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Apirl 8, 2021 - The 2nd Sunday after Easter - Holy Humour Sunday - the 56th Sunday in Covid-19 Isolation and our 48th Sunday Video on YouTube

4/8/2021

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Picture
Greetings,
 
This Sunday – THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER – HOLY HUMOUR SUNDAY
 The Sunday after Easter is known as Bright Sunday or Holy Humor Sunday and has its roots in history. For centuries, in Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant countries, Bright Sunday was observed by the faithful as "a day of joy and laughter" with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  Parishioners and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, sang, and danced. It was a time for clergy and people to tell jokes and to have fun.  These celebrations were rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. Easter was "God's supreme joke played on death."
So in spite of, or to spite, the challenges of the world around us we will honour this ancient tradition, and this Sunday’s service will pay homage to Holy Humour, celebrating the joy of the Lord.  As the prophet Nehemiah says, “… this day is holy to the Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Psalm 133 and John 20: 19-31.  In the Time for All Ages I will talk about Bright Sunday, and my sermon is titled, “Holy Humour.”
 
CELEBRATIONS?
I haven’t received any Celebrations for this Sunday.  If you have a celebration, please send it to me at swm@telus.net by tomorrow (Friday) at noon.
  
THE WILL BE A ZOOM COFFEE HOUR ON HOLY HUMOUR SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83336626819?pwd=L2N3N3dmOHM4K250VUVoWnloM0JsZz09
 Meeting ID: 833 3662 6819   Passcode: 309861
  
THE WORSHIP TEAM TAKES A BREAK
The Worship Team (those people who put together our Worship Videos) is taking a brief break.  I will be away from the office from Monday, April 12 to Monday, April 19 inclusive.  There will be no Spirit West Worship Video for Sunday, April 18, 2021. ZOOM Sunday School and ZOOM Coffee Hour will continue on April 18.  Worship Videos will resume for Sunday, April 25.  For ways to worship on April 18 please see the next paragraph...
 
SUNDAY SERVICES LIVE-STREAMING ACROSS CANADA
There are a number of United Churches (and some Presbyterian) across Canada who are able to live-stream their Sunday services.  A number of Edmonton churches are doing this including: Millwoods, Robertson-Wesley and Southminster-Steinhauer.   Check out this interactive map for livestreaming services across Canada: https://arcg.is/1TaKqS (and remember to take into account time zones for churches outside of Alberta)
  
ICPM SUNDAY LUNCH – APRIL 18TH
 Spirit West United Church is one of 80+ faith communities that support the Inner City Pastoral Ministry Lunch Ministry which is celebrating 43 years of ministry within the Inner City of Edmonton. Our 2021 ICPM Sunday Lunch date is the 18th of April. 
 
 In previous years we have been able to provide a Sunday Lunch at the Bissell Centre which included sandwiches, fruit/veggie trays, and deserts.   With the present COVID-19 health restrictions volunteers and community members are not allowed to congregate inside the Bissell Centre.
As we have with Jasper Place Wellness Centre, the lunches we provide will be made up of commercially pre-packaged items.   We are responsible for 75 bagged lunches.  Our partner church, St. Mary’s Anglican Church, will also be contributing 75 bagged lunches.   Bissell staff will distribute these in the community.
Items requested in our lunches:    Juice boxes, protein bars, packs of peanut butter and crackers, fresh peel-able fruit (oranges, bananas), potato chips, cheese strings and bottled water. We will also provide coffee, tea, coffee mate and sugar to the Bissell Centre.   The Centre offers these beverages to the community members and are always in need of these staples. 
 
To simplify the process and to limit the traffic in/out of our church - the Walkhouse family will shop, package and deliver these lunches on our behalf.   We are looking for cash donations to help cover the $600 budgeted for this lunch.   
 
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
 
 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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday (on a break April 12-19, 2021)
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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April 1, 2021 - Easter Sunday  with communion - the 55th Sunday in Covid-19 isolation and our 47th Sunday video on YouTube

4/1/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings,
 
EASTER WORSHIP VIDEOS
 There will be a Worship Video for Good Friday, April 2nd,  which be uploaded to our YouTube channel later tonight. 
The Worship Video for Easter Sunday, April 4th will include Communion. 
We have typically observed the Sunday after Easter as Holy Humour Sunday, and our Worship Video for April 11th will reflect that. 
The Worship Team and I are then taking some time off.  I will not be in the office from April 12th to 19th inclusive.  There will not be a Spirit West Worship Video for April 18th.  As we get closer to that date I will provide you with some options for worship on that Sunday.
 
