August 3, 2014 - Pentecost 8 with Holy Communion

Greetings,

The Thursday eMessage is coming out a day early because Norma will be away for a few days starting tomorrow.  And this will be my last Sunday for a few weeks.  I leave for the North American Interfaith Network conference in Detroit on Aug 9.  I will be in Detroit for a few days, then I am going to Toronto for a few days.  Finally I will be coming back to St. Albert for a stay-cation with my family.  I am back in the office on Aug 26.

Sunday Worship

This Sunday we are going back to the story of Jacob.  In the passage for this Sunday, Jacob wrestles with “someone.” In the course of the struggle Jacob is injured, blessed, and given a new identity. Jacob does not give up the fight. He endures the pain.  In the end he prevails.  My experience of our current society is that we are constantly encouraged to avoid pain or struggle.  We must float through life in pain free ease.  But we know that life is not like that.  There is pain and there are struggles.  Are pain and struggle signs of weakness and failure as today’s advertising would have us believe, or are we being given an opportunity to work toward something new?  We will look at what Jacob does.

The reading from the Gospel which I will focus on in the Time for All Ages is the story of the Loaves and Fishes.

Time for All Ages is called “Is it enough?” and my sermon is entitled, “Wrestling in Faith”

 Weeding Bee

Tomorrow at 10:00 am. Come help weed the flower beds and beautify the church. Bring sturdy gardening gloves and your favourite weeding tools as well as a lunch.  We will enjoy some fellowship once the work is done.  Everyone welcome!

 Memorial for Carole Hommersen

Some of you will know John and Carole Hommersen.  You may also know that Carole passed away on July 11.  John has been in touch with me and we are planning a memorial for Carole on Saturday, August 30 at 3:30 pm in the Lower Hall of the church.  The memorial will not be a “service” in the traditional sense.  Carole made a plan which John, their sons and I are going to follow as best we can.   John and Marian Tannahill are creating some “words of remembrance” which will be shared during the memorial.  If you have any stories about Carole that you think might be shared (no garantees) please contact Marian.  Keep John, Paul and Sean in your prayers.

 Children’s Activity Packs in Church

Although there is no Sunday School Program during the summer, we do hope that you and your children still find the time to join us for worship on Sundays.  We will try to make the summer Services as “all age friendly” as possible.  But as a minister and father, I know that all people (and this includes adults and children) are different and we won’t hit the mark with everyone all the time.  For the kids who may become a bit bored or restless, we have activity packs available (ask a greeter.) These packs can be explored either in the sanctuary or in the lounge.  I am sorry we don’t have activity packs for the adults, maybe you can share with one of the children.  In the Activity Packs there will be colouring pages based on the Sunday’s Bible readings.  These can be taken home.

 Spirit West Prayer Chain

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 T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.

 This Week in the cycle of prayer of Edmonton Presbytery we pray for

Ø   A renewing and safe summer for all

Office Hours

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

Vacations

Ø  Norma => July 31 – Aug 5
Ø  Larry => Aug 9 – Aug 26

 Hope to see you on Sunday,

 

 Larry
 

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister

Spirit West United Church

780-481-1406

Spiritwest.minister@telus.net

Spiritwest.org

July 27, 2014 - Pentecost 7

Greetings,

 Sunday Worship

This Sunday I am going to give the story of Jacob a rest.  Instead, I will be looking at the Gospel reading which is a collection of short parables.  Jesus uses these parables as a way of talking about what he calls “the kingdom of heaven.”  Each of the parables starts with “the kingdom of heaven is like...”   In describing the “kingdom of heaven,”  Jesus uses images and situations which would have been familiar to those around him but, even in his day, Jesus’ use of parables was both instructive and confusing.  On more than one occasion Jesus had to explain parables to his followers.  So on Sunday we will look at some of these parables, see what the images may have suggested in Jesus’ day and see what they teach us in our day.

The readings are: Romans 8: 26-39 and Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52;

In the Time for All Ages, I will be focusing on one parable, the Mustard Seed, from the seed perspective with “I’m just little.”

My sermon is entitled, “It’s like this...”

