Feb. 26, 2012 - First Sunday in Lent

Blessings,

 

Well, Lent has begun. It started on Wednesday, but at Spirit West we will mark the start of Lent on Sunday. A special part of the Service will be the Liturgy of Ashes. This part of the Service would traditionally have been observed on Wednesday - Ash Wednesday. However, to allow more people to experience this ancient practice it will be part of our Sunday worship. This will also be a "Candle Sunday." Opportunity will be given during the Service to those who wish to light a candle as a sign of a particular prayer offered.

 

Lent is a period of preparation leading towards Easter. The focus of Lent is to "Repent and Believe the Good News." These are the words that conclude this Sunday's Gospel reading. We will look at both Repenting and Believing, because both of these concepts have been terribly mis-handled over the years.

 

The readings are 1 Peter 3: 18-22 and Mark 1: 9-15

 

I've titled my Sermon: "Repent and Believe!"

 

I am offering a Study on the Gospel of Mark on Tuesday evenings in Lent at 7:00 pm at the Church. I am doing this because I think Bible Study in Lent is a great discipline, and I think the Gospel of Mark is a great book to look at. It is considered to be the oldest of the Gospels. It is the shortest. And there are a number of other features which make this Gospel interesting. We will look at questions such as "What is a Gospel?","Who was Mark?", "What was Mark's world like?" and many more. If you are interested let me know, or just show up as you can.

Check out the Important Dates below. If there are events or activities listed that interest you, but you need more information, please call the church (780-481-1406) or email.

See you Sunday,

 

Larry Wright

 

And don't forget to keep up to date at our website http://spiritwest.org or our blog at http://spiritwest.blogspot.com

Important Dates
Tuesdays of Lent, 7:00 pm- The Gospel of Mark

 

Sunday Service, 4 March - Holy Communion

Saturday, 10 March, 7:00 pm - Family Games Night

• Come to our fun night. Come one, come all, all ages, all stages.
• Play Jerusalem Jeopardy, Prophet Pictionary and Christmas Charades. Participate in our Wii     Bowling  tournament, or bend your ear with “Name that Hymn”!
•  Play a game of skill, enter our karaoke or comedy contests, or act out a family or a group skit for us.
•  All are welcome!  Please come and bring your friends too!
• Contact Bonnie at 780 481-1406 for more info.

 Sunday Service, 11 March - Baptism

  

Sunday Service, 18 March - Celtic Sunday - The Music and prayers on this Sunday are inspired by the Celtic Christian tradition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 19, 2012 - Transfiguration Sunday with Baptism

Greetings,
This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday.  It is also the last Sunday before Lent starts.  (Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22.)  Transfiguration is the word used to describe an experience that three of the disciples had with Jesus on a mountain top.  We will be reading Mark'saccount.  It was such an overwhelming experience for the disciples that Peter (Saint Peter, the Rock) did not know what to say.  Even Mark has a bit of trouble describing the experience.  But sometimes that's the way it is with experiences of the Divine, we don't know what to say.  We'll look at Peter's experience and see what happened.  We will also be celebrating the Baptism of Austyn Marie.

The readings are 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6 and Mark 9: 2-10
I've titled my Sermon: "He did not know what to say!"

I will be offering a Study on the Gospel of Mark on Tuesday evenings in Lent.  The first session will be Tuesday, Feb 21 at 7:00 pm atthe Church.  I am offering this because I think Bible Study in Lent is a great discipline, and I think the Gospel of Mark is a great book to look at.  It is considered to be the oldest of the Gospels.  It is the shortest.  And there are a number of other features which make this Gospel interesting.  We will look at questions such as "What is a Gospel?","Who was Mark?", "What was Mark'sworld like?" and many more.  If you are interested let me know, or just show up as you can.

Check out the Important Dates below.  If there are events or activities listed that interest you, but you need more information, please call the church (780-481-1406) or email.

See you Sunday,

Larry Wright

And don't forget to keep up to date at our website http://spiritwest.org or our blog at http://spiritwest.blogspot.com

Important Dates
 Tuesday, 21 February, 7:00 pm- The Gospel of Mark This will be the first session of the Lenten Bible Study and will be at the Church 

Sunday, 26 February, after Church - Annual Congregational Meeting and Potluck   (This is also the First Sunday in Lent)

Saturday, 10 March, 7:00 pm - Family Games Night
Come to our fun night. Come one, come all, all ages, all stages.
Play Jerusalem Jeopardy, Prophet Pictionary and Christmas Charades. Participate in our Wii bowling tournament, or bend your ear with “Name that Hymn”! 
Play a game of skill, enter our karaoke or comedy contests, or act out a family or a group skit for us. All are welcome!
Please come and bring your friends too!
Contact the office at 780-481-1406 for more information.

