Greetings
Sunday Worship
This Sunday is Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. And Holy Week starts on a really high note as we remember Jesus arrival in Jerusalem for Passover. His entrance was so significant that for centuries the Church has referred to the event as “Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem” The crowds went wild, Jesus was cheered, palm branches were waved. We will re-enact some of that enthusiasm with our own Palm procession around (inside) the church. And in the sermon, I will look at the role the crowds played in the events of Holy Week, because a lot of what happened was based on popular opinion, or what “the people” wanted.
The readings for Sunday are Psalm: 1-2, 19-29 and Mark 1: 1-11. The Sermon title is “According to Popular Opinion.”
Lenten Study
On Wednesdays at 1:30 in the Lounge we will continue our Lenten Study using as our resource a book called: "Give it UP!" This week the participants are giving up cell phone usage as much as possible.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Maundy Thursday – April 2 On this day we remember Jesus’ Last Supper and the start of what we know as The Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist. At Spirit West we remember this with the celebration of a Seder, the traditional meal that marks Passover. Our Seder is a pot-luck supper surrounded by story, song and ritual. The Seder starts at 5:00 pm. In order to set the right number of places, please put your name and number of guests on the sign-up sheet, or call the church office. There is also a place to indicate if your are able bring something for the meal.
Good Friday – April 3 “Draw the Circle Wide” is the theme of our service of quiet reflection and meditation where we will remember Christ’s crucifixion and it’s implications for our day. The Good Friday service is at 10:30 am
Easter Sunday – April 5 The Celebration of the new life proclaimed in the Resurrection of Jesus. The highest point in the Christian year, and the Sunday of Sundays.
Decorating for Easter Sunday – We are not selling Easter Hydrangeas this year. We are asking that if you want, you can purchase an Easter plant or basket elsewhere and loan it to the church on Easter Sunday. One warning, no lilies please, their scent is very strong and can trigger allergic reactions.
A Spirit West Benevolent Fund
At the Board Meeting on Tuesday night, a discussion arose as to how we as a church would or could help any within our congregation who might find themselves in need, particularly short term financial need. It was thought that the establishment of a designated benevolent fund would be appropriate. Members of the congregation could contribute to this fund specifically. Small grants of money would be paid out to individuals or families based on recommendations to me from Community Care or members of the congregation. The decision to offer assistance would be made by the minister (me) in consultation with the Board Chair and the Treasurer. The details of any payments would, of course, not be made public, but the treasurer would keep a detailed record of disbursements. Your thoughts on this idea would be welcomed.
MESSY CHURCH
We will be having a Messy Church on Saturday, April 20 starting at 4:00 pm. The theme is Jonah and the Whale! For those of you not familiar with Messy Church, it is a concept first developed in the UK. The idea is to provide an opportunity for families to learn the stories of the Bible in a setting that is not like Sunday church. So Messy Church is composed of a song and story time, where we hear and celebrate a biblical story. Then we make crafts (and some are MESSY) that relate to the story, and we end our time together by sharing dinner together. Everything is provided. It is expected that children will bring their parents with them so that the whole family can enjoy the fellowship, fun and food. So, come bring your family and friends! If you have any questions about Messy Church call me at the church.
Spirit West Prayer Chain
We have a new Prayer Chain Co-ordinator, Shannon F. 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.
NEW WEBSITE!
Check out our New Website at www.spiritwest.org . Thanks to our Webmaster: Bonnie S.
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Remember to check us our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
See you on Sunday!
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
Sunday Worship
This Sunday is Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. And Holy Week starts on a really high note as we remember Jesus arrival in Jerusalem for Passover. His entrance was so significant that for centuries the Church has referred to the event as “Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem” The crowds went wild, Jesus was cheered, palm branches were waved. We will re-enact some of that enthusiasm with our own Palm procession around (inside) the church. And in the sermon, I will look at the role the crowds played in the events of Holy Week, because a lot of what happened was based on popular opinion, or what “the people” wanted.
The readings for Sunday are Psalm: 1-2, 19-29 and Mark 1: 1-11. The Sermon title is “According to Popular Opinion.”
Lenten Study
On Wednesdays at 1:30 in the Lounge we will continue our Lenten Study using as our resource a book called: "Give it UP!" This week the participants are giving up cell phone usage as much as possible.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Maundy Thursday – April 2 On this day we remember Jesus’ Last Supper and the start of what we know as The Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist. At Spirit West we remember this with the celebration of a Seder, the traditional meal that marks Passover. Our Seder is a pot-luck supper surrounded by story, song and ritual. The Seder starts at 5:00 pm. In order to set the right number of places, please put your name and number of guests on the sign-up sheet, or call the church office. There is also a place to indicate if your are able bring something for the meal.
Good Friday – April 3 “Draw the Circle Wide” is the theme of our service of quiet reflection and meditation where we will remember Christ’s crucifixion and it’s implications for our day. The Good Friday service is at 10:30 am
Easter Sunday – April 5 The Celebration of the new life proclaimed in the Resurrection of Jesus. The highest point in the Christian year, and the Sunday of Sundays.
Decorating for Easter Sunday – We are not selling Easter Hydrangeas this year. We are asking that if you want, you can purchase an Easter plant or basket elsewhere and loan it to the church on Easter Sunday. One warning, no lilies please, their scent is very strong and can trigger allergic reactions.
A Spirit West Benevolent Fund
At the Board Meeting on Tuesday night, a discussion arose as to how we as a church would or could help any within our congregation who might find themselves in need, particularly short term financial need. It was thought that the establishment of a designated benevolent fund would be appropriate. Members of the congregation could contribute to this fund specifically. Small grants of money would be paid out to individuals or families based on recommendations to me from Community Care or members of the congregation. The decision to offer assistance would be made by the minister (me) in consultation with the Board Chair and the Treasurer. The details of any payments would, of course, not be made public, but the treasurer would keep a detailed record of disbursements. Your thoughts on this idea would be welcomed.
MESSY CHURCH
We will be having a Messy Church on Saturday, April 20 starting at 4:00 pm. The theme is Jonah and the Whale! For those of you not familiar with Messy Church, it is a concept first developed in the UK. The idea is to provide an opportunity for families to learn the stories of the Bible in a setting that is not like Sunday church. So Messy Church is composed of a song and story time, where we hear and celebrate a biblical story. Then we make crafts (and some are MESSY) that relate to the story, and we end our time together by sharing dinner together. Everything is provided. It is expected that children will bring their parents with them so that the whole family can enjoy the fellowship, fun and food. So, come bring your family and friends! If you have any questions about Messy Church call me at the church.
Spirit West Prayer Chain
We have a new Prayer Chain Co-ordinator, Shannon F. 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.
NEW WEBSITE!
Check out our New Website at www.spiritwest.org . Thanks to our Webmaster: Bonnie S.
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Remember to check us our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
See you on Sunday!
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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