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December 20, 2019 - Fourth Sunday in Advent

12/20/2018

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​Greetings,
Since this is the last eMessage for 2018, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with blessings.
Please note that the Church Office will be closed from December 24 to January 2.  If you need to contact me during that time, call the church number and follow the instructions in the message.

 
THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in Advent, the Sunday of Love. The central figure for this Sunday is Mary.  Mary does not figure that prominently in the Reformed Church tradition, of which the United Church is a part.  I do not think you will ever find a Blessed Virgin Mary or Holy Mother of God United Church.  But at Christmas it is hard to avoid Mary.  She plays a very significant role in the story of the Nativity.  This Sunday we will look at Mary, and in particular how Mary understood her place in God’s plan.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Micah 5: 2-5a, and Luke 1: 39-45.  We will also be singing a version of the “Song of Mary” also know as the “Magnificat” from Luke 1: 46- 55. My story in the Time for All Ages is called “I have some news” and the title of my sermon is “My soul proclaims...”
 
THIS SUNDAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
This Sunday, the children will be learning about Mary.  They will also be decorating little houses made of Graham Crackers with icing and candy.

 
UPCOMING SERVICES
December 24 – Christmas Eve (6:30 pm)
This is a family service where we hear again the story of Christ’s birth.  Children will have the opportunity to portray the scene in Bethlehem.  No acting experience is necessary and there are no lines to learn.  If you want to participate, come a bit early for your costume fitting!

December 30 – Cinnamon Bun Sunday (10:30 am, Lower Hall)
For this casual Service we will gather in the Lower Hall.  During the Service this year, we will be looking at Nativity Sets, those sets of figurines we put out at Christmas to represent the stable in Bethlehem. We will look at their history and what we can learn from them.  If you wish, you can bring a Nativity Set from home to be part of a display around the Lower Hall.  And of course, as we hear stories, sing carols and hymns, and pray, we will also share the cinnamon buns made by Margaret B.

January 6, 2019 – Epiphany (10:30)
The first Service of 2019 will be a Communion Service.  We will also celebrate the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus.  And if we are to be somewhat in line with the Biblical narrative, the Magi arriving this year would have started their journey at Christmas 2016.

  
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


Office hours 
The Church Office will be closed from December 24 to January 2.
-  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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December 13, 2018 - Fourth Sunday in Advent

12/13/2018

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Greetings
 
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent. In parts of the Church where calling something by a Latin name makes it sound more churchy, this is Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy (Gaudete means rejoice).  The colour that has been associated with this Sunday is pink, or more technically “rose.”  There are three readings this Sunday, one from Isaiah, one from Philippians and one from Luke.  The first two are all about rejoicing, rejoicing in the wonderful things God has done and is doing.  The gospel reading starts with John calling those who have come to check him out, “you brood of vipers!”  Not particularly joyful or designed to win friends.  But it appears that there are those in the crowd who are definitely moved by John’s call to repentance.  They ask John what they must do.  His answers are very practical.  The things that John tells people they need to do are not impossible.  There is hope, and therefore some cause for rejoicing.  The crowd also want to know if John is the Messiah.  He sets them straight on that point.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 12: 1a-6, Philippians 4: 4-7 and Luke 3:7-18.  My story in the Time for All Ages is called “If you’re happy…” and the title of my sermon is “Again, I say rejoice.” 

 
UPCOMING SERVICES
December 23 – Advent 4 (10:30 am)
December 24 – Christmas Eve (6:30 pm)
This is a family service where we hear again the story of Christ’s birth.  Children will have the opportunity to portray the scene in Bethlehem.  No acting experience is necessary and there are no lines to learn.  If you want to participate, come a bit early for your costume fitting!

December 30 – Cinnamon Bun Sunday (10:30 am, Lower Hall)
For this casual Service we will gather in the Lower Hall.  During the Service this year, we will be looking at Nativity Scenes, those sets of figurines we put out at Christmas to represent the stable in Bethlehem. We will look at why we do it, and what we can learn from them.  If you wish, you can bring a Nativity Set from home to be part of a display around the Lower Hall.  And of course, as we hear stories, sing carols and hymns,
and pray, we will also share the cinnamon buns made by Margaret B.
January 6, 2019 – Epiphany (10:30)
The first Service of 2019 will be a Communion Service.  We will also celebrate the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus.  And if we are to be somewhat in line with the Biblical narrative, the Magi arriving this year would have started their journey at Christmas 2016.

 
SPIRIT WEST MEN’S BREAKFAST
Would you like a "Hearty Man's" breakfast this Saturday morning (Dec 15)? Join us in the lower hall at 8 AM for our “Men’s Christmas Breakfast” along with some friendly conversation. All that for $10.00. Hope to see you Saturday morning.
 

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

 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

December 6, 2018 - Second Sunday in Advent

12/6/2018

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Greetings (and Happy St. Nicholas Day)
 
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent, and the star of the show is John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness.  Having John the Baptist as the one who announces your coming seems like a strange idea.  John, a second cousin of Jesus through his mother Elizabeth, had spent much of his adult life as a poorly dressed, unkempt, reclusive preacher in the wilderness of Judea.  His “counter-cultural” call to repentance seems to have struck a chord with some people.  Some thought that John was the promised Messiah.  He set them straight on that idea by pointing out Jesus as the Messiah.  The second theme that is emphasized on the Second Sunday of Advent is peace.  But this peace is not merely the absence of noise or conflict , but more the idea that everything is as it should be in the world and in our lives.  Living in the peace of Christ can be very active and noisy, but it means living in a relationship with God that gives meaning and purpose to all you are and do.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6.  My story in the Time for All Ages is called “Something has to happen” and the title of my sermon is “A Voice Cries Out.” 
 
This will be the second of our two giving Sundays (see next item)

 
 GIVING SUNDAY at Spirit West
Spirit West is working with the Bissell Centre to respond to identified needs in our community.  We are using the Bissell Centre’s Festive Wishlist which can be found at https://bissellcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2017-Festive-WishListpdf.pdf   to identify the gifts to bring to our second and final giving Sunday (Dec 9),  We will collect your gifts or stockings during the Time for All Ages. 

 
CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT  - This Sunday!
The Spirit West Choir celebrates the 15th year of Christmas concert making!  Please join us this Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 for Night of the Father’s Love, a cantata by Pepper Choplin that reflects the awe and mystery of “God with Us” in word and song.  Our guest musicians include Donna Dawson, Jessie Ching and HarpBeat!  Please invite your family and friends for this special occasion. Donations will be used for the upgrading of our church sound system.
 

 Living Nativity – A Study for Advent,
Living Nativity is a four session study for Advent which uses as its focus a crèche or nativity scene and the characters found there.  The study will take place on Wednesdays. We have had two sessions on Nov 28 and Dec 5  and will be continuing through Dec 12 &19 at 1:30 pm in the lounge.  You may still join in if you want too.

  
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

 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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