Connect at Calvary December 2018 “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:8-12 What is the best gift that you have ever received at Christmastime? What is the best gift that you’ve given someone? I remember the year that we gave my Dad a bicycle. We had it hidden somewhere else and only a small box that was wrapped underneath the tree. He’s always able to pick up a wrapped gift and figure out what it is, so we didn’t want him to know – we wanted him to be surprised. He was very surprised when his gift was not what he though it was. We had wrapped a pair of socks in the small box. Of course, he figured it out and said thank you. But then, there was the look on his face when we brought the bicycle into the room! I’ll never forget it. My prayer for you is that you will enjoy your time of gift giving and receiving this Christmas season as you celebrate the greatest gift of all – the gift of Jesus. Let us pray. Living God, thank you for the gift of Jesus. Amen December Weekend Worship Services 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 Saturday 5:30 pm Sunday 8:15 am & 10:15 am Wednesday Activities December 5/12/19 Wednesday Meal served from 4:45 – 6:15 pm Wednesday Education Programming 3 years – 5th Grade 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm or 5:45 – 6:30 pm 6th Grade 5:00 – 5:45 pm 7th Grade 5:45 – 6:30 pm 8th – 9th Grade 6:30 – 8:00 pm 10th – 12th Grade 7:00 – 8:15 pm Wednesday Worship – 6:30 pm Sunday, December 2 Sunday, December 16 9:20 am Women’s Chorus Rehearsal 9:20 am Women’s Chorus Rehearsal 11:20 am Living Prayer Rehearsal 11:20 am Living Prayer Rehearsal Monday, December 3 Monday, December 17 5:15 pm Wed. Band Rehearsal 5:15 pm Wed. Band Rehearsal 7:00 pm Hand Chime Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Hand Chime Choir Rehearsal Tuesday, December 4 Tuesday, December 18 6:00 pm Men’s Chorus Rehearsal 6:00 pm Men’s Chorus Rehearsal Thursday, December 6 Wednesday, December 19 9:00 am Quilters 6:30 pm Children’s Christmas Program Saturday, December 8 & Live Nativity 3:00 pm Christmas Caroling Friday, December 21 6:30 pm Congregational Potluck 5:45 pm Care Center Meal Sunday, December 9 Monday, December 24 9:20 am Women’s Chorus Rehearsal Christmas Eve Services 11:20 am Living Prayer Rehearsal 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Monday, December 10 5:15 pm Wed. Band Rehearsal 7:00 pm Hand Chime Choir Rehearsal Tuesday, December 11 6:00 pm Men’s Chorus Rehearsal Wednesday, December 12 9:30 am Phoebe Circle & Naomi Circle Thursday, December 13 7:00 am Men’s Breakfast 9:00 am Quilters Friday, December 14 12:00 – 2:00 Classics Christmas Party Fay Swenson, Suzanne Ray, Suzanne Swenson, Linda Atene, Raylan Piebenga Murphy, Carolie Zacher, Joshua Gordon, Hazel Mueller, Joann Piebenga, Julie Fraley, Mary Boyer, Charlene Buescher, Allan Dewald, Sharon Hermeling, Mark Schuh, Thomas Abell, Jordyn Bruski, Donna Kinzley, Ray Anderson, Orland Paulsen, Amy Alford, Freddis Williamson, Pauline Hohn, Borgie Sande, Charlotte Rowland, Leona Aaker, George Lee, Rollie Larson, Bill Groethe, Kadie Neuharth, Rich Elias, Trisa Scott, Florence Cook, Mary Repp, Ed Hoerner, Lori Mehlberg, Nick Arneson, Kristi Cihak, Ron Hveem, Zane Wulf, Mark Rossignol, All Military, First Responders & families BAPTISM Johanna Anderson Busse and Adrianna Anderson Busse daughters of Andrew Busse & Anna Anderson. SYMPATHY TO Doug and Dennis Jenner and family. Doug & Dennis’ mother, Alleen Jenner, died November 22nd. Haze Pearson and family. Haze’s husband, Dick Pearson, died November 25th. We will decorate our Altar with poinsettias for Christmas. You may purchase a poinsettia in honor, memory of or in thanksgiving for a family member or friend. Each poinsettia will cost $10.00 and may be purchased at the Information Desk or in the church office. Deadline to purchase a poinsettia will be Sunday, December 16th. Council Members… Patrick Badiuk, Tim Becker, Cheryl Chapman, Bill Eldridge, Jon Johnson, Reeva Mathieson, Nancy May, Jeff Schleusener, Doug Thrash Officers: President: Cheryl Chapman; Vice-President: Jeff Schleusener Secretary: Jon Johnson Treasurer: Tim Becker The first Bluegrass Saturday is coming up on December 1st. Join us for coffee, hot cider, cookies and bars at 5:00 pm. Music begins at 5:20 and worship at 5:30. See you there! HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER… We