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
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.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
MinisterSpirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org
No comments:
Post a Comment