September 1, 2013 - Pentencost 15 with communion

Hello everyone,

As we move toward September (this Sunday is Sept 1^st), activities at Spirit West are starting to gear up again.  Note especially the Welcome Back Sunday and Community Corn Roast below.

Worship
This Sunday as we gather at the Table for Communion, the readings challenge us to think about who is at the Table and who is not.  Who sends out the invitation to Christ’s Table?  Who decides the guest list?  Where are each one of us in the story?

The Scripture Readings are: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 and Luke 14: 1, 7-14. 

The Story for all ages is about St. Lawrence of Rome, a tale of heroism, ingenuity and treasure from the middle of the 3^rd century

The Sermon title is, “Who is at the table?”

Call for Teachers:  

It’s that time again.  Sunday School registration is Sept. 8^th.  We are starting with a whole new curriculum, “Seasons of the Spirit,” (great name) which should be great fun.  Our classes have been growing so we need extra help.  Also our children are growing and new members are joining so we need help.  Our children are our future.  Contact Dana at danielanddana@shaw.ca, 780-761-5028 or Edina at brepairs@shaw.ca or 780-481-3508 for more information.

Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum Info Meeting Postponed

The meeting that Dana, Edina and I were going to have tonight to introduce the new curriculum to teachers and other interested adults has had to be postponed.  Watch this space for a new date.

Welcome Back Sunday and Community Corn Roast, Sep. 8^th   

September 8^th is going to be a big Sunday at Spirit West.  There will be registration for our Sunday School, as well as something a bit new.  At noon (following the service) we will be hosting a Community Corn Roast.  We are holding the Corn Roast in cooperation with the New Ministries Development Committee of Edmonton Presbytery (who are providing funding).  It is a free event and open to the whole community around Spirit West.  Invite your neighbours to come.  Join us for hot dogs, corn on the cob and apple crisp and lots of fun!  There are signup sheets at the church if you wish to volunteer to shuck corn, help set up, or bake an apple crisp.  You can also call or email Edina at brepairs@shaw.ca or 780-481-3508 to offer your help.

Spirit West Prayer Chain

As many of you know, Spirit West has a Prayer Chain, a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week.  To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com .  You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address.

 Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 Larry

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

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

August 25, 2013 - Pentecost 14

Hello everyone,

I am back from holidays now.  I had a good time on our “stay-cation”  at the beginning of the holiday.  I got some yard work done that I have been wanting to do for quite a while.  We also went to Ontario for a couple of weeks.  We visited my sister and her family in Kingston and did some touristy things.  Then off to Toronto where Rebecca and I attended the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) Connect Conference.  This is the same annual conference that Rebecca and I attended in Atlanta last year.  Paul and Margery did touristy things, and when the NAIN Connect was over Rebecca and I joined them for more touristy things.  We got back to St. Albert last Saturday afternoon.

Worship
From time to time we read in the Bible stories about people who do not agree with what God is doing.  They have issues with the way God works.  They are annoyed with the people God seems to be favouring.  They don’t approve of God’s plans.  This Sunday’s readings are two such stories.  In one we have someone who is being called to be a prophet and does not want the job.  In the other, Jesus relieves a women of her burden of pain and suffering, and those around Jesus object because he did it on the wrong day.  In both stories, the people raising objections sincerely believe that God/Jesus has made a serious mistake.   If God/Jesus really understood the situation, then obviously a different course of action would be required.

The Scripture Readings are: Jeremiah 1: 4-19 and Luke 13: 10-17. 

The Story for all ages will focus on the reading from Jeremiah, “But you’re a child.”

The Sermon title is, “Excuse me, God,  but...”

For children

Until Sunday School resumes on September 8th, children remain upstairs for whole Service.  I am aware that the age range in Church during the summer is quite wide, from babes in arms to “um” those with considerable life experience, and I will endeavour to make the worship interesting and understandable for all.  In addition, there are activity packs available for children who are more comfortable if their hands are busy.  The Lounge/Nursery is also available for children (or parents) who need to move around in a more controlled environment.  For those of you who have not made use of this room on a Sunday, there are books and toys, and the room is connected to the main sanctuary by windows and  speakers so that you can still be part of the worshipping community.

Welcome Back Sunday and Community Corn Roast, Sep. 8^th   

September 8^th is going to be a big Sunday at Spirit West.  There will be registration for our Sunday School, as well as something a bit new.  At noon (following the service) we will be hosting a Community Corn Roast.  We are holding the Corn Roast in cooperation with the New Ministries Development Committee of Edmonton Presbytery (who are providing funding).  It is a free event and open to the whole community around Spirit West.  Invite your neighbours to come.  Join us for hot dogs, corn on the cob and apple crisp and lots of fun!  Stay tuned to this space next week for all the details.

