March 19, 2024
Calvary Compass – March 19, 2024 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
All members and adherents will have received the Ad-Hoc Affirming Committee's short document last week by email or Canada Post. (the iPad insert is for those with visual issues and would prefer to have it read to them) PLEASE READ THE DOCUMENT! It will hopefully answer some of your questions and prepare you for the Affirming Vote next Sunday, March 24 after our worship and communion service. Hopefully many of you can be present in-person to hear the discussion, ask your questions and vote. There will also be the option of being on Zoom for those who cannot be present. Hopefully we can open the Zoom site around 11:30 am. Thank you to Ken McLagan for providing this option in the booth and Kim Knowles on her laptop.
NOTE: If you plan to participate using Zoom, please notify Kim in the office by Friday morning so your name can be included on the attendance list.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be observed during Palm Sunday service and there will be a Benevolent Offering as well. Those attending in person on Palm Sunday may want to, if they wish, bring their own elements or use the wafer and juice communion cups provided.
The Sunday School children will remain in the Sanctuary for the worship service and will be singing with the senior choir during the anthem.
The Catalyst was sent out last week. If you did not receive it, please let Kim Knowles know. Printed copies will be available this week at the back of the sanctuary.
On Maundy Thursday (March 28), we have been invited to White Oaks United Church for a worship service at 7:00 pm. On Good Friday, (March 29), the Worship Service will be at Wesley-Knox United Church at 10:30 am. On Easter Sunday, we will have a wonderful worship service at Calvary with a coffee hour afterwards.
.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
March 24 – (Palm Sunday, Communion and Affirming Vote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUxg5jI2sDc
Recorded service for March 17- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8ToVrHRyIk
DECORATING THE SANCTUARY AND CHANCEL
Are you creative, able to help with the flowers in the sanctuary and decorating the chancel? The Worship Committee is looking for someone to help. You do not have to join the Worship Committee if you do not want to. If you would like to volunteer, please let Mary Kannakko know. (mkannakko@rogers.com or 519- 672-8286) Thank you to Nancy Palmer for her time and creative skills that she has provided over the years who has retired from this position.
LENTEN PROJECT
The Lenten Project for this year is to support the purchase of a commercial washing machine for the Men's Mission. As you can imagine, this machine is used regularly for a variety of items including men's clothing. If you are able to donate, please make your cheque out to Calvary United Church and put Lenten Project in the memo line. There are envelopes at the back of the sanctuary to put your cheque in.
Thank you for your donation.
CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD
First St. Andrews United Church's Senior Choir, Soloists, Chamber Orchestra and their Music Director, Chris Fischer, are performing a musical production entitled "Considering Matthew Shepard". In the Fall of 1998, Matthew Shepard was a young gay Wyoming University student who was taken by two men who tied him to a fence like a scarecrow and brutally murdered him. Last Thursday night, five of us were able to go to one of their rehearsals to hear them rehearse parts of it. The music was very dynamic and told the story with music and narratives. Afterwards those in the audience and the choir were invited to their main hall for some homemade pie since March 14th was PIE Day. (Public/ Intentional./Engaging) and also Pi Day- 0.314. The performance is Sunday April 21 at 3:00 pm at First St. Andrews United Church. The tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students.
Wesley-Knox is showing the film “Romero” Palm Sunday Evening at 6 PM in the parlour and you are all welcome to attend. If you have not seen the film (from 1992) I highly recommend it. Archbishop Oscar Romero stood as a voice for Justice in El Salvador against military regime. His feast day is March 24th so it's a perfect day to tell his story. It's free and a wonderful way to begin holy week.
Please Note: It is rated PG-13 and really isn't suitable for younger children.
Thank you to Emily and Lily for performing some Irish dancing during the service on Sunday – which was also St. Patrick’s day. It was a wonderful contribution to the Youth Connection and we appreciate them sharing their talent!
Meetings this Week
* Trustees - Tuesday- 7:30 pm via Zoom
* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
* Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 - 12 Noon via Zoom
* Affirming Vote - Sunday - after the worship - in-person and on Zoom
* Book Club - Monday- 7:30 pm via Zoom
Bible Study:
Scripture Readings: 1 Corinthians 12: 12 -14; 27; 28; Mark 11: 1 - 11;
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 118: 19 - 24: (Century Biblical Translation)
Open for me the Temple Gates.
Then I will come in and thank the Lord.
This is the Lord's Gate;
only those who are good may enter through it.
The stone that the builder rejected
became the cornerstone.
The Lord did this,
and it is wonderful to us.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad today!
.
Prayer for the Week:
God of love and generosity,
when the world is in turmoil and it seems that there is
so much hatred around us, you are still with us. We are
your children and know that you will never abandon us.
We give you thanks for your unending love and your
protection. Amen.