Greetings
This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday before Remembrance Day. As you might imagine, this Sunday and Remembrance Day are particularly significant for me because of my history. But I am also aware of that many of our Remembrance Day ceremonies and rituals fall short of what is truly needed. In the Gospel reading for Sunday, Jesus commends the sacrifice of a widow who gives two copper coins, worth a penny, into the Temple treasury. Jesus says, “...she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” What inspires people to make such sacrifice? What vision is compelling the widow to put her life in jeopardy for the sake of the Temple? What inspires people to serve in an army or similar armed force? What vision compels them to put their life in jeopardy for the sake of....? Recently I was reading a calendar announcement in the albertaviews magazine about an exhibition at The Military Museums in Calgary. As the description states, the Museum “...is showing a collection of landscape silkscreens by famous Canadian artists that played a vital role in shaping our national identity. During the Second World War, the prints were hung in soldiers’ quarters to remind them what they were fighting for.” This Sunday we will look at some of those images, and images created during and after the war to see what they might tell us about the vision the soldiers’ had, and that we might have for our country and the world. The art of war. Remembrance Day is not just about remembering the dead, it is about remembering the vision that inspired their sacrifice. There is one line in the poem “In Flanders’ Fields,” that says to us, “to you from failing hands we throw the torch.” Their work is not done.
The Readings for Sunday are Psalm 127 and Mark 12: 38-44. In the Time for All Ages I will share the story (I hope), “Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion” and the title of the sermon is “The Art of War.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (in church)
The Worship Committee is asking that in order to facilitate an effective and efficient process, please have your announcements in to the church office by Wednesday at noon so that they can be included in the Sunday announcements sheet and in the Thursday eMessage.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have resumed Sunday School. Come join the fun as we learn together the stories of our faith through the Seasons of the Spirit.
We could still use a few 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 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 vacant
Presbytery Representative Rhea Olson
Stewardship vacant
Vice Chair Bill Callas
Worship Margaret Benson
Poinsettias To Decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas
Advent is just around the corner and it is time once again to order poinsettias to adorn our sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. If you are interested in ordering a plant to support the Worship Committee, please see Margery or Rebecca Wright. Various sizes, colours and prices are available.
Messy Church
The next Messy Church – Messy Advent – is being held on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 4-6 pm. Volunteer opportunities available: crafts, kitchen, set up! Please see Larry if you are able to volunteer!
SPIRIT WEST CHOIR – CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 13th at 6:30. Watch this space for more details in the coming weeks.
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 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- 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
This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday before Remembrance Day. As you might imagine, this Sunday and Remembrance Day are particularly significant for me because of my history. But I am also aware of that many of our Remembrance Day ceremonies and rituals fall short of what is truly needed. In the Gospel reading for Sunday, Jesus commends the sacrifice of a widow who gives two copper coins, worth a penny, into the Temple treasury. Jesus says, “...she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” What inspires people to make such sacrifice? What vision is compelling the widow to put her life in jeopardy for the sake of the Temple? What inspires people to serve in an army or similar armed force? What vision compels them to put their life in jeopardy for the sake of....? Recently I was reading a calendar announcement in the albertaviews magazine about an exhibition at The Military Museums in Calgary. As the description states, the Museum “...is showing a collection of landscape silkscreens by famous Canadian artists that played a vital role in shaping our national identity. During the Second World War, the prints were hung in soldiers’ quarters to remind them what they were fighting for.” This Sunday we will look at some of those images, and images created during and after the war to see what they might tell us about the vision the soldiers’ had, and that we might have for our country and the world. The art of war. Remembrance Day is not just about remembering the dead, it is about remembering the vision that inspired their sacrifice. There is one line in the poem “In Flanders’ Fields,” that says to us, “to you from failing hands we throw the torch.” Their work is not done.
The Readings for Sunday are Psalm 127 and Mark 12: 38-44. In the Time for All Ages I will share the story (I hope), “Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion” and the title of the sermon is “The Art of War.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (in church)
The Worship Committee is asking that in order to facilitate an effective and efficient process, please have your announcements in to the church office by Wednesday at noon so that they can be included in the Sunday announcements sheet and in the Thursday eMessage.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have resumed Sunday School. Come join the fun as we learn together the stories of our faith through the Seasons of the Spirit.
We could still use a few 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 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 vacant
Presbytery Representative Rhea Olson
Stewardship vacant
Vice Chair Bill Callas
Worship Margaret Benson
Poinsettias To Decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas
Advent is just around the corner and it is time once again to order poinsettias to adorn our sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. If you are interested in ordering a plant to support the Worship Committee, please see Margery or Rebecca Wright. Various sizes, colours and prices are available.
Messy Church
The next Messy Church – Messy Advent – is being held on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 4-6 pm. Volunteer opportunities available: crafts, kitchen, set up! Please see Larry if you are able to volunteer!
SPIRIT WEST CHOIR – CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 13th at 6:30. Watch this space for more details in the coming weeks.
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 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
- 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
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