Calvary Link: No Fear

Calvary-Link-Old-and-NewI usually spend several hours in my study preparing for a sermon by reading the Word, looking at commentaries, and praying. These are some of my favorite hours of the week! But the sermon I'm preparing for this Sunday, "Fear Not: A Christmas Message for Our Time," has been on my mind for over a month now. The timing couldn't be better because you've probably noticed, like I have, that this year the celebration of Christmas is tempered by the most unexpected emotion--fear.

In fact, our world is paralyzed by fear. Our reality is populated by terrorist attacks, campus shootings, economic uncertainty, and an immigration crisis with multiple fronts. Then there are the personal struggles we're each dealing with. When it seems that dangers, toils, and snares lie all around us, we have to wonder, does the gospel say anything about our fears? The angels announced the coming of Christ with the words, "Fear not!" But is it possible to live free of fear in this world? This Sunday, I want you to come hear the Savior's birth narrative like you've never heard it before at 8:15a, 9:45a, or 11:15a, and bring someone with you!

Be making plans to join us just four days later on Christmas Eve. We're gathering at 1p, 3p, and 5p to celebrate the perfect love that drives out fear--the love of Jesus Christ!

What's New at Calvary...

Year End Generosity
Thank you for your faithful giving all year long! The numbers in the right-hand column show your generosity. Remember that anything given above and beyond our ministry budget this year will bless individuals and families in our church and community through the Compassion Fund. Plus we're partnering with local organization Compass International Family Center to help families who move here from other countries and joining with Nairobi Chapel to plant a church in Kampala, Uganda. We've made it easy to give online. Come January, Pastor Lionel will let us know how we did!

Family Sundays
Attention parents of K-5th graders! This Sunday, 12.20, and next, 12.27, are Family Sundays. Elementary-aged children are invited to join the church family in the Worship Center to celebrate the Advent season. Stop by Guest Services to pick up an activity bag for your child to enjoy during the service. The nursery and preschool will be open for infants through 5-year-olds (not yet in kindergarten).

Serve on Christmas Eve
Give the gift of time this Christmas Eve. Volunteers are needed to care for children in the nurseries and preschool room during the 1p, 3p or 5p Christmas Eve service. Contact Victoria Evans-Peasley, Director of Children's Ministries, to serve Calvary families and guests.

CalvaryLIVE Recording Event
The CalvaryLIVE worship team is recording its second live album on Friday, 1.22, and needs a crowd to add background vocals. We have room for 450 people to lend their voices to the album. More details and tickets are available online.

Calvary Students Christmas Party
A winter wonderland of fun is open for students at the Christmas party on 12.20! Students should put on their fave Christmas PJs, bring a funny $5 gift for the gift exchange, and gather to enjoy yummy appetizers, a chocolate fountain and hot cocoa bar, gingerbread house contest, plus carols and the Christmas story. The fun starts for middle schoolers at 4p and for high schoolers at 6:30p.

Lectio Divina: The Bible One Day at a Time
Did you know that Pastor Lionel has written a devotional series to take you through the Bible in a year? Follow the Bible reading plan at Lectio Divina ("divine reading") and get Pastor Lionel's brief commentary on the day's Scripture passages. Visit Lectio Divina to read the daily devotions online, or sign up to receive them in you email inbox beginning January 1.

Parking
The Calvary parking lot fills up this time of year. Calvary staff and leaders are committed to parking in the adjoining TJ Middle School parking lot or across the street at the future Life Change Center on Sundays and during special events. Would you join us? Parking in one of these alternate lots leaves room for our many guests on the main campus.