December 9, 2025

Calvary Compass – December 9, 2025 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca

Dear Friends of Calvary,

This Sunday will be Music Sunday and the choir will be providing beautiful music for the season. The Sunday School children will be staying up for the service.

Thank you to all who purchased some items at our mini-bazaar on Sunday. There are still some preserves and frozen foods available if you ask Marg or Mary at Coffee Hour.

This Thursday, our guest organist is Kennedy Kimber-Johnson for the Midday Organ Concert Series. Kennedy is the organist at Colborne United Church. The concert is approximately 40 minutes long and there are refreshments afterwards. Thank you to Sandy and Ralph Pincombe and Marg LaRocque for providing the baked goods and the tea and coffee.

Thank you for all who have already put new mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and socks on the trees in the sanctuary. What is donated over the Advent season will go to the residents of the London Community Chaplaincy.

We are continuing to collect 2026 calendars that people do not want for their households. There are boxes for them in the sanctuary and at the parking lot door. These are handed out at Community Breakfast and sent other places.

Worship Services are all live-streamed:

December 14 (Music Sunday)

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9-TljfbAmM

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

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 7 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJWrO9EU3XU

ANNIVERSARY DONATION - looking for name

On Sunday, November 30th, someone submitted their Anniversary Offering in an envelope that contained cash only with no name written on the envelope.

The envelope was a small-sized white envelope with Calvary's address printed on a label on the front - this envelope was distributed with the Anniversary letter.

If you made a cash donation on November 30th for the Anniversary Offering, please contact the office so we are able to provide a receipt for this donation.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Pause, Pray, Disrupt - A United Church Response

to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The UCC invites you to join us as we pause from our daily routines, pray for justice and peace, and consider how we are called to disrupt systems of oppression.

When: Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17. Time: 12 noon -12:30 ET

This ZOOM gathering draws inspiration from recent United Church vigils while creating space for United Church members and friends to respond to the call for solidarity with Palestinian communities. All are welcome to participate in this time of faithful witness.

BLUE CHRISTMAS

Join us for the Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 17 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. We will gather to hear scripture and listen to reflective seasonal music with an emphasis on ‘we are not alone at this time of the year.’

LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY

As mentioned in our recent Catalyst, the London Community Chaplaincy is holding a Christmas Parade through Southdale and Limberlost Communities on Saturday, December 13, bringing stocking stuffers to the families. If you would like to support the Parade by providing small items such as chocolate treats, candy canes, granola bars or small bags of potato chips for the stockings, this would be greatly appreciated. Please bring the items to church with you. There will be a collection box in the hallway close to the other donation boxes.

Thank you for your support of the Chaplaincy.

- Linda Baker

CALVARY'S PRAYER TEAM

Calvary's Prayer Team is here to hold the joys, struggles, and hopes of our community in faithful prayer. Whether you're celebrating a blessing or walking through a difficult time, the team lifts every request before God with care and confidentiality.

How to Share a Prayer Request

* Prayer request cards are located in the pew backs. Fill in the prayer request and drop it into the offering plate.

* Prayer Box: A wooden box located on the credenza near the extra hymn books.

* Send your prayer request to Rev. Kerry (kerry.stover@calvaryunitedchurch.on.ca)

Our Promise: Each request is prayed over daily for one month, with focus of God's guidance, hope, and restoration. All requests are kept strictly confidential. The team also prays daily for Calvary United.

Team Members: Kristen Goodman (coordinator), Susan Huston, Linda Woods and Rev. Kerry. (If you would like to be part of the prayer team, please let Kristen or Rev. Kerry know.)

Quietly and faithfully, the Prayer Team helps make God's presence felt in the life of our congregation - through every prayer, for every person and need.

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.

Two videos from the Moderator of The United Church of Canada

First, an introduction to the new Moderator:

The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, 45th Moderator of the United Church of Canada, shares her call for Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice in a time of rapid change and deep uncertainty.

In this inaugural address, the 45th Moderator of The United Church of Canada introduces herself as a minister of 26 years, a follower of Jesus, and a leader committed to meeting the challenges of the world and the church today.

Moderator Heath finds strength in learning to trust the river of God's life-giving, transforming love, which she has seen ripple through communities and out into the world. Her promise is to be deeply rooted in faith, bold in following Jesus, and daring in standing with courage in places of injustice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDDlw7_jhg

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Second, an advent message from The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath:

The Complicated Joy of Advent: A Message from the Moderator

This Advent, the Right Rev. Kimberley Heath, Moderator of The United Church of Canada, offers a reflection that makes space for all our feelings—the joy, the grief, the hope, and the weariness.

The world feels heavy, but Advent is a season for connection. Drawing on the stories of Mary and Elizabeth, Rev. Heath reminds us that even miracles can feel complicated. Their bold "yesses" to God's call were mixed with seclusion, whispers, and fear. Yet, their simple connection brought a blessing and multiplied their joy.

How do we get in the spirit of the season amid pain and injustice? We start with connection.

This Advent, know this: You are not alone. God is growing a miracle in you and in me.

The United Church of Canada wishes you a blessed Advent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0oXoUJSE1s

Upcoming Bazaars and Events:

• Friday, December 12, 7 pm, A Taste of Sinatra and Friends, Riverside United Church, Tickets $39.50

• Saturday, December 13, 10am to noon, Cookie Walk, Lambeth United Church

MEETINGS THIS WEEK:

* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm

* Church Council - Wednesday - 7:00 pm via Zoom

* Bible Study - Thursday - 10:30 - 11:30 am via Zoom

* Organ Concert - Thursday - 12 noon in sanctuary

BIBLE STUDY:

Bible Study is cancelled this week. It will return on December 18th.

PSALM OF THE WEEK:

Psalm 145: 8-13 from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

The Lord is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all,

and his compassion is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

and all your faithful shall bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

and tell of your power,

to make known to all people your[b] mighty deeds

and the glorious splendor of your[c] kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:

O God of all, we witness your love in action whenever and

wherever the hungry are satisfied and the widow and orphan are cared for.

Extend your blessing upon all in this time of anxiety and in our time of joy.

Bless us as we prepare for the celebration surrounding the birth of your

most Holy child, Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

Prayer focus: For volunteers here and in other places in the community.

Kim KnowlesDecember 9, 2025