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October 29, 2017 - Pentecost 21 - Reformation Sunday

10/26/2017

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Picture
Picture
THIS SUNDAY – Reformation Sunday
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther is said to have posted 95 Theses (propositions) on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church as an invitation to debate the Church’s practice of selling of Indulgences for forgiveness. He also sent a copy of his 95 Theses and invitation to the Bishop of Mainz.  That event sparked a reform movement that eventually led to a Lutheran church and separate denominations. While there is much sorrow in the disunity which the Reformation caused, Luther did establish the idea that the Church is always in need of reform in the light of the gospel. Luther's primary principal that Christians are justified by God's grace through faith in Christ has also found universal acceptance among denominations. On Sunday I will speak about the Reformation and its implications for the Church today, and we will pray for church unity, for the purity of God's word, and for a church that is always open to reform and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 31: 27-35  and John 8: 31-36.  In the Time for All Ages, we will look at the question, “Do I have to change?” I have titled the sermon, “The Reformation.”

 
MESSY CHURCH – Saturday, November 4
We are having a Messy Church on Saturday, November 4 from 4-6 pm.  The theme for this Messy Church will be Remembrance and Peace.  We will learn about our symbols of Remembrance, and we will be reminded of the Christian call to be peace makers in our world. There will be stories, and crafts and dinner.  It’s for the whole family.  Children should bring their parents or grandparents.  Bring friends as well!  See you then!
 

LADIES GROUP CRAFT NIGHT – Monday, November 6
The ladies of Spirit West will be gathering for a Craft Night on Monday, November 6 at 7:00 pm.  We will be making a craft for each person to take home from our Christmas dinner (even if you don’t come to the Craft Night.  The crafts will be suitable for all ages and abilities.  Each lady is asked to bring a pair of tweezers (not you best ones, the may get glue on them!)  The cost is $3 per person and will be collected at the Craft Night.  There is a sign-up sheet on the credenza by the office.  You are also asked to bring a favourite recipe for Christmas baking.

 
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle.  We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray.   There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need.  If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
 
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church.  The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged.  For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church 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. (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
 
​Office hours 
-  Norma => 11 am to 4:00 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




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October 19, 2017 - Pentecost 19 with Baptisms

10/19/2017

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Picture
Picture
THIS SUNDAY
The was an expression used in the past, though not so much now, “You’re the spittin’ image of your [insert relative.]  When I was young, our family would make obligatory visits to elderly relatives.  I did not always find this an exciting time.  Invariably during these visits, one of the said elderly relatives, if on my father’s side, would say how much my father looked like Uncle Charlie.  I never met Uncle Charlie.  He apparently died when my father was a child.  However on a rare visit to elderly relatives in Prince Edward Island, I saw an old photo of “my father,” but with a long beard.  As I looked at the photo, I hazarded a guess.  “Is this Uncle Charlie?” I asked.  “It is, but how did you know?”  The resemblance was remarkable.  A few years ago, our family was looking through a historical picture book about the area in Wales where Margery’s mother’s family comes from.  One photograph was of a “Dairy Class, 1901,” a group of young women standing in two rows. One of the young ladies in the back row could have been the twin of our daughter Sarah.  It was, of course, not Sarah.  It turned out that the young lady in the photo was Sarah’s great-grandmother.  As some say, “I could tell just by looking at you, who you belonged to.”
In the Gospel on Sunday, Jesus is asked about paying taxes.  He asks for a coin.  He looks at the coin he is given and asks whose image is on it.  The answer of course is “Caesar’s.”  Jesus’ next comment is famous, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  If the things of Caesar can be identified by the image they bear, where do we find the image of God?
The readings for Sunday are 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and Matthew 22:15-22.  I have titled the sermon, “Whose Image Do You Bear?.”
At this Service we will be welcoming two little ones into the Family of God through Baptism.

 
MEXICAN FIESTA AND SILENT AUCTION – This Sunday, October 22
Come out for the Spirit West Mexican Fiesta and Silent Auction.  Enjoy a Taco Bar, and a great Supper of a variety of homemade chilies, salads and desserts.  Get some great deals on the wonderful items in the Silent Auction.  Doors open at 5:00, with Supper at 5:30.  Tickets are available at the church.  Or call the church office to make reservations.  See you there!

 
 
MEN’S BREAKFAST – October 21
The Men of Spirit West will join for Breakfast this Saturday, October 21 at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall.  Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come out for a great breakfast.  As a note,  each man usually put in $10, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church.
 

MESSY CHURCH – November 4
We are having a Messy Church on Saturday, November 4 from 4-6 pm.  The theme for this Messy Church will be Remembrance and Peace.  We will learn about our symbols of Remembrance, and we will be reminded of the Christian call to be peace makers in our world. There will be stories, and crafts and dinner.  It’s for the whole family.  Children should bring their parents or grandparents.  Bring friends as well!  See you then!

