ALVARY OMPASS December, 2017 · Merry hristmas to all and to all a good night! Your pastor, Gary Proietti Reverend’s Ramblings Giving special “thanks” for all the sharing of

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CALVARY COMPASS December, 2017

CONTENTS Sunday School News p. 3 Church Life p. 4-5 Missions p. 6 Calendar p. 7 Consistory News p. 8

Upcoming Events! December: Dec 8- Community Christmas Distribution Day Dec 10– Kid’s Christmas Program Dec 14– Community Christmas Dinner at Trinity Lutheran Dec 17– Caroling See page 5 for more information and watch upcoming newsletters and bulletins for further information.

The first Sunday of Advent is December 3rd.

“I am the resurrection and

the life. He who believes in

me will live, even though he

dies…” John 11:25

Our thoughts and prayers

are with the families who

have lost loved ones recently.

2018 Offering Envelopes will be

available for pick up starting Decem-

ber 10th. Please be

sure to through away

any envelopes left from

2017 at the start of the

new year as numbers

have changed.

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O, Christmas Tree

Several churches ago, I served a congregation

that wouldn’t allow a Christmas tree in the sanc-

tuary, much less on the chancel. Christmas trees

were verboten! Then, I was called to Calvary and

found they erected not one, but three Christmas

Trees all of which were placed on the Chancel in

front of the organ pipes! I went from famine to

feast!

So, where does the idea of Christmas trees come

from? In the days before Christianity was even a

thought, European pagans cut evergreen trees

and branches and brought them indoors. During

the winter solstice (which occurs in mid-

December where the day is the shortest and the

night is the longest), people realized that spring

was coming, and every day will be longer. It re-

minder them that planting would soon be here.

Starvation and bitter cold would soon be a thing

of the past, so evergreens reminded them of the

newness of life. When Christ came, the new be-

lievers borrowed the tradition from pagans, and

began to use pine and fir trees as a symbol that

during winter “death” somethings were still alive.

By the early middle-ages, the tree became a sym-

bol of the resurrected Christ and everlasting life,

and the rest is history.

In Europe and Scandinavia, Christians carefully

attached lit candles to the boughs, so the tree

would give off a warm glow and speak of the

light of Christ to the world. (I don’t think our

modern-day fire marshals would approve of this

practice today…) During the Lutheran refor-

mation, gifts were place on or under the tree.

Often, families wrapped presents several times

with a different name would appear on each lev-

el. The recipients wouldn’t know it was for them

until the last wrapper was removed.

By the Victorian era, German immigrants brought

the tree custom to England, but it became wide-

spread when Victoria and Albert set up a Christ-

mas tree in Windsor Castle. In 1852, Clement

Moore wrote the poem, “’Twas the Night before

Christmas” where the idea of an indoor tree with

presents and even Santa Claus was made popu-

lar.

But that’s not all! On the sixth day of January,

(Epiphany, when the story of the wise men ar-

rived at the home of Mary and Joseph and gave

gifts to the Christ child) some churches have a

Christmas tree burning where everyone brings

their dried out old trees and creates a big fire as

they sing Epiphany hymns to celebrate the

twelve days of Christmas.

So, there you have it. Christmas wouldn’t be the

same without old Tannenbaum in the window of

the living room.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Your pastor, Gary Proietti

Reverend’s Ramblings

Giving special “thanks” for all the sharing of time, cooking talents, and support to pro-vide the community a Thanksgiving Dinner. - Sandi King

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Sunday School News

Don’t forget the kids

are doing a “mitten

tree” for those less

fortunate. Please

place any glove, mit-

ten, hat, or sock do-

nations on the tree in

the breezeway.

Please be sure to join us on De-

cember 10th for a special annual

Christmas Program presented by

the children’s “Kid’s Club”.

