Happy Easter!
This Sunday
The stories continue of Jesus encountering the disciples following the resurrection. Again in Luke’s account, we see that Jesus’ followers are still terrified by what has happened. We find Luke describing the disciples as startled, terrified, in joy, and disbelieving. One would think that with their close contact with Jesus, they would have a better reaction to the resurrection. But they do not. The key for the disciples, as recorded in this Sunday’s gospel, is that Jesus “opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” The mind is probably one of the hardest things to open. Each of us may think we have an open mind, but do we really? We navigate our world by creating patterns in our minds that giving meaning and order to what happens around us, “start, finish;” “sunrise, sunset;” “birth, death;” and so forth. But what happens when we cannot make the world fit our pattern? Extreme cases of this disconnect can result in PTSD. The disciples have experienced a pattern-breaking event: the resurrection of one who was dead and buried. The disciples need to be able to create a new pattern that includes “life, death, life again.” And that is not an easy thing to do!
The Scripture readings are Acts 3: 12-19 and Luke 24: 36b-48. The title of the sermon is “You are my witnesses.” At this service we will be welcoming a child into the family of God through Baptism.
WOMEN’S GROUP CHAIR YOGA
On Monday, April 16, 2018, at 7:00 PM the Spirit West Ladies Group and anyone interested will be meeting in the sanctuary to participate in a chair yoga session with Tammy. All levels welcome. There is no charge, but Tammy has requested we make donations to Dogs with Wings.
the stations of the RESURRECTION Bible Study – Wednesdays at 2:00 pm
We are having an Easter Bible Study. Using the book the stations of the RESURRECTION, written by a Methodist minister from London, we will reflect on eight Gospel stories of encounters with the Risen Christ, from the empty tomb to the ascension. Our first session will be on Wednesday, April 18. The story for the first session is John 20: 1-18. If you have not signed up, but would like to participate, call the church office.
Fill Your Bucket – Spirit West Spring Concert: Friday, April 20 at 7:00 pm
The Spirit West choir and guest musicians are preparing the third annual spring concert. Always a concert of inspiration, Fill Your Bucket is full of promise on the topic of giving and supporting one another! The choir, and musicians on piano, guitar, violins, and harps as well as the narrators are working hard to give you a night of joy – word and music for thought! A freewill offering will be used to support the homeless and those in need in the west end of Edmonton. So put the date on your calendar: Friday, April 20 at 7:00 pm!
NEW PASTORAL CARE INITIATIVE – “CARE CALLS”
The Pastoral Care committee is looking for people who would be willing to make “Care Calls” on behalf of the congregation. Are you good on the phone? Are you willing to take a bit of training? Can you keep private conversations private? Would you like to be a “Care Caller?” There will be a meeting for those interested in becoming Care Callers on Sunday, April 15 after church.
Outreach at Spirit West
We are still collecting mitts, hats, hand warmers, coffee cards, hot chocolate packages, coffee travel mugs, etc. for both Bissell Center and the Jasper Place Wellness Center. You can bring these items in and put them on the giving tree or leave them in the baskets on the table.
A NEW WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY
You don’t have offering envelopes, you are not on PAR, and you don’t get to church as often as you would like, but you want to make a financial contribution to work of Spirit West, and receive a tax receipt. Now you can! Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. It was suggested at a Board Meeting that everyone give the donate button a try (just to make sure it works, of course)
Security Access codes
The church access code for the alarm system has been changed. Each of our renters will have their own code. Members of the Spirit West congregation who have a key to the church (choir, Ladies’ Group, Men’s Breakfast etc.) need to see Norma or Larry to get the new code. You don’t want to set the alarm off, by using an outdated code.
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
Spirit West Prayer Chain
The Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Norma => 11 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
This Sunday
The stories continue of Jesus encountering the disciples following the resurrection. Again in Luke’s account, we see that Jesus’ followers are still terrified by what has happened. We find Luke describing the disciples as startled, terrified, in joy, and disbelieving. One would think that with their close contact with Jesus, they would have a better reaction to the resurrection. But they do not. The key for the disciples, as recorded in this Sunday’s gospel, is that Jesus “opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” The mind is probably one of the hardest things to open. Each of us may think we have an open mind, but do we really? We navigate our world by creating patterns in our minds that giving meaning and order to what happens around us, “start, finish;” “sunrise, sunset;” “birth, death;” and so forth. But what happens when we cannot make the world fit our pattern? Extreme cases of this disconnect can result in PTSD. The disciples have experienced a pattern-breaking event: the resurrection of one who was dead and buried. The disciples need to be able to create a new pattern that includes “life, death, life again.” And that is not an easy thing to do!
The Scripture readings are Acts 3: 12-19 and Luke 24: 36b-48. The title of the sermon is “You are my witnesses.” At this service we will be welcoming a child into the family of God through Baptism.
WOMEN’S GROUP CHAIR YOGA
On Monday, April 16, 2018, at 7:00 PM the Spirit West Ladies Group and anyone interested will be meeting in the sanctuary to participate in a chair yoga session with Tammy. All levels welcome. There is no charge, but Tammy has requested we make donations to Dogs with Wings.
the stations of the RESURRECTION Bible Study – Wednesdays at 2:00 pm
We are having an Easter Bible Study. Using the book the stations of the RESURRECTION, written by a Methodist minister from London, we will reflect on eight Gospel stories of encounters with the Risen Christ, from the empty tomb to the ascension. Our first session will be on Wednesday, April 18. The story for the first session is John 20: 1-18. If you have not signed up, but would like to participate, call the church office.
Fill Your Bucket – Spirit West Spring Concert: Friday, April 20 at 7:00 pm
The Spirit West choir and guest musicians are preparing the third annual spring concert. Always a concert of inspiration, Fill Your Bucket is full of promise on the topic of giving and supporting one another! The choir, and musicians on piano, guitar, violins, and harps as well as the narrators are working hard to give you a night of joy – word and music for thought! A freewill offering will be used to support the homeless and those in need in the west end of Edmonton. So put the date on your calendar: Friday, April 20 at 7:00 pm!
NEW PASTORAL CARE INITIATIVE – “CARE CALLS”
The Pastoral Care committee is looking for people who would be willing to make “Care Calls” on behalf of the congregation. Are you good on the phone? Are you willing to take a bit of training? Can you keep private conversations private? Would you like to be a “Care Caller?” There will be a meeting for those interested in becoming Care Callers on Sunday, April 15 after church.
Outreach at Spirit West
We are still collecting mitts, hats, hand warmers, coffee cards, hot chocolate packages, coffee travel mugs, etc. for both Bissell Center and the Jasper Place Wellness Center. You can bring these items in and put them on the giving tree or leave them in the baskets on the table.
A NEW WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY
You don’t have offering envelopes, you are not on PAR, and you don’t get to church as often as you would like, but you want to make a financial contribution to work of Spirit West, and receive a tax receipt. Now you can! Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. It was suggested at a Board Meeting that everyone give the donate button a try (just to make sure it works, of course)
Security Access codes
The church access code for the alarm system has been changed. Each of our renters will have their own code. Members of the Spirit West congregation who have a key to the church (choir, Ladies’ Group, Men’s Breakfast etc.) need to see Norma or Larry to get the new code. You don’t want to set the alarm off, by using an outdated code.
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
Spirit West Prayer Chain
The Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Norma => 11 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
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