March 8, 2015 - Third Sunday in Lent

Greetings

Sunday Worship

So, we are coming up on the third Sunday in Lent.  This week the “covenant” story is the Ten Commandments, not the Charlton Heston movie, but the original list of ten rules recorded in Exodus (and also in Deuteronomy).  From time to time in non-church social situations I find myself in the following conversation: Other, “So, what do you do?” Me, “I’m a United Church minister.”  Other, “Oh... Well I don’t really go to church much, but I follow the ten commandments and try to live a good life, and that’s what’s important anyway isn’t it?”  Me: (feeling a bit awkward) “Well... yes that’s important...”  Other: “Nice meeting you.”  To be honest, I cringe every time people tell me they try to follow the ten commandments and live a good life.  What I suspect is, that they really don’t know the actual ten commandments, though may have seen the movie and may be able to name one or two.  They are probably pretty certain that they haven’t murdered anyone and have avoided committing adultery.  But what about the other eight?  The ten commandments are not a individual guide to good behaviour.  We are told in Exodus that God wanted to free the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage and create a “chosen people.”  The Lord (yhvh) would be their God and the children of Israel, brought out of Egypt, would be the chosen people and would relate to God and each other in prescribed ways as a sign of that covenant relationship.  The ten commandments, and they’re just the start, are rules about community living in the presence of God  As Christians these rules are part of our heritage.  In many places in the United States monuments of the ten commandments are on the grounds of court houses and capitol buildings.  The Judicial Building in Montgomery, Alabama and the State Capitol in Oklahoma City are two examples.  From what I have been able to research, the only public ten commandments monument  in Canada is in Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg.  So this Sunday, we are going to look at the ten commandments, in their original context and as they relate to us as Christians in the 21st century.

 The readings for Sunday are Exodus 20: 1-17 and John 2: 13-22.   During the Time for All Ages, we will be looking at, “Rules, rules, rules”  The Sermon title is “Thou shalt...”

World Day of Prayer

Friday, March 6, 2:00 pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church (18345 – 62B Ave)  The Service was written by the women of the Bahamas.  Reception and fellowship will follow.

The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement which brings Christians of many traditions together to observe a common day of prayer each year. Through preparation and participation in the worship service, we can come to know how our sisters of other countries, languages and cultures understand the Biblical passages in their context. We can hear their concerns and needs and can feel ourselves in solidarity with them as we pray with and for them. In this way, it is possible to enrich our Christian faith as it grows deeper and broader in an international, ecumenical expression. 

On October 19, 1918, Presbyterian women in Canada called together representatives of five Women’s Missionary Boards – Anglican, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian – “to promote the spreading of Christ’s kingdom through united prayer and action.” That first inter-church meeting gave birth to the Interim Committee on the Federation of the Women’s Missionary Society Boards of Canada, which organized a national and inter denominational day of prayer on January 9, 1920.

In 1922, the Canadian committee agreed to use the same theme and day for the Day of Prayer as U.S. women. This annual event became the Women’s World Day of Prayer in 1927. The Canadian committee changed its name to become the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada and now includes representatives from 11 church partners. This council continues to coordinate the World Day of Prayer in Canada and to speak to issues that concern women of faith across the country.

For more information on the history of the World Day of Prayer go to http://www.wicc.org/world-day-of-prayer

 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!"  

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 out on Facebook  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