This month at Calvary I have been doing a series of Advent sermons entitled Songs of the Season. Each Sunday we’ve been reading and reflecting on the initial reactions of some of the major characters in the story of Jesus’ birth. For example, Zechariah the...
Advent at Calvary Presbyterian Church December 1: Zechariah's Song: The Benedictus December 8: Mary's Song: The Magnificat (Advent Wreath-Making Event & Hanging of the Greens Following Worship) December 15: Lessons & Carols December 22: The Angels' Song: Gloria Christmas Eve: Candle Lighting Service with Communion, 7:30 p.m. Click here for more...
As I mentioned last week, on Sunday we launched a new initiative at Calvary: the RACK campaign—Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. The idea is to share the Christmas spirit throughout the month by performing random acts of kindness for others—strangers, neighbors, family members, friends. Little...
A Time to Watch Matthew 13:24-35 and 24:36-44 December 2, 2018 Michelle Fincher Calvary Presbyterian Church ‘Tis the season! Exactly which season depends on who you ask. For some people, the season of love and joy, peace and hope has begun. This is “the most wonderful time of the year,”...
Our Second Annual Advent Workshop On Sunday, December 2, 2018 we will host a "Hanging of the Greens and All-Church Advent Workshop" following worship. Join us for this special event as we enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas throughout the building! Stations for making...
I woke up on Monday in a near-total panic. The voice in my head was screeching at triple-fortissimo, “Oh my heavens, it’s December and I have no idea what I’m preaching on Sunday, much less what my theme for Advent is.” [Editor’s note: some people...
One of the things I love about December is that it is an extravaganza for the senses. As soon as I walk in my front door the delicious scent of a Frasier Fir tree greets me. My nose leads me past the tree to the...
Most weeks after worship I offer a 30-minute “let’s talk about what we just heard” experience that I call Sermon Talk Back. It is very informal, highly interactive, and I love it. I love it because it lets me know what folks in my congregation...
Several weeks ago someone in my church shared this quote with me. It has been on top of my “inbox” ever since, and every so often it catches my attention and I read it again. Today I realized what an apt description of Advent it...
As is the case for every minister I know, long before the Thanksgiving turkey goes in the oven we are already thinking about Advent. This is especially true when the first Sunday of Advent falls on Thanksgiving weekend, as it does this year. It sometimes...