Greetings,
As I prepare this message, I am conscious that Spirit West has lost a long time member. Beryl Currie passed away last night. A service to remember Beryl is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, Oct 7 at the church. Final details will be announced when they are available. Please keep Beryl’s family in your prayers.
THIS SUNDAY – World Communion Sunday
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. Churches of the Reformed Protestant tradition, such as the United Church of Canada, do not celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion every day or every Sunday. It was decided by a number of such denominations starting in the 1940’s that as a demonstration of our unity, we would commit to gathering together as a worldwide community at the Lord’s Table on the first Sunday in October. We would also be joining with all those churches that celebrate the sacrament weekly. For me this is an important witness to our desired unity as Christians, to know that I am part of the gathering, sharing the Bread and Cup, at a Table that surrounds our world.
The reading for this Sunday which will be my focus is from the story of the Exodus. The children of Israel have been complaining about a lack of water. God supplies their need. On World Communion Sunday, we are reminded that we are one family, and that the needs of one part of the family affect the whole family. Water is a symbol of all that gives us life. We use water in Baptism. Bread is a symbol of that which sustains life. Bread is at the heart of Communion. Bread and Water together are symbols of our most basic nourishment. And yet for many people around our world bread and water are hard to find. There is a poster I have seen, which shows Jesus on a bench with a person of our day. Our contemporary asks Jesus, “Why do you allow people to suffer?” Jesus response is, “I was going to ask you the same question.” We could equally be asking God why there are people without water or bread, and know that God could ask us the same question. In the Time for All Ages, I will be looking at the “Gift of Water. The title of my sermon is “Bread and Water?”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School classes have started. If you haven’t registered your child(ren), just fill out a registration form after church and give it to Edina. We continue to use the Season’s of the Spirit program starting with Creation. Have a great weekend and see you Sunday.
MESSY CHURCH – New Dates
We are now looking at having Messy Churches on November 4 and December 16 This is a call out to anyone who is interested in helping with the set-up and presentation of these Messy Churches. This is also the first call for families interested in participating in a Messy Church, a family experience of fellowship, fun and food. For more information about Messy Church, check out the Messy Church Tab on the Spirit West webpage (spiritwest.org)
INNER-CITY PASTORAL MINISTRY LUNCH – SUNDAY, OCT 1 (A note from Lori W.)
First - can I say how much I love our congregation. We are not the largest in terms of numbers - but we do have very large hearts. In case I forget - THANK YOU!
I've sent out a separate list of what all of you wonderful people have volunteered to bring. With that list I also included the names of those who are helping on Sunday and what Outreach has purchased thanks to those who may not have felt like making sandwiches and offered monetary support instead. If you have any questions or concerns about the Lunch, call me at 780-221-7729.
AED (Automated External Defribrillator) TRAINING – Sunday, Oct 15
As many of you may have noticed, the church now has an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Unit mounted outside the washroom on the main floor. These units allow for an immediate response in situations where someone is in cardiac arrest. Although the AED can “talk” a user through its use, it is advisable for some members of the congregation to be familiar with the operation of the unit before it is needed. We are arranging with 4 Point Safety and Training to provide the necessary training course. The training can be completed in an afternoon, so we are suggesting the afternoon of Sunday, October 15 for this training. The “trainees” will have lunch at the church and then course will start around 1:30 pm. If you are interested in taking the training and will be able to attend the course on October 15 please put your name on the sign-up sheet by the church office or phone the church.
FALL SUPPER AND SILENT AUCTION – Sunday, October 22
Mark your calendar for the annual Spirit West Fall Supper and Silent Auction. More details about the time, and ways in which you can be involved will be coming out shortly. Watch this space.
EMPTY JELLY JARS
When you finish enjoying your Spirit West Crabapple Jelly and the jar is empty, would you please return the empty jar to the church. The jars are expensive and reusable, so can be sterilized and reused for next year’s batch of Spirit West Crabapple Jelly!
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).
