Greetings
In terms of the lectionary and the Christian church year, this Sunday is the last Sunday of the year. Believe it or not, Advent starts on Nov. 29. The name given to this Sunday is “Christ the King,” or in its more gender neutral appellation “The Reign of Christ.” The point of the Sunday, as we reach the end of the lectionary is to contemplate the place of Christ, the one known in his earthly life as Jesus of Nazareth, in the church and in the world. But even in Jesus’ day there was a variety of opinion as to who Jesus was: rebel leader, king, messiah, carpenter from down the street, prophet, healer, heretic. That variety continues in the church and in the world today. So, who is Jesus?
The Readings for Sunday are Revelation 1: 4b-8 and John 18: 33-37. With the children I will talking about the “Cross and Crown” and the title of the sermon is “Who is Jesus?”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have Sunday School. Come join the fun as we learn together the stories of our faith through the Seasons of the Spirit.
We could always use a few more people who are willing to give some time as teachers or helpers. If you are interested call the office or sign your name on the Sunday School sign-up sheet by the church office.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 22
November 22nd is the last Sunday of the Christian liturgical year, it is also the date when we will be having a Congregational Meeting. At this congregational meeting will be looking at the coming year for Spirit West United Church. We will have a preliminary look at the 2016 budget (There will be a Congregational Budget meeting in the new year) We will also be looking at those who administer the work of our church, the Church Board. A church congregation does not operate by divine intervention alone. It requires the work and commitment of a number of people. As you can see from the table below, we have a number of individuals who have committed themselves to the role of chair or coordinator of the various committees that support the full ministry of our church inside and outside our congregation. You will also see vacancies. We need you. Please consider offering your gifts and talents to your church as part of the Board. If the work of a particular committee interests you, but you are not sure, or if you would like to know more about what a particular committee does, please ask questions. Talk to me or to Gerry.
Committee/Position
Person
Board Chair
Gerry Maciejko
Communications
vacant
Community/Pastoral Care
Shannon Focht
Education & Faith Formation
vacant
Membership
Bill Callas
Ministry & Personnel
John Punko
Operations Co-Chair
Bob Hoy
Operations Co-Chair
vacant
Outreach Co-Chair
Doreen Olynyk
Outreach Co-Chair
Lori Walkhouse
Presbytery Representative
Rhea Olson
Secretary
Norma Balcombe
Stewardship
vacant
Treasurer
Marj Hewitt
Vice Chair
Bill Callas
Worship
Margaret Benson
Trustee
Bill Callas
Trustee
Dev Chankasingh
MEN’S BREAKFAST
This Saturday at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall is Men’s Breakfast. Any man associated with Spirit West (and his friends) are welcome. The food is always great, and so is the fellowship. For those who might join us for the first time, we normally contribute $10 each, it covers the cost of the food and adds to the Men’s Breakfast Maintenance Fund. This fund is used to pay for small maintenance projects around the church.
MESSY CHURCH
The next Messy Church – Messy Advent – is being held on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 4-6 pm. It’s going to be a fun time, we have some interesting crafts planned. A big thank you to those who have volunteered. There are still a couple of Volunteer opportunities available: crafts, kitchen, set up! Please see Larry if you are able to volunteer!
Decorating the Sanctuary for advent/Christmas
The annual decorating of our church will take place following worship on Sunday, Nov. 29.
If you are able to stay to help out, it would be appreciated!
We especially need folks who are willing to finish the tree, put out nativity scenes, get up on ladders to do high decorating and to put out lights on our deck.
Bissell Centre Winter Wish
This year, Bissell is asking that we share the warmth of our lives by filling a stocking for a man or women in need, or providing a gift for a child. The list of items to go in each stocking is available on the back table (BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISHLIST). You can either pack your gifts in a stocking (available for a dollar at Dollarama stores all throughout the city) or drop them off in white plastic bags. The gifts must be at the church on Dec. 6 or 13 to then be delivered to Bissell.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Again this year, Spirit West will be providing Christmas Hampers to struggling families in the city. This year the Hamper Drive is being coordinated by Lori and Bill W. In response to concerns brought forward last year, the size and cost of the hampers has been reduced, though our hampers will be in keeping with those provided by other organizations. There are a number of ways to support this project. The full cost to sponsor a hamper is $150, but this cost can be shared with others (ie. 2 x $75 or 3 x $50). We are hoping to purchase frozen turkeys in advance, and are asking people to adopt a turkey by offering room in your freezer to store a turkey until the hampers are packed. You can also help with the Christmas Hamper Shopping Trip on December 19, starting a 6:00 pm at the church. When we have the family details of those to receive hampers, you can purchase a gift for a child in the family. Information and sign-up sheets are at the church.
Spirit West Women’s Group Christmas Party
The Spirit West Women’s Group Christmas Party will be held on Monday, December 7th at 6:00 PM in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. Tickets are $20 per person and include a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. All women are welcome – feel free to bring a friend! Please see Terri-Lynn H. or Liz O. for tickets. We will have laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with a value between $15 to $20 maximum (or something homemade!). If you are able to help out with the food or drinks, please see Colleen F.
