Midweek Meditation: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Dear Calvary family,
Glass, clear plastic, soap bubbles, water, air, and certain gemstones like diamonds allow light to pass through them. Each of these is transparent because they allow light to pass through them without distortion, scattering, or absorption. There is one other thing which can be transparent and allow light to shine through… but, first let’s talk about the source of light.
Our scripture for this First Sunday of Advent is from John’s prologue of his gospel. John tells us who is the source of light. “What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:3b-4) Later in the same gospel, Jesus says, “I am the Light of the World.” (John 8:12) Indeed, He is the source of light in life.
You and I have the sacred, beautiful, and bountiful opportunity to be transparent… and allow HIS light to pass through us without distortion, scattering or absorption! Indeed, the Light (Jesus) shines through.
Each week during Advent, Pastor Jolita and I will explore a different person or persons from the nativity story who allowed Jesus’ light to shine through them.
On December 1, we begin with Jesus’ cousin, John. These two men grew up together knowing one another and yet each had a special purpose ordained by our God. As the gospel writer tells us, “He (John) came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” (John 1:7) As we explore the LIGHT shining through John, may our lives become even more transparent to allow Jesus to shine through us. See you in person or online in the shiny place!
God will bless us as we are HEARERS and DOERS of His Word,
Pastor Michelle
Here’s what’s happening in the life of our Church and how you can get involved:
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS
Advent begins this Sunday, December 1st! If you would like a devotional, stop by and pick one up from the table by the windows in the narthex.
YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIES
Plan on joining us this Sunday, December 1, for a fun outing. Instead of the usual Youth Group meeting, we will meet right after church for a trip to Goodwill and pizza for lunch. (No Sunday School for the youth.) Questions? Contact Pastor Jolita.
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 on Thursday evening, 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. If you are able to afford it, the cost of the book is $10.
DEPLOYED FAMILY MEMBERS
Our Missions team is once again recognizing our family members serving in the military. If you have family deployed that we can reach out to, please let the office know by leaving a note on the desk, calling, or emailing Office@CalvaryUnited.org.
PROJECT A.N.G.E.L. GIFTS DUE SUNDAY
If you picked up an angel off the Christmas tree, thank you! If you haven’t returned the angel with the gift yet, please do so by this Sunday. A representative from the organization will be here Monday to pick up the gifts.
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.
OUR LIVING NATIVITY & CELEBRATION
Many volunteers are needed 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. The suggestion was made to provide telescopes this night as well to look at and appreciate the stars. If you have a telescope you would share this night, please contact the office!
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.
GIFT WRAPPING TIME
It’s almost time to start wrapping gifts! Our youth are making plans to do so on Saturday, December 7, Noon to 4:00 and Sunday December 8 from 11:00am-1:00pm, as a freewill offering fundraiser. In order to keep our costs low, we would love to accept any giftwrap that you’d like to share with us: old rolls you don’t need or like anymore, new rolls that you find on sale, various styles and colors of ribbon or bows and tags. Place any donation you wish to make in the box outside the office and mark your calendar to have the youth do your wrapping for you the first weekend of December!
UMW CHRISTMAS TEA
Please join the United Methodist Women on 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!
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.
WORSHIP:
-Sunday, December 1, 10:00am First Sunday of Advent and Service of Holy Communion
“The Light Shines Through… John” John 1:1-8 (NRSV) Rev. Michelle Knight
-Sunday, December 8, 10:00am Second Sunday of Advent
“The Light Shines Through… Angel Gabriel and Mary” Luke 1:26-38 (NRSVUE) Rev. Jolita Erbele
SAVE THE DATE:
-Church Office closed – Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29
-First Monday of the Month Prayer Time – Monday, December 2, 6:30am in the Sanctuary
-Youth Group Gift Wrapping Fundraiser – Saturday, December 7, noon to 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall and Sunday, December 8, 1:00-3:00pm in the Youth Room
-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