November 21, 2023

Calvary Compass – November 21, 2023 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca  

 

Dear Friends of Calvary,

Thank you to all who participated in the Anniversary Sunday Service. It was wonderful to have Rev. Gordon Duncan here to deliver the morning message. It also was wonderful to see the pews filling up with many familiar faces in attendance. Thank you also to the Outreach Committee for providing a delicious soup lunch as we contributed to the Canadian Food Grains Bank.   Thanks to Wayne Harrison for the delicious cupcakes - regular and gluten free. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the first 133 years of Calvary UC.

Next Sunday will be the Reign of Christ Sunday with a baptism and  new members joining.

Reminder – If you haven’t already submitted your Treasure Support Form from the Called to be the Church mailing, please do so as soon as possible. Your submission assists the Stewardship and Finance Committee in their budget planning for 2024.

 

Worship Services are all live-streamed:

November 26 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh0dfLnh_qk

December 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz1hQaztFTE

Recorded service for November 19 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ACYbdqqUKc

 

YARD CLEAN-UP

A big thank you to those who helped with the outdoor clean-up on Saturday and to Terry Stafford for his work mulching and bagging leaves earlier in the week.

 

GIFT CARDS

After many months' deliberation, a decision has been made that it is time to wind up Calvary's participation in Fundscrip program. We've had a long and successful run, raising an average of over $3,000 each year from 2007 to  2019. Then the pandemic hit. With closures and broken ordering habits, our profits averaged out to $800/year over the 3 year span from 2020 -22. We've never really recovered to our old levels of participation, but can't blame it all on Covid. Much of it has to do with store loyalty programs, credit cards, bonus points and general distrust of gift cards.

Our last ordering dates for gift cards are Sunday, November 26 and Sunday, December 10. A list of available cards can be found at fundscrip.com. Write your order on a slip of paper or print off an order form, accompanied by cash or cheque to "Calvary United Church" and either hand it to me or place it on the offering plate. I'll have your cards for you the following Sunday. Gift cards are great for teenagers, millennials (Amazon or Best Buy) or a small thank you (Tim Hortons? Indigo/Chapters?) Don't forget your day-to-day purchases for groceries or gas too and maybe even a little treat for yourself?

Thank you to everyone for all your support in ordering gift cards for 17 years! We had a great run.

Nancy Hind (nancyhind@rogers.com or 519-434-4048)

 

OUTREACH COMMITTEE

On Friday, November 24, the Outreach Committee will be making apple pies to sell to the congregation. The cost  of each pie will be $15, proceeds going to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). Bonnie McNichol will be taking orders via email bbmcnichol@gmail.com or phone 519-681-6677 (first come, first served so order now!) Pies can be picked up from Kim and paid for (by cash or cheque) in the church office, during office hours starting Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Thanks for supporting the Outreach Committee's fundraising initiatives.

 

LIFE*SPIN Advent Project

You can now bring your items for Life*Spin to the church leave them on the table in the foyer off of the parking  lot. They are looking for the following:

•           Winter clothing - long sleeved shirts, sweaters, sweat pants, pants , warm pyjamas, slippers

•           Winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mitts and boots

•           Both children and adult clothing

•           Kitchen items

•           glasses, cups, plates, bowls

•           cooking pots and serving utensils

•           cutlery

•           sheets

•           toasters ( they always need toasters)

•           children's games and stuffed animals

•           Baby clothing and blankets

 

SHARING EXTRA 2024 CALENDARS

If you receive any 2024 calendars which you don't need, please place in the drop-off boxes at the back of the sanctuary or in the foyer off of the parking lot. Calendars will be offered to those who attend the Community Breakfast or others.

 

TOURTIERES

 There are tourtieres available. The price is $20 for a 10 inch pie. Please place your order now with Marg LaRocque (mglarocque@rogers.com or 519-681-7810 ) Last year, we sold out. Already some of the freshly made pies have been spoken for.

 

NON-PERSISHABLES FOR LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY

We will be collecting non-perishables for LCC. Breakfast items in particular are needed. If you are able, please bring them to the church until Sunday, November 26th.

Did you know that the food is delivered to Southdale Chaplaincy by Bonnie and Brian McNichol. If there is a need at Limberlost Chaplaincy, some of the food is taken up there by their staff. Southdale has a bigger storage area than Limberlost so it is stored at Southdale.

 

MITTEN TREE

The Christmas trees in the sanctuary are going up November 27th. We will be continuing with our practice of  decorating the trees with mittens, hats, gloves, scarves and socks for the London Committee Chaplaincy.

 

Upcoming Seasonal Events:

•           Annual Christmas Bazaar, White Oaks United Church, November 25, 12noon to 3pm, $2 admission

•           Christmas Bazaar, Wesley-Knox United Church, December 2nd, 10am to 2pm, also Hot Lunch for $10 with advance ticket.

•           Silver Bells, Christmas Concert, Wesley-Knox United Church, December 2 at 7:30pm. Tickets $25

•           RCCO Carol Service, December 3 at 7:30 pm, Metropolitan United Church

•           The Music Makers Seasonal Concert, Riverside United Church, December 16, 2pm, Tickets $25

•           Choral Connection - Knox Presbyterian Church - St. Thomas - December 16, 7:30 pm- http://www.choralconnection.ca for tickets

Posters can be found on the bulletin board at the Parking Lot entrance.

 

Meetings this Week

•           Trustees -  Tuesday - 7:30 pm via Zoom

•           CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm

•           Worship Committee – Wednesday – 7:30 via Zoom

•           Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom

•           Book Club - Monday -7:30 pm via Zoom

 

Bible Study

Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1: 15 -23;  Psalm 100

 

Psalm for the Week

Psalm 9: 1 - 4 (New English Bible translation)

        I will thank the Lord with all my heart!

        I will tell about all your amazing deeds.

        I will be happy and rejoice in you.

        I will sing praises to you, O Most High.

        When my enemies turn back,

        they trip and are defeated before you.

        For you defended my just cause;

        from your throne you pronounced a just decision.

 

 Prayer for the Week

        Almighty and everlasting God,

        we seek the vision that you have for our future, and we

        look for ways to make that vision come true. May we discover

        the glory of your presence in our everyday living and move

        confidently in the direction of hope, of peace and of love.

        We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ, our friend, teacher,

        and Saviour. Amen.

Kim Knowles