Greetings,
THIS SUNDAY
Our readings for Sunday, the Seventh Sunday of Easter, point to the challenges faced by the early followers of Jesus, and faced by us today. The reading from the Acts of the Apostles records Jesus’ ascension, his return to God. Jesus has been the one to keep the followers together. They now appear to be left on their own, with the promise of the Holy Spirit. The passage from John’s Gospel records some of Jesus’ final comments to his followers. Jesus prays for the unity of his followers. But what does unity look like. If we look at a mosaic, we see that it is composed of thousands of different pieces, no two are exactly the same. Yet together they create a picture, an image that would be impossible if all the pieces were the same. The last verse of the passage from John is the source of the motto (in Latin) of the United Church of Canada.
The scripture readings for Sunday are Act 1: 6-14 and John 17: 1-11. In the Time for All Ages, I will be talking about, “A Little Rock.” The sermon is titled, “Christ is our Unity”
GENERAL COUNCIL REMITS 3 & 4- Congregational Meeting
Remits 3 and 4 (Funding a New Model and Office of Vocations) will be dealt with at a Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, May 28 immediately following the service. The responses to Remits 3 and 4 must be in to the General Council office by June 30, 2017. Remit 6, the one remaining congregational remit, must be voted on by February 2018 so it will be dealt with at a later date. (There are also Remits 5, 7 and 8, but they are only dealt with by Presbyteries and not congregations.) Katherine Moore, a Commissioner to General Council 42 will be present at this meeting to assist us in understanding the issues raised by the remits. In preparation for this meeting, please read the information about the Remits which can be found online at gc42.ca/remits.
SPIRIT WEST CHURCH PICNIC
After church on Sunday, June 4 we will have our Sunday School/Church Picnic. Let’s get together for Food, Fellowship and Fun.
With One Voice – Hymns and Choral Works of the Reformation Era
The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton and the Alberta-BC District of Lutheran Church-Canada, are pleased to invite you to an ecumenical concert on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 2:00 pm to mark the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. The Concert will take place at St. Joseph’s Basilica, 10044 -113 St.
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, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
EXTREME HUNGER APPEAL – United Church of Canda
The United Church of Canada is launching an Extreme Hunger Appeal as the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen reaches grave levels.
Starvation and extreme hunger are rapidly reaching a scale the world has not seen before in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. There is also extreme hunger, malnutrition, and starvation in Kenya. Vulnerable people are most impacted, including children.
Small-scale farmers supply the majority of food in Africa. But climate change has created a devastating and prolonged drought, resulting in both water and food shortages. Farmers are unable to grow crops and their livestock have died. Ongoing conflict is also contributing to the crisis as many families are forced to flee their homes, farms, and livelihoods.
The people of Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and Kenya urgently need your help. All donations raised for this appeal will go to our long-term Mission & Service partners, including ACT Alliance, which is saving lives in the region.
Donate Now
Online via the United Church of Canada’s secure donation page.
Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:
The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit - Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
Please be sure to note "Emergency Response—Extreme Hunger Appeal" on the face of your cheque.
Note: As part of the United Church’s Emergency Response Fund, 100% of your donation goes directly to emergency relief with 85% of your donation responding to this designated emergency and 15% responding to future emergencies that do not receive intense media coverage. Donations to Mission & Service enable the United Church to cover all of the costs of emergency response work without deducting any fees from your donation.
Pray for the millions of people in Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen facing extreme drought, food insecurity, malnutrition, and conflict, and for our Mission & Service partners working on the ground to meet the needs of those affected.
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).
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
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 4:00
- Norma => 11 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday (months of May and June)
- 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
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