Greetings,
Today Margery and I mark 32 years of marriage. We are not celebrating today because Margery is driving to a UCW event in Vermilion. We plan to celebrate on Saturday.
In the announcements below please note the information about the Preparatory Potato Peeling Party!
THIS SUNDAY – THE “BASIS OF UNION” LECTIONARY: SIN
Article V of the Basis of Union is entitled “Of the Sin of Man.” So this Sunday we will be looking at sin. Now, this may not seem like a riveting topic. After all, sinning is what other people do. We don’t talk about sin much in the United Church. To suggest that the people in the pews (or chairs) are sinners seems counter-productive. But we need to have a better understanding of sin, particularly as it is seen in the Christian scriptures. In the New Testament, the usual word for sin is ἁμαρτία (hamartia). It is, of course, a Greek word. It actually means “to miss the mark.” Since Christian faith is often seen as a journey or perhaps a race toward the Divine, sin is then anything that takes us off course or gets us lost along the way. Sin is not just about doing bad things, though this is certainly part of it, because committing an act that is hurtful or destructive certainly “misses the mark.” Sin is more about losing our focus or direction, and this happens to all of us. We are all sinners. We will hear more about the corrective for this situation, and there is one, in future Sundays. But this Sunday we will focus on sin.
The readings I have chosen for this Sunday are Genesis 3: 1-7, 22-24 and Romans 7: 14-25.. In the Time for All Ages I call “Squirrel.” I hope you have seen the movie “Up.” And the Sermon will take its title from the title of Article V: “Of the Sin of Man.”
Fall Supper and Silent Auction – Oct 21
Our Fall Supper, a Roast Beef Dinner, and Silent Auction will be held on Sunday, Oct 21 in the Lower Hall of the church starting a 5:00 pm for Beverages and Silent Auction and 5: 30 pm for Dinner. This is an annual fund-raiser for the church. Tickets are now available at $20/adult, $10/ age 6-12, and free for 5 and under. Bring your family, bring your friends! Call the church office and have a table of eight set aside for you group.
There is a sign-up sheet at the church for volunteers. There are also letters of introduction available for those who are going to local businesses for silent auction items
Preparatory Potato Peeling Party – October 21
In preparation for the wonderful Roast Beef Dinner at our Fall Supper and Silent Auction, members of the congregation are invited to bring their favourite potato peeler (either the kitchen gadget or family member) with them to church on Sunday, Oct 21. (My mother often had a potato peeler in her purse, because you just never know…) After church, those with peelers, and those who would like to join in with a borrowed peeler can gather for a fun and fast time of fellowship and potato peeling. Because you can’t have a roast beef dinner without potatoes!
SUNDAY SCHOOL – Something New!
Our newest project for Sunday School is to start a Junior Youth Christian Group. We need help from you to identify what this age group (ages 9 and up) would like to do for Youth Group and when they would like to have it and how often. We know the kids are busy with after school activities and out of school activities so their time is short. We can still have it Sunday mornings once a month or every other Sunday. Also we need to know what the kids would like to do with this class. Of course it will be Christian based but there are many activities we can do. So we are asking for your cooperation to tell us what, when and how often. If we have enough participation we will start as soon as possible. So please talk to Edina or any of the other teachers or Larry. Edina is available at 780-481-3508 or [email protected]. You can also contact the church. We are also very excited to start this. I look forward to hearing from you.
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.
Outreach at Spirit West
Seasonal items are being collected for the Jasper Place Wellness Centre and the Bissell Centre. As we move into the fall, underwear, socks, scarves, mitts, refillable water bottles, hand warmers, etc. would be helpful. These can be left at the Giving Tree by the lounge windows.
THE NEW UNITED CHURCH REGIONS and a Contest to “Name That Region”
As you might know, at the recent General Council of the United Church of Canada, the plans were approved to restructure our denomination. As of January 1, 2019 we move from four levels of governance (Pastoral Charge, Presbytery, Conference, and General Council) to three levels (Faith Community, Region, and Denominational Council) Spirit West changes from being a Pastoral Charge in Edmonton Presbytery, Alberta and Northwest Conference to being a Faith Community in Region 2. “Region 2” is a place holder name for the region. We want a “real” name. Please see the newsletter on the literature carousel for information on our new Regions, and on the contest to “Name That 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. It was suggested at a Board Meeting that everyone give the donate button a try (just to make sure it works, of course)
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 [email protected] . 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
[email protected]
Spiritwest.org
Today Margery and I mark 32 years of marriage. We are not celebrating today because Margery is driving to a UCW event in Vermilion. We plan to celebrate on Saturday.
