Sunday, March 19, 2023 – Lent Sunday in Lent
Blessings in the name of God who was, who is and who is to come.
I have a busy weekend ahead with both the men’s and the women’s groups eating on Saturday. I’m sure looking forward to seeing so many of you at these events.
This week we are focussing on how David was chosen to be King. 1 Samuel 16:1-13. This will also be the children’s story, including some oil for anointing. He was the youngest brother, not even brought along for the sacrifice (read party) but left at home with the sheep. He is God’s choice to be Israel’s next king. He will be far from perfect, especially in his private life, but he will be a better King than Saul, and will bring in the Golden Age of Israel.
Samuel is told to give up on King Saul and move on to something new, to literally take his anointing oil and go anoint a new king. Even though it looked at one time like Saul would be the best king, God and Samuel both now know that isn’t true.
Sometimes we have to take up the anointing oil of our own life and put it somewhere new – a new job or relationship, a new home, a new city or country. Can we take courage from Samuel and David’s story? Is there fresh hope in some new beginning for us to bless? Have you given it your best shot and now it’s time to move on? If God can do it, so can you.
King David would be the writer of great psalms. Psalm 23 is probably the best known. David was a shepherd, and he wrote about how God was his shepherd. What about you? If you imagine God having your career or life’s work, how would your psalm go? The Lord is my teacher . . . my nurse . . . my parent . . .I shall not . . . . .
Maybe you can write your own psalm about God.
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
Faith Exploration - Explore big questions – What do we mean when we say God, Who was/is Jesus and how does he matter? What is the Bible and how should it influence us? What are your big questions? The Study Group open to anyone wherever you are on your faith journey. This can lead to Confirmation or Re-Affirmation of faith. Please Let Eli know if you are interested.
Schedule - after Church/Lunch on Sunday and on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm
MEN’S BREAKFAST, 8:30 AM. Sat, March 18
Gather with other men of the congregation in the Lower Hall for fellowship and a breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Come a few minutes early and help cook if you would like. All men welcome!
WOMEN’S GROUP LUNCH and ANNUAL MEETING
The Spirit West Women’s lunch and annual meeting will be held on Saturday, March 18 at 11:30am at the Boston Pizza at 17002 – 90 ave. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking. Please sign up on the sheet by the office or call the church office at 780-481-1406.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER? – Join us in using cunning stealth and covert organization, to surprise our phenomenal Spirit West chefs. Only at the ring of their doorbell, should they discover who will join them for dinner on their chosen night of gastronomical delights!! This fund-raiser for the church will take place in the next few months! It is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and fellowship. Those who wish to host a dinner are asked to contact Bill C 780-481-2662 or Sheila H at 780-960-3878 or signup at the church. Hosts need to indicate the dates and times of their dinners and the number of guests they will be hosting. If there is a theme for the evening, this should also be provided. Guests will have the opportunity to select where they will dine and to provide any dietary restrictions to the conveners (who will secretly pass on the information to the hosts). A free will offering, in envelopes, will be collected by the host. Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties and generously supporting our church.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
EVENTS Happening in the CHURCH BUILDING March 19 to 26, 2023
LEADERS for March 19
LEADERS for March 26
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
YouTube Videos Worship Services – March 19 – also, in person worship service
To watch online, you will need to go to YouTube and google “Spirit West United Church”.
This action will bring you to the Spirit West United Church YouTube page.
SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues 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 may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.
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
Office Hours for March 19-25
Norma => Mon & Wed => noon to 5pm
Tues & Thurs – 9:30am to 2:30pm
Eli => Sun to Thurs this week. Please let Eli know if there is anyone you think they should call or visit.
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
Thank you,
Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone: (780) 481-1406
email: [email protected]
website: www.spiritwest.org
Blessings in the name of God who was, who is and who is to come.
I have a busy weekend ahead with both the men’s and the women’s groups eating on Saturday. I’m sure looking forward to seeing so many of you at these events.
This week we are focussing on how David was chosen to be King. 1 Samuel 16:1-13. This will also be the children’s story, including some oil for anointing. He was the youngest brother, not even brought along for the sacrifice (read party) but left at home with the sheep. He is God’s choice to be Israel’s next king. He will be far from perfect, especially in his private life, but he will be a better King than Saul, and will bring in the Golden Age of Israel.
Samuel is told to give up on King Saul and move on to something new, to literally take his anointing oil and go anoint a new king. Even though it looked at one time like Saul would be the best king, God and Samuel both now know that isn’t true.
Sometimes we have to take up the anointing oil of our own life and put it somewhere new – a new job or relationship, a new home, a new city or country. Can we take courage from Samuel and David’s story? Is there fresh hope in some new beginning for us to bless? Have you given it your best shot and now it’s time to move on? If God can do it, so can you.
King David would be the writer of great psalms. Psalm 23 is probably the best known. David was a shepherd, and he wrote about how God was his shepherd. What about you? If you imagine God having your career or life’s work, how would your psalm go? The Lord is my teacher . . . my nurse . . . my parent . . .I shall not . . . . .
