Greetings,
Now that we are in Advent, a number of things are happening at the church. Please take note of the events and programmes outlined below.
This SUNDAY – December 4 – Advent 2
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent, and we will be looking at the past. But the questions that are asked of the past are not when or where, but who or what. Who is our past? What is our past? These are more questions of heritage and history. They speak to our roots as people and as a community. In his letter to the Romans, Paul refers back to “whatever was written in former day,” meaning the writings of the Hebrew prophets. Paul is writing to a Roman audience and quotes from the Law and the Prophets using the Greek translation of those writings, the Septuagint, the version used outside of Israel from about the 3rd century BC. But Paul’s references to the Prophets of Israel are used to proclaim that the message and the fulfillment of these works of the past is for all the world in the present. Paul even makes reference to Jesus own heritage and lineage as he refers to the root of Jesse, one of Jesus’ ancestors. Likewise, John the Baptist proclaims a message rooted in the words of the past, but fulfilled in the present. In both these passages, the present and the presence of Jesus can only be fully understood by looking to the past. It is sometimes said that to be fully present in the world we need roots and wings. We need to be rooted and grounded, this is our heritage our tradition. But we also need wings to soar into new and uncharted places. And there is the balancing act of our life as people and as a church, acknowledging and celebrating our heritage while soaring in an ever changing world.
The readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 23: 1-6, and Luke 23: 33-43. . In the Time for All Ages I will talk about family traditions “At Christmas we always…,” and I have titled the sermon, “Roots and Wings”
ANTE MERIDIEM CHOIR CONCERT
The Ante Meridiem Choir of Edmonton will be having a Concert on Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 pm at our 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!
BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISH GIVING SUNDAY
For years United Churches have chosen one Sunday in December as White Gift Sunday. Some of us remember bringing our gifts wrapped in white tissue paper to put under the church Christmas tree. More recently, White Gift Sunday has given way to a Giving Sunday, usually involving an agency working with those in need. Gone are the yards (metres) of white tissue paper, but the gifts remain. Spirit West’s Giving Sunday has been in cooperation with the Bissell Centre. This year we are designating Dec. 11 as Giving Sunday. 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 gifts must be at the church by Dec. 11 as they will be delivered to Bissell after church on that Sunday.
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. Tentative "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.
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party will be held, Mon, Dec 5th at 6:00 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. The suggested amount for dinner is $20 per person. All women are welcome - feel free to bring a friend! There is a sign- up sheet for the evening and money can be paid to Margery Wright. We will have laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with a value between $15 to $20 maximum (or something homemade!). If you are able to help out with the food or drinks, please see the sign-up sheet at the back
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
Now that we are in Advent, a number of things are happening at the church. Please take note of the events and programmes outlined below.
This SUNDAY – December 4 – Advent 2
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent, and we will be looking at the past. But the questions that are asked of the past are not when or where, but who or what. Who is our past? What is our past? These are more questions of heritage and history. They speak to our roots as people and as a community. In his letter to the Romans, Paul refers back to “whatever was written in former day,” meaning the writings of the Hebrew prophets. Paul is writing to a Roman audience and quotes from the Law and the Prophets using the Greek translation of those writings, the Septuagint, the version used outside of Israel from about the 3rd century BC. But Paul’s references to the Prophets of Israel are used to proclaim that the message and the fulfillment of these works of the past is for all the world in the present. Paul even makes reference to Jesus own heritage and lineage as he refers to the root of Jesse, one of Jesus’ ancestors. Likewise, John the Baptist proclaims a message rooted in the words of the past, but fulfilled in the present. In both these passages, the present and the presence of Jesus can only be fully understood by looking to the past. It is sometimes said that to be fully present in the world we need roots and wings. We need to be rooted and grounded, this is our heritage our tradition. But we also need wings to soar into new and uncharted places. And there is the balancing act of our life as people and as a church, acknowledging and celebrating our heritage while soaring in an ever changing world.
The readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 23: 1-6, and Luke 23: 33-43. . In the Time for All Ages I will talk about family traditions “At Christmas we always…,” and I have titled the sermon, “Roots and Wings”
ANTE MERIDIEM CHOIR CONCERT
The Ante Meridiem Choir of Edmonton will be having a Concert on Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 pm at our 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!
BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISH GIVING SUNDAY
For years United Churches have chosen one Sunday in December as White Gift Sunday. Some of us remember bringing our gifts wrapped in white tissue paper to put under the church Christmas tree. More recently, White Gift Sunday has given way to a Giving Sunday, usually involving an agency working with those in need. Gone are the yards (metres) of white tissue paper, but the gifts remain. Spirit West’s Giving Sunday has been in cooperation with the Bissell Centre. This year we are designating Dec. 11 as Giving Sunday. 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 gifts must be at the church by Dec. 11 as they will be delivered to Bissell after church on that Sunday.
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. Tentative "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.
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party will be held, Mon, Dec 5th at 6:00 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. The suggested amount for dinner is $20 per person. All women are welcome - feel free to bring a friend! There is a sign- up sheet for the evening and money can be paid to Margery Wright. We will have laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with a value between $15 to $20 maximum (or something homemade!). If you are able to help out with the food or drinks, please see the sign-up sheet at the back
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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