E-mail to a FriendOperation Christmas Child
11/12–19: Serve at our drop-off center
12/4: Calvary Night at the distribution ctr
Pray. Invite. Serve.
Each year at Christmas, we have a unique opportunity.
Our special services, events and activities offer the privilege to connect with many guests, neighbors and newcomers. As we offer a warm welcome to Calvary Church, we are able to share the hope of the Gospel!
We're praying for the Lord to use us for His kingdom this season! As you explore our needs below, make a commitment to serve and trust in the Lord to do a marvelous work!
To find our non-seasonal, ongoing ministry opportunities, click here.
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Community Shoebox Drop-off Center
November 12–19
Drop off your shoeboxes at Calvary during OCC National Collection Week! Bring your filled and labeled shoeboxes in the Galleria or drop them off at the portico near Rea Road (Entrance 3). Our volunteers will gladly receive boxes from neighbors, schools, groups, and businesses in the area and deliver them to the OCC Distribution Center!Calvary serves our community as a local drop-off center for shoeboxes during Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week.
We need Calvary volunteers to help! Sign up in the Galleria on Sundays to work a 2–3 hour shift. Tasks include receiving, recording, and loading boxes as they are dropped off. Do you have a big truck? We need help delivering filled boxes to the local OCC Processing Center.
Calvary will receive community drop-offs at the portico near Rea Road (Entrance 3).
Portico Drop-Off Hours:
Mon–Fri: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sat & Sun: 1:00–5:00 PMReady to volunteer? Contact Sharyn Thackston at 704.577.6487 or sthackston@carolina.rr.com or sign up at the OCC table in the Galleria on Sunday!
Calvary Night at the OCC Distribution Center
OCC Shoebox Distribution Center
Tuesday, December 4, 5:45–10:00 PMCalvary Night at the OCC Distribution Center is an annual serving opportunity for adults and teens (ages 13+). In the warehouse, we'll sort, inspect, and tape shoeboxes for their journey around the world. It's a great evening of service and fellowship!Arrive on time at 5:45 PM. Participants must complete a release form at the OCC Center. Wear warm clothing and comfortable close-toed shoes.Plan to eat dinner before the shift begins. You may bring dinner or purchase pizza or Chick-fil-A and eat in the snack bar area before the 5:45 shift begins.
OCC Distribution Center is located at:
7100 Forest Pointe Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28217
704.583.1463
Calvary OCC Project Coordinator: Sharyn Thackston, 704.577.6487, sthackston@carolina.rr.com
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International Reception
After the PM concert on 12/9
Be a Calvary ambassador!International Christmas Reception
Sunday, December 9
After the 6:00PM concert
Crown Room (3rd Floor)Help share the love of Christ with international friends and guests! Reach out and invite international neighbors and friends to our Sunday services, particularly to our evening Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 9 at 6:00 PM and the following International Christmas Reception in the Crown Room.
Plan to stay for the reception and serve as a Calvary ambassador to welcome and interact with our guests!
Orientation/Training
Sunday, December 2
12:30–1:30 PM | Room 227Able to serve as an ambassador? RSVP to Pastor Sibu Rajappan at 704.341.5336 or srajappan@calvarychurch.com.
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Luke 14 Banquets
Volunteer or donate a gift!
December 8 & 11We need hundreds of gifts and volunteers for our Luke 14 Banquets on December 8 & 11!
(If you're looking for general information about the banquets, see calvarychurch.com/luke14)
It's Easy to Serve...Volunteer as an individual or as a family!Greeters: Say hello to folks coming in!Table Hosts: Have dinner with some new friends! (You won’t be asked to provide any special or personal care.)Donate gifts: Make someone's day by preparing a gift just for them! Everyone gets one!
200+ Volunteers needed
Come serve as greeters and table hosts. Table hosts must be Calvary members or regular attendees, ages 18+ (youth must serve with parents) and attend the training meeting before the event.
Sign up to volunteer online or in the Galleria on Sundays beginning November 4
800+ Gifts needed
Bring gifts in decorative gift bags to the Galleria by December 6. Attach gift tags identifying the appropriate age group. Most gifts will be for adults. Gift cards are a great idea for all ages with a suggested value of $20. (Accessible stores with a wide selection of goods like Target or Wal-Mart are recommended.)Event Times
Family Banquet | Saturday, December 8, 5:30–8:00 PM
Group Luncheon | Tuesday, December 11, 11:30–1:30 PMPre-Event Volunteer Training:Saturday, December 8 at 4:00 PM, Crown RoomTuesday, December 11 at 10:00 AM, Crown Room
Contact: Vince Eaton, 704.341.5322, veaton@calvarychurch.com+ 
Christmas Tea Servers
Men, sign up now to be a server
Event is Saturday, December 1The Calvary Women's Ministry annual Christmas Tea will be Saturday, December 1 at 1:00–3:00 PM in the Crown Room. Our volunteers make this a very special celebration!
