September 24, 2017 - Creation 3 with the Blessing of Animals

Greetings,
As we are now in September please note that there are a lot of things happening or starting up again at Spirit West.
 
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
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.  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.
 
The scripture readings for this service are not the Sunday readings from the Common Lectionary, but are for a service in honour of St. Francis. They are Revelation 5: 11-14 and Matthew 6: 25-29.  We seldom hear readings from Revelation, its imagery is sometimes hard to get one’s mind around.  In the passage for this Sunday, we see a vision of heaven where “ every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea” joins in unending praise.  The title of my sermon is “Let All Creation Praise.”
 
 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
The Messy Church that we were hoping to hold on September 30 has been postponed.  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 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 “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.
 
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 
-  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