Greetings,
THIS SUNDAY – FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, and the focus is on the unexpected ways in which God can support us. We first continue with another story of David, future King of Israel. This Sunday we hear the story of David and Goliath, a story which many people know, even those unfamiliar with the Bible. The story has become a metaphor for the small triumphing over the great. But David’s willingness to take on Goliath is not simply the rash action of an overly cocky teenager. David has taken on wild beasts, he has had to protect his flock in the wilderness. He has learned to fight from a distance. He knows his strengths. When Saul burdens David down with armour, David has to refuse. He can’t move in the armour, and he has no intention of getting that close to Goliath. David has his sling, and some carefully chosen stones. Of course Goliath is expecting a soldier as an opponent, someone who will come at him with a sword. In that kind of a fight Goliath knows he will win. He is not expecting a rock to his forehead. And for David, it is the awareness of God presence, that gives him the courage and calmness to step forward, to do what must be done A lot of death and destruction was prevented that day. In the reading from Mark, we find Jesus in a boat with some of his disciples. These are people who we expect would have an awareness by this time that Jesus had a unique and special relationship with God. But on this occasion that doesn’t seem apparent. A storm comes in and the boat is in danger of swamping. And as the disciples panic, they look to Jesus who “was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.” They wake up Jesus, and point out the storm that he seems to be missing.
Often in our lives we are face with something that seems overwhelming, maybe not Goliath or a severe storm, but something that challenges us. Sometimes we might feel like the disciples wanting to shout at God, “Wake up, do something!” Sometimes we need to be like David, take stock of what we have, step forth in the confidence in God’s presence with us, and succeed “against all odds.”
The Scripture readings for Sunday are 1 Samuel 17:32-49 and Mark 4:35-41. My sermon is titled, “Against all odds.”
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Service this Sunday will include the Sacrament of Baptism. When we are together as a congregation for a Baptism, there is a point in the service when we each light a candle to signify the presence of God’s Spirit with us. So as you share in the Worship Video for this Sunday, I would ask that you have a candle ready that you can light at that point in the service. Because no matter where we are, God’s Spirit is present.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
This Sunday is also the end of this year’s Sunday School Program “ZOOM into Sunday School.” Since last September a dedicated group of teachers and students have been meeting on ZOOM every Sunday to learn, share, sing and do crafts together, using the Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum. During the Worship Video for Sunday the teachers will be making some presentations to mark the end of the term.
THERE WILL BE A ZOOM COFFEE HOUR (this is the Link for May and June!)
Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82877953866?pwd=REZSamRsRU0ybENRREdEaGR4bVFGUT09
Meeting ID: 828 7795 3866 Passcode: 738328
FROM THE PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
The Pastoral Search Committee has worked diligently to complete all the required documentation for Spirit West on Church Hub. Church Hub is the central information sharing site for the United Church of Canada. And with the approval of the Northern Spirit Regional Executive, the position for minister at Spirit West United Church is now being advertised on Church Hub. This information is available to any minister who is looking, and the names of ministers who are looking are now available to the Spirit West Search Committee. The search is on!
THE END OF AN ERA AT SPIRIT WEST
The Worship Video for Sunday, June 27, 2021 will be the last opportunity to worship with Rev. Larry as minister of Spirit West United Church. His last day in “paid accountable ministry” is June 30, 2021. More will be said about this in next week’s eMessage
June Ladies Group Meeting
Monday, June 21, 7:00P.M.
Church Parking Lot (please park in area closer to street, so we can distance effectively in back parking area) Bring your own lawn chair, beverage and snack. ( at this time we cannot provide food) We cannot exceed 20 people, so please confirm numbers. I only have 4 confirmed.
Forecast is looking good, but In case of adverse weather, we will have a Zoom meeting set up.
Cathy Sutherland 780-264-0327 or [email protected]
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters
You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos. If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at [email protected] or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
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. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 3:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
Sharing our Celebrations
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 [email protected] 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.
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 [email protected]. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship videos.
