Calvary United Methodist Church
www.calmeth.org
Office: 703-892-5185
Fax: 703-892-0414
The Calmeth News
Periodical
Address Service Requested
2315 South Grant St., Arlington, VA 22202
Calvary Children’s School:
Preschool: 703-892-4112
Our Mission:
Through worship, education, service, and
fellowship, we'll share with all people Christ's
message of faith, hope, and love.
The Calmeth News (USPS 555560). Published weekly, free of charge
by Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 S. Grant St., Arlington, VA
22202-2599. Periodicals paid at Arlington, VA.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CALVARY UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH, 2315 S. Grant St., Arlington, VA 22202.
Volume 47
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Number 51
What’s Going on at Calvary
Break-in at Calvary
Tuesday, December 16
7:30pm—Church Council Meeting in Harris Hall
Wednesday, December 17
6:30pm—Wednesday Night Dinner—($7) Spaghetti
Reservations Required: 703-892-5185 before noon
Thursday, December 18
11:30am—Salty Dog Lunch in Harris Hall
8pm—Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Memorial Hall
Friday, December 19
7pm—Angel Tree Christmas Party with Arlandria Community
Saturday, December 20
10am-2pm - Parent’s Afternoon Out
Sunday, December 21—Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:30am—Worship with Holy Communion
9:45am—Learning For All Ages
10:30am—Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Memorial Hall
11am—Worship
12pm—Coffee Hour in Harris Hall
5pm—Youth Group Christmas Party (away)
Unfortunately, sometime late Wednesday night,
December 10 or early Thursday morning, December 11 a
perpetrator attempted to break in to the Church
Administrator’s Office and broke in to the Pastor’s Office and
Financial Administrator’s Office. Thankfully no computers or
other items were taken nor records accessed. The Trustees
were notified, and the police are investigating the incident.
Christmas Eve at Calvary
5pm Children’s Service
A favorite service of many,
Calvary’s 5pm Children’s Service
is tailored for families with young
children. The core of the service
is a pick up pageant involving our
children (any who want to
participate)! The Junior Choir will
be singing, and classic carols complete this special service.
8pm Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Communion
Service
A classic service with candlelight, beautiful carol singing
led by the Chancel Choir, a message from Rev. Matthew
Smith, Holy Communion, and a children’s message. Nursery
care is provided.
11pm Candlelight Communion Service
Join us as we welcome the Christ-child through carols,
Holy Communion, a Christmas message from Rev. Matthew
Smith. No childcare during this service.
Upcoming Sundays...
Come to Calvary Sunday mornings at 8:30am and 11am
for worship (Holy Communion is every week at 8:30am and
on the first Sunday of the month at 11am).
Come for worship, light the Advent wreath, and prepare
for the coming Christ child! We are running a series focusing
on the characters of Christmas (including Elizabeth and
Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds and angels).
Angel Tree Party
The gifts have arrived (if you still
have one to bring, please contact Beth
at [email protected]). You can still
participate by providing food. Margaret
Taylor has a list of items that will be
given to the families. If you are
interested in helping with this, she can
be reached at [email protected].
The families will come on Friday, December 19 at 7pm to
receive their gifts and food, and celebrate. If you would like to
help, or can provide transportation, please contact Beth.
Christmas Offering
The first $2,000 of the Christmas Offering will help to fund
our local relief ministry to those of dire need in Arlington. The
remainder will support the additional ministries and missions
of Calvary. Please consider an end-of-the-year gift.
Remember that you are always
welcome to give electronically through our
e-giving link from the website, or use the
QR code (through a smart-phone app). It’s
easy and secure.
Than k you and God bless.
Poinsettia Dedications
Each year there is an opportunity to dedicate a poinsettia in memory of / in honor of / or in thanksgiving for someone
or something in your life. The cost this year will be $15 and you will be welcome to take your poinsettia home following
the 11pm Worship on Christmas Eve, or donate it to a shut-in. Forms will be available in the narthex on Sunday mornings.
You may contact the church office at [email protected] for information. The deadline for dedications is Monday,
December 22 and the dedication list will be included in the Order of Worship for Christmas Eve). PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Dedicated by: ___________________________ Your email address: _________________________________
In Honor / In Memory Of /  Thanksgiving for__________________________ Will Pick Up Give to Shut-In
Learning For All Ages
Youth News
Harris Hall Group
The Adult Bible Study group is taking a break. We will
begin an 8-week study on January 11, Trusting the Covenant,
which is the third segment of the Covenant Bible Study series.
We would be delighted to have you join us at 9:45am on
Sundays in Harris Hall for either or both of these
opportunities to study our faith in deeper ways together. If
you have any questions, please contact Natalie HoughtbyHaddon at [email protected].
