Greetings
This Sunday – TRINITY SUNDAY
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, the only celebration in the church year that is about a doctrine rather than an event in the life of Jesus or the early church. The doctrine of the Trinity is unique to Christianity, and has been the source of much discussion, debate and division throughout the history of the church. So why keep it? The Trinity is the uniquely Christian way of understanding One God who has been made know to humanity in three distinct ways. There is God the Father, Creator, Source of Life. There is God the Son, Christ, Redeemer. There is God the Holy Spirit, Advocate, Wisdom. One God in Three. It is a mystery in the original sense of the word. (Mystery stories and not really mysteries, they are puzzles to be solved) Holy mysteries are ways of understanding the world and our relationship with God and with each other that is not explainable in rational terms alone. The mystery embodies a concept, belief or doctrine that describes what we in our human limitations cannot fully understand. A mystery requires faith.
However, the readings for Sunday focus more on a particular experience with God, the chance for a new beginning. From the prophets we here about God’s call to Isaiah, and his response. In the Gospel reading from John, we here about Nicodemus who becomes confused by Jesus’ statement that we must be born ανωθεν (anōthen). Does Jesus mean “again,” or “from above?” He could mean either. What is Nicodemus’ response? What is ours?
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 6:1-8 and John 3:1-17. In the Time for All Ages I will talk about “I need a do-over.” and my sermon is titled, “Aνωθεν – Again and from above.”
THERE WILL BE A ZOOM COFFEE HOUR (this is the Link for May and June!)
Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82877953866?pwd=REZSamRsRU0ybENRREdEaGR4bVFGUT09
Meeting ID: 828 7795 3866 Passcode: 738328
PLANT WATER-ERS NEEDED
There now are four beautiful hanging baskets at church, heralding summer and generally cheering up the look of our lonely building.
We are looking for people who could water them and the three pots on the deck that will be planted in the next few weeks.
If there are two or three volunteers, then the job could be shared. The plants need to be checked at least once a week and then depending on the weather may require a second watering. There are lots of watering cans at the church. Thanks so much for your consideration.
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters
You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos. If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy. Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading. Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 3:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
Sharing our Celebrations
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community. If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
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 and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship videos.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal and interest on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email. And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also 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 just inside the front doors. You can also donate online, see below…
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 and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
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
This Sunday – TRINITY SUNDAY
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, the only celebration in the church year that is about a doctrine rather than an event in the life of Jesus or the early church. The doctrine of the Trinity is unique to Christianity, and has been the source of much discussion, debate and division throughout the history of the church. So why keep it? The Trinity is the uniquely Christian way of understanding One God who has been made know to humanity in three distinct ways. There is God the Father, Creator, Source of Life. There is God the Son, Christ, Redeemer. There is God the Holy Spirit, Advocate, Wisdom. One God in Three. It is a mystery in the original sense of the word. (Mystery stories and not really mysteries, they are puzzles to be solved) Holy mysteries are ways of understanding the world and our relationship with God and with each other that is not explainable in rational terms alone. The mystery embodies a concept, belief or doctrine that describes what we in our human limitations cannot fully understand. A mystery requires faith.
However, the readings for Sunday focus more on a particular experience with God, the chance for a new beginning. From the prophets we here about God’s call to Isaiah, and his response. In the Gospel reading from John, we here about Nicodemus who becomes confused by Jesus’ statement that we must be born ανωθεν (anōthen). Does Jesus mean “again,” or “from above?” He could mean either. What is Nicodemus’ response? What is ours?
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 6:1-8 and John 3:1-17. In the Time for All Ages I will talk about “I need a do-over.” and my sermon is titled, “Aνωθεν – Again and from above.”
THERE WILL BE A ZOOM COFFEE HOUR (this is the Link for May and June!)
Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82877953866?pwd=REZSamRsRU0ybENRREdEaGR4bVFGUT09
Meeting ID: 828 7795 3866 Passcode: 738328
PLANT WATER-ERS NEEDED
There now are four beautiful hanging baskets at church, heralding summer and generally cheering up the look of our lonely building.
We are looking for people who could water them and the three pots on the deck that will be planted in the next few weeks.
If there are two or three volunteers, then the job could be shared. The plants need to be checked at least once a week and then depending on the weather may require a second watering. There are lots of watering cans at the church. Thanks so much for your consideration.
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters
You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos. If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy. Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading. Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 3:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
Sharing our Celebrations
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community. If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
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 and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship videos.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal and interest on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email. And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also 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 just inside the front doors. You can also donate online, see below…
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 and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
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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