March 31, 2013 - Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Greetings,

We are fast approaching the high point of the Christian year.  For the Church, it’s even more important than Christmas.  So here is how we will mark this time at Spirit West.

 Worship during the Triduum
There’s a new word for you (maybe) “Triduum.”  It’s Latin and means Three Days, it’s a  way of saying  “Easter Weekend,”  but is intended to remind us that Easter is the culmination of a journey and includes a significant three day period.  Many theologians have expressed the view, that the full impact of the Resurrection experience of Easter is diminished if one leaves out the experiences of Friday (which includes Thursday night) and Saturday.

Maundy Thursday Seder Supper for Christians
Tonight at 6:00pm we will remember Jesus’ time with his disciples at a Passover meal that became for us Holy Communion.  The is a combination Pot-Luck Supper and Service for the whole family.  Because we need to know how many to set for, if you have not signed up yet please call the church before 3:00 this afternoon.

Good Friday

Friday at 10:30am, a Service of prayer and meditation focusing on reflections on the theme, “The Nails Speak.”

Easter Sunday

Sunday at 10: 30am - The Feast of the Resurrection with Holy Communion.  We will be hearing the resurrection account from the Gospel of John (John 20: 1-18)  We will look at the awkwardness of the first experiences of Jesus’ resurrection as John relates them.  And we will also look at what it means to say, “Christ is Risen!”  in the 21^st century.

Sunday School

Sunday School - Easter Sunday is here and we are planning a party to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  We have games, stories and treats to enjoy.

Wednesday Lenten Study

he Wednesday Lenten Study  (though by then an Easter Study) will gather one last time on Wednesday, April 3^rd.  Same time same place.

rEvolve Concert:  Music to renew the Soul

The Edmonton/United Church based group  rEvolve will play in concert at Spirit West United Church on Sunday, April 14 at 7:00pm.  Mark it on your calendar.  It is hoped that this concert will also be the launch for their new CD.

Messy Church: Pilot – June 1^st

Messy Church is an innovative way to be the Church in a way that appeals to all ages, particularly young families.  It is an opportunity to experience the stories of faith in a different way and time from the typical Sunday morning.  It is an experience of community time involving story and music, a variety of “messy” hands-on crafts and activities, a celebration and dinner.  We will be piloting “Messy Church” on Saturday, June 1st at 4:00pm.  Please spread the word to others who might enjoy this experience.  On June 1^st we will share the story of Noah in a number of ways.  If you want to know more about Messy Church, check our website www.spiritwest.org

Hunger Games Foodraising Pledge

This is a reminder to those of you who sign a foodraising pledge for the Youth of Edmonton United Hunger Games.  Don’t forget to bring in your food.  The drive goes until June of this year.

Important Dates and Youth Events (Y)\

The Triduum

F Thursday, March 28 – Maundy Thursday, 6:00 pm – A Seder for Christians (Pot-luck Supper and Service combined)
F Friday, March 29 – Good Friday Service, 10:30 am – “The Nails Speak”
F Sunday, March 31 – Easter – Celebration of the Resurrection with Communion, 10:30 am

Other Dates

F Sunday, April  7 – Heavenly Humour Sunday  – The Joy of Salvation, 10:30am
F Sunday, April  14 – rEvolve Concert – Music to renew the Soul, 7:00 pm

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

 May the message of new life that we proclaim fill you with joy and hope!

Larry

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org

March 17, 2013 - 5th Sunday of Lent - Celtic Sunday

Sunday Worship
We’re calling this Sunday, Celtic Sunday.  Some of you may know of it as St. Patrick’s Day, but at Spirit West we are going put aside the green beer, and look at what the Celtic Church gave to our understanding of our faith.  The term Celtic Church refers to the church that existed in what we now think of as the British Isles, Ireland and northern France around the 5^th to 9^th centuries.  It was a church that had been established by missionaries from Rome in the early years of the Christian era.  When the Romans pulled out, the church was left to develop on its own. And it did so, producing such figures as Patrick, David and Columba.  But it also developed to the point that when missionaries from Rome came to Britain again centuries later, they found a church that they did not recognize or understand.  Ultimately, much of what made the Celtic church unique was suppressed.  But recent work has been done to seek for that which was lost.  So on Sunday, in word and music we will celebrate the unique gifts of the Celtic church.  The readings from Scripture are not the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, but for the Feast of St. Patrick.  They focus on the call to be the voice for God’s message in a variety of times and places.

In the time for the Story for all ages, we will hear about “Patrick”

From the Scriptures we will hear from the Prophets: Jeremiah 4-9,  and from the Gospels: Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20.
The reflection is, “Saints of the Celtic Church”  

Special Note about the Wednesday Lenten Study

Next week only, the Wednesday Lenten Study will be on Tuesday, March 19, same time same place.

Sunday School

This Sunday we will continue with our Lord's Prayer craft and explore prayers. what they are, who they are for and how do we pray.  See you Sunday.

Membership Classes

Membership Classes will be starting on Sunday afternoons in the near future.  Watch this space and the Sunday announcement sheet for details.

rEvolve Concert:  Music to renew the Soul

It has been confirmed that rEvolve will play in concert at Spirit West United Church on Sunday, April 14 at 7:00pm.  Mark it on your calendar.  It is hoped that this concert will also be the launch for their new CD

Maundy Thursday Seder Supper for Christians

On Maundy Thursday, March 28 at 6:00pm we will remember Jesus’ time with his disciples at a Passover meal that became for us Holy Communion.  The is a combination Pot-Luck Supper and Service.  Because we need to know how many to set up for, we are asking that you sign up.  There will be sign-up sheets available on Sunday.  For those of you who attended the Seder last year, we will be using a different (and somewhat shorter) Haggadah (Order of Service) this year.

