October 27, 2013 Pentecost 23 - Reformation Sunday

Greetings,

In this eMessage, while mentioning some of usual things, I ask you to take special note of the paragraphs on the Congregational Meeting that will be held this Sunday after Church.

 

Worship this Week
This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, and as the United Church is a product of the Reformation I will be looking at what it means to be a Reformed and Reforming Church.

 

The time for all ages poses the challenge that “I don’t like it that way!”
The readings are: Jeremiah 31; 31-34  and John 8: 31-36

The Sermon title is again this week not very imaginative... “Reformed and Reforming”

 

Congregational Meeting – This Sunday, immediately after the worship service.  At this meeting, you will be given an update on the significant events as well as the finances of the church.  A huge challenge for us in the coming year is that a number of people who have served in leadership positions on the Board, (some for a number of years) have indicated that they can no longer serve in these positions.  We need people to come forward to serve in these positions.  But as those who are stepping down finish their terms at the end of this year, they have also indicated that they will continue to serve on our committees, but not as Chairs. 

Our Treasurer, Carol, has indicated that she cannot continue as Treasurer.  We must elect a Treasurer at this Congregational Meeting.  As yet no name has been put forward for this position.  This is a critical position for the congregation.  Carol is willing to work with and assist the new Treasurer.  If you believe you may have the aptitude for this position, please contact the Church as soon as possible.  We must have a Treasurer. 

We also hoped to have names of those who are willing to be appointed as chairs of committees and serve as the Board for Spirit West for the coming year.  So far, nothing firm.  In order to effectively function as a congregation these positions must be filled. We need Chairs for Stewardship, Membership/Hospitality, and Outreach.

This meeting will not be a long one, particularly if people (you) step forward in service.  The attendance of all of you who consider Spirit West your church is important.

Remember the words of one of the hymns in last Sunday’s service, “We are the hands and feet of Christ, serving by grace each other’s need.”

 

I have attached the minutes of the Congregational Meeting of Oct. 21, 2012, for your review.  

 

Fall Supper and Silent Auction – 5:30 pm, Sun, Nov. 3^rd. pm at the church. Come join us for a delicious meal of roast beef-on-a-bun, baked beans, salads, veggies and mouth-watering desserts with wine & beverages. After-dinner activities include rip-roaring silent auction.  Everyone Welcome! Tickets: $25.00/ adult, $60.00/ family or $15.00/youth..  See Janice Shields to purchase your tickets.  A fund-raiser for the church!

Silent Auction: In conjunction with the Fall Supper.  A fund-raiser for the church! We need donations of goods and /or services from you, your friends, families, etc!  Please take a letter (available on Sunday on the front table) and approach local businesses for donations of goods or services.  All items must be delivered to the church by Nov. 1.  Please indicate the value of the item.

 

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – This fun, fun fund-raiser for the church will take place during the month of November. This is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and to get to know church friends a little better. You will have the opportunity this Sunday to select where you will dine and to provide any dietary restrictions.  A free will offering, in envelopes, will be collected by the host.  A minimum offering of $25.00 per person is suggested.  Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties.

 

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.

 

Dates to Remember    (Y) Youth of Edmonton United Event

F  (Y) Saturday, Oct 26 – 7:30 pm HALLOWEEN DANCE (Riverbend United)

F Sunday Oct 27 – CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – after Church

F Sunday, Nov 3 – 5:30 pm FALL SUPPER and SILENT AUCTION

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. See you Sunday!

Blessings,

 Larry

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

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

October 20, 2013 - Pentecost 22

Greetings,

Worship this Week
We have an interesting story in the Gospels this week.  It is often know at the Parable of the Persistent Widow.  It is the story of a widow’s quest for justice from a judge who “neither feared God nor had respect for people.”  The story has always been taken as an exhortation to persistence in prayer, but I would like to look at it as a call to persistence in seeking justice.  And, because we are often able to put ourselves into the parables, are we the widow or the judge?

The time for all ages asks the question “How many times...?”
The readings are: Jeremiah31; 27-34  and Luke 18: 1-8

The Sermon title is not very imaginative... “The Widow and the Judge”

Messy Church  - Oct 19 - The Loaves and Fishes

This Saturday, Oct 19 starting at 4:00 pm.  We will be sharing the story of the “Loaves and Fishes”, where a child helps Jesus teach the grown-ups a lesson.  We then have some craft and play time.  I am not going to tell you what the crafts are, but some of them are MESSY.  And then we all sit down and share a yummy dinner together.  This is not something that adults just bring children to, this is an opportunity for adults and children to play, learn and grow together.  Come on out, and bring your friends, it’s FUN!

Congregational Meeting – Sunday, Oct. 27, immediately after the worship service.  At this meeting, you will be given an update on the significant events as well as the finances of the church.  We will be electing a Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer to serve the congregation starting on Jan 1, 2014.  We will also present the names of those who are willing to be appointed as chairs of committees and serve as the Board for Spirit West for the coming year.  I have listed below those positions which will be vacant and for which we have no nominations.  In order to effectively function as a congregation these positions must be filled. If you are interested in volunteering for or knowing about any Board or Committee Position, please talk to me or Daniel Robinson. 