 Weeding Bee

July 31 at 10:00 am. Come help weed the flower beds and beautify the church. Bring a lunch and enjoy the fellowship once the work is done.  Everyone welcome!

 Memorial for Carole Hommersen

Some of you will know John and Carole Hommersen.  You may also know that Carole passed away on July 11.  John has been in touch with me and we are planning a memorial for Carole on Saturday, August 30 at 3:30 pm in the Lower Hall of the church.  The memorial will not be a “service” in the traditional sense.  Carole made a plan which John, their sons and I are going to follow as best we can.   John and Marian Tannahill are creating some “words of remembrance” which will be shared during the memorial.  If you have any stories about Carole that you think might be shared (no guarantees) please contact Marian.  Keep John, Paul and Sean in your prayers.

 Children’s Activity Packs in Church

Although there is no Sunday School Program during the summer, we do hope that you and your children still find the time to join us for worship on Sundays.  We will try to make the summer Services as “all age friendly” as possible.  But as a minister and father, I know that all people (and this includes adults and children) are different and we won’t hit the mark with everyone all the time.  For the kids who may become a bit bored or restless, we have activity packs available (ask a greeter.) These packs can be explored either in the sanctuary or in the lounge.  I am sorry we don’t have activity packs for the adults, maybe you can share with one of the children.  In the Activity Packs there will be colouring pages based on the Sunday’s Bible readings.  These can be taken home.

 Spirit West Prayer Chain

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 T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.

This Week in the cycle of prayer of Edmonton Presbytery we pray for

Ø   A renewing and safe summer for all

Office Hours

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

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

 Vacations

Ø  Norma => July 31 – Aug 5
Ø  Larry => Aug 7 – Aug 26

 Hope to see you on Sunday,

  Larry
 

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister

Spirit West United Church

780-481-1406

Spiritwest.minister@telus.net

Spiritwest.org

July 20, 2014 - Pentecost 6

Greetings,

 Sunday Worship

This Sunday we hear about journeying and finding God, or rather being found by God while on a journey.  We hear more about Jacob as he flees from Esau.  Using the some ideas from the Gathering magazine, I am going to try something a bit different for the sermon.  I will look at Jacob’s experience of being found by God, and I will invite you to consider your own life’s journey and times when you have been found by God.  You may have the opportunity to briefly share a story (but only if you want to.)

In the time for all ages, I will be looking at Pilgrimage – journeys to holy places.

The readings are: Genesis 28: 10-19a and Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43; and my sermon is entitled, “The House of God.”

 Children’s Activity Packs in Church

Although there is no Sunday School Program during the summer, we do hope that you and your children still find the time to join us for worship on Sundays.  We will try to make the summer Services as “all age friendly” as possible.  But as a minister and father, I know that all people (and this includes adults and children) are different and we won’t hit the mark with everyone all the time.  For the kids who may become a bit bored or restless, we have activity packs available (ask a greeter.) These packs can be explored either in the sanctuary or in the lounge.  I am sorry we don’t have activity packs for the adults, maybe you can share with one of the children.  In the Activity Packs there will be colouring pages based on the Sunday’s Bible readings.  These can be taken home.

 Spirit West Prayer Chain

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 T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.

 This Week in the cycle of prayer of Edmonton Presbytery we pray for

Ø   A renewing and safe summer for all

Office Hours

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

 

Vacations
Ø  Norma => July 31 – Aug 5
Ø  Larry => Aug 9 – Aug 26

 

Hope to see you on Sunday,

 

 Larry
 

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org

 

July 13, 2014 - Pentecost 5

Greetings,

I’m back.  Paul and I had a good but busy time in California.

Sunday Worship

This Sunday is all about choices – God’s choices and our choices.  We will learn a bit about Jacob, one of the great patriarchs of the Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  We learn that there was a dark side to Jacob and yet he was chosen by God to accomplish great things.  Hearing about young Jacob the trickster and manipulator can remind us that God doesn’t work only through perfection and strength.  And hearing the parable of the sower we are reminded that we sow the seeds of the Gospel message generously and let the ground produce what it can. 

In the time for all ages, I will be asking the question, “Who’s your favourite superhero?”