Feb. 5 - Communion

Greetings,


"Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." This stirring and poetic line comes from this Sunday's reading from the Hebrew Scriptures. It is found in the book of Isaiah. This Sunday's Gospel is concerned with healing, resting, praying and proclaiming. I am going to look at what these two passages say about renewal, what it means in a faith context and what it might look like within the church at both the individual and community level.

We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It may seem that we gathered at the Table rather recently, but that was because in January we celebrated Communion on the third Sunday of the month, what with New Year's Day and Cinnamon Bun Sunday. February puts us back on track for Communion of the first Sunday of the month

The two readings for Sunday are Isaiah 40: 21-31 and Mark 1: 29-39

I've titled my Sermon: "The Shall Mount Up With Wings"

Check out the Important Dates below. If there are events or activities listed that interest you, but you need more information, please call the church (780-481-1406) or email.

See you Sunday,
Larry Wright

Important DatesSunday, 5 February – Holy Communion. There will be a Lunch for Hospitality teams/Greeters after the service
Sunday, 12 February - Congregational Budget Meeting - after Church This is something new. Two weeks before the Annual Congregational Meeting, every one will have an opportunity to meet and discuss the budget of our Church, just the budget.

Sunday, 26 February - Annual Congregational Meeting and Potluck

Jan. 22, 2012 - Baptism

Greetings,


This Sunday at Spirit West we will be celebrating the Baptism of a baby named Sara. The focus of the Service is on Baptism. It is one of the two Sacraments of the United Church. I am playing a bit fast an loose with the lectionary this week. The story of the Baptism of Jesus is usually shared on the second Sunday of the year. But that was our first service of 2012, it was Cinnamon Bun Sunday and it was the Sunday right after Epiphany. So, because we are celebrating a Baptism, we going to focus on Baptism, and what it means for us today, using the readings from an earlier Sunday in the lectionary. The two Bible passages both deal with Baptism, the one from Mark describes the Baptism of Jesus by John. The reading from Acts records a conversation Paul had with members of the Church at Ephesus about their baptism, and their understanding of it.

The two readings are Acts 19: 1-7 and Mark 1: 4-11

I've titled my Sermon: "Into what were you baptized?" That's Paul question to the believers at Ephesus, and one that we might ask ourselves.

Check out the Important Dates below. If there are events or activities listed that interest you, but you need more information, please call the church (780-481-1406) or email.

See you Sunday,

Larry Wright

Important Dates
Saturday, 21 January – Men’s Breakfast

Friday, 27 January – Movie Night – All are invited to join in Friday January 27 with other folk from Spirit West & their friends to see the highly rated “THE IRON LADY’ starring Meryl Streep followed with discussion & refreshments at Marian Tannahill’s house. An email will be sent out next Wednesday or Thursday to give you show time & theatre. For more information call Marian at 780-487-2851.

Sunday, 29 January - Special Congregational Meeting immediately following the Service. The Join Needs Assessment Committee (JNAC) will be officially presenting their Report to the Congregation. This Report was sent to you electronically and hard copies will be available on Sunday. Please read it carefully. This report will provide the wider church with our congregational and community background, needs and vision as well as the "job" description for the Minister's position at Spirit West. This report, once approved by the congregation, goes to Presbytery and then to the wider church. It is a major step in the process of seeking, finding, and calling a minister to this congregation.

Sunday, 5 February – lunch for Hospitality teams / greeters after the service

Jan. 15, 2012 - Communion Sunday

Greetings,


This Sunday at Spirit West we will be celebrating Holy Communion. The focus of the Service is on knowing God and being known by God. The two Bible passages both deal with someone being called by God, and both involve some confusion on the part of the one being called. We will look at that confusion and see what it says to us about our own experiences.

The two readings are 1 Samuel 3: 1-10 and John 1: 43-51

I've titled my Sermon: "How do you know me?"

Come and join the fellowship.