For Election (a critical need!!!)

Treasurer – advanced accounting skills not required, but a comfort with numbers and bookkeeping are important.  Carol Callas has served faithfully and well as Treasurer for a number of years, but has indicated that she will not stand for re-election.  We need a Treasurer!  Give this your prayerful consideration.

For Appointment (also vital to the congregation!)

Chair of Stewardship – Dave Sutherland resigned from this position in June due to changing work life.  The Chair of Stewardship with the Stewardship Committee (new members welcome) works with the Board and the Treasurer to develop ways for the people of the congregation to share their gifts (time, talent, treasure)

Fall Supper and Silent Auction – 5:30 pm, Sun, Nov. 3^rd. pm at the church. Come join us for a delicious meal of roast beef-on-a-bun, baked beans, salads, veggies and mouth-watering desserts with wine & beverages. After-dinner activities include rip-roaring silent auction.  Everyone Welcome! Tickets: $25.00/ adult, $60.00/ family or $15.00/youth..  See Janice Shields to purchase your tickets.  A fund-raiser for the church!

In conjunction with the Fall Supper.  A fund-raiser for the church! We need donations of goods and /or services from you, your friends, families, etc!  Please take a letter (on the sign-up table) and approach local businesses for donations of goods or services.  All items must be delivered to the church by Nov. 1.  Please indicate the value of the item.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – This fun, fun fund-raiser for the church will take place during the month of November. This is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and to get to know church friends a little better. Those who wish to host a dinner are asked to contact Bill Callas at 780-481-2662 or Sheila Hoy at 780-960-3878 by Wednesday, Oct. 16^th. Hosts need to indicate the dates and times of their dinners and the number of guests they will be hosting. If there is a theme for the evening, this should also be provided.  Guests will have the opportunity on Oct. 20^th to select where they will dine and to provide any dietary restrictions.  A free will offering, in envelopes, will be collected by the host.  A minimum offering of $25.00 per person is suggested.  Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties.

Youth Hallowe’en Dance – Riverbend United

October 26TH, 7:30-10:30   Riverbend United Church - 14907 45 AVE
BRING $5  - WEAR A COSTUME - BRING A FRIEND - BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES

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.

Dates to Remember    (Y) Youth of Edmonton United Event

F Saturday, Oct 19 – 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast – Lower Hall.  All Spirit West men (and/or their friends) are welcome to attend ($10 toward food and Men’s Church Maintenance Fund)
F Saturday, Oct 19 – 4:00 pm MESSY CHURCH (Loaves and Fishes)
F (Y) Saturday, Oct 26 – 7:30 pm HALLOWEEN DANCE (Riverbend United)
F Sunday Oct 27 – CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – after Church
F Sunday, Nov 3 – 5:30 pm FALL SUPPER and SILENT AUCTION (Loaves and Fishes)

 Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Blessings,

 Larry

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

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

October 13, 2013 - Last Sunday of Creation Tine - Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving,

Worship this Week  - Thanksgiving Sunday
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving Sunday.  In doing a bit of reading on Thanksgiving in Canada, I discovered that the first “Thanksgiving” Service held by a European in what is now Canada (Newfoundland) was celebrated in 1578 by the Chaplain to the Frobisher Expedition.  The Service was a thanksgiving for a safe return from an unsuccessful and dangerous attempt at discovering a northwest passage through the Arctic.  I also discovered that Thanksgiving in Canada was not always on the second Monday in October, that date is fairly recent.  In 1879, the Parliament of Canada declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day. Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed “A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed... to be observed on the second Monday in October.”  Of course the church and other religious communities have been celebrating services of Thanksgiving, usually in connection with harvest, long before the secular observance of what I heard on the radio called “Turkey Day.”   The reading from Deuteronomy highlights God’s command to the children of Israel in this regard.

The readings are: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 and John 6: 25-35

The Sermon title is “Attitude of Gratitude”

Messy Church  - Oct 19 - The Loaves and Fishes

Messy Church is coming on Oct 19 starting at 4:00 pm.  If you are not familiar with Messy Church, this is an opportunity for the whole family to engage in some spiritual exploration in a setting that is different than Sunday Morning.  There is a story time.  (On Oct 19 we will be sharing the story of the “Loaves and Fishes”, where a child helps Jesus teach the grown-ups a lesson.  This is the only miracle other than the Resurrection that appears in all four Gospels.)  We then have some craft and play time.  I am not going to tell you what the crafts are, but some of them are MESSY.  And then we all sit down and share a yummy dinner together.  This is not something that adults just bring children to, this is an opportunity for adults and children to play, learn and grow together.  Come on out, and bring your friends, it’s FUN!

