YouTube Videos Worship Services – February 20 (no in-person service)
To watch online, you will need to:
- click on this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrJQ5ljHCSPBV3F8TmIhvVA OR
- go to YouTube and google Spirit West United Church.
The service for this Sunday will be available early Sunday morning.
Sunday, February 20, 2022 – The Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
How do we use the gifts God gives us?
These are the readings we will hear in this week’s worship service, for the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany. The word “epiphany” means “revelation” or “manifestation.” The scripture readings for this Season after Epiphany focus on how God is being revealed in the world.
• From the Torah: Genesis 45:3-15 (Joseph and his brothers)
This reading is a short excerpt from the later part of the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. (Suggestion: read the full story of Joseph, in Genesis 35 to 50.) When famine strikes, the hungry brothers come begging for food from Joseph, who has been placed in charge of the famine relief project. After testing his brothers to see if they have changed, Joseph reveals his identity to them.
• From the Gospels: Luke 6:27-38 (Love your enemies)
This reading from Luke’s Gospel continues the Sermon on the Plain, Luke’s version of the Beatitudes. These teachings of Jesus provide a contrast to the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. The latter group taught people to keep pure by not associating with the unclean; Jesus taught them to love their enemies. The word translated as “love” (agapé) means self-giving, sacrificial love.
Both passages are about true forgiveness. Forgiveness, whether offered or received, provides an opportunity to change, to break the cycle of violence and revenge. Turning to God as we struggle with pain and rage is our way out of the pit.
Looking Ahead
The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 2 this year. A calendar of daily readings, along with suggestions for spiritual exercises and devotions, will be sent out by email on February 24. If you would rather pick up a printed version, or have one mailed out, please contact Norma in the Church Office before that date.
Stuart
FROM THE PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE *** We Have Found A Minister ***
At the February 15, 2022 congregational meeting via ZOOM, the 29 individuals in attendance via ZOOM approved the Search Committee’s recommendation to call Eli Carter-Morgan as our new minister, commencing July 1, 2022. The request has been forwarded to the Northern Spirit Council for their approval of their call.
2022 OFFERING ENVELOPES
For those of you who use the offering envelopes, they are now available at the church. You can come pick them up during office hours. Or, if you prefer, we can have yours delivered or mailed to you. Just let me know!
SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to [email protected]. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal and interest on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is [email protected] . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email.
- And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.)
- The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors.
- You can also donate online by checking out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
The Spirit West Church office remains open.
- Stuart => 9:30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Thank you,
Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone: (780) 481-1406
email: [email protected]
website: www.spiritwest.org