Calvary COMPASS. Calvary United Church of Christ CONTENTS. The Reverend s Ramblings p. 2. Youth Page p. 3. Birthdays & Anniversaries p.

Transcription

1 Calvary COMPASS Calvary United Church of Christ CONTENTS The Reverend s Ramblings p. 2 Youth Page p. 3 Birthdays & Anniversaries p. 4 Missions p. 5 Church Life p. 6 Calendar p. 7 DID YOU KNOW? Calvary United Church of Christ: has a staffed nursery The COMPASS is a monthly publication of Calvary United Church of Christ 511 Heiser Ct, Crestline, OH Editor: Olivia Sloan Editor in Chief: Gary Proietti Phone: has devices for the hearing impaired has large print hymnals is handicapped accessible Is air conditioned BRING A FRIEND NEXT SUNDAY! 1

2 There is a story of a young Naval Academy graduate, who after completing his first overseas cruise, was given an opportunity to display his talents at getting his ship underway and out of port. The young officer's efficiency established a new record for getting a naval ship ready to embark. He was stunned, however, when a sailor approached him with a message from their captain. "My personal congratulations upon completing your underway preparations exercise according to the book, and with amazing speed. In your haste however, you have overlooked one of the fundamental rules - make sure the captain is on board before you leave port. Over the years my wife and I have developed a foolproof system for gathering presents, decorating the house, and preparing for holiday guests. We have learned what catalogs will supply holiday gifts and what stores will carry the necessary items that are designed to bring Christmas joy. Trouble is we haven t learned to make sure the Captain is on board during all the organized hubbub. Pastors families are as guilty as any for forgetting the true meaning of Christmas. After all, we are supposed to be at the forefront of creating an atmosphere of the Christmas Spirit. Yet, too often our zealousness sets the mood for anxiety and short tempers that only succeed in ruining the Yuletide joy that this season is supposed to be about. Here are some tips on making Christmas a meaningful and joyful time of the year. Set reasonable expectations. Plan for family and friends, but don t go overboard. Bake and decorate to your liking, not for the approval of someone else. Do things that you enjoy doing and avoid odious tasks that sap the joy from your holiday. Realize that everyone celebrates Christmas differently. Respect the traditions of other families and, when you are at their houses, do as the Romans do. Don t force your traditions on others and especially don t criticize their unique way of celebrating. Don t be rigid about your Christmas rituals. Be prepared to allow for change and new ways to celebrate. Your children may have new traditions that may clash with your idea of a meaningful holiday. Learn to embrace the new. It will keep you young Keep in mind what is important. Don t let the hubbub of the season ruin your Christmas joy. Avoid crowded shopping centers and overfilled parking lots. Do some shopping through catalogs and the internet. Remember family and friends are what s important, not material things. And most of all, take time to ponder the greatest gift of all Jesus Christ who was born to save the world. As we prepare to shove off for this next Christmas cruise, may we not only remember to include the Captain in our holiday plans, but may we salute him continually with our praise and adoration. Aye, Aye I mean, Amen! May each one of you have a blessed Christmas and joyous New Year, Pastor Gary Proietti (Cruisin Through the Holidays, 2

3 CALVARY COMPASS December, 2015 EPIC YOUTH! Join us for Christmas Caroling on December 20th at 2pm. On December 13, the service will be dedicated to youth and children. Please bring out the kids for an enjoyable morning of skits, puppet shows and music. 3

4 Birthdays Jerry King 12/03 Karen Rismiller 12/04 Jamie Miller 12/05 Judy Berger 12/05 Virginia Fetter 12/09 Shirley Poth 12/12 Emily Sloan 12/13 Bob Strauch 12/14 Robert Dunlap 12/16 Randy Swihart 12/18 Alice Toussaint 12/21 Carol Mollencopf 12/21 Evan Suter 12/22 June Miller 12/23 Karen Morrow 12/30 Keagan Sqrow 12/28 Anniversaries Christina and Joseph Miller 12/14 OUR MEMEBERS IN RETIREMENT HOMES Norma Evelyn-Room 217 CARING FOR OUR SHUT-INS Dorothy Frederick 415 East Main St. Crestline Ronald Kerst 4217 Beam Rd. Crestline Shirley Oliphant 712 North Seltzer Crestline Larry Mitchell 501 West Main St. Crestline Phyllis Morton- Room 217 Signature Health Care 935 Rosewood Dr. Galion Jeanette Frost - Room 312 Mill Creek Nursing & Rehab Center- 900 Wedgewood Circle Galion Mabel Wilson- Room 70 Magnolia Terrace 110 North Market St. Galion, Ohio

