Thursday, December 13, 2012

Dec. 16, 2912 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Joy


Greetings

Worship

This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent, in some churches it is called “Gaudete Sunday” from a Latin word meaning “rejoice.”This is the “pink” Sunday. The focus is joy and expectation.  We continue to be called to prepare for the coming of God into the world, but with this Sunday, there is a note of joyIt is the preparation and anticipation for a new life.  It is sort of like repurposing the spare bedroom or home office for the arrival of a new baby.  It’s a lot of work, but it is usually done with joy and excitement.

From the Scriptures we will hear from the Prophets: Zephaniah 3: 14-20,  and from the Gospels: Luke 3: 7-18.  We will also say/sing together a Canticle or Scripture Song, “Give Thanks” from Isaiah 12: 1a-6

The sermon title is a question taken from the Gospel reading, “What should I do?

Sunday School

The Sunday School lesson is called the City of David and is the story of Joseph and Marry arriving in Bethlehem (The City of David).  It is focused on the humble beginnings of Jesus and his birth in a manager in a bed of straw in a stable as opposed to the castle which one might expect for a king. 

December Celebration at City Hall

Sunday afternoon at 2:00 at the City Hall there will be a  tri-faith (Jewish, Christian, Muslim) December Celebration at City Hall. There will be Music, food and Information sponsored by the Phoenix Multifaith Society for Harmony and the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action.  Members of our choir sang at this event last year.  Musicians from a different church will be participating this year.  Your MC for the event will be your minister.

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES

Sunday evening at 6:30, come join the fun as the musicians and choir of Spirit West United Church present “Christmas Miracles,” a program of story and song for the whole family.

Outreach

If you missed SOCK SUNDAY last Sunday, you can still bring pairs of new warm socks (wool and “diabetic preferred) to Church and they will be gathered up to bring warmth and comfort to Edmonton’s homeless.

BISSELL URGENT APPEAL    www.globaltvedmonton.com

“We are completely out of toothpaste, gloves/mitts, and socks. Anything you can do to help really makes a big difference in the lives of those living without a home at this chilling time of year!”  These items can be brought to Spirit West,  from whence they will be taken to the Bissell Centre.

Christmas Hampers

Again this year, our Church will be providing Christmas Hampers to needy families. See the posters at the back of the Church to sponsor a hamper or sign up to provide a Christmas gift for a child in need.  “Hamper Shopping” will be on Dec 22nd.  Watch this space for more details.

Important Dates and Youth Events (Y)
Sunday, December  16 at 2:00 -  Tri-faith (Jewish, Christian, Muslim) December Celebration at City Hall. Music, food and Information sponsored by the Phoenix Multifaith Society for Harmony and the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action.

Sunday, December 16 at 6:30 pm – CHRISTMAS MIRACLES presented by the musicians of Spirit West.  A wonderful evening for the whole family!

Saturday, December 22 – Hamper Shopping

Sunday, December 23 at 10:30 am – Advent 4

Monday, December 24 at 6:30pm  – CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE, “Let us go now to Bethlehem”

Sunday, December 30 at 10:30 am – Cinnamon Bun Sunday, Where did we get all this stuff? ( a look at some Christmas traditions)

Thanks for reading,  and See you Sunday,

Larry

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org

No comments:

Post a Comment