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April 23, 2020 - Easter 3 and 6th in COVID-19 isolation

4/23/2020

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Greetings,
A few new things in the eMessage this week: our online presence is moved to the top of the eMessage, and there are requests below (under WORSHIP VIDEOS) for scripture readers and feedback,  and there is a request from Outreach.

SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website:  www.spiritwest.org 
Facebook: Spirit West United Church and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg

YouTube:  Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
 
WORHIP VIDEOS
Scripture Readers
In order for a variety of voices to be heard in our worship videos, I am looking for people who would like to volunteer to read the scripture readings.  Now, in order to keep you as safe as possible, you do not have to come to the church to do the reading.  We will send you the readings for your Sunday, and you can record your reading at home using your phone.  When you are done, either send an email to me at spiritwest.minister@telus.net with the video as an attachment.  Or you can save the video to a memory stick and drop it off at the church (in the mail-box outside if you wish, just let us know).  These will need to be in my inbox or at the church by the Thursday before your Sunday.
If you want to volunteer, send an email to Norma at spirit@telus.net and we will include you in the schedule.
This Sunday the scriptures will be read by Paul F.

 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful.   As a result of suggestions that have come in, we are trying to ensure consistent audio volume throughout the videos, and as you see above, we are trying to get more people involved (in a safe manner.)

 
Communion
Communion will continue to be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month.  The next celebration will be Sunday, May 3.  More information about this service will be in next week’s eMessage.

 
THIS SUNDAY - THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER – The Road to Emmaus
 The Readings for this Sunday are Acts 2: 14a and Luke 24: 13-35.  I will have a children’s story called “Is this a test?”  I am calling my sermon, “Are you the only one?”
 
One of the things that comes up quite a bit in the Gospel readings of the Easter Season is the difficulty the followers of Jesus had in recognizing him after the Resurrection.  This week we have the story that is often called the Road to Emmaus.  Two of the disciples are walking to Emmaus on the day of the Resurrection talking about all that has been going on.  Jesus joins them and he is not recognized.  He asks them what they have been talking about.  Although through the biblical texts we cannot see the faces of the disciples, we get a hint from their response to Jesus.  First it said the disciples stood still, looking sad, then one of them asks Jesus “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days? (biblical for “Have you been living under a rock?)  Of course, Jesus replies, “What things?”  Some today might say that Jesus is trolling the disciples.  So the disciples explain what has been going on with Jesus of Nazareth, including the fact that some of the women they knew had been to the tomb that morning and saw a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive.  I won’t tell you what happens next, except to say that eventually the disciples recognize Jesus.  In our world today, I think people may find it difficult to see or feel the presence of God.  Of course some people want to blame God for the pandemic (as an aside, some people only seem to believe in God when there is blame to be assigned)  But back to my point.  In some ways we are like those early disciples as we move through our lives of isolation and physical distancing.  Our worries and concerns for ourselves and our world block our vision of anything else, just as the worries and concerns of the disciple apparently made it impossible, at first, to recognize Jesus.  My prayer for all of us is that we consciously try to recognize the loving presence of God in our lives, to recognize those signs of hope and life in our world.  As I have said in previous Thursday eMessages, the closing lines of our United Church creed are extremely important at this time. “In life, in death, in life beyond death God is with us.  We are not alone.  Thanks be to God.”

 
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU CONTINUE TO WORSHIP FROM THE SANTUARY CALLED HOME, YOU HAVE OPTIONS…
  • Option 1 - Set aside time on Sunday.  Follow the Spirit West Services on YouTube.  The Sunday service is uploaded on Saturday.
  • Option 2 - Set aside time on Sunday. Light a candle, read the readings for each day, read and discuss my reflections in the Thursday eMessage, and pray.
  • Option 3-  “Attend’ one of the live-streaming services from another United Church through the link at SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING… below.
 
