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