March 30, 2014 - 4th Sunday of Lent

Hi everyone,

Worship  

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Lent. In the darkness of Lent, this is the Sunday of Light.  The reading from Paul’s Letter to the church at Ephesus is a reminder that those who follow the way of Christ are like those who are living in the light, are children of the light.  And as children of the light, we should live lives that reflect that light.  The story from John’s Gospel starts with Jesus healing a young man who had been blind since birth.  This healing causes a lot of concern and confusion.  But Jesus uses the opportunity to enlighten those around him with regard to sin and sight. 

The scripture readings are Ephesians 5: 8-14 and John 9: 1-41

The Reflection is entitled “Children of Light”

We are SCENT FREE  (everyone please read)

If you are here on a Sunday morning and have had a chance to see the announcements slides,  you will have seen the SCENT FREE slide.  In our society there has been a great effort to disguise the smell of our humanity with all sorts of scents for our bodies, our clothes, our cars, our homes.  Unfortunately many of the products that give us that “clean fresh scent” contain various chemicals that cause allergic reactions in many people (including people in the Spirit West community.)  At the Board level, a policy has been established that Spirit West will be a SCENT FREE environment.  We want to make it possible for everyone to be able to worship here without fear.  The challenge is that many of us are so used to the artificial scents in our environment, we no longer notice their presence, or we think the smell of a dryer sheet is a natural.  I would ask all or you to seriously consider the needs of those adversely affected by scents.  Remember, it’s not just about not wearing perfume or aftershave.  Your clothes may be scented from a dryer sheet, your hair may have the lingering aroma of a scented rinse.  I would ask that you look at the products you use at home and ask yourself if you need clothes that will smell “like a spring day” even if hanging in the closet for two weeks.  Look for products that are “scent free.”  Your help will not only benefit those around you here, but will be a benefit wherever you go.

Lent Study

This year we are following the book “He Set His Face to Jerusalem” by Richard B. Wilke. The study will run to April 30^th, Wednesday afternoons at 1:30.  The study will be led by Larry.  Even f you haven’t already signed-up for the study, please feel free to join us for this unique study comparing life today to yesterday.  If you have any questions please call Norma in the office 780-481-1406 or Edina at 780-481-3508.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Alberta National Event

The seventh and final nation event is ongoing at the Shaw Conference Centre.  There are buttons “United for Reconciliation” available at the Church.  Donations will go to the Residential School Survivors Hospitality Fund.  This fund supports those witnesses who have to travel to Edmonton to present their stories to the Commission.  See the TRC Display at the back of the Church.

Edmonton Youth Easter Vigil

The next planned city wide youth event is the Easter Vigil on Saturday April 19th.  Attached is a poster with information for you and the youth in your congregation.  Please feel free to distribute as you see fit.
We will meet as a group at 7pm on Saturday April 19^th at Strathearn United and will start the Vigil at 8pm with a short worship service.  Youth are invited to spend the evening at Strathearn.  We will end the event with a Sunrise service at 7am on Sunday April 20^th and breakfast to follow.  Please RSVP before Sunday April 13^th

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.  If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call Marian Tannahill at 780487-2851 and Bonnie Cannam at 780-444-2230.

Dates to Remember    (Y) Youth of Edmonton United Event

Ø   Sat, April 5 – Messy Church
Ø  Tues, Apr 15 – Operations Meeting
Ø  Thurs, Apr 17 – Seder Supper
Ø  Fri, Apr 18 – Good Friday Service
Ø  Sun, Apr 20 – Easter Sunday

This Week we pray for

Ø   Retired UC Persons and Pensioners

Office Hours

Ø  Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
Ø  Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday

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

March 16, 2013 - 2nd Sunday of Lent - Celtic Sunday

Hi everyone,

I am back in the office this week and feeling pretty good.

Worship  

This Sunday is the second Sunday in Lent. It is also the Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day, so in the Spirit West Calendar it is Celtic Sunday.  The music and some of the prayers on Sunday will reflect the gifts of the Celtic Christians to the Church as a whole.  We will also be celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism.  The Gospel reading centres on a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.  This passage contains a couple of key sections. One key part of the passage contains Jesus’ statements to Nicodemus about being γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν (often translated born again.) The other key verse, often seen on signs in the stands at American Football games, is John 3: 16.  Both of these sections of the passage have been, I believe, monopolized by a segment of the church that many in the United Church are not always that comfortable with.  How do we in the United Church hear Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, “Do not be astonished that I said to you, Δεῖ ὑμᾶς γεννηθῆναι ἄνωθεν.” (Jn 3:7)  How does your Bible translate the part I have put in Greek?  What version/translation are you reading from? 

