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Events
With your help, we can deliver great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box—packed with quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items—becomes a tangible expression of God’s immense love. For many children, it is their very first gift!
Delivered by local church partners, each shoebox provides an opportunity to share the Gospel with boys and girls in a clear, child-friendly way.
How to participate:
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Pick up a shoebox at the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Child display in the South Atrium from October 31 to November 16, or in the vestibule of the Sanctuary before/after services on November 2, 9, and 16.
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Pick up a mailing label for each box you intend to fill. Select the child’s gender and age range; grab one label per box.
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Fill your box with thoughtful items. Suggested items: samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions.
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Pray for the child who will receive your box (“pray without ceasing,” 1 Thess. 5:17), their family, the pastor who delivers it, and their community.
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No shipping donation needed. The Missions Committee will cover mailing costs.
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Return your completed shoebox (with label attached) to the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Child displays at First & Calvary by November 24.
We’ll handle the rest!
For more information, contact Catherine Clippard at ckclippard@yahoo.com.
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This Advent, we invite your family to read Darkness, Then Light, a 4-week devotional published by Christianity Today.
Reserve Your Free Copy: Sign up by clicking the button below, while supplies last!
Pick-up Dates:
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Sunday, November 23 in the South Atrium
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Sunday, November 30 in the Gathering Area.
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After Nov. 30, pick up your copy from the church office during office hours.
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Unless other arrangements are made, any devotionals not picked up by Dec. 1 will be available to give to friends.
Join the Advent Group on Our Church App:
We will encourage each other as we read together by connecting through a feature in our church app. To access this, download the First & Calvary app on your smartphone and create an account with your email. Further instructions will be emailed to you ahead of the plan's beginning.
Preview the Advent Devotional here: CLICK HERE
Questions? Email Pastor Jamie at j.swope@firstandcalvary.org.
Please complete a sign-up form for each individual in your household who would like their own copy.
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Please join us as we celebrate the beauty of the Advent season and the joy of waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises. There will be carols to sing, ornaments to create, cookies to decorate, and a special project to help your family spread cheer to others. This event is best for families with children elementary-age and younger, and there will be fun options for infants and toddlers as well as your older children. Make plans to Celebrate While We Wait! Register by November 30 (registration linked below), or email a.davidson@firstandcalvary.org with any questions.
The Children’s Ministry team is hard at work on our annual family advent event, Celebrate While We Wait (December 6, 10 AM-12 PM). This is a wonderful time to help our children enjoy the anticipation of Jesus’s birth, but it takes many hands to make it happen. If you would like to be a part of this special ministry to children and families, there are many possible ways for you to serve–even if you are not available on the day of the event. You can register to volunteer by clicking the button below or emailing a.davidson@firstandcalvary.org with any questions. We can’t wait to welcome you to the team!
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This time-honored tradition celebrates the beauty of the arts at First & Calvary through an intimate evening of worship, candlelight, and song. Featuring choirs, instrumentalists, and friends of the church, the Candlelight Musical Service weaves together Scripture, prayer, and a rich variety of musical styles. For nearly a century, this beloved service has invited our community to wonder at the story of Christ’s birth. Sunday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Grieving a loss? Know someone who is?
A GriefShare Surviving the Holidays seminar, held Saturday, Dec. 13th at First and Calvary from 9-11 am, offers practical, actionable strategies for making it through the holiday season. At this two-hour seminar, you’ll view a video featuring advice from people in grief who’ve faced the holidays after their loss. You’ll hear insights from respected Christian counselors, pastors, and psychologists. You’ll receive a Holiday Survival Guide with practical strategies, encouraging words, helpful exercises, Q/As, and journaling ideas to support daily survival through the holiday season. You’ll meet with other grieving people who have an understanding of what you’re going through. They won’t judge you or force you to share, but will accept you where you are and will offer comfort and support.
To register for GriefShare Surviving the Holidays, sign up using the online form below by Nov. 30. There is no cost for attending this event. Contact Pastor Jamie at j.swope@firstandcalvary.org to learn more.
You and your family are invited to join F&C in serving with Crosslines Community Outreach on Saturday, Dec 20th, at their Christmas Distribution from 8:30 am-12:30 pm. This event will be held at the Ozarks Fairgrounds Eplex. Children and families welcome. Our commitment goal: 40 volunteers.
This is a family-friendly event, full of energy and impact. The day begins with a group training and orientation at different stations. Families receiving support go through a qualifying process for participation, and volunteers who serve them get to walk with them as they select toys and are given groceries they take home to make their holiday meal. Last Christmas, Don Everts, Jamie Swope, their families, and 33 First & Cal pals joined Crosslines' Christmas distribution, where over 400 volunteers helped families select new Christmas toys for children and provided food for thousands of neighbors.
First & Calvary helped found Crosslines Food Pantry and the Crosslines Holiday Distribution process. This experience is an amazing way to get to know the people being served and celebrate Advent and God's love by being Jesus' Christmas hands and feet.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Philip Herzog at philipeherzog@gmail.com