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 30th, 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 19th 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 20th and breakfast to follow. Please RSVP before Sunday April 13th
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 ChurchØ 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 ThursdayØ 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.org
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