Greetings,
As we move through Advent, a number of things are happening at the church. Please take note of the events and programmes outlined below.
This SUNDAY – December 11 – Advent 3
This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent, and is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday. In the days when the prayers of the day were fixed and in Latin, the introit or “call to worship” for services on this Sunday began “Gaudete in Domino semper,” meaning “Rejoice in the Lord always.” In the time of waiting that is Advent, this Sunday was intended to remind us that though we are waiting for the celebration of Christ’s birth, the Promised One, Jesus has come. Even in our waiting we are in the presence of the Christ, a cause for continual rejoicing. The colour associated with this Sunday is rose (you might call it pink, but in church colours it’s rose.) It is intended to lighten up the darkness of the blue of Advent. This Sunday has also been associated with Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary doesn’t get much air time in churches like ours of the reformed tradition. But this Sunday we will sing together the Magnificat or Song of Mary from the Gospel of Luke. (The title comes from the opening of the Latin version of this passage, “Magnificat anima mea Dominum.” “My soul magnifies the Lord.” It is an amazing proclamation of hope and joy in what God has done and is doing, especially when we consider that it is coming from an unwed pregnant girl, probably in her late teens, who has been told that she will bear the Son of the Most High.
The readings for Sunday are Isaiah 35: 1-10, and Matthew 11: 2-11 and will sing, as Mary did, Luke 1: 47-55. In the Time for All Ages we will look at some scenes and come to see that “Something is Missing.” I have titled the sermon, “The Desert Blossoms”.
BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISH GIVING SUNDAY- This Sunday!
This Sunday, Dec. 11 is Giving Sunday. Spirit West’s Giving Sunday (formerly White Gift) has for a number of years been in cooperation with the Bissell Centre. This year Bissell is asking that we share the warmth of our lives by filling a stocking for someone in need. The list of items to go in each stocking is attached and is also available on the back table at the church. You can either pack your gifts in a stocking (available for a dollar at Dollarama stores all throughout the city) or in white plastic bags. The stockings/gifts must be at the church by this Sunday Dec. 11 as they will be delivered to Bissell after church.
SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Spirt West United Church Christmas Concert, “Nowell, Now all is well” will be held at the Church on Sunday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. This moving evening of music and word for the whole family will feature our own choir as well as members of the Harp Beat Harp Choir and other guest musicians. See the poster on our Facebook page or website. Bring your friends!
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Our Giving Tree for the food portion of the hampers is located just outside of the office. Please write your name and your pledge amount on one of the stocking ornaments and hang it up on the tree. Names and ages of the children for the gift portion of the hampers will be available this weekend. Please see Lori at the back of the church following service. "Hamper Shopping trip" – Wed, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm and "Hamper Delivery" - Thurs, Dec. 22 between 5:30-8:30 pm. Please see/call Lori or Bill W. if you have any questions or if you would like to help with this wonderful giving experience.
SERVICES AT SPIRIT WEST FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The last Service of 2016 will be the Christmas Eve Family Service on Saturday, December 24 at 6:30 pm.
The first Service of 2017 will be Cinnamon Bun Sunday on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 am.
There are no Services on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
Spirit West Prayer Chain
The Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
As we move through Advent, a number of things are happening at the church. Please take note of the events and programmes outlined below.
This SUNDAY – December 11 – Advent 3
This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent, and is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday. In the days when the prayers of the day were fixed and in Latin, the introit or “call to worship” for services on this Sunday began “Gaudete in Domino semper,” meaning “Rejoice in the Lord always.” In the time of waiting that is Advent, this Sunday was intended to remind us that though we are waiting for the celebration of Christ’s birth, the Promised One, Jesus has come. Even in our waiting we are in the presence of the Christ, a cause for continual rejoicing. The colour associated with this Sunday is rose (you might call it pink, but in church colours it’s rose.) It is intended to lighten up the darkness of the blue of Advent. This Sunday has also been associated with Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary doesn’t get much air time in churches like ours of the reformed tradition. But this Sunday we will sing together the Magnificat or Song of Mary from the Gospel of Luke. (The title comes from the opening of the Latin version of this passage, “Magnificat anima mea Dominum.” “My soul magnifies the Lord.” It is an amazing proclamation of hope and joy in what God has done and is doing, especially when we consider that it is coming from an unwed pregnant girl, probably in her late teens, who has been told that she will bear the Son of the Most High.
The readings for Sunday are Isaiah 35: 1-10, and Matthew 11: 2-11 and will sing, as Mary did, Luke 1: 47-55. In the Time for All Ages we will look at some scenes and come to see that “Something is Missing.” I have titled the sermon, “The Desert Blossoms”.
BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISH GIVING SUNDAY- This Sunday!
This Sunday, Dec. 11 is Giving Sunday. Spirit West’s Giving Sunday (formerly White Gift) has for a number of years been in cooperation with the Bissell Centre. This year Bissell is asking that we share the warmth of our lives by filling a stocking for someone in need. The list of items to go in each stocking is attached and is also available on the back table at the church. You can either pack your gifts in a stocking (available for a dollar at Dollarama stores all throughout the city) or in white plastic bags. The stockings/gifts must be at the church by this Sunday Dec. 11 as they will be delivered to Bissell after church.
SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Spirt West United Church Christmas Concert, “Nowell, Now all is well” will be held at the Church on Sunday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. This moving evening of music and word for the whole family will feature our own choir as well as members of the Harp Beat Harp Choir and other guest musicians. See the poster on our Facebook page or website. Bring your friends!
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Our Giving Tree for the food portion of the hampers is located just outside of the office. Please write your name and your pledge amount on one of the stocking ornaments and hang it up on the tree. Names and ages of the children for the gift portion of the hampers will be available this weekend. Please see Lori at the back of the church following service. "Hamper Shopping trip" – Wed, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm and "Hamper Delivery" - Thurs, Dec. 22 between 5:30-8:30 pm. Please see/call Lori or Bill W. if you have any questions or if you would like to help with this wonderful giving experience.
SERVICES AT SPIRIT WEST FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The last Service of 2016 will be the Christmas Eve Family Service on Saturday, December 24 at 6:30 pm.
The first Service of 2017 will be Cinnamon Bun Sunday on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 am.
There are no Services on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
Spirit West Prayer Chain
The Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
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