Greetings!
Welcome to 2021. As this is the first eMessage of 2021, there is some new information below. Please take the time to read it!
This Sunday – BAPTISM OF JESUS – A ZOOM COMMUNION
Worship this Sunday will be a bit different. It will be a live ZOOM Communion Service at 11:00 am. The ZOOM Service is at 11:00 because our Spirit West ZOOM Sunday School has been meeting at 10:00 am since the end of September, and the 11:00 am Service time gives us time to switch ZOOMs
.
ZOOM has been used for Communion Services by the General Council and by Norther Spirit Regional Council, and is being encourage as the way for the church to gather for Communion as it brings people together at the same time. Since it will be Communion, you are encouraged to have some bread and grape juice (or wine) available for each member of your household. And because it is Baptism of Jesus Sunday, I would also suggest that you have a small bowl of water at hand.
Now in a ZOOM Service, what you see is what is happening at the church as you watch it. Because we are using ZOOM there is a greater possibility for lags in the video or audio and other real time technical problems. There will be no subtitles for the prayers and prayer responses. As usual, a bulletin will be provided in an email that will be sent out by Norma on Saturday, but rather than a YouTube link, you will be reminded of the ZOOM link. Please be patient with us as we learn another way of worshiping together
Some Questions and Answers:
What if I am new to ZOOM, and a bit unsure about how it works? Sign on early (around 10:45 am and receive a short tutorial about ZOOM)
I can’t use ZOOM, what do I do for worship? The ZOOM Service will be recorded and posted to our YouTube channel later on Sunday afternoon.
Will all the Services be on ZOOM now? No, for the present, we will only be using ZOOM for Communion Services, on the first Sunday of each month. The remainder of the Service each month will be the pre-recorded YouTube videos that you have become used to.
To Join the Zoom Communion click on this link between 10:45 and 11:00 am on Sunday, January 10th.(Some computers may require you to press the CTRL key at the same time as you click on the link with your mouse)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83605398586?pwd=WTUzMm5ReDdhRjZYTzdUemhwQWNGUT09
It is unlikely, but you may be asked for the Meeting ID: which is 836 0539 8586. If you need a Passcode it is:107079
The Scripture Readings for Sunday are Acts 19: 1-7, and Mark 1; 4-11. In the Time for All Ages, I will be saying, “Let’s run some water on that.” My sermon is titled, “God Camps Out”
ZOOM Coffee Hour will follow the ZOOM Service on same link
CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING
In what my daughter calls the “before times,” when we gathered at the church for Christmas Eve, we took up a special offering. For a number of years now this offering has been divided between the needs of Spirit West United Church and the No Room in the Inn program of the Edmonton and District Council of Churches. This year No Room in the Inn has chosen Catholic Social Services - La Salle Shelter and St Katharine Drexel Place for their 2020 campaign.
This campaign’s focus is domestic violence and the need for women’s shelters. We are appealing for support for two women’s shelters, LaSalle Shelter and St. Katharine Drexel Place, which are in need of backyard upgrades so that the children in care can safely play outside on the properties:
SPIRIT WEST OUTREACH - Jasper Place Wellness Bagged Meal
Our first date to provide lunches for the Jasper Place Wellness Centre is Saturday, January 23rd. Due to Covid-19 restrictions they have asked for pre-packaged items to be provided (no sandwiches).
The suggested items for this bagged meal is: individual commercially wrapped muffins or banana bread, granola bars, fruit cups, puddings, cup of soup or noodles in a cup, cheese sticks, crackers, juice boxes and “peelable” fruit like bananas and oranges.
Lori, Bill and Adam will shop, put the bagged meals together and deliver them We have been asked to create 25 bags. Lori is budgeting approx. $ 125 to create these meals - $ 5.00 each. If you are able, please make a donation to the church and designate the funds as “Outreach.”
