Greetings,
Please note the information below on the Church Photo Directory, and the change of date for the Men’s Breakfast.
THIS SUNDAY – The Fifth Sunday in Lent
In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany) shows her great love for Jesus by taking “a pound of costly perfume mad of pure nard” and rubbing it on Jesus feet while he sits at dinner at their house, so that the whole house was filled with the fragrance. She then dries his feet with her hair. Now it is my impression that nard was not something you just had around the house, like hand lotion or air freshener. Nard is made from the crushed roots of a plant that grows in the Himalayas. According to Wikipedia it is “an intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil with thick consistency.” Nard was an ingredient in the incense burned in the Temple in Jerusalem. Mary’s action was very extravagant. Judas, of betrayal fame, is also present and complains. He says the nard should have been sold for three hundred denarii (a labourer’s yearly wage) and the money given to the poor. John comments that Judas had no real concern for the poor, but was skimming from “the common purse,” the funds that Jesus’ followers shared and into which the three hundred denarii would go. In many ways this reminds me of some of the posts I have seen on Facebook, the ones that make a statement something like “Our government gives billions to foreigners/refugees when it should spend it on our veterans/homeless.” I know that these sentiments often originate from people who have shown no previous concern for the homeless or veterans, they just despise foreigners and refugees even more. They are incensed with a particular expenditure, but couch their concern in a false “either/or” equation. You can only help one group or the other, not both. Jesus points out that Mary is responding to a very specific and unique occasion. This is her only opportunity to act as she does. But, Jesus continues “you will always have the poor with you.” If Judas is concerned, if we are concerned for the poor (or the homeless or veterans, or any others in need), there will be plenty of opportunities to demonstrate our care and concern.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 43: 16-21 and John 12: 1-8. The story in the Time for Ages is “It smells like….” The Sermon is titled “Costly Perfume.”
As this is the first Sunday of the month, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
MUSIC MATTERS – A Spring Concert
Save the date, Friday, April 12, 7:00 pm, when Bonnie C. and friends present Music Matters, celebrating all things musical. Featuring bell choir, harp ensemble, violins, voice and ukulele ensemble. It will be a wonderful evening of music and you will have the opportunity to make a donation to support the ongoing work and witness of Spirit West. Pick up a poster at the church to put up where you live and move and have your being.
Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) Bissell Lunch
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!
Join us in using cunning stealth and covert organization, to surprise our phenomenal Spirit West chefs. Only at the ring of their doorbell, should they discover who will join them for dinner on their chosen night of gastronomical delights!! This fund-raiser for the church will take place during the months of late March, April and May! It is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and fellowship. Those who wish to host a dinner are asked to contact Bill C or Colleen F. Hosts need to indicate the dates and times of their dinners and the number of guests they will be hosting. If there is a theme for the evening, this should also be provided. Guests will have the opportunity to select where they will dine and to provide any dietary restrictions to the conveners (who will secretly pass on the information to the hosts). A free will offering, in envelopes, will be collected by the host. A minimum offering of $25.00 per person is suggested. Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties and generously supporting our church.
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY – 2019 Edition is going to happen
We have decided that we will proceed with a Photo Directory for this our tenth year as Spirit West in our current building, and the fortieth anniversary of our constitution as a congregation. Photos will be taken on Monday, June 10. Please watch this space for details on how to book your appointment for your photo session. As a reminder, the only cost to you is if you decide to purchase copies of the photos. Even if you do not purchase photos, your family photo will appear in the directory.
Lenten Study – “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross”
Our Lenten study “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross,” continues on Wednesday, April 10 at 1:30 pm in the Sunday School Room. Discover how the words spoken by Jesus as he was crucified are invitations to each of us – invitations to a dynamic, living faith. Each of the six Bible study sessions will explore one of the sayings of Jesus from the cross, and look at how we can respond in ways that will not only transform our relationship with Christ, but potentially the world around us. The fifth study is Invitation to Empathy – “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Even if you have not signed up, please join us if you wish.
SOCIAL MEDIA 101 (Social Media for Beginners)
Does the previous paragraph mean anything to you? Are you among those people who hear words like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and SnapChat and think you are hearing a foreign language. When some of your friends ask you to “friend them” are you confused? Do you think you might be missing out when someone you know asks you if you have seen the post on Instagram of a mutual friend’s darling new grandchild? Is sharing what your church is doing beyond Sunday (with pictures), something you might like to do? If this might be you, help and hope is at hand. Aly L. would like to offer a session to introduce members of the Spirit West congregation to the possibilities of Social Media. Watch this space for details.
Your Favourite Hymn
Do you have a favourite hymn that you’d like to hear included in one of our worship services? Please let Bonnie C. know your choice and she will make sure it is sung within the month.
A 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.
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 => 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 10:00 am to 4:00 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
Please note the information below on the Church Photo Directory, and the change of date for the Men’s Breakfast.