Messy Church

Messy Church is an innovative way to be the Church in a way that appeals to all ages, particularly young families.  It is an opportunity to experience the stories of faith in a different way and time from the typical Sunday morning.  It is an experience of community time involving story and music, a variety of “messy” hands-on crafts and activities, a celebration and dinner.  We will be piloting “Messy Church” on Saturday, June 1wt at 4:00pm.  Please spread the word to others who might enjoy this experience.  On June 1^st we will share the story of Noah in a number of ways.  If you want to know more about Messy Church, check our website www.spiritwest.org

Annual Plant Sale

For the past two years, Liane Maitland organized a plant sale here at Spirit West.  It provided the community with some lovely plants.  With Liane’s passing, we have lost our Plant Sale Co-ordinator.  We have willing workers, but we are looking for someone who will take on the role of co-ordinator so that the Plant Sale can continue.  If you are interested, please call the church office (780-481-1406)

Church Photo Directory

At church last Sunday, there seemed to be a general support for a Photo Directory for Spirit West.  Now we are looking for one or two people who would like to work with IPC to make this happen.  This would be to act as the local contact.  If you are interested please talk  to Norma or Larry, or email the church.

Important Dates and Youth Events (Y)
F Sunday, March 17  – Celtic Sunday
F Tuesday, March 19 – Lenten Study, 1:30 pm
F Friday, March 22 – Soul Circle, 1:30 pm
F Tuesday, March 26 – Board Meeting, 7:00 pm

Looking Ahead to Holy Week

F Thursday, March 28 – Maundy Thursday, 6:00pm – A Seder for Christians (Pot-luck Supper and Service combined)
F Friday, March 29 – Good Friday Service, 10:30
F Sunday, March 31 – Easter – Celebration of the Resurrection with Communion, 10:30

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to seeing you.

Céad míle fáilte

Blessings,

Larry

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister

Spirit West United Church

780-481-1406

Spiritwest.minister@telus.net

Spiritwest.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 2013 - 4th Sunday of Lent

Good afternoon,

I will start off with the most important information:

TIME CHANGE!  We change to daylight savings time this weekend.  If you want to get to church on time put your clocks ahead one hour (remember: Spring forward, Fall back) before you go to bed on Saturday night. You have been warned!

Sunday Worship
The  story from Luke’s Gospel this week is a very familiar one.  It is the story of the “Prodigal Son.”  Unfortunately, well know stories are frequently the ones we think we know and understand the best, just because we have heard them so often.  But, have you ever gone back to a familiar childhood story, perhaps because you are now reading it to a child and you realize that there is much more to the story than you remember.  You can now see levels of meaning that you could not see as a child.  I am hoping that we can see the story of the Prodigal Son with new eyes.  I would particularly like to look at the story from the point of view of the different members of the family.  And again, who do we identify with in the story?

In the time for the Story for all ages, we will hear someone say “I found...”

From the Scriptures we will hear from Letters to Churches: 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21,  and from the Gospels: Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32.
The reflection is, “Father, Older Son or Younger Son?”  

Family Fun Night

This Saturday, March 9 at 7:00pm.  A time for the Spirit West family (if you are getting this email, your are part of the family) to get together for some fun.  Lots of planning has gone into this, there will be games for all ages!  Bring your whole family and some snacks to share. 

Membership Classes

Membership Classes will be starting on Sunday afternoons in the near future.  Watch this space and the Sunday announcement sheet for details.

rEvolve Concert

It has been confirmed that rEvolve will play in concert at Spirit West United Church on Sunday, April 14 at 7:00pm.  Mark it on your calendar.  It is hoped that this concert will also be the launch for their new CD

Maundy Thursday Seder Supper for Christians

On Maundy Thursday, March 28 at 6:00pm we will remember Jesus’ time with his disciples at a Passover meal that became for us Holy Communion.  The is a combination Pot-Luck Supper and Service.  Because we need to know how many to set up for, we are asking that you sign up.  There will be sign-up sheets available on Sunday.  For those of you who attended the Seder last year, we will be using a different (and somewhat shorter) Haggadah (Order of Service) this year.

Annual Plant Sale

For the past two years, Liane Maitland organized a plant sale here at Spirit West.  It provided the community with some lovely plants.  With Liane’s passing, we have lost our Plant Sale Co-ordinator.  We have willing workers, but we are looking for someone who will take on the role of co-ordinator so that the Plant Sale can continue.  If you are interested, please call the church office (780-481-1406)

Church Photo Directory

IPC Canada has approached Spirit West about creating a Photo Directory for our church.  The way these directories work, is that the company takes family portraits and these are assembled into a directory along with information about the congregation.  The directories cost the church nothing and every family that is photographed receives a copy.  IPC makes its money by selling photo packages to families, in a manner somewhat similar to school photos.  I will be asking on Sunday if there is interest in pursuing this.  If you might not be here on Sunday, but would like to express your interest, email the church.
 
Important Dates and Youth Events (Y)
F Saturday, March 9  – Family Fun Night, 7:00pm, Lower Hall
F Sunday, March 10  – Lent 4
F Wednesday, March 13 – Lenten Study, 1:30 pm

Looking Ahead to Holy Week

F Thursday, March 28 – Maundy Thursday, 6:00pm – A Seder for Christians (Pot-luck Supper and Service combined)
F Friday, March 29 – Good Friday Service, 10:30
F Sunday, March 31 – Easter – Celebration of the Resurrection with Communion, 10:30

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to seeing you.

Blessings,

Larry

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org