The readings are: Genesis 25: 19-34 and Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23; and my sermon is entitled, “Make good choices!”

Children in Church

Although there is no Sunday School Program during the summer, we do hope that you and your children still find the time to join us for worship on Sundays.  We will try to make the summer Services as “all age friendly” as possible.  But as a minister and father, I know that all people (and this includes adults and children) are different and we won’t hit the mark with everyone all the time.  For the kids who may become a bit bored or restless, we have activity packs available (ask a greeter.) These packs can be explored either in the sanctuary or in the lounge.  I am sorry we don’t have activity packs for the adults, maybe you can share with one of the children.

Garage Sale

The Garage Sale has been postponed until the fall.

 Canadian Anti Spam Legislation

At Spirit West, we have asked for your email address for the purpose of keeping you informed of the events and activities of our community.

Canada's new Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) came into effect on July 1st, 2014.  All organizations, including churches, are bound by it. The focus of the legislation is Commercial Electronic Messages (CEM) with a commercial intent to sell something. Exemptions are provided for charities (including churches) for fundraising activities and events:  "...messages sent by or on behalf of a registered charity as defined in subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act, that have the primary purposes of raising funds for the charity" will be exempt.  So, explicit fundraising (direct asks), as well as fundraising events such as turkey suppers and rummage sales, are exempt.

We respect your privacy and your connection to Spirit West.  If at any time you want to unsubscribe from our weekly emails, you may do so by replying to the weekly email and requesting to be removed.

Spirit West Prayer Chain

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 T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.

This Week in the cycle of prayer of Edmonton Presbytery we pray for

Ø   A renewing and safe summer for all

Office Hours

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

Vacations

Ø  Norma => July 31 – Aug 5
Ø  Larry => Aug 9 – Aug 26

Hope to see you on Sunday,

 

 Larry

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org

July 6, 2014 - Pentecost 4

Greetings,

Larry is still away this Sunday.  So worship will again be led by Anne Dingwell and Edina Tillotson, our very own Licenced Lay Worship Leaders.

Sunday Worship

This Sunday, Anne and Edina will be thinking about Faith and the Law.
The Scripture readings are Psalm 5 and Galatians 2: 15-21 and Romans 7: 15-25a.
The Sermon is titled: “Law or Faith?  Are they different?”

Children in Church

Although there is no Sunday School Program during the summer, we do hope that you and your children still find the time to join us for worship on Sundays.  We will try to make the summer Services as “all age friendly” as possible.  But as a minister and father, I know that all people (and this includes adults and children) are different and we won’t hit the mark with everyone all the time.  For the kids who may become a bit bored or restless, we have activity packs available (ask a greeter.) These packs can be explored either in the sanctuary or in the lounge.  I am sorry we don’t have activity packs for the adults, maybe you can share with one of the children.

Garage Sale

The Garage Sale has been postponed until the fall.

 Canadian Anti Spam Legislation

At Spirit West, we have asked for your email address for the purpose of keeping you informed of the events and activities of our community.

Canada's new Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) came into effect on July 1st, 2014.  All organizations, including churches, are bound by it. The focus of the legislation is Commercial Electronic Messages (CEM) with a commercial intent to sell something. Exemptions are provided for charities (including churches) for fundraising activities and events:  "...messages sent by or on behalf of a registered charity as defined in subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act, that have the primary purposes of raising funds for the charity" will be exempt.  So, explicit fundraising (direct asks), as well as fundraising events such as turkey suppers and rummage sales, are exempt.

We respect your privacy and your connection to Spirit West.  If at any time you want to unsubscribe from our weekly emails, you may do so by replying to the weekly email and requesting to be removed.

Spirit West Prayer Chain

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 T. at 780-487-2851 or Bonnie C. at 780-444-2230.

This Week in the cycle of prayer of Edmonton Presbytery we pray for
Ø   Renewing and safe summer for all

Office Hours

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

Vacation

Ø  Larry => June 26 to July 7 inclusive

 Norma for

 Larry
 

(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv

Minister

Spirit West United Church

780-481-1406

Spiritwest.minister@telus.net

Spiritwest.org

Thank you,

Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church