April 1, 2025
Calvary Compass – April 1, 2025 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
This Wednesday will be Jazz Vespers at 7:00 pm. The other churches on our Lenten journey series have also been invited.
On Sunday, April 27th, Calvary's Worship Services will change to 11:00 am. As mentioned in the Collaborate Ministry Plan, Calvary, White Oaks and Wesley-Knox will all change their worship services to 11:00 am to allow the minister covering Riverside's 9:30 am Worship Service to get to their church's 11:00 am Worship Service. The Collaborate Ministry Plan starts May 1st. Rev. Kerry will be preaching at Riverside at 9:30 am for the month of May and then at Calvary the 1st, 2nd and 4th week. A schedule of the preaching rotations is posted on the bulletin board at the back of the church.
This coming Sunday, Rev. Dr. Rob Apar-Taylor from Wesley-Knox United Church will be leading our worship service and Rev. Kerry will be leading Wesley-Knox's worship service. We have updated our name tags and everyone is asked to wear one so that Rev. Rob can learn people's names. The name tags will be located on easels at the back of the sanctuary.
There will be a Maundy Thursday Worship Service on Thursday, April 17th at White Oaks United Church at 7:00 pm. All of Calvary are invited.
Thank you to those who responded to the question about whether we should continue with the Compass weekly or every other week. Most respondents said that they would like to continue receiving the online newsletter weekly.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
April 6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FwDHaPJaAE
NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.
Recorded service for March 30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no5OYrPREOQ
BAPTISM AND BECOMING A MEMBER
Considering baptism or becoming a member of Calvary United Church? Everyone is welcome at Calvary!
The sacrament of Baptism and welcoming new members (including those transferring from another church) will take place during worship on Sunday, May 11 (Mother's Day) at 11 am.
Please notify Rev. Kerry by Easter Sunday, April 20th if you are interested and he will let you know what is involved in becoming a member or being baptized.
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
The Outreach Committee will collect non-perishables for the London Community Chaplaincy throughout the entire year except for July and August. At this point, the food is being distributed to the Limberlost Chaplaincy and the Allen Rush Complex - a housing complex in the Pond Mills neighbourhood of Banbury Court. Breakfast items such as boxed cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, juice boxes and nut free school snacks ( eg. granola bars and fruit cups) are some of the highest need items. As always, thanks for your continued support and generosity.
Bonnie and Karen
Co-Chairs of Outreach
2025 Lenten Project
The Ontario School Nutrition Program supports children facing food insecurity so that no child in London goes to school hungry. Your donations will help make this a reality. Donation envelopes are located in the church sanctuary. Please make cheques payable to the VON with Ontario School Nutrition Program in the memo line. Thank you for your support.
Please submit your donation by Sunday, April 20th. VON will issue tax receipts for donations of $10 or more at the year’s end.
TRINITY UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Charmaine Bailey from Trinity United Church is doing a fundraiser on her birthday in support of their many outreach projects. Word on the street is that she has a beautiful voice and this fundraiser will be very entertaining especially if you love the songs from the 70's.
Financial Support for Pursuing Post-Secondary School Education
Application Deadline April 30, 2025
The Board of Trustees administers two programs designed to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants pursuing post-secondary school education at a Canadian university or college. The application deadline for the school year starting this coming September is April 30.
Full details and application forms for the Scholarship Program and the Bursary Program are on the church’s website (https://www.calvaryuc.ca/bursary-program).
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS’ ACTIVITIES
1. There is a Youth Sleepover being planned for May 9th at Richards Memorial United Church. A poster will come out closer to the date
2. A Young Adult's group will be meeting in the vineyard (basement) at Metropolitan United Church on April 8th and April 25th from 5 - 8 pm.
Meetings this Week:
* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
* Jazz Vespers - Wednesday - 7:00 pm
There is NO Bible Study this week. It will return on April 10th.
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 126: 4 -6 from the Revised Standard version Updated Edition
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Prayer for the Week:
God of encouragement and patience,
you are with us when days are hard and nights are long.
Sometimes we lack the strength for the challenges before us.
Give us the courage and energy to be involved in your
fruitful work each and every day. Amen.
Prayer focus: For peace in our hearts and in our nations.