April 3, 2024
Calvary Compass – April 3, 2024 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Thank you to the choir for those wonderful anthems and to Rev. Kerry for the special Easter worship service on Sunday. Thank you to Ruthanne McLagan for decorating the sanctuary so beautifully with floral arrangements. We are so blessed to have such talented people in our congregation.
April is here and the church will be busy with Jazz Vespers this evening and Kiwanis Music Festival later in the month. If you have never been part of the audience to hear these young people sing, it is a real treat.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
April 7 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r-JRPfuyJA
April 14 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tiJZ841bBY
April 21 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lC6iCR0EsA
Recorded service for March 31 – Easter Sunday
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWSPSm8tVXo
AFFIRMING
Some have asked what the money is used for that Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble requests - $100 the first year and $500 following years. The following is an excerpt from the document " Open Hearts" . (There are two copies of this document on the Affirm Book table in the sanctuary.)
"All Affirming ministries are required to become members of Affirm United/S'affimer Ensemble through an annual institutional membership ($100 the first year and $500 each year after that.)
This supports our Affirming Ministries program, advocacy work, our annual conference, governance, and much more.
Including (from page 5 of Open Hearts):
* certificate from Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble
* resources to support and give pastoral care to people who are LGBTQIA2S+, for those who are gender non-conforming or genderfluid, and to their families and friends
* builds and sustains a network of support through Affirming Ministries, national working groups, local groups, and wider society
* provides educational opportunities and resources that will encourage acceptance of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities by members, communities of faith, and decision-making bodies of the United Church of Canada and its partners, including ecumenical and civil organizations.
Unfortunately, there are several churches including some United Church congregations who are not welcoming to those with different sexual orientation and gender identity, different ethnicity, various abilities and socio-economic status.
64TH LONDON KIWANIS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Calvary will be hosting the 2024 Kiwanis Music Festival from April 15 -17 & 19 and April 22 -24 & 26.
If you enjoy listening to children sing, here is a opportunity to volunteer for a morning, afternoon or evening to help keep the sessions running smoothly. We need a secretary and a door person for each session. If you are interested and are available, please contact:
Brian McNichol (bbmcnichol@gmail.com) Ph: 519-681-6677
Mary Margaret Farrow (mmfarrow1@mac.com) Ph: 519-657-7831
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
We are continuing to collect breakfast items for the London Community Chaplaincy. Non perishable items such as cereal, peanut butter, peanut free granola bars, juice boxes, fruit cups, etc. are welcomed. There are bins in the hallway and at the back of the sanctuary to deposit your donations in. Thank you to Bonnie and Brian McNichol for delivering the items to Southdale Chaplaincy for distribution.
PASTORAL CARE
If you or a loved one wishes pastoral care or would like to be on the Prayer list, please let Rev. Kerry know - kerry.stover@calvaryunitedchurch.on.ca or call the church office - 519-434-5526.
LENTEN PROJECT
If you have not donated to help purchase a commercial washing machine for Men's Mission, but would like to, please make your cheque to Calvary United Church and place your donation in the offering plate or mail to the church. There are envelopes at the back of the sanctuary for your donation.
Thank you for your donation.
Meetings this Week:
* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
* Jazz Vespers - Wednesday - 7:00 pm
* Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 - 12 Noon via Zoom
Bible Study:
1 John 1: 1 -2: 2 and John 20: 19 - 31;
Psalm for the week:
Psalm 133 (from the Common English Bible translation)
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Prayer for the week:
Generous and gracious God,
Your goodness overflows beyond limits and
your unity extends beyond all boundaries.
Open our hearts to your love so we might
share the gifts of this day with those we know and
those that we encounter on our journey.
In the powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.