February 2, 2014 - 4th Sunday after Epiphany

Greetings,

Here’s some information on what is happening at Spirit West, and in our community.

Worship  

With the Gospel reading this Sunday, we begin to look at the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus has been followed by a crowd, so he leads them up a slope near the Sea of Galilee (it’s not a mountain, but a high place.) When he gets to the top, he sits down and outlines for the gathered crowd his vision of the Kingdom/Reign of God.  This Sunday we will look at what are called the Beatitudes (from the Latin beati – blessed.)  Jesus lists a number of groups of whom he says are blessed.  But they are not groups the one would normally think of as blessed, the poor, mourners, the hungry and the persecuted among others.  Obviously Jesus sees things from a different perspective.  We will look at what that perspective is.  With the Story for all ages, I will be looking at some optical illusions.   Our perspective can change how we see what we are looking at.  The Story is called “What do you see?”

The scripture readings come from the Prophets and Gospels:  Micah 6:1-8 and Matthew 5:1-12

This Service will be a Celebration of Holy Communion.

Annual Congregation Budget Meeting and Annual Congregational Meeting.

The Annual Congregation Budget Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 9 following the Service.  At this meeting, Clarence will be presenting the 2014 Budget for discussion and approval.  The Annual Congregational Meeting to review the work and witness of the congregation (except the budget) will be held on Sunday, February 23 following the Service.

Community Family Fun Night at Spirit West

Watch this space for information on the Family Fun Night which will take place on Saturday, Feb 22 at 7:00 pm.

Presbytery Oversight Visit

Following last night’s Board Meeting, we will propose to the Presbytery Oversight team that they join us on either February 19 at 6:00 pm or March 26 at 6:00 pm.  Once a date has been confirmed, I will include here details about how you can be involved.

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, Feb 2 – 10:30 am, Sunday Service with Holy Communion
F  Sunday, Feb 9 – following the Service, Annual Congregational Budget Meeting
F  Saturday, Feb 22 – 7:00 pm - Community Family Fun Night,
F  Sunday, Feb 23 – following the Service, Annual Congregational Meeting

 Hope to see you Sunday,

 Larry

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

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

Spiritwest.org

January 26, 2014 - 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

Hello again,

Here is your weekly eMessage from Spirit West.  I hope you find the information helpful.

 Worship  

This Sunday is all about fishing, a topic dear to Don Doyle’s heart.  We will  continue to look at stories of Jesus as he turns fishermen into evangelists. “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” says Jesus.  I must admit the old Kings James version of this line, while less inclusive, uses a play on words unique to English that emphasizes the closeness of what the followers are to what they will become, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  “Fishermen – Fishers of men.”  Jesus is playing to their strengths,  he does not tell them to leave their nets and he will make them  “itinerant preachers proclaiming a new relationship with God.”  Jesus says, leave these nets and we’ll do a different kind of fishing.  How might Jesus be calling you? 

At the service on Sunday we will also  be Covenanting with our Church Board.  We elected them way back in October, but they officially start their terms at the Board Meeting, next Wednesday (Jan 29)

The scripture readings come from the Prophets and Gospels:  Isaiah 9:1-4 and Matthew 4: 12-23

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

A City-wide Ecumenical Prayer Service to mark the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held Sunday, January 26 2014, 7:00 pm at St. Matthias Anglican Church (6210-188 Street, our neighbour on the other side of the Henday).  A Reception will follow.  The Service is hosted by the Edmonton and District Council of Churches.

Presbytery Oversight Visit

One of the roles of a Presbytery in the United Church is to have oversight of the Pastoral Charges/Congregations within its bounds.  The Presbytery needs to assure itself that effective ministry is happening throughout the presbytery.  If it appears that this is not happening within a particular congregation, the Presbytery is to work with the congregation to find the solution to any challenges.  One of the methods set out for a Presbytery to learn about the congregations is through regular visits.  A small team composed of clergy and laity from other congregations in the Presbytery visits a congregation.  They speak with the minister(s), the Board and usually with members of the congregation.  After the visit is over, the team writes a report which is sent to the Pastoral Oversight Committee of the Presbytery and to the Congregation.  Our Presbytery, Edmonton Presbytery is way behind in its congregational visits,  but the Pastoral Oversight Committee is working to remedy that.  The Rev. Christina Bellsmith from McDougall is working with our Board Chair, Daniel, to arrange for an Oversight Visit to Spirit West in the near future.  We hope to have the date determined at the Board Meeting next Wednesday.  Watch this space for information about how you can be part of this important event.

