Greetings
This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in Lent, and the gospel story for this Sunday recounts the action of Mary of Bethany (the sister of Lazarus and Martha) while Jesus was at supper with them. Mary took a “pound of costly perfume made of pure nard” and rubbed Jesus’ feet with it, and them dried his feet with her hair. Now “nard” or “spikenard” is an aromatic oil from a plant that grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, China and India and in Jesus’ day would have been considered very valuable, in the story the perfume is valued at three hundred denarii, which would have been nearly a year’s wages for a labourer. Judas objects to this extravagance, suggesting that it would have been better to have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. John comments on this suggestion in his account of the incident. John also records Jesus’ response to Judas.
The passages that will be read on Sunday are Isaiah 43: 16-21 and John 12: 1-8. In the Time for All Ages we will share thoughts about how we show our love with “I Y U.” I have titled the Sermon “Extravagant Love”
As this is the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day, it is also Celtic Sunday at Spirit West. The prayers and music for the service all come from the Celtic Christian tradition (Ireland, Scotland and Wales.) We will also be having a number of guest musicians to add to our worship. You may if you wish enhance your Sunday wardrobe with something green.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS THIS WEEKEND Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour (spring forward) before you go to bed on Saturday night. The official moment for change is 2:00 am on Sunday morning, but you will probably be asleep then.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED
Our Sunday School is GROWING and it is important that we provide the children with a positive experience in their time together. We are looking for people who are willing to share some time with the children on Sunday. We have a great curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit which is quite adaptable and easy to use (you do need a computer and internet access for the preparation). If you are not sure, consider joining the class for a couple of weeks and learning with the children. If you have any questions, call Margery W. At 780-419-3224. A signup sheet is on the cabinet by the office.
AFTERNOON LENTEN STUDY – The Trinity & Everyday Spirituality – Session 5
The fifth session of our study will be Wednesday, March 9 at 1:30 in the Lounge. The topic for this session is “The Trinity in Art, Poetry and Song” The opening question is “How do you play in everyday life?” The scripture for reflection during the week is 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
The dinners have begun, and the word is out: They are great fun with great food! Those who still wish to host a dinner but haven’t committed to a date can still contact Bill C. at 780-481-2662. Hosts need to indicate the date and time of their dinner and the number of guests they are able to host. If there is a theme for the evening, this should be provided. Guests will have the opportunity to select where they will dine. Diners should provide the conveners with information on allergies and dietary restrictions (this information will be discreetly passed to the hosts) Diners will be provided ahead of time with directions to their chosen dinner and with an offering envelope for a free-will offering which will be collected by the hosts and returned to the church. A minimum donation of $25 per person is suggested. See the display board at the back of the church for a list of dinner opportunities.
MESSY EASTER- April 9 ??
I have decided to pick a date for Messy Easter, Saturday April 9. If you are interested in becoming involved or have any questions please call me at the church office as soon as possible. It’s work, but it is also so much fun. Give me a call!
MESSY CHUCH WORKSHOP
Holy Trinity Anglican Church is hosting a MESSY CHURCH WORKSHOP on Saturday, April 9 (same day as our Messy Church) from 10:00 am to 3:00. We could go right from the Workshop to our Messy Church all enthused! The workshop is advertised on the Alberta and Northwest Conference website http://albertanorthwestconference.ca/14057-messy-church-workshop-to-be-offered-in-edmonton/
Emergency Food Hampers The Jasper Place Wellness Centre supplies basic emergency food hampers. At the present time their stocks are very low. A bin will be by the front door where you can leave donations of dry pasta, rice, canned beans, canned meat or fish, soup, crackers, peanut butter, hot chocolate, and tea bags. Your donations will be taken by Doreen to JPWC on Mondays. Your support of the work of Spirit West at the JPWC is greatly appreciated.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
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 => 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday
- 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 the Fifth Sunday in Lent, and the gospel story for this Sunday recounts the action of Mary of Bethany (the sister of Lazarus and Martha) while Jesus was at supper with them. Mary took a “pound of costly perfume made of pure nard” and rubbed Jesus’ feet with it, and them dried his feet with her hair. Now “nard” or “spikenard” is an aromatic oil from a plant that grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, China and India and in Jesus’ day would have been considered very valuable, in the story the perfume is valued at three hundred denarii, which would have been nearly a year’s wages for a labourer. Judas objects to this extravagance, suggesting that it would have been better to have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. John comments on this suggestion in his account of the incident. John also records Jesus’ response to Judas.
The passages that will be read on Sunday are Isaiah 43: 16-21 and John 12: 1-8. In the Time for All Ages we will share thoughts about how we show our love with “I Y U.” I have titled the Sermon “Extravagant Love”
As this is the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day, it is also Celtic Sunday at Spirit West. The prayers and music for the service all come from the Celtic Christian tradition (Ireland, Scotland and Wales.) We will also be having a number of guest musicians to add to our worship. You may if you wish enhance your Sunday wardrobe with something green.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS THIS WEEKEND Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour (spring forward) before you go to bed on Saturday night. The official moment for change is 2:00 am on Sunday morning, but you will probably be asleep then.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED
Our Sunday School is GROWING and it is important that we provide the children with a positive experience in their time together. We are looking for people who are willing to share some time with the children on Sunday. We have a great curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit which is quite adaptable and easy to use (you do need a computer and internet access for the preparation). If you are not sure, consider joining the class for a couple of weeks and learning with the children. If you have any questions, call Margery W. At 780-419-3224. A signup sheet is on the cabinet by the office.
AFTERNOON LENTEN STUDY – The Trinity & Everyday Spirituality – Session 5
The fifth session of our study will be Wednesday, March 9 at 1:30 in the Lounge. The topic for this session is “The Trinity in Art, Poetry and Song” The opening question is “How do you play in everyday life?” The scripture for reflection during the week is 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
The dinners have begun, and the word is out: They are great fun with great food! Those who still wish to host a dinner but haven’t committed to a date can still contact Bill C. at 780-481-2662. Hosts need to indicate the date and time of their dinner and the number of guests they are able to host. If there is a theme for the evening, this should be provided. Guests will have the opportunity to select where they will dine. Diners should provide the conveners with information on allergies and dietary restrictions (this information will be discreetly passed to the hosts) Diners will be provided ahead of time with directions to their chosen dinner and with an offering envelope for a free-will offering which will be collected by the hosts and returned to the church. A minimum donation of $25 per person is suggested. See the display board at the back of the church for a list of dinner opportunities.
MESSY EASTER- April 9 ??
I have decided to pick a date for Messy Easter, Saturday April 9. If you are interested in becoming involved or have any questions please call me at the church office as soon as possible. It’s work, but it is also so much fun. Give me a call!
MESSY CHUCH WORKSHOP
Holy Trinity Anglican Church is hosting a MESSY CHURCH WORKSHOP on Saturday, April 9 (same day as our Messy Church) from 10:00 am to 3:00. We could go right from the Workshop to our Messy Church all enthused! The workshop is advertised on the Alberta and Northwest Conference website http://albertanorthwestconference.ca/14057-messy-church-workshop-to-be-offered-in-edmonton/
Emergency Food Hampers The Jasper Place Wellness Centre supplies basic emergency food hampers. At the present time their stocks are very low. A bin will be by the front door where you can leave donations of dry pasta, rice, canned beans, canned meat or fish, soup, crackers, peanut butter, hot chocolate, and tea bags. Your donations will be taken by Doreen to JPWC on Mondays. Your support of the work of Spirit West at the JPWC is greatly appreciated.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
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 => 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday
- 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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