SUNDAY  SERVICES  LIVE-STREAMING  ACROSS CANADA
There are a number of United Churches (and some Presbyterian) across Canada who are able to live-stream their Sunday services.  At least three Edmonton churches are doing this: Millwoods, Robertson-Wesley and Southminster-Steinhauer.   Check out this interactive map for livestreaming services across Canada: https://arcg.is/1TaKqS (and remember to take into account time zones for churches outside of Alberta)

 
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Please remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can still contribute financially to Spirit West during this time.  You can mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. Edmonton, AB  T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.) The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate by Norma’s office.  You can also donate online, see ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE… below.

 
OUTREACH – Underwear  and Face Masks Needed at Bissell Centre
We got a thank-you letter from Inner City Pastoral Ministry (Bissell Centre) thanking us for the lunches we provided last Sunday.  A very special thanks was included for our Lori W. who with Bill and Adam did all of the leg work on our behalf.
But we also have learned that Bissell is in need of UNDERWEAR. Ladies and Men’s - sizes Medium and Large.
If any of you would like to shop and deliver undies to the church (there are boxes just inside the doors), Lori will pick them up and deliver them to the Bissell Centre.  If you would rather have your donation picked up, call the church office to arrange it.
They are also taking donations of FABRIC FACE MASKS. So any of you crafty people out there - We know there are a few quilters out there with a good stash of fabric - if you would like a little project to do in your self-isolation (patterns can be found online) ..... Again - these can be dropped at the church (or call the church office to arrange pick-up) and Lori will deliver them to the Bissell Centre.

 
PASTORAL CARE DURING A PANDEMIC
Phone Ministry
A team has been put together to begin a phone ministry.  We will be reaching out by phone to members of Spirit West to remind ourselves that we are a community of faith, even if at the moment we have to practice social distancing, and in some cases self-isolation.  The team will initially target those whom we believe are most likely to be isolated.  We may not always get it right.  If you get a call, and think you really didn’t need it, thank the caller anyway.  If you don’t hear from anyone in the next week or so, and really would like a call, let me know.  We are playing this by ear in an “interesting” time.

 
Shopping Ministry
If you are self-isolating for whatever reason (you are not feeling well, you are in a susceptible population, or you are just not taking chances) and you cannot get out to do shopping, let us know.  There are people in the congregation who will do your shopping and deliver it to your home.  Mention this to the caller from the phone ministry, or call or send an email to the church to let us know. 
If you would like to volunteer as a “shopper” let me know by phone or email.

 
Casserole Ministry
David S. has started a Casserole Ministry as part of Pastoral Care. Volunteers from Pastoral Care at Spirit West will deliver a casserole to someone in isolation, recovering from illness, or grieving the loss of family members.
We would need a supply of three or four casseroles made by members of Spirit West in tin foil pans and frozen in the church freezer available for delivery. The casseroles should be dated and labelled with all ingredients and the instructions for reheating. The supply of casseroles can be replenished as needed. If you are interested in providing a casserole please call David S. so he can keep an accurate inventory of casseroles (not too many, not too few).

 
Spirit West Prayer Chain
Prayer is important. We know that  people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them.  Our Prayer Chain will continue to be active.  If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com.  These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain.

                    
ANOTHER  WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, Spirit West is not holding services, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the  work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 

 
CHURCH OFFICE
At the present time, the Spirit West Church office remains open.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

April 16, 2020 - Second Sunday in Easter and Fifth Sunday in COVID-19 Isolation

4/16/2020

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Greetings,
 

WORHIP VIDEOS
Each Friday, Paul W. (my Paul) records the segments for the Worship Video for the coming Sunday.  He then edits and puts them together,  and on Saturday morning I upload the finished video to our YouTube channel,  “Spirit West United Church, Edmonton.”  On that channel you will find the Worship Videos and other videos made for Spirit West. If you subscribe to the channel, you will be notified by YouTube when a new video is available.  I will still post a notice on our Facebook page and send out an email reminder on Saturday with the link to the video.  An Order of Service will be attached to the email on Saturday.

 
THIS SUNDAY - THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER – Holy Humour Sunday
The Readings for this Sunday are Psalm 126 and John 20: 19-31.  I will have a children’s story called “Does God Laugh?”  I am calling my sermon, “The disciples rejoiced!”
 