This Sunday – Easter Sunday – the Feast of the Resurrection
 We have arrived at the central celebration of our Christian faith, the Feast of the Resurrection which we call Easter.  And this is our second Easter celebrated within the restrictions of a global pandemic.  And so in a time when many are tired, frustrated, depressed and perhaps angry, we are called by our faith to celebrate new life.  But we cannot celebrate the way we usually do.  “Church” is an online video, and we can’t have everybody and his uncle over for dinner.  In fact we can’t really have anybody over, because that implies that they are not in our household or bubble.  But lets think back to the first Easter, the day of the Resurrection.  The followers of an intinerant preacher and healer had witnessed the crucifixion of their leader, whom they thought was the Messiah.  Then three days later they are told that their leader has risen from the dead.  Was there a celebration, not really,  some of the followers had gone into hiding for fear of the authorities, others had left town.  One of the women who first discovered that Jesus was not in the tomb, was so confused that when the risen Christ approached her, she thought he was the gardener.  It would be years before those who followed the way of Jesus could celebrate the Resurrection.  I spent Easter 2006 in Afghanistan, a war zone.  We were able to have a worship service for those who were not “outside the wire.”  And dinner in the Dining Facility had a few extra things added. But we were cut off from family and friends. And our gatherings always had the potential of being interupted by a rocket attack. But Easter happened nonetheless. (In fact, so did Passover. I was invited by the visiting Rabbi to join the small community of Jewish soldiers for the Seder. A Christian chaplain celebrating the Jewish passover in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan)  For many of us, these limited celebrations were a reminder that God’s love is much wider and deeper that we can really understand.  And fortunately for us, the Good News that is made manifest by the Resurrection is not dependent on our ability or opportunity to celebrate.  I am reminded of the closing words of the United Church “New Creed,” “We are called to be the Church:…to proclaim Jesus, cricified and risen, our judge and our hope.  In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.  We are not alone.  Thanks be to God.”
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are John 20: 1-18, 19-29 and Acts 10: 34-43. . 
 
Communion this Sunday
 This Sunday, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The celebration at the Church will involve only three people from the congregation and me, but I would like you to be able to participate as fully as you can.  So I would suggest that, if you can, watch the video at our usual church time of 10:30 on Sunday morning and that you have some bread and grape juice (or wine) for each member of your household.  Follow the service and share together at your table, be it the kitchen table, dining table, coffee table or the TV table you have put in front of your television.  And as you share the bread and cup in your home, know that others are sharing at the Table of Christ in their homes and around the world. 
  
THE WILL BE A ZOOM COFFEE HOUR ON EASTER SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83336626819?pwd=L2N3N3dmOHM4K250VUVoWnloM0JsZz09
 
Meeting ID: 833 3662 6819   Passcode: 309861
  
ICPM SUNDAY LUNCH – APRIL 18TH
 Spirit West United Church is one of 80+ faith communities that support the Inner City Pastoral Ministry Lunch Ministry which is celebrating 43 years of ministry within the Inner City of Edmonton. Our 2021 ICPM Sunday Lunch date is the 18th of April. 
 
 In previous years we have been able to provide a Sunday Lunch at the Bissell Centre which included sandwiches, fruit/veggie trays, and deserts.   With the present COVID-19 health restrictions volunteers and community members are not allowed to congregate inside the Bissell Centre.
As we have with Jasper Place Wellness Centre, the lunches we provide will be made up of commercially pre-packaged items.   We are responsible for 75 bagged lunches.  Our partner church, St. Mary’s Anglican Church, will also be contributing 75 bagged lunches.   Bissell staff will distribute these in the community.
Items requested in our lunches:    Juice boxes, protein bars, packs of peanut butter and crackers, fresh peel-able fruit (oranges, bananas), potato chips, cheese strings and bottled water. We will also provide coffee, tea, coffee mate and sugar to the Bissell Centre.   The Centre offers these beverages to the community members and are always in need of these staples. 
 
To simplify the process and to limit the traffic in/out of our church - the Walkhouse family will shop, package and deliver these lunches on our behalf.   We are looking for cash donations to help cover the $600 budgeted for this lunch.   
 
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 
Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
  
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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
Reverend Larry K. Wright
Minister 
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
spiritwest.minister@telus.net
spiritwest.org

0 Comments

March 18, 2021 - Fifth Sunday in Lent - the 53rd Sunday in COVID-19 isolation and our 45th Sunday Video on YouTube.

3/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings,
 
This Sunday – Fifth Sunday in Lent
 
On this Fifth Sunday in Lent we move to images of what the world could be and should be.  In the book of the prophet Jeremiah, we have the wonderful image of a world where everyone know God and what is right in the sight of God.  Jeremiah says that the law of God will be in our minds and written on our hearts.  No one will need to tell another what they need to know about God, for “they shall all know me, from the greatest to the least.  It is a covenant with all people, but know and felt but each individually. We know that we are not there yet.  But it is something to strive for.  The other image we are presented with in the readings is from the Gospels.  It is a passage that is frequently read at funerals.  It is the image of a seed dying in order to be reborn as a growing plant.  It is part of the narrative that points toward the resurrection.  But it is more than that, because it speaks to us of how newness comes into being.  As we look around us these days, the apparent dead of winter is starting to be replaced with signs of spring, new life.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 31: 31-34 and John 12: 20-33.  My story in Time for All Ages is called, “I know it’s right.” I am calling my sermon, “I will write the law on your heart.”
  
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83336626819?pwd=L2N3N3dmOHM4K250VUVoWnloM0JsZz09
 
Meeting ID: 833 3662 6819   Passcode: 309861
  
A REQUEST FROM THOSE WHO CREAT THE WORSHIP VIDEOS
           The folks who create the Worship Videos are asking for everyone's help on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings when we record the various portion of the Sunday service.  The music team is in the building starting at 12 noon every Thursday to practice, prepare, and record music.  As well, those who have volunteered to read scripture and want to record at the church come in on Thursday after the music has been completed.  On Friday morning, the “talking bits” of the service are recorded.
 