“The Advent Song” Tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

Advent is a time to wait, (hold hand up as you say “wait)

Not quite time to celebrate, (shake head and wag finger from side to side)

Count the candles 1 by 1, (put 4 fingers up, one at a time)

Until Advent time is done. (wave hands, palms down)

Day by day we work and play, (stack fist on top of fist, back and forth)

To prepare for Christmas day! (put arms on shoulders and hug yourself)

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Community Christmas started No-vember 26th. The program can still use donations of toys, clean win-ter clothes, non-perishable food and of course financial gifts. Workers will be at the church Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. till noon starting November 27 thru December 8th. Distribution day will be December 8th from 8 am to 5 pm. Saturday the 9th CAMP will be hosting a free will donation “garage sale” for those that still need a helping hand and to clean up the extra items in the church.

During the month of December the choir will be singing The Lord Bless and Keep You (No. 446). Anyone who would like to join in singing is encouraged to do so.

December 13th Tabitha will be holding

their annual Christmas Lunch at 12:30

pm following their regular 12:00 pm

meeting.

Please join us on December

17th at 1pm as we spread the

joy of Christmas. Sunday, De-

cember 17th after the church

service a light lunch of sloppy

joes will be served and we

will meet at 1pm to go Christ-

mas Caroling. Be sure to

mark your calendars.

Remember

Calvary in

your will.

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CARING FOR OUR SHUT-INS Dorothy Frederick 415 East Main St. Crestline 44827 Larry Mitchell 501 W. Main St. Crestline 44827

OUR MEMEBERS IN

RETIREMENT HOMES

Mill Creek Nursing & Rehab Center Jeanette Frost - Room 312 -

900 Wedgewood Circle Galion

Magnolia Terrace Mabel Wilson- Room 70

110 North Market St. Galion

Crestline Nursing Home Bud Hipsher

Anis Leiss Don Kindinger

ANNIVERSARIES

Christina & Joseph Miller 12/14

Calvary is in need of volunteer representatives

to deliver Meals on Wheels in Crestline. You can

set up a flexible schedule that works for you.

Whether once a week, once a month, or on call.

Contact Caren Feick for more information.

Poinsettia orders are

done and Christmas

Eve is fast approach-

ing, make sure to

come to Christmas

Eve service to pick

up your poinsettias.

Preston Dapper 12/03 Jerry King 12/03 Karen Rismiller 12/04 Jamie Miller 12/05 Judy Berger 12/05 Shelley Brewer 12/07 Virginia Fetter 12/09 Taryn Hutton 12/11 Shirley Poth 12/12 Emily Sloan 12/13 Robert Strauch 12/14 Robert Dunlap 12/16 Randy Swihart 12/18 Alice Toussaint 12/21 Carol Mollencopf 12/21 June Miller 12/23 Robert Strauch 12/26 Travis Moyer 12/27 Richard Kanable 12/27 Keagen Sqrow 12/28 Karen Morrow 12/30

We regret to announce the

passing of Shirley Oliphant

who was a faithful member of

Calvary for many years. Our

prayers go out to the Swihart

family at this time. She was

90 years young.

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Missions Beyond the Dark and Stormy Night Luncheon

I would like to thank everyone who helped with the preparation of the food and atmosphere, including the people who came to the event for the first time. I hope you had as much fun at the event as I did. It was a neat, new way of cele-brating Halloween. What began as a dark and stormy night, gave way to a cele-bration of people who love to sing the songs and tell the stories. Transitions can be fun as we get to know each other and accept responsibility for our relationship to Christ Jesus. The Mission and Evangelism Committee will be meeting soon to develop plans for 2018. We hope to be able to come up with some new and varied ways of doing mission and evangelism. Let’s enjoy having fun doing the work of the church. Our last event for this year is the Christmas Fund. This year’s theme for the Christmas Fund is “Let There Be Light” as we sup-port the poor, but faithful shepherds of Christ who have cared for the flocks dur-ing their pastoring years. During the four Sundays in Christmas there will be bulle-tin inserts uplifting various church leaders who find themselves in need during a life crisis. Those who are able and willing to donate are welcome to give to this fund and may do so until the Sunday, December 24, by placing a donation in to the Christmas Fund envelope in the bulletin or on back of the pew in front of you and placing this special offering into the offering plate. Others can contribute to local programs as they choose, both, or none. The choice is yours. The process of joining together in “one accord” does not mean we go to-gether in one car, at one time. However, we can join in a ‘Care-a-Van” and end up together at the end of our faith journey as we go forward with renewed vision. Help us include each other on the path-way to God’s Grand Design. Help us find the time to say “How do you do?” and get to know each other better. Lead us to new hope when we are feel-ing discouraged and enable us to find friends along the way that lifts us up. – Carol Lantz, chairperson