Thursday Evening 7pm Men’s Group
The group finished their study and discussion of You Can
Get Better or Bitter and will be starting a new study after the
first of the year. If you have questions or would like to be
advised, contact Keith Sessions at [email protected].
Sunday School, 9:45-11am
Children’s Church, In the basement of the preschool building
after Children’s Time. Come, now is the time to worship!
Sunday, December 21 from 5-8pm – Youth Christmas Party!
Stewardship Bouquets
We say “thank you” to:
Stewardship includes giving of our time and talent as well
as our treasure. This week we say “thank you” to:
 All the Pancake Breakfast workers who raised nearly $600
for the Preschool Scholarships. Check out our Facebook
page for a photo!
 All those that helped with the crèche this year.
If you know of someone who should be listed, please contact
the church office at [email protected]. Thank you.
Fundraiser Update
Thank you to all the families who brought their kids to the
Movie Night Fundraiser on December 7. We had a fabulous
time with crafts, games, eating pizza, and watching the Lego
Movie, and we raised $678 for our youth mission trip! That is
almost enough to pay for two participant spots on the trip -the cost per participant is $350! The youth will be going to
Project SPY at Fieldstone UMC in Christinansburg, VA in July
to work on houses for families in need in the New River Valley
area. If you would like to know more about Project SPY or
how to help support our youth, talk to Kathy Harrington
([email protected], 703-403-5870)
Gifts That Give Hope
Opportunities Are Still Available
Approximately $14,000 has been raised so far through
the fair. There is still time to make a purchase through their
website. There is a link on our website as well. To see the full
list of nonprofit organizations that took part in the 2014 Gift
Fair, visit: http://giftsthatgivehope.org/arlington/. There is a
link to allow you to “Shop Online Now.”
Coffee With the Pastor
New Member Class
If you are interested in becoming
a member, or just have questions,
please contact the church office 703892-5185 or [email protected]. The
next scheduled Coffee With the
Pastor will be Sunday, January 11,
2015 in the parlor (next to the
Pastor: Matthew Smith
Church Admin.: Molly Sessions
Financial Admin.: Barbara Harslem
Family Ministries: Beth Posey
Youth Ministries: Kathy Harrington
Lay Leader: Keith Sessions
Music Director: Mickey Fuson
8:30am Music Dir.: Wayne Kemp
Organist: Dennis Thorp
Custodian: Thuan Tran
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sunday, January 4, 2015 6pm – Game Night!
Sunday, January 11, 2015 6pm – Service Night—we will
collect food donations in the neighborhood.
Friday, January 16-Saturday, January 17 – Bowling Lock-in
(More information to come!)
For more information about youth activities, contact
Kathy Harrington ([email protected], 703-403-5870) or
Christy Harvey ([email protected])
Upcoming Events
Calvary has several upcoming events. Take a look and
contact the person listed—or the church office—if you want
or need more information.
Thursday, December 18, 11:30am
Salty Dog Lunch—celebrate the season with friends!
Friday, December 19, 7pm
Chirilagua / Arlandria Angel Tree Christmas Gathering in
Harris Hall. Come celebrate with neighbors and friends.
Saturday, December 20, 10am-2pm
Parents Afternoon Out
Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Due to the schedule of worship services for Christmas Eve
there will be NO Wednesday Night Dinner on Christmas Eve.
5pm – Family Worship
8pm – Christmas Eve with the Chancel Choir
11pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26
the Church Office will be CLOSED (Christmas)
Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2, 2015
the Church Office will be CLOSED (New Year’s)
Saturday, January 3, 10am-2pm
Community Pancake Breakfast
Bi-District Training Day
Saturday, January 10, 8:15am-3:15pm
It’s Bi-District Training Day at Floris UMC.
This is the annual event where staff, lay, and
clergy gather to learn about issues, practices,
and programs. You do not need to be a
council member, or member of a committee
to attend. More information can be found at
http://www.novaumc.org/event-items/bdtd2015/. Early registration goes through December 18. To get
your first choice of workshops and the lowest registration fee,
please take a few minutes to register today!
Prayer Corner
Advent: Crowded Days
During this festive time of year we can get so
wrapped up in the glitter, carols, treats, gatherings,
obligations, presents, and celebrations that we forget to take
some time, be still, and listen to the voice that is the Holy
Spirit, who is always there when we are ready to listen. Stop,
even for just five minutes, breathe deeply and slowly, and
allow the Holy Spirit to renew you. This is a gift from God.
Accept it every day—even in this hectic time of year.
If you would like to join the Prayer Team contact Dottie Cumings.
Remember to pray every day.
Have something to post in Calmeth News? Deadline is THURSDAY 12 noon to submit your articles or announcements, please contact us by email: [email protected], or simply call the church office: (703) 8925185. Due to limited space we can only publish a limited number of articles. Articles or announcements that are lengthy may be edited. Thank you for keeping our family and friends up-to-date.