Each year the Calvary Baptist Church family of Albert Lea sends a Christmas letter to soldiers on their military list. This list of names is made up of those soldiers who are friends or family members of the church body. Along with a Scripture message of Christmas, signatures of the church family and brief notes of encouragement and appreciation are included in the letter. For the first time, this year a Thanksgiving letter was sent out at the beginning of the month. The Christmas letter will need to be mailed on Nov. 24 to ensure its arrival by Christmas.

There are approximately 40 names of soldiers and the branch that they are serving in on the Calvary Baptist Church military list. Each week a soldier’s name is taken from the list, and they along with their family becomes the church’s Special Military Prayer Focus of the week.

Hearing from a recipient of a Christmas letter last year from the church, a soldier responded with how much he appreciated receiving words from home and the prayers of the church congregation.

During this special time of the year, the church family at Calvary Baptist Church wants to let our soldiers know that we are thankful for them and that they are in our thoughts and prayers not only during Thanksgiving and Christmas but all year long as well.