December 1, 2013 - Advent 1 - Hope

Happy New Year

Worship this Week   

Believe it or not, this Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent, the first Sunday of the Christian year.  (For those who follow the lectionary closely, we are beginning year A of the three year cycle.)  As Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of Christ we will look at what that means.  The focus of the first Sunday of Advent is Hope, and that is what I will be focussing on.  What is hope?  Why hope?  How do you know when your hopes have been realized? 

The time for all ages will be centred on a Manger, the first in a series called Gifts of the Manger.

The Scripture readings are Romans 13: 11- 14 and Matthew 24: 36 – 44.

The Sermon title is “The Unexpected Hour.”

Stewardship Campaign – November (and the first week of December) is Stewardship Month

We have extended Stewardship Month at Spirit West by another week.  This is to give people, who may not have already done so, a chance to turn in their pledge sheets and program surveys yet.  (I’m actually one of them!)  Check out the thermometers on the wall by the coffee maker upstairs.

White Gift Sundays – Put a Gift Under the Tree

A tradition in many United Churches for years has been a White Gift Sunday.  Gifts wrapped in white paper were collected for distribution to those in need.  Lately at Spirit West we have been putting gifts under the big Christmas Tree at the front of the church.  This year you have two opportunities to put gifts under our Christmas Tree, Sunday, Dec 8 and Sunday, Dec 15.  The gifts do not have to be wrapped in white.  The gifts collected will go to the Bissell Centre.  The wish list from Bissell incudes: Adult & children clothing, socks & undergarments, Adult & children winter outer wear, Books (reading & colouring), DVDs & VHS Videos, Games and toys for all ages, Stuffies, plush toys, or teddy bears, Household / family items, Christmas decorations, Wrapping paper, and Blankets

 Croissant and Cinnamon Bun Sale

Once again, the Women’s Group of Spirit West will be selling frozen ready-to-bake croissants and cinnamon buns. (ed.  If you haven’t tried them, they are very good)  The Women’s Group have been able to maintain the price at $7.00/dozen for the croissants and $7.00/1/2 dozen for the cinnamon buns.  With the proceeds from this sale, the Women's Group is able to help our church financially, pay for sponsoring a foster child and supporting other outreach initiatives such as Win House, the Youth Emergency Shelter, Bissell Centre and sending inner city children to camp in the summer. The date of packaging and pick-up will be Wednesday, December 11,2013.  Please pick up after 3 pm.

If you have any questions, would like an order form to use at your office or school,  or can help with packaging on the day of delivery, please contact Diane at 780 444-0284.

United Church of Canada -  Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Appeal

Members of The United Church of Canada have shown their generosity this past week. A total of $235,271.25 has been given by 1515 donors (as of 8:45 a.m., Wednesday, November 20).

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and ACT Alliance partners on the ground in the Philippines are co-ordinating relief and reconstruction efforts and have begun to receive the funds. All donations received BY DECEMBER 9TH will be matched by our Canadian government.

Information on the Appeal is being updated regularly - www.united-church.ca/haiyan

United Church of Canada - Comprehensive Review

From coast to coast to coast, we have begun a conversation about the future of The United Church of Canada. Through the work of the Comprehensive Review Task Group, the church is exploring new ways of being faithful in a rapidly changing time and society.  Visit http://www.unitedfuture.ca/?utm_source=UCC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=44  to join and share in conversation offering your hopes, fears, dreams and visions to the discussion.

 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, Dec 1 – 10:30 am Sunday Worship –The First Sunday of Advent with Communion
F Monday, Dec 9 – Women’s Group Christmas Dinner
F Wednesday, Dec 11 – croissant pick-up day
F Sunday, Dec 15 – Poinsettia arrival day / Choir Christmas concert
F Tuesday, Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Service

 

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

November 24, 2014 = Reign of Christ Sunday

Greetings

Worship this Week   

This Sunday is Reign of Christ Sunday (in the old days it was called Christ the King Sunday).  It is the last Sunday of the Christian Church year.  It’s in a way the big finish to the symphony that has been our journey through the year.  In a denomination such as ours, where we are generally suspicious of any absolute authority, what do we mean by the Reign of Christ?  Is this something that we look forward to at the “end of the world?”  Is Christ’s reign present now?  How do we speak to the evangelical atheists in our community about the place of Christ in our world, without making God seem like a rule making kill-joy.  How do we put together those widely differing concepts of our faith – submission and freedom?  I can’t say that I will be able to answer all these questions on Sunday, but let’s give it a go.

