Spirit West United Church
  • Home
    • About Us >
      • Welcome Message
      • What to Expect
      • Our Core Values
      • Minister
      • People
      • Children and Youth
      • Our Beliefs
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Prayers
  • Calendar
  • Activities
    • Announcements >
      • Wider Church
    • Activities for Adults
    • Music
    • Education and Faith Formation
  • Outreach
  • Pictures
  • Rentals
  • Map
  • Links
  • Donate
  • Day Care

March 1, 2015 - Second Sunday in Lent with Communion

2/26/2015

0 Comments

 
Greetings

Sunday Worship

This Sunday is the second Sunday in Lent.  As I mentioned last Sunday, the forty days of Lent do not include the Sundays.  Even in Lent, a time of introspection and reflection on the ways in which we and our world have wandered (or run) away from the Divine, Sunday is still a celebration of the Resurrection, a day of hope and promise. 

This Sunday, I will continue to look at the biblical witness to covenant.  This week the story is that of the covenant between Abram and Sarai, and God.  Not familiar with Abram and Sarai, or you think I mean some other couple and I can’t spell.  Well as part of the covenant with God these two were renamed by God.  They became known as Abraham and Sarah.  Now they sound familiar.  Part of the focus for Sunday will be to look at the relationship between covenant and identity.  In our lives we go by many names, and each says something about our relationship with others.  Sometimes we change our names or are given new names.  Sometimes we are given nicknames.  God changes Abram and Sarai’s names for a reason, that has to do with the covenant with God, and also their future in relation to the world.  What’s in a name?

 The readings for Sunday are Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16  and Mark 8: 31-38.   During the Time for All Ages, I will share some ideas that start from the statement, “My name is... .”  The Sermon title is “What’s in a Name.”

This Sunday’s Service will include the Celebration of Holy Communion.

 Presbytery Representative (we now have one!)

Many thanks to Rhea O. who let her name stand, and was elected as our Presbytery Representative at the Congregational Meeting last Sunday.

 Lenten Study

On Wednesdays at 1:30 in the Lounge we will continue our Lenten Study using as our resource a book called: "Give it UP!"  This Lenten study reflects on all the things that hold our attention, occupy our minds and monopolize our time, yet still isolate us from God and the world around us. Things like social media, phones, the noise of life, and focus on the external. Imagine taking on the challenge of giving up each of these for a week. During this seven-week study, Dottie Escobedo Frank takes us on a journey of self discovery, where we learns that the power of release brings great gain. The biggest gain is a stronger relationship with Christ. In the release, each person is freed to "give it up" in applause and praise for a life deeply lived in Christ.

So far, the books have not arrived.  I will send out the chapter for week 2 on Monday.

MESSY CHURCH PLANNING MEETING

There will be a planning meeting this Sunday, March 1 after church over lunch.  Those attending can either share pizza (gluten free and vegetarian will be available) or brown bag it.  The theme for the next Messy Church is Jonah, so bring your ideas.  I also hope to look at establishing a regular schedule of Messy Churches so that both planners and attendees can mark their calendars.

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 out on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch


See you on Sunday!


 

Larry

 

 

0 Comments

eMessage for Sunday, 8 Feb 2013

2/6/2015

0 Comments

 
GGreetings 

Sunday Worship

This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday which closes the Christmas/Epiphany cycle, Lent begins on Wednesday.   In the story of the Transfiguration, three of Jesus' followers, Peter, James and John, are given a special insight into who Jesus is, in a rather spectacular way.  It is an insight which initially does not sink in.  The response from Peter shows a particular lack of understanding.  If the Transfiguration had happened today, I think Peter would probably have tried to take a "selfie" to post on Facebook.  How often do we in our own lives miss the true meaning of a moment because we want to extend or record it for some future date.  Do we come away from encounters with God with a new understanding of who we are, or just a souvenir of the event.

 The readings for Sunday are 1 Corinthians 4: 3-6  and Mark 9: 2-9.   In the Time for all Ages we will play and talk about the finger game “Wow, look at that!”  The Sermon is titled “This has to go on Facebook”

 Congregational Meeting

The Congregational General Meeting will follow the Service on Sunday February 22, 2015.  At this meeting we will review the Annual Report and take any actions necessary to guide the work of our congregation for the coming year.

Lenten Study

On Wednesday, February 25, at 1:30 in the Lounge we will start a Lenten Study using as our resource a book called: "Give it UP!"  This Lenten study reflects on all the things that hold our attention, occupy our minds and monopolize our time, yet still isolate us from God and the world around us. Things like social media, phones, the noise of life, and focus on the external. Imagine taking on the challenge of giving up each of these for a week. During this seven-week study, Dottie Escobedo Frank takes the reader on a journey of self discovery, where he or she learns that the power of release brings great gain. The biggest gain is a stronger relationship with Christ. In the release, each person is freed to "give it up" in applause and praise for a life deeply lived in Christ.

Furniture Request from the Capital Region Interfaith Housing Initiative (of which the United Church is a part)

As we all strive to end homelessness in Edmonton, Homeward Trust Edmonton, through the FIND social enterprise, has taken on the responsibilities of housing the homeless 'free of charge' and are currently providing furniture for over 20 housing units per week. While the demand keeps increasing, the supply of donated furniture is now at a low point.  

 As a result they are in urgent need of couches, love-seats, kitchen table/chairs and dressers to set up these units for those individuals transitioning out of homelessness back into the surrounding communities.  Therefore, I am writing to faith communities asking for support for this worthy cause.

Any assistance that can be rendered at this time would be greatly appreciated.  Information about FIND and their request for donations of used furniture is available at www.findedmonton.com

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Regards,

Bob McKeon

For the Capital Region Interfaith Housing Initiative

 

Spirit West Woman’s Group’s Valentine Luncheon

will be held this Sat, Feb 14, 11:30 am, at the Homefire Grill, 18210–100 ave.  Tickets are $20.00 each, available from Janice Shields. Please bring a personal hygiene item suitable for men and women which will be donated to the Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre. All the women of the congregation are invited for good food and fellowship.

Computer Needed

We are making an appeal for a donation of a computer to replace one of the office computers which is old and slow. Ideally we would like to have a laptop.  If you know of or have a computer (3 years old or less) to donate to the church, please talk to Norma or Fraser.

Presbytery Representative

Edina Tillotson, our current representative, has been forced to resign because of ill health.  We are now seeking a person to fulfill this position.  If you are interested, please talk to Larry.

MESSY CHURCH

We hope to hold a Messy Church based on the story of Jonah within the next month or so.  Watch this space for more details.  If you are interested in helping make this happen, please let me know as soon as possible. 

Spirit West Prayer Chain

Spirit West has a Prayer Chain, 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 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


Office will be closed on Monday, February 16th for Family Day.

 

Remember to check us out on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch


See you on Sunday!




Larry

0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.