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
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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