Wednesday, July 30, 2014

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 lunchWe 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.org


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