This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Easter.  In some parts of the Christian Church, this was called Low Sunday.  It was a sort of break from the rigours of Lent and the celebrations of Easter Day.  Okay, everybody, let’s take a breather.  More recently, a number of Christian communities around the world have marked the Second Sunday of Easter as Holy Humour Sunday. This has been the case at Spirit West for a number of years, and will continue this year.  The intention Holy Humour Sunday is to reinforce the thought expressed by the prophet Nehemiah, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Life is a serious business and, right now, with all the restrictions and social pressures put upon us in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, things seem particularly serious.  I think that often we confuse serious with sad or depressing.  “That’s too serious to laugh about!”  In my life, I have had a couple of “serious” jobs.  For a while, in Toronto, I was a groundskeeper at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.  Later, as you know, I had a lengthy ministry as a military chaplain.  Believe it or not, both cemetery grounds keepers and soldiers have what some call a “sick” sense of humour.  “Cemetery Groundskeeper – a quiet job with lots of people under you.”   I don’t think I will share any military humour here, but I will say that humour is often what can help us get through the tough stuff.  Being able to see the funny, the bizarre, quirky or hopeful in our situations, can help us get through.  Part of my role as a chaplain was to share stories of hope to guys in terrible situations.  If that involved sharing a joke in a mud brick house north of Kandahar, that was good. It didn’t change the reality around us, but made it somewhat easier to bear. The readings for this Sunday and for the rest of the Easter Season (The Seventh and final Sunday of Easter this year is May 24), tell us stories of the Resurrection appearances of Jesus to his followers.   In this Sunday’s gospel reading, the disciples are hiding in a locked room for fear of what is going on outside.  They fear the local authorities.  They have been told stories that Jesus has risen from the dead, but really don’t believe them.  Jesus comes and stands among them (locked doors not a problem) and greets them. He says to them “Peace be with you.”  The disciples rejoiced!  But a week later we find them together again in the same house, with the doors locked.  Nothing seems to have changed during the week.  Jesus appears again, and this time has a discussion with Thomas, who missed the previous appearance.  It takes the disciples a while to come out of hiding.  Rejoicing and laughing in a time of difficulty probably won’t change the circumstances, but it will change our ability to cope.  “The joy of the Lord is your strength”

 
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU CONTINUE TO WORSHIP FROM THE SANTUARY CALLED HOME, YOU HAVE OPTIONS…
  • Option 1 - Set aside time on Sunday.  Follow the Spirit West Services on YouTube. 
  • Option 2 - Set aside time on Sunday. Light a candle, read the readings for each day, read and discuss my reflections in the Thursday Message, and pray.
  • Option 3-  “Attend’ one of the live-streaming services from another United Church through the link at SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING… below.
  • Also remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can still contribute to Spirit West during this time.  You can mail in cheques to the church office (include your envelope number if you have one.) The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate by Norma’s office.  
 
SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING ACROSS CANADA
There are a number of United Churches (and some Presbyterian) across Canada who are able to live-stream their Sunday services.  At least three Edmonton churches are doing this: Millwoods, Robertson-Wesley and Southminster-Steinhauer.   Check out this interactive map for livestreaming services across Canada: https://arcg.is/1TaKqS (and remember to take into account time zones for churches outside of Alberta)

 
OUTREACH – Bissell Bag Lunches  - Thank you!
Thank you to those who were able to participate in the Bissell Lunch Sponsorship.  More than enough money has come in for 100 lunches that Spirit West is to provide this weekend.  Lori, Bill and Adam will do the purchasing, packing and delivering of the lunches on our behalf.  The money not spent on lunches this time will be held for future lunches, or it may be put toward other projects of Spirit West Outreach.  We will let you know here or on the Friends of Spirit West Outreach Facebook page of any upcoming projects that need our support.
 

