Greetings,
Please read through this wonderful eMessage so that you do not miss the information about the Congregational Meeting or the Garden Clean-Up.
HOLY HUMOUR SUNDAY
This Sunday is Holy Humour Sunday. The custom of celebrating the First Sunday after Easter, and in some places the whole week, with lots of humour and, at one time, partying is a very ancient one. The idea was that the joy of the Good News of the Resurrection was so incredible that one day of celebration was not nearly enough. So let the celebrations continue. There is an echo of the cry in Psalm 51: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation!” (Psalm 51:12). Unfortunately, the celebratory nature of the time after Easter was gradually suppressed by the Church. People were just getting a bit too joyous, and the feasting and other activities were getting out of hand. However, there has been a relatively recent move in some parts of the Church to restore Holy Humour Sunday. So this Sunday, I will be introducing you to three perhaps less well known passages of the Bible that I think highlight the absurdity of some of our human responses to God, and also highlight the divine gift of laughter. I am not going to tell you in advance which passages I will be sharing, because that would spoil the surprise. Come out and have a laugh.
OFFERING IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have introduced a children’s offering in Sunday School. This follows from a lesson suggestion in our Seasons of the Spirit curriculum.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, Sunday, May 5
At this VERY BRIEF meeting at the close of the Service on Sunday, May 5, we will be electing our Representative to Northern Spirit Region. It was an oversight that we did not do this at the February Annual Meeting. Rhea O. who has been our Presbytery Representative is willing to continue as our representative to the Northern Spirit Region, But this needs to be confirmed by a congregational vote. (If there are others in the congregation who are interested in this position they may submit their names, and a ballot will be conducted at the meeting.)
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.
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S GROUP EVENT - SPRING is the season, plants are the THING!
Monday, May 6. Gather at Salisbury Greenhouse at 7pm to do a walkabout and see their facility and products. (Check them out at salisburygreenhouse.com) The address is: 52337 Range Road 232 Sherwood Park. CARPOOL for event? For those that would like to meet at Spirit West and carpool to the greenhouse please meet in the parking lot at 6:15pm AND sign up on the sheet on the counter by the office! We ask for signup so that we can arrange drivers, and so that we don’t leave someone behind. If you have questions about the event please check with Margery Wright.
GARDEN CLEAN-UP DAY, Sunday, May 26 (rainout June 16)
Helen B., who very faithfully weeds our flower beds, reports that they have become very overgrown with grass and weeds and have become very difficult to maintain. We are having a Garden Cleanup Day on May 26 after the service. This will help get our property looking nice in time for our 10th anniversary celebration on June 2. Please save the date and plan to help. A sign-up sheet will be available next Sunday.
SPIRIT WEST COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE – June 20 & 21
While you are spring cleaning, please save quality, lightly used items such as household appliances, china, glassware, toys, books, tools, etc. for our annual garage sale. Donations are now being accepted at the church. Please, no clothing! If you need assistance in getting your items to the church, please call the office (780-481-1406) and we will arrange for someone to help you.
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY – 2019 Edition is going to happen
We have decided that we will proceed with a Photo Directory for this our tenth year as Spirit West in our current building, and the fortieth anniversary of our constitution as a congregation. Photos will be taken on Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11. Please watch this space for details on how to book your appointment for your photo session. As a reminder, the only cost to you is if you decide to purchase copies of the photos. Even if you do not purchase photos, your family photo will appear in the directory.
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
On Instagram at spiritwestyeg
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
Please read through this wonderful eMessage so that you do not miss the information about the Congregational Meeting or the Garden Clean-Up.
HOLY HUMOUR SUNDAY
This Sunday is Holy Humour Sunday. The custom of celebrating the First Sunday after Easter, and in some places the whole week, with lots of humour and, at one time, partying is a very ancient one. The idea was that the joy of the Good News of the Resurrection was so incredible that one day of celebration was not nearly enough. So let the celebrations continue. There is an echo of the cry in Psalm 51: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation!” (Psalm 51:12). Unfortunately, the celebratory nature of the time after Easter was gradually suppressed by the Church. People were just getting a bit too joyous, and the feasting and other activities were getting out of hand. However, there has been a relatively recent move in some parts of the Church to restore Holy Humour Sunday. So this Sunday, I will be introducing you to three perhaps less well known passages of the Bible that I think highlight the absurdity of some of our human responses to God, and also highlight the divine gift of laughter. I am not going to tell you in advance which passages I will be sharing, because that would spoil the surprise. Come out and have a laugh.
OFFERING IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have introduced a children’s offering in Sunday School. This follows from a lesson suggestion in our Seasons of the Spirit curriculum.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, Sunday, May 5
At this VERY BRIEF meeting at the close of the Service on Sunday, May 5, we will be electing our Representative to Northern Spirit Region. It was an oversight that we did not do this at the February Annual Meeting. Rhea O. who has been our Presbytery Representative is willing to continue as our representative to the Northern Spirit Region, But this needs to be confirmed by a congregational vote. (If there are others in the congregation who are interested in this position they may submit their names, and a ballot will be conducted at the meeting.)
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.
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S GROUP EVENT - SPRING is the season, plants are the THING!
Monday, May 6. Gather at Salisbury Greenhouse at 7pm to do a walkabout and see their facility and products. (Check them out at salisburygreenhouse.com) The address is: 52337 Range Road 232 Sherwood Park. CARPOOL for event? For those that would like to meet at Spirit West and carpool to the greenhouse please meet in the parking lot at 6:15pm AND sign up on the sheet on the counter by the office! We ask for signup so that we can arrange drivers, and so that we don’t leave someone behind. If you have questions about the event please check with Margery Wright.
GARDEN CLEAN-UP DAY, Sunday, May 26 (rainout June 16)
Helen B., who very faithfully weeds our flower beds, reports that they have become very overgrown with grass and weeds and have become very difficult to maintain. We are having a Garden Cleanup Day on May 26 after the service. This will help get our property looking nice in time for our 10th anniversary celebration on June 2. Please save the date and plan to help. A sign-up sheet will be available next Sunday.
SPIRIT WEST COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE – June 20 & 21
While you are spring cleaning, please save quality, lightly used items such as household appliances, china, glassware, toys, books, tools, etc. for our annual garage sale. Donations are now being accepted at the church. Please, no clothing! If you need assistance in getting your items to the church, please call the office (780-481-1406) and we will arrange for someone to help you.
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY – 2019 Edition is going to happen
We have decided that we will proceed with a Photo Directory for this our tenth year as Spirit West in our current building, and the fortieth anniversary of our constitution as a congregation. Photos will be taken on Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11. Please watch this space for details on how to book your appointment for your photo session. As a reminder, the only cost to you is if you decide to purchase copies of the photos. Even if you do not purchase photos, your family photo will appear in the directory.
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
On Instagram at spiritwestyeg
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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