Greetings!
YouTube Videos and Live-streaming Worship Services
Now that we are live-streaming our services and you wish to watch online, you will need to:
CHRISTMAS EVE – 6:30 PM
At the Christmas Eve service, we will be hearing the Nativity Story (Luke 2:1-20). This may be a good time to read a little more of the story. The first chapter of the Gospel provides some historical and spiritual context for the birth of Jesus. The author weaves together the birth stories of Jesus and his cousin John the Baptist.
January 6 is observed as Epiphany, with the reading of the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12). This Gospel offers a very different view of the Nativity Story, although we usually try to blend the two together. Again, you might want to read the context for this passage.
Our next worship service will be on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Perhaps you can use this time for personal reflection as we begin a new year together.
Stuart
“The CPR Santa” by Jim Taylor (Wood Lake Books)
This really happened. It was in the mid-1960s, says Gord Rutherford, who was a warden in Yoho National Park at the time. Back in those days, the CPR housed most of its workers in Field, but a few lived in isolated “section houses” where they tended their particular sections of track.
Every year, two of the residents of Field became Santa for the surrounding areas. Art Davis put on the full Santa suit, complete with beard and large round belly, “that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.” Glen Brooks was always Santa’s helper, complete with a little green elf’s hat.
They distributed gifts to each of the children in Field, at a special party. But during the evenings before, they drove over often dangerous roads through the park system to drop in on isolated families, so that no one missed a visit from Santa.
This particular evening, Art and Glen were going to the section house at the east end of Wapta Lake. To get from the Trans-Canada Highway to the section house, they had to cross the main CPR line. And at that moment, the passenger train came through.
Art and Glen waited, thinking they might wave at the passengers as the train roared by. But the engineer saw them. And he did the unthinkable,– he stopped the train. And for half an hour, the passengers enjoyed a visit with Santa…
So here’s to spontaneity. Especially at Christmas.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP - SUNDAY 10:30am
Remember that the following conditions will apply:
1. Worship will be on a first come first served basis in order to keep to the physical distancing required under government regulation.
2. You will be asked to provide proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the worship service; you will be given a “vaccine registry number” card which you can then use for subsequent Sundays instead of having to show your proof of vaccination
3. Masks are to be worn at all times
4. Not attending when feeling unwell
5. Answering the Covid questions and signing in upon entry;
6. Following the patterns of movement within the church
7. Maintaining physical distance at all times from others who are not members of your household or cohort
8. Bringing your own food or beverage
9. Listening to the music presented but not singing
10. Leaving immediately after the service ends
SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal and interest on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email. And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.) The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors. You can also donate online, see below…
ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay. Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
The Spirit West Church office remains open. However, we will close today and reopen on January 4, 2022 at 10:00 am.
Office hours
- Stuart => 9:30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Thank you,
Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone: (780) 481-1406
email: spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org
YouTube Videos and Live-streaming Worship Services
Now that we are live-streaming our services and you wish to watch online, you will need to:
- click on this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrJQ5ljHCSPBV3F8TmIhvVA OR
- go to YouTube and google Spirit West United Church.
CHRISTMAS EVE – 6:30 PM
At the Christmas Eve service, we will be hearing the Nativity Story (Luke 2:1-20). This may be a good time to read a little more of the story. The first chapter of the Gospel provides some historical and spiritual context for the birth of Jesus. The author weaves together the birth stories of Jesus and his cousin John the Baptist.
January 6 is observed as Epiphany, with the reading of the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12). This Gospel offers a very different view of the Nativity Story, although we usually try to blend the two together. Again, you might want to read the context for this passage.
Our next worship service will be on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Perhaps you can use this time for personal reflection as we begin a new year together.
Stuart
“The CPR Santa” by Jim Taylor (Wood Lake Books)
This really happened. It was in the mid-1960s, says Gord Rutherford, who was a warden in Yoho National Park at the time. Back in those days, the CPR housed most of its workers in Field, but a few lived in isolated “section houses” where they tended their particular sections of track.
Every year, two of the residents of Field became Santa for the surrounding areas. Art Davis put on the full Santa suit, complete with beard and large round belly, “that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.” Glen Brooks was always Santa’s helper, complete with a little green elf’s hat.
They distributed gifts to each of the children in Field, at a special party. But during the evenings before, they drove over often dangerous roads through the park system to drop in on isolated families, so that no one missed a visit from Santa.
This particular evening, Art and Glen were going to the section house at the east end of Wapta Lake. To get from the Trans-Canada Highway to the section house, they had to cross the main CPR line. And at that moment, the passenger train came through.
Art and Glen waited, thinking they might wave at the passengers as the train roared by. But the engineer saw them. And he did the unthinkable,– he stopped the train. And for half an hour, the passengers enjoyed a visit with Santa…
So here’s to spontaneity. Especially at Christmas.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP - SUNDAY 10:30am
Remember that the following conditions will apply:
1. Worship will be on a first come first served basis in order to keep to the physical distancing required under government regulation.
2. You will be asked to provide proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the worship service; you will be given a “vaccine registry number” card which you can then use for subsequent Sundays instead of having to show your proof of vaccination
3. Masks are to be worn at all times
4. Not attending when feeling unwell
5. Answering the Covid questions and signing in upon entry;
6. Following the patterns of movement within the church
7. Maintaining physical distance at all times from others who are not members of your household or cohort
8. Bringing your own food or beverage
9. Listening to the music presented but not singing
10. Leaving immediately after the service ends
SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal and interest on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email. And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.) The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors. You can also donate online, see below…
ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay. Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
The Spirit West Church office remains open. However, we will close today and reopen on January 4, 2022 at 10:00 am.
Office hours
- Stuart => 9:30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Thank you,
Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone: (780) 481-1406
email: spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org
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