Messy Church - Craft request

Liz O. is planning a craft for Messy Church and it will require empty toilet paper rolls and/or empty paper towel rolls.  She will need one per participant.  We are not sure of numbers, but would like 60 to 80 to be safe.  Please bring your empty toilet rolls/paper towel rolls in to church this Sunday or during the coming week as we need them for October 19^th

If you would like to help out with the set-up for Messy Church, help at a Craft station, or if you would like help make or serve dinner please call the church office (780-481-1406).

Fall Supper – 5:30 pm, Sun, Nov. 3^rd. pm at the church. Come join us for a delicious meal of roast beef-on-a-bun, baked beans, salads, veggies and mouth-watering desserts with wine & beverages. After-dinner activities include rip-roaring silent auction.  Everyone Welcome! Tickets: $25.00/ adult, $60.00/ family or $15.00/youth..  See Janice Shields to purchase your tickets.  A fund-raiser for the church!

Silent Auction – 5:30 pm, Nov 3, in conjunction with the Fall Supper.  A fund-raiser for the church! We need donations of goods and /or services from you, your friends, families, etc!  Please take a letter (on the sign-up table) and approach local businesses for donations of goods or services.  All items must be delivered to the church by Nov. 1.  Please indicate the value of the item.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – This fun, fun fund-raiser for the church will take place during the month of November. This is a terrific time to enjoy a fabulous meal and to get to know church friends a little better. Those who wish to host a dinner are asked to contact Bill Callas at 780-481-2662 or Sheila Hoy at 780-960-3878 by Wednesday, Oct. 16^th. Hosts need to indicate the dates and times of their dinners and the number of guests they will be hosting. If there is a theme for the evening, this should also be provided.  Guests will have the opportunity on Oct. 20^th to select where they will dine and to provide any dietary restrictions.  A free will offering, in envelopes, will be collected by the host.  A minimum offering of $25.00 per person is suggested.  Please plan on attending one of these sensational evening parties.

Congregational Meeting – Sunday, Oct. 27, immediately after the worship service.  At this meeting, you will be given an update on the significant events as well as the finances of the church.  Board Elections will also be held.  If you are interested in volunteering for or knowing about any Board or Committee Position, please talk to Daniel Robinson.   

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.

Dates to Remember    (Y) Youth of Edmonton United Event

F Sunday, Oct 13 –  10:30 am, Thanksgiving Sunday
F Saturday, Oct 19 – MESSY CHURCH (Loaves and Fishes)

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Blessings,

 Larry

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

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

October 6, 2013 - Creation 5 - World Communion Sunday

Hi again,

Worship this Week  - World Communion Sunday
Well, we survived another “Animal Sunday” last week.  On the whole, everyone was well behaved, including the humans.  This week we celebrate World Communion Sunday.  Since its inception in a Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1936, World Communion Sunday has expanded through Protestant churches around the world.  We will look at the reasons for the idea.  We will also look at the challenges this celebration highlights, and why some people say there should be no World Communion Sunday.

The Time for All Ages will focus on “Bread, bread, bread!”

The readings are: Proverbs 8:1-31 and John 6:35-51

The Sermon title is “A Table Divided”

Messy Church  - Oct 19 - The Loaves and Fishes

Another Messy Church is coming on Oct 19 starting at 4:00 pm.  If you are not familiar with Messy Church, this is an opportunity for the whole family to engage in some spiritual exploration in a setting that is different than Sunday Morning.  There is a story time.  (On Oct 19 we will be sharing the story of the “Loaves and Fishes”, where a child helps Jesus teach the grown-ups a lesson.  This is the only miracle other than the Resurrection that appears in all four Gospels.)  We then have some craft and play time.  I am not going to tell you what the crafts are, but some of them are MESSY.  And then we all sit down and share a yummy dinner together.  This is not something that adults just bring children to, this is an opportunity for adults and children to play, learn and grow together.  Come on out, and bring your friends, it’s FUN!

If you would like to help out with the set-up for Messy Church, help at a Craft station, or if you would like help make or serve dinner please call the church office (780-481-1406).

Bissell Centre

Itwas said in the past that the Bissell Centre would help the poor of Edmonton come hell or high water.  This year the Bissell Centre has experienced both, though not in that order.  During the summer, the basement of their main centre was flooded destroying a childcare centre.  This is still under reconstruction.  And you will also have heard that the Bissell Thrift Shop was badly damaged by fire recently.  At the meeting of Edmonton Presbytery on Tuesday night, a motion was passed to donate $10,000  to the Bissell Centre to meet some of the expenses not covered by insurance.  If you would like to learn more about the Bissell Centre, or would like to make a donation go to http://bissellcentre.org/

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.
 

Dates to Remember    (Y) Youth of Edmonton United Event

F Sunday, Oct 6 –  10:30 am, World Communion Sunday
F Sunday, Oct 13 –  10:30 am, Thanksgiving Sunday
F Saturday, Oct 19 – MESSY CHURCH (Loaves and Fishes)

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Blessings,

 Larry

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

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