Maybe you can write your own psalm about God.
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
Faith Exploration - Explore big questions – What do we mean when we say God, Who was/is Jesus and how does he matter? What is the Bible and how should it influence us? What are your big questions? The Study Group open to anyone wherever you are on your faith journey. This can lead to Confirmation or Re-Affirmation of faith. Please Let Eli know if you are interested.
Schedule - after Church/Lunch on Sunday and on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm
- March 22, 26 – The Spirit and the Church
- March 29, April 2 – Live with respect in Creation
- April 12, 16 – Seek Justice, Resist Evil
- April 19, 23 – Life, Death, Life beyond Death
MEN’S BREAKFAST, 8:30 AM. Sat, March 18
Gather with other men of the congregation in the Lower Hall for fellowship and a breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Come a few minutes early and help cook if you would like. All men welcome!
WOMEN’S GROUP LUNCH and ANNUAL MEETING
The Spirit West Women’s lunch and annual meeting will be held on Saturday, March 18 at 11:30am at the Boston Pizza at 17002 – 90 ave. Access is easy and there is plenty of parking. Please sign up on the sheet by the office or call the church office at 780-481-1406.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER? – Join us in using cunning stealth and covert organization, to surprise our phenomenal Spirit West chefs. Only at the ring of their doorbell, should they discover who will join them for dinner on their chosen night of gastronomical delights!! This fund-raiser for the church will take place in the next few months! It is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and fellowship. Those who wish to host a dinner are asked to contact Bill C 780-481-2662 or Sheila H at 780-960-3878 or signup at the church. Hosts need to indicate the dates and times of their dinners and the number of guests they will be hosting. If there is a theme for the evening, this should also be provided. Guests will have the opportunity to select where they will dine and to provide any dietary restrictions to the conveners (who will secretly pass on the information to the hosts). A free will offering, in envelopes, will be collected by the host. Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties and generously supporting our church.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- Men’s Breakfast – 8:30am, Sat, March 18
- Women’s Group Lunch and AGM – 11:30 am, Sat, March 18
- Board Meeting – 7pm, Wed, Mar 22 via ZOOM
- Good Friday Service – 10:30 am, Fri, Apr 7
- Easter Sunday Service – 10:30am, Sun, Apr 9
EVENTS Happening in the CHURCH BUILDING March 19 to 26, 2023
- Mon, March 20, 6-8 pm – Embers (Brownies)
- Tues, March 21, 6-7pm – set up for Church of Christ service
- Wed, March 21, 4:30-7:30am – Church of Christ service
- Wed, March 22, 2pm – Faith Exploration – The Spirit & the Church
- Wed, March 22, 7-11pm – Church of Christ service
- Thurs, March 23, 7-8:30pm – choir practice
- Fri, March 24, 6-7pm – set up for Church of Christ service
- Sat, March 25, 4am - 4pm – Church of Christ service
- Sun, March 26 – 10:30am to noon – our service
- Sun, March 26 – after worship - Faith Exploration – The Spirit & the Church
LEADERS for March 19
- Hospitality Team – Hemmerling – Georgina, Doreen, Rhea, Glenna
- Scripture Reader – Bill C
- Projectionist – Norma B
LEADERS for March 26
- Hospitality Team – Sather – Ramona, Isobel, Colleen
- Scripture Reader – Bob H
- Projectionist – Terri-Lynn / Sara
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
- UNITED CHURCH EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE - Sun, April 9 (7:00am), Fire Pit at Emily Murphy Park, Edmonton (11904 Emily Murphy Park Rd NW). Warm yourself around a shared fire as the sun’s new light creeps through the trees and sing the first Hallelujahs of a new Easter morning. Bring your favorite morning beverage to enjoy. Organized by United Churches in Edmonton. For more information, contact Blaine Gregg at [email protected].
- ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE FUNDRAISING GALA - Friday, June 16, 5-10pm, JW Marriott Ice District - 10344 102 St NW, Edmonton. Featuring live painting by Giselle Denis, live entertainment, guest speakers & silent auction - $250 per person, or $2000 per table of 8. A deductible charitable tax receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket price after the event
YouTube Videos Worship Services – March 19 – also, in person worship service
To watch online, you will need to go to YouTube and google “Spirit West United Church”.
This action will bring you to the Spirit West United Church YouTube page.
SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues 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 may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.
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 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 of the answer.
- And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance) or even if you are , you can mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.)
- You can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors or place it in the mailbox.
- You can also donate online by checking out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
Office Hours for March 19-25
Norma => Mon & Wed => noon to 5pm
Tues & Thurs – 9:30am to 2:30pm
Eli => Sun to Thurs this week. Please let Eli know if there is anyone you think they should call or visit.
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
Thank you,
Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone: (780) 481-1406
email: [email protected]
website: www.spiritwest.org
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