May 6 - Fifth Sunday after Easter

Greetings everyone!


In this world today we all seem to have really branched out. Many of us are on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn and other Social media. We can post our status for all our "friends" to see. I found out the other day from his Facebook post that a friend of mine in the Netherlands was looking for a router to finish his kitchen cabinets. (it took me a bit to figure this out because his posts are in Dutch and I have to Google translate them, and then try to figure out what the translation means.) We can reach around the world in seconds. We get email (like this one) givng us information and asking for information. But in all this reaching out, are we rooted? To use a plant image, (because it is spring, we have our plant sale coming up, and it is reflected in the gospel reading this Sunday) from where do we get our nourishment, support, inspiration, our grounding? What supports all this reaching out? We know that some of a plant’s nourishment comes from the leaves, but without roots...? I have to be careful that I do not go too far with the plant imagery and make us all sound like runner beans, but the gospel reading for this Sunday uses the image that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. It's an image that would be very familiar in an agricultural world, but I am going to explore it in light of where we have been planted.

The readings are 1 John 4: 7-21, and John 15: 1-8.

I have titled the sermon: "Are You Rooted?"

Blessings,

Larry Wright

As well, please note the Important Dates and the Youth Events below. If you have any questions about any of the events, please contact the church.

As of next Monday, you will be getting an email from Spirit West that will let you know all the events that are happening at Church for the coming week. We want you to have all the information you need about what is going on, so you that you are more able to become involved in the activities that interest you.

Important Dates

Saturday, May 5 – Hampton Community Craft Sale and Spirit West “New to You” Sale at the Church. Volunteers are needed to staff the “Chili Stand” snack counter.

Saturday, May 5, 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 6, 9:00 & 10:30 am, Riverbend United Church – An Abandoned Place-A Cantata presented by Riverbend United Church Youth. There is no charge for this, but free-will offerings will be welcomed.

Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13 – Spirit West Spring Plant Sale Come and pick up your beautiful hanging baskets and spring plants. This event is a fundraiser for Sprit West.

Saturday, June 2 – “4 Churches” Inter-Faith Walk. Talk to Bonnie Lowen or Anne Dingwell to get pledge sheets and more information.

Youth

An Abandoned Place-A Cantata (see above) – the Youth of Edmonton Presbytery are encouraged to attend the performance on Saturday night, May 5.

Future Quest Program for Youth 14-17, Aug 4-18, 2012 at Queen's School of Religion, Kingston ON

For more information see the Pamphlet on the Info Table or http://www.queensu.ca/theology/leadership/futurequest/summer.html