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August 29, 2019 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost with Communion

8/29/2019

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Greetings,
September is almost upon us, can you believe it.  Programs are starting up again at Spirit West, and you will find information about them in this eMessage.
  
This Sunday – the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: The Head of the Table
The scripture readings this Sunday, have a lot to do with how we perceive ourselves, particularly in relation to others. In the reading from Jeremiah, the prophet has to confront the people about their waywardness and faithlessness.  The “House of Jacob” and the “House of Israel” may think that they are still in good with God, but God has a different view of the state of the relationship.  In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses a parable to comment on what he sees around him as he shares a Sabbath meal at the home of the leader of the Pharisees.  “He noticed how the guests chose the places of honour.”  In a society where your place at the table reflected your standing in the community, Jesus speaks of the awkwardness and humiliation faced by a guest at a wedding who has chosen to sit in a privileged position at the table.  The host has to tell the guest that someone “more privileged” has also been invited, so the first guest must find a seat lower down the table.  Of course the only place available is the lowest place, where no one wanted to sit.  Jesus’ recommendation is to start at the bottom, and then be invited to a higher place.  Jesus also speaks of those who should be invited to a celebratory banquet.  Probably to the surprise of those present with the leader of the Pharisees, Jesus tells those present that “when you give a banquet invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.”  These are lessons in what we now call “Christian humility,” and as we look around us, it is not universally practiced by those who call themselves “Christian.”
The Scripture readings are Jeremiah 2: 4-13 and Luke 14:1, 7-14.  In the Time for All Ages, I will ask the question, “Who goes first?”  The title of the sermon is “The Head of the Table.”
This Sunday we gather at the Lord’s Table for the Celebration of Holy Communion.

  
WELCOME (BACK) SUNDAY – September 8
September is approaching much faster than I realized. We will soon be gearing up for our fall programs.  Sunday, September 8 will be our WELCOME (BACK) SUNDAY.  Our Sunday School Program (see next item) will start on that Sunday, and our Service will be followed by a BBQ!


SUNDAY SCHOOL 2019-2020
On Sunday, Sep 8 there will be a program for the children, and there will be an opportunity to register your children for Sunday School. 
We are using the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum and continue to look for adults who would like to teach or help with Sunday School. A signup sheet is available at the back of the church.
  
CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
Sep 1 is the last Sunday that there will be no Sunday School, 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.

  
LADIES GROUP WELCOME BACK SOCIAL
On September 9 at 7 p.m., the Ladies' Group is holding our annual Welcome Back night.  They will be celebrating the end of summer and the beginning of fall with a classic campfire program.  The program will be in the Lower Hall, so there is no worry about the weather and there will be chairs to sit on.  There will be cocoa, chips and dip, popcorn, and s'mores squares. To make this program a success, we need your participation.  Could you tell a (short) story, or do a skit?  Do you have a favourite camp song you could lead (remember, camp singing is all about fun and enthusiasm, not choral skill or excellence).  “Location appropriate” jokes also welcome!  So that the order of the program can be planned, please contact Margery W. with your contributions, wrightlk@telus.net or 780 419 3224.
Please sign the sheet on the back table if you plan to attend.
 

FALL SUPPER AND SILENT AUCTION
The date has been chosen - Sunday, October 27.  If you are interested in volunteering to help plan the supper, please contact Margery W. at wrightlk@telus.net or 780 419 3224.  For those who wish to solicit local businesses for items for the Silent Auction, letters of introduction will be available.  

  
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!
Website:  www.spiritwest.org 
Facebook: Spirit West United Church
Instagram: 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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August 22, 2019 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

8/23/2019

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Greetings,
  
This Sunday – the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Call and Response
In the reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah, we here about his call.  God calls to Jeremiah.  Jeremiah says to God, “No, I’m too young.”  In the Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus responds to the unspoken call from a woman to be healed.  But then Jesus gets into trouble because he healed this woman on the Sabbath.  The woman had been crippled for eighteen years, Jesus could have waited one more day.  This Sunday, we will be looking at Call and Response.  In particular we will look at reasons we give ourselves or that others (society, family, friends) give us to avoid responding to the call of God or the call of another.
The Scripture readings are Jeremiah 1: 4-10 and Luke 13: 10-17.  In the Time for All Ages, I will talk about “I’m too…”  The title of the sermon is “Call and Response.”
  

