January 6, 2026
Calvary Compass – January 6, 2026 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Happy New Year!! Hopefully you had a good Christmas and are looking forward to 2026 and whatever new adventures are in store for you.
This coming Sunday, there will be the baptism of Isla Hye-In Stroobosscher, daughter of Denise Jung (our music director) and Peter Stroobosscher; and Owen Gibson, son of Jennifer Sadler, (grand daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Graham Tipple) and Cameron Gibson.
Jazz Vespers will be happening this Wednesday night at 7pm.
Thank you to all you donated to Calvary's Advent Project - London Cares. They will distribute a tax receipt to you for the 2025 year.
Thank you to all who donated new mittens, hats, scarves and socks for the London Community Chaplaincy. The Christmas trees are coming down this week and the items will be bagged to take to the Chaplaincy for distribution.
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A message from Rev. Kerry:
Many Christian denominations observe the Epiphany, after the 12 days of Christmas, on January 6th. Eastern religions hold special worship services to pay homage to the Magi that made their way to find the newborn King, Jesus.
On Sunday, if you were attending in person worship; you received a piece of chalk in which you can write or mark above the door to your home, apartment or other place this
20 + C M B + 26 or 20 + C + M + B + 26 (either way is good)
The numbers in this example refer to the calendar year 2026 and the crosses to Christ. The letters C, M, and B stand for the traditional names of the biblical Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar), or alternatively for the Latin blessing Christus Mansionem Benedicat ('May Christ bless this house').
After the service on Sunday, Rev. Kerry marked Calvary’s Ridout St. doors and the parking lot glass doors while invoking “May Christ bless this house”.
Many Blessings to your homes for 2026.
Rev. Kerry Stover (he, him)
In Team Ministry with the Congregations of
Calvary, Riverside, Wesley-Knox and White Oaks United Churches
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
January 11 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-jeIhjUcjM
January 18 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCA_cnf6FGQ
NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.
Recorded service for
January 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kdgzZg3GMY
CALVARY'S PRAYER TEAM
Calvary United's Prayer Team is here to hold 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 the prayer request and drop off in the offering plate.
OR
Prayer Box: A wooden box located on the credenza near the extra hymn books;
OR
Send your request to Rev. Kerry. His email is kerry.stover@calvaryunitedchurch.on.ca
Our Promise: Each request is prayed over daily for one month, with a focus on God's guidance, hope, and restoration. All requests are kept strictly confidential. The team also prays daily for Calvary United Church.
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 Kris 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.
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
If you are able, please bring non-perishable items for the Chaplaincy. They are always in need of breakfast food such as cold cereal. oatmeal, peanut butter, jams, non-nut granola bars, juice boxes. There are receptacles in the hallway and back of the sanctuary for these items. Thank you for your generosity.
Bonnie McNichol and Karen Butt - Co-Chairs of the Outreach Committee
MESSY CHURCH
Messy Church is coming to Riverside United Church - 695 Dunedin Drive (a fully accessible building).
When? Friday February 6, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
What? An all-ages event with fun activities, snacks and fellowship based on out theme of "Give thanks with grateful heart"
Freewill offering gratefully accepted at the door.
For more information you can contact Mary Kannakko or Marg LaRocque or Carol at carol@riverside.on.ca
Everyone from Calvary, White Oaks and Wesley-Knox United Churches have been invited. All are welcome.
BROADVIEW DISCUSSION GROUP
White Oaks United Church has a Broadview Magazine Discussion Group. They meet to discuss the articles in the latest Broadview Magazine. Issues surrounding spirituality, justice and ethical living are discussed. The group meet once a month between 11:00am - 12:30pm, bring a bagged lunch, their copy of the Broadview and in the church hall. They have invited anyone who is interested to come out and join the discussion. For more information or to find out when they are meeting contact Jim Catton at cattonjim649@gmail.com
ANNUAL REPORTS
Please write your annual reports and send them to Kim by Tuesday, February 3rd so that she can collate them and prepare the booklet containing the various reports before the Annual Meeting. Please note that submissions should use the Arial font and 12 pt. size. Do not format with page numbers, headers or footers.
Meetings this Week:
• CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 -3:30 pm
• Jazz Vespers - Wednesday - 7:00 pm
• Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom
• Outreach Meeting – Thursday at 1:30 in Parlour
• Property Meeting – Monday at 3pm in Parlour
• Stewardship & Finance Meeting – Monday at 7pm via Zoom
Bible Study:
Scripture Readings: Psalm 29; Matthew 3: 13 -17;
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 72: 17-19 from the New International Version translation
May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,[d]
and they will call him blessed.
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
Prayer for the Week:
O God of never ending love and light,
you revealed your Son to all people by the shining light of a star.
May your love be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide,
your truth our light, and your peace our benediction;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Prayer focus for the week: For those proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.