The was an expression used in the past, though not so much now, “You’re the spittin’ image of your [insert relative.] When I was young, our family would make obligatory visits to elderly relatives. I did not always find this an exciting time. Invariably during these visits, one of the said elderly relatives, if on my father’s side, would say how much my father looked like Uncle Charlie. I never met Uncle Charlie. He apparently died when my father was a child. However on a rare visit to elderly relatives in Prince Edward Island, I saw an old photo of “my father,” but with a long beard. As I looked at the photo, I hazarded a guess. “Is this Uncle Charlie?” I asked. “It is, but how did you know?” The resemblance was remarkable. A few years ago, our family was looking through a historical picture book about the area in Wales where Margery’s mother’s family comes from. One photograph was of a “Dairy Class, 1901,” a group of young women standing in two rows. One of the young ladies in the back row could have been the twin of our daughter Sarah. It was, of course, not Sarah. It turned out that the young lady in the photo was Sarah’s great-grandmother. As some say, “I could tell just by looking at you, who you belonged to.”
In the Gospel on Sunday, Jesus is asked about paying taxes. He asks for a coin. He looks at the coin he is given and asks whose image is on it. The answer of course is “Caesar’s.” Jesus’ next comment is famous, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” If the things of Caesar can be identified by the image they bear, where do we find the image of God?
The readings for Sunday are 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and Matthew 22:15-22. I have titled the sermon, “Whose Image Do You Bear?.”
At this Service we will be welcoming two little ones into the Family of God through Baptism.
MEXICAN FIESTA AND SILENT AUCTION – This Sunday, October 22
Come out for the Spirit West Mexican Fiesta and Silent Auction. Enjoy a Taco Bar, and a great Supper of a variety of homemade chilies, salads and desserts. Get some great deals on the wonderful items in the Silent Auction. Doors open at 5:00, with Supper at 5:30. Tickets are available at the church. Or call the church office to make reservations. See you there!
MEN’S BREAKFAST – October 21
The Men of Spirit West will join for Breakfast this Saturday, October 21 at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall. Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come out for a great breakfast. As a note, each man usually put in $10, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church.
MESSY CHURCH – November 4
We are having a Messy Church on Saturday, November 4 from 4-6 pm. The theme for this Messy Church will be Remembrance and Peace. We will learn about our symbols of Remembrance, and we will be reminded of the Christian call to be peace makers in our world. There will be stories, and crafts and dinner. It’s for the whole family. Children should bring their parents or grandparents. Bring friends as well! See you then!
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 [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 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
[email protected]
Spiritwest.org