Greetings
Celebration of the Triduum
Today at sunset is the start of the Triduum, the “three days” that mark the lowest and highest points of the Christian year.
Maundy Thursday – 5:00 pm
Today is Maundy Thursday, Maundy being an old English word based on an old French word derived from a Latin expression mandatum meaning command or commandment. The rituals often associated with the celebration of Maundy Thursday are based on John’s account of Jesus supper with his disciples as recorded in the thirteenth chapter of John’s gospel. They include the washing of feet, a recalling of Jesus’ new commandment (mandatum) to love one another, and the sharing of the bread and cup of what we now call the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist. At Spirit West, our focus is on the institution of Communion as part of the Passover celebration which Jesus was sharing with the disciples. We remember this with the celebration of a Seder, the traditional meal that marks Passover. Our Seder is a pot-luck supper surrounded by story, song and ritual. Because of the nature of this celebration it was necessary to have people sign up.
Good Friday – 10:30 am
In English we call this lowest day of the Christian year “Good Friday.” The reason for the term "good" in the context of Good Friday is contested. Some sources claim it is from the senses pious, holy of the word "good", while others contend that it is a corruption of "God Friday". The Oxford English Dictionary supports the first etymology, giving "of a day or season observed as holy by the church" as an archaic sense of good (good, adj. 8c), and providing examples of good tide meaning "Christmas" or "Shrove Tuesday", and Good Wednesday meaning the Wednesday in Holy Week. At Spirit West, “Draw the Circle Wide” is the theme of our service of quite reflection and meditation, with slides and music where we will remember Christ’s crucifixion and it’s implications for our day.
Easter Sunday – 10:30 am
The Celebration of the new life proclaimed in the Resurrection of Jesus. The highest point in the Christian year, and the Sunday of Sundays. Unfortunately, in English, the name given to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is derived from the name Ēostre, a goddess of the Anglo-Saxons. According to the 8th-century English monk Bede, Ēosturmōnaþ was an English month, corresponding to April, which he says "was once called after a goddess of theirs named Ēostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month". Bede himself called April Pashcal Month, and in many languages the name of our Christian festival is some form of the word Πάσχα or Pascha, the Greek and Roman term. This is derived from the Aramaic Pascha (אפסח) and the Hebrew Pesach (פֶּסַח), meaning Passover. Christ is our Passover. Come join our celebration at Spirit West!
Decorating for the church on Easter Sunday – We are not selling Easter Hydrangeas this year. We are asking that if you want, you can purchase an Easter plant or basket elsewhere and loan it to the church on Easter Sunday. One warning, no lilies please, their scent is very strong and can trigger allergic reactions.
Lenten Study
Next Wednesday at 1:30 in the Lounge we hold our last Lenten Study using as our resource a book called: "Give it UP!" A reminder to participants that starting yesterday, we give up mirrors, social media, talking, TV and internet channels, and cell phones until sunset on Saturday night.
A Spirit West Benevolent Fund
At the Board Meeting a week ago Tuesday night, a discussion arose as to how we as a church would or could help any within our congregation who might find themselves in need, particularly short term financial need. It was thought that the establishment of a designated benevolent fund would be appropriate. Members of the congregation could contribute to this fund specifically. Small grants of money would be paid out to individuals or families based on recommendations to me from Community Care or members of the congregation. The decision to offer assistance would be made by the minister (me) in consultation with the Board Chair and the Treasurer. The details of any payments would, of course, not be made public, but the treasurer would keep a detailed record of disbursements. Your thoughts on this idea would be welcomed.
MESSY CHURCH
We will be having a Messy Church on Saturday, April 20 starting at 4:00 pm. The theme is Jonah and the Whale! For those of you not familiar with Messy Church, it is a concept first developed in the UK. The idea is to provide an opportunity for families to learn the stories of the Bible in a setting that is not like Sunday church. So Messy Church is composed of a song and story time, where we hear and celebrate a biblical story. Then we make crafts (and some are MESSY) that relate to the story, and we end our time together by sharing dinner together. Everything is provided. It is expected that children will bring their parents with them so that the whole family can enjoy the fellowship, fun and food. So, come bring your family and friends! If you have any questions about Messy Church call me at the church.
Spirit West Prayer Chain
We have a new Prayer Chain Co-ordinator, Shannon F. 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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
NEW WEBSITE!
Check out our New Website at www.spiritwest.org . Thanks to our Webmaster: Bonnie S.
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Remember to check us our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Let us celebrate the Triduum together!
