Greetings
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent. In parts of the Church where calling something by a Latin name makes it sound more churchy, this is Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy (Gaudete means rejoice). The colour that has been associated with this Sunday is pink, or more technically “rose.” There are three readings this Sunday, one from Isaiah, one from Philippians and one from Luke. The first two are all about rejoicing, rejoicing in the wonderful things God has done and is doing. The gospel reading starts with John calling those who have come to check him out, “you brood of vipers!” Not particularly joyful or designed to win friends. But it appears that there are those in the crowd who are definitely moved by John’s call to repentance. They ask John what they must do. His answers are very practical. The things that John tells people they need to do are not impossible. There is hope, and therefore some cause for rejoicing. The crowd also want to know if John is the Messiah. He sets them straight on that point.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 12: 1a-6, Philippians 4: 4-7 and Luke 3:7-18. My story in the Time for All Ages is called “If you’re happy…” and the title of my sermon is “Again, I say rejoice.”
UPCOMING SERVICES
December 23 – Advent 4 (10:30 am)
December 24 – Christmas Eve (6:30 pm)
This is a family service where we hear again the story of Christ’s birth. Children will have the opportunity to portray the scene in Bethlehem. No acting experience is necessary and there are no lines to learn. If you want to participate, come a bit early for your costume fitting!
December 30 – Cinnamon Bun Sunday (10:30 am, Lower Hall)
For this casual Service we will gather in the Lower Hall. During the Service this year, we will be looking at Nativity Scenes, those sets of figurines we put out at Christmas to represent the stable in Bethlehem. We will look at why we do it, and what we can learn from them. If you wish, you can bring a Nativity Set from home to be part of a display around the Lower Hall. And of course, as we hear stories, sing carols and hymns, and pray, we will also share the cinnamon buns made by Margaret B.
January 6, 2019 – Epiphany (10:30)
The first Service of 2019 will be a Communion Service. We will also celebrate the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus. And if we are to be somewhat in line with the Biblical narrative, the Magi arriving this year would have started their journey at Christmas 2016.
SPIRIT WEST MEN’S BREAKFAST
Would you like a "Hearty Man's" breakfast this Saturday morning (Dec 15)? Join us in the lower hall at 8 AM for our “Men’s Christmas Breakfast” along with some friendly conversation. All that for $10.00. Hope to see you Saturday morning.
Your Favourite Hymn
Do you have a favourite hymn that you’d like to hear included in one of our worship services? Please let Bonnie C. know your choice and she will make sure it is sung within the month.
A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY
You don’t have offering envelopes, you are not on PAR, and you don’t get to church as often as you would like, but you want to make a financial contribution to work of Spirit West, and receive a tax receipt. Now you can! Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
Spirit West Prayer Chain
The Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Norma => 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent. In parts of the Church where calling something by a Latin name makes it sound more churchy, this is Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy (Gaudete means rejoice). The colour that has been associated with this Sunday is pink, or more technically “rose.” There are three readings this Sunday, one from Isaiah, one from Philippians and one from Luke. The first two are all about rejoicing, rejoicing in the wonderful things God has done and is doing. The gospel reading starts with John calling those who have come to check him out, “you brood of vipers!” Not particularly joyful or designed to win friends. But it appears that there are those in the crowd who are definitely moved by John’s call to repentance. They ask John what they must do. His answers are very practical. The things that John tells people they need to do are not impossible. There is hope, and therefore some cause for rejoicing. The crowd also want to know if John is the Messiah. He sets them straight on that point.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 12: 1a-6, Philippians 4: 4-7 and Luke 3:7-18. My story in the Time for All Ages is called “If you’re happy…” and the title of my sermon is “Again, I say rejoice.”
UPCOMING SERVICES
December 23 – Advent 4 (10:30 am)
December 24 – Christmas Eve (6:30 pm)
This is a family service where we hear again the story of Christ’s birth. Children will have the opportunity to portray the scene in Bethlehem. No acting experience is necessary and there are no lines to learn. If you want to participate, come a bit early for your costume fitting!
December 30 – Cinnamon Bun Sunday (10:30 am, Lower Hall)
For this casual Service we will gather in the Lower Hall. During the Service this year, we will be looking at Nativity Scenes, those sets of figurines we put out at Christmas to represent the stable in Bethlehem. We will look at why we do it, and what we can learn from them. If you wish, you can bring a Nativity Set from home to be part of a display around the Lower Hall. And of course, as we hear stories, sing carols and hymns, and pray, we will also share the cinnamon buns made by Margaret B.
January 6, 2019 – Epiphany (10:30)
The first Service of 2019 will be a Communion Service. We will also celebrate the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus. And if we are to be somewhat in line with the Biblical narrative, the Magi arriving this year would have started their journey at Christmas 2016.
SPIRIT WEST MEN’S BREAKFAST
Would you like a "Hearty Man's" breakfast this Saturday morning (Dec 15)? Join us in the lower hall at 8 AM for our “Men’s Christmas Breakfast” along with some friendly conversation. All that for $10.00. Hope to see you Saturday morning.
Your Favourite Hymn
Do you have a favourite hymn that you’d like to hear included in one of our worship services? Please let Bonnie C. know your choice and she will make sure it is sung within the month.
A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY
You don’t have offering envelopes, you are not on PAR, and you don’t get to church as often as you would like, but you want to make a financial contribution to work of Spirit West, and receive a tax receipt. Now you can! Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
Spirit West Prayer Chain
The Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Norma => 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
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