 PASTORAL CARE DURING A PANDEMIC
 
Phone Ministry
A team has been put together to begin a phone ministry.  We will be reaching out by phone to members of Spirit West to remind ourselves that we are a community of faith, even if at the moment we have to practice social distancing, and in some cases self-isolation.  The team will initially target those whom we believe are most likely to be isolated.  We may not always get it right.  If you get a call, and think you really didn’t need it, thank the caller anyway.  If you don’t hear from anyone in the next week or so, and really would like a call, let me know.  We are playing this by ear in an “interesting” time.

 
Shopping Ministry
If you are self-isolating for whatever reason (you are not feeling well, you are in a susceptible population, or you are just not taking chances) and you cannot get out to do shopping, let us know.  There are people in the congregation who will do your shopping and deliver it to your home.  Mention this to the caller from the phone ministry, or call or send an email to the church to let us know. 
If you would like to volunteer as a “shopper” let me know by phone or email.

  
Casserole Ministry
David S. has started a Casserole Ministry as part of Pastoral Care. Volunteers from Pastoral Care at Spirit West will deliver a casserole to someone in isolation, recovering from illness, or grieving the loss of family members.
We would need a supply of three or four casseroles made by members of Spirit West in tin foil pans and frozen in the church freezer available for delivery. The casseroles should be dated and labelled with all ingredients and the instructions for reheating. The supply of casseroles can be replenished as needed. If you are interested in providing a casserole please call David S. so he can keep an accurate inventory of casseroles (not too many, not too few).

  
Spirit West Prayer Chain
Prayer is important. We know that  people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them.  Our Prayer Chain will continue to be active. If  you  have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com.  These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain.
                     

SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website:  www.spiritwest.org 
Facebook: Spirit West United Church
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
 YouTube:  Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
 
CHURCH OFFICE
At the present time, the Spirit West Church office remains open.
  Office hours 
   -  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
   -  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

April 9, 2020 - Good Friday and Easter during the COVID--19 Pandemic

4/14/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings,
So this week I remind you that we at Spirit West have our own YouTube channel -  “Spirit West United Church, Edmonton” YouTube channel. Click on the link and it should take you to our channel.  On that channel you will find the Worship Videos and other videos made for Spirit West.  I will still post a notice on our Facebook page when a new video is available.  I will also send out an email reminder for those not on Facebook.  

Throughout this eMessage, links to the internet will be blue type and underlined, with some computers this may only appear when your mouse is over the links.  You may have to Ctrl+click to activate them.
 
GOOD FRIDAY
Tomorrow will be Good Friday, the day when we remember the crucifixion of Jesus.  We remember how the crowds that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem were quick to change their shouts from “Hosanna!” to “Crucify him!”  The worship video for Good Friday can be found at https://youtu.be/tP3YpO18_7k
 
EASTER SUNDAY
This Sunday is Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, the festival of New Life.  But this Easter is quite different from the ones that most of us are used to.  We cannot gather in church, we can only share our celebrations with those of our immediate household.  In many ways our world has gotten much scarier, and in some ways much smaller.  As we celebrate the resurrection, we are aware of the limitations place upon us by our governments and our society as we battle Covid-19.  For many of us, our prayer might be simply, “God, fix this!.”  But if we look at Jesus, he did not change the world in his lifetime.  He changed people.  Even after the resurrection, the Romans were still in charge.  Israel was still a vassal state on the edge of the Roman Empire.  In the world nothing had really changed.  What had changed were people, people like Peter who could now see the world in a different light. Peter, though he often made mistakes, could see that the powers of this world did not have the final answer.  Ultimately, Jesus has shown us that no empire, no power, no system, no doctrine, no “ism” that is of human creation will survive unless at its heart is a concern for the welfare of all humanity.  We are all children of God, and in following Christ we are given the opportunity the inspiration and the power to be the best we can be for the sake of the world.  In the book of Acts, ( Acts 5: 38-39) a Pharisee named Gamaliel addresses those who were trying to persecute the followers of Jesus, and suppress their message.  He says, “…keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them – in that case you may even be fighting against God!”