           All of these activities require a great amount of attention on behalf of the music team, the scripture readers, the minister and our technician Paul..  It would be very helpful if other business that requires a drop in at the church could be done at times other than Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.
  
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
  
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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

March 11, 2021 - The Fourth Sunday in Lent - Celtic Sunday - the 52nd Sunday in Covid-19 Isolation and our 44th Sunday Video on YouTube

3/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings,
 
This Sunday – Fourth Sunday in Lent
 This Sunday, the Fourth in Lent is perhaps more significant this year, than it has been in other years.  As a country, as the church and as a congregation this Sunday marks some significant anniversaries and events.  This Sunday is first anniversary of our last social event as a congregation.  It was our fun, successful and lucky Celtic Pub Night. The next day was our last in-person worship service.  Because of the shifting date of Easter, this Sunday is the Fourth in Lent and this marks the one (church) year anniversary of our first Worship Video, which was created for the Fourth Sunday in Lent last year, March 22, 2020. Paul and I made the video using the camera of a cell phone propped up with a Bible on a music stand.  In the wider church this Sunday is sometimes called Laetare Sunday.  This is the Sunday in Lent when things can be eased up a little.  Traditionally the colour associated with Laetare Sunday has been rose.  But at Spirit West, it turns out that Laetare Sunday this year is also our Celtic Sunday, (closest to St. Patrick’s Day) so the music and prayers for this Sunday come mainly from Celtic Christianity.
The Gospel reading for this Sunday is from the third chapter of John.  It contains the well-known passage that begins, “For God so loved the world…”  For God so loved the world, not just part of it, not just the “good” people, not just the religious people - the world  - that he sent his only Son.  That is sacrificial unconditional love.  Unfortunately, as I look around our world I see too many examples of selfishness and hate.  What is particularly distressing is when these examples come from people who call themselves “Christian.”  In the First Letter of John, which may have been written by the gospel writer, or by someone who knew the evangelist, we find this phrase, “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”  What does it mean for each of us to love the world?
 The Scripture readings for Sunday are Ephesians 2: 1-10 and John 3: 14-21.  My story in Time for All Ages is called, “A really big hug.” I am calling my sermon, “For God so loved the world.”
  
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
There will be an Annual Congregational Meeting of Spirit West United Church this Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 11:30. This will take place on ZOOM and here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87082908960?pwd=Z09mamZRRmlTeTdsYktSWGxPanNvUT09
 Meeting ID: 870 8290 8960  Passcode: 361704
 
You should have received a copy of the Annual Report by email on Monday, March 8.  If you did not please let Norma know immediately.
 There is no ZOOM Coffee Hour this Sunday
 
 ADDITIONAL NEWS FROM THE BOARD
  
Pastoral Relations –  (Finding a New Minister)
 Search Committee
The Pastoral Relations Search Committee for Spirit West has been formed.  There are seven members and they had their first meeting on Tuesday evening. If you have any questions about the Committee or the process, please contact Colleen Fox, Board Chair at 780-487-5178 or thefox5@shaw.ca.
 
Reviewing the Minister’s Job Description
A important document in the search for a new minister is the Job Description.  What are the duties and responsibilities of the minister who serves Spirit West United Church?  The current job description needs to be reviewed, and will be by the board.  However, the input from members of the Spirit West community is also important.  If you would like to review the Minister’s Job Description and provide input to the Board, a copy of the document will be sent to you.  Just call or email Norma at the church.
  
A REQUEST FROM THOSE WHO CREAT THE WORSHIP VIDEOS
           The folks who create the Worship Videos are asking for everyone's help on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings when we record the various portion of the Sunday service.  The music team is in the building starting at 12 noon every Thursday to practice, prepare, and record music.  As well, those who have volunteered to read scripture and want to record at the church come in on Thursday after the music has been completed.  On Friday morning, the “talking bits” of the service are recorded.
 
           All of these activities require a great amount of attention on behalf of the music team, the scripture readers, the minister and our technician Paul..  It would be very helpful if other business that requires a drop in at the church could be done at times other than Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.
  
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
  
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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

March 4, 2021 - Third Sunday in Lent with Communion - The 51st Sunday in Covid-19 Isolation and our 43rd Sunday Video on YouTube

