Greetings,
THIS SUNDAY – REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
This Sunday is “Reign of Christ Sunday.” It is the last Sunday of the Christian Year; yes Advent is just around the corner. (In fact you may have heard Christmas carols in the malls already.) This Sunday marks the end of another year of the retelling of the stories of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, along with stories of the children of Israel and the early Church. Now this past year I have ventured away from the traditional cycle of readings found in the Common Lectionary, and instead have focused on our United Church’s understanding of its theology by looking at our original statement of doctrine. But for the “high days and holy days” I am returning to the Lectionary. So the focus of Reign of Christ Sunday, or as it still called in some parts of the Church, “Christ the King Sunday,” is to move the story and influence of Christ beyond the confines of space and time. It is to place Christ in a global or universal perspective. Although the concept of “King” is not one we think about much, even in a Constitutional Monarch like Canada, the image was important to the early church. On Sunday, we will look at that importance, and see if it resonates in any way with us today.
The readings for this Sunday are Revelation 1: 4b-8 and John 18: 33-37. The Time for All Ages story is called “A different King” And the Sermon title is “Christ, the King?”
Stewardship Drive 2019 – Celebrate a “Giver”
Although our annual “Time, Talent and Treasure” campaign wound up last Sunday, there were a number of people who wanted to celebrate a “Giver.” So, on this Sunday you will have the opportunity to celebrate a “Giver,” someone in the congregation who for you has been a significant part of Spirit West and has contributed to it being Church that you want to call your own.
Living Nativity – A Study for Advent,
Living Nativity is a four session study for Advent which uses as its focus a crèche or nativity scene and the characters found there. The study will take place on Wednesdays starting on Nov 28 and continuing through Dec 5, 12 &19 at 1:30 pm in the lounge. Please sign up on the sheet at the back and please talk to Larry if you would like to do this study but cannot come on these dates.
Christmas Choir Concert - Dec 9th
The Spirit West Choir celebrates the 15th year of Christmas concert making! Please join us on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 for Night of the Father’s Love, a cantata by Pepper Choplin that reflects the awe and mystery of “God with Us” in word and song. Our guest musicians include Donna Dawson, Jessie Ching and HarpBeat! Please invite your family and friends for this special occasion. Donations will be used for the upgrading of our church sound system.
GIVING SUNDAYS at Spirit West - Dec 2 and 9
If you have been around the United Church for a while, you will remember White Gift Sundays in December. I remember as a child bringing my “white gift” to church, sometimes it was boxes of Kraft Dinner® wrapped in white tissue paper. I knew it was to help people called “those in need,” or “those less fortunate.” I hope that whomever got it, enjoyed the KD. But since that time, the church has become more intentional about identifying needs in the wider community and responding to those needs in a more targeted, less random way. In December, Spirit West will be working with the Bissell Centre to respond to identified needs in our community. On the Outreach Table (look for the tree by the lounge windows) you will find copies of the Bissell Centre’s Festive Wishlist. Take a copy, and on our two GIVING SUNDAYS (Dec 2 and Dec 9) we will collect your gifts or stockings during the Time for All Ages. If you have any questions talk to Lori W.
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party will be held Mon, Dec 3rd at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. The dinner will cost $10 per person. 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 W or Carol C. 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 an approximate value of $15.00(or something homemade, including Christmas baking!).
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.
THE NEW UNITED CHURCH REGIONS
When our Region comes into being on January 1, 2019 it will be known as “Northern Spirit Region.”
A NEW 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
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
THIS SUNDAY – REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
This Sunday is “Reign of Christ Sunday.” It is the last Sunday of the Christian Year; yes Advent is just around the corner. (In fact you may have heard Christmas carols in the malls already.) This Sunday marks the end of another year of the retelling of the stories of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, along with stories of the children of Israel and the early Church. Now this past year I have ventured away from the traditional cycle of readings found in the Common Lectionary, and instead have focused on our United Church’s understanding of its theology by looking at our original statement of doctrine. But for the “high days and holy days” I am returning to the Lectionary. So the focus of Reign of Christ Sunday, or as it still called in some parts of the Church, “Christ the King Sunday,” is to move the story and influence of Christ beyond the confines of space and time. It is to place Christ in a global or universal perspective. Although the concept of “King” is not one we think about much, even in a Constitutional Monarch like Canada, the image was important to the early church. On Sunday, we will look at that importance, and see if it resonates in any way with us today.
The readings for this Sunday are Revelation 1: 4b-8 and John 18: 33-37. The Time for All Ages story is called “A different King” And the Sermon title is “Christ, the King?”
Stewardship Drive 2019 – Celebrate a “Giver”
Although our annual “Time, Talent and Treasure” campaign wound up last Sunday, there were a number of people who wanted to celebrate a “Giver.” So, on this Sunday you will have the opportunity to celebrate a “Giver,” someone in the congregation who for you has been a significant part of Spirit West and has contributed to it being Church that you want to call your own.
Living Nativity – A Study for Advent,
Living Nativity is a four session study for Advent which uses as its focus a crèche or nativity scene and the characters found there. The study will take place on Wednesdays starting on Nov 28 and continuing through Dec 5, 12 &19 at 1:30 pm in the lounge. Please sign up on the sheet at the back and please talk to Larry if you would like to do this study but cannot come on these dates.
Christmas Choir Concert - Dec 9th
The Spirit West Choir celebrates the 15th year of Christmas concert making! Please join us on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 for Night of the Father’s Love, a cantata by Pepper Choplin that reflects the awe and mystery of “God with Us” in word and song. Our guest musicians include Donna Dawson, Jessie Ching and HarpBeat! Please invite your family and friends for this special occasion. Donations will be used for the upgrading of our church sound system.
GIVING SUNDAYS at Spirit West - Dec 2 and 9
If you have been around the United Church for a while, you will remember White Gift Sundays in December. I remember as a child bringing my “white gift” to church, sometimes it was boxes of Kraft Dinner® wrapped in white tissue paper. I knew it was to help people called “those in need,” or “those less fortunate.” I hope that whomever got it, enjoyed the KD. But since that time, the church has become more intentional about identifying needs in the wider community and responding to those needs in a more targeted, less random way. In December, Spirit West will be working with the Bissell Centre to respond to identified needs in our community. On the Outreach Table (look for the tree by the lounge windows) you will find copies of the Bissell Centre’s Festive Wishlist. Take a copy, and on our two GIVING SUNDAYS (Dec 2 and Dec 9) we will collect your gifts or stockings during the Time for All Ages. If you have any questions talk to Lori W.
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party will be held Mon, Dec 3rd at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. The dinner will cost $10 per person. 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 W or Carol C. 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 an approximate value of $15.00(or something homemade, including Christmas baking!).
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.
THE NEW UNITED CHURCH REGIONS
When our Region comes into being on January 1, 2019 it will be known as “Northern Spirit Region.”
A NEW 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
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
RSS Feed