WELCOME (BACK) SUNDAY – September 8
September is approaching much faster than I realized. We will soon be gearing up for our fall programs.  Sunday, September 8 will be our WELCOME (BACK) SUNDAY.  Our Sunday School Program will start on that Sunday, and our Service will be followed by a BBQ!

 
 CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
Although there is no Sunday School for the next two Sundays, 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 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!
Website:  www.spiritwest.org 
Facebook: Spirit West United Church
Instagram: 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




0 Comments

August 8, 2019 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

8/8/2019

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Greetings,
 
THE FUTURE OF SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH (continued)
On the recommendation of Earl Raeburn in the email circulated in last week’s eMessage, Marj H. and I have been in touch with folks at EDGE at the General Council.  We spoke by conference call to Kristopher Tavella.  We explained our situation, and he had apparently already done a bit of research on us.  He has suggested that we go at this from a multi-pronged approach and gave us the contact information for three different departments  “Ministry through Finance,” “Congregational Renewal,” and “Embracing the Spirit.”  We will be following up on this information in the near future.
 
We have also received from the Property and New Church Development Committee (PNCDC) the $50,000 for the July 2019 – June 2020 mortgage principal payment.  That keeps us going to June 2020, but that is also the end of our current agreement with the PNCDC.  We have been in communication with the PNCDC.
 
The committee (Bill, Marj and I) as well as the Board will continue to explore avenues which could provide support to our congregation to rid ourselves of our mortgage debt.
 
And, as I indicated last week, from you we need:
  • Prayers;
  • Continued financial support as your situation allows;
  • Ideas for fundraising or other means of financial support;
  • And possibly the contact information for a millionaire or two needing substantial tax receipts.
  This Sunday – the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: Do Not Worry?
Have you seen any of those videos online that show people who are so focussed on their cell phones that they walk into lamp posts, fall into fountains, or crash into glass doors?  This will give you an image of what is behind Jesus’ admonition in this Sunday’s Gospel reading.  Jesus says, “Do not worry…”  Now, sometimes when we hear someone tell us not to worry, we may react negatively.  If there are serious challenges in our lives, having someone tell us not to worry, and especially if we hear “Don’t worry, be happy, “ this is not helpful.  But Jesus does not say, “Don’t worry, be happy.”  His message is one of focus.  If your life is consumed by worry about what you will wear or eat, then you will miss out on the greater things in life.  This brings me back to the cell phone users in the videos.  It is fine to check your phone appropriately.  But if you are so focused on that one small aspect of your life, and thereby put yourself in danger, you need to look up at the world around you.

 
 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. 
 

Photo Directory – those of you who ordered photos should receive them within the next couple of weeks.  IPC apologizes for the delay in sending these out.
 

 

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; vacation August 19, 20, 21
-  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



0 Comments

August 1, 2019 - Eighth Sunday after Pentecost with Holy Communion

8/1/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
​Greetings,
 
THE FUTURE OF SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH
As many of you know, Spirit West holds a significant mortgage with a credit union as a result of the construction of our building.  The current principal balance is $1,034,786.82 with annual payments on the principal of not less than $50,000 and annual interest payments of approximately $44,000.  For the past five years, the principal payments have been offset or paid entirely by the Property and New Church Development Council (an separately incorporated society created by Edmonton Presbytery to handle the money from the sale of church property in Edmonton).  We have one more year of support available from the PNCDC. As a congregation, in addition to the day to day expences associated with a church (salaries, utilities, programs, and outreach)  we have managed to cover the interest payments each year as well as adding to the payments against the principal.  For the July 2018- June 2019 mortgage year, the congregation added $14,574.70 in designated givings to the $50.000 from PNCDC for a total payment against the principal of $64,574.70.  But we still have a long way to go.
 