 
Easter Communion
Jesus was not bound by the walls of a tomb.  The love of God and the Church are not bound by walls. This Sunday, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  There has been some discussion in the church about the “legitimacy” or “validity” of celebrating communion remotely, especially with a service that has been pre-recorded.  But our worship committee has decided to take the risk and trust in the grace of God in these unusual times, so this Sunday’s video includes Communion.  The celebration at the Church involves only my immediate family, but I would like you to be able to participate as fully as you can.  So I would suggest that you watch the video at our usual church time of 10:30 on Sunday morning and that you have bread and grape juice (or wine) for each member of your household.  Follow the service and share together at your table, be it the kitchen table, dining table or the tv table you have put in front of your television.  And as you share the bread and cup in your home, know that others are sharing at the Table of Christ in their homes.  The video for the Easter Service will be uploaded in time for Sunday morning.  

 
SO, WORSHIP DURING FOR GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER IN THE SANCTUARY YOU CALL HOME …
  • Option 1 - Set aside time on Good Friday and Easter.  Follow the Spirit West Services on YouTube. 
  • Option 2 - Set aside time on Good Friday and Easter. Light a candle, read the readings for each day, read and discuss my reflections in the Thursday Message, and pray.
  • Option 3-  “Attend’ one of the live-streaming services from another United Church through the link at SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING… below.
  • Also remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can still contribute to Spirit West during this time.  You can mail in cheques to the church office or you can donate online, see ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE… below.
  
SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING ACROSS CANADA
There are a number of United Churches (and some Presbyterian) across Canada who are able to live-stream their Sunday services.  At least three Edmonton churches are doing this: Millwoods, Robertson-Wesley and Southminster-Steinhauer.   Check out this interactive map for livestreaming services across Canada: https://arcg.is/1TaKqS (and remember to take into account time zones for churches outside of Alberta)
 

OUTREACH – Bissell Bag Lunches  - you can still help by sponsoring a lunch
With the help of local churches, including Spirit West, the Bissell Centre is still providing bag lunches to those in need.  Our turn to help is April 19th.  However, because of Covid-19, the way these lunches are provided and served has changed.  The menu is more restrictive, and all the items must be store bought and pre-packaged.  Obviously we can’t have a group of people in the church packing lunches, and we don’t need ten volunteers to help serve, as we have in the past. 
To keep the number of people involved to the minimum, Lori, Bill and Adam will purchase the items and pack the 100 bag lunches that Spirit West is to provide, and deliver them to the Bissell drop off site on Sunday. Based on the prescribed menu, each bag lunch will cost around $3.00.  So here’s how you can help. 
We are suggesting a Bissell Lunch Sponsorship of 3 lunches for $10, or 6 lunches for $20. (Remember we need 100 lunches) You can send a cheque payable to Spirit West United Church with Bissell Lunch or Outreach in the memo line.  If you include your envelope or PAR number, this will be credited to your year-end tax receipt. The reason for adding or Outreach is so that if we receive money in excess of what we need for the 100 lunches, the remainder can be set aside for future Bissell Lunches or used for other Outreach projects of Spirit West.
 

PASTORAL CARE DURING A PANDEMIC
 
Phone Ministry
A team has been put together to begin a phone ministry.  We will be reaching out by phone to members of Spirit West to remind ourselves that we are a community of faith, even if at the moment we have to practice social distancing, and in some cases self-isolation.  The team will initially target those whom we believe are most likely to be isolated.  We may not always get it right.  If you get a call, and think you really didn’t need it, thank the caller anyway.  If you don’t hear from anyone in the next week or so, and really would like a call, let me know.  We are playing this by ear in an “interesting” time.

 
 Shopping Ministry
If you are self-isolating for whatever reason (you are not feeling well, you are in a susceptible population, or you are just not taking chances) and you cannot get out to do shopping, let us know.  There are people in the congregation who will do your shopping and deliver it to your home.  Mention this to the caller from the phone ministry, or call or send an email to the church to let us know. 
If you would like to volunteer as a “shopper” let me know by phone or email.
 