3/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings,
 
This Sunday – Third Sunday in Lent
 
We have now progressed in our Lenten journey to the Third Sunday in Lent, and the focus is the Law, but not in what might be considered the usual way.  The reading from Exodus, one of the books of the Law, the first five books of the Bible, is probably familiar to many people, though this familiarity might come from the title of a  movie starring Charlton Heston, “The Ten Commandments.”  Sunday’s reading is the Ten Commandments.  Everyone has heard of them, and most people figure that they haven’t broken any of them.  In the United States, people of a certain political leaning want to put up monuments to the Ten Commandments outside court houses.  But the problem for me is that so many people do not actually know what the ten commandments are.  If you were asked, could you name all ten without googling “ten commandments?”  To paraphrase what someone said about the Bible, the ten commandments are like a software licence, we don’t read them, we just skip to the bottom and click “I Agree.”  At the heart of the Ten Commandments is a set of “rules” that focus on our relationship with God, and our relationship with each other in a community.  So it seems that using the Ten Commandments as a tool to put down others, or to assert some sort of moral superiority over others misses the point of the commandments completely.  And this brings me to the Gospel reading from John.  This is the story of the angry Jesus, yes the angry Jesus.  The story is often called then “Cleansing of the Temple,” or “Jesus Cleanses the Temple.”  But Jesus was not there to sanitize a public space, wiping things down with the 1st century equivalent of Lysol wipes.   Jesus used a whip that he made of cords. “In the temple Jesus found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.  Making a whip out of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.”  Now all of these activities were completely legal.  The cattle, sheep, and doves were for purchase for sacrifice.  If you bought your sacrifice at the temple, you could be guaranteed that the animals were of the required quality for sacrifice.  And since the Temple did not accept Roman money for offering, you had to get your money changed to Temple money.  All legal.  But, if you think of the times you have had to buy a meal at a tourist attraction with a “closed shop” policy (no outside food allowed) and paid fifteen dollars for a hamburger, you might understand the problems that had arisen at the Temple by Jesus’ time.  Legal but, from Jesus’ point of view, immoral.  And so we see an angry Jesus who shouts at the crowd, “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”  Is following the law more than just not breaking the rules?
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Exodus 20: 1-17 and John 2: 13-22.  My story in Time for All Ages is called, “So many rules.” I am calling my sermon, “WWJD”
 
Communion this Sunday
 
This Sunday, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and as I announced last week, this will be not be on ZOOM.  It will be pre-reocorded  The celebration at the Church will involve only three people from the congregation and me, but I would like you to be able to participate as fully as you can.  So I would suggest that, if you can, watch the video at our usual church time of 10:30 on Sunday morning and that you have some bread and grape juice (or wine) for each member of your household.  Follow the service and share together at your table, be it the kitchen table, dining table, coffee table or the TV table you have put in front of your television.  And as you share the bread and cup in your home, know that others are sharing at the Table of Christ in their homes and around the world. 
  
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87518207479?pwd=RDdZWURHTkYxZ2F4WEd1QlhpN3MxZz09
 Meeting ID: 875 1820 7479 
Passcode: 990663
  
A REQUEST FROM THOSE WHO CREAT THE WORSHIP VIDEOS
 The folks who create the Worship Videos are asking for everyone's help on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings when we record the various portion of the Sunday service.  The music team is in the building starting at 12 noon every Thursday to practice, prepare, and record music.  As well, those who have volunteered to read scripture and want to record at the church come in on Thursday after the music has been completed.  On Friday morning, the “talking bits” of the service are recorded.
 
           All of these activities require a great amount of attention on behalf of the music team, the scripture readers, the minister and our technician Paul..  It would be very helpful if other business that requires a drop in at the church could be done at times other than Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.
 
NEWS FROM THE BOARD
 Annual Congregational Meeting
There will be an Annual Congregational Meeting of Spirit West United Church on March 14, 2021 at 11:30. This will take place on ZOOM and here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87082908960?pwd=Z09mamZRRmlTeTdsYktSWGxPanNvUT09
 Meeting ID: 870 8290 8960  Passcode: 361704
 
Pastoral Relations –  (Finding a New Minister)
 Establishing a Search Committeee – Members sought
At its Meeting on February 24, Spirit West Board, passed the necessary motions to establish a Search Committee to find a new minister for this community.    The committee’s tasks include finding suitable candidates, interviewing the candidates, preparing a short list, interviewing those on the short list, and ultimately deciding on a candidate whose name will be presented at a congregational meeting for the congregation’s final decision.
Being on the committee will require a high level of commitment to see the process through for the benefit of the congregation.
Information received by the Board from the Region suggests a Committee of four to six people and membership on the Search Committee is not restricted to members of the Board.  If you would consider serving on the Search Committee please contact Colleen Fox, Board Chair at 780-487-5178 or thefox5@shaw.ca.
 
Reviewing the Minister’s Job Description
A important document in the search for a new minister is the Job Description.  What are the duties and responsibilities of the minister who serves Spirit West United Church?  The current job description needs to be reviewed, and will be by the board.  However, the input from members of the Spirit West community is also important.  If you would like to review the Minister’s Job Description and provide input to the Board, a copy of the document will be sent to you.  Just call or email Norma at the church.
  
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 
Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
  
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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

February 25, 2021 - 2nd Sunday in Lent - the 50th Sunday in Covid-19 Isolation and our 42 Sunday video on YouTube

2/25/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings!
Again, there is a lot of new information in the eMessage this week.  There is an update on the way we will be celebrating Communion, and be sure to check out News from the Board. 
 