With the change in the structure of the United Church of Canada (the elimination of Edmonton Presbytery and Alberta and Northwest Conference, and the creation of Northern Spirit Region) the Spirit West Church Board felt that the new region should be made aware of our financial situation.  To that end, Bill Callas (SW Board Chair), Marj Hewitt (SW Treasurer) and I met with Earl Raeburn (Northern Spirit Regional Council Staff), Erin White (Northern Spirit Region Property Commission) and Randy Round (Property and New Church Development Council) in April.  By the end of June we had heard nothing from this meeting, so Marj gently prodded them.  On Friday, July 19 Marj received the following email from Earl Raeburn:

 
From: Reaburn, Earl [mailto:EReaburn@[edit]]
Sent: Friday, July 19, 2019 2:43 PM
To: Marj Hewitt; rauround@[edit]; ewhite@[edit]; Carol Callas; Spirit West UC Minister
Cc: McCarthy, Shannon
Subject: RE: Spirit West Followup
  
Hello Marj,
 Thank you for following up on our conversation several months ago.
The three of us who met with your delegation are concerned about the financial situation at Spirit West. We do not see resources within the Regional Council or the General Council structure that would be adequate to address the discrepancy between the regular income of the Spirit West congregation and the outstanding financial liabilities.
 
We also believe that offering significant financial support in terms of loans and grants has not resulted in significant improvement in the financial state of the congregation.
 
Please do not read this as criticism of the dedicated leadership and earnest efforts of the people of Spirit West United Church. It is simply our initial assessment that Edmonton Presbytery and the congregation took on a financially unmanageable project.
 
When we met there was mention of the possibility of undertaking an assessment of the viability of the congregation to determine whether there is potential for change and growth, or whether it is time to direct efforts toward selling the property.
 
I would like to suggest that someone from your Board or your Minister, Larry Wright, be in contact with the EDGE Network for Ministry Development of the United Church to see if they could undertake such an assessment http://www.edge-ucc.ca/ . The Regional Council will provide financial support for this work.
 
I know this is very unwelcome news, Marj, and I regret delivering it. I do want to reassure your congregation though that the Regional Council is deeply concerned for your congregation, does not want to see you continue under unreasonable financial burden, will encourage and support you in assessing your situation and arriving at decisions and will provide support as you move into the future whatever that may be.
 
I will be on vacation from now until Monday, August 19th, and when I return I will look for communication from your congregation.
 
With sincere appreciation,
/Earl Reaburn.

 
As you can see, this is “unwelcome news.”  As a follow-up to this I have contacted the Edge Network and will be talking with a member of their team by phone next week.  We are also checking the archives with regard to commitments that may have been made to Gilchrist/Spirit West by the Edmonton Presbytery regarding the building of the Spirit West United Church building.  Many of you have invested time, talent and money in Spirit West United Church.  As noted above, if it were not for the mortgage, the congregation would be meeting all its financial commitments without outside help. 
 
The congregation could continue without a building, we spent thirty years in rented accommodations, but we don’t want to see that happen.  And, besides being a home for our church, our building is home to the Abundant Life Seventh Day Adventist Church. We are the home of a pre-school, and for the summer we are the site of Adaptabilities, a day camp for children with a variety of special needs.  Our building is also a meeting place for various groups and associations in the neighbourhood, as well as a place for celebrations.  In the last provincial election you might have cast your ballot at one of the polling stations at Spirit West.  Our church building has become a community resource.
 
The committee (Bill, Marj and I) as well as the Board will continue to explore avenues which could provide support to our congregation to rid ourselves of our mortgage debt.
 
And from you we need:
  • Prayers;
  • Continued financial support as your situation allows;
  • Ideas for fundraising or other means of financial support;
  • And possibly the contact information for a millionaire or two needing substantial tax receipts.
 
This information was shared with the those present for worship last Sunday, and I was asked to share it with all of you this week.

  
This Sunday – the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost: Where is your treasure?
My choice of readings for this Sunday was based entirely on the Common Lectionary and not because of the foregoing information.  The scripture passages this Sunday do focus on our priorities.  The reading from Paul’s letter to the followers at Colossae reminds them and us of a calling as followers of Christ.  “Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”  The passage from Luke’s gospel is sometimes called “The Parable of the Rich Fool.”  Jesus is prompted to relate this parable after being asked to arbitrate in an inheritance dispute.  The bottom line for Jesus is in essence, “You can’t take it with you.”  Is there a message for our current society where it has been demonstrated that the very rich are getting richer, and the poor are facing increasing hardship?  Where is our treasure, where are our priorities?
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Colossians 3: 1-11 and Luke 12: 13-21.  In the Time for All Ages I will talk about “If you’re happy.”  I am also hoping that the Veggie Tales video – Madame Blueberry will be shown downstairs for the children.  The sermon is entitled, “Where is your treasure?”
At this service we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
 

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.  I am planning for something special this week (see above).

  
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


0 Comments

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