December 10, 2025

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

In Worship This Week...

This week we step into the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday (the Sunday of Joy), and you are warmly invited to join us in worship as we celebrate the deep promise of joy that Christ brings. In a season when it is all too easy to be overwhelmed by frustrations big and small, by storms outside and storms within—we pause to remember that joy is not denial of hardship, but a gift that lifts our vision beyond it. Jesus continually invites us to look again, to see more than the swirl of bad news or the weight of our worries. “What do you see?” he asks. Can we look past the storm long enough to glimpse healing, hope, reconciliation, and promise?

This Sunday, our annual Christmas Cantata will help us do just that. Through music, Scripture, and story, we will reflect on Christ’s coming, His promise to make the wilderness blossom, to strengthen weak hands, to steady fearful hearts, and to give us songs to sing even when the road is difficult. This year, our cantata will end with the choral piece “I Ponder.” At its conclusion, we invite the whole congregation into a time of silent pondering. Rather than applauding, cheering, or breaking the moment, we ask you to enter prayerfully into the quiet: What is the sign of Joy you are longing for this Advent? Where do you see Christ already at work? Where do you sense His coming hope?

Come ready to listen, to watch, to open your heart. Come ready to pay attention. For Joy; true, kingdom-shaped Joy is breaking in, even now.

Love Came Down At Christmas - Calvary's Adopt-A-Family

Bring THE LOVE OF CHRISTMAS to Calvary's Adopt-A-Families:

1) Mom and Dad with a son and daughter.

2) A single Dad with a son

3) A single Mom with a son

*The adopt-a family tree is in the Gathering Space.

1. Every tag has been taken from the Adopt-A-Families tree!

2. Return the NEW WRAPPED gifts and place under the tree.

3. ATTACH THE TAG with a small piece of tape on each gift.

4. Families also need: new shelf-stable food; toiletries and cleaning items are always helpful (these do not need to be wrapped – just place in the designated boxes)

5. All Gifts MUST be returned by NOON, SUNDAY DECEMBER 21st, so we can deliver to the families in time for Christmas.

Thank you for helping make these families' Christmas bright!!

Christmas Cantata

Come join us for worship on Sunday, December 14th at 10am as Calvary's Senior choir present our 2025 Christmas Cantata.

Blue Christmas Service

Every year as we approach Christmas some find there is no joy in their hearts and that it is hard to celebrate the season. Blue Christmas worship services help us to re-focus on what Christmas is all about. Join us this year for a meaningful service on Sunday, December 21st at 7pm led by Carl Shephard.

Christmas Eve Worship Schedule

Join us on Christmas Eve and Worship our Newborn King!

4:00pm - Family Worship Service

7:00pm - Traditional Worship Service

*All services feature carols & candlelight

Celebrate with us, for unto us a child is born!

Please keep in your prayers:

Calvary’s mission and ministry and for the mission and ministry of the church in the world; for those who need the presence of God in their lives; for those serving in armed forces; and for those serving in ministry around the world and here.

And for: Duane, Mike, Serena Rose, John and Audrey, Carol F., Tom, Michael & Chelsea, Laura & Marc.

And those members of Calvary who are no longer able to be active among us as they once were: Joan, Bernie, Dottie, Bob, Pepper, Shirley, Marj, June, Helen.

Virtual Prayer Request

If you have a prayer request that you would like lifted during Sunday services you can now submit them online at our website or by clicking the link below. We have also created this QR code, which can be found in the Sanctuary and round the building. It can be scanned at any time to send a request.

Calvary Online Prayer Requests

JOYFUL GIVING

Christmas Offering

As the end of the year approaches, please consider making a Christmas gift to support the ministries of Calvary.

Offerings can be made electronically or with cash/check by simply earmarking your donation as a "Christmas Offering". Envelopes can be found on the round table in the Gathering Space.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

START OFF 2026 WITH BIBLE STUDY:

DISCIPLE FAST TRACK: Bible study for busy lives: INVITATION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

We will have just celebrated the birth of Christ – Who do you say that Jesus is in your life? The Gospel of John asks us to “Come and See” and “Follow Me”. The gospel of John helps us to understand who Jesus is; through his life teachings, (including the beautiful “I am statements”) and as we move toward Easter, his death and resurrection.

The class will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in The Adult Education Room (202) beginning Jan 14 – April 1, 2026.

