This Sunday – the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Teach us to pray
Having completed my Basis of Union Lectionary, we return to the Common Lectionary. And this Sunday, the Gospel reading from Luke focuses on prayer. In fact the passage opens with the disciples asking Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray…” Jesus replies by saying, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…” You may recognize this as a version of a prayer that you may have said for some time, one that you are invited to say every Sunday, “Our Father, who art in heaven…” We call it the Lord’s Prayer or Prayer of Jesus, and it has been part of Christian prayer life since Jesus shared the words with his followers. But the passage in Luke does not end with the end of this prayer, but goes on as Jesus explains what prayer means using very human examples. But prayer is such a tricky thing. What exactly do we understand by “prayer?” In light of what Jesus says in Luke’s gospel, how do we understand or can we understand when our prayers do not seem to be answered. And how do we responds when it seems our prayers have been answered. “Lord, teach us to pray.”
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Psalm 85 which will be share responsively, and Luke 11: 1-13. In the Time for All Ages I will talk about what we do when someone (like me) says, “Let us pray.” The sermon which is entitled, “Teach us to pray,” will be in a somewhat different format that usual.
CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
Although there is no Sunday School during the summer, children are still welcome to be present for worship. To make things a bit easier, Activity Packs are available each Sunday at the Welcome Table.
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 [email protected] . 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
[email protected]
Spiritwest.org