Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
How do you approach little things versus big things? Is there a difference in your attention, energy level, or commitment to the little versus the big things?
We can say that size and scope don’t matter (except for ice cream scoops), but what we learn from Jesus’ words in Luke 16:10-11 (and also elsewhere in the gospels) is that God pays attention to how we address smaller things… and if our faithfulness and commitment are there, then God seeks to give us larger things to again show and exhibit our faithfulness.
This coming Sunday we will celebrate, honor, and surrender our commitment of time, talent, and treasure to God’s ministry through us in 2025! This is an exercise in small and big things and an opportunity for us to choose faithfulness toward God as a reflection of our trust in God’s abundant provision. It is indeed, “in trust (of Jesus) that we give…”
See you Sunday, fellow Hearers and Doers of God’s word,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
YOUNG FAMILY MEETING
Pastor Jolita would like to meet with parents of children newborn to ten years old to brainstorm group activities and hear your ideas and thoughts. Share a couple of minutes with her following the service in the Sanctuary this Sunday, November 17.
YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIES
Our Youth are once again invited and encouraged to participate in the leaf-raking sessions happening this Saturday, November 16 and Saturday, November 23. There are two sessions both days: 9:00 until Noon and 12:30-3:30 with a sack lunch available in between. Bring a friend for more fun! More information is available here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AACAE28A6F94-52269836-fall/62873115#/ See you then!
The Youth Group meets again this Sunday in the Youth Room at 6:00pm, but all of our youth are encouraged to come early at 5:00 to be a part of the Youth Handbell Choir.
Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 1, for a fun outing. Instead of the usual Youth Group meeting, we will meet after church for a trip to Goodwill and pizza for lunch. More details to follow!
LAST DAY FOR COLLECTION OF HYGIENE AND CLEANING PRODUCTS
To celebrate Thanksgiving, rather than collecting food items this time, we are working with the Learning Academy families to collect toiletries and cleaning supplies for the residents of the Clermont Mobile Home Park that our Missions team has been working with. The collection will continue through tomorrow. Feel free to drop them in the labeled bin at the front door. The request for toiletries and cleaning supplies comes from the profound need of these items which are not often available through other avenues.
SUNDAY MORNING ITEMS TO ASSIST
If you need hearing or vision assistance on Sunday mornings, please stop by the usher stand when you come in. There you will find instructions for an app that can be installed on your phone for hearing help, or a copy of the sermon to read to assist in your listening, or a large print bulletin to assist in your reading.
CHARGE CONFERENCE INVITE
Calvary UMC will be hosting this year’s Hendricks County Charge Conference on Saturday, November 23 at 10:00am and you are invited to attend! The Charge Conference is a meeting that reviews the churches’ missions and goals and addresses specific conference questions. We would love to have some of our congregation here to offer a warm welcome to those visiting that morning and to gain insight into the structure of the United Methodist Churches of Central Indiana.
MONDAY NIGHT LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY
All women are invited to join a 4-week Advent study in the conference room on November 25 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm called “The Marvel and Miracle of Advent”, written by Lisa Harper and Christine Caine. Study books cost $11 each (unless that would be a hardship) and will be available November 25. Please contact Beth Wright (317-340-6447) or Sue Moritz (847-902-6070) with any questions.
MONTHLY MISSIONS
Our November Mission giving supports the area Food Insecurities. This money is used to address hunger in certain neighborhoods and through other agencies.
In addition to this, we will host another Project A.N.G.E.L. Tree again. The tree and tags are hanging in the hall near the office. Plan now to stop by and pick up a tag to purchase a gift for a child in Hendricks County to be returned by Monday, December 2.
Please also note: Family Promise is now collecting coats, gloves, scarves, and hats for winter among the other things it normally collects. Find out more about what to donate, along with other updates, including its newest project, a non-profit corporation called “Powerhouse Community Development” in their weekly newsletter: https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?u=156f21104289ed53996927683&id=21703ea38e. Our own Robyn Maynard was on this organizing committee!
GIFT WRAPPING TIME?
Despite how it’s already starting to look in the stores, it’s not quite time to wrap Christmas gifts. However, our youth are making plans to do so on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday December 8, as a fundraiser. In order to keep our costs low, we would love to accept any giftwrap that you’d like to share with us: old rolls you don’t need or like anymore, new rolls that you find on sale, various styles and colors of ribbon or bows and tags. Place any donation you wish to make in the box outside the office and mark your calendar to have the youth do your wrapping for you the first weekend of December!
OUR LIVING NATIVITY
Plan now to join us Saturday, December 21st from 5:00pm-7:00pm for our living nativity scene and celebration of Jesus’ birthday. We will have a stable with the family, shepherds, animals (that you can pet!), and Christmas caroling. Inside we will have cake, cocoa, and crafts. Bring your family and friends for this beautiful time together.
NURSERY SUBS NEEDED
We are in need of people willing to substitute in the nursery should a regularly scheduled member not be available. If you have questions or are willing to add your name to this list, please contact Karen Bettner (KBettner63@gmail.com).
CONCERT AT AVON UMC
Avon UMC is hosting Carrie Newcomer with pianist Gary Walters in their sanctuary this Saturday, November 16. Doors open at 6:30 and the cost is $20 per person. If you’re interested, visit this page https://onrealm.org/AvonUMC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjliZDc3YTAtYmQ3MS00Njk1LTg1YTAtYjFkYTAxMDNjMTU1 or contact Avon UMC at 317-272-4068.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, November 17, 10:00am Pledge Sunday Rev. Michelle Knight
“Hearers and Doers: In Trust We Give” Luke 16:10-11 (NRSV)
-Sunday, November 24, 10:00am Rev. Jolita Erbele
“Unchanging Goods” James 1:16-18 (NRSVUE)
SAVE THE DATE:
-Toiletry and Supply Collection – Monday, October 28 through Thursday, November 14 in the Narthex
-Euchre – Saturday, November 16 at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Charge Conference 2024 – Saturday, November 23, 10:00am in the Sanctuary
-Susan Early’s Book Launch – Sunday, November 24, 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Church Office closed – Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, December 2, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Youth Group Gift Wrapping Fundraiser – Saturday, December 7, noon to 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall and Sunday, December 8, 1:00-3:00pm in the Youth Room
-UMW Christmas Tea – Saturday, December 14, 1:00-3:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Live Nativity and Celebration – Saturday, December 21, 5:00-7:00pm outside and in Fellowship Hall