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March 18, 2021 - Fifth Sunday in Lent - the 53rd Sunday in COVID-19 isolation and our 45th Sunday Video on YouTube.

3/18/2021

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Picture
Greetings,
 
This Sunday – Fifth Sunday in Lent
 
On this Fifth Sunday in Lent we move to images of what the world could be and should be.  In the book of the prophet Jeremiah, we have the wonderful image of a world where everyone know God and what is right in the sight of God.  Jeremiah says that the law of God will be in our minds and written on our hearts.  No one will need to tell another what they need to know about God, for “they shall all know me, from the greatest to the least.  It is a covenant with all people, but know and felt but each individually. We know that we are not there yet.  But it is something to strive for.  The other image we are presented with in the readings is from the Gospels.  It is a passage that is frequently read at funerals.  It is the image of a seed dying in order to be reborn as a growing plant.  It is part of the narrative that points toward the resurrection.  But it is more than that, because it speaks to us of how newness comes into being.  As we look around us these days, the apparent dead of winter is starting to be replaced with signs of spring, new life.
 
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 31: 31-34 and John 12: 20-33.  My story in Time for All Ages is called, “I know it’s right.” I am calling my sermon, “I will write the law on your heart.”
  
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY
 Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83336626819?pwd=L2N3N3dmOHM4K250VUVoWnloM0JsZz09
 
Meeting ID: 833 3662 6819   Passcode: 309861

  
A REQUEST FROM THOSE WHO CREAT THE WORSHIP VIDEOS
           The folks who create the Worship Videos are asking for everyone's help on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings when we record the various portion of the Sunday service.  The music team is in the building starting at 12 noon every Thursday to practice, prepare, and record music.  As well, those who have volunteered to read scripture and want to record at the church come in on Thursday after the music has been completed.  On Friday morning, the “talking bits” of the service are recorded.
 
           All of these activities require a great amount of attention on behalf of the music team, the scripture readers, the minister and our technician Paul..  It would be very helpful if other business that requires a drop in at the church could be done at times other than Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.

  
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
 Greeters
 You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our new “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 paulwright38d@gmail.com 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 2:30 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 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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