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
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
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