SPIRIT WEST CHOIR – “JOY TO THE WORLD” CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 13th at 6:30. Join us, as in music and word we celebrate with joy God’s promise and gift of our Messiah.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:00 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday
- 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
In terms of the lectionary and the Christian church year, this Sunday is the last Sunday of the year. Believe it or not, Advent starts on Nov. 29. The name given to this Sunday is “Christ the King,” or in its more gender neutral appellation “The Reign of Christ.” The point of the Sunday, as we reach the end of the lectionary is to contemplate the place of Christ, the one known in his earthly life as Jesus of Nazareth, in the church and in the world. But even in Jesus’ day there was a variety of opinion as to who Jesus was: rebel leader, king, messiah, carpenter from down the street, prophet, healer, heretic. That variety continues in the church and in the world today. So, who is Jesus?
The Readings for Sunday are Revelation 1: 4b-8 and John 18: 33-37. With the children I will talking about the “Cross and Crown” and the title of the sermon is “Who is Jesus?”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have Sunday School. Come join the fun as we learn together the stories of our faith through the Seasons of the Spirit.
We could always use a few more people who are willing to give some time as teachers or helpers. If you are interested call the office or sign your name on the Sunday School sign-up sheet by the church office.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 22
November 22nd is the last Sunday of the Christian liturgical year, it is also the date when we will be having a Congregational Meeting. At this congregational meeting will be looking at the coming year for Spirit West United Church. We will have a preliminary look at the 2016 budget (There will be a Congregational Budget meeting in the new year) We will also be looking at those who administer the work of our church, the Church Board. A church congregation does not operate by divine intervention alone. It requires the work and commitment of a number of people. As you can see from the table below, we have a number of individuals who have committed themselves to the role of chair or coordinator of the various committees that support the full ministry of our church inside and outside our congregation. You will also see vacancies. We need you. Please consider offering your gifts and talents to your church as part of the Board. If the work of a particular committee interests you, but you are not sure, or if you would like to know more about what a particular committee does, please ask questions. Talk to me or to Gerry.
Committee/Position
Person
Board Chair
Gerry Maciejko
Communications
vacant
Community/Pastoral Care
Shannon Focht
Education & Faith Formation
vacant
Membership
Bill Callas
Ministry & Personnel
John Punko
Operations Co-Chair
Bob Hoy
Operations Co-Chair
vacant
Outreach Co-Chair
Doreen Olynyk
Outreach Co-Chair
Lori Walkhouse
Presbytery Representative
Rhea Olson
Secretary
Norma Balcombe
Stewardship
vacant
Treasurer
Marj Hewitt
Vice Chair
Bill Callas
Worship
Margaret Benson
Trustee
Bill Callas
Trustee
Dev Chankasingh
MEN’S BREAKFAST
This Saturday at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall is Men’s Breakfast. Any man associated with Spirit West (and his friends) are welcome. The food is always great, and so is the fellowship. For those who might join us for the first time, we normally contribute $10 each, it covers the cost of the food and adds to the Men’s Breakfast Maintenance Fund. This fund is used to pay for small maintenance projects around the church.
MESSY CHURCH
The next Messy Church – Messy Advent – is being held on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 4-6 pm. It’s going to be a fun time, we have some interesting crafts planned. A big thank you to those who have volunteered. There are still a couple of Volunteer opportunities available: crafts, kitchen, set up! Please see Larry if you are able to volunteer!
Decorating the Sanctuary for advent/Christmas
The annual decorating of our church will take place following worship on Sunday, Nov. 29.
If you are able to stay to help out, it would be appreciated!
We especially need folks who are willing to finish the tree, put out nativity scenes, get up on ladders to do high decorating and to put out lights on our deck.
Bissell Centre Winter Wish
This year, Bissell is asking that we share the warmth of our lives by filling a stocking for a man or women in need, or providing a gift for a child. The list of items to go in each stocking is available on the back table (BISSELL CENTRE WINTER WISHLIST). You can either pack your gifts in a stocking (available for a dollar at Dollarama stores all throughout the city) or drop them off in white plastic bags. The gifts must be at the church on Dec. 6 or 13 to then be delivered to Bissell.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Again this year, Spirit West will be providing Christmas Hampers to struggling families in the city. This year the Hamper Drive is being coordinated by Lori and Bill W. In response to concerns brought forward last year, the size and cost of the hampers has been reduced, though our hampers will be in keeping with those provided by other organizations. There are a number of ways to support this project. The full cost to sponsor a hamper is $150, but this cost can be shared with others (ie. 2 x $75 or 3 x $50). We are hoping to purchase frozen turkeys in advance, and are asking people to adopt a turkey by offering room in your freezer to store a turkey until the hampers are packed. You can also help with the Christmas Hamper Shopping Trip on December 19, starting a 6:00 pm at the church. When we have the family details of those to receive hampers, you can purchase a gift for a child in the family. Information and sign-up sheets are at the church.
Spirit West Women’s Group Christmas Party
The Spirit West Women’s Group Christmas Party will be held on Monday, December 7th at 6:00 PM in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. Tickets are $20 per person and include a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. All women are welcome – feel free to bring a friend! Please see Terri-Lynn H. or Liz O. for tickets. We will have laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with a value between $15 to $20 maximum (or something homemade!). If you are able to help out with the food or drinks, please see Colleen F.
SPIRIT WEST CHOIR – “JOY TO THE WORLD” CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 13th at 6:30. Join us, as in music and word we celebrate with joy God’s promise and gift of our Messiah.
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 Shannon F. at 780-481-5262, Marian T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:00 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday
- 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
RSS Feed
