September 9, 2026
Calvary Compass – September 9, 2026 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
This Sunday is considered "Gathering Sunday" when everyone returns to church from vacations and the Sunday School re-starts. At Coffee Hour this Sunday, we will be welcoming everyone back by "make your own ice cream sundae" in the lower hall. There will be ice cream and lots of toppings for people to make their unique sundae. Everyone is welcome to come down for coffee, tea, juice and a sundae.
Kim Knowles is back from vacation and the church office will be open Tuesdays - Thursdays from 9:00am - 12 Noon and 1:00 - 4:30 pm and Fridays from 9:00am - 12 Noon. As always during these hours, if the parking lot door is locked, you just need to push the intercom button located on the right of the doors so someone can let you in.
BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSING
(credit: Rev. Michelle Owens)
Ever-present God,
yet another school, college, and university year begins this upcoming week. We pray for all students, that they may have a sense of excitement and adventure. We pray for teachers, professors, lecturers, support staff, administrative staff, and all who work behind the scenes to ensure that the best learning environment is possible. Grant inquisitiveness, a zest for learning, and respect for one another as this new school year unfolds.
We pray for your blessing upon backpacks, and upon the students who carry them. May they be sturdy and flexible. May they be open and curious. May they be filled up with good things. Amen.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
September 13 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGdDXPe_Ze4
September 20 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtcOsBmhoAQ
NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.
Recorded service for
September 6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgH1KEXcYgg
LEGACY PLAYERS
All are welcome to attend a performance by the Legacy Players (formerly the Covenant Players) at the church on Friday evening, September 11 at 7 pm. Light refreshments will follow. Please enter by the front Doors ( Ridout doors).
VEGETARIAN HARVEST DINNER
Calvary's Vegetarian Harvest Dinner in support of Canadian Foodgrains Bank will be held on Sunday, October 4th at 5 pm. This buffet meal will be prepared and served by the Outreach Committee and others in the Lower Hall.
Tickets are $20 for adults and free for children 10 years and under. Tickets can be purchased from the church office and at Tuckey Home Hardware store in Wortley village. Tickets will also be sold during Coffee Hour following church service on Sept. 13, Sept. 20 and Sept. 27.
This dinner has sold out in the past so get your tickets early and don't be disappointed!
CANADIAN FOODGRAINS BANK 2026 FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE
This time of the year marks the beginning of Calvary's annual fundraising to support our neighbours around the world who are facing food insecurity and possible famine.
Donation envelopes are available in the church sanctuary and can be put into the offering plates OR dropped off or mailed to the church office at:
Calvary United Church
290 Ridout Street S. London, Ontario N6C 3Z1
1. Make cheque payable to " Canadian Foodgrains Bank".
2. Write " Caradoc Growing Project" in the Memo line in the bottom, left hand corner of the cheque.
3. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Cheques must NOT be made out to the church as there is no way to process them.
4. We request that your donations be received by Oct 25, 2026.
E-transferring is also possible:
1. Set up your recipient as caradocgrowing project02@gmail.com ( Note 02 are numbers and not letters)
2. Use Caradoc Growing Project as the contact name
3. Carol Stanley is the Caradoc Growing Project treasurer. Input Carol's email address as castanley97@gmail.com
4. Your full address and postal code must be put in the message box to ensure a tax receipt can be sent to you. Also include Calvary United Church as your faith group.
5. Proceed as your financial institution prompts you.
NOTE that Carol will need to know the answer to your security question, so you need to send that to her in a separate email to castanley97@gmail.com
You may also make a note of Carol's cell phone number 519-902-3357
Thank you.
SAVE THE DATE
Calvary's Fall Bazaar is Saturday, November 7th. There will be lots to check out and purchase - preserves, jams, baked goods, purses, jewelry, scarves, gently used items, books and DVD's. If you are making jams or preserves, please save some for the bazaar. If you are cleaning out cupboards or drawers, please remember the gently used section, the scarves/jewelry/purses section and the books/DVD section. Later, we will be asking you to make some baked goods.
YOUTH GROUP
Join the youth group at Wesley-Knox and Rev. Dr. Rob Apgar-Taylor on Sunday, September 27th to learn all about Salthaven Wildlife Rescue. All Youth and Young Adults are welcome.
CHAMPION
CHAMPION is back to our weekly Wednesday afternoon meetings -1:00 - 3:30 pm. All are welcome to join us for some conversation, card playing, laughter and refreshments. We have a speaker once a month and have been known to make a meal and share it together or do some crafts or make bed rolls and other exciting activities.
If you like to play pickleball, the group meets at 11:00 am in the lower hall. There are rackets and balls to use. You just need to wear running shoes, clothes to be active in and bring a water bottle for drinking afterwards.
PASTORAL CARE
We know prayer is essential, for ourselves and for those we care about. Calvary's prayer team prays for those who share with them their concerns, sorrows, joys and gratitude. Your requests are kept confidential and only shared with the prayer team, if that is your desire. Please contact Rev. Kerry with your prayer requests. Your prayer requests may also be left in the Prayer Box on the credenza at the Ridout entrance to the sanctuary ( anonymously, if desired) You are also invited to join the prayer team and if interested speak to Kerry or Kris Goodman about becoming a member of this important work for our congregation.
SUNDAY SCHOOL COORDINATOR
Riverside is looking for an individual to become our new Sunday School Coordinator, who will lead efforts to provide an enriching experience for our children and youth.
Candidates must be over the age of 18 and have successfully completed high school.
Teaching or ECE experience would be an asset.
Complete job description is available upon request.
This is a paid position.
To apply or further information, please contact Ron Swartz, Chair of Ministry and Personnel Committee at rb.swartz@sympatico.ca
While this has previously been a one-person position, other models - team teaching, job sharing are also acceptable.
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
The Outreach Committee continues to collect non-perishables for the London Community Chaplaincy. Breakfast items such as boxed cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, juice boxes and nut free snacks (eg. granola bars and fruit cups) are some of the highest needed items. There are blue bins in the sanctuary and in the hallway for your donations. Thank you for your generosity.
Rev. Pam Cullen has resigned from her leadership position at the London Community Chaplaincy after several years of dedicated service. At present, two very capable people have stepped in to fill her role until a replacement has been found. We wish her well in her future pursuits.
BECOMING INTERCULTURAL
What does it mean to go beyond simple inclusion or diversity initiatives and move toward genuine transformation?
Beginning October 14, this six-session interactive course will help ministry teams and individuals explore practical ways to build intercultural communities rooted in deep listening, shared power, responsibility, and hope.
Led by Rev. Dr. Hyuk Cho of the Vancouver School of Theology, the series will connect intercultural theology and biblical reflection with the lived realities of congregations. Participate as an individual or as part of a congregational team. Learn more and register on CHURCHx.
Please let Rev. Michelle know if you are interested in joining with others from our SW London Shared Ministry to learn together. owens@whiteoaksunitedchurch.ca
MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
• CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30pm
• Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 - 12 Noon via Zoom
• Property Committee – Monday – 3pm
BIBLE STUDY
Scripture Readings: Romans 14: 1 -12; Matthew 18: 21 -35;
PSALM FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 18: 1-3 from the New Revised Standard Version updated edition
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
so I shall be saved from my enemies.
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:
Almighty God,
as many start another school year, we give thanks in our worship
and in our deeds for your many blessings.
Thank you for the blessings of family, friends and neighbours.
Thank you for our faith community and all those that
continually do your work in this hurting world.
May love and peace be abundant in our days ahead. Amen.
Prayer focus: For government leaders to bring about peace in warring lands and hearts.