Blog Archives

June 30, 2022 - no service on July 3rd, 2022

6/30/2022

Greetings
A reminder that there is NO service this Sunday, July 3rd. Our team is taking a well-deserved break!

UPCOMING SERVICES
July 3 – Canada Day – NO in-person or YouTube service
July 10 – led by David Faber
July 17 – led by David Faber; introduction of our new minister, Eli Carter-Morgan
July 24 – led by Eli Carter-Morgan

VACATION
Norma – July 3 to 10, 2022.
I will be back in the office at noon on July 11th. If you have an urgent pastoral matter, please call Rev. Stuart Jackson at 780-868-6219. Three people have graciously agreed to come in periodically to answer the phone and check emails. So leave a phone message or send an email if you have a question or concern.

WE NEED a COMPUTER
Thanks to a generous donor, we have our computer!

SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues 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 may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.

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 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 of the answer.
- 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. NW 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 or place it in the mailbox.
- You can also donate online by checking 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 is closed from July 1 to July 10 inclusive, reopening on July 11th at noon.

Thank you,
Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone:     (780) 481-1406
email:     spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org

0 Comments

June 23, 2022 - the Third Sunday after Pentecost

6/23/2022

0 Comments

Greetings

YouTube Videos Worship Services – June 26 – in person worship service
To watch online, you will need to go to YouTube and google “Spirit West United Church”.
This action will bring you to the Spirit West United Church YouTube page.

Sunday, June 26, 2022 – the Third Sunday after Pentecost
David Faber will be leading us in worship this Sunday. During the Theme Conversation, David will talk about “following through”.
His sermon is titled “Cleaning your Plate”.
The scripture readings this week are:

Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62

UPCOMING SERVICES
June 26 – led by David Faber
July 3 – Canada Day – no in-person or YouTube service
July 10 – led by David Faber
July 17 – led by David Faber; introduction to our new minister, Eli Carter-Morgan
July 24 – led by Eli Carter-Morgan

Vacation
Norma – July 3 to 10, 2022

WE NEED – a COMPUTER!
The computer that the Treasurer and Envelope Secretary uses is very old and still running on Windows XP! The software that we use is no longer supported on an XP platform so that we are unable to perform critical updates.
Therefore we are asking that, if anyone has a laptop computer running Windows 10 that they are no longer using, we would really appreciate having it donated to the church.
If someone is aware of an agency that donates computers to churches, please send the information to Norma at the church.
Donations for a new computer would also be greatly appreciated.

SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues 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 may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.

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 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 of the answer.
- 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. NW 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 or place it in the mailbox.
- You can also donate online by checking 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 is open.
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday

Thank you,

Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone:     (780) 481-1406
email:     spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org

0 Comments

June 16, 2022 - The Second Sunday after Pentecost - Father's Day

6/16/2022

0 Comments

Greetings

YouTube Videos Worship Services – June 19 – in person worship service
To watch online, you will need to go to YouTube and google “Spirit West United Church”.
This action will bring you to the Spirit West United Church YouTube page.

Sunday, June 19, 2022 – Sunday School Recognition and Year-end Picnic – Father’s Day
Where do you find the comforting, empowering voice of God? What gives you strength to do God’s work?

These are the readings we will hear this Sunday, the Second Sunday in the Season after Pentecost (also known as Ordinary Time, or Proper Sundays).

•        First Kings 19:1-15 (Elijah hides from God)
This reading is set during the reign of King Ahab [Ā habb], who ruled Israel in the 9th Century BC. According to First Kings 16, Ahab “did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him.” His wife, Jezebel, encouraged the worship of the foreign god, Ba’al [BAY ell].
The prophet Elijah [ee LIE juh], speaking for God, was the primary adversary of Ahab and Jezebel. In a contest of faith just prior to today’s passage, Elijah defeated 450 prophets of Ba’al.

In Jewish tradition, Elijah is considered second only to Moses in importance. The work of a biblical prophet was to discern what God was saying and speak that word to the people,– sometimes in dramatic action, sometimes in the transformation of ordinary everyday things.

•        Luke 9:18-20 (Peter’s Confession)
Today’s Gospel reading takes place in the region of Galilee, at about the midpoint of Luke’s Gospel, after Jesus feeds a multitude. (Note: the Lectionary suggested Luke 8:26-39.)