The Centre will also take donations of warm winter clothing, re-fillable hot beverage containers, bus tickets, and coffee gift cards. (Please no scarfs. Cowls or infinity/joined scarfs only) There will be a bin at the church where you can drop off these items between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. It is best to call the church to let us know you will be bringing items in and please follow the Covid-19 restrictions when coming to the church - wear a mask, social distance, and complete the log.
Lori will come by the church on January, 21st to collect any items that have been dropped off at the church.
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters
For our pre-recorded YouTube services, we have had, thanks to Bonnie C., people from the congregation offering greetings at the beginning of the videos. It is not possible for Bonnie to continue this. So, if you really liked the greetings you saw at the beginning of the videos, it’s now up to you. We would like at least one greeter for each video. You can record a greeting on your phone (as some of our families did) and send it to Paul, our video editor, at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings can be sent in at any time, and we will include them in the worship videos, though if we get a number of greetings, you might have to wait a week or two to see yourself. If you have a greeting which you would like to send out for a particular date, call the church. Don’t wait for someone else to do.
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy. Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading. Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required.
Sharing our Celebrations (note the submission deadline)
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community. If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday. The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos. We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time. We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …). Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email. And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.) The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors. You can also donate online, see below…
ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, Spirit West is not holding services, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay even when we are not gathering on Sunday. Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
Spirit West Prayer Chain
Prayer is important. We know that people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain will continue to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
The Spirit West Church office remains open.
Office hours
- Norma => Noon to 5:00 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
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
Welcome to 2021. As this is the first eMessage of 2021, there is some new information below. Please take the time to read it!
This Sunday – BAPTISM OF JESUS – A ZOOM COMMUNION
Worship this Sunday will be a bit different. It will be a live ZOOM Communion Service at 11:00 am. The ZOOM Service is at 11:00 because our Spirit West ZOOM Sunday School has been meeting at 10:00 am since the end of September, and the 11:00 am Service time gives us time to switch ZOOMs
.
ZOOM has been used for Communion Services by the General Council and by Norther Spirit Regional Council, and is being encourage as the way for the church to gather for Communion as it brings people together at the same time. Since it will be Communion, you are encouraged to have some bread and grape juice (or wine) available for each member of your household. And because it is Baptism of Jesus Sunday, I would also suggest that you have a small bowl of water at hand.
Now in a ZOOM Service, what you see is what is happening at the church as you watch it. Because we are using ZOOM there is a greater possibility for lags in the video or audio and other real time technical problems. There will be no subtitles for the prayers and prayer responses. As usual, a bulletin will be provided in an email that will be sent out by Norma on Saturday, but rather than a YouTube link, you will be reminded of the ZOOM link. Please be patient with us as we learn another way of worshiping together
Some Questions and Answers:
What if I am new to ZOOM, and a bit unsure about how it works? Sign on early (around 10:45 am and receive a short tutorial about ZOOM)
I can’t use ZOOM, what do I do for worship? The ZOOM Service will be recorded and posted to our YouTube channel later on Sunday afternoon.
Will all the Services be on ZOOM now? No, for the present, we will only be using ZOOM for Communion Services, on the first Sunday of each month. The remainder of the Service each month will be the pre-recorded YouTube videos that you have become used to.
To Join the Zoom Communion click on this link between 10:45 and 11:00 am on Sunday, January 10th.(Some computers may require you to press the CTRL key at the same time as you click on the link with your mouse)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83605398586?pwd=WTUzMm5ReDdhRjZYTzdUemhwQWNGUT09
It is unlikely, but you may be asked for the Meeting ID: which is 836 0539 8586. If you need a Passcode it is:107079
The Scripture Readings for Sunday are Acts 19: 1-7, and Mark 1; 4-11. In the Time for All Ages, I will be saying, “Let’s run some water on that.” My sermon is titled, “God Camps Out”
ZOOM Coffee Hour will follow the ZOOM Service on same link
CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING
In what my daughter calls the “before times,” when we gathered at the church for Christmas Eve, we took up a special offering. For a number of years now this offering has been divided between the needs of Spirit West United Church and the No Room in the Inn program of the Edmonton and District Council of Churches. This year No Room in the Inn has chosen Catholic Social Services - La Salle Shelter and St Katharine Drexel Place for their 2020 campaign.