This Sunday – Second Sunday in Lent
 This Sunday is the second Sunday in Lent, and the focus is on Covenant.  We don’t use the word covenant much in our everyday conversations, and many of us may be unsure of its meaning.  A covenant is an agreement between two parties where both parties benefit in some way.  Covenant also carries the understanding that some work or effort may be required by both parties to maintain the terms of the covenant.  Marriage is considered a covenant.  The vows that the couple make in the church (or wherever) may outline the terms of the covenant, but they must continue to act as married people for the covenant to be maintained.  In the Bible, we find covenants between God and various people or nations.  In the passage from Genesis in this Sunday’s readings we see the start of a covenant between God and a man called Abram and his wife Sarai.   If you are thinking that Larry has made a couple of typos, and that their names were Abraham and Sarah, you would be partly right.  Not about the typos. But about the names, when God first encounters the couple, they are Abram and Sarai.  As part of the covenant with God they are given new names, Abraham and Sarah.  For God’s part, the childless couple will have a son (a bit of a miracle because Abram/Abraham is 100 and Sarai/Sarah is 99.) and God will be their God in an everlasting covenant. For their part Abraham and Sarah and their multitude of descendants are expected to live in complete faithfulness to God.  In the Gospel reading we find Jesus predicting his own suffering and death.  He also tells those that have been listening to him that if they want to be his followers there is a cost. They must “deny themselves and take up their cross.”  Even Peter has trouble with this aspect of discipleship. Living in a covenant relationship can be hard work, but also rewarding.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16 and Mark 8: 31-38.  My story in Time for All Ages is called, “This gift is special.” I am calling my sermon, “But, I had other plans…”
  
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85246931629?pwd=REVKMW1DeEk5M1ZRUHJxb0VOZzFyZz09
 Meeting ID: 852 4693 1629
Passcode: 630017
 
Lenten Group Study – Practices of Releasing
 Our ZOOM Lenten Study started on Wednesday, February 24 at 1:30 pm and continues each Wednesday in Lent. During the five remaining sessions, we will virtually join Janice MacLean, of the Prayer Bench, and wise friends as they explore original goodness and name the practices that release us from fear, grief, sense of scarcity, violence, and patterns that harden our heart and tarnish the goodness that is always staring back at us. Using metaphors from the Lent gospel readings, stories, poetry, art and music we rub away at all that limits the human spirit, and dulls our life, and suggest authentic spiritual practices to claim again original goodness.
Please let me know at swm@telus.net or by calling the church if you are interested in participating so that I can send you the ZOOM link as well as the participant resources for each week.  Remember, if you are interested but are not sure if you can attend all the sessions let me know.  You can still receive the weekly resource packages to study on your own
 
COMMUNION SERVICES (not on ZOOM)
 The Communion Services in January and February were conducted over ZOOM, and the results were less that hoped for.  Because of the current limitations of the Church internet, ZOOM services are fraught with technical difficulties that detract from the worship experience.  A work order has been created by Telus to improve our internet capacity, but this requires a site visit from a technician in the near future.  So for the Communion Services in March and April (Easter) we will return to recorded services on YouTube.  Once the capabilities of the improved internet are explored, we hope to be able to live-stream services.  We will let you know as progress in made.
“Congregation” needed for recorded Communion services
The Service to be recorded for Sunday, March 7, Lent 3 will be a Communion Service, and it has been the practice that there be three people in the church to make up a “congregation” to receive communion while the service is recorded. The service is conducted in such a way that physical distancing is observed, and the communion elements are prepared in strict sanitary conditions.  The service for March 7 will be recorded on Friday, March 5 at 11:00 am.  If you are interested in being part of the congregation of three please let me know. 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD
 Annual Congregational Meeting
There will be an Annual Congregational Meeting of Spirit West United Church on March 14, 2021 at 11:30, this will take place on ZOOM and the link will be included in the eMessages closer to the date.
 
Pastoral Relations –  (Finding a New Minister)
 Establishing a Search Committeee – Members sought
At its Meeting last night, Spirit West Board, passed the necessary motions to establish a Search Committee to find a new minister for this community.    The committee’s tasks include finding suitable candidates, interviewing the candidates, preparing a short list, interviewing those on the short list, and ultimately deciding on a candidate whose name will be presented at a congregational meeting for the congregation’s final decision.
Being on the committee will require a high level of commitment to see the process through for the benefit of the congregation.
Information received by the Board from the Region suggests a Committee of four to six people and membership on the Search Committee is not restricted to members of the Board.  If you would consider serving on the Search Committee please contact Colleen Fox, Board Chair at 780-487-5178 or thefox5@shaw.ca.
 
Reviewing the Minister’s Job Description
A important document in the search for a new minister is the Job Description.  What are the duties and responsibilities of the minister who serves Spirit West United Church?  The current job description needs to be reviewed, and will be by the board.  However, the input from members of the Spirit West community is also important.  If you would like to review the Minister’s Job Description and provide input to the Board, a copy of the document will be sent to you.  Just call or email Norma at the church.
  
OUTREACH – Jasper Place Wellness Centre Bagged Lunches
 Spirit West is again responsible for providing Bagged Lunches for the Jasper Place Wellness Center on Saturday, March 6.
As with our last bagged lunches Lori is estimating about $ 5.00 / bag - 25 bags needed.  Although this project is funded by our church as Outreach, you can sponsor a lunch or two by donating specifically to “Outreach.”  Lori and her family will do the shopping, bagging and delivery like last time.
If people would like to drop off other items (winter gear, etc.), these can be left by the “giving tree” just inside the front doors at Spirit West.  Lori will come by to pick these up from the Church on March 4.
 
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
  
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 will continue 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.
 
