Greetings,
THIS SUNDAY – Basis of Union Article X – Of Faith and Repentance
This Sunday I am returning to the “Back to the Basis” (of Union) series that I started in the fall. We are up to Article X – Of Faith and Repentance. As you will see below, I continue the practice of using the title of the Article as the title of the sermon. However, I might have taken the title from the book I have been looking at called “bullseye: Aiming to follow Jesus.” The Greek word often used in the Christian Scriptures for sin is ἁμαρτία (hamartia). It means to “miss the mark.” Repentance is re-aiming at the target, and that requires practice. With any activity that requires a bit of skill, there has to be practice. For some, because of body type or some other factor, less practice is required to achieve a goal. For others, more practice is required. I have never been a great runner, and in the military we ran a lot. I attended a running clinic at one point, and the trainer watched me run. “Your body wasn’t really designed for running,” was his considered opinion. I will never be a great runner, but with practice I was able to meet the standard required by the Canadian Forces. Living the Christian life is the same, it takes practice. For some, it may seem easy. For others, more of a challenge. But the good news is that we do not have to be the best, but we are encouraged to strive to be better. We will look at some of the ways to “practice” our faith.
Following the Lectionary, this would be Baptism of Christ Sunday, remembering baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan river. I am not going to ignore this as the theme of repentance runs through John’s preaching. So in the Time for All Ages, I will be talking about Jesus baptism. This will be followed by the Asperges.
The Scripture readings for Sunday including the story of Jesus’ baptism are Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22, Colossians 3: 1-17, and Luke 13: 1-5. The story in the Time for All Ages is called “Jesus was baptised” and the title of my sermon is “Faith and Repentance.”
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S LUNCH AND ANNUAL MEETING – Feb 9, 2019
Women of Spirit West are invited to a time for visiting and companionship at the Spirit West Women’s Lunch and Annual Meeting. This will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 11:30am at The Lewis Estates Golf Course. The address is 259 Lewis Estates Boulevard. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking. Cost is $21.00 payable to Carol Callas.
We need to confirm our attendance numbers to them on, or before, February 1st, so please sign up on the sheet by the office.
MEMORIAL FOR LIL KOCH
For those of you wondering about the arrangements for a Memorial for Lil Koch, Peter has decided to wait until the spring. So the celebration of Lil’s life will be held on Saturday, April 20 at 2:30 pm at the Church.
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
THIS SUNDAY – Basis of Union Article X – Of Faith and Repentance
This Sunday I am returning to the “Back to the Basis” (of Union) series that I started in the fall. We are up to Article X – Of Faith and Repentance. As you will see below, I continue the practice of using the title of the Article as the title of the sermon. However, I might have taken the title from the book I have been looking at called “bullseye: Aiming to follow Jesus.” The Greek word often used in the Christian Scriptures for sin is ἁμαρτία (hamartia). It means to “miss the mark.” Repentance is re-aiming at the target, and that requires practice. With any activity that requires a bit of skill, there has to be practice. For some, because of body type or some other factor, less practice is required to achieve a goal. For others, more practice is required. I have never been a great runner, and in the military we ran a lot. I attended a running clinic at one point, and the trainer watched me run. “Your body wasn’t really designed for running,” was his considered opinion. I will never be a great runner, but with practice I was able to meet the standard required by the Canadian Forces. Living the Christian life is the same, it takes practice. For some, it may seem easy. For others, more of a challenge. But the good news is that we do not have to be the best, but we are encouraged to strive to be better. We will look at some of the ways to “practice” our faith.
Following the Lectionary, this would be Baptism of Christ Sunday, remembering baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan river. I am not going to ignore this as the theme of repentance runs through John’s preaching. So in the Time for All Ages, I will be talking about Jesus baptism. This will be followed by the Asperges.
The Scripture readings for Sunday including the story of Jesus’ baptism are Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22, Colossians 3: 1-17, and Luke 13: 1-5. The story in the Time for All Ages is called “Jesus was baptised” and the title of my sermon is “Faith and Repentance.”
SPIRIT WEST WOMEN’S LUNCH AND ANNUAL MEETING – Feb 9, 2019
Women of Spirit West are invited to a time for visiting and companionship at the Spirit West Women’s Lunch and Annual Meeting. This will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 11:30am at The Lewis Estates Golf Course. The address is 259 Lewis Estates Boulevard. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking. Cost is $21.00 payable to Carol Callas.
We need to confirm our attendance numbers to them on, or before, February 1st, so please sign up on the sheet by the office.
MEMORIAL FOR LIL KOCH
For those of you wondering about the arrangements for a Memorial for Lil Koch, Peter has decided to wait until the spring. So the celebration of Lil’s life will be held on Saturday, April 20 at 2:30 pm at the Church.
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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