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January 31, 2019 - Epiphany 4 with Communion

1/31/2019

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Picture
Picture
​Greetings,
 
THIS SUNDAY – Basis of Union Article XIII – Of Prayer
This Sunday’s Basis of Union Article is “Of Prayer.”  With Article 13 we begin to move away from what I would call the “theological articles,” the articles which talk more about who we believe God is and what God does, and begin to talk about what we believe about who we are as Christians and what we do, as well as what the church is and what the church does.  So we start in Article 13 with prayer.  Seems simple and basic.  We pray.  We pray as individuals and as a community.  But what does it mean to pray?  We usually know on some level that prayer is communication with God.  But, in many cases, prayer seems to mean asking God for something or telling God to do something that we want.  Any communication that is that one sided is bound for trouble.  Consider, if the sole interaction you had with your spouse, parent, sibling or friend was an exchange of requests and demands, how would that go?  Why do we communicate with others?  Humans are social beings. We tend to live, work and play in groups, sometimes very small and sometimes very big.  We need connections.  Now in our connection with God, there is the obvious challenge that God is invisible.  We do not see or experience God in quite the same way as we do living family members and friends.  That is what is different about prayer.  Prayer is part of the way we stay connected with God.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, and Matthew 6: 5-15.  The story in the Time for All Ages is called “Talking with God.” and the title of my sermon is “Of Prayer”
 
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS – Feb 10 and Feb 24
There will be a Congregational Budget Meeting following the Service on Sunday, February 10.  At that time we will review and approve the 2019 budget for Spirit West United Church. There will be a Congregation Meeting following the Service on Sunday, February 24 to review, through the Annual Reports, the mission and ministry of the Spirit West United in 2018.  We will also make such decisions as will determine our vision for the Congregation in 2019. You attendance and input at both these meetings is greatly desired

 
 SPIRIT WEST ON INSTAGRAM
In our church’s continuing efforts to be more widely known in the community, Aly L. of our Communications Committee has created an Instagram Account for Spirit West.  But an Instagram account with no updates is not that useful.  Aly would like to establish a small team of three or four people who will take pictures at Spirit West events to be posted on Instagram. Before this team starts posting, Aly would like to meet with them to set ground rules and policies so that the posts show Spirit West at its best and also protect the privacy of individuals.  If you are interested please speak to Aly. 
 
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.

  
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S LUNCH AND ANNUAL MEETING – Feb 9, 2019
Women of Spirit West are invited to a time for visiting and companionship at the Spirit West Women’s Lunch and Annual Meeting.  This will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 11:30am at The Lewis Estates Golf Course. The address is 259 Lewis Estates Boulevard. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking.  Cost is $21.00 payable to Carol Callas.
We need to confirm our attendance numbers to them on, or before, February 1st, so please sign up on the sheet by the office.

 
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.

  
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



0 Comments

January 17, 2019 - Second Sunday in  Epiphany

1/17/2019

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Greetings,
 
THIS SUNDAY – Basis of Union Article XI – Of Justification and Sonship
This Sunday I am continuing with reflections on the articles of faith in the Basis of Union.  We are up to Article XI – Of Justification and Sonship.  I have been doing some reading on the theological concept of justification, which has to do with the way in which our sins or sinfulness are overcome by Christ. And I have discovered that no two parts of the Christian church have actually agreed on how this works.  So, on Sunday I am going to try to describe where the United Church fits into the discussion, without getting too theologically technical.  Now, some view justification as part of some sort of divine court case involving sin, punishment and forgiveness.  Others view it as the mending of a broken family relationship. And of course some see it as a mix.  This leads me to the second part of Article XI, Sonship.  Now Microsoft does not recognize “sonship” as a real word.  Every time I type it, I get the red squiggly line.  But in Article XI, written in 1925, Sonship is used to describe our relationship with God as a result of justification.  I am finding the study of this article fascinating, and I hope you can be here on Sunday as I share more of what I have discovered>
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are 1 John 3: 1-3, and John 1: 6-13.  The story in the Time for All Ages is called “Part of the Family” and the title of my sermon is “Justification and Sonship.”
 

Ecumenical Prayer Celebration; Jan 20
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between 18 January and 25 January. It is an octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days. It has been observed since 1908.  This Sunday, January 20, is the Sunday within the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  The Edmonton and District Council of Churches will be holding an Ecumenical Prayer Celebration at St, John Bosco (RC) Church, 13503 40 Street, Edmonton, at 7:00 pm.  Materials for this year’s Week of Prayer are produced by and will have a specific focus on the ecumenical situation in Indonesia.

 
SPIRIT WEST MEN’S BREAKFAST
The first Spirit West Men’s Breakfast of 2019 will be this Saturday morning (Jan 19)? Join us in the lower hall at 8 AM for a great breakfast of This month is pancakes, sausages, bacon, coffee and tea, along with some friendly conversation. All that for $10.00. Hope to see you Saturday morning.

