
Information below about Congregational Meeting, Men’s Breakfast, Stewardship, Poinsettias, Ladies’ Group, Choir Concert and more.
This Sunday – the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
As we move closer to the end of the “church” year, (November 24 is the last Sunday of the year) the scriptures direct us to a reflection on the divine vision for our world. The reading from Isaiah speaks of a new heaven and a new earth. It also speaks of peace and harmony throughout creation. The reading from Luke creates a different picture. In Luke we see images of violence, destruction, persecution and betrayal. To me, it seems that Luke might be describing our current world. But Luke’s images could apply to much of human history. How do we get from the world of Luke to the world of Isaiah? Luke gives us a hint, “by your endurance you will gain your souls.” Keep the vision of Isaiah before you, recognize the truth of the line in the United Church creed, “We are not alone, we live in God’s world.”
The readings for Sunday are Isaiah 65: 17-25 and Luke 21: 5-19. The title of the Sermon is “A new heaven and a new earth.”
During our service we will be welcoming a number of children and infants in the family of God through the Sacrament of Baptism.
FALL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
There will be a Congregational Meeting after worship this 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.
SPIRIT WEST MEN’S BREAKFAST
This Saturday is Men’s Breakfast morning. No pancakes this month. Instead we'll serve you tater tots, eggs, sausages, toast, and the other little bits that go along with it. No heavy activities that we can think of to do. Just come and fill yourself up and enjoy a little conversation. Bring a friend.
Hope to see you Saturday downstairs at 8am.
Stewardship Drive 2019
This Sunday will be the third in our annual “Time, Talent and Treasure”. There are still a few envelopes to be picked up from the Welcome table. Unaddressed forms are also available. You may also have received your Stewardship envelope in the mail. 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 West Ladies’ Group Christmas Party will be held Mon, Dec 2nd at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall of the Church. There will be dinner priced at $20.00 per person. And there will be laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. All women are welcome - feel free to bring a friend! There is a sign- up sheet for the evening, and money can be paid to Margery Wright or Carol Callas. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with an approximate value of $15.00 (or something homemade, including Christmas baking!).
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, 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