 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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

February 21, 2021 - !st Sunday in Lent and the 49th Sunday in COVID-19 Isolation and the 41st Sunday video on YouTube

2/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings!
There is a lot of new information in the eMessage this week.  Be sure to check out News from the Board from Colleen F., our Board Chair.  Also note the information from Lori W. regarding Outreach.
 
This Sunday – FIRST SUNDAY in LENT
 This Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent, although I must confess that with our church closing to in-person worship in the middle of Lent 2020, it feels a bit like we have been in Lent for a year now.  But we are really entering Lent 2021, that period of prayer, meditation, penitence and reflection that takes us to the Resurrection.  Traditionally, Lent has been a time for more rigorous spiritual discipline, and this often included fasting or abstaining from certain foods.  The whole concept of “giving up” something for Lent has its roots in this tradition.  We encounter the biblical model for Lent in today’s Gospel reading from Mark.  We are reminded again of Jesus baptism, but immediately after that Jesus goes into the wilderness where he is tempted by Satan and was with wild beasts.  The Gospels of Matthew and Luke include more details about the temptations Jesus faced.  So it is this time away, wrestling our demons that has become an image of Lent.
Included in the service on Sunday will be the Imposition of Ashes.  In biblical times and in many cultures, putting ashes on oneself is a sign of mourning or repentance.  When Jonah finally got to Nineveh and proclaimed God’s displeasure with the behavior of the citizens of Nineveh, we read that the king “removed his robe,, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.”  The Christian tradition is to be marked with ashes to start Lent, on Ash Wednesday.  We did not have an Ash Wednesday service, so we will observe this ancient custom on Sunday. I hope that those of you on our mailing list received your packet of ashes this week.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are 1 Peter: 18-22 and Mark 1: 9-15.  I am calling my sermon, “Put your whole self in!”
  
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85746746882?pwd=bjZPZHE3VjBLYmxZRFQ3Ri8yeVFjdz09
 Meeting ID: 857 4674 6882
Passcode: 228650
  
LENT 2021 FOR SPIRIT WEST
 Lenten Group Study – Practices of Releasing
There will be a ZOOM Lenten Study starting on Wednesday, February 24 at 1:30 pm and continuing each Wednesday in Lent. During the six sessions, we will virtually join Janice MacLean, of the Prayer Bench, and wise friends as they explore original goodness and name the practices that release us from fear, grief, sense of scarcity, violence, and patterns that harden our heart and tarnish the goodness that is always staring back at us. Using metaphors from the Lent gospel readings, stories, poetry, art and music we rub away at all that limits the human spirit, and dulls our life, and suggest authentic spiritual practices to claim again original goodness.
Please let me know at swm@telus.net or by calling the church if you are interested in participating so that I can send you the ZOOM link as well as the participant resources for each week.  Remember, if you are interested but are not sure if you can attend all the sessions let me know.  You can still receive the weekly resource packages to study on your own
 
NEWS FROM THE BOARD
 A couple of years ago, I (Colleen Fox) was elected as the Vice-Chair of the Spirit West Board, with the expectation that at the Congregational Meeting in November 2020, I would be elected Chair for 2021.  Well, as you know, we did not have a Congregational Meeting in November so there were no elections to the Board.  Following the advice of the National and Regional Councils on what to do about church board positions during Covid, I was named Chair of the Board by the Spirit West Board at their meeting on January 27.  This is going to be a busy year, and I want to make sure that the members of the congregation know what the Board is doing.  Since we are not meeting in person yet, there are only two ways to get the word out: the Thursday eMessage and the Sunday Worship Video announcements.  So here are some things you need to know.
 
Annual Congregational Meeting
There will be an Annual Congregational Meeting of Spirit West United Church on March 14, 2021 at 11:30, this will take place on ZOOM and the link will be included in the eMessages closer to the date.
 
Daycare Rental
When our building was built, the lower hall was considered to be a “community hall” for fire regulations and was wired accordingly.  For the lower hall to be acceptable as a “daycare” additional fire sensors/smoke detectors need to be installed.  We are working with the Daycare operator to have this done. This is a requirement before the Daycare operators will get their final approval to move forward. After they have been installed and approved, the daycare lease will be signed.
 
Pastoral Relations
We have started the process to find a new minister as Larry will be retiring at end of June this year. The preliminary work has been done by John Punko. (Thank you John) The Rev. Hugh McGregor has been appointed as our Northern Spirit Region Pastoral Relations liaison. At our next board meeting on February 24 we are going to start to put a team together to work with Northern Spirit Region to continue the process. 
 
As more information becomes available we will share it with you. 
 
 OUTREACH – Jasper Place Wellness Centre Bagged Lunches
 Spirit West is again responsible for providing Bagged Lunches for the Jasper Place Wellness Center on Saturday, March 6.
As with our last bagged lunches Lori is estimating about $ 5.00 / bag - 25 bags needed.  Although this project is funded by our church as Outreach, you can sponsor a lunch or two by donating specifically to “Outreach.”  Lori and her family will do the shopping, bagging and delivery like last time.
If people would like to drop off other items (winter gear, etc.), these can be left by the “giving tree” just inside the front doors at Spirit West.  Lori will come by to pick these up from the Church on March 4.
 
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
 
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 will continue 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.
 