The readings today invite us to wonder about God’s power to save at work among us, even when we cannot perceive it. God’s presence and care inform our own ministry as courageous and faithful agents of God’s powerful love.

Each of us encounters fear-filled moments of insecurity or risk that halt us from living courageously and faithfully in God’s ways; at times we may wonder if this journey is worth the effort. When we ask for truth and power to see the way forward, God responds.

Tuesday, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Check out www.canada.ca for details (https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/celebrate-canada/indigenous-peoples-day.html).

This will also be my last Sunday service with you (although I will be available for the rest of the month). The year has gone by quickly! Blessings and prayers as you prepare to welcome Eli and family into your midst!

Stuart

UPCOMING SERVICES
June 19 – Father’s Day and Sunday School Recognition led by Stuart; service will be followed by our annual picnic
June 26 – led by David Faber
July 3 – Canada Day – no service

CHURCH PICNIC – June 19 after the worship service.
Outside, weather permitting, otherwise in the sanctuary!
Come for Food, Games, Fellowship, Fun! Everyone welcome! Please bring a lawn chair, if possible.
Free will donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover the cost

WE NEED – a COMPUTER!
The computer that the Treasurer and Envelope Secretary uses is very old and still running on Windows XP! The software that we use is no longer supported on an XP platform so that we are unable to perform critical updates.
Therefore we are asking that, if anyone has a laptop computer running Windows 10 that they are no longer using, we would really appreciate having it donated to the church.
If someone is aware of an agency that donates computers to churches, please send the information to Norma at the church.
Donations for a new computer would also be greatly appreciated.

SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues 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 may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.

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 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 of the answer.
- 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. NW 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 or place it in the mailbox.
- You can also donate online by checking 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 is open.
- Stuart => 9:30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Thank you,

Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone:     (780) 481-1406
email:     spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org

0 Comments

June 9, 2022 - Trinity Sunday

6/9/2022

0 Comments

Greetings

YouTube Videos Worship Services – June 12 – in person worship service
To watch online, you will need to go to YouTube and google “Spirit West United Church”.
This action will bring you to the Spirit West United Church YouTube page.

Sunday, June 12, 2022 – Trinity
Where do we see God’s creative power? How do we share Christ’s ministry? How does the Spirit guide us?

These are the readings we will hear on this Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday in the Season after Pentecost (also known as Ordinary Time, or Proper Sundays).
•        Psalm 8 (God’s Creative Power)
The Psalms were the hymns of the ancient Hebrews. Today’s psalm praises God as Creator, singing of the balance and harmony between the Creator and all created things.

•        Romans 5:1-5   (Justified by Faith in Jesus)
The Letter to the Romans was addressed to the church in Rome, which Paul had not yet visited. Paul reminds the early Christians in Rome that God, through Christ, has brought peace and reconciliation to Creation, and encourages them to hang on to their belief in God’s loving care.

•        John 16:12-15 (The Spirit of Truth)
The Gospel of John is very different from the other three Gospels, in themes and time lines. Chapters 13 to 17 are set as the last teachings of Jesus, on the evening before his arrest and crucifixion. In this passage, Jesus speaks about the role of the Holy Spirit in the faith and lives of the disciples and the church.

Although the Bible never uses the term “Trinity” to speak of God, it does use many images and names to describe God’s relationship to us and the world. This week’s scripture readings invite us to experience three aspects of the Divine Presence: Creator, Wisdom, and Spirit. They offer an image of a delightful relationship among the persons of the Trinity, who call us to live and move and have our being in God.

Stuart

UPCOMING SERVICES
June 12 – Trinity Sunday led by Stuart
June 19 – Father’s Day and Sunday School Recognition led by Stuart; service will be followed by our annual picnic
June 26 – led by David Faber
July 3 – Canada Day – no service

CHURCH PICNIC – June 19 after the worship service.
Outside, weather permitting, otherwise in the sanctuary!
Come for Food, Games, Fellowship, Fun! Everyone welcome! Please bring a lawn chair, if possible.
Free will donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover the cost

WE NEED – a COMPUTER!
The computer that the Treasurer and Envelope Secretary uses is very old and still running on Windows XP! The software that we use is no longer supported on an XP platform so that we are unable to perform critical updates.
Therefore we are asking that, if anyone has a laptop computer running Windows 10 that they are no longer using, we would really appreciate having it donated to the church.
If someone is aware of an agency that donates computers to churches, please send the information to Norma at the church.
Donations for a new computer would also be greatly appreciated.

SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues 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 may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.

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 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 of the answer.
- 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. NW 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 or place it in the mailbox.
- You can also donate online by checking 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 is open.
- Stuart => 9:30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Thank you,

Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone:     (780) 481-1406
email:     spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org

0 Comments

June 2, 2022 - Pentecost Sunday and Union Sunday

6/2/2022

0 Comments

Greetings

YouTube Videos Worship Services – June 5 – in person worship service
To watch online, you will need to go to YouTube and google “Spirit West United Church”.
This action will bring you to the Spirit West United Church YouTube page.

Sunday, June 5, 2022 – Pentecost
How do we witness to the powerful deeds of God?

This week we will celebrate the 97th Anniversary of the formation of The United Church of Canada. On June 10, 1925, more than 8,000 people gathered in the Mutual Street Arena in Toronto to mark the event. The Basis of Union was formally signed by the chief officers of the supreme courts of The Methodist Church, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and The Congregational Union of Canada; several hundred Local Union Churches, formed in anticipation of Union, were also represented. The assembly participated in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper and in the service of hallowing and consummating the Union.

On a related note, the Northern Spirit Regional Council will be livestreaming the Celebration of Ministry Service this Sunday, June 5, at 1:00 PM, with In Memoriams, Retirements, and an Ordination. The YouTube link is available at https://northernspiritrc.ca/june-5-celebration-of-ministry-service-for-northern-spirit/

These are the readings we will hear on this Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Christian Church. Red is the symbolic colour of the flames which, according to the reading from Acts, touched each believer on the first Pentecost Sunday.

•        Acts 2:1-21 (The Gift of the Spirit)
Pentecost was a Jewish festival, 50 days after the Passover, giving thanks for the harvest of winter wheat. Jews from all over the known world, along with the followers of Jesus, had gathered together for this festival.

•        John 14:1-27 (The Advocate, or Helper)
The Gospel of John is very different from the other three Gospels, in themes and time lines. Chapters 13 to 17 are set at the table of the Last Supper, just prior to the arrest of Jesus. They form a series of teachings and prayers for the disciples. In this week’s passage, Jesus promises that the disciples will not be left abandoned after his death.

While we are more familiar with the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecost account from the Book of Acts (which is the continuation of the Gospel of Luke), the Gospel of John has Jesus imparting the Spirit on the first Easter Sunday evening.

Stuart

UPCOMING SERVICES
June 5 – Pentecost with communion led by Stuart – wear red!
June 12 – Trinity Sunday led by Stuart
June 19 – Father’s Day and Sunday School Recognition followed by our annual picnic
June 26 – led by David Faber
July 3 – Canada Day – no service

CHURCH PICNIC – June 19 after the worship service.
Outside, weather permitting, otherwise in the sanctuary!
Come for Food, Games, Fellowship, Fun! Everyone welcome! Please bring a lawn chair, if possible.
Free will donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover the cost

WE NEED – a COMPUTER!
The computer that the Treasurer and Envelope Secretary uses is very old and still running on Windows XP! The software that we use is no longer supported on an XP platform so that we are unable to perform critical updates.
Therefore we are asking that, if anyone has a laptop computer running Windows 10 that they are no longer using, we would really appreciate having it donated to the church.
If someone is aware of an agency that donates computers to churches, please send the information to Norma at the church.
Donations for a new computer would also be greatly appreciated.

SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues 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 may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.

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 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 of the answer.
- 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. NW 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 or place it in the mailbox.
- You can also donate online by checking 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 is open.
- Stuart => 9:30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Thank you,

Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone:     (780) 481-1406
email:     spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org

0 Comments

June 30, 2022 - no service on July 3rd, 2022

June 23, 2022 - the Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 16, 2022 - The Second Sunday after Pentecost - Father's Day

June 9, 2022 - Trinity Sunday

June 2, 2022 - Pentecost Sunday and Union Sunday

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