
As we are now in September please note that there are a lot of things happening or starting up again at Spirit West.
THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday I will be paying more attention to the reading from the Law, which is part of the continuing story of the journey of the Children of Israel to the promised land. The story this week involves the crossing of the Red Sea, the event captured so spectacularly by Charleton Heston in The Ten Commandments. This Exodus story also evokes images of immigrants and refugees crossing a sea, putting their lives in peril as they journey to a place they have never seen, a better world, a promised land. If we read our newspapers (?) or watch the news, does this sound like a scenario being played out today.
The scripture readings are Exodus 14: 19-31 and Matthew 18: 21-35. In the Time for All Ages I will be looking at “Water Wings”, and the title of the sermon is “Crossing the Sea.”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School classes start this Sunday. 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.
MEN’S BREAKFAST – This Saturday, Sept 16
The Men of Spirit West will gather for Breakfast this Saturday, September 16 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 dollars, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS- Sunday, September 24
As has been the custom at Spirit West for a few years, the Service on the last Sunday of September includes the Blessing of Animals. This date was chosen because of its relative proximity to the Feast of St. Francis. St. Francis was a great advocate of seeing and celebrating the presence of God in all of creation. So, you are invited to bring your pet(s) to church on Sunday, September 24. Please remember that your pet(s) must be under positive control, either on a leash or in a carrier. If your pet does not play well with others, tends to fight or bite, or does not travel well, just bring a picture.
MESSY CHURCH – Saturday, September 30
Edina T. and I are planning on holding a Messy Church on the afternoon of September 30. This is a call out to anyone who is interested in helping with the set-up and presentation of this Messy Church. 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 Save the date!
Spirit West will be co-sponsoring the ICPM Lunch at the Bissell Centre on Sunday, October 1.
We will be looking for: Donations of time, food, and/or money if you are unable to help volunteer your time cooking or working;
Various food donations (loaves of sandwiches, cut raw vegetables, desserts, whole fruit, etc.);
10 - 12 volunteers to deliver the food to Bissell, help prepare it for the people who come to the lunch, and to serve. (A time commitment of approx. 830am - 2pm)
Lori W. will has sign-up sheets available at the back of the church for food and volunteers. If you have questions or you want to confirm what you can contribute, you can call Lori at home (leave a message if necessary).
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 idea is that “trainees” have lunch at the church and then the course would 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.
THE SPIRIT WEST APPLE TREES
The apple trees along the north side of the Spirit West property are ready for picking (some almost past ready). There are a variety of trees; tart apples that are good for baking and sweeter apples good for eating. There are also crab apples (jelly made from these apples is available for $5/jar) So bring a bucket or a bag and help yourself!
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
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 11 am to 4 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