Hi
everyone,
Worship
This
Sunday is Palm Sunday. We hear the story of Jesus’ “triumphant” entry in
to Jerusalem. We hear how the people cheered Jesus, shouting
“Hosanna.” "Hosanna" was the
shout of praise or adoration made in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus. The
actual meaning of Hosanna is a bit complicated.
In Hebrew Bible the word is actually two, אנָּ העָהוֹשִׁי, hoshia
na. In the Jewish Publication Society’s translation of Psalm 118:25, hoshia
na is translated, “deliver us”.
In Jewish liturgy, the word is applied specifically to the
Hoshana Service, a cycle of prayers from which a selection is sung each morning
during Sukkot, (the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, the harvest
festival in the fall). The complete cycle is sung on the seventh day of the
festival, which is called Hoshana Rabbah, רבא הושענא, "Great Hosanna." So the crowds
greet Jesus with, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of
the Lord!" But given what happens in the following week, I am going
to look at what the crowd might have been thinking, and ask the question, “Who
comes in the name of the Lord?”
The scripture readings are
Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29 and Matthew 21: 1-11.
The title of the Sermon is my
question, “Who comes in the name of the Lord?”
Maundy Thursday to
Easter Sunday (The
Great Triduum)
Next weekend marks the
highest point in the Christian Calendar. We commemorate and celebrate
events that are part of the unique witness of the Christian faith, the final
days, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.
Maundy
Thursday – Seder
Supper This is the evening we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his
disciples. It was a Passover meal, a Seder; a meal which
commemorated the deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt,
and the start of their journey to the promised land. A the end of that
Supper, Jesus gave the meal a new meaning as he shared bread and wine with his
disciples asking that they remember him, and remember that his body was broken
for them and his blood shed for them. The Last Supper became the Lord’s
Supper, Communion. At Spirit West we will remember the Last Supper and
the Lord’s Supper as we share our own Seder. This will be a potluck meal
within the format of the Seder starting at 5:30pm. Because we
need to know how many to set for, please sign up on Sunday, or email Norma to
let her know how many of your family are coming and if you are bringing an item
for the potluck.
Good
Friday – Commemoration of the
Crucifixion We remember the
crucifixion of Jesus. A quiet service will be held at 10:30 am. The
prayers, readings, hymns and reflection call to mind some of the important
themes that propelled Jesus and the people around him toward the cross; greed,
envy, anger, helplessness and forgiveness.
Holy
Saturday - Edmonton
Youth Easter Vigil
This city wide youth event is
the Easter Vigil on Saturday April 19th. 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 night
at Strathearn. We will end the event with a Sunrise service at 7am on
Sunday April 20th and breakfast to follow. Please RSVP
before Sun, April 13th
Easter
Sunday The Feast of the
Resurrection – We celebrate the
pivotal event of our faith, the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ. The darkness
of Friday is replaced with the joy of new life. Shades of deep purple and
black give way to bright colours. Join us as we gather at the Table and
proclaim the mystery of our faith, Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ
will come again!
Lent Study
For those already in the
study, your reading for this week is The Midnight Hour on p. 75. The
Scripture readings are Matthew 26:36-46 and Luke 22: 39-46. If 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.
Anniversary
Sunday
On Sunday, April 27
(the Sunday after Easter), Spirit West will be marking five years in our
church building. We want to celebrate this milestone, by encouraging
everyone who has a connection with Spirit West to come out and celebrate with
us. Since you are reading this email, this is an invitation to your
family to come join the celebration. If you are unable to attend, could
you send us a greeting (email or Canada Post) that we can post on that
Sunday. Spirit West has touched many lives and this is not really
reflected on Sundays alone. So, on Anniversary Sunday, we would like to see (or
hear from) as many of you as possible. If you have been around Spirit
West for a while and know of people who have had a connection with this church
but who might not get this email, please invite them. Following the
Service there will be an Anniversary Lunch (with Cake!)
And finally, if you would
like to help in any way with decorations, food, (all those party things) please
let Norma at the church office know.
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 Sun, April 13 – Palm
Sunday – 10:30 am
Ø Tues, Apr 15 –
Operations Meeting – 3:00 pm, Lounge
Ø Thurs, Apr 17 – Seder
Supper – 5:30 pm, Lower Hall (please sign up for this)
Ø Fri, Apr 18 – Good
Friday Service – 10:30 am
Ø (Y) Sat, Apr 19 – Easter
Vigil – 7:00 pm (all night), Strathearn United Church
Ø Sun, Apr 20 – Easter
Sunday– 10:30 am
Ø Sun, Apr 27 – Anniversary
Sunday – Service and Anniversary Lunch.
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.org
