Greetings
Well, we’re in Lent now. It started on Wednesday, February 10. This is the period of forty days (not counting Sundays) that precedes our celebration of the Resurrection at Easter. Much of the imagery for Lent comes from the story of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, a time that immediately followed his baptism. You will hear more about this on Sunday and in the coming weeks.
I am going to be away this weekend at the DeMolay Workshop (with a whole bunch of teenage boys). The Service on Sunday will be led by Anne Dingwell, our very own in-house Licenced Lay Worship Leader.
The passages that will be read on Sunday are Isaiah 58:1-12, Romans 10:8-13 and Luke 4:1-13. In the Time for Ages Anne will look at the question, “Where does Love Live?”. Anne’s Reflection is titled “Struggles and Triumphs”
We will also be hearing a brief Lenten message from our Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Jordan Cantwell, and we will also here about the Moderator’s Lenten #NotAlone (say “hash tag not alone”) challenge. Now the Moderator will not be at Spirit West in person, but her messages are available to us via YouTube.
LENT
There are a number of activities that will or could take place at Spirit West in connection with Lent. If there is a “??” beside the activity, it indicates that your help/response is needed to make it happen.
AFTERNOON LENTEN STUDY – The Trinity & Everyday Spirituality
This will be a six session Lenten Study beginning on Wednesday, February 17, at 1:30 pm in the Church Lounge. The study will run weekly, with the last session on March 23. This small group study has been created by The Prayer Bench and was recommended on the United Church of Canada Facebook page. There is no book to buy this year. The sessions include a short recorded talk by a professor at the Atlantic School of Theology and a guided discussion using a weekly participant sheet that will be given to all attending. The sessions include: To Tell Ourselves about God; To Be Alone with God; To Share in Community; To Live in the World God Loves; To Celebrate Trinity in Art, Song and Poetry; and To Celebrate Trinity in a Celtic Liturgy. It looks like an interesting study. Sign up on the “Afternoon” sheet by the office, or send an email to the office.
EVENING LENTEN STUDY – The Trinity & Everyday Spirituality ??
As of Sunday, no one has expressed interest in an evening study.
MESSY LENT / EASTER ??
I would like to celebrate a Messy Church – Lent/Easter in early March (Easter is March 27) or perhaps in early April. If you are interested in becoming involve or have any questions please call me at the church office as soon as possible. It’s work, but it is also so much fun. For those of you who were involved with or attended Messy Advent in November, we will have not have the problems with the dinner timing. Give me a call!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED
Our Sunday School is GROWING and it is important that we provide the children with a positive experience in their time together. We are looking for people who are willing to share some time with the children on Sunday. We have a great curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit which is quite adaptable and easy to use (you do need a computer and internet access for the preparation). If you are not sure, consider joining the class for a couple of weeks and learning with the children. If you have any questions, call Margery W. At 780-419-3224. A signup sheet is also on the cabinet by the office.
Emergency Food Hampers The Jasper Place Wellness Centre supplies basic emergency food hampers. At the present time their stocks are very low. A bin will be by the front door where you can leave donations of dry pasta, rice, canned beans, canned meat or fish, soup, crackers, peanut butter, hot chocolate, and tea bags. Your donations will be taken by Doreen to JPWC on Mondays. Your support of the work of Spirit West at the JPWC is greatly appreciated.
Ladies Group Valentine Social and Meeting
Ladies, mark your calendars for out annual Valentine Luncheon at 11:30 am on Sat, Feb. 13th at the Homefire Grill Restaurant, 18210 – 100 ave. Cost is $20.00 per person. Good food and valentine surprises! All women welcome! If you have not indicated your attendance yet, please call Janice at 780-487-6243 as soon as possible.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Join us in using cunning stealth and covert organization to surprise our phenomenal Spirit West chefs. Only at the ring of their doorbell should the hosts discover who will join them for dinner on their chosen night of gastronomical delights!! This fund-raiser for the church will take place during the months of February and March! It is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and fellowship. Those who wish to host a dinner are asked to contact Bill C. at 780-481-2662. Hosts need to indicate the date and time of their dinner and the number of guests they are able to host. If there is a theme for the evening, this should be provided. Guests will have the opportunity to select where they will dine. Diners should provide the conveners with information on allergies and dietary restrictions (this information will be discreetly passed to the hosts) Diners will be provided ahead of time with directions to their chosen dinner and with an offering envelope for a free-will offering which will be collected by the hosts and returned to the church. A minimum donation of $25 per person is suggested. Please plan on attending one of these sensational dinners and generously supporting the ongoing work of Spirit West. See the display board at the back of the church for a list of dinner opportunities.
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 => 9:00 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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