 
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle.  We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray.   There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need.  If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
 
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church.  The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged.  For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church 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. (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

Office hours 
-  Norma => 11 am to 4:00 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

 



0 Comments

October 15, 2017 - Pentecost 19

10/12/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Greetings,
 
THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday we move out of the Season of Creation, and back to Sundays after Pentecost.  In some churches this is called Ordinary Time.  The focus for this Sunday is prayer.  It is something that is part of the Christian life, but is, I think, the cause of some confusion and misunderstanding.  One fairly common form of prayer is saying grace before meals.  A friend of mine at Emmanuel College told me the story of being at dinner with his in-laws.  His father-in-law said grace, but said it so quietly and indistinctly that no one at the table was really sure what he was saying.  My friend challenged him on this, explaining that no one had really heard or understood the grace.  His father-in-law’s response was, “Well, I wasn’t talking to you!”  What exactly is prayer?  How do we pray?  What do we expect when we pray?
The readings for Sunday are Exodus 32: 1-14  and Philippians 4: 1-19.  The Time for All Ages is called “Wishes and Prayers.”  I have titled the sermon, “Teach us to pray.”


​MESSY CHURCH – Planning Meeting after Church
There will be a brief planning meeting in the Lounge right after church on Sunday to confirm dates and themes for upcoming Messy Churches. This will be right before the AED Training Lunch.

 
 AED (Automated External Defribrillator) TRAINING – This Sunday
The “trainees” who have registered will have lunch at the church and the course will start at 1:30 pm.

    
MEXICAN FIESTA AND SILENT AUCTION – Sunday, October 22
Mark your calendar for the Spirit West Mexican Fiesta and Silent Auction.  Come and enjoy a Taco Bar and a great Supper of a variety of homemade chilies.  Get some great deals on the wonderful items in the Silent Auction.  Doors open at 5:00, with Supper at 5:30.  Tickets are available at the church.  Or call the church office to make reservations.  See you there!

 
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle.  We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray.   There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need.  If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
 
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church.  The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged.  For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church 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. (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
 
Office hours 
-  Norma => 11 am to 4:00 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




0 Comments

October 8, 2017 - Creation 5 - Thanksgiving

10/5/2017

0 Comments

 
Greetings,
The service to remember Beryl Currie is at 1:00 pm on Saturday (Oct 7) at the church. 
 
This SUNDAY – October 8 – Thanksgiving Sunday
This Sunday is Thanksgiving.  I know it may be somewhat obvious, but I will say it anyway.  Thanksgiving or giving thanks is entirely dependent upon someone else.  You cannot give thanks until you have been given something.  It is an activity, an action, that points out our interdependence as human beings and as part of God’s creation.
The readings for Sunday are Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Luke 17:11-19.  The Time for All Ages is called “Thanks-giving-thanks.”  I have titled the sermon, with very little imagination “Thanks”  “Giving.”


SUNDAY SCHOOL
Those of you who were here last Sunday found that there was no Sunday School because we did not have a teacher, There will be a teacher this Sunday.  Our much-loved Sunday School program will go ahead.  So come on out, there is something for the whole family!
 
AED (Automated External Defribrillator) TRAINING – Sunday, Oct 15
As many of you may have noticed, the church now has an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Unit mounted outside the washroom on the main floor.  These units allow for an immediate response in situations where someone is in cardiac arrest.  Although the AED can “talk” a user through its use, it is advisable for some members of the congregation to be familiar with the operation of the unit before it is needed.  We are arranging with 4 Point Safety and Training to provide the necessary training course.  The training can be completed in an afternoon, will take place in the afternoon of Sunday, October 15.  The “trainees” will have lunch at the church and then course will start around 1:30 pm.  If you are interested in taking the training and will be able to attend the course on October 15 please put your name on the sign-up sheet by the church office or phone the church.

 
MEXICAN FIESTA AND SILENT AUCTION – Sunday, October 22
Mark your calendar for the Spirit West Mexican Fiesta and Silent Auction.  Come and enjoy a great supper and get some great deals on the wonderful items in the Silent Auction.  Doors open at 5:00, with Supper at 5:30.  Tickets are available at the church.  Or call the church office to make reservations.  See you there!

  
EMPTY JELLY JARS
When you finish enjoying your Spirit West Crabapple Jelly and the jar is empty, would you please return the empty jar to the church.  The jars are expensive and reusable, so can be sterilized and reused for next year’s batch of Spirit West Crabapple Jelly!


PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle.  We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray.   There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need.  If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.

CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church.  The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged.  For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church 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. (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

Office hours 
-  Norma => 11 am to 4:00 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



0 Comments

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