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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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February 11, 2014 - Transfiguration Sunday

2/12/2021

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Greetings!
Please note the information below about Lent 2021 for Spirit West.  It contains information about our Lenten Group (ZOO) Study – Practices of Releasing.
 
This Sunday – TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY
 his Sunday is the last Sunday in the Season of Epiphany.  Next Wednesday is the start of Lent.  This Sunday focuses on an episode in the life of Jesus that was only witnessed by three of his disciples.  The event has come to be called the Transfiguration.  Jesus takes three of his followers, Peter, James and John “up a high mountain apart, by themselves.”   Jesus was “transfigured,” his clothing became dazzling white and Moses and Elijah appeared with him.  This Sunday we will also hear the story of the prophet Elijah being taken up to heaven. In both stories something spectacular happens that is meant to confirm to the witnesses of the event the divine origins of the messages proclaimed.  But there is a bit of a difference.  In the story of Elijah, his companion and follower Elisha is left alone to continue Elijah’s mission.  In the story of the Transfiguration, Jesus comes back down the mountain with the three to continue their mission together.  It’s all about bringing the message of God’s presence to the world, even after an experience that we would like to remain in.  But “we are not alone, we live in God’s world.”
 
Sunday is also Valentine’s Day, and I will be talking about St. Valentine in the Time for All Ages.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are 2 Kings 2: 1-12 and Mark 9: 2-9.  I am calling my sermon, “From the mountain top.”
 
 ZOOM COFFEE HOUR CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84707304114?pwd=WFUybStRVnJldWZiaG9XNHIwUkFPdz09
 Meeting ID: 847 0730 4114
Passcode: 798584
 
 LENT 2021 FOR SPIRIT WEST
Shrove Tuesday, February 16
Shrove Tuesday is that last day before the beginning of Lent.  In many places it is now known as Pancake Tuesday.  Perhaps pancakes could be a part of your menu on Tuesday.  For an extensive explanation of Shrove Tuesday go to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday
 
Ash Wednesday, February 17
Lent begins on Wednesday, February 17 and in years past we have observed the Imposition of Ashes associated with Ash Wednesday on the Sunday following, which this year will be Sunday, February 21.  I would like to continue this practice, recognizing the restrictions posed by Covid-19.  To this end, I will be mailing out packets of Palm Ashes tomorrow.  I am hoping that you receive them by Ash Wednesday, or at least by February 21.  The packets of ashes will come with an explanation and suggestions for use.
 
Lenten Group Study – Practices of Releasing
There will be a ZOOM Lenten Study starting on Wednesday, February 24 at 1:30 pm and continuing each Wednesday in Lent. During the six sessions, we will virtually join Janice MacLean, of the Prayer Bench, and wise friends as they explore original goodness and name the practices that release us from fear, grief, sense of scarcity, violence, and patterns that harden our heart and tarnish the goodness that is always staring back at us. Using metaphors from the Lent gospel readings, stories, poetry, art and music we rub away at all that limits the human spirit, and dulls our life, and suggest authentic spiritual practices to claim again original goodness.
Please let me know at swm@telus.net or by calling the church if you are interested in participating so that I can send you the ZOOM link as well as the participant resources for each week.  Remember, if you are interested but are not sure if you can attend all the sessions let me know.  You can still receive the weekly resource packages to study on your own.
 
 YOUR TAX RECEIPT FOR 2020
 The Charitable Tax receipts from Spirit West for 2020 were mailed last week.  You should have received your receipt by now.  If you have any questions about your receipt please call or email the church.
 
 2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES
 If you have been regularly using Offering Envelopes for your offering, either mailed in to the church or dropped off, your 2021 Envelopes are now available at the Church. We would prefer if you could pick them up.  Call Norma at the church, so that she can have your envelopes ready for you.  If you would rather that they be delivered to you, you will also have to let Norma know.
 
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
 
 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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry


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February 4, 2021 The 5th Sunday after Epiphany and the 47th Sunday in Covid-19 isolation and our 39th Sunday video on YouTube

2/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings!
 
This Sunday – The fifth after epiphany – A ZOOM COMMUNION
 
Worship this Sunday will be our second live ZOOM Communion Service at 11:00 am.  The ZOOM Service is at 11:00 because our Spirit West ZOOM Sunday School has been meeting at 10:00 am since the end of September, and the 11:00 am Service time gives us time to switch ZOOMs
.
ZOOM has been used for Communion Services by the General Council and by Norther Spirit Regional Council, and is being encourage as the way for the church to gather for Communion as it brings people together at the same time.  Since it will be Communion, you are encouraged to have some bread and grape juice (or wine) available for each member of your household. 
  