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 and interest 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 [email protected] . 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 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
[email protected]
Spiritwest.org
THIS SUNDAY – FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, and the focus is on the unexpected ways in which God can support us. We first continue with another story of David, future King of Israel. This Sunday we hear the story of David and Goliath, a story which many people know, even those unfamiliar with the Bible. The story has become a metaphor for the small triumphing over the great. But David’s willingness to take on Goliath is not simply the rash action of an overly cocky teenager. David has taken on wild beasts, he has had to protect his flock in the wilderness. He has learned to fight from a distance. He knows his strengths. When Saul burdens David down with armour, David has to refuse. He can’t move in the armour, and he has no intention of getting that close to Goliath. David has his sling, and some carefully chosen stones. Of course Goliath is expecting a soldier as an opponent, someone who will come at him with a sword. In that kind of a fight Goliath knows he will win. He is not expecting a rock to his forehead. And for David, it is the awareness of God presence, that gives him the courage and calmness to step forward, to do what must be done A lot of death and destruction was prevented that day. In the reading from Mark, we find Jesus in a boat with some of his disciples. These are people who we expect would have an awareness by this time that Jesus had a unique and special relationship with God. But on this occasion that doesn’t seem apparent. A storm comes in and the boat is in danger of swamping. And as the disciples panic, they look to Jesus who “was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.” They wake up Jesus, and point out the storm that he seems to be missing.
Often in our lives we are face with something that seems overwhelming, maybe not Goliath or a severe storm, but something that challenges us. Sometimes we might feel like the disciples wanting to shout at God, “Wake up, do something!” Sometimes we need to be like David, take stock of what we have, step forth in the confidence in God’s presence with us, and succeed “against all odds.”
The Scripture readings for Sunday are 1 Samuel 17:32-49 and Mark 4:35-41. My sermon is titled, “Against all odds.”
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Service this Sunday will include the Sacrament of Baptism. When we are together as a congregation for a Baptism, there is a point in the service when we each light a candle to signify the presence of God’s Spirit with us. So as you share in the Worship Video for this Sunday, I would ask that you have a candle ready that you can light at that point in the service. Because no matter where we are, God’s Spirit is present.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
This Sunday is also the end of this year’s Sunday School Program “ZOOM into Sunday School.” Since last September a dedicated group of teachers and students have been meeting on ZOOM every Sunday to learn, share, sing and do crafts together, using the Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum. During the Worship Video for Sunday the teachers will be making some presentations to mark the end of the term.
THERE WILL BE A ZOOM COFFEE HOUR (this is the Link for May and June!)
Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82877953866?pwd=REZSamRsRU0ybENRREdEaGR4bVFGUT09
Meeting ID: 828 7795 3866 Passcode: 738328
FROM THE PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
The Pastoral Search Committee has worked diligently to complete all the required documentation for Spirit West on Church Hub. Church Hub is the central information sharing site for the United Church of Canada. And with the approval of the Northern Spirit Regional Executive, the position for minister at Spirit West United Church is now being advertised on Church Hub. This information is available to any minister who is looking, and the names of ministers who are looking are now available to the Spirit West Search Committee. The search is on!
THE END OF AN ERA AT SPIRIT WEST
The Worship Video for Sunday, June 27, 2021 will be the last opportunity to worship with Rev. Larry as minister of Spirit West United Church. His last day in “paid accountable ministry” is June 30, 2021. More will be said about this in next week’s eMessage
June Ladies Group Meeting
Monday, June 21, 7:00P.M.
Church Parking Lot (please park in area closer to street, so we can distance effectively in back parking area) Bring your own lawn chair, beverage and snack. ( at this time we cannot provide food) We cannot exceed 20 people, so please confirm numbers. I only have 4 confirmed.
Forecast is looking good, but In case of adverse weather, we will have a Zoom meeting set up.
Cathy Sutherland 780-264-0327 or [email protected]
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters
You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos. If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at [email protected] or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
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. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 3:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
Sharing our Celebrations
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 [email protected] 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.
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 [email protected]. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship videos.
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 and interest 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 [email protected] . 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 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
[email protected]
Spiritwest.org
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