November 29, 2022
Calvary Compass – November 29, 2022 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Hopefully all of you have received online or in-person the December Catalyst. Bruce Jones has done a wonderful job and all of the pictures and articles are great! If you have not received a copy, please let Kim know so that she can make sure that you get one. There are extra copies of the Catalyst at the back of the Sanctuary and you are welcome to take one.
It is always magical to see the Christmas trees in the sanctuary and all of the decorations. People have already started to decorate our tree with handmade mittens, hats and scarves for the families at the Community Chaplaincy - Southdale and Limberlost.
Sunday, December 4th is the 2nd Sunday of Advent and Memorial Sunday. Join us as we honour those we lost in 2022 in prayer and in song.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
• December 4 – https://youtu.be/IfGGEDdtHHM
• December 11 - https://youtu.be/Hn_qZQwlKWY
Recorded service for November 27 - https://youtu.be/gK6GkJ-7RJc
MINI-BAZAAR
A mini-bazaar will be held Sunday, December 11th after worship service. It will include frozen food, plants, craft items, remaining preserves and baked goods. If you wish a tourtiere, please call Marg LaRocque before this Wednesday since the next set of tourtieres are going to be made either this Friday or next Monday. (519-681-7810) or mglarocque@rogers.com.
CLOTHING COLLECTION
Until November 30th!
During the month of November, the Outreach Committee asks that you bring in gently used winter clothing to be donated to Ark Aid and other organizations such as The Good Sam Cupboard at Dundas Centre United Church. Many are struggling to buy groceries and pay their rent and therefore do not have the money to purchase warm clothes for the winter. You can leave your clothing donations at the parking lot entrance/alcove and it will be taken to the stage for sorting.
We are looking for winter clothes for men, women and children including winter coats, boots in good condition (no leaks), warm winter scarves, socks and sweaters. (Please note that we will also continue to have the Mitten Tree for the London Community Chaplaincy with donations of hats, mitts, scarves, and socks in December.)
Thank you in advance for your donations.
FIRST ST. ANDREWS U.C./ ARK AID WINTER RELIEF PROGRAM
First St Andrews will again be providing overnight beds for persons experiencing homelessness this winter. They have provided us with ways to help:
-30 treats to go on pillows
-30 inspirational/ welcoming notes
-4-6 people to help with bed set up
-donation of 10 cans of soup (all the same) no tomato please
-help to clean up outside in the mornings
-help to serve at night or in the morning
-30 baked goods to go with a cup of coffee in the morning
-30 buns to go with soup
All food donations should be dropped off at First Baptist Church
Donations of the following will be ongoing needs through the winter response
-hot chocolate
-non plastic utensils
-margarine for buns
-socks
-underwear
-pajamas
-mugs
FSA is proud to be hosting ARK AID this winter again. It will look a little different but there are lots of opportunities to help if you would like. The sign up spreadsheet link is https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M6uir3oTWRTd9g-iOEj-8__LWG9oc5ClqrPj7IoIC7I/edit?usp=sharing
Gift Cards: Ordering dates for gift/shopping cards through Calvary's Fundscrip program https://www.fundscrip.com are December 4 and 11th. That will be the last chance for cards this year. Gift cards are great for those-hard-to-buy for people, or a seasonal thank-you for your hair stylist, paper carrier, helpful neighbour. Or use them yourself as "shopping cards" for groceries, gas, mittens for the tree, or even a little something nice for yourself?
We'll resume our usual alternate week schedule starting January 8, then Jan. 22, Feb. 4, and so on. Thanks for supporting this ongoing fundraiser for the church! Contact Nancy Hind at nancyhind@rogers.com for details or with any questions.
UCW
Winter officially begins December 21st. This is just a gentle reminder to the women of Calvary who are able to donate to the UCW autumn stewardship campaign that donations should be submitted to UCW treasurer, Pam Harrison, by Sunday December 11th so that the funds can be distributed to the charities. Thank you to the women of Calvary who have already submitted your kind gifts to Anova, Camp Kee Mo Kee, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, East London United Church Outreach, Indwell Housing, London Community Chaplaincy, U.C. Mission and Services of London, and My Sisters' Place.
Sharing Extra 2023 Calendars
If you receive any 2023 calendars which you don’t need, please consider dropping them off at the church. There are two drop-off areas – one at the back entrance off the parking lot and one at the back of the Sanctuary.
Calendars will be distributed to various social organizations whose clients may find them useful.
If you find yourself in need of a 2023 calendar, please help yourself!
Offering Envelopes
For those that use Offering Envelopes, the 2023 envelopes will be available for pickup at the back of the Sanctuary, starting December 4th. If you wish to have envelopes, and there isn’t a box for you, please contact the church office.
Seasonal Events:
Star of Bethlehem, Wesley-Knox United Church, Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm, Tickets $20
Jazz Vespers, Wednesday, December 14 at 7pm
Choral Connection would like to invite you to our performance of Handel's Messiah on Saturday, December 17th at 7:30pm. This concert will take place at Knox Presbyterian Church in St. Thomas. To purchase tickets online, go to www.choralconnection.ca
Meetings this Week:
• CHAMPION - Wednesday at 1:00 - 3:30 pm
• Bible Study - Thursday at 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom
Bible Study
Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon
Scripture Readings – Isaiah 11: 1 - 10; Romans 15: 4-13
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 72: 18-19 (NRSV translation)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
Prayer for the Week:
Holy God, you keep your promises to your people.
You remember your covenant with us and every
living creature. Give us confidence to embrace each
day through your steadfast love and faithfulness for us.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.