The Scripture readings are Colossians 1: 11-20 and Luke 23: 33-43.  We will also be singing a passage from Luke’s gospel (Luke 1: 68-79) which is usually called “The Song of Zechariah.”

The Sermon title is “The Big Finish!”

United Church of Canada -  Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Appeal

Members of The United Church of Canada have shown their generosity this past week. A total of $235,271.25 has been given by 1515 donors (as of 8:45 a.m., Wednesday, November 20).

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and ACT Alliance partners on the ground in the Philippines are co-ordinating relief and reconstruction efforts and have begun to receive the funds. All donations received BY DECEMBER 9TH will be matched by our Canadian government.

Information on the Appeal is being updated regularly - www.united-church.ca/haiyan

Youth of Edmonton United  - LRT Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt

Join in our LRT Amazing Race (scavenger hunt) Friday, November 22. 7 - 10 p.m.  We will begin and end at St Paul's United Church 11526 76 Ave.  Bring your bus pass and or bus tickets, dress warmly.  Let me know if your are planning to attend.
Stewardship Campaign – November is Stewardship Month
Just a quick reminder, if you haven’t picked up or received your stewardship campaign information envelope, please let Norma at the church office know.  For those of you who do  have your packages, we would like to have your pledge form and your volunteer opportunities form returned this Sunday.  Look for the box with the flashing light.

Croissant and Cinnamon Bun Sale

Once again, the Women’s Group of Spirit West will be selling frozen ready-to-bake croissants and cinnamon buns. (ed.  If you haven’t tried them, they are very good)  The Women’s Group have been able to maintain the price at $7.00/dozen for the croissants and $7.00/1/2 dozen for the cinnamon buns.  With the proceeds from this sale, the Women's Group is able to help our church financially, pay for sponsoring a foster child and supporting other outreach initiatives such as Win House, the Youth Emergency Shelter, Bissell Centre and sending inner city children to camp in the summer. The date of packaging and pick-up will be Wednesday, December 11,2013.  Please pick up after 3 pm.

If you have any questions, would like an order form to use at your office or school,  or can help with packaging on the day of delivery, please contact Diane at 780 444-0284.

Choir Christmas Concert!  The Spirit West choir invites you to attend our annual Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6:30.  This year's production is a cantata entitled "Night of the Father's Love" by Pepper Choplin -- it tells the familiar story of the birth in a fresh and new way and promises to help you enjoy the spirit of Christmas in a unique way!  Please come to support your choir and bring your friends! The choir is looking for children to participate in our Christmas concert through dramatic movement.  If your child (or grandchild) may be interested, please talk to Bonnie Cannam @ 780-444-2230.

United Church of Canada - Comprehensive Review

From coast to coast to coast, we have begun a conversation about the future of The United Church of Canada. Through the work of the Comprehensive Review Task Group, the church is exploring new ways of being faithful in a rapidly changing time and society.  Visit http://www.unitedfuture.ca/?utm_source=UCC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=44  to join and share in conversation offering your hopes, fears, dreams and visions to the discussion.

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) Friday, Nov 22 - Youth of Edmonton United  - LRT Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt (details above)
F Sunday, Nov 24 – 10:30 am Sunday Worship
F Monday, Nov 25 – 7:00 pm Ladies’ Relaxation Yoga Evening (Lower Hall)
F Wednesday, Nov 27 – 7:00 pm Board Meeting (Central Lounge)
F Sunday, Dec 1 – 10:30 am Sunday Worship –The First Sunday of Advent with Communion
F Sunday, Dec 15 – 6:30 pm – Choir Christmas Concert

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

 

November 17, 2013 - Pentecost 26 - Children's Sunday - with baptism

Greetings

 Worship this Week   

I noted on the United Church wall calendar that this was Children’s Sunday.  Gathering had nothing really about it, except the heading.  So I googled “Children’s Sunday” and got a whole page of resources and services from the United Church of Canada website.  I chose the theme from one of the services “ Christ plays in ten thousand places.”   I have not used that whole service but have taken ideas, including the scripture readings,  from it.  The title comes from the second part of the poem “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins:

     I say more: the just man justices;

Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is —
Chríst — for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.

The readings from Scripture are Proverbs 8: 22-23, 30-31 and Luke 7: 31-35.

The sermon is titled, “Christ plays in Ten Thousand Places”

 At this service Giuseppe and Jessica are presenting their daughter Madeline Elizabeth for baptism.

 Stewardship Campaign – November is Stewardship Month

A word from our incoming Treasurer, Clarence, about Tax credits.

