What if there was a community of faith that allowed you to explore issues of life and faith at your own pace? What if there was a church that celebrated the presence and participation of children of all ages, a church where you could dress casually, enjoy a variety of music, and be challenged to think about the important issues of your life? What if there was a church that was not afraid to hear your doubts and be challenged by your questions? What if you could find that kind of church?
We believe you just did.
Welcome to First United Church!
Announcements
Weekly happenings
Every Sunday – Worship is either live streamed (10:30 am) to our Facebook page and uploaded to YouTube by 1 pm, or posted to our Facebook page and YouTube channel by 10:30 am where you can watch anytime!
Text versions of services are available on the “Prayer and Care” page of this web-site.
Monday’s at 9:30 am – Bible Study via zoom; contact the office for more information.
We continue exploring God’s call for the love of Creation, reading “Braiding Sweetgrass”.
On Facebook –
Tuesday’s you’ll find a quote or verse to inspire your stewardship of God’s gifts.
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 this page.
On Facebook