Christmas Tea Servers
Men, you can help make the Christmas Tea extra special! We need servers to pour hot water for tea, clear dinnerware, and attend to our guests at the event. Volunteers arrive at 11:00 AM, and you'll be done by 4:00 PM. A hearty BBQ lunch will be provided. Attire is a white shirt and black slacks.
To volunteer, please contact: Reena Chow, 704.340.0621, davcreec@gmail.com
Questions? Contact: Jennifer Sharpless, 704.341.5417, jsharpless@calvarychurch.com
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Holiday Nursery Volunteers
for Thanksgiving & Christmas services
One-time & first-time volunteers welcome!Would you help welcome our guests and encourage our young Calvary families by caring for children (infants to age 3) during any of our holiday worship services?
One-time and first-time volunteers are welcome! A background check is required.
Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, November 20 | 7:00 PM
Please arrive 20 minutes before the service beginsThank you, this need has been met!
Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 9 | 6:00 PM
Please arrive 20 minutes before your assigned concert beginsCandlelight Christmas Eve Services
Sunday, December 24 | 9:45 AM, 4:00 & 6:30 PM
Please arrive 20 minutes before your assigned service begins
To volunteer, please register online, visit Galleria table 8A on Sundays to sign up, or contact: Laura Schlesing, 704.341.5399, lschlesing@calvarychurch.com
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Food Service & Hospitality
Interested in serving at events in November and December?Have a heart for hospitality? As we approach the busy holiday season, Calvary Food Service is looking for additional table setters, buffet attendants, servers, preparation helpers, and dishwashers to support our many ministry events in November and December. If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team or would like more information, please let us know.
Contact: Food Services, 704.887.3663, foodservice@calvarychurch.com
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Christmas Ushers & Greeters
Christmas Concert
Candlelight Christmas EveSupport the Calvary family by welcoming guests with a warm smile! We need extra ushers and greeters this holiday season to assist with seating, take up the offering, and provide helpful information about Calvary.
Calvary Christmas Concerts
Sunday, December 9 | 9:45 AM & 6:00 PM
Candlelight Christmas Eve Services
Sunday, December 24 | 4:00, 6:00 & 8:00 PM
Ushers: Contact: Malcolm Weeks, 704.551.2071, malcolm.weeks@xerox.com
Greeters: Contact: Rob Reece, 704.887.3696, rreece@calvarychurch.com
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Prison Ministry Outreach
Holiday outreach events start 11/27
Nov/Dec Teams full — contact us for other prison opportunitiesEach year our Prison Ministry shares the love of Christ during the holiday season by serving traditional dinners and providing chapel services for inmates in several South Carolina prisons. These special occasions provide delicious food, encouragement, and spiritual nourishment that are a real blessing to both the inmates and volunteers!
Volunteers (age 18+) may help to serve food, share testimonies, and pray with inmates at the prisons. Kitchen volunteers help prior to each event to prepare and pack food at Calvary for delivery to the prisons.
Those who wish to serve inside the prisons must be pre-approved FOUR weeks before the event with background checks complete by October 29. All first-time volunteers are required to attend ONE orientation:
11/12 UPDATE: Thank you for your participation and support! Our holiday Prison Ministry team is currently full based on the maximums provided in our arrangements with the prison institutions. However, if you are interested in generally serving with Prison Ministry — or supporting other special prison opportunities as they may arise, please contact Pastor Sibu Rajappan at srajappan@calvarychurch.com.
Orientation Meetings
Sundays, November 18 & 25
4:00–5:00 PM | Conference Room A
Meal preparation dates:
Tuesday, November 27, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Tuesday, December 4, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Friday, December 14, 5:00–9:00 AM
Friday, December 21, 8:30 AM–Noon
Prison visit dates:
Tuesday, November 27, 1:00–10:30 PM
Tuesday, December 4, 1:00–10:30 PM
Friday, December 14, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Friday, December 21, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Interested or have questions? Contact: Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.341.5336, srajappan@calvarychurch.com or Valerie Ahearn at valahearn@hotmail.com