  
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S LUNCH AND ANNUAL MEETING – Feb 9, 2019
Women of Spirit West are invited to a time for visiting and companionship at the Spirit West Women’s Lunch and Annual Meeting.  This will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 11:30am at The Lewis Estates Golf Course. The address is 259 Lewis Estates Boulevard. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking.  Cost is $21.00 payable to Carol Callas.
We need to confirm our attendance numbers to them on, or before, February 1st, so please sign up on the sheet by the office.

 
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



0 Comments

January 10, 2019 - Baptism of Jesus

1/10/2019

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Picture
Picture
Greetings,
 
THIS SUNDAY – Basis of Union Article X – Of Faith and Repentance
This Sunday I am returning to the “Back to the Basis” (of Union) series that I started in the fall.  We are up to Article X – Of Faith and Repentance.  As you will see below, I continue the practice of using the title of the Article as the title of the sermon.  However, I might have taken the title from the book I have been looking at called “bullseye: Aiming to follow Jesus.”  The Greek word often used in the Christian Scriptures for sin is ἁμαρτία (hamartia).  It means to “miss the mark.”  Repentance is re-aiming at the target, and that requires practice.  With any activity that requires a bit of skill, there has to be practice. For some, because of body type or some other factor, less practice is required to achieve a goal.  For others, more practice is required.  I have never been a great runner, and in the military we ran a lot.  I attended a running clinic at one point, and the trainer watched me run.  “Your body wasn’t really designed for running,” was his considered opinion.  I will never be a great runner, but with practice I was able to meet the standard required by the Canadian Forces.  Living the Christian life is the same, it takes practice.  For some, it may seem easy. For others, more of a challenge.  But the good news is that we do not have to be the best, but we are encouraged to strive to be better. We will look at some of the ways to “practice” our faith.
Following the Lectionary, this would be Baptism of Christ Sunday, remembering baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan river.  I am not going to ignore this as the theme of repentance runs through John’s preaching.  So in the Time for All Ages, I will be talking about Jesus baptism.  This will be followed by the Asperges.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday including the story of Jesus’ baptism are Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22, Colossians 3: 1-17, and Luke 13: 1-5.  The story in the Time for All Ages is called “Jesus was baptised” and the title of my sermon is “Faith and Repentance.”
 

SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S LUNCH AND ANNUAL MEETING – Feb 9, 2019
Women of Spirit West are invited to a time for visiting and companionship at the Spirit West Women’s Lunch and Annual Meeting.  This will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 11:30am at The Lewis Estates Golf Course. The address is 259 Lewis Estates Boulevard. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking.  Cost is $21.00 payable to Carol Callas.
We need to confirm our attendance numbers to them on, or before, February 1st, so please sign up on the sheet by the office.

 
MEMORIAL FOR LIL KOCH
For those of you wondering about the arrangements for a Memorial for Lil Koch, Peter has decided to wait until the spring.  So the celebration of Lil’s life will be held on Saturday, April 20 at 2:30 pm at the Church.
 

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



0 Comments

January 3, 2019 - Epiphany

1/3/2019

0 Comments

 
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Picture
Greetings and Happy New Year,
After that salutation, I had hoped to be able to continue on an upbeat note.  Unfortunately, I am not able to do that.  Lil Koch, a founding member of Spirit West United Church and our recently elected Board Chair passed away yesterday. It is a great shock, and I ask you to keep Peter in your prayers.  At this time no plans have been set for a memorial.
 
THIS SUNDAY - EPIPHANY
This Sunday, January 6, is Epiphany the 12th day of Christmas, or to give it one of its other titles, the Feast of the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.  This is the day when we celebrate the visit of the Magi (Wise men, Three Kings) to the child Jesus as recorded in Matthew’s (and only Matthew’s) Gospel.  The significance that the Church has read into this story is that the coming of Christ is not just for the children  of Israel, to whom the coming of the Messiah had been foretold by the Prophets.  The coming of Christ is for the whole world, and that this is even written in the stars.  And if we are to be somewhat in line with the Biblical narrative, the Magi arriving this year would have started their journey at Christmas 2016. The other image that runs through the readings for Epiphany is that of light, the coming of light into the darkness.  At Spirit West this Epiphany, it perhaps good that we hear the message that God can come to us as light in our darkness.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 60: 1-6, and Matthew  2: 1-12.  My story in the Time for All Ages is called “Gifts for a Baby” and the title of my sermon is “Arise, your light has come.”
 
As this is the first Sunday of the month (and the year) we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
 
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S LUNCH AND ANNUAL MEETING – Feb 9, 2019
Women of Spirit West are invited to a time for visiting and companionship at the Spirit West Women’s Lunch and Annual Meeting.  This will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 11:30am at The Lewis Estates Golf Course. The address is 259 Lewis Estates Boulevard. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking.  Cost is $21.00 payable to Carol Callas.
We need to confirm our attendance numbers to them on, or before, February 1st, so please sign up on the sheet by the office.

  
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




0 Comments

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