December 21, 2014 - Advent 4 - Love

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Because I don’t intend to send an eMessage on Christmas Day, this eMessage will cover the Services of Christmas/Epiphany.

Sunday Worship

The fourth Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Love.  Love is at the heart of the Gospel message.  “For God so loved the world...”  The readings for Sunday point to one who had a very special relationship with Jesus, his mother Mary.  In Protestant churches, we have played down or ignored the place of Mary in the Gospel story.  Of course, there are historical reasons for this attitude.  The early reformers were reacting to what they perceived as the worship of Mary within the Roman Church.  But the pendulum swings and between the excesses of preceding generations, we hit a balance from time to time.  Just last week a number of us finished the study of a book called Not a Silent Night.  It is a book about the significance of the coming of Jesus, written from the perspective of Mary, and beginning at the crucifixion and moving back to Bethlehem.   The loving “yes” of one woman, changed her life, and changed the whole world.

The readings for Sunday are,  Romans 16: 25-27, and Luke 1: 26-38.  We will also be singing the Song of Mary (Luke 1: 47-55).  The Time for All Ages Story is “Is it enough” and the Sermon title is “A World Upside Down”

Christmas Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 24, 6:30 pm)

“Let Us Go to Bethlehem.” This celebration of Prayers, Readings and Carols is for the whole family.  For children, you will have the opportunity to be part of a Nativity scene.  Come a bit early and become an Angel, Shepherd, or maybe one of the Magi.  You don’t have to learn any lines!

Cinnamon Bun Sunday (Sunday, Dec. 28, 10:30)

As has been the tradition at Spirit West for some years, the Sunday after Christmas is Cinnamon Bun Sunday.  We gather as family and friends around tables, to share stories, carols, prayers, warm cinnamon buns and hot drinks.

Epiphany Sunday (Sunday, January 4, 2015)

On Epiphany Sunday we remember the story of the arrival of Magi (Wise Men, Three Kings) in Bethlehem.  We will be celebrating Communion on Epiphany Sunday.

There are no Services on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) or New Year’s Day (Jan 1, 2015)

 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.

Christmas Office Hours
The Church office will be closed Thursday, December 25, 2014 to Sunday, January 4, 2015.  There will be a message on the Church phone indicating how to contact Larry in case of emergency.

Normal Office hours resume on Monday, January 5, 2015
-  Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
-  Norma => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
-  Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday

Remember to check us out on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch

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