 Casserole Ministry
David S. has started a Casserole Ministry as part of Pastoral Care. Volunteers from Pastoral Care at Spirit West will deliver a casserole to someone in isolation, recovering from illness, or grieving the loss of family members.
 We would need a supply of three or four casseroles made by members of Spirit West in tin foil pans and frozen in the church freezer available for delivery. The casseroles should be dated and labelled with all ingredients and the instructions for reheating. The supply of casseroles can be replenished as needed. If you are interested in providing a casserole please call David S. so he can keep an accurate inventory of casseroles (not too many, not too few).

  
Spirit West Prayer Chain
Prayer is important. We know that  people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them.  Our Prayer Chain will continue to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com.  These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain.
 
                    
ANOTHER  WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, Spirit West is not holding services, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the  work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
 
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website:  www.spiritwest.org 
Facebook: Spirit West United Church
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
 YouTube:  Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
 
CHURCH OFFICE
At the present time, the Spirit West Church office remains open.

Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

April 2 - Palm Sunday and the 3rd in COVID-19 Isolation

4/2/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings,
Since last Sunday I have been able to create the “Spirit West United Church, Edmonton” YouTube channel. Click on the link and it should take you to our channel.  On that channel you will find the Worship Videos and other videos that I have made.  (See the note below called “FOR KIDS.”) I will still post a notice on our Facebook page when a new video is available. 

 
Throughout this eMessage, links to the internet will be blue type and underlined.  You may have to Ctrl+click to activate them.
 
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER 2020
There will be Worship Videos available on our YouTube channel for Palm Sunday (This Sunday), Good Friday, April 10 and Easter, April 12.  I will not have a video for Maundy Thursday.  The links for the Good Friday and Easter Videos will be in next week’s Thursday message.

 
SO, WORSHIP DURING HOLY WEEK IN THE SANCTUARY YOU CALL HOME …
  • Option 1 - Set aside time on Sunday, Good Friday and Easter.  Follow the Spirit West Services on YouTube. 
  • Option 2 - Set aside time on Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. Light a candle, read the readings for each day, read and discuss my reflections in the Thursday Message, and pray.
  • Option 3-  “Attend’ one of the live-streaming services from another United Church through the link at SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING… below.
  • Also remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can still contribute to Spirit West during this time.  You can mail in cheques to the church office or you can donate online, see ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE… below.
  
THIS SUNDAY – PALM SUNDAY and the Third in Isolation - “Hosanna!”
 
The readings for Sunday are  Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29, and Matthew 21: 1-11.
 
Palm Sunday has usually described as the celebration of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  The story is recorded in all four Gospels.  This year we are reading Matthew’s version.  All of the Gospels describe Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey.  They describe Jesus surrounded by crowds who throw cloaks and branches on the ground in front of him.  And three of the Gospels (not Luke) describe the crowds as shouting “Hosanna.”  Now I think that most of us have come to think of “Hosanna” as a kind of Biblical “Hurray.”  The crowds are cheering for Jesus.  The crowds call out “Hosanna to the Son of David,” “Hosanna in the highest heaven.”  However, if we look at the Hebrew, there is a somewhat different meaning.  “Hosanna” in its original Hebrew form אנָּ֑ הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה, hoshia na is found in Psalm 118: 25.  Look it up.  You probably did not find it, you probably found something like “Save us we beseech you, O Lord” nrsv or “Save us, Lord, save us” good news.  In our English translations of the Psalms, we have translated the Hebrew word as “Save us.”  In Aramaic, the common language of Jesus’ time the similar word is אושענא ʾōshaʿnā  and means "save,” “rescue,” or “saviour."  Are the people shouting at Jesus just to praise him, or do they want something from him. Are there “hosannas” shouts of praise or cries for help.  We know that Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week, as we hear again the stories of Jesus that lead to the cross and resurrection.  What were the people around Jesus expecting when he came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, and did they get what they wanted.  It does not take long for the crowds cries to turn from “Hosanna” to “Crucify him!”  In this unique time in our world, what do we expect from Jesus as he come to us. Are we shouting “help us” and “save us” as we face a global pandemic, while at the same time hoarding hand sanitizer and toilet paper.  Jesus never promised us that the journey of life would be easy.  But he did promise to be our companion on the journey.  In this time of social isolation, we must remember that we are called to be the Church, to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.  In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.  We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

 
FOR KIDS
With Sunday, being Palm Sunday, we really need palms to wave.  But you probably don’t have a palm tree at home.  On our YouTube channel you will find a video that shows you how to Create a Palm Branch out of paper, so that you can wave your palm branch on Sunday.
 
SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING ACROSS CANADA
There are a number of United Churches (and some Presbyterian) across Canada who are able to live-stream their Sunday services.  At least three Edmonton churches are doing this: Millwoods, Robertson-Wesley and Southminster-Steinhauer.   Check out this interactive map for livestreaming services across Canada: https://arcg.is/1TaKqS (and remember to take into account time zones for churches outside of Alberta)

 
OUTREACH – Bissell Bag Lunches  - you can still help by sponsoring a lunch
With the help of local churches, including Spirit West, the Bissell Centre is still providing bag lunches to those in need.  Our turn to help is April 19th.  However, because of Covid-19, the way these lunches are provided and served has changed.  The menu is more restrictive, and all the items must be store bought and pre-packaged.  Obviously we can’t have a group of people in the church packing lunches, and we don’t need ten volunteers to help serve, as we have in the past. 
To keep the number of people involved to the minimum, Lori, Bill and Adam will purchase the items and pack the 100 bag lunches that Spirit West is to provide, and deliver them to the Bissell drop off site on Sunday. Based on the prescribed menu, each bag lunch will cost around $3.00.  So here’s how you can help. 
We are suggesting a Bissell Lunch Sponsorship of 3 lunches for $10, or 6 lunches for $20. (Remember we need 100 lunches) You can send a cheque payable to Spirit West United Church with Bissell Lunch or Outreach in the memo line.  If you include your envelope or PAR number, this will be credited to your year-end tax receipt. The reason for adding or Outreach is so that if we receive money in excess of what we need for the 100 lunches, the remainder can be set aside for future Bissell Lunches or used for other Outreach projects of Spirit West.
 

 PASTORAL CARE DURING A PANDEMIC
 
Phone Ministry
A team has been put together to begin a phone ministry.  We will be reaching out by phone to members of Spirit West to remind ourselves that we are a community of faith, even if at the moment we have to practice social distancing, and in some cases self-isolation.  The team will initially target those whom we believe are most likely to be isolated.  We may not always get it right.  If you get a call, and think you really didn’t need it, thank the caller anyway.  If you don’t hear from anyone in the next week or so, and really would like a call, let me know.  We are playing this by ear in an “interesting” time.
 
 
Shopping Ministry
If you are self-isolating for whatever reason (you are not feeling well, you are in a susceptible population, or you are just not taking chances) and you cannot get out to do shopping, let us know.  There are people in the congregation who will do your shopping and deliver it to your home.  Mention this to the caller from the phone ministry, or call or send an email to the church to let us know. 
If you would like to volunteer as a “shopper” let me know by phone or email.
  
Casserole Ministry
David S. has started a Casserole Ministry as part of Pastoral Care. Volunteers from Pastoral Care at Spirit West will deliver a casserole to someone in isolation, recovering from illness, or grieving the loss of family members.
 
We would need a supply of three or four casseroles made by members of Spirit West in tin foil pans and frozen in the church freezer available for delivery. The casseroles should be dated and labelled with all ingredients and the instructions for reheating. The supply of casseroles can be replenished as needed. If you are interested in providing a casserole please call David S. so he can keep an accurate inventory of casseroles (not too many, not too few).

  
Spirit West Prayer Chain
Prayer is important. We know that  people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them.  Our Prayer Chain will continue to be active.  If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com.  These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain.
                
ANOTHER  WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, Spirit West is not holding services, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the  work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
 
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website:  www.spiritwest.org 
Facebook: Spirit West United Church
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube:  Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
 

CHURCH OFFICE
At the present time, the Spirit West Church office remains open.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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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