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, Jan 26 – 10:30 am, Sunday Service with Covenanting of the Church Board
F  Sunday, Jan 26 – 7:00 pm, Ecumenical Prayer Service –  St. Matthias Anglican Church, 6210-188 Street - Close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
F  Tuesday, Jan 28 – 7:00-9:30 pm, Edmonton Presbytery – McClure United Church, 13708 – 74 St.
F  Wednesday, Jan 29 – 7:00 pm, Board Meeting – Central Lounge

Hope to see you Sunday,

 Larry

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

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

Spiritwest.org

January 19, 2014 - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Hello everyone,

I am still here.

Worship  

This Sunday we continue to follow Jesus as he begins his earthly ministry.  The gospel records the “picking’ of the first disciples.  One point that should be noted is that when the men who will become disciples start to follow Jesus, he asks them, “What are you looking for?”  It is a good question for all of us.  As people who have made some commitment to Christ, what are we looking for?  What are you looking for?

The scripture readings come from the Prophets and Gospels:  Isaiah 49: 1-7 and John 1:29-42.

Men’s Breakfast

This Saturday, Jan 18 is Men’s Breakfast.  All men associated with Spirit West (and their friends) are welcome to attend.  The men meet at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall and usually throw in $10 each to cover the food and to build up the “Men’s Breakfast Maintenance Fund” which is used to fund small maintenance jobs around the church.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

If you happen to be near the City Hall at noon tomorrow (Friday), stop by to join the Mayor and religious leaders from Edmonton as they open the Celebrating our Faiths display.  The display will highlight the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  A Reception will follow.

A City-wide Ecumenical Prayer Service to mark the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held Sunday, January 26 2014, 7:00 pm at St. Matthias Anglican Church (6210-188 Street, our neighbour on the other side of the Henday).  A Reception will follow.  The Service is hosted by the Edmonton and District Council of Churches.

 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  Friday, Jan 17, - Noon, Celebrating our Faiths – City Room, Edmonton City Hall
F  Saturday, Jan 18, - 8:00 am, Men’s Breakfast – Lower Hall
F  Sunday, Jan 19 – 10:30 am, Sunday Service with Baptism – Start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
F  Sunday, Jan 19 – 7:00 pm, Ecumenical Prayer Service –  St. Matthias Anglican Church 6210-188 Street - Close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
F  Wednesday, Jan. 29 – 7:00 pm, Board Meeting

 Hope to see you Sunday,

 Larry
 

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

Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406

Spiritwest.minister@telus.net

Spiritwest.org

Jaunary 12, 2013 - The Baptism of Jesus

Happy New Year!

Well, I am still here.  The gall bladder surgery I thought I was going to have yesterday did not happen.  The surgeon wants me to go for another test next week.  He did not  seem so tentative the night in November when I had the painful attack, he wanted to do the surgery right that night.  Anyway, thanks to all of you who have been asking about me and praying for me.  Please keep it up. 

Worship  

This Sunday is called Baptism of Christ Sunday.  The gospel skips about 30 years of Jesus’ life, and we hear about Jesus as an adult being baptized by John.  So the focus of the Service will be on Baptism.  What is it? Why did John baptize Jesus?  How has the Church (big C) understood baptism? How is baptism understood in the United Church?  How do you understand baptism?  We will also be reminded of our own baptisms in a brief ritual called the “Asperges.”

The scripture readings come from the Prophets and Gospels:  Isaiah 42: 1-9 and Matthew 3: 13-17.

During the Time for All Ages, called, “Wash before you...,” Edina will look at baptism from a child’s perspective in a hand’s on way.

The title of my Reflection is simply, “What is Baptism?”

This will give us some background for the Service on Sunday, Jan 19 when we will actually be celebrating two baptisms, a child and an adult.

Men’s Breakfast

A week Saturday, Jan 18 is Men’s Breakfast.  All men associated with Spirit West are welcome to attend.  We meet at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall.  We usually throw in $10 each to cover the food and to build up the “Men’s Breakfast Maintenance Fund” which is used to fund small maintenance jobs around the church.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

A City-wide Ecumenical Prayer Service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held Sunday, January 26 2014, 7:00 pm at St. Matthias Anglican Church (6210-188 Street, our neighbour on the other side of the Henday).  A Reception will follow.  The Service is hosted by the Edmonton and District Council of Churches.

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, Jan 12  – 10:30 am, Baptism of Christ Sunday

F  Tuesday , Jan 14– 3:00 pm, Operations Committee  – Lounge

F  Saturday, Jan 18, - 8:00 am, Men’s Breakfast – Lower Hall

F  Sunday, Jan 19 – 10:30 am, Sunday Service with Baptism – Start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Again, Happy New Year!

 Hope to see you Sunday,

 Larry

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

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