Things are happening as Spirit West. Of special note are the need for Sunday School Teachers, the Jasper Place Wellness Bag Lunch (Outreach), and the Women’s Group Lunch and AGM. All the information is below.
This Sunday – The Baptism of Jesus
This Sunday, we will remember the story recorded in Matthew (and Mark and Luke) about the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River. This is really the first story about the life of Jesus that is in all three synoptic gospels. Synoptic means “seeing altogether,” but that fount of knowledge “Wikipedia” points out that the meaning in English, when applied to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke means "giving an account of the events from the same point of view or under the same general aspect" The Gospel of John is different. However, to get back to the original point, for Matthew, Mark and Luke the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah is proclaimed at Jesus Baptism. On Sunday, we will look at what that baptism meant for John and Jesus, and we will look at how baptism has become one of the two sacraments of the United Church of Canada (the other is communion) We will recall our own baptisms with a brief ceremony called the Asperges.
The readings for Sunday are Isaiah 42: 1-9, and Matthew 3: 13-17. In the Time for All Ages we will talk about, “Wash before you...” The title of the Sermon is “Make sure you wash.”
Please remember that our church is a “scent-free” zone because of some severe allergies and sensitives. We would ask that you refrain from using scented beauty or grooming products such as perfume, after-shave, etc. when attending services and programs at Spirit West.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED
For as many or as few Sundays as you wish. We continue to use Seasons of the Spirit curriculum. We need teachers for January to March. If you want to teach one or more Sundays, please add your name to the signup sheet by the church office. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a teacher, call Larry at 780-481-1406
BIBLE STUDY (2020, another update)
Because our session for Jan 8 was cancelled due to weather, we will be starting on Jan 15. The study, will still be an expansion on the Advent biographies of Isaiah, John, Mary, and Joseph, and their roles in bringing to us the news of a Saviour. The Study will be held on four Wednesdays in January and February 2020 , Jan 15, Jan 22, Jan 29 and Feb 5.
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
- Jasper Place Wellness Bagged Lunch - Our first lunch is scheduled for Saturday, Jan 18th. We need a team of about 5/6 people to help make the sandwiches and pack the lunches. We will meet at the church at 5:00 pm to do this. There is a sign-up sheet!
- Seasonal items are being collected for the Jasper Place Wellness Center and the Bissell Center – underwear, socks, scarves, mitts, refillable water bottles, hand warmers, etc. These can be left at the giving tree for distribution.
Women’s Group Lunch and Annual Meeting
The Spirit West Women’s Lunch and Annual Meeting will be Saturday, February 8 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 $20.00 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 or call the church office at 780-481-1406. For more information, contact Carol C. or Marj H.
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 [email protected] . 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.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
Office hours
- Norma => 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
[email protected]
Spiritwest.org