How much does giving really cost?  Alberta and Federal Tax credits to donors:

If you donate this much:	$1,000	$500	$250	$100
Your total tax credit will be:	$434	$184	$51	$17
Your actual cost will be:	$556	$316	$199	$83
In other words, it would only cost you per day:	$1.55	$0.87	$0.55	$0.23

The chart shows for example, if you donate $500 to Spirit West, between the provincial and federal governments you will be credited with $184 at tax time.  For more information please contact you tax accountant or contact CCRA directly.  There is still time to make you donation in order to obtain the credit for the 2013 tax period.

Croissant and Cinnamon Bun Sale

Once again, the Women’s Group of Spirit West will be selling frozen ready-to-bake croissants and cinnamon buns. (ed.  If you haven’t tried them, they are very good)  The Women’s Group have been able to maintain the price at $7.00/dozen for the croissants and $7.00/1/2 dozen for the cinnamon buns.  With the proceeds from this sale, the Women's Group is able to help our church financially, pay for sponsoring a foster child and supporting other outreach initiatives such as Win House, the Youth Emergency Shelter, Bissell Centre and sending inner city children to camp in the summer. The date of packaging and pick-up will be Wednesday, December 11,2013.  Please pick up after 3 pm.

If you have any questions, would like an order form to use at your office or school,  or can help with packaging on the day of delivery, please contact Diane at 780 444-0284.

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, Nov 16 – 8:00 am Mens’ Breakfast (Lower Hall)
F  Sunday, Nov 17 – 10:30 am Sunday Worship with Baptism
F  Monday, Nov 25 – 7:00 pm Ladies’ Relaxation Yoga Evening (Lower Hall)
F  Wednesday, Nov 27 – 7:00 pm Board Meeting (Central Lounge)

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

 

November 10, 2013 - Pentecost 25 - Remembrance Day Sunday

Greetings

 

Worship this Week   

Since it is both Remembrance Sunday and Communion, I am going to look at remembering.  We call the holiday on Monday,” Remembrance Day” and at the heart of the communion service Jesus says “remember me.”  I am going to explore the idea of remembering and memory as important factors in creating our identity as people and as a community.  Why are stories told and retold in a family or community.  Why are these stories so important. In the time for all ages I am going to show pictures that I hope will remind us of different special days in our lives and in the world, and the stories that we tell on those days.

The scripture readings are from Paul’s letter to the Christians at Ephesus (Ephesians 6: 10-17), a passage often titled, “The whole armour of God,” and from John’s Gospel (John 15: 9-13), a passage often called “No greater love.”

The time for all ages is called: “What day is it?”

The sermon title is: “Remember”

 

Stewardship Campaign – November is Stewardship Month

November is Stewardship Month and we ask that you think about your part in the life and work of Spirit West United Church.  To aid you in your contemplation, Stewardship Packages will be available this Sunday.  There is an envelope with your name on it at the church.  In the envelope are three things: a narrative budget from Carol to show you what we do at Spirit West and how much it costs; a pledge form for you to indicate your commitment to the financial well being of the church for the coming year (This year’s form has been redesigned to include those on PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance); and finally there is a sheet outlining the many groups and activities that go on at Spirit West which you can use to show your particular interests.  We are asking you to pick up the package to save us postage, and return the forms by the end of November.

 

Croissant and Cinnamon Bun Sale

Once again, the Women’s Group of Spirit West will be selling frozen ready-to-bake croissants and cinnamon buns. (ed.  If you haven’t tried them, they are very good)  The Women’s Group have been able to maintain the price at $7.00/dozen for the croissants and $7.00/1/2 dozen for the cinnamon buns.  With the proceeds from this sale, the Women's Group is able to help our church financially, pay for sponsoring a foster child and supporting other outreach initiatives such as Win House, the Youth Emergency Shelter, Bissell Centre and sending inner city children to camp in the summer. The date of packaging and pick-up will be Wednesday, December 11,2013.  Please pick up after 3 pm.

If you have any questions, would like an order form to use at your office or school,  or can help with packaging on the day of delivery, please contact Diane at 780 444-0284.

 

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, Nov 10 – 10:30 am Remembrance Sunday with Holy Communion

F  Saturday, Nov 16 – 8:00 am Mens’ Breakfast (Lower Hall)

F  Monday, Nov 25 – 7:00 pm Ladies’ Relaxation Yoga Evening (Lower Hall)

F  Wednesday, Nov 27 – 7:00 pm Board Meeting (Central Lounge)

 

 

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

Blessings,

 Larry