunities Unlimited"
Joan's Place provides a safe and affordable home for youth, young mothers and mothers-to-be who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. We are collecting monetary donations throughout the Advent Season. If you would like to contribute, please make a cheque payable to "Youth Opportunities Unlimited" with Joan's Place noted on the memo line. Tax receipts for 2024 will be issued for the cheques dated on or before December 31, 2024. There are specially marked envelopes at the back of the sanctuary and close to the front to put your donation in.
Thank you for your donation.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Last Sunday, the Sunday School children decorated some sugar cookies for the Coffee Hour. They were enjoyed by everyone and the children enjoyed making them.
2025 CALENDARS
Please save any unwanted 2025 calendars. The Outreach Committee will be collecting them for redistribution at the Community Breakfast, the London Community Chaplaincy, etc. Collection boxes are located at the back of the sanctuary and at the parking lot entrance.
Bible Study:
Next Bible Study is Thursday, January 9, 2025 via Zoom
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 96 verses 1-4 (from the New Revised Standard Version updated edition)
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD. all the earth.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
Prayer for the Week:
(from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library of prayers, scripture readings, music and art)
Light of Life, you came in flesh,
born into human pain and joy,
and gave us power to be your children.
Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us,
so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness
and walk in the way of peace, love and hope. Amen.
Prayer focus for Christmas season: Those that are alone.