Greetings,
The lectionary reading from the Law (Old Testament, Hebrew Scriptures) for this Sunday is the passage from the book of Exodus that outlines the ten commandments. People’s reactions to the ten commandments vary widely. Some people when they find out that I am a minister, immediately explain that while they are not religious they do follow the ten commandments. I usually refrain from asking them to name them. Others see the ten commandments as part of the problem with religion, it’s all about rules, and nobody is going to tell them what to believe or how to act. Others (of a certain age) think of the movie with the late actor and NRA president Charlton Heston as Moses. Of course, I believe that all these responses miss the mark by a wide margin. The other lectionary reading for Sunday is from John’s Gospel and is the story of Jesus’ angry and violent reaction to what was considered legal commerce in the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s a story that many “liberal” Christians have a hard time with, and it is a story found in all four gospels. It is interesting to me that the version in Mark (the “oldest” gospel, c. 66-70 AD) and the version in John (the “newest” gospel, c. 90-110 AD) show Jesus at his most violent. Only John mentions a whip. Matthew and Luke (in the middle, c. 80-90 AD) tone things down a bit. Even at the time the gospels were being composed this story seems to have been deemed important but a bit awkward. So where do rules fit into our understanding of our journey of faith. Do the ten commandments still matter. What do we do if we encounter rules or laws in society (or the church) that permit something that seems wrong, or conversely, forbid something that seems good.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Exodus 20:1-17 and John 2: 13-22. In the Time for All Ages we will talk about, “Rules, rules, rules.” The Sermon is titled “Rules for Community”
NEW PASTORAL CARE INITIATIVE – “CARE CALLS”
In order for us to be current with the pastoral needs of members of the congregation, the Pastoral Care committee of Spirit West is planning on introducing “Care Calls.” What is a “Care Call” you ask. A “Care Call” is a call you receive from a member of the congregation appointed by the Pastoral Care committee to check in with you, particularly if we haven’t seen or heard from you for a while. We are not trying to be nosy, but we know of people who have been ill or confined at home and would like to know that the church is thinking of them. Sometimes they would have liked a visit, but that word never got to the minister. We want to make sure that no one is forgotten.
How can you help? The Pastoral Care committee is looking for people who would be willing to make “Care Calls” on behalf of the congregation. Are you good on the phone? Are you willing to take a bit of training? Can you keep private conversations private? Would you like to be a “Care Caller?” If your answers are yes, please contact Larry at the church office.
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 during the months of March, April and May! 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. at 780-481-2662. 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. A minimum offering of $25.00 per person is suggested. Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties and generously supporting our church.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Palm Sunday, March 25 – 10:30 am with procession with palms
Maundy Thursday, March 29 – 6:30 pm, Communion
Good Friday, March 30 – 10:30 am
Easter Sunday, April 1 – 10:30
A NEW WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY
You are don’t have envelopes, you are not on PAR, and you don’t get to church as often as you would like, but you want to make a financial contribution to work of Spirit West, and receive a tax receipt. Now you can! Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. It was suggested at a Board Meeting that everyone give the donate button a try (just to make sure it works, of course)
Security Access codes
The church access code for the alarm system has been changed. Each of our renters will have their own code. Members of the Spirit West congregation who have a key to the church (choir, Ladies’ Group, Men’s Breakfast etc.) need to see Norma or Larry to get the new code. You don’t want to set the alarm off, by using an outdated code.
Outreach Activities
We are still collecting mitts, hats, hand warmers, coffee cards, hot chocolate packages, coffee travel mugs, etc. for both Bissell Center and the Jasper Place Wellness Center. You can bring these items in and put them on the giving tree or leave them in the baskets on the table.
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
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 the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Norma => 11 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- 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
The lectionary reading from the Law (Old Testament, Hebrew Scriptures) for this Sunday is the passage from the book of Exodus that outlines the ten commandments. People’s reactions to the ten commandments vary widely. Some people when they find out that I am a minister, immediately explain that while they are not religious they do follow the ten commandments. I usually refrain from asking them to name them. Others see the ten commandments as part of the problem with religion, it’s all about rules, and nobody is going to tell them what to believe or how to act. Others (of a certain age) think of the movie with the late actor and NRA president Charlton Heston as Moses. Of course, I believe that all these responses miss the mark by a wide margin. The other lectionary reading for Sunday is from John’s Gospel and is the story of Jesus’ angry and violent reaction to what was considered legal commerce in the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s a story that many “liberal” Christians have a hard time with, and it is a story found in all four gospels. It is interesting to me that the version in Mark (the “oldest” gospel, c. 66-70 AD) and the version in John (the “newest” gospel, c. 90-110 AD) show Jesus at his most violent. Only John mentions a whip. Matthew and Luke (in the middle, c. 80-90 AD) tone things down a bit. Even at the time the gospels were being composed this story seems to have been deemed important but a bit awkward. So where do rules fit into our understanding of our journey of faith. Do the ten commandments still matter. What do we do if we encounter rules or laws in society (or the church) that permit something that seems wrong, or conversely, forbid something that seems good.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Exodus 20:1-17 and John 2: 13-22. In the Time for All Ages we will talk about, “Rules, rules, rules.” The Sermon is titled “Rules for Community”
NEW PASTORAL CARE INITIATIVE – “CARE CALLS”
In order for us to be current with the pastoral needs of members of the congregation, the Pastoral Care committee of Spirit West is planning on introducing “Care Calls.” What is a “Care Call” you ask. A “Care Call” is a call you receive from a member of the congregation appointed by the Pastoral Care committee to check in with you, particularly if we haven’t seen or heard from you for a while. We are not trying to be nosy, but we know of people who have been ill or confined at home and would like to know that the church is thinking of them. Sometimes they would have liked a visit, but that word never got to the minister. We want to make sure that no one is forgotten.
How can you help? The Pastoral Care committee is looking for people who would be willing to make “Care Calls” on behalf of the congregation. Are you good on the phone? Are you willing to take a bit of training? Can you keep private conversations private? Would you like to be a “Care Caller?” If your answers are yes, please contact Larry at the church office.
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 during the months of March, April and May! 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. at 780-481-2662. 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. A minimum offering of $25.00 per person is suggested. Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties and generously supporting our church.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Palm Sunday, March 25 – 10:30 am with procession with palms
Maundy Thursday, March 29 – 6:30 pm, Communion
Good Friday, March 30 – 10:30 am
Easter Sunday, April 1 – 10:30
A NEW WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY
You are don’t have envelopes, you are not on PAR, and you don’t get to church as often as you would like, but you want to make a financial contribution to work of Spirit West, and receive a tax receipt. Now you can! Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar. It was suggested at a Board Meeting that everyone give the donate button a try (just to make sure it works, of course)
Security Access codes
The church access code for the alarm system has been changed. Each of our renters will have their own code. Members of the Spirit West congregation who have a key to the church (choir, Ladies’ Group, Men’s Breakfast etc.) need to see Norma or Larry to get the new code. You don’t want to set the alarm off, by using an outdated code.
Outreach Activities
We are still collecting mitts, hats, hand warmers, coffee cards, hot chocolate packages, coffee travel mugs, etc. for both Bissell Center and the Jasper Place Wellness Center. You can bring these items in and put them on the giving tree or leave them in the baskets on the table.
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
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 the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Norma => 11 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- 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
RSS Feed