In the announcements below please note the information about the Preparatory Potato Peeling Party!
THIS SUNDAY – THE “BASIS OF UNION” LECTIONARY: SIN
Article V of the Basis of Union is entitled “Of the Sin of Man.” So this Sunday we will be looking at sin. Now, this may not seem like a riveting topic. After all, sinning is what other people do. We don’t talk about sin much in the United Church. To suggest that the people in the pews (or chairs) are sinners seems counter-productive. But we need to have a better understanding of sin, particularly as it is seen in the Christian scriptures. In the New Testament, the usual word for sin is ἁμαρτία (hamartia). It is, of course, a Greek word. It actually means “to miss the mark.” Since Christian faith is often seen as a journey or perhaps a race toward the Divine, sin is then anything that takes us off course or gets us lost along the way. Sin is not just about doing bad things, though this is certainly part of it, because committing an act that is hurtful or destructive certainly “misses the mark.” Sin is more about losing our focus or direction, and this happens to all of us. We are all sinners. We will hear more about the corrective for this situation, and there is one, in future Sundays. But this Sunday we will focus on sin.
The readings I have chosen for this Sunday are Genesis 3: 1-7, 22-24 and Romans 7: 14-25.. In the Time for All Ages I call “Squirrel.” I hope you have seen the movie “Up.” And the Sermon will take its title from the title of Article V: “Of the Sin of Man.”
Fall Supper and Silent Auction – Oct 21
Our Fall Supper, a Roast Beef Dinner, and Silent Auction will be held on Sunday, Oct 21 in the Lower Hall of the church starting a 5:00 pm for Beverages and Silent Auction and 5: 30 pm for Dinner. This is an annual fund-raiser for the church. Tickets are now available at $20/adult, $10/ age 6-12, and free for 5 and under. Bring your family, bring your friends! Call the church office and have a table of eight set aside for you group.
There is a sign-up sheet at the church for volunteers. There are also letters of introduction available for those who are going to local businesses for silent auction items
Preparatory Potato Peeling Party – October 21
In preparation for the wonderful Roast Beef Dinner at our Fall Supper and Silent Auction, members of the congregation are invited to bring their favourite potato peeler (either the kitchen gadget or family member) with them to church on Sunday, Oct 21. (My mother often had a potato peeler in her purse, because you just never know…) After church, those with peelers, and those who would like to join in with a borrowed peeler can gather for a fun and fast time of fellowship and potato peeling. Because you can’t have a roast beef dinner without potatoes!
SUNDAY SCHOOL – Something New!
Our newest project for Sunday School is to start a Junior Youth Christian Group. We need help from you to identify what this age group (ages 9 and up) would like to do for Youth Group and when they would like to have it and how often. We know the kids are busy with after school activities and out of school activities so their time is short. We can still have it Sunday mornings once a month or every other Sunday. Also we need to know what the kids would like to do with this class. Of course it will be Christian based but there are many activities we can do. So we are asking for your cooperation to tell us what, when and how often. If we have enough participation we will start as soon as possible. So please talk to Edina or any of the other teachers or Larry. Edina is available at 780-481-3508 or [email protected]. You can also contact the church. We are also very excited to start this. I look forward to hearing from you.
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.
Outreach at Spirit West
Seasonal items are being collected for the Jasper Place Wellness Centre and the Bissell Centre. As we move into the fall, underwear, socks, scarves, mitts, refillable water bottles, hand warmers, etc. would be helpful. These can be left at the Giving Tree by the lounge windows.
THE NEW UNITED CHURCH REGIONS and a Contest to “Name That Region”
As you might know, at the recent General Council of the United Church of Canada, the plans were approved to restructure our denomination. As of January 1, 2019 we move from four levels of governance (Pastoral Charge, Presbytery, Conference, and General Council) to three levels (Faith Community, Region, and Denominational Council) Spirit West changes from being a Pastoral Charge in Edmonton Presbytery, Alberta and Northwest Conference to being a Faith Community in Region 2. “Region 2” is a place holder name for the region. We want a “real” name. Please see the newsletter on the literature carousel for information on our new Regions, and on the contest to “Name That 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. It was suggested at a Board Meeting that everyone give the donate button a try (just to make sure it works, of course)
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 [email protected] . 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
[email protected]
Spiritwest.org
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