This Sunday – PENTECOST
This Sunday is Pentecost, often considered the Birthday of the Church. And this Sunday, worship will be a bit different. As I said last week, Northern Spirit Region has prepared a Worship Video for Pentecost. The service includes the participation of ministers and lay people from all over Northern Spirit Region including yours truly. Some of you may scratching your heads and saying “What is Northern Spirit Region?” Northern Spirit Region is the administrative area of the United Church to which Spirit West belongs. The Region covers Alberta north of Highway 13, the Northwest Territories, and a little bit of northern British Columbia. The Region comprises about 100 congregations or pastoral charges.
So it was decided that rather than create a Worship Video for Spirit West, we would join with the wider United Church to celebrate the birthday of the whole church. The link for the Region Worship Video will be sent out in an email on Saturday as usual.
Now, normally I would give you the scripture readings for Sunday as well as the topics for the Time for All Ages and the sermon. However, I am not sure what readings are being used. That’s not my part of the service. But join the Region for this unique worship experience.
CELEBRATIONS FOR SUNDAY
Because there will not be a Spirit West Worship Video, I will not be announcing our Celebrations on Sunday.
However, we do have a couple that I would have mention.
Bonnie C. has reported to us that Athena is cancer free at the end of two years, and does not need to go to the Cross anymore.
We are also celebrating two birthdays, which are actually happening today, Sheila Hoy and Marian Tannahill. Happy Birthday Sheila and Marian.
THERE WILL BE A ZOOM COFFEE HOUR (this is the Link for May and June!)
Join Zoom Coffee on Sunday at 11:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82877953866?pwd=REZSamRsRU0ybENRREdEaGR4bVFGUT09
Meeting ID: 828 7795 3866 Passcode: 738328
WORSHIP VIDEO FOR SUNDAY, MAY 23 – PENTECOST
For Pentecost Sunday, a Worship Video is being created on behalf of the Northern Spirit Regional Council. This Worship Video involves the participation of people from all over Northern Spirit Region, including me. So, for Sunday, May 23, the Worship Video link that will be sent to you will be for this Service. We are not recording a separate video for Spirit West for that Sunday.
SPIRIT WEST WORSHIP VIDEOS
Greeters
You may have gotten (or will get) a call from Diane H. our “Greeter Co-ordinator,” asking you if you would record a greeting for our Sunday Worship videos. If at all possible, please say yes. Recorded greetings should be sent to our “Recording technician” (Paul W.) at paulwright38d@gmail.com or you can come into the church and we will record your greeting. Video greetings need to be sent in or recorded by the Friday before “your” Sunday.
Scripture Readers
Using the list of those who have volunteered to be Scripture readers, Norma has drawn up and sent out a schedule of readers for the next couple of months. If you have read scripture for one of the worship videos, you will be on the schedule and will have received a copy. Please confirm with Norma as soon as possible that you are available to do your reading. Readings can be recorded well in advance of the date required. Your reading can also be recorded at the church between 3:30 and 4:30 on Thursday afternoons.
Sharing our Celebrations
In this time when it is important for us to look for signs of hope and joy, opportunity is being given for you to share your celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, new grandchildren etc) with the wider community. If you have a celebration you want to share please email swm@telus.net or phone the church. (must be sent in before noon on Thursday for inclusion on the Sunday) During the opening section or our Worship Video, I will announce celebrations that have been shared with me.
Spirit West Prayer Chain
Prayer is important. We know that people still face challenges and difficulties not related to Covid-19, and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain will continue to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and will form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship videos.
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 now accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email. And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.) The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors. You can also donate online, see below…
ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO SPIRIT WEST DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You are stuck home, Spirit West is not holding services, you are not on PAR, but you want to make a financial contribution to the work of Spirit West, because the church has bills to pay even when we are not gathering on Sunday. Check out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
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
CHURCH OFFICE
The Spirit West Church office remains open.
Office hours
- Norma => Noon to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 10:00 am to 5:00 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