Larry Wright



Important Dates

Saturday, 21 January – Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, 22 January - Sacrament of Baptism

Friday, 27 January – Movie Night

Sunday, 29 January - Special Congregational Meeting immediately following the Service. The Join Needs Assesment Committee (JNAC) will be officially presenting their Report to the Congregation. This Report was sent to you electronically and hard copies will be available on Sunday. Please read it carefully. This report will provide the wider church with our congregational and community background, needs and vision as well as the "job" description for the Minister's position at Spirit West. This report, once approved by the congregation, goes to Presbytery and then to the wider church. It is a major step in the process of seeking, finding, and calling a minister to this congregation.

Christmas Message - Dec. 24, 2011

Greetings in the name of our Saviour whose birth we celebrate,


Christmas has come upon us. As we gather for worhsip on Christmas Eve, we will journey again to Bethlehem, in word and song, to share the story of a birth that changed the world. In that dirty, musty stable let us see the face of God in our midst. Let us feel with the shepherds that joy tinged with wonder and some fear that something momentus has happened in our world. Let us remember with the Magi, that though the way may be long and challenging, God calls to us and can guide us to the place where we are meant to be.



Children who are present at the Service will have the opportunity, if they wish, to be part of a Bethlehem tableau, a live Nativity Scene. St. Francis of Assisi created the first live nativity scene in Greccio, Italy in 1223 in order for the poor of the area to be able to "go the Bethlehem" without having to endure the expense and hardship of a pilgimage to the Holy Land. For Francis, the simple celebration was meant to recall the hardships Jesus suffered even as an infant, a saviour who chose to become poor for our sake, a truly human Jesus.





May the blessings of Christmas be yours,



Larry Wright

Spirit West United Church

(780) 481-1406





Dates to Remember:

— Saturday December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 6:30 pm

— Sunday December 25 - Christmas Day (Sunday) NO SERVICE

— Sunday January 1, 2012 - NO SERVICE

— Sunday January 8, 2012 - CINNAMON BUN SUNDAY - We will gather to worhip God in a more relaxed way. We gather as family and friends around tables and as our souls warm with song and prayer, our bodies will be warmed by hot cinnamon buns and hot drinks. Come and join the fellowship.

Dec. 4 - Advent 2 and Communion

Hello,


This Sunday, the Second Sunday in Advent, the Gospel reading centres on the message of John. John is a fascinating character about whom we do not hear very much in the Scriptures. But what we do hear gives us a picture of a very interesting person. In the western church we know him best as John the Baptist, but there was more to him than that. John is mentioned outside our Scriptures by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37-100 AD) and is regarded as a prophet in Islam. We will take a look at John, his message and ministry, his relationship to Jesus and what he is saying to us.



We will also be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.



We will be hearing two Scripture readings



Psalm 85; and

Mark 1: 1-8



and the title of my reflection is "Prepare the Way"



And don't forget to take a look at the Calendar dates below.





See you Sunday,



Larry Wright

Spirit West United Church

(780) 481-1406





Dates to Remember:

— Sunday December 4 - Holy Communion

— Mpnday Dececember 5 – Ladies’ Group Christmas Party and Gift Exchange

— Sunday December 11 - White Gift Sunday

Traditionally, churches in Canada (and other countries) collect "White Gifts" to help out those in need. You are welcome to bring gifts of clothing such as mitts, socks, hats and scarves to donate to the Jasper Place Wellness Centre. We are focussing on clothing for adults -- these items can be newly purchased OR be gently used. Second hand coats are also appreciated!

— Friday December 16 – Adult Social

— Sunday December 18 - Christmas Concert at 6:30 pm - Santa Tells the Story

— Saturday December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 6:30 pm

— Sunday December 25 - Christmas Day (Sunday) NO SERVICE

United Churches with Sunday, December 25th Services

• United Church Address Time TBA
• Sherwood Park 20 Fir St 9:45 am
• Beverly 11910-40 St 10:00 am
• Grace 6215-104 Ave 10:00 am
• St. Andrew’s 9915-148 St. 10:00 am
• Knox-Metropolitan 8307-109 St 10:30 am
• McDougall 10086 McDonald Dr 10:30 am
• Mill Woods 15 Grand Meadow Cres 10:30 am
• Robertson-Wesley UC 10209-123 st. 10:30 am
• Strathearn 8510-95 Avenue 10:30 am
• Trinity 8810 Meadowlark Rd 10:30 am

For those travelling:

• First Wetaskiwin (location TBA) Time TBA
• Rundle Memorial Banff 10:00 am
• St. Andrew's 1A Fieldstone Drive, Spruce Grove 10:00 am