Greetings,
You will note below that this Sunday after Church is the Congregational Meeting. My experience is that when a Congregation Meeting is announced people stay away. At times I would like to just surprise you with such a Meeting, but the rules of our Church require that you be given notice (or warning). The church does not exist without people, no people no church. This is true for Sunday worship as well as for meetings. Please come out and be the church this Sunday.
This Sunday – February 26th
We have come to an end of a season of the Church year. This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before the start of Lent. (Lent starts next Wednesday, March 1, Ash Wednesday) The stories related in both of Sunday’s readings have to do with mountain top experiences. We have Moses going up a mountain to meet God and receive the tablets of the Law. Jesus goes up a mountain and in mystical radiance stands with Moses and Elijah before three confused and frightened followers. Mountain top experiences in the Bible are very significant, they often mark a radical shift or change. But, the true meaning of the experience comes only later at the bottom of the mountain. Our lives are filled with “mountain top” experiences. Moments of great change in our lives, that only truly become meaningful as we live out our lives in that change. And the message from Scripture is that God is with us on the mountain top, but also with us at the bottom as well.
The Readings for Sunday are Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9. In the Time for All Ages, I will talk about “Selfies.” I have called my sermon, “From the Mountain Top.”
SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
There will be a Congregational Meeting after Church this Sunday, February 26, 2017. The purpose of this meeting is to receive and discuss the Annual Report, to discuss and approve a Business Plan for Spirit West United Church (a proposed Business Plan was sent out with the Annual Report last week), and to discuss and confirm (or not) the recommendations of the Church Board on General Council Remits 1 and 2 (see next item).
GENERAL COUNCIL REMITS
At the Church Board meeting last night, Remit 2- The Elimination of Transfer and Settlement from the General Council was discussed and voted on. Remit 1- The Three Council model was dealt with at the January Board Meeting. It is however, the desire of the Board to allow for the fuller engagement of the congregation in the Remit Process. Therefore, Remits 1 and 2, along with the results of the vote by the Board will be presented at the Congregational Meeting on February 26 for discussion and confirmation. Remits 3 and 4 will be dealt with by the Board in March and April and the results will presented to the Congregation at a later date. Information about all the Remits can be found online at gc42.ca/remits.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED!!
Our schedule of Sunday School teachers has run out. We need a volunteer, or volunteers who would be willing to teach Sunday School for the Sundays in Lent (March 5 – April 9) We have a small but enthusiastic group of young folk in Sunday School, please consider this wonderful opportunity. If you are interested call Margery W. 780-419-3224 or call the church office.
A reflection from Sunday School. Last week Margery was teaching, and you may remember that part of the reading from the Gospel was the command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) In the Sunday School class they made a collage gluing magazine illustrations of all sorts of different people under the heading “Love all People.” (You can see the collage on Sunday) In spite of the prevalence of pictures of Donald Trump in the magazines, the children showed great reluctance to use his picture in the collage. After some more discussion about the Bible reading, the children were persuaded that his picture could be included.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
On Friday, March 3, at 2:00 pm, Spirit West will be hosting the World Day of Prayer Service for this area of Edmonton. This service is part of an international day of prayer, spearheaded in Canada by the Women’s Interchurch Council. The resources for the 2017 service have been prepared by women of the Philippines.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER
Join us in using cunning stealth and covert organization to surprise our phenomenal Spirit West chefs. This fund-raiser for the church will take place during the months of March, April and May. Offer to host a dinner and be surprised by who shows up. Check the display board at the back of the church, if you see a dinner opportunity that strikes your fancy, talk to Bill C. to make your reservation. If you wish to host a dinner should contact Bill C. at church on a Sunday or call 780-481-2662. Please see full details in the church announcement sheet, or contact Bill C. Bon Appetit!
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
You will note below that this Sunday after Church is the Congregational Meeting. My experience is that when a Congregation Meeting is announced people stay away. At times I would like to just surprise you with such a Meeting, but the rules of our Church require that you be given notice (or warning). The church does not exist without people, no people no church. This is true for Sunday worship as well as for meetings. Please come out and be the church this Sunday.
This Sunday – February 26th
We have come to an end of a season of the Church year. This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before the start of Lent. (Lent starts next Wednesday, March 1, Ash Wednesday) The stories related in both of Sunday’s readings have to do with mountain top experiences. We have Moses going up a mountain to meet God and receive the tablets of the Law. Jesus goes up a mountain and in mystical radiance stands with Moses and Elijah before three confused and frightened followers. Mountain top experiences in the Bible are very significant, they often mark a radical shift or change. But, the true meaning of the experience comes only later at the bottom of the mountain. Our lives are filled with “mountain top” experiences. Moments of great change in our lives, that only truly become meaningful as we live out our lives in that change. And the message from Scripture is that God is with us on the mountain top, but also with us at the bottom as well.
The Readings for Sunday are Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9. In the Time for All Ages, I will talk about “Selfies.” I have called my sermon, “From the Mountain Top.”
SPIRIT WEST UNITED CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
There will be a Congregational Meeting after Church this Sunday, February 26, 2017. The purpose of this meeting is to receive and discuss the Annual Report, to discuss and approve a Business Plan for Spirit West United Church (a proposed Business Plan was sent out with the Annual Report last week), and to discuss and confirm (or not) the recommendations of the Church Board on General Council Remits 1 and 2 (see next item).
GENERAL COUNCIL REMITS
At the Church Board meeting last night, Remit 2- The Elimination of Transfer and Settlement from the General Council was discussed and voted on. Remit 1- The Three Council model was dealt with at the January Board Meeting. It is however, the desire of the Board to allow for the fuller engagement of the congregation in the Remit Process. Therefore, Remits 1 and 2, along with the results of the vote by the Board will be presented at the Congregational Meeting on February 26 for discussion and confirmation. Remits 3 and 4 will be dealt with by the Board in March and April and the results will presented to the Congregation at a later date. Information about all the Remits can be found online at gc42.ca/remits.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED!!
Our schedule of Sunday School teachers has run out. We need a volunteer, or volunteers who would be willing to teach Sunday School for the Sundays in Lent (March 5 – April 9) We have a small but enthusiastic group of young folk in Sunday School, please consider this wonderful opportunity. If you are interested call Margery W. 780-419-3224 or call the church office.
A reflection from Sunday School. Last week Margery was teaching, and you may remember that part of the reading from the Gospel was the command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) In the Sunday School class they made a collage gluing magazine illustrations of all sorts of different people under the heading “Love all People.” (You can see the collage on Sunday) In spite of the prevalence of pictures of Donald Trump in the magazines, the children showed great reluctance to use his picture in the collage. After some more discussion about the Bible reading, the children were persuaded that his picture could be included.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
On Friday, March 3, at 2:00 pm, Spirit West will be hosting the World Day of Prayer Service for this area of Edmonton. This service is part of an international day of prayer, spearheaded in Canada by the Women’s Interchurch Council. The resources for the 2017 service have been prepared by women of the Philippines.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER
Join us in using cunning stealth and covert organization to surprise our phenomenal Spirit West chefs. This fund-raiser for the church will take place during the months of March, April and May. Offer to host a dinner and be surprised by who shows up. Check the display board at the back of the church, if you see a dinner opportunity that strikes your fancy, talk to Bill C. to make your reservation. If you wish to host a dinner should contact Bill C. at church on a Sunday or call 780-481-2662. Please see full details in the church announcement sheet, or contact Bill C. Bon Appetit!
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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