Larry
Celebration of the Triduum
Today at sunset is the start of the Triduum, the “three days” that mark the lowest and highest points of the Christian year.
Maundy Thursday – 5:00 pm
Today is Maundy Thursday, Maundy being an old English word based on an old French word derived from a Latin expression mandatum meaning command or commandment. The rituals often associated with the celebration of Maundy Thursday are based on John’s account of Jesus supper with his disciples as recorded in the thirteenth chapter of John’s gospel. They include the washing of feet, a recalling of Jesus’ new commandment (mandatum) to love one another, and the sharing of the bread and cup of what we now call the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist. At Spirit West, our focus is on the institution of Communion as part of the Passover celebration which Jesus was sharing with the disciples. We remember this with the celebration of a Seder, the traditional meal that marks Passover. Our Seder is a pot-luck supper surrounded by story, song and ritual. Because of the nature of this celebration it was necessary to have people sign up.
Good Friday – 10:30 am
In English we call this lowest day of the Christian year “Good Friday.” The reason for the term "good" in the context of Good Friday is contested. Some sources claim it is from the senses pious, holy of the word "good", while others contend that it is a corruption of "God Friday". The Oxford English Dictionary supports the first etymology, giving "of a day or season observed as holy by the church" as an archaic sense of good (good, adj. 8c), and providing examples of good tide meaning "Christmas" or "Shrove Tuesday", and Good Wednesday meaning the Wednesday in Holy Week. At Spirit West, “Draw the Circle Wide” is the theme of our service of quite reflection and meditation, with slides and music where we will remember Christ’s crucifixion and it’s implications for our day.
Easter Sunday – 10:30 am
The Celebration of the new life proclaimed in the Resurrection of Jesus. The highest point in the Christian year, and the Sunday of Sundays. Unfortunately, in English, the name given to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is derived from the name Ēostre, a goddess of the Anglo-Saxons. According to the 8th-century English monk Bede, Ēosturmōnaþ was an English month, corresponding to April, which he says "was once called after a goddess of theirs named Ēostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month". Bede himself called April Pashcal Month, and in many languages the name of our Christian festival is some form of the word Πάσχα or Pascha, the Greek and Roman term. This is derived from the Aramaic Pascha (אפסח) and the Hebrew Pesach (פֶּסַח), meaning Passover. Christ is our Passover. Come join our celebration at Spirit West!
Decorating for the church on Easter Sunday – We are not selling Easter Hydrangeas this year. We are asking that if you want, you can purchase an Easter plant or basket elsewhere and loan it to the church on Easter Sunday. One warning, no lilies please, their scent is very strong and can trigger allergic reactions.
Lenten Study
Next Wednesday at 1:30 in the Lounge we hold our last Lenten Study using as our resource a book called: "Give it UP!" A reminder to participants that starting yesterday, we give up mirrors, social media, talking, TV and internet channels, and cell phones until sunset on Saturday night.
A Spirit West Benevolent Fund
At the Board Meeting a week ago Tuesday night, a discussion arose as to how we as a church would or could help any within our congregation who might find themselves in need, particularly short term financial need. It was thought that the establishment of a designated benevolent fund would be appropriate. Members of the congregation could contribute to this fund specifically. Small grants of money would be paid out to individuals or families based on recommendations to me from Community Care or members of the congregation. The decision to offer assistance would be made by the minister (me) in consultation with the Board Chair and the Treasurer. The details of any payments would, of course, not be made public, but the treasurer would keep a detailed record of disbursements. Your thoughts on this idea would be welcomed.
MESSY CHURCH
We will be having a Messy Church on Saturday, April 20 starting at 4:00 pm. The theme is Jonah and the Whale! For those of you not familiar with Messy Church, it is a concept first developed in the UK. The idea is to provide an opportunity for families to learn the stories of the Bible in a setting that is not like Sunday church. So Messy Church is composed of a song and story time, where we hear and celebrate a biblical story. Then we make crafts (and some are MESSY) that relate to the story, and we end our time together by sharing dinner together. Everything is provided. It is expected that children will bring their parents with them so that the whole family can enjoy the fellowship, fun and food. So, come bring your family and friends! If you have any questions about Messy Church call me at the church.
Spirit West Prayer Chain
We have a new Prayer Chain Co-ordinator, Shannon F. 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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
NEW WEBSITE!
Check out our New Website at www.spiritwest.org . Thanks to our Webmaster: Bonnie S.
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Remember to check us our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Let us celebrate the Triduum together!
Larry
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