This campaign’s focus is domestic violence and the need for women’s shelters. We are appealing for support for two women’s shelters, LaSalle Shelter and St. Katharine Drexel Place, which are in need of backyard upgrades so that the children in care can safely play outside on the properties:
- La Salle Shelter, a second-stage shelter, annually helps more than 30 women and their children escape domestic violence, and transition into stable housing. La Salle shelters those who are fleeing abusive relationships, where they can stay for six months to one year.
- St. Katharine Drexel Place supports dozens of women each year to stabilize their lives by helping them pursue career and educational goals, focus on family, and find permanent residence in the community. This is subsidized, transitional housing for women in crisis and their children. Clients are homeless, vulnerably-housed, or at risk of homelessness.
SPIRIT WEST OUTREACH - Jasper Place Wellness Bagged Meal
Our first date to provide lunches for the Jasper Place Wellness Centre is Saturday, January 23rd. Due to Covid-19 restrictions they have asked for pre-packaged items to be provided (no sandwiches).
The suggested items for this bagged meal is: individual commercially wrapped muffins or banana bread, granola bars, fruit cups, puddings, cup of soup or noodles in a cup, cheese sticks, crackers, juice boxes and “peelable” fruit like bananas and oranges.
Lori, Bill and Adam will shop, put the bagged meals together and deliver them We have been asked to create 25 bags. Lori is budgeting approx. $ 125 to create these meals - $ 5.00 each. If you are able, please make a donation to the church and designate the funds as “Outreach.”
The Centre will also take donations of warm winter clothing, re-fillable hot beverage containers, bus tickets, and coffee gift cards. (Please no scarfs. Cowls or infinity/joined scarfs only) There will be a bin at the church where you can drop off these items between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. It is best to call the church to let us know you will be bringing items in and please follow the Covid-19 restrictions when coming to the church - wear a mask, social distance, and complete the log.
Lori will come by the church on January, 21st to collect any items that have been dropped off at the church.
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters
For our pre-recorded YouTube services, we have had, thanks to Bonnie C., people from the congregation offering greetings at the beginning of the videos. It is not possible for Bonnie to continue this. So, if you really liked the greetings you saw at the beginning of the videos, it’s now up to you. We would like at least one greeter for each video. You can record a greeting on your phone (as some of our families did) and send it to Paul, our video editor, at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings can be sent in at any time, and we will include them in the worship videos, though if we get a number of greetings, you might have to wait a week or two to see yourself. If you have a greeting which you would like to send out for a particular date, call the church. Don’t wait for someone else to do.
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy. Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading. Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required.
Sharing our Celebrations (note the submission deadline)
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community. If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the Prayers of the People that are part of our worship videos, your request needs to be into the church by Thursday at noon for inclusion on Sunday. The best way to send in your request is to email spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. During the Prayers of the People, only the first name of individuals will be mentioned, and the specifics of the request will not be shared. The prayer requests are also forwarded to the Prayer Chain.
Feedback
I appreciate all the positive feedback that we have received about the Worship Videos. We (Margaret, Bonnie, Glenn, Paul W. and I) are trying our best to provide you with something that will assist you in your faith journey during this “crazy” time. We would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions on how we could make the videos better or more helpful (like Scripture readers, Greeters, music with the hymns …). Email your comments to me swm@telus.net or post them on our Facebook page.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email. And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.) The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors. You can also donate online, see below…
ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, Spirit West is not holding services, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay even when we are not gathering on Sunday. Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
Spirit West Prayer Chain
Prayer is important. We know that people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain will continue to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
The Spirit West Church office remains open.
Office hours
- Norma => Noon to 5:00 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
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
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