Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
How would you celebrate Christmas differently if you did NOT believe in Jesus?
Maybe you would not go to church? Anything else from your daily business in this Christmas season you would do differently if you did not believe in Jesus?
When shepherds heard the good news about the Savior who was born, what did they do? They went to worship Him and they told everyone they met what the angels had said about this Child. They told everyone. Did you tell someone about the Nativity we will have this Saturday? Did you invite someone to come with you to our Christmas Eve service?
We love Christmas services. It is good for our souls. But how about those souls that are missing it?
Come meet the Shepherd this Sunday who will tell you all about the angels and the Baby he saw.
Jesus is coming,
Pastor Jolita
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
OUR LIVING NATIVITY & CELEBRATION
It’s finally here! This Saturday evening, join us from 5:00 to 7:00 for this amazing event. There will be live animals and a stable scene with a family under the portico, along with caroling and crafts, photos and games inside.
YOUTH GROUP
We will meet this Sunday night, December 22 at 6:00 for Youth Group. We will not meet December 29 or January 5. Our next meeting will be January 12.
CHRISTMAS EVE VOLUNTEERS
We will be having three services on Christmas Eve: a 5:00 young family-oriented service, and then 7:00 and 11:00 traditional candlelight services. If you are able to greet or share bulletins that evening, especially at 5:00, please let the office know or sign-up at the Mission table in the hallway across from the office.
CLASSICS LUNCHEON
Join us on Monday, December 30, at noon until 2:00pm in Fellowship Hall to start your New Year’s Eve celebration a little early! Please note the change in day; it is the last Monday and not the last Tuesday for this month only. Bring friends and your favorite party appetizer or treat! RSVP in the narthex or contact the office. The next luncheon in January will be Tuesday, January 28, from noon until 2:00pm.
END-OF-THE-YEAR GIFTS
If you would like to contribute to the church for the 2024 calendar year, please make sure your gifts are postmarked and/or dated by December 31. Thank you.
MONDAY NIGHT WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Monday Night Women’s Bible Study has finished for the year. It will resume again mid-January with more specific information closer to the date.
MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Our first Bible Study in the new year will begin on Monday, January 6 at 10:00am. This eight week study with Pastor Michelle is called “Invitation to the Old Testament” and includes a workbook and cool videos with archaeologists and more. It gives a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Old Testament and connects prayer practice and scripture. If you’re interested, please let the office know (office@calvaryunited.org).
KINDNESS KITCHEN
In the past year, we have started a mission that meets the first Sunday of the month making food for various groups or people. As 2025 begins, we would like to spark more interest and have you join us in this! On Sunday, January 5, following the service, we will do “Soup for Our Shut-Ins”. Plan now to bring your favorite soup (with the recipe) to church where we will package it, pray over it, and deliver it along with communion. If you have any questions about this, please contact KarenStriegel5@gmail.com. We would love to know if we can expect you: a sign-up sheet is on the Mission table across from the office.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A FANTASTIC SERVICE FEBRUARY 16!
The Youth and Children of our church will be leading worship on this date. Plan now to be here to support them in their faith examples. We will also be distributing 3rd grade Bibles. Following the service will be a “Pancake Brunch” also hosted by our youth as a fundraiser for their annual mission trip to Mountain T.O.P. Tennessee. The youth and their leaders will be making and serving pancakes and other breakfast items for a freewill donation.
OFFERING ENVELOPES & PLEDGE CARDS
We are still accepting pledge cards. They may be placed in the offering box or brought to the office. Also, if you would like giving envelopes for this coming year, please contact the office (317-852-2541 or office@calvaryunited.org) and indicate if you would like weekly or monthly envelopes. If you requested envelopes, they are ready and may be picked up in the church office.
MONTHLY MISSIONS
Our December Mission is supporting the Brownsburg Older Adult Alliance. BOAA is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults and their families in the area.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
When the Brownsburg School Corporation closes school for the day due to severe winter weather, all meetings and activities at Calvary will be cancelled as well. Should severe winter weather occur on a Saturday or Sunday please check local television stations for cancellation information. Our church will be identified with “Brownsburg” in the name. Additionally, the website itself will have an information banner added regarding any closings.
READY TO THINK SPRING?
We have a wonderful service opportunity that works around your schedule! If you are interested in plant beds and pots, we need someone to take over the ones by the entry. Betsy Hoggatt cared for them previously and has put together a maintenance guide and is open to any questions that may come up. Not much is needed until spring, but we’d love to hear if this might be a role for you!
SUNDAY MORNING ITEMS FOR HEARING AND VISION ASSISTANCE
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.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, December 22, 10:00am Fourth Sunday of Advent
“The Light Shines Through… Shepherds” Luke 2:8-20 (NRSVUE) Rev. Jolita Erbele
-Tuesday, December 24, 5:00pm Christmas Eve Service for Young Families
“Don’t Miss Christmas” Luke 2:4b-14 (NLT) Rev. Jolita Erbele
-Tuesday, December 24, 7:00pm Christmas Eve Service: Traditional with Candlelight and Holy Communion
“The Light Shines Through… Jesus to YOU” Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Tuesday, December 24, 11:00pm Christmas Eve Service: Traditional with Candlelight and Holy Communion
“The Light Shines Through… Jesus to YOU” Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, December 29, 10:00am First Sunday of Christmas with Healing Service
“The Light Shines Through… Simeon and Anna” Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
SAVE THE DATE:
-Live Nativity and Celebration – Saturday, December 21, 5:00-7:00pm outside and in Fellowship Hall
-Christmas Services – Tuesday, December 24 in the Sanctuary: For young families at 5:00pm, Traditional Candlelight Services at 7:00pm and 11:00pm
-Church Office Closed – Wednesday, December 25 through Friday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 31 through Wednesday, January 1
-Classics Luncheon – Monday, December 30, Noon til 2:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Kindness Kitchen – Sunday, January 5, 11:30am-12:30pm in the Kitchen
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, January 6, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Youth and Children’s Service and Pancake Brunch – Sunday, February 16, 10:00am-1:00pm