All study materials will be provided at a cost of $13.00 per person, payable on the first night of the class. This class works best in person, but we will arrange for zoom attendance. Please bring your favorite bible (a study bible is best but not required).

Need a bible or cost prohibitive? Just let co-facilitators Tabitha Beckman or Lisa Heywood-Drake know.

There is room for 12 disciples in the class. The sign-up sheet is available on the round table in the Gathering Space with a DEADLINE to sign up by WEDNESDAY January 7, 2026.

*****Study books and instructions will be available for pick up on the Gathering Space round table starting December 28th

**** Please read the enclosed directions in your study book, so that you are ready to participate on January 14th. Check off that you have picked up your participant’s book.

Introducing Calvary’s Justice Ministry Team & Social Principle Study

As people who follow Jesus, we believe that God’s dream for the world is one of healing, restoration, and justice. Scripture reminds us of this calling again and again: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Justice is not an optional part of our faith—it is woven into the heart of God.

Over the past several years, Calvary UMC has discerned how best to live out this calling. Our commitment to becoming a Reconciling Congregation continues to shape our identity and our ministry. We remain steadfast in our affirmation that LGBTQ+ individuals are beloved by God and fully welcome in the life of our church and our wider community. This work is holy, ongoing, and vital.

Yet as we have engaged more deeply in conversations around inclusion, we have also recognized that justice is a wide and interconnected tapestry. Racism, sexism, ableism, and environmental injustice are not isolated concerns—they intersect in ways that create profound harm and suffering for countless people around the world. To faithfully seek God’s justice, we must understand and respond to these overlapping realities with courage, compassion, and humility.

For this reason, the former Reconciling Team has broadened its focus and discerned a new identity: The Justice Ministry Team, chaired by Connie Cutler and Jill Holland. This renewed ministry will center two core commitments:

Educational growth within our congregation—helping us deepen our understanding of justice concerns through learning, conversation, and theological reflection.
Advocacy and engagement within our community—creating opportunities to live out God’s vision of justice in practical, meaningful ways.

This transformation honors our reconciling roots while expanding our capacity to respond thoughtfully to the complex needs of God’s world. As Isaiah reminds us, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17). This is the work we hope to take up together in the days ahead.

Our First Educational Offering: Exploring the UMC Social Principles

To begin this journey, the Justice Ministry Team is offering its first educational opportunity this January: A Five-Week Exploration of the United Methodist Social Principles, Sundays, January 11 – February 8, Following worship in Room 202.

This study will run alongside a preaching series in worship, allowing us to learn, reflect, and grow in multiple ways each week. Together, we will discuss the Social Principles—The United Methodist Church’s prayerful, thoughtful statement of how our faith informs our engagement with contemporary social, economic, and environmental issues.

From the introduction to the Social Principles:

“The Social Principles are a call to faithfulness and a challenge to all members of The United Methodist Church to examine contemporary issues in the light of the Gospel and the Wesleyan tradition. They are intended to be a prayerful and thoughtful effort to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation.”

Throughout these five sessions, we will explore how the Social Principles articulate our shared values around topics such as human dignity, creation care, economic justice, global conflict, and the responsibility of communities to one another. More importantly, we will explore how these values call us to action—how they help us live out God’s love with integrity in a complex world.

Whether you are new to conversations about justice or have been engaged in this work for years, this study offers a meaningful chance to listen, learn, and deepen your discipleship.

Join Us in This Growing Ministry

As Calvary continues becoming a community shaped by God’s hospitality, compassion, and justice, we invite you to be part of this important work. Come learn with us. Come ask questions with us. Come imagine, alongside one another, what it means to embody God’s dream of justice in our time and place.

If you have questions or want to learn more, please reach out to Connie, Jill, or Pastor Drew.

Together, may we walk in the way of justice, kindness, and humble love.

Join a House Church

Calvary’s House Church ministry continues to grow and remain a vital component of our worship life together. With five active house churches, thirty participants we are seeing tremendous response. One participant has said “Joining house church was the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.”... See More

For more information, and upcoming events check out our Family Ministries Page.

Christmas Pageant - "A Christmas Wish"

This year's Christmas pageant - "A Christmas Wish", will take place on December 21st during worship. If you would like your child to participate this year, please sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48AEAE2CA6FEC43-59112323-christmas

Please note: Children in the Christmas pageant should plan to attend Children's Choir following worship to learn the songs! Dress rehearsal will take place on December 14th.