THIS SUNDAY – The Fifth Sunday in Lent
In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany) shows her great love for Jesus by taking “a pound of costly perfume mad of pure nard” and rubbing it on Jesus feet while he sits at dinner at their house, so that the whole house was filled with the fragrance. She then dries his feet with her hair. Now it is my impression that nard was not something you just had around the house, like hand lotion or air freshener. Nard is made from the crushed roots of a plant that grows in the Himalayas. According to Wikipedia it is “an intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil with thick consistency.” Nard was an ingredient in the incense burned in the Temple in Jerusalem. Mary’s action was very extravagant. Judas, of betrayal fame, is also present and complains. He says the nard should have been sold for three hundred denarii (a labourer’s yearly wage) and the money given to the poor. John comments that Judas had no real concern for the poor, but was skimming from “the common purse,” the funds that Jesus’ followers shared and into which the three hundred denarii would go. In many ways this reminds me of some of the posts I have seen on Facebook, the ones that make a statement something like “Our government gives billions to foreigners/refugees when it should spend it on our veterans/homeless.” I know that these sentiments often originate from people who have shown no previous concern for the homeless or veterans, they just despise foreigners and refugees even more. They are incensed with a particular expenditure, but couch their concern in a false “either/or” equation. You can only help one group or the other, not both. Jesus points out that Mary is responding to a very specific and unique occasion. This is her only opportunity to act as she does. But, Jesus continues “you will always have the poor with you.” If Judas is concerned, if we are concerned for the poor (or the homeless or veterans, or any others in need), there will be plenty of opportunities to demonstrate our care and concern.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 43: 16-21 and John 12: 1-8. The story in the Time for Ages is “It smells like….” The Sermon is titled “Costly Perfume.”
As this is the first Sunday of the month, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
MUSIC MATTERS – A Spring Concert
Save the date, Friday, April 12, 7:00 pm, when Bonnie C. and friends present Music Matters, celebrating all things musical. Featuring bell choir, harp ensemble, violins, voice and ukulele ensemble. It will be a wonderful evening of music and you will have the opportunity to make a donation to support the ongoing work and witness of Spirit West. Pick up a poster at the church to put up where you live and move and have your being.
Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) Bissell Lunch
- Sun. April 14, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- ICPM Lunch at the Bissell Centre, 10530-96th St (west side of street) to help feed the homeless and other folks in need.
- To do this we need:
- loaves of sandwiches, pieces of finger desserts (cookies and squares), whole fruit (oranges, bananas, apples), veggie trays
- 10-12 volunteers to help deliver the food and serve the lunch Sunday morning (a time commitment of approximately 8:30 am to 2 pm).
- Sign-up sheets are available at the back. Please let us know what you can contribute. Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted.
- Food drop off will take place Sat. April 13 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at the Spirit West Church kitchen.
- For more information, talk to Lori W. or call the church office at 780-481-1406
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!
Join us in using cunning stealth and covert organization, to surprise our phenomenal Spirit West chefs. Only at the ring of their doorbell, should they discover who will join them for dinner on their chosen night of gastronomical delights!! This fund-raiser for the church will take place during the months of late March, April and May! It is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and fellowship. Those who wish to host a dinner are asked to contact Bill C or Colleen F. Hosts need to indicate the dates and times of their dinners and the number of guests they will be hosting. If there is a theme for the evening, this should also be provided. Guests will have the opportunity to select where they will dine and to provide any dietary restrictions to the conveners (who will secretly pass on the information to the hosts). A free will offering, in envelopes, will be collected by the host. A minimum offering of $25.00 per person is suggested. Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties and generously supporting our church.
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY – 2019 Edition is going to happen
We have decided that we will proceed with a Photo Directory for this our tenth year as Spirit West in our current building, and the fortieth anniversary of our constitution as a congregation. Photos will be taken on Monday, June 10. Please watch this space for details on how to book your appointment for your photo session. As a reminder, the only cost to you is if you decide to purchase copies of the photos. Even if you do not purchase photos, your family photo will appear in the directory.
Lenten Study – “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross”
Our Lenten study “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross,” continues on Wednesday, April 10 at 1:30 pm in the Sunday School Room. Discover how the words spoken by Jesus as he was crucified are invitations to each of us – invitations to a dynamic, living faith. Each of the six Bible study sessions will explore one of the sayings of Jesus from the cross, and look at how we can respond in ways that will not only transform our relationship with Christ, but potentially the world around us. The fifth study is Invitation to Empathy – “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Even if you have not signed up, please join us if you wish.
SOCIAL MEDIA 101 (Social Media for Beginners)
Does the previous paragraph mean anything to you? Are you among those people who hear words like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and SnapChat and think you are hearing a foreign language. When some of your friends ask you to “friend them” are you confused? Do you think you might be missing out when someone you know asks you if you have seen the post on Instagram of a mutual friend’s darling new grandchild? Is sharing what your church is doing beyond Sunday (with pictures), something you might like to do? If this might be you, help and hope is at hand. Aly L. would like to offer a session to introduce members of the Spirit West congregation to the possibilities of Social Media. Watch this space for details.
Your Favourite Hymn
Do you have a favourite hymn that you’d like to hear included in one of our worship services? Please let Bonnie C. know your choice and she will make sure it is sung within the month.
A 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.
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 => 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 10:00 am to 4:00 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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