Hi
everyone,
Worship
This
Sunday is the fifth Sunday in Lent, and there are two great readings. The
first is the story of the prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones.
This is the passage (periscope) that gave rise to the African-American
Spiritual, “Dem Bones.” (the foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone... .” The Gospel reading is the story of Jesus
raising Lazarus from the dead. Both these passages deal with new life, a
foreshadowing or hint of the ultimate new life story of Jesus’
resurrection. Those of you who have been at church during Lent may have
noticed that the Gospel readings are quite long. The Lenten Gospel
readings enable us to hear significant stories of Jesus ministry that we may
think we know, or have heard. However, with the longer reading we also
get context and some contemporary reflection. People have found themselves
saying, “I did realize that there was more to the story, it has changed my
understanding of what was going on.” We will also be celebrating
Communion.
The scripture readings are
Ezekiel 37: 1-14 and John 11: 1-45.
The title of the Sermon is
taken from a line in the Ezekiel passage, where Ezekiel is gazing at the dry
bones and God asks, “Can these bones live?”
MESSY CHURCH
This Saturday is Messy
Church. It starts at 4:00pm. It is for the whole family.
This Saturday is also International Golden Rule Day. Messy Church will be
looking at the Golden Rule in story, songs and crafts (some a bit messy).
And it all ends with dinner.
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.
Edmonton Youth Easter Vigil
The next planned 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 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
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 Sat, April 5 –
Messy Church – 4:00 pmØ 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 Campus Ministry –
Chaplain and students
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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