
THIS SUNDAY – Mothers’ Day or Christian Family Sunday
In the secular calendar, this Sunday is Mothers’ Day. In the United Church it has been called Christian Family Sunday for a number of years. While we will take the opportunity during the service to acknowledge our mothers and other women who have nurtured us, I will be concentrating more on the aspect of family. This is partly because we will be celebrating the baptism of two infants in the context of the Christian Family. Whatever our families look like, and however they came about, it is usually in a family that we get our earliest nurturing. I will be looking at two readings this Sunday. One is from Exodus, and is one of the ten commandments, “Honour your father and your mother…” The second is from the Gospel of Matthew and relates Jesus response to someone telling him while he is speaking publically that his mother and other family members are waiting outside to talk to him. I will look at what these two passages say about family, and what wisdom they may offer us today.
OFFERING IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have introduced a children’s offering in Sunday School. This follows from a lesson suggestion in our Seasons of the Spirit curriculum.
GARDEN CLEAN-UP DAY, Sunday, May 26 (rainout June 16)
Helen B., who very faithfully weeds our flower beds, reports that they have become very overgrown with grass and weeds and have become very difficult to maintain. We are having a Garden Cleanup Day on May 26 after the service. This will help get our property looking nice in time for our 10th anniversary celebration on June 2. Please save the date and plan to help. A sign-up sheet will be available next Sunday.
ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY – June 2nd, 2019
On Sunday, June 2nd we will mark a couple of milestones for this Congregation. We will be celebrating our 10th year as Spirit West United Church in our current building. We will also mark our 40th year as a congregation of the United Church of Canada remembering back to the formation of Aldergrove United Church. If you have had any connection with Aldergrove United Church, Gilchrist Memorial United Church or Spirit West United Church, we would encourage you to come out to this celebration. It is hoped that following the service, we will have a time of fellowship to display pictures and share a few stories about our journey as a congregation. (I am also hoping for balloons and a cake)
SPIRIT WEST COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE – June 20 & 21
While you are spring cleaning, please save quality, lightly used items such as household appliances, china, glassware, toys, books, tools, etc. for our annual garage sale. Donations are now being accepted at the church. Please, no clothing! If you need assistance in getting your items to the church, please call the office (780-481-1406) and we will arrange for someone to help you.
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY – 2019 Edition is going to happen
We have decided that we will proceed with a Photo Directory for this our tenth year as Spirit West in our current building, and the fortieth anniversary of our constitution as a congregation. Photos will be taken on Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11. Please watch this space for details on how to book your appointment for your photo session. As a reminder, the only cost to you is if you decide to purchase copies of the photos. Even if you do not purchase photos, your family photo will appear in the directory.
SOCIAL MEDIA 101 (Social Media for Beginners)
Are you among those people who hear words like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and SnapChat and think you are hearing a foreign language. When some of your friends ask you to “friend them” are you confused? Do you think you might be missing out when someone you know asks you if you have seen the post on Instagram of a mutual friend’s darling new grandchild? Is sharing what your church is doing beyond Sunday (with pictures), something you might like to do? If this might be you, help and hope is at hand. Aly L. would like to offer a session to introduce members of the Sprit West congregation to the possibilities of Social Media. Watch this space for details.
Your Favourite Hymn
Do you have a favourite hymn that you’d like to hear included in one of our worship services? Please let Bonnie C. know your choice and she will make sure it is sung within the month.
A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY
You don’t have offering 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.
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
On Instagram at spiritwestyeg
Office hours
- Norma => 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
- Larry => 10:00 am to 4:00 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