Now in a ZOOM Service, what you see is what is happening at the church as you watch it, with the exception of the musical portions which are recorded in advance and shared by our ZOOM technician at the appropriate times in the service.  Because we are using ZOOM there is a greater possibility for lags in the video or audio and other real time technical problems.  There will be no subtitles for the prayers and prayer responses. But, a bulletin will be provided in the email that will be sent out by Norma on Saturday, but rather than a YouTube link, you will be reminded of the ZOOM link.  Please be patient with us as we learn another way of worshiping together.  We also hope that the recording of the service works this time, and we will be able to post a YouTube version of the service later on Sunday afternoon   
  
Some Questions and Answers:
Q; What if I am new to ZOOM, and a bit unsure about how it works?  
A: Sign on early (around 10:45 am and receive a short tutorial about ZOOM)
Q:I can’t use ZOOM, what do I do for worship? 
A: The ZOOM Service will be recorded (we hope) and posted to our YouTube channel later on Sunday afternoon.
Q: Will all the Services be on ZOOM now? 
A: No, for the present, we will only be using ZOOM for Communion Services, on the first Sunday of each month.  The remainder of the Service each month will be the pre-recorded YouTube videos that you have become used to.
 
To Join the Zoom Communion click on this link between 10:45 and 11:00 am on Sunday, February 7thh. (Some computers may require you to press the CTRL key at the same time as you click on the link with your mouse)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85002656536?pwd=Sm1McDVpT2YwOWdsOVdoa2kxYXF0dz09
 
It is unlikely, but you may be asked for the Meeting ID: which is 850 0265 6536.  If you need a Passcode it is: 814813
 
The Scripture Readings for Sunday are Acts 19: 1-7, and Mark 1; 4-11.  In the Time for All Ages, I will be saying, “I don’t feel well.”  My sermon is titled, “Healed to Serve.”
 
ZOOM Coffee Hour will follow the ZOOM Service on same link
  
YOUR TAX RECEIPT FOR 2020 IS IN THE MAIL
 The Charitable Tax receipts from Spirit West for 2020 were mailed today.  You should see your receipt in your mailbox early next week
 
 2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES
 If you have been regularly using Offering Envelopes for your offering, either mailed in to the church or dropped off, your 2021 Envelopes are now available at the Church. We would prefer if you could pick them up.  Call Norma at the church, so that she can have your envelopes ready for you.  If you would rather that they be delivered to you, you will also have to let Norma know.
 
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters (update)
You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos.  If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
 
Scripture Readers (update)
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 2:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
 
Sharing our Celebrations 
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
 
 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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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

January 28, 2021 - the 4th Sunday after Epiphany and the46th Sunday in COVID-19 Isolation and the 38th Sunday video on YouTube

1/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings!
 
This Sunday – the Fourth after Epiphany – Called to Prophecy
 For many people in our society and probably in our church as well, the whole concept of prophet, prophecy (noun, last syllable pronounced “see.”) and to prophecy (verb, last syllable pronounce “sigh.”) usually bring to mind predictions, usually bad, for the future.  We might think of names like Nostradamus or as my son Paul offered, Professor Trelawney from Harry Potter.  If we are familiar with the Bible, we might think of Isaiah or Jeremiah.  But again the associations tend to be about messages of doom.
But when we actually look at the work of the Biblical prophets, we do find messages of doom and destruction, but we usually also find messages of hope.  What we see in the prophets of the Bible are people who are called by God to name sin and evil in a community, and to warn people of divine punishment if they continue to live as they have.  But the prophets are also called to offer the possibility of redemption if there is repentance and change.  In other words the message of the prophets is:  “You are messing up big time (forgetting God, oppressing widows and orphans, acting unjustly…)  If you continue in this way bad stuff will happen.  If you change and stop messing up there will be forgiveness.
Prophecy (noun) is naming evil so that there can be change.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus calls out an “unclean” spirit that has been tormenting a man.  Jesus names the evil, to drive it out.  The man is healed, restored.  The watching crowds are amazed by this.  They wonder at Jesus’ authority.
Aren’t we all called to be prophets in some way:  to call out evil that we see around us, so that it can be stopped.  Of course, as we see from the reading from Deuteronomy, not all who claim to be prophets are prophets.  There is an element of deep discernment.  Who are the prophets in our world?
 
The Scripture readings for this Sunday are Deuteronomy 18: 15-20 and Mark 1: 21-28.  In the Time for All Ages, I am going to talk about being “Unclean.”  The title of my sermon is ““Called to Prophecy.”
 
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82009089663?pwd=d1FVUkhLTFNKdFd0YW1MRmtUQUltdz09
 
Meeting ID: 820 0908 9663
Passcode: 093841
  
NO ROOM IN THE INN – Thank you!
 When the designated Christmas offerings were counted and divided, we were able to send a cheque for $2,920,00 to No Room In the Inn for this year’s campaign.   In his email to Norma, Julien Hammond, chair of the No Room In the Inn committee wrote, “thank you to Spirit West for supporting women/children’s shelters in a time of increased domestic violence in our community. Richest blessings to you all!”
 
 2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES
 If you have been regularly using Offering Envelopes for your offering, either mailed in to the church or dropped off, your 2021 Envelopes are now available at the Church. We would prefer if you could pick them up.  Call Norma at the church, so that she can have your envelopes ready for you.  If you would rather that they be delivered to you, you will also have to let Norma know.
  
MORE ON OUR SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy.  Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading.  Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required.
 
Sharing our Celebrations (note the submission deadline)
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community.  If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
 
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday.  The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
 
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos.  We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time.  We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …).   Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
 
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 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. 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, Spirit West is not holding services, 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 even when we are not gathering on Sunday.   Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. 
  
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 will continue 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.
  
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.
 Office hours 
-  Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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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