December 3, 2024
Calvary Compass – December 3, 2024 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Thank you to Bill Butt for conducting the worship service and putting together a sermon at the last moment for last Sunday. It was wonderful to hear about the people of Palestine and that they still feel hope in the midst of war and destruction. Thank you to Bill and Karen plus the others from different faiths and countries who went to show support for the people.
Thank you to Kim Knowles and the others who came early to redo the PowerPoint and make sure that the Advent Wreath was set up and the other elements for Advent were in place.
Next Sunday is Memorial Sunday where we remember those who have died in the last year and is also the second Sunday in Advent. According to Google, the candle that we light is called the Bethlehem Candle as it reminds us of the journey that Mary and Joseph made. The theme is PEACE.
The Christmas Jazz Vespers is this Wednesday night at 7 pm with Sonja Gustafson as our guest vocalist.
Make sure that you check out the story by CBC on the Limberlost Chaplaincy listed below.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
December 8th – Memorial Sunday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09ePJTHxlNg
December 15 - Music Sunday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA6EaadnXsc
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 1st - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hhNx1YVUBI
ADVENT PROJECTS
Part One of the Advent Project is donating clothes and household items to Life*Spin. The project is from November 4th and until December 8th. The last date to drop off items to the church is Sunday, December 8th since the last date that Outreach can deliver the items to the Life*Spin Free Store on Dundas Street. is December 12th. Life*Spin will be closed for the Christmas holidays. There is a table at the parking lot entrance for donations.
Men's Clothing - Size 30, 34, 36 waist, sweatshirts, coats size S, M,L, and warm scarves, gloves, mitts and hats
Women's Clothing - small coats, mittens, hats, XS sweatsuits, hoodies, and XXL, XL sweatsuits and hoodies
Boys and Girls 7 years and up - Clothes, Coats, Hats and Mitts
NO Baby Clothes right now
Kitchen - cutlery, plates, bowls, pots and pans and toasters
Bedding, sheets, towels, blankets, pillows
Donations of Tote Bags and Gym Bags are also needed
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.
TOURIERES AND APPLE CRISPS
To place an order for Calvary’s frozen ready-to-bake tourtière or apple crisp, contact Marg LaRocque - mglarocque@rogers.com or 519-681-7810. The tourtière cost is $24 and an apple crisp is $8.
MINI BAZAAR & COFFEE HOUR
This Sunday, December 8th, after the worship service, a mini bazaar will be happening in the lower hall. There will also be a Coffee Hour and cookies will be provided by Kathie Leigh. The leftover preserves and crafts from the bigger bazaar will be on sale plus there will be frozen food. Please bring cash money and your own bags.
CHAMPION
On Wednesday, December 11th at 12 noon, we are planning our Christmas get-together. We are ordering lasagna - meat or vegetarian for our lunch ($15 per person). Guests are welcome. We are asking everyone to bring a wrapped gift of $5 for under the tree. If you wish to attend, please let Kris Goodman know - krisgoodman@live.ca and sign whether you wish meat or vegetarian lasagna.
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
The Outreach Committee will collect non-perishables for the London Community Chaplaincy throughout the entire year, exception July and August. These items are shared between both locations - Southdale ad Limberlost, but the drop off at the Southdale location periodically, as they have a larger storage area. Occasionally we will provide updates/suggestions regarding items currently needed. Breakfast items, such as boxed cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, juice boxes and nut free school snacks ( ed. granola bars and fruit cups) are some highest need items. As aways, thanks for your continued support and generosity!
Bonnie and Karen
Co-chairs of Outreach
CBC AND LIMBERLOST CHAPLAINCY
Rev. Pam Cullen wrote in an email: "The Chaplaincy recently hosted the CBC at Limberlost. The goal was to help the CBC craft a feature story highlighting the wonderful families the Chaplaincy serves at Limberlost. The goal was to break down the stigma of who lives in social housing. Reporters Kate Dubinski and Isha Bhargava joined the Chaplaincy for 2 weeks sharing meals, outings and program time with all ages. They came without microphones or cameras. They came to listen and learn from the residents. Their presence was a highlight for the residents who felt heard and valued. It was a wonderful two weeks."
If you missed the presentation, this is the site to go to: https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractivities/features/limberlost
CHRISTMAS TREE
If you know of anyone who is getting rid of their artificial Christmas tree, please let Mary Kannakko know -mkannakko@rogers.com to pass along to a family.
Offering Envelopes for 2025 are available at the back of the Sanctuary.
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. Collections boxes are located at the back of the sanctuary and at the parking lot entrance.
Upcoming Bazaars and Events:
Forest City Singers present Christmas Songbook, December 6 at 7 pm at Rowntree United Church, Tickets $20
Handel’s Messiah, December 21 at 7:30 pm, Knox Presbyterian, St. Thomas, www.choralconnection.ca
(for details on these events, see the posters on the bulletin board at the parking lot entrance)
Meetings this Week:
• CHAMPION -Wednesday - 1:00 -3:30 pm
• Worship Committee – Wednesday – 4pm via Zoom
• Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00am 12 Noon via Zoom
Bible Study
Scripture Readings: Malachi 3: 1 - 4: Philippians 1: 3 - 11;
Psalm for the Week
Psalm 90: 1 -2, 15 -17 ( New International Version translation)
Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us-
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Prayer for the Week
(adapted from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library website: prayer for Dec. 8th)
God of timeless grace,
you fill us with joyful expectation.
Make us ready for the hope and peace of your
love that prepares the way,
that with uprightness of heart and holy joy
we may eagerly await the kin(g)dom of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer focus for this week: For members and adherents of our congregation.