April 13, 2014 - Palm Sunday

 

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 19^th 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 20^th and breakfast to follow.  Please RSVP before Sun, April 13^th

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.minister@telus.net

Spiritwest.org