5 MISSIONS2015 Our joy at Christmas time is a response to God s promise of new life through the birth of Jesus. It is a joy we are called to share widely, through our witness and gifts, both to loved ones and to distant neighbors. The United Church of Christ (UCC) Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund is a time for remembering those who serve our church. You have the opportunity to be part of this ministry that cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the UCC through your participation in this year s Christmas Fund Offering. Christmas is a time of remembering the impact of the small child who was born in Bethlehem Town so many years ago. Christmas is a time of remembering this life changing event and those who have dedicated their lives by continuing to tell the story in the midst of Tinsel Town consumerism that replaces true relationship building. This year in times of terrorism and fear, we especially need to remember the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love that have been brought to us by the Veterans of the Cross. May the theme for this 2015 Christmas offering, Love Shines Through bless our lives this holiday season as we remember those Veterans of the Cross who have special needs. Carol Lantz, Chair of the Mission Team The Christmas Offering provides direct financial assistance to retired and active United Church of Christ authorized ministers and lay employees and their surviving spouses, including pension and health premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks. A ministry of the Pension Boards, the offering is received annually on the Sunday before Christmas. This offering is received on the Sunday before Christmas. 5

6 We will having a Christmas Party on December 18th at 7pm. Join together as we have a great time at the Blueberry Patch in Lexington for dinner and wine. Child care will be Community Christmas ends on December 11th so please bring in any items you wish to donate before then. Items will be distributed at that time. provided. Calvary has lost two precious saints this fall - Joyce Olds passed away on November 7 and Joan Stiffler who left this world on November 19. May these two wonderful women of faith rest safely in the arms of Almighty God. The Christmas Eve Service will start at 10pm. Please come and worship our Savior, Jesus Christ. STEWARDSHIP On November 22 your stewardship campaign was completed with a commitment of our time, talent and treasures. A special thank you to all those who were able to hand in your voluntary estimate of giving cards to help the Finance Team budget for We will continue to collect estimate of giving cards throughout November and December (cards can be found in the Narthex). Please help us reach our goal of $110K for the coming year. Your participation in Calvary is very important to the growth and well-being of your church. Your Stewardship Team Poinsettias will arrive on December 18th and available for pick up anytime after then. 6

7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Community Christmas 11/29 12/ Advent Christian Education 11 am 7 WIC 8am Quilting 9am Cub Scouts 6 pm Dartball Galion Lutheran 8 Heart to Heart 7 pm Distribution Day 12 Rummage Sale 13 Christmas Program Advent 14 Cub Scouts 6 pm Dartball Home 15 CMA 11:45 am Elder Meeting 6:30pm Consistory Meeting 7pm 18 Christmas Party 7 pm Poinsettias arrive Advent Caroling 2 pm 21 WIC 8am Quilting 9am Cub Scouts 6 pm Dartball Home Women s Breakfast 9 am 24 Christmas Eve service 10pm 25 Office Closed Cub Scouts 6 pm Meals on Wheels is December

8 CONSISTORY HIGHLIGHTS November 19, :00 pm Pastor Report- Each member was given a copy of Pastor Gary s report for the month. A synopsis of the items were 1) regular visitations of shut-ins, hospital called and served homebound communion; 2) organized Frankenmuth trip; 3) remembered the dearly departed on All Saints Day and honored veterans of the armed service on November 8 th ; 4) attended Kurtzman Haunted Special Effect Lab, excellence in Ministry Facilitator s meeting, Red Roots Concert, Crestline Ministerial Association at the Church of the Nazarene and Tabitha Luncheon at Hunger Payne s; 5) Trunk or Treat on October 25: 6) funeral service for Joyce Olds; 7) Healing service during worship hour and 8) called on Herb Stiffler whose wife Joan was taken to OSU hospital. Upcoming events are Consecration Sunday followed by the Hanging of the Greens, Women s breakfast at Just Jokin and November 29 Everyone Bring One Sunday. Stewardship Committee- Don Graf- No report Building and Grounds- Bob Leiss and Levi Sloan- The work on the chimney was been completed. Galion Fire Appliance inspection found a float switch needed to be cleaned. Evangelism- Jayne Barker reported 288 Trunk or Treat bags and 28 Operation Christmas Child boxes were made. Greeters on Stewardship Sunday will hand out Giving Coins and on December 20 will hand out wallet calendars. Christian Education- Jayne Barker- No report Lay Life- Bob Parr- No report Plans for a car and motorcycle show; 5k run, volleyball tournament, booth at the harvest festival and backpack program in the fall were discussed. Pastor Relations- Elders- Reviewed the location of all thermostats around the church. Music/Worship- Caren Feick- Preparing for the Advent season. Missions- Julie Sloan- No report Calvary Caregivers- Annette Smith- Took meals to Herb Stiffler Foltz Foundation- Annette Smith- Thank you note from Crestline Pre-School. Request from CAMP for Crestline Community Christmas for $3000. CALVARY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 511 Heiser Ct. Crestline, OH Place Stamp Here No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! 8