Greetings and Happy New Year
This Sunday is first service of 2018 and the last service of the Christmas Season. It is Epiphany Sunday, (Epiphany is actually Jan 6, twelve days after Christmas). It is a date when by tradition the church remembers the story of the Magi (Wise Men, Three Kings). These wise people were foreigners, and came to know of Jesus, not by their awareness of the prophets of Israel, but through the observation of creation. They saw a star, a star that meant something to them. Now there are all sorts of theories about exactly what was seen. (I looked at this a bit on Cinnamon Bun Sunday two years ago.) But this idea that people can come to the truth in different ways is very challenging. The shepherds abiding in the fields received and obvious and unmistakable message about Jesus, It was delivered by a choir of angels. But we must understand that the Magi were looking for wisdom and understanding, they wanted to know what the stars were telling them. So if a message of truth is not presented to us by an angelic choir, perhaps we need to go looking for the star. The challenge is where to look in this bright and shiny world we live in. I will be addressing this question on Sunday.
The scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 1-12. In the Time for All Ages, I will be looking at “Starlight.” The title of the sermon is “Follow the Star.”
We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion at this Service.
MINISTER AWAY
I will be away from January 13 to January 24. Margery and I will be visiting Bob and Sheila H. in Costa Rica.
Please come out to Spirit West on the two Sundays, January 14 and January 21 to support and learn from those who are leading worship in my absence.
Sunday School Teachers Needed: We continue to look for adults who would like to teach or help with Sunday School. You can teach one Sunday or as many Sundays as you wish! If interested, please add your name to the signup sheet on the back table. (Those who wish to teach must have a police record check with vulnerable sector screening done. Forms are available from the office. This is free if you use our form, and have the screening done by the Edmonton Police Service)
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
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
- Norma => 11 am to 4:00 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
This Sunday is first service of 2018 and the last service of the Christmas Season. It is Epiphany Sunday, (Epiphany is actually Jan 6, twelve days after Christmas). It is a date when by tradition the church remembers the story of the Magi (Wise Men, Three Kings). These wise people were foreigners, and came to know of Jesus, not by their awareness of the prophets of Israel, but through the observation of creation. They saw a star, a star that meant something to them. Now there are all sorts of theories about exactly what was seen. (I looked at this a bit on Cinnamon Bun Sunday two years ago.) But this idea that people can come to the truth in different ways is very challenging. The shepherds abiding in the fields received and obvious and unmistakable message about Jesus, It was delivered by a choir of angels. But we must understand that the Magi were looking for wisdom and understanding, they wanted to know what the stars were telling them. So if a message of truth is not presented to us by an angelic choir, perhaps we need to go looking for the star. The challenge is where to look in this bright and shiny world we live in. I will be addressing this question on Sunday.
The scripture readings for Sunday are Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 1-12. In the Time for All Ages, I will be looking at “Starlight.” The title of the sermon is “Follow the Star.”
We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion at this Service.
MINISTER AWAY
I will be away from January 13 to January 24. Margery and I will be visiting Bob and Sheila H. in Costa Rica.
Please come out to Spirit West on the two Sundays, January 14 and January 21 to support and learn from those who are leading worship in my absence.
Sunday School Teachers Needed: We continue to look for adults who would like to teach or help with Sunday School. You can teach one Sunday or as many Sundays as you wish! If interested, please add your name to the signup sheet on the back table. (Those who wish to teach must have a police record check with vulnerable sector screening done. Forms are available from the office. This is free if you use our form, and have the screening done by the Edmonton Police Service)
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
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
- Norma => 11 am to 4:00 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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