First United Church is a welcome place to explore familiar faith and new ways of coming close to the holy. We are a worshiping and faith-living community that encourages, inspires and acts in this world God loves. There are so many voices and expectations that clamour for our attention, it is not always easy to discern God’s call to live justly, to practice kindness and humility. Being part of a community of faith helps. We are stronger together! If you’d like to learn more, make a difference, grow in your faith,  get involved!
Announcements
Weekly happenings
Sunday – You are welcome to join us in person or via live-stream for worship.  Links to both Facebook and You-Tube are available on our prayer and care page by 1 pm. Or check out our Facebook page and YouTube  anytime during the week.
Text versions of services are available on the “Prayer and Care” page of this web-site.
 
Mondays  Cantare Jubilate mixed voices, community choir rehearsals resume in September.
 
Tuesdays – Chair Yoga – Contact the office or Donna Bleakney to register. Will resume in June.
 
Women In Song – women’s choir rehearsals resume in September.
 
On Facebook –
 
Thursday’s you’ll find a prayer and upcoming readings for worship.
 
Friday evening we add another question for “Pilgrim’s on the Way”, to Facebook and on this page (by Thursday – below).
 
On Facebook and You-Tube
 
Saturday’s Godly Play videos are rolling.  You’re also welcome to check out some of the previous weeks’ stories.
 
Upcoming events
May 28 – 10:30 am worship live and live-streamed
2 pm, Women in Song Concert
May 31 – 6 – 8 pm,  June 1 & 2,  9 am to noon, drop off items for Garage Sale
June 1 – 7 pm worship at Peace Hills Lodge
June 3 – 9 am to 4 pm Garage Sale, Food Concession 10 am – 3 pm
June 4 – 10:30 am Worship live and live-stream Sacrament of Communion
June 11 10 :30 am, Worship live and live stream – Memorial Sunday
June 14 – 10:15 am, Worship at Seasons Retirement
June 18 – 10:30 am Worship Live and live stream
June 20 – 7 pm, Leadership Team
June 25 – 10:30 am Worship live and live-stream
June 26 & 27 – Community Kitchen cooking
July Sunday Worship – 10:30 am in person only, livestreaming will resume in August.
Evensong – 7 pm, Sunday evenings on line only –  a time to refresh and reflect
 
 
The Holy Family is on the move … 
 
You’re invited to join them on the way, perhaps to Jerusalem or Bethlehem, perhaps to wherever love is find room in you.  We’ve posted some weekly pictures and questions for your spiritual reflection below. We invite you to pace yourself! From time to time there will be updates and prayers along the way.
You can make room in your week for a spiritual pilgrimage or you can begin to log the distances you travel in your walking or cycling (please convert your steps/rides to kilometres or miles) and share them with us every week. We are crossing the Mediterranean Sea approaching Cyprus (9,246 of the 10,114 km from Wetaskiwin to Bethlehem; 10,107 km to Jerusalem).  You’re welcome to extend the invitation to others.
 
Pilgrimage – a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place; in search of a new or expanded understanding of self, others, nature, or the holy. You may travel virtually or physically, on your own or accompanied by others, with the same companions or open to those unexpected guests who come and go. Whether you’ve a specific destination on the horizon, or an inner space of being, you may discover the transformation happens on the way.

Week 99 ~ Learning

Pilgrims on the Way ~
“Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in Being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.” Eckhard Tolle
I wonder what you will learn from the trees this week?

Week 98 – Full of the Spirit

Pilgrims on the Way ~
I am as near and deep in you
As the air you breathe,
Have your fill of my refreshment.
Take all the air you need.
“The Promise” Barbara McAfee

Week 97 – Hope

Pilgrims on the Way ~ “If our hearts do not hold a lantern, we will stumble over each other.” Rumi
I wonder how you share the light of Christ?

Week 96 ~ Waiting with God

Pilgrims on the Way ~ 
“We’ve been waiting for God to do it for us … and God has been waiting for us to do it with God.” John Dominic Crossan
I wonder how God waits upon you?

Week 95 – Community

Pilgrims on the Way ~

“The kingdom of God is here, but only if you enter it … It’s not like an empty building that is there whether you are in it or not. It’s a community.” John Dominic Crossan
I wonder how you build up the community of God?

Week 94 – All our Relations

Pilgrims on the Way ~ 
Kindness treats others as kin.
I wonder how you live with respect with all our relations?