Call for Teachers:  

It’s that time again.  Sunday School registration is Sept. 8^th.  We are starting with a whole new curriculum, “Seasons of the Spirit,” (great name) which should be great fun.  Our classes have been growing so we need extra help.  Also our children are growing and new members are joining so we need help.  Dana and Edina are having a workshop on the evening of Thurs. 29^th to introduce the new curriculum to interested parents and other adults.  Our children are our future.  Contact Dana at danielanddana@shaw.ca, 780-761-5028 or Edina at brepairs@shaw.ca or 780-481-3508 for more information.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 Larry
 

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

Minister

Spirit West United Church

780-481-1406

Spiritwest.minister@telus.net

Spiritwest.org

 

August 18, 2013 - Pentecost 13

Hello everyone,

Rev. Larry is on holidays now and will be back in the office on Tuesday, Aug 20.  During that time Sunday services will be led by Anne Dingwell and Edina Tillotson.  The minister on call for pastoral emergencies is Jo-Ann Wilson Symonds of Trinity United.  Please call the church office for contact information for Jo-Ann.

Worship
Anne Dingwell and Edina Tillotson are leading the worship service this week.

The Scripture Readings are 1 Kings 1:37-40, Philippians 4: 4-9 and Revelation 5:11-14

The Sermon title is  “Make a Joyful Noise”

For children during the Summer

As the Sunday School has ended for the summer, children remain upstairs for whole Service.  I am aware that the age range in Church during the summer is quite wide, from babes in arms to “um” those with considerable life experience, and I will endeavour to make the worship interesting and understandable for all.  In addition, there are activity packs available for children who are more comfortable if their hands are busy.  The Lounge/Nursery is also available for children (or parents) who need to move around in a more controlled environment.  For those of you who have not made use of this room on a Sunday, there are books and toys, and the room is connected to the main sanctuary by windows and  speakers so that you can still be part of the worshipping community.

During the Summer

Our congregation’s activity level will be much lower during July and August, but the Church is not closed.  Services will continue every Sunday.  If you are away, try checking out another church, you might find something exciting that you can bring back.  If you have friends or family visiting, bring them to Church if you can.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Norma for

 Larry

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

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

Spiritwest.org

August 11, 2013 - Pentecost 12

Hello everyone,

Rev. Larry is on holidays now and will be back in the office on Tuesday, Aug 20.  During that time Sunday services will be led by Anne Dingwell and Edina Tillotson.  The minister on call for pastoral emergencies is Jo-Ann Wilson Symonds of Trinity United.  Please call the church office for contact information for Jo-Ann.

Worship
Edina Tillotson are leading the worship service this week.

The Scripture Readings are John 11:1 - 3 & 8 – 16 and Hebrews 11:23 – 27

The Sermon title is  “Faith 101”

For children during the Summer

As the Sunday School has ended for the summer, children remain upstairs for whole Service.  I am aware that the age range in Church during the summer is quite wide, from babes in arms to “um” those with considerable life experience, and I will endeavour to make the worship interesting and understandable for all.  In addition, there are activity packs available for children who are more comfortable if their hands are busy.  The Lounge/Nursery is also available for children (or parents) who need to move around in a more controlled environment.  For those of you who have not made use of this room on a Sunday, there are books and toys, and the room is connected to the main sanctuary by windows and  speakers so that you can still be part of the worshipping community.

During the Summer

Our congregation’s activity level will be much lower during July and August, but the Church is not closed.  Services will continue every Sunday.  If you are away, try checking out another church, you might find something exciting that you can bring back.  If you have friends or family visiting, bring them to Church if you can.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Norma for

 Larry

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

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

Spiritwest.org

August 4, 2013 - Pentecost 11

Hello everyone,

Rev. Larry is on holidays now and will be back in the office on Tuesday, Aug 20.  During that time Sunday services will be led by Anne Dingwell and Edina Tillotson.  The minister on call for pastoral emergencies is Jo-Ann Wilson Symonds of Trinity United.  Please call the church office for contact information for Jo-Ann.

Worship
Anne Dingwell and Edina Tillotson are leading the worship service this week.

The Scripture Readings are Matthew 6: 25-34 and 1 John 2:3-6

The Sermon title is  “Slow Down – Invite God in”

For children during the Summer

As the Sunday School has ended for the summer, children remain upstairs for whole Service.  I am aware that the age range in Church during the summer is quite wide, from babes in arms to “um” those with considerable life experience, and I will endeavour to make the worship interesting and understandable for all.  In addition, there are activity packs available for children who are more comfortable if their hands are busy.  The Lounge/Nursery is also available for children (or parents) who need to move around in a more controlled environment.  For those of you who have not made use of this room on a Sunday, there are books and toys, and the room is connected to the main sanctuary by windows and  speakers so that you can still be part of the worshipping community.

During the Summer

Our congregation’s activity level will be much lower during July and August, but the Church is not closed.  Services will continue every Sunday.  If you are away, try checking out another church, you might find something exciting that you can bring back.  If you have friends or family visiting, bring them to Church if you can.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Norma for

 Larry

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

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