Greetings
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Lent. It is a Sunday in Lent but not of Lent because of the decision made centuries ago for Christians to observe their “Holy Day” on Sunday rather that continuing with the Saturday Sabbath. According to the Gospels, the Resurrection took place the day after the Sabbath, on Sunday, so Sundays became a weekly “Feast of the Resurrection.” As a Feast of the Resurrection, Sunday can never be a fast or have the full sombre or penitential character of the days of Lent. When counting the 40 days of Lent, Sundays are not included. However, Sundays still point to the character of Lent and point us toward that search for God which should mark our Lenten journey of faith. This Sunday the focus comes from Psalm 27, where the writer seeks God’s face. It is an interesting way of describing the search, but one that might leave some a bit baffled. Does God have a face? If you are seeking something, you usually have an idea of what it is you will find so that you know when you have found it. So, what is the Psalmist expecting to find? Leonardo da Vinci always seemed to imagine the face of God as that of a stern or grumpy old man with a beard. (The attached image is from da Vinci’s “Creation of Adam” in the Sistine Chapel) This is an image that no longer “speaks” to many in the church, and has been used by some as the reason that they don’t believe in God. So if someone says to you that they are seeking the face of God, what images come to your mind? Are the images helpful for your search for or journey with God? If they are not helpful, what needs to change?
The passages that will be read on Sunday are Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18 and Luke 13: 31-15. We will sing together portions of Psalm 27. In the Time for we will look at “Pictures of God.” The Sermon is titled “Lord, I seek your face.”
We will also be hearing a response to our Moderator’s Lenten #NotAlone challenge.
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 on the cabinet by the office.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The Men of Spirit West will be gathering for Breakfast this Saturday, February 20 at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall. Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come out for a great breakfast. As a note, each man usually put in $10 dollars, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church.
AFTERNOON LENTEN STUDY – The Trinity & Everyday Spirituality
The second session of our study will be this coming Wednesday, Feb 24 at 1:30 in the Lounge. The topic for this session is “To Be Alone with God.” There will be opportunity during this session to share with the group your poem/prayer from session one, if you wish to do so. The scripture for reflection during the week is 1 John 4: 7-9.
MESSY EASTER- April 9 ??
I have decided to pick a date for Messy Easter, Saturday April 9. If you are interested in becoming involved 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!
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.
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.
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
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Lent. It is a Sunday in Lent but not of Lent because of the decision made centuries ago for Christians to observe their “Holy Day” on Sunday rather that continuing with the Saturday Sabbath. According to the Gospels, the Resurrection took place the day after the Sabbath, on Sunday, so Sundays became a weekly “Feast of the Resurrection.” As a Feast of the Resurrection, Sunday can never be a fast or have the full sombre or penitential character of the days of Lent. When counting the 40 days of Lent, Sundays are not included. However, Sundays still point to the character of Lent and point us toward that search for God which should mark our Lenten journey of faith. This Sunday the focus comes from Psalm 27, where the writer seeks God’s face. It is an interesting way of describing the search, but one that might leave some a bit baffled. Does God have a face? If you are seeking something, you usually have an idea of what it is you will find so that you know when you have found it. So, what is the Psalmist expecting to find? Leonardo da Vinci always seemed to imagine the face of God as that of a stern or grumpy old man with a beard. (The attached image is from da Vinci’s “Creation of Adam” in the Sistine Chapel) This is an image that no longer “speaks” to many in the church, and has been used by some as the reason that they don’t believe in God. So if someone says to you that they are seeking the face of God, what images come to your mind? Are the images helpful for your search for or journey with God? If they are not helpful, what needs to change?
The passages that will be read on Sunday are Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18 and Luke 13: 31-15. We will sing together portions of Psalm 27. In the Time for we will look at “Pictures of God.” The Sermon is titled “Lord, I seek your face.”
We will also be hearing a response to our Moderator’s Lenten #NotAlone challenge.
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 on the cabinet by the office.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The Men of Spirit West will be gathering for Breakfast this Saturday, February 20 at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall. Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come out for a great breakfast. As a note, each man usually put in $10 dollars, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church.
AFTERNOON LENTEN STUDY – The Trinity & Everyday Spirituality
The second session of our study will be this coming Wednesday, Feb 24 at 1:30 in the Lounge. The topic for this session is “To Be Alone with God.” There will be opportunity during this session to share with the group your poem/prayer from session one, if you wish to do so. The scripture for reflection during the week is 1 John 4: 7-9.
MESSY EASTER- April 9 ??
I have decided to pick a date for Messy Easter, Saturday April 9. If you are interested in becoming involved 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!
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.
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.
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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