Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
I am blessed to be well acquainted with a wide variety of Josephs. Both my grandfathers had Joseph within their name; yet they were called by friends and family by their opposite name: Grant (Lowe) and Mike, aka “Mitch”, (Kallock). My father and his next oldest brother both carry Joseph as a middle name. And then, it seemed only providential that I married a wonderful man whose middle name is, well, you probably guessed: Joseph. That’s five Josephs spread over three generations!
All of these Josephs can probably find their inspiration in scripture from the famous Joseph (Yosef) in Genesis and/or the Joseph in the gospels as the earthly father of Jesus. The meaning of this name in Hebrew is “he will add” or “God will add”. It is a name which matches with the men I have known because they each have embodied generosity or providing care in their own way.
Join us in worship this Sunday as we continue our first-person narrative sermon series, “The Light Shines through…” We will hear from Joseph who is one of a few participants in the nativity story who has no speaking lines. None. Nowhere in scripture will you read something of what Joseph said. What we do learn is what he does, how he acts, and the impact of his providing generosity on Jesus, the Holy Family, and our faith.
See you in person or online!
Hearers and Doers with you for Jesus,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
SHARING GRIEF AT THE HOLIDAYS
Our GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. We will have a special class together tomorrow evening, Thursday, December 12 at 6:30. If you would like to join us, please RSVP with Jill Robertson at shepherdskid1@gmail.com or call the church office at 317-852-2541. There is a book that will be shared, the cost of which has been covered by a member.
UMW CHRISTMAS TEA
Please join the United Methodist Women this Saturday, December 14th at 1pm for Travel Talk, Tea, and all things Christmas as we celebrate the season and appreciate how much Jesus’ parents traveled. There may even be some Christmas Caroling! Bring your favorite vacation mug or teacup and travel to Fellowship Hall. We look forward to your arrival!
YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY
Join us this Sunday, December 15, 5:30-7:30pm for our Christmas Party. We will also meet next Sunday night, December 22 at 6:00 for Youth Group. We will not meet December 29.
POINSETTIA ORDERS
The last call for Poinsettia orders is this Sunday. Feel free to contact the office if you would like to honor or remember someone, but will not be in before then.
OUR LIVING NATIVITY & CELEBRATION
Many volunteers are needed next Saturday, December 21st at various times and in various ways. Stop by the mission table and take a look at how you might be able to help or contact the office! Encourage your family and friends to come for this beautiful time together.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 15, 10:00am Third Sunday of Advent
“The Light Shines Through… Joseph” Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, December 22, 10:00am Fourth Sunday of Advent
“The Light Shines Through… Shepherds” Luke 2:8-20 (NRSVUE) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-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
-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