The scripture readings come from the Psalms: Psalm 121 and from the Gospels: John 3: 1-17

The Reflection is entitled “You Must Be Born Again..”

Lent Study

This year we will follow the book “He Set His Face to Jerusalem” by Richard B. Wilke. The books can be ordered through the office and then paid for when they arrive. The study will run from March 19^th to April 30^th, Wednesday afternoons at 1:30.  The study will be led by Larry.  There will be a sign up sheet on the back table so please sign up by March 9^th.   The cost of the book is $10.00 plus shipping and handling. Please join us for this unique study comparing life today to yesterday.  If you have any questions please call Norma in the office 780-481-1406 or Edina at 780-481-3508.

Adult Social Night – come enjoy a night of Court Whist on March 22 at 7:00 pm. We will provide snacks, coffee, tea and punch to enjoy during the games.  Afterwards enjoy hot appetizers and squares.  Tickets cost $5.00 per person and are available from the church office.  Deadline to purchase tickets is March 19^th.  For more information, please talk to Carol Callas or Janice Shields.

Presbytery Oversight Visit

The Presbytery Oversight team will join us on March 26 at 6:00 pm.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Alberta National Event

As some of you may know, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) which has been looking into the impact of the Residential Schools, will be holding its last National Event in Edmonton, March 27-30.  There are many ways to become involved.  Please ask me.  There are buttons “United for Reconciliation” available at the Church.  Donations will go to the Residential School Survivors Hospitality Fund.  This fund supports those witnesses who have to travel to Edmonton to present their stories to the Commission.  See the TRC Display at the back of the Church.

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.  If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call Marian Tannahill at 780487-2851 and Bonnie Cannam at 780-444-2230.

Dates to Remember    (Y) Youth of Edmonton United Event

F Sat, Mar 15 – Men’s Breakfast
F Sun, Mar 16 – Celtic Sunday with Baptism
F Wed, Mar 19 – Lenten Study Starts
F Sat, Mar 22 – Adult Social Night

 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

March 9, 2014 - 1st Sunday of Lent

Hi everyone,
Larry’s health continues to improve.  He worked from home this week and is expecting to lead the worship service on Sunday.

Worship  

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent. Because we do not have an Ash Wednesday Service, Larry will include Ashes on Sunday.  In the Sermon, Larry is going to be looking at choices/temptations. Adam and Eve chose badly.  Christ chose wisely.  How do we make choices/face temptations?

The scripture readings come from the Law: Genesis 2: 5-17, 3:1-7, from the Psalms: Psalm 32 and from the Gospels: Matthew 4: 1-11

The Reflection is entitled “If you …”

Lent Study

This year we will follow the book “He Set His Face to Jerusalem” by Richard B. Wilke. The books can be ordered through the office and then paid for when they arrive. The study will run from March 19^th to April 30^th, Wednesday afternoons at 1:30.  The study will be led by Larry.  There will be a sign up sheet on the back table so please sign up by March 9^th.   The cost of the book is $10.00 plus shipping and handling. Please join us for this unique study comparing life today to yesterday.  If you have any questions please call Norma in the office 780-481-1406 or Edina at 780-481-3508.

Presbytery Oversight Visit

Following last night’s Board Meeting, it was confirmed that the Presbytery Oversight team will join us on March 26 at 6:00 pm.  As we get closer to that date, I will include here details about how you can be involved.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Alberta National Event

As some of you may know, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) which has been looking into the impact of the Residential Schools, will be holding its last National Event in Edmonton, March 27-30.  There are many ways to become involved.  Please ask me.  There are buttons “United for Reconciliation” available at the Church.  Donations will go to the Residential School Survivors Hospitality Fund.  This fund supports those witnesses who have to travel to Edmonton to present their stories to the Commission.

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.  If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call Marian Tannahill at 780487-2851 and Bonnie Cannam at 780-444-2230.

Dates to Remember    (Y) Youth of Edmonton United Event

F Sun, Mar 9 – Daylight Savings Time starts – move your clock ahead 1 hour!
F Tues, Mar 11 – Operations Meeting
F Sat, Mar 15 – Men’s Breakfast
F Wed, Mar 19 – Lenten Study Starts

Hope to see you Sunday,

Norma for

 Larry
 
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org