This Sunday – January 8th – Epiphany Sunday and Cinnamon Bun Sunday
This Sunday is in Spirit West tradition, Cinnamon Bun Sunday. We will gathering in the Lower Hall around tables, and while we sing and pray and hear some stories, we will also be enjoying cinnamon buns and hot beverages. In the church calendar this Sunday is Epiphany Sunday, in fact tomorrow is Epiphany. This “feast day” was put in the church calendar centuries ago to commemorate the visit of the Magi (Wise Men, Three Kings) to the infant Jesus. Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning appearance or manifestation. In the Orthodox churches this feast is called the Theophany, the appearance or manifestation of God. Jesus is shown to the whole world, represented by the foreign Magi, not just the local community represented by the shepherds. Now coming between Christmas and Epiphany are the Twelve Days of Christmas. We know these days mainly from a strange counting song involving a partridge in a pear tree, other assorted birds, and groups of people like dancers, drummers and pipers. For Cinnamon Sunday we are going to look at the Twelve Days of Christmas (the song) and its possible meaning as a mnemonic (remembering device) for a number of biblical and theological concepts. A partridge in a pear tree represents… (you have to come on Sunday to find out). We will also look at some of the special days that occur within the Twelve Days of Christmas (by the calendar,) many of which have been “lost,” like the Feast of St. Stephen or the Feast of the Holy Innocents. We will look at these, sing some hymns and carols, eat cinnamon buns, and praise God for the many ways in which the story of Christ’s coming is made known to us.
YOUR 2017 PLEDGE FORMS
So that we know what support we have for the work Spirit West in 2017, financial and talent, please remember that we would like to have your completed 2017 Pledge Forms by this Sunday (Jan 8th) Your forms can either be emailed to spiritw@telus.net or brought to the church and put in the labeled box by the door. Blank copies are available if you need one.
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