will be doing Holden Evening Prayer during Advent for our Saturday evening worship on December 8, 15 & 22 at 5:30. This is an opportunity to slow down and participate in a peaceful, meditative form of worship during a sometimes crazy Christmas season. CALVARY CLASSICS CHRISTMAS PARTY Friday, December 14th- 12:00 Noon–2:00 pm Bring a white elephant gift and your favorite holiday treat to share. Meal will be provided. RSVP to the church office at 342-9043 by Tuesday, December 11th. Questions? Call the office at 342-9043. WE NEED DISHWASHERS to help at our Wednesday meals on December 5th, 12th, and 19th. If you can help, contact Karla at 391-3850 or email [email protected] Jessica Gromer, RN, will check blood pressures on Dec. 16th in the Dakota Room from 9:00–10:00 am. 6th – 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION PARENTS… We have prayerfully decided to transition to a new Confirmation Program. We will have an information session in the sanctuary on Dec. 19th immediately following worship. CHRISTMAS CAROLING, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH FROM 3:00 – 5:15 PM. Join us as we spread Christmas cheer through song to other Calvary members in town. Meet at the church at 3:00 pm. Caroling Times: 3:15 – 3:45 pm Corral Drive Apartments; 4:00 – 4:30 pm West Hills Village; 4:45 – 5:15 pm Hospice House; 5:30 – 6:30 pm Worship at Calvary. We will have a potluck at church following the worship service. Bring the whole family – everything sounds better in a large group! Contact Kellie Meissner at 430-9684 for more information. WE WILL BEGIN A NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY on Monday, January 7, 2019. The study will be “God of Creation – A Study of Genesis 1-11” by Jen Wilkin. The creation story of Genesis has truths to teach us about the character of God and it begins teaching them in the very first sentence: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 Sign up at the Information Desk or in the church office. Questions? Call 342-9043. December Events… December 5 – St. Nick Night December 19 – Children’s Christmas Program & Live Nativity. December 24 – Christmas Eve Services 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Christmas & New Year’s Break NO Classes, Dinner or Wednesday Worship December 26th and January 2nd MUSIC NOTES…WELCOME TO THE GREAT SEASONS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS! This Advent we are starting each service with the lighting of the Advent candle with a liturgy of song and prayer. This will replace our opening hymn for the season. It is intended to focus us on the coming of Jesus. Our gospel acclamation is a very powerful song from a pastor, recently released from a Turkish prison. He wrote this during his imprisonment and certainly speaks to hope in the darkness: Advent. We received permission to use this song from his parents. Special thanks to Matt Braden for finding it. On December 9th, we are hosting a Christmas concert from KSLT with Mark Schultz. We are looking for people to sing with him on a song...Love Has Come. Please see me for music and invite a friend to join. On December 16th, we will present our Christmas Cantata "The Glory of Christmas." It is beautiful; please invite a friend. If you would like to sing with us, we have numerous rehearsal times and would love your participation - see me for music and times. Finally, our Christmas Eve services are always the high point of the year, with filled pews and voices singing praise to God. We look forward to all the ways we worship God by offering thanks! And a special thanks to all the people who sing and play, you are always appreciated for your faith in action. Thanks to all for singing the faith and a very happy new year. Albin CRAFTING AT CALVARY… Join us for crafting on Dec. 16th between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. We meet in the Quilting Room at Calvary. Questions? Call Christie 484-5815. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR UPCOMING CLASS? We need 10 couples to sign up by December 16th. Class starts January 10th and goes through March 7, 2019 (9 week class) from 6:15 pm – 7:45 pm. Materials can be purchased through www.daveramsey.com. (Note: They have new materials this year.) Financial Peace University makes a GREAT Christmas gift for someone you care about.