Midweek Meditation: Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
What do you seek and want for Christmas? If we really quiet ourselves and pause long enough most likely the answer cannot be contained in a brightly colored gift bag.
What we really need comes from another Source.
Fortunately, we are loved, blessed to receive the gift we truly need! Come to the celebration tonight as we have arrived at the birthday of our KING!
The Babe of Bethlehem is our Emmanuel, God with us!
Our many musicians, ushers, greeters, altar guild, youth, nursery team, and many extra volunteers… have beautifully prepared a holy celebration. We hope you will join us in person at 5:00pm, 7:00pm, or 11:00pm, or online (5pm and 7pm only).
Merry Christmas!
Joined with you as hearers and doers of HIS Word,
Pastor Michelle & Team Calvary
Please note:
Church Office closed 12/25 – 12/27; and also closed 12/31 through 1/1/25.
Pastor Jolita on vacation 12/25 through 12/30/24.
Pastor Michelle on vacation 12/30 through 1/5/25.
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
YOUTH GROUP
Youth Group will not meet this Sunday, December 29 or next Sunday, January 5. Our next meeting will be January 12. See you then!
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
None of our Sunday School classes will be meeting this Sunday, December 29, but all will resume next Sunday, January 5, following the service.
CLASSICS LUNCHEON
Join us next 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).
FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH PRAYER TIME
Join us Monday, January 6, at 6:30am for our monthly prayer time. Bring your morning drink and what’s on your heart and meet us in the sanctuary.
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.
EPIPHANY LABYRINTH WALK AT MESSIAH LUTHERAN
Messiah Lutheran (801 S. Green St) will be hosting a labyrinth walk to quietly and prayerfully consider Epiphany and the coming year at 7:00pm next Monday, January 6. No RSVP required.
JANUARY 12 OR 19 TOWN HALL IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
Join CUMC leaders in a Question & Answer session for updates on a variety of items such as land sale, 2025 missional goals, policy updates, financial information, 2024 celebrations, and appreciation! Both sessions at 11:11 will cover identical material. Information will be sent via email and handouts will be available in the office the week of January 6, 2025.
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.
WORSHIP:
-Tonight, 5:00pm Christmas Eve Service for Young Families
“Hallelujah” Luke 2:4-14 (NLT) Youth and Children Lesson Rev. Jolita Erbele
-Tonight, 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
-Tonight, 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
-Sunday, January 5, 10:00am Epiphany Sunday and Service of Holy Communion
“Come Worship the King” Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-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
-Town Hall Q&A – Sunday, January 12 or 19, 11:11am in Fellowship Hall
-Euchre – Saturday, January 18, 6:00pm-8:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Youth and Children’s Service and Pancake Brunch – Sunday, February 16, 10:00am-1:00pm