Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Our journey in Advent is almost finished as we prepare for the final Sunday of Advent, but all of us continue to wait on the Lord’s final coming. Some of us continue to wait for direction or clarity, healing or encouragement. Maybe the simplest thing we can wait for is peace.
I long for peace. More than I yearn for a nap after a long day. Or the voice of a loved one after they have traveled far. So much brokenness around me! How much violence, brokenness, sorrow, despair, and hopelessness have we seen in just the last week? Month? Year? My or your lifetime?
Jesus shared his final sermon with his disciples in John’s gospel and said this powerful statement, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. So do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid.”(John 14:27)
I want a piece of that peace! Don’t you?!?
Join us this Sunday for a piece of the peace… as we sit with Jesus’ birth story and consider the peace-making and peace-bringing that was the gift of His arrival in our world.
With the eyes of our hearts enlightened by our God’s hope,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 6:00-8:00pm
-Come visit or help at our Live Nativity and Jesus’ Birthday Celebration happening that evening! There will be animals to see and activities for the whole family. If you’d like to volunteer, contact the office today!
-Because of the event that night, Euchre will not be taking place, but if you typically come on the 3rd Saturday for that, consider volunteering at the party instead!
CHRISTMAS EVE VOLUNTEERS
We will be having three services on Christmas Eve: a 5:00 young family-oriented service, and 7:00 and 9:00 traditional candlelight services. If you are able to greet, usher, or help with Communion that evening, please sign-up at the Mission table in the hallway across from the office or contact the office.
*In addition to that, we need someone at 3:30 to help set up the luminaria that line the drive. If you are willing to do that, please contact the office today.*
STEWARDSHIP LETTER AND OFFERING ENVELOPES
On November 23, we shared our pledges for the coming year. Thank you so much for that! If you were unable to turn in your pledge card then, you are still welcome to turn it in when convenient for you.
Related to this, we are able to provide offering envelopes for 2026. If you would like to have a set of envelopes, contact the office (Office@CalvaryUnited.org or 317-852-2541) and indicate whether you would like monthly or weekly envelopes. Those of you who have requested envelopes can pick them up the next time you’re in church. They are in the office on the counter.
YOUTH AND CHILDREN SUNDAY SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUP
Youth and Children Sunday School classes will not be this Sunday, the 21st or next Sunday, the 28th. Youth Group will also not be meeting those days. Sunday School for elementary-age children will resume on January 4, with a special Youth Group outing following the service for the middle and high school-age students. See Pastor Jolita for more information.
Adult Sunday School classes will still meet on the 21st and 28th as usual.
MONDAY BIBLE STUDIES
-The Monday Morning Bible Study with Pastor Michelle will not meet December 22 or December 29, but will resume January 5.
-Women’s Monday Night Bible Study will still meet December 22, but will not meet December 29. It will resume mid-January, date to be determined.
CLASSICS LUNCHEON
Please plan on joining us for the “Polar Express” December 30 at Noon. Bring a friend and your favorite side or dessert to share. You may RSVP at the Mission Table or by contacting the office.
COMMUNITY LUNCH – A NEW OUTREACH
We are starting a new mission on the second Saturday of each month and we’d love to have your help with this! On Saturday, January 10, from Noon until 2:00, we will be hosting lunch for members of the community who have been invited at the Blessing Boxes around town or through the local food pantries. Please contact the office for more information or to volunteer to help in this work! (Office@CalvaryUnited.org)
KINDNESS KITCHEN – DATE CHANGE
The Kindness Kitchen will not meet Sunday, January 4 after church as usual and instead will work on Saturday, January 10 ahead of the Community Lunch. Contact Anne Inman or Karen Striegel if you’d like to help with that!
END-OF-YEAR GIVING
If you would like to contribute to the church for the 2025 calendar year, please make sure your gift is postmarked/dated by December 31.
DECEMBER’S MONTHLY MISSION
December’s Mission giving is for Habitat for Humanity and SAWs. SAWs is a nonprofit, volunteer organization founded in 2003, specializing in building wooden wheelchair ramps for low-income, permanently disabled individuals. With the support of our donors and volunteers, lives are changed one ramp at a time and in less than six hours. Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity provides the access, education, construction, and mortgage for low-to-moderate income buyers to purchase a home without being cost burdened.
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.
“NIGHT TO SHINE”
Pittsboro United Methodist Church is excited to partner with the Tim Tebow Foundation to host their 3rd “Night to Shine” on Friday, February 13, 2026! A few members of our church have helped with this in the past and had a lot of fun doing it! 2026 Registration for Volunteers and Honored Guests is open now. Join the team to offer another year of Night to Shine to the sons and daughters of the King in our area! Go to https://PittsboroUMC.org/night-to-shine-2025/ to find out more and register.
SIGN UP TO READ TO THE CLA KIDS
There are still openings for second semester! Sign up at the Mission Table in the hallway the next time you’re at church!
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, December 21, 10:00am (Traditional) Fourth Sunday of Advent
“Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Living a Life of Peace”
Luke 1:26-38 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Wednesday, December 24, 5:00pm Christmas Eve Service for Young Families
“Hallelujah” Luke 2:1-14 Rev. Jolita Erbele and Calvary Youth
-Wednesday, December 24, 7:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Strings, Bells, and Organ
“Living Life of Jesus Christ” Luke 2:1-20 Rev. Michelle Knight
-Wednesday, December 24, 9:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with the Worship Team
“Living Life of Jesus Christ” Luke 2:1-20 Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, December 28, 10:00am (Traditional)
“Bucket List” Luke 2:22-40 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Living Nativity and Celebrating Jesus’ Birthday – Saturday, December 20, 6:00pm
-Euchre Canceled – Saturday, December 20
-No Youth or Children Sunday School – Sunday, December 21 and December 28
-Christmas Eve Services – Wednesday, December 24, 5:00pm for young families, 7:00pm and 9:00pm traditional candlelight
-Church Office closed – Wednesday, December 24-Friday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 31-Friday, January 2
-Community Soup Luncheon – Saturday, January 10, Noon-2:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Euchre – Saturday, January 17, 6:00-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall