Greetings (and Happy St. Nicholas Day)
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent, and the star of the show is John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness. Having John the Baptist as the one who announces your coming seems like a strange idea. John, a second cousin of Jesus through his mother Elizabeth, had spent much of his adult life as a poorly dressed, unkempt, reclusive preacher in the wilderness of Judea. His “counter-cultural” call to repentance seems to have struck a chord with some people. Some thought that John was the promised Messiah. He set them straight on that idea by pointing out Jesus as the Messiah. The second theme that is emphasized on the Second Sunday of Advent is peace. But this peace is not merely the absence of noise or conflict , but more the idea that everything is as it should be in the world and in our lives. Living in the peace of Christ can be very active and noisy, but it means living in a relationship with God that gives meaning and purpose to all you are and do.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6. My story in the Time for All Ages is called “Something has to happen” and the title of my sermon is “A Voice Cries Out.”
This will be the second of our two giving Sundays (see next item)
GIVING SUNDAY at Spirit West
Spirit West is working with the Bissell Centre to respond to identified needs in our community. We are using the Bissell Centre’s Festive Wishlist which can be found at https://bissellcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2017-Festive-WishListpdf.pdf to identify the gifts to bring to our second and final giving Sunday (Dec 9), We will collect your gifts or stockings during the Time for All Ages.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT - This Sunday!
The Spirit West Choir celebrates the 15th year of Christmas concert making! Please join us this Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 for Night of the Father’s Love, a cantata by Pepper Choplin that reflects the awe and mystery of “God with Us” in word and song. Our guest musicians include Donna Dawson, Jessie Ching and HarpBeat! Please invite your family and friends for this special occasion. Donations will be used for the upgrading of our church sound system.
Living Nativity – A Study for Advent,
Living Nativity is a four session study for Advent which uses as its focus a crèche or nativity scene and the characters found there. The study will take place on Wednesdays. We have had two sessions on Nov 28 and Dec 5 and will be continuing through Dec 12 &19 at 1:30 pm in the lounge. You may still join in if you want too.
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 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent, and the star of the show is John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness. Having John the Baptist as the one who announces your coming seems like a strange idea. John, a second cousin of Jesus through his mother Elizabeth, had spent much of his adult life as a poorly dressed, unkempt, reclusive preacher in the wilderness of Judea. His “counter-cultural” call to repentance seems to have struck a chord with some people. Some thought that John was the promised Messiah. He set them straight on that idea by pointing out Jesus as the Messiah. The second theme that is emphasized on the Second Sunday of Advent is peace. But this peace is not merely the absence of noise or conflict , but more the idea that everything is as it should be in the world and in our lives. Living in the peace of Christ can be very active and noisy, but it means living in a relationship with God that gives meaning and purpose to all you are and do.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6. My story in the Time for All Ages is called “Something has to happen” and the title of my sermon is “A Voice Cries Out.”
This will be the second of our two giving Sundays (see next item)
GIVING SUNDAY at Spirit West
Spirit West is working with the Bissell Centre to respond to identified needs in our community. We are using the Bissell Centre’s Festive Wishlist which can be found at https://bissellcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2017-Festive-WishListpdf.pdf to identify the gifts to bring to our second and final giving Sunday (Dec 9), We will collect your gifts or stockings during the Time for All Ages.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT - This Sunday!
The Spirit West Choir celebrates the 15th year of Christmas concert making! Please join us this Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 for Night of the Father’s Love, a cantata by Pepper Choplin that reflects the awe and mystery of “God with Us” in word and song. Our guest musicians include Donna Dawson, Jessie Ching and HarpBeat! Please invite your family and friends for this special occasion. Donations will be used for the upgrading of our church sound system.
Living Nativity – A Study for Advent,
Living Nativity is a four session study for Advent which uses as its focus a crèche or nativity scene and the characters found there. The study will take place on Wednesdays. We have had two sessions on Nov 28 and Dec 5 and will be continuing through Dec 12 &19 at 1:30 pm in the lounge. You may still join in if you want too.
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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