Greetings and Happy New Year,
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent, the beginning of a new Christian Year. We reset the calendar and begin again to tell the stories of Jesus and of our relationship with God. Words often associated with Advent are waiting, hope and light. We start the retelling of our stories by recognizing the darkness. The world is not the paradise that God created, and the light of God’s presence has been dimmed by the choices and actions of humanity. But we also proclaim that there is light in the darkness, that there is hope for us.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 33: 14-16 and Luke 21: 25-36. My story in the Time for All Ages is called “It has started…,” and the title of my sermon is “A light in the darkness.”
At this service we will be gathering at the Table in the celebration of Holy Communion, and this will be the first of our two giving Sundays (see next item)
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
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party will be held on Monday, 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 Wright or Carol Callas. 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!).
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. It started on Nov 28 and will be continuing through Dec 5, 12 &19 at 1:30 pm in the lounge. You may still join in if you want too.
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.
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 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
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
This Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent, the beginning of a new Christian Year. We reset the calendar and begin again to tell the stories of Jesus and of our relationship with God. Words often associated with Advent are waiting, hope and light. We start the retelling of our stories by recognizing the darkness. The world is not the paradise that God created, and the light of God’s presence has been dimmed by the choices and actions of humanity. But we also proclaim that there is light in the darkness, that there is hope for us.
The Scripture readings for Sunday are Jeremiah 33: 14-16 and Luke 21: 25-36. My story in the Time for All Ages is called “It has started…,” and the title of my sermon is “A light in the darkness.”
At this service we will be gathering at the Table in the celebration of Holy Communion, and this will be the first of our two giving Sundays (see next item)
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
The Spirit West Women's Group Christmas Party will be held on Monday, 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 Wright or Carol Callas. 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!).
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. It started on Nov 28 and will be continuing through Dec 5, 12 &19 at 1:30 pm in the lounge. You may still join in if you want too.
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.
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 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