Living Nativity

Calvary’s King’s Kids invite our church family and community to join us for a special evening as we present the "Living Nativity" on Sunday, December 21st from 5–7pm. This beautiful tradition brings the Christmas story to life through our children’s heartfelt retelling of Jesus’ birth. It’s a simple, meaningful experience that blesses both those who serve and those who attend. The show runs approximately every 15 minutes with goodies, crafts and family fun in the Gathering Space between showings! Live animals help bring the joy of the story to life!

Volunteers Needed for Calvary’s Living Nativity

To help make this event run smoothly, we are seeking volunteers for three important roles:

• Bakers
Help create a warm and festive welcome by providing homemade treats for guests as they arrive. Cookies, bars, breads—any simple baked good adds a personal touch of Christmas cheer.

• Parking Attendants
Be the first friendly faces our visitors meet! Parking Attendants help direct cars safely and efficiently, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and a positive start to everyone’s experience.

• Youth Nativity Guides (Angels)
Youth are invited to help lead groups to the nativity scene while dressed as angels. This role sets a joyful tone and helps guide guests with warmth and excitement.

Serving together in these roles helps support our King’s Kids as they share the message of hope, love, and light this Christmas season.

If you feel called to help, please sign up using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054CA8AE2EABF58-60639706-living

Thank you for helping make this year’s Living Nativity a meaningful blessing for all!

PASSIONATE SERVICE

Make a Difference in Upper New York

Are you ready to grow as a disciple and put your faith into action? Our conference-wide committees are seeking passionate volunteers who want to share their gifts and make an impact. Whether you’ve served in the past, or always wanted to help but weren’t sure how, this is your opportunity!

Join us in loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously as we work together to strengthen our mission and ministry across the Upper New York Annual Conference.

Your time and talents can change lives—will you answer the call?

To volunteer, please complete this form.

Tellers Needed

Each Sunday two people count up and record the receipts of the church for the week. If you can balance your checkbook, you can do the job. At our current level of tellers, you would end up counting about every 5 weeks. If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Paul Breslin at pvbreslin@gmail.com or 518-810-8970.

SMALL ITEMS, BIG IMPACT:
Monthly Addition to St. Ambrose Collection Begins Dec. 7

Calvary’s Missions Team is excited to announce the expansion of our partnership with the St. Ambrose Food Pantry and the amplification of our church’s mission of addressing food insecurity in our community.

In response to the dire need for personal care and hygiene items not provided through food benefit programs, once a month we will add to our “Joyful Giving” of food items a special collection of a personal care or hygiene item.

This “personal care collection” will occur the first Sunday of each month (Communion Sunday), starting December 7. Each month a specific “Item of Need” (suggested by the St. Ambrose Food Pantry organizer) will be announced in the Midweek Message and on Calvary’s Facebook page at least two weeks prior.

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ITEM OF NEED for December 7:

Toothpaste and/or toothbrushes

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Items can be placed in the center aisle with the food donations or in the outer vestibule any time on the 1st Sunday of the month to be included in that month’s collection

“Our neighbors should never have to choose between putting food on the table or taking care of their personal care needs,” said Grace Paster, a member of the Missions Team. “Providing personal hygiene items means their limited funds can be used for more nourishment.”

Calvary Missional Partnerships

Calvary has long standing relationships with a number of mission organizations that impact people from the local area. For more information on the following organizations, please click here.

Rags to Riches
St. Ambrose Food Pantry

Find More Volunteer Opportunities

OPEN TO ALL

Preschool Update

Today in Chapel Chat we talked about the 4 gifts of Advent - hope, peace, joy, and love. Then Pastor Drew told us the Christmas story and we had to help him get the details right!

Contact Michelle at LathamCalvaryPreK@gmail.com if you or anyone you know is still looking for a preschool.

Support Calvary

If you would like to Support the ministry of Calvary, you may do so using the link below or QR code. Thank you for your generosity.

https://giving.servantkeeper.com/CalvaryLathamUMC

For more ways to support Calvary, please click here.

Tellers Schedule

The Tellers for this Sunday, December 14th, 2025

Dan Gilbert and Bob Savage

Click here to see the full Teller Schedule.

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