There are new items again this week including information about Men’s Breakfast and about our Congregational Meetings. Please take note that the Jasper Place Wellness Centre Bagged Lunch preparation is on Saturday (see Outreach activities)
This Sunday – The First Disciples of Jesus
The story of the life and ministry of Jesus moves along much more quickly in the Gospel of John. The Gospel reading for this week is taken from the first chapter of John’s Gospel and concerns the calling of the first disciples. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is not even born until chapter two. The story is sometimes known as the “call of Simon and Andrew.” But Jesus’ first two disciples are actually disciples of John the Baptist. As Jesus walks by, John says “Look, the Lamb of God,” and two of his disciples break off and follow Jesus. Only one of the two is identified, he is “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.” Up until recently, I always thought that the other follower must be Simon Peter. But when I read the text carefully, Simon was not the other follower. His brother Andrew went and got him and brought him to Jesus later in the day. What I think is important in this short gospel narrative is that none of Jesus first followers were actually “called” by Jesus. Andrew heard John the Baptist’s proclamation about Jesus, followed and then decided to get his brother Simon involved. So what does it mean to be called by God? Whose “voice” do we hear, and are we listening?
The readings for Sunday are Isaiah 49: 1-7, and John 1: 29-42. In the Time for All Ages we will talk about, “Someone’s calling” The title of the Sermon is “Vocation.”
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
- Jasper Place Wellness Bagged Lunch - Our first lunch is scheduled this 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. Just show up if you can help.
- 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.
SPIRIT WEST MEN’S BREAKFAST
Welcome to a new month, new year, and new decade and the first Men’s Breakfast of 2020. Brave the ( warming up ) weather Saturday morning and come for breakfast down stairs at 8 am. You can come help prepare for breakfast, stay after and help clean up, or join in around the coffee pot and enjoy the conversation. It'll still cost you $10.00 either way. There's enough food to get you off to a good start for Saturday activities.
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)
Our Bible Study has finally gotten off the ground! It will continue at 1:30 on Wednesday afternoons for the next three weeks (Jan 22, Jan 29 and Feb 5.) We will be looking at John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph, and their roles in bringing to us the news of a Saviour.
You don’t need to register or sign-up, just come when you are able.
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.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS – Feb 9 and Feb 23
There will be a Congregational Budget Meeting following the Service on Sunday, February 9. At this time we will review and approve the 2020 budget for Spirit West United Church. There will be a Congregation Meeting following the Service on Sunday, February 23 to review, through the Annual Reports, the mission and ministry of the Spirit West United in 2019. We will also make such decisions as will determine our vision for the Congregation in 2020. You attendance and input at both these meetings is greatly desired
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