Greetings
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, the celebration of a concept or doctrine rather than an event. The United Church of Canada is part of that vast community of faith know as the Christian Church. Although divided, the Christian Church shares some beliefs almost universally. One of the beliefs is that God is a triune God. We say that God self-revealed in three ways or three “persons”, but remains one God. (The original formulation of this was in Greek and translation is tricky) We have named our understanding of this The Trinity, and have traditionally named the “persons” of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But, the term Trinity is not found in Scripture. The chief Trinitarian text in the Gospels is the baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19. This late post-resurrection saying, not found in any other Gospel or anywhere else in the NT, has been viewed by some scholars as an addition into Matthew. It has also been pointed out that the idea of making disciples is continued in teaching them, so that the intervening reference to baptism with its “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” formula was perhaps a later insertion into the saying. The term Trias was first used by Theophilus of Antioch around AD 180. Of course the challenge comes when we realize that as we have shared the stories of Scripture through the year, we have encountered God as Creator (Father), as Jesus (Son) and as recently as last Sunday, the Advocate or Comforter (Holy Spirit). But we acknowledge one God. So as some of us learned at our Lenten Study on the Trinity, the concept of Trinity is the best way to describe incompletely something indescribable. Dr. Rob Fennell, who provided the background talks for our study said, “The doctrine of the Trinity was developed (and continues to be utilized) not in order to be “right” about God, but to describe the reality of God as revealed in Scripture and as experienced by God’s people in the Church and in the world.”
The readings for Sunday are Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 and John 16:12-15. In the Time for All Ages I will be sharing a story called “The Turnip.” I have called the Sermon, “Holy Wisdom”
SPIRIT WEST PLANT SALE
The Spirit West Plant Sale starts tomorrow. Come out tomorrow, May 20, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm or Saturday, May 21, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm to get your spring plants. There will be a BBQ Lunch available on Saturday
FIRES IN FORT MCMURRAY AND ELSEWHERE IN ALBERTA
We continue to follow the news from Fort McMurray and elsewhere in Alberta about the devastating fires that have swept through, destroying homes, business and the natural environment. Many lives have been radically altered by the events of the past week. A question that may have come into your mind: “How can I help?” There are many ways. Donating to the Red Cross is one, and your donation will be doubled by the federal government. The United Church of Canada is also involved in relief efforts through Alberta and North West Conference (ANWC). Check out the Conference response at this link:
http://albertanorthwestconference.ca/14283-assistance-fort-mcmurray/
On behalf of Spirit West, a donation of $750 is being made to the ANWC Fire Appeal from the money raised for Outreach at the “Hope Springs Forth” Concert.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The Men of Spirit West will be gathering for Breakfast on Saturday, May 21 at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall. Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come out for a great breakfast. As a note, each man usually put in $10 dollars, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church.
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.
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 office at 780-481-1406 t be referred to someone.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
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
Larry
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, the celebration of a concept or doctrine rather than an event. The United Church of Canada is part of that vast community of faith know as the Christian Church. Although divided, the Christian Church shares some beliefs almost universally. One of the beliefs is that God is a triune God. We say that God self-revealed in three ways or three “persons”, but remains one God. (The original formulation of this was in Greek and translation is tricky) We have named our understanding of this The Trinity, and have traditionally named the “persons” of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But, the term Trinity is not found in Scripture. The chief Trinitarian text in the Gospels is the baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19. This late post-resurrection saying, not found in any other Gospel or anywhere else in the NT, has been viewed by some scholars as an addition into Matthew. It has also been pointed out that the idea of making disciples is continued in teaching them, so that the intervening reference to baptism with its “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” formula was perhaps a later insertion into the saying. The term Trias was first used by Theophilus of Antioch around AD 180. Of course the challenge comes when we realize that as we have shared the stories of Scripture through the year, we have encountered God as Creator (Father), as Jesus (Son) and as recently as last Sunday, the Advocate or Comforter (Holy Spirit). But we acknowledge one God. So as some of us learned at our Lenten Study on the Trinity, the concept of Trinity is the best way to describe incompletely something indescribable. Dr. Rob Fennell, who provided the background talks for our study said, “The doctrine of the Trinity was developed (and continues to be utilized) not in order to be “right” about God, but to describe the reality of God as revealed in Scripture and as experienced by God’s people in the Church and in the world.”
The readings for Sunday are Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 and John 16:12-15. In the Time for All Ages I will be sharing a story called “The Turnip.” I have called the Sermon, “Holy Wisdom”
SPIRIT WEST PLANT SALE
The Spirit West Plant Sale starts tomorrow. Come out tomorrow, May 20, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm or Saturday, May 21, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm to get your spring plants. There will be a BBQ Lunch available on Saturday
FIRES IN FORT MCMURRAY AND ELSEWHERE IN ALBERTA
We continue to follow the news from Fort McMurray and elsewhere in Alberta about the devastating fires that have swept through, destroying homes, business and the natural environment. Many lives have been radically altered by the events of the past week. A question that may have come into your mind: “How can I help?” There are many ways. Donating to the Red Cross is one, and your donation will be doubled by the federal government. The United Church of Canada is also involved in relief efforts through Alberta and North West Conference (ANWC). Check out the Conference response at this link:
http://albertanorthwestconference.ca/14283-assistance-fort-mcmurray/
On behalf of Spirit West, a donation of $750 is being made to the ANWC Fire Appeal from the money raised for Outreach at the “Hope Springs Forth” Concert.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The Men of Spirit West will be gathering for Breakfast on Saturday, May 21 at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall. Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come out for a great breakfast. As a note, each man usually put in $10 dollars, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church.
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.
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 office at 780-481-1406 t be referred to someone.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
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
Larry
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