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3

Advent Starts

Communion

Community

Christmas

4

WIC 8 am

5

6

Christian Ed

Meeting 6 pm

Choir Practice 7pm

7

8

Distribution Day

8-5 pm

9

CAMP “Clean

Up” Sale

9-11:30 am

10

2nd Sunday in

Advent

Children’s

Program

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12

13

Tabitha 12 pm

Choir Practice 7pm

14

Community

Meal at Trinity

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16

17

3rd Sunday in

Advent

Caroling 1 pm

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WIC 9 am

19

20

Ladies’ Breakfast 9

am at Payne’s

Choir Practice 7pm

21

Elders 6pm

Consistory 7pm

22

23

24 Christmas

Eve Service

10pm

25

Christmas Day

Office Closed

26

Office Closed

27

28

29 30

31

New

Years Eve

Sunday Hours Sunday School 9:00am

Worship 10:00 am Super Kids 10:20 am

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CONSISTORY HIGHLIGHTS Pastor’s Report: We have found an outside accountant CPA to do the audit. Jim Henry, who is familiar with church finances, will be doing it starting on Monday, November 26th until December 1st. Sandi King spear-headed the Drug Awareness Event that was at Calvary. Still working on the amplifier. The Christmas Booklet will probably not get done this year as there was not enough articles submitted. Finance: The finance committee will have a budget by next month. Next meeting December 10. Stewardship: Letters had been mailed requesting the response of giving cards be returned by November 26. Gary Cole is still working on a new budget for the meeting on December 10. A new program is being looked at to eliminate extra funds and put others in individual ones, such as the Jones account. Benevolence funds need to include Mission giving, for people in need, not just the deacon’s fund. Envelopes need to be ear-marked as to what purpose it is being given. Eliminate the 5th Sunday for OCWM and make it for the Building Fund or CAMP. A line item could be designed for Benevolence and give a list of current missions broken down to give to as designated. It would help if Delores could put the mission amount designated for special mission projects in the bulletin so we know what is going where, or where to list the money. Building and Grounds A leak was found around chimney and in the pipe room. Cannot start repair, we do not have enough tiles. Company out of Illinois needs to be contacted or look at alternative plan. Haley King wash and put back a strip of about 80 tile in two areas. We have no idea of what it will cost for a new roof, or to re felt the old one. Using blue tarp will be safe for the winter. Men’s bathroom needs repair. Consider using a drop ceiling and door needs repair. An exhaust fan needs repair, need a new spigot in the kitchen. Lay Life and Work: Karen Kindinger has stepped down as president. Need replacement. Christian Education: Meet on December 6 at 6 p.m. Mission and Evangelism: Dark and Stormy Night Lunch after Church on October 29. It replaced the Trunk or Treat Event and people seemed to have a good time. Total Income was $60. Expenses paid: $34.08 plus in-kind donations of over $43.57 reported directly. Have a balance left of $25. 92. The Christmas Fund will be our December Special Offering. The committee needs to meet in the near future to plan additional events for 2018 once we get a sense of direction with new chang-es taking place.

DEADLINES- All information for the bulletin or newsletter must be received two full days before

publication. Bulletin information must be received no later than Wednesday at 10 am. The newsletter

is published on or before the last of the month.

CALVARY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

511 Heiser Ct.

Crestline, OH 44827

Office Hours: Mon– Friday 9am - 1 pm Phone: 419-683-2745 FAX: 419-683-1819

Email: [email protected] Web: calvaryucccrestline.org

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ALVARY OMPASS December, 2017 · Merry hristmas to all and to all a good night! Your pastor, Gary Proietti Reverend’s Ramblings Giving special “thanks” for all the sharing of