Calvary Compass – December 23, 2025 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca

Dear Friends of Calvary,

Merry Christmas! We hope that you have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

The Christmas Eve Family Service is at 7:00 pm. We will be doing our annual Pageant in the Pews. Come early if you wish to participate in the non-speaking roles and need a costume. Please remember to bring your cell phones or a flashlight.

Rev. Kerry will be away next Sunday. Bill Butt will be conducting the service. Rev. Kerry will be back for the January 5th Sunday Service which is Epiphany Sunday.

There will be no Sunday School next Sunday. There are paper projects for them to do at the back of the sanctuary.

The Church Office will be closed from December 24 at noon until January 1st. It will re-open on Friday, January 2nd. Nancy Hind will check for messages and mail during this time.

The next edition of the Compass will be on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026.

If you have any 2026 Calendars that you do not want, please bring them to the church. There is a box at the back of the sanctuary and one at the parking lot door. They will be offered at Community Breakfast or taken to the London Community Chaplaincy when we deliver the new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and socks in January.

Thank you to Pearl, Peniel, Eli and Theo for decorating the cookies that Marg LaRocque made for last Sunday's Coffee Hour. They were delicious.

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A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM REV. KERRY

Dear friends,

In preparing for the coming celebrations time this year, I came across the following that speaks to me of this Holy season and so I share it with you:

It’s an unwed mother (Mary) who carries God.

It’s the pagans (wise people) from the East who recognize God.

It’s the workers (shepherds) in the fields who hear from God.

It’s the marginalized neighbourhood (a lowly stable) who welcomes God.

It’s God who chooses the lowly and the broken to rise (you and me).

Christmas is here.

Let hope, peace, joy and love into your hearts, your homes and

into your celebrations of the new-born King.

As I reflect on this telling of the story of the birth of Christ, I know of the truth that was born for us.

We follow the star again this year to experience this wonderful story of the Messiah.

May your traditions and celebrations once again be filled with the joy of the birth of our Saviour.

Peace be with you and yours at Christmas and throughout the New Year.

Rev. Kerry (he/him)

Minister with the Congregation

Calvary United Church

and in shared ministry with Riverside, White Oaks and Wesley-Knox United Churches

Worship Services are all live-streamed:

December 24 (Christmas Eve) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMf365EZQek

December 28 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liz5R-UWKrw

NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.

Recorded service for

December 21 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR6pe3AC5jI

BLUE CHRISTMAS

The Sanctuary looked magical for our Blue Christmas service on December 17. Candles were borrowed from St. James Westminster.

ADVENT PROJECT FOR 2025

In our recent Catalyst, an excellent article was written to outline London Cares and the good work that the organization does to help those who are unhoused here in London. Please consider making a donation to London Cares Homeless Response Services. There are envelopes located at the back and front of the sanctuary. Your cheques are to be addressed to "London Cares Homeless Response Services" and NOT to Calvary United Church. Please make sure that your cheque is dated on or before December 31, 2025 and your full name and address is on the envelope. They will send you a tax receipt.

The Music at Midday organ series was a huge success and raised approximately $1,100 for the Benevolent Fund. The final concert on December 18 featured Dr. Wayne Carroll on the organ, Peter Bartley on the violin and Rev. Kerry singing two solos. There was a carol singalong accompanied by a string group and Katy and Kim on flute. Thank you to Wayne for organizing.

Meetings this Week

* CHAMPION will return on Wednesday, January 7th

* BIBLE STUDY will return Thursday, January 8th

Psalm for the Week

Psalm 130 ( adapted from the World English Bible translation)

Out of the depths I cried for you, Yahweh (God).

God, hear my voice,

Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.

If you, God, kept a record of sins,

who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you,

therefore you are praised.

I wait for Yahweh.

My soul waits.

I hope in God's word.

My soul longs for God more than watchmen long for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

Beloved children of God, hope in Yahweh,

for there is kindness with Yahweh,

Abundant redemption is with Him.

He will redeem His beloved from all their sins.

Prayer for the Week

O Emmanuel, God-with-us,

how can we ever really know how much you love us?

Until you give us signs of your presence, it's hard to be certain.

We acknowledge that you came among is in Jesus.

In you, God-with-us, is our confidence. Your light prevails

over the darkness and we are blessed. Amen.

Prayer focus for this Christmas season: May peace and love prevail in our homes, community, and for the world.