
Please note the announcement about the Congregational Meeting.
This Sunday – the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost – Remembrance Sunday
This Sunday we will be observing Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday preceding Remembrance Day. In the passage from Deuteronomy that will be read on Sunday, the children of Israel are told of the necessity of remembering and telling the stories of their encounters with God. “…take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children…” Our whole faith is in large part dependent on telling stories. There is the old hymn, “Tell me the stories of Jesus.” Stories help shape our identity. And to be honest about our identity we have to be honest in the stories we pass on. We have both stories of great joy and achievement as both people and communities, and we have stories of sadness, loss and failure. On Sunday we will be sharing a number of our stories, stories about war and peace and sacrifice including the story when Jesus says to his followers as they gathered for a meal, “Take eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The readings for Sunday are Deuteronomy 4:9-14 and John 15: 9-13. In the Time for All Ages “It’s story time.” The title of the Sermon is “To your children.”
Croissants and Cinnamon Buns
Once again, it is time for the annual Spirit West Ladies Group fund-raiser. Buy and enjoy delicious cinnamon buns and croissants. Frozen Unbaked Croissants are $8.00 per dozen; frozen Unbaked Cinnamon Buns are $8.00 for a ½ dozen. Order forms are available at the church or on our Facebook page. Return your orders to Diane L. (780 444-0284) or Carol C. (780-481-2662). Last date to order is this Sunday. Nov 10. Orders will be available for pick up at church on Tues, Nov 26 between 2-5pm. If you are unable to pick them up on that date, please advise us when placing your order. Please make cheques payable to Spirit West United Church Ladies Group.
FALL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
There will be a Congregational Meeting after worship on Sunday, Nov. 17. At this meeting, we will present the 2020 Narrative Budget and ask for volunteers to serve on the Board. At this time, the following positions need to be filled: Chair, Vice-Chair, Communications, Membership & Hospitality. Please prayerfully consider volunteering for one of these positions; speak to Bill C or Larry if you are interested in serving our church on the Board.
Stewardship Drive 2019
Our annual “Time, Talent and Treasure” started last Sunday. After church you will be able to pick up your stewardship envelope from the Welcome table. You could also pick up and deliver a neighbour’s, if possible, to cut down on mailing costs. Unaddressed forms are also available. Forms are to be returned to the church by Sunday, Nov 24. Please join us on Nov 24 to mark the completion of our campaign to build for the future of Spirit West United Church.
POINSETTIAS
Spirit West will be selling poinsettias again this year, to beautify the church at Christmas and as a small fundraiser. The plants are being purchased from Salisbury Greenhouse in Sherwood Park, which provided us excellent plants last year. The poinsettias will be placed in the church for the service on Sunday, Dec. 15. We hope you will leave your poinsettia on display and pick it up after the Christmas Eve service, but you can take it home sooner if that doesn't work out for you.
Prices: 6.5" pot: $14; 8" pot: $28; 10" Christmas garden: $28. (The Christmas garden is a low, rectangular container with one poinsettia and tropical plants. It would make a lovely centerpiece.) Orders for poinsettias will be taken after church on Nov 10, 17 and 24, and Dec 1, or you can contact Margery W. at 780 419 3224, or wrightlk@telus.net
LADIES’ GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Spirit Ladies’ Group Christmas Party will be held Mon, Dec 2nd at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. Save the date! More details will follow soon! All women are welcome - feel free to bring a friend!
CHOIR CONCERT
Please join us on Sunday, Dec. 8th at 6:30 for GREAT JOY, a cantata that tells a Christmas story in word and music. In addition to the Spirit West Choir, we will also hear the HarpBeat harp choir and other instrumentalists. Please invite your family and friends for this special occasion. Donations to will be gratefully accepted.
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
• Seasonal items are now being collected for the Jasper Place Wellness Center and the Bissell Center – underwear, socks, scarves, mitts, refillable water bottles, hand warmers, etc. These can be left at the “Giving Tree” (in the sanctuary by the lounge windows) for distribution.
• Bissell Festive Wishlist – Pick up a Bissell Festive Wishlist from the back table or from under the “Giving Tree”, fill a stocking with items from the list or purchase a gift for a child; bring them to church on Dec 15. They will then be delivered to Bissell.
Anne Frank–A History For TodayEdmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum is hosting an exhibition focused on the life of Anne Frank from October 28, 2019 to January 31, 2020. The exhibit also explores the history of the Holocaust and the experience of Canadian Soldiers during the Second World War. The international travelling exhibition from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam consists of 34 bilingual panels in English and French that focus on the life of Anne Frank, as well as the history of the Holocaust and the Second World War in Europe. Additional displays are dedicated to the experience of Canadian soldiers. The content of the exhibition targets Grades 5-12, but appeals to all.
The exhibit will be open to the general public:
- Thursdays, November 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2019 from 3-7 p.m.
- Monday, November 11, 2019 from 12-4 p.m.
- Thursdays, January 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2020 from 3-7 p.m.
COMMUNION SERVERS
At Spirit West we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, (or the Lord’s Supper, or the Eucharist) once a month, normally on the first Sunday. Serving communion involves the minister and at least three people from the congregation who assist. We are seeking out those who would like to be Communion Servers. This is not a perpetual commitment. Glenna W. has made up a schedule for the next twelve months (i.e twelve services). You will find it with the other sign-up sheets by the office. You can pick which date(s) you would like to be part of serving team. If you have any questions about the role of a Communion Server, speak to Larry or Glenna.
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.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
Office hours
- Norma => 11:00 am to 4:00 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