Greetings
This Sunday is our Welcome Back Sunday and we want to welcome you back whether you have been away for a week or a month or more. We will start our children’s programming this Sunday, see the Sunday School note in FAITH FORMATION AND EDUCATION below.
This Sunday
In addition to being Welcome Back Sunday , it is also the first Sunday in the Season of Creation. This is a relatively new “season” added to the church calendar in some denominations. It runs from the second Sunday in September to Thanksgiving. The colour for this season is orange and is meant to remind us of the harvest season. We are called to remember all that God has created and our place in that creation. A separate set of lectionary readings is available for the season of Creation , but at the moment I have remained with the continuing readings for the season of Pentecost.
The readings for Sunday have to do with the lost and found. Unfortunately, even as I type those words, I have “Amazing Grace” as an ear-worm, “I once was lost, but now am found.” I say “unfortunately,” because I have heard that hymn far too often and usually sung badly with a fake Nashville twang. (the first word is not pronounced “huh-mazing”) But, as they say, I digress. The whole concept of the lost and the found, once very popular in protestant Christianity, has rather fallen out of favour. At one time of course, the “lost” were the sinners (other people) who needed to be “found” with the help of good Christian people (us, the church). A very awkward understanding. But all is not lost, or rather all can lost. Anyone can feel lost, and not just “sinners.” The gospel gives two images of the lost. One is of a lost sheep, one that has wandered away. The other is of a lost coin, one that has fallen through the cracks. I both cases Jesus uplifts the joy felt when the lost is found, when the missing is restored to the place it belongs.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at this service.
The readings for Sunday are 1Timothy 1: 12-17 and Luke 15: 1-10. The Time for All Ages, which is just prior to the children going downstairs, is called, “Where is my…” and the sermon is titled, “Lost and Found.”
FAITH FORMATION AND EDUCATION Fall Programs
Although there were not a lot of people at the planning meeting, we did make some plans.
Sunday School: This Sunday, September 11 is our Welcome Back Sunday with a lunch after church. There will be a program for the children and there will be an opportunity to register your children for Sunday School. Sunday School “classes” will start on Sunday, Sep 18. We continue to look for adults who would like to teach or help with Sunday School. Look for a signup sheet at church.
Messy Church: We hope to be able to offer this family centred church experience this fall. If you want to be involved look for the signup sheet.
Adult Study: I will be offering the eight session video study called The Good Shepherd – A Theological Journey of 1,000 years in the fall, likely starting in early October. There is a sheet by the church office where you can indicate what day/time you would prefer for the study. I am willing to present it at two different times each week.
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S GROUP WINE AND CHEESE GET TOGETHER – Monday, Sep 12 at 7:00.
Come and meet the ladies of our church while enjoying wine, punch, cheese, appetizers and dessert. If you are able to bring any of these items, please indicate so on the sign-up sheet at the church.
Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) Bissell Lunch - Sun. Oct. 2nd, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
A volunteer is needed to take milk and cereal to Glendale School
– once a week from week of Sept 19 to Oct. 15 while Norma is away.
If you are able to do this, please talk to Norma at the office (780-481-1406)
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.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 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 is our Welcome Back Sunday and we want to welcome you back whether you have been away for a week or a month or more. We will start our children’s programming this Sunday, see the Sunday School note in FAITH FORMATION AND EDUCATION below.
This Sunday
In addition to being Welcome Back Sunday , it is also the first Sunday in the Season of Creation. This is a relatively new “season” added to the church calendar in some denominations. It runs from the second Sunday in September to Thanksgiving. The colour for this season is orange and is meant to remind us of the harvest season. We are called to remember all that God has created and our place in that creation. A separate set of lectionary readings is available for the season of Creation , but at the moment I have remained with the continuing readings for the season of Pentecost.
The readings for Sunday have to do with the lost and found. Unfortunately, even as I type those words, I have “Amazing Grace” as an ear-worm, “I once was lost, but now am found.” I say “unfortunately,” because I have heard that hymn far too often and usually sung badly with a fake Nashville twang. (the first word is not pronounced “huh-mazing”) But, as they say, I digress. The whole concept of the lost and the found, once very popular in protestant Christianity, has rather fallen out of favour. At one time of course, the “lost” were the sinners (other people) who needed to be “found” with the help of good Christian people (us, the church). A very awkward understanding. But all is not lost, or rather all can lost. Anyone can feel lost, and not just “sinners.” The gospel gives two images of the lost. One is of a lost sheep, one that has wandered away. The other is of a lost coin, one that has fallen through the cracks. I both cases Jesus uplifts the joy felt when the lost is found, when the missing is restored to the place it belongs.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at this service.
The readings for Sunday are 1Timothy 1: 12-17 and Luke 15: 1-10. The Time for All Ages, which is just prior to the children going downstairs, is called, “Where is my…” and the sermon is titled, “Lost and Found.”
FAITH FORMATION AND EDUCATION Fall Programs
Although there were not a lot of people at the planning meeting, we did make some plans.
Sunday School: This Sunday, September 11 is our Welcome Back Sunday with a lunch after church. There will be a program for the children and there will be an opportunity to register your children for Sunday School. Sunday School “classes” will start on Sunday, Sep 18. We continue to look for adults who would like to teach or help with Sunday School. Look for a signup sheet at church.
Messy Church: We hope to be able to offer this family centred church experience this fall. If you want to be involved look for the signup sheet.
Adult Study: I will be offering the eight session video study called The Good Shepherd – A Theological Journey of 1,000 years in the fall, likely starting in early October. There is a sheet by the church office where you can indicate what day/time you would prefer for the study. I am willing to present it at two different times each week.
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S GROUP WINE AND CHEESE GET TOGETHER – Monday, Sep 12 at 7:00.
Come and meet the ladies of our church while enjoying wine, punch, cheese, appetizers and dessert. If you are able to bring any of these items, please indicate so on the sign-up sheet at the church.
Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) Bissell Lunch - Sun. Oct. 2nd, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- ICPM Lunch at the Bissell Centre, 10530-96th St (west side of street) to help feed the homeless and other folks in need.
- This year we expect to feed 300 people.
- We will need 50 loaves of sandwiches, 300 pieces of finger desserts (cookies and squares), whole and sliced fruit, veggies, pickles and eleven (11) volunteers to help deliver the food and serve the lunch on the Sunday morning. Please find the signup sheet and let us know what you can contribute. Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted.
- Food drop off will take place Sat. Oct. 1 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm at the Spirit West Church kitchen.
- For more information, talk to Doreen O. 780-487-5372 or call the church office at 780-481-1406
A volunteer is needed to take milk and cereal to Glendale School
– once a week from week of Sept 19 to Oct. 15 while Norma is away.
If you are able to do this, please talk to Norma at the office (780-481-1406)
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.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 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
RSS Feed
