Greetings,
Lent is almost upon us, Ash Wednesday in March 6, and a number of things are happening at Spirit West.
THIS SUNDAY – Transfiguration
This Sunday, we return to the Common Lectionary as we are about to begin another festival cycle in the church, the Lent-Easter cycle. As was said above, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, March 6. So this Sunday, March 3 is the last Sunday before Lent. The Gospel narrative associated with this Sunday is that of the Transfiguration. Luke recounts a mystical experience witnessed by three of Jesus’ disciples on a mountain top. The experience leaves the disciples somewhat confused and a bit afraid. They recognize that something important has happened, but are not sure how to respond. This story is in some ways prefigured in the passage from Exodus, where Moses comes down from the mountain with the tablets of the Law. His face shines so that those who see him are frightened. In both these passages, the light show is not merely some divine special effects, but is intended to draw attention to how close Jesus and Moses have come to God. The follow-on to this is that the message they bring is from God. In Luke, the disciples hear a voice which says, “This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!” This idea of a special “light” associated with certain people has continued with us, even if we are not really aware of it. We can see a hint of this in the halo that is often put around the heads of those we call saints. And in all cases, this light is a call to listen.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Exodus 34: 29-35, and Luke 9: 28-36. The story in the Time for All Ages is called “Listen, listen listen….” and the title of my sermon is “We have seen his glory”. This is also a Communion Sunday.
Lenten Study – “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross”
This Lent, through the study “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross,” 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 author of this study, Krish Kandiah, reflects on how the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion present an invitation to us, and how Christ calls us to forgiveness, service, hope, adoption, empathy and trust.
Join us for this study on the Wednesdays of Lent, at 1:30 pm in the Lounge, starting on March 13. If there is interest, this study will also be offered on the Sundays of Lent, after church, starting on March 10. There is a signup sheet by the office.
Pancake Lunch
Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday is coming up on March 5th. We will hold our Pancake Lunch on March 10th immediately after the service. The Men's Group has agreed to coordinate the purchasing and cooking. We need volunteers to assist the Men's Group in frying sausages and pancakes on March 10th. Please let Larry or Don D. know if you can help.
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
The Board thinks it might be a nice idea to do another Photo Directory for the church in this, our 10th anniversary year. There is no cost to the church or to you, unless you wish to purchase your family’s pictures. A sign-up sheet, (indicating interest) together with a sample of the 2013 Directory, is available by the office.
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 Sprit 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
Lent is almost upon us, Ash Wednesday in March 6, and a number of things are happening at Spirit West.
THIS SUNDAY – Transfiguration
This Sunday, we return to the Common Lectionary as we are about to begin another festival cycle in the church, the Lent-Easter cycle. As was said above, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, March 6. So this Sunday, March 3 is the last Sunday before Lent. The Gospel narrative associated with this Sunday is that of the Transfiguration. Luke recounts a mystical experience witnessed by three of Jesus’ disciples on a mountain top. The experience leaves the disciples somewhat confused and a bit afraid. They recognize that something important has happened, but are not sure how to respond. This story is in some ways prefigured in the passage from Exodus, where Moses comes down from the mountain with the tablets of the Law. His face shines so that those who see him are frightened. In both these passages, the light show is not merely some divine special effects, but is intended to draw attention to how close Jesus and Moses have come to God. The follow-on to this is that the message they bring is from God. In Luke, the disciples hear a voice which says, “This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!” This idea of a special “light” associated with certain people has continued with us, even if we are not really aware of it. We can see a hint of this in the halo that is often put around the heads of those we call saints. And in all cases, this light is a call to listen.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Exodus 34: 29-35, and Luke 9: 28-36. The story in the Time for All Ages is called “Listen, listen listen….” and the title of my sermon is “We have seen his glory”. This is also a Communion Sunday.
Lenten Study – “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross”
This Lent, through the study “Living Faith – Invitations from the Cross,” 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 author of this study, Krish Kandiah, reflects on how the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion present an invitation to us, and how Christ calls us to forgiveness, service, hope, adoption, empathy and trust.
Join us for this study on the Wednesdays of Lent, at 1:30 pm in the Lounge, starting on March 13. If there is interest, this study will also be offered on the Sundays of Lent, after church, starting on March 10. There is a signup sheet by the office.
Pancake Lunch
Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday is coming up on March 5th. We will hold our Pancake Lunch on March 10th immediately after the service. The Men's Group has agreed to coordinate the purchasing and cooking. We need volunteers to assist the Men's Group in frying sausages and pancakes on March 10th. Please let Larry or Don D. know if you can help.
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
The Board thinks it might be a nice idea to do another Photo Directory for the church in this, our 10th anniversary year. There is no cost to the church or to you, unless you wish to purchase your family’s pictures. A sign-up sheet, (indicating interest) together with a sample of the 2013 Directory, is available by the office.
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 Sprit 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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