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 am to 4:00 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
As I prepare this message, I am conscious that Spirit West has lost a long time member. Beryl Currie passed away last night. A service to remember Beryl is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, Oct 7 at the church. Final details will be announced when they are available. Please keep Beryl’s family in your prayers.
THIS SUNDAY – World Communion Sunday
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. Churches of the Reformed Protestant tradition, such as the United Church of Canada, do not celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion every day or every Sunday. It was decided by a number of such denominations starting in the 1940’s that as a demonstration of our unity, we would commit to gathering together as a worldwide community at the Lord’s Table on the first Sunday in October. We would also be joining with all those churches that celebrate the sacrament weekly. For me this is an important witness to our desired unity as Christians, to know that I am part of the gathering, sharing the Bread and Cup, at a Table that surrounds our world.
The reading for this Sunday which will be my focus is from the story of the Exodus. The children of Israel have been complaining about a lack of water. God supplies their need. On World Communion Sunday, we are reminded that we are one family, and that the needs of one part of the family affect the whole family. Water is a symbol of all that gives us life. We use water in Baptism. Bread is a symbol of that which sustains life. Bread is at the heart of Communion. Bread and Water together are symbols of our most basic nourishment. And yet for many people around our world bread and water are hard to find. There is a poster I have seen, which shows Jesus on a bench with a person of our day. Our contemporary asks Jesus, “Why do you allow people to suffer?” Jesus response is, “I was going to ask you the same question.” We could equally be asking God why there are people without water or bread, and know that God could ask us the same question. In the Time for All Ages, I will be looking at the “Gift of Water. The title of my sermon is “Bread and Water?”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School classes have started. If you haven’t registered your child(ren), just fill out a registration form after church and give it to Edina. We continue to use the Season’s of the Spirit program starting with Creation. Have a great weekend and see you Sunday.
MESSY CHURCH – New Dates
We are now looking at having Messy Churches on November 4 and December 16 This is a call out to anyone who is interested in helping with the set-up and presentation of these Messy Churches. This is also the first call for families interested in participating in a Messy Church, a family experience of fellowship, fun and food. For more information about Messy Church, check out the Messy Church Tab on the Spirit West webpage (spiritwest.org)
INNER-CITY PASTORAL MINISTRY LUNCH – SUNDAY, OCT 1 (A note from Lori W.)
First - can I say how much I love our congregation. We are not the largest in terms of numbers - but we do have very large hearts. In case I forget - THANK YOU!
I've sent out a separate list of what all of you wonderful people have volunteered to bring. With that list I also included the names of those who are helping on Sunday and what Outreach has purchased thanks to those who may not have felt like making sandwiches and offered monetary support instead. If you have any questions or concerns about the Lunch, call me at 780-221-7729.
AED (Automated External Defribrillator) TRAINING – Sunday, Oct 15
As many of you may have noticed, the church now has an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Unit mounted outside the washroom on the main floor. These units allow for an immediate response in situations where someone is in cardiac arrest. Although the AED can “talk” a user through its use, it is advisable for some members of the congregation to be familiar with the operation of the unit before it is needed. We are arranging with 4 Point Safety and Training to provide the necessary training course. The training can be completed in an afternoon, so we are suggesting the afternoon of Sunday, October 15 for this training. The “trainees” will have lunch at the church and then course will start around 1:30 pm. If you are interested in taking the training and will be able to attend the course on October 15 please put your name on the sign-up sheet by the church office or phone the church.
FALL SUPPER AND SILENT AUCTION – Sunday, October 22
Mark your calendar for the annual Spirit West Fall Supper and Silent Auction. More details about the time, and ways in which you can be involved will be coming out shortly. Watch this space.
EMPTY JELLY JARS
When you finish enjoying your Spirit West Crabapple Jelly and the jar is empty, would you please return the empty jar to the church. The jars are expensive and reusable, so can be sterilized and reused for next year’s batch of Spirit West Crabapple Jelly!
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).
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 am to 4:00 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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