First Sunday of Christmas

Readings for the Service of Lessons and Carols

Isaiah 63:7-9
Israel saved by God’s own presence
Psalm 148
The splendor of the Lord is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)
Hebrews 2:10-18
Christ shares flesh and blood to free humankind
Matthew 2:13-23
The slaughter of innocent children

Adoration of the Child

A soft light shines from baby Jesus, making Mary’s face look gentle and peaceful.
Saint Joseph leans on his cane, gazing at the baby with love and joy.
Two angels lean over the manger, their pink cheeks and curly hair making them look like real kids with happy smiles. (Painters often used their young helpers as models.)
Joseph looks real too—older than Mary, with a gray beard, wrinkles, and a tired face from hard work as a carpenter.

The Uffizi, Florence, Italy
Gerrit van Honthorst (1590 - 1656)
ca 1619-1620

A Word from the Pastor

Dear Beloved Community,

As we share this final newsletter of the year, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a hopeful New Year. It has been a profound joy and privilege to serve as your pastor this year—or at least for the greater part of it! One thing is certain: this community is entering the new year with wonderful momentum. I can hardly wait to see what new opportunities arise for us to share the Light of Christ with our neighbors in 2026.

Looking back, I am especially grateful for the ways our family has grown. We had the joy of welcoming new members through the affirmation of baptism, celebrated a new life in Christ through holy baptism, and greeted many new guests in our pews. Your generosity has been equally inspiring, from our Angel Tree partnership with CCM to the ongoing progress on our Serenity Trail and Prayer Garden, which is becoming a beautiful space for peace and reflection.

I hope to see you at our Christmas Eve Candlelight services at 5:00 PM or 9:00 PM as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. May this season of transition be full of blessings and insights. Let us remember that we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.

Blessings,

The Rev. František Janák, Pastor

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NRSVue)

December is here along with the Advent season, a time of preparation and celebration. During this time of holiday festivities, we have the opportunity to teach our little ones the story of the birth of Jesus.
 
Please join us this Sunday at Calvary for a special Christmas Breakfast starting at 9:30am. There will be special gifts for children. And then, stay for the 11:00 worship service where your children can enjoy Children's Church during the sermon time.
 
Each Sunday during the month of December we are planning special Children's Church lessons for the 11:00 worship service. We'll talk about the angel who foretold Jesus's birth, the trip to Bethlehem, Jesus's birth in a stable, and the visitors that came.
 
Our Christmas Eve Services are: 
5:00pm Family Service 
9:00pm Traditional Service. 
Both services will have traditional candle lighting during the hymn Silent Night. 
 
We'll REJOICE! at seeing you there!

Join us for a look at Handel’s Messiah this Advent season. 

Our focus will be on the rich themes of Advent as seen through the perspective of Messiah.

During this series, we will explore Part 1 of Handel’s renowned oratorio, which centers on the prophecy of the coming Messiah and the birth of Jesus.

Please join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45 am between worship services throughout the Advent season (November 30th, December 14th, and December 21st).


Discipleship Class - Sunday evenings at 5pm in the church parlor

Calvary’s Discipleship group will be exploring Season 5 of The Chosen beginning Sunday, September 7 in the parlor at 5 PM. All are welcome!

Season 5 explores Holy Week, from Jesus’ jubilant ride into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey through his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

All seasons of The Chosen can be seen on Amazon Video or through the Chosen App.

Wednesday Bible Study at the Concord Athletic Center

Tap here for latest Youth News

Contacts: 
Kasi Wilson, YouthDirector@clconcord.org
Pastor František: pastor@clconcord.org

Starting soon (January 2026), Calvary is starting a new project called “The Giving Pantry.”

We want everyone at Calvary to help fill bags with food that hungry neighbors in Cabarrus County can use.

Here’s what you can do:

1.  Starting this Sunday, grab an empty bag at church.

2.  Fill the bag with things like canned chicken or tuna, soup, veggies, oatmeal, granola bars, fruit cups, etc. (We estimate that a filled bag costs about $32 at Aldi.) Please choose cans with pop-tops if they are available.

3.  Bring the filled bags back to church by January 18.

If you’d rather give money, that’s great too—we’ll buy the food for you.

Jesus said when we feed hungry people, it’s like we’re feeding Him. By filling these bags, we get to share God’s love in a real way.

The Slideshow features pictures of Trailfest and of workers preparing the trail...

Trailfest occurred on May 24th. It was sponsored by Stewardship and Congregational Life. We enjoyed a cookout and activities celebrating the opening of the Serenity Trail.

Work has continued through the summer with much progress made on preparing the trail as a beautiful, serene place for our community to enjoy.

Please tap the button below to view the brochure we prepared about the Calvary Serenity Trail and Prayer Garden.