Hello,
This Sunday we start a new Christian year. The idea of a "Christian year" gradually developed in the church to provide a structure for our worship and prayer life. It is comprised of cycles that revolve around the important festivals of our Faith: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. They are respectively, the birth of Jesus, the Resurrection, and the Coming of the Holy Spirit. These cycles are called Seasons. In the agricultural setting of the middle ages, dividing a year into seasons would have probably seemed quite natural. The way we indicate a change of Season in the church by a change of colour in the decoration also comes from this period when people could not read, so that the only way to know the stories of the Bible was to hear them told. Within the Church the Mass was celbrated in Latin, a language unfamiliar to most of the ordinary people. The colours of the church gave them a visual reference point to the seasons. At the time of the Reformation as those of the Protestant movement stressed access to the Bible, developing translations into local languages, the cycles and colours were viewed as unnecessary and distracting and were largely abandoned. It wasn't until the nineteenth century that churches that had abandoned the Seasons, began to recover them, again as a teaching tool. A pattern that was developed at a time when people could not read the Bible, began to be reintroduced for a time when people did not read the Bible.
We will be hearing two Scripture readings - a portion of Psalm 80; and Mark 13: 24-37 - and the title of my reflection is "Signs of Hope".
And don't forget to take a look at the note about Prayer Requests and Calendar dates at the end to the email.
See you Sunday,
Larry Wright
Spirit West United Church
(780) 481-1406
Prayer Requests for the Prayers of the People
Each Sunday members of the congregation are given the opportunity to speak aloud their specific requests for prayer which are then incorporated in the Prayers of the People. In order to provide another means of requesting prayer, especially for those who are not comfortable using the microphone, a small dark blue clipboard has been placed on the Welcome Table by the front doors. You may write your prayer request in the clipboard and during the offering the pages will be brought forward so that your prayer can be incuded with the others in the Prayers of the People. Your prayeer requests will also be given to the Spirit West Prayer Chain for contiued prayer through the week.
As a special note, if you have spoken your request aloud during the service please ensure the Diane Ludlow, the Prayer Chain coordinator has the information to include your prayer in the Prayer Chain. Diane will likely be looking for you after the service, so if you see her first talk to her.
Dates to Remember:
This Sunday, November 27 - Please remember to return your Stewardship Pledge Forms if you have not done so already.
— 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
Here is a list of Uunited Churches which are havibg services on Christmas Day:
- 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
- Strathearn, 8510-95 Avenue, 10:30 AM
- Trinity, 8810 Meadowlark Rd, 10:30 AM
For those travelling:
- First UC, Wetaskiwin (location TBA), Time TBA
- Rundle Memorial UC, Banff, 10:00 AM
- St. Andrew's, 1A Fieldstone Drive, Spruce Grove, 10:00 AM
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