Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Dear Calvary Family,
Christini Georgina Rossetti was a poet and songwriter from the mid 1800’s. She was born in England and from a very gifted family. One online source shares that “…her father, the Italian poet and political exile Gabriele Rossetti, immigrated to England in 1824 and established a career as a Dante scholar and teacher of Italian in London.”
Christini wrote the lyrics to Hymn #242 in our United Methodist Hymnal, Love Came Down at Christmas. The poem is similar to other works by her in its use of simple language and imagery which tell of the impact of Jesus’ birth on humanity. It is simply about love.
As we prepare for week two of Advent, our “Simple Advent, Abundant Life” series has us focus on a Life of Love. Consider the last verse of Rossetti’s hymn, “Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine; love to God and all men. Love for plea and gift and sign.”
Let us be a gift and sign of God’s love to one another as we worship in person and share at the Lord’s table this Sunday.
With 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:
FAITH & FOOTBALL
Thank you to all who attended the Colts’ annual Faith & Football event with our youth and for those who supported the group so generously, specifically with convenient transportation to and from the event! Following the game on Sunday, the groups were invited down to the field and heard players Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs and one of the cheerleaders give their testimonies. We’ve attached a picture of our group here.
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.
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.
NURSERY NEED ASAP
We have a need for two adults to help in nursery, once a month, starting in January. In addition to that, we need one more person willing to cover nursery on Christmas Eve at the 7:00pm service. We would love to hear from you today! Please contact the office (office@CalvaryUnited.org or 317-852-2541).
ANGEL TREE GIFTS
Thank you to all of you who have purchased and turned in gifts so far! All gifts with the angels attached will need to be returned by this Friday, December 5. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
MEN’S MINISTRY MEETING
We will have a meeting regarding the formation of the Men’s Ministry Group this Sunday, December 7, following the service at the front of the sanctuary. If you’re interested in this, please meet us there and join us for this.
YOUTH GROUP-CONGREGATION GET-TOGETHER
The youth would like to invite the congregation to a great opportunity to get to know them and spend time together making a Christmas ornament. This Sunday, December 7th, at 3:00pm, Jenay Chalkley from the Craft Fair will instruct us on how to make Christmas tree decorations. The cost is $5 for the materials per ornament. Sign up at the mission table or RSVP to the office.
YOUTH UPDATES
This Sunday, December 7, Youth Sunday School will resume, but Youth Group will not meet at the usual time. Instead, Youth Group is having its get-together with the congregation at 3:00, followed by Bells at 4:30.
CHRISTMAS TEA
Come join the ladies this Saturday, December 6, from 1:00-3:00pm, for a relaxing time of tea, refreshments, carols, and fellowship as we take a breath before the Christmas rush. Just bring yourself, a friend, a special teacup for your tea, a Christmas memory to share at your table, and an item to donate to the food pantry. No reservation needed.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 6:00-8:00pm
-Mark your calendar to visit or to help at our Live Nativity and Jesus’ Birthday Celebration happening that evening! There will be animals to see and activities for the whole family. Consider signing up as a volunteer on the sign-up sheet at the Mission table.
-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!
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.
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.
POINSETTIA ORDERS
Sunday, December 14, is the last day to submit a poinsettia order. Please use the insert in the bulletin and drop it in the offering box or leave it on the desk in the office. Extra forms are also available on the counter or you may call or email the office.
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.
CLA CELEBRATION
The Calvary Leaning Academy raised over $1000 for Family Promise of Hendricks County in November through a “Penny War” between the classrooms. The winning classrooms will receive an ice cream party. Anne Inman, Missions Chair here and Board Secretary for Family Promise, spoke with the classes about homelessness in our community. Thank you to all the families that participated!
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!
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.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, December 7, 10:00am (Traditional) Second Sunday of Advent and Service of Holy Communion
“Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Living a Life of Love”
Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, December 14, 10:00am (Contemporary) Third Sunday of Advent
“Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Living a Life of Joy”
Luke 1:46b-55 (NRSVue) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Christmas Tea – Saturday, December 6, 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall
-Youth-Congregation Time – Sunday, December 7, 3:00pm
-Living Nativity and Celebrating Jesus’ Birthday – Saturday, December 20, 6:00pm
-Euchre Canceled – Saturday, December 20
-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