Greetings
We have come to the fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas is just a week away.. The reading for Sunday reminds us of an encounter between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. Both women are pregnant. Elizabeth’s child will be John the Baptist and of course we know who Mary’s son will be. The meeting is special for both women. Elizabeth is very happy for Mary and for herself, as Elizabeth exclaims to Mary, “blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Some of you may recognize this as a line that was later incorporated into the “Hail, Mary.” Mary’s response to all this is a song/poem which has come to be known as the Magnificat, from the Latin translation of the first line: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” It is a remarkable expression of praise for God, especially as it uses some rather revolutionary language. I am sure the Roman authorities would not be too pleased with, “He has brought the mighty down from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.” Is the coming of Christ a revolution, a turning of the world?
The Readings for Sunday are Micah 5: 2-5a, and Luke 1: 39-45. We will sing Mary’s song from Luke 1: 47-55. With the children I will talking about looking for Jesus in our lives with the title “People look north?” and the title of the sermon is “A world turned upside down.”
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Thursday, December 24 – Christmas Eve, 6:30 pm, “What Child is This?” A service for the whole family!
Sunday, December 27 – Cinnamon Bun Sunday, 10:30 am, “The Star over Bethlehem” A relaxed service of story, song and prayer with cinnamon buns and warm drinks.
Sunday, January 3, 2016 – Epiphany Sunday, 10:30 am, “Arise, Your Light has Come!” The first service of 2016 with the Celebration of Holy Communion.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
A big THANK YOU to our congregation - ALL hampers have been sponsored, and there are gifts for all the children. Volunteers are needed for the Hamper Shopping trip on December 19th . We meet at the church at 6:00 pm for pizza, we then head off to shop! On Sunday, Dec. 20th we will need volunteers to deliver the hampers following service. Please contact Lori or Bill W. 780-483-6542 for more information.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
There will be a Men’s Christmas Breakfast on Saturday, December 19th at 8:00 in the Lower Hall. Since the breakfast will be made up ahead of time ( the night before ) Don need to know if you plan to be there. Please let him know (780-455-5537) before today at 6 pm.
AN INVITATION FROM ROBERSTON-WESLEY
Robertson-Wesley United Church invites the whole community to our Live Nativity Scene this Christmas. Young and old alike will have an opportunity to interact with the nativity characters and even become some of the characters if desired (bring along your cameras for photos) and sing along with carollers. There will be a fire to cozy up to while listening to stories and roasting marshmallows.
This all-age event is on Saturday December 19th from 4-5:30 pm (leave time to get to Spirit West for hamper shopping) on the front lawn of the church (10209-123 Street). Stop by with your family, friends and neighbours for an evening of festivities, treats, and hot chocolate!
There is no admission charge, but the church will be accepting donations of mittens, gloves, socks, toiletries or non-perishable food for the Bissell Centre.
spirit west Christmas Caroling
We will be Christmas caroling in the church neighbourhood on Dec. 22 starting at the church at 6:30 pm. Please sign-up on the sheet at the back table if you are interested in this fun experience.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
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 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday
- 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
We have come to the fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas is just a week away.. The reading for Sunday reminds us of an encounter between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. Both women are pregnant. Elizabeth’s child will be John the Baptist and of course we know who Mary’s son will be. The meeting is special for both women. Elizabeth is very happy for Mary and for herself, as Elizabeth exclaims to Mary, “blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Some of you may recognize this as a line that was later incorporated into the “Hail, Mary.” Mary’s response to all this is a song/poem which has come to be known as the Magnificat, from the Latin translation of the first line: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” It is a remarkable expression of praise for God, especially as it uses some rather revolutionary language. I am sure the Roman authorities would not be too pleased with, “He has brought the mighty down from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.” Is the coming of Christ a revolution, a turning of the world?
The Readings for Sunday are Micah 5: 2-5a, and Luke 1: 39-45. We will sing Mary’s song from Luke 1: 47-55. With the children I will talking about looking for Jesus in our lives with the title “People look north?” and the title of the sermon is “A world turned upside down.”
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Thursday, December 24 – Christmas Eve, 6:30 pm, “What Child is This?” A service for the whole family!
Sunday, December 27 – Cinnamon Bun Sunday, 10:30 am, “The Star over Bethlehem” A relaxed service of story, song and prayer with cinnamon buns and warm drinks.
Sunday, January 3, 2016 – Epiphany Sunday, 10:30 am, “Arise, Your Light has Come!” The first service of 2016 with the Celebration of Holy Communion.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
A big THANK YOU to our congregation - ALL hampers have been sponsored, and there are gifts for all the children. Volunteers are needed for the Hamper Shopping trip on December 19th . We meet at the church at 6:00 pm for pizza, we then head off to shop! On Sunday, Dec. 20th we will need volunteers to deliver the hampers following service. Please contact Lori or Bill W. 780-483-6542 for more information.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
There will be a Men’s Christmas Breakfast on Saturday, December 19th at 8:00 in the Lower Hall. Since the breakfast will be made up ahead of time ( the night before ) Don need to know if you plan to be there. Please let him know (780-455-5537) before today at 6 pm.
AN INVITATION FROM ROBERSTON-WESLEY
Robertson-Wesley United Church invites the whole community to our Live Nativity Scene this Christmas. Young and old alike will have an opportunity to interact with the nativity characters and even become some of the characters if desired (bring along your cameras for photos) and sing along with carollers. There will be a fire to cozy up to while listening to stories and roasting marshmallows.
This all-age event is on Saturday December 19th from 4-5:30 pm (leave time to get to Spirit West for hamper shopping) on the front lawn of the church (10209-123 Street). Stop by with your family, friends and neighbours for an evening of festivities, treats, and hot chocolate!
There is no admission charge, but the church will be accepting donations of mittens, gloves, socks, toiletries or non-perishable food for the Bissell Centre.
spirit west Christmas Caroling
We will be Christmas caroling in the church neighbourhood on Dec. 22 starting at the church at 6:30 pm. Please sign-up on the sheet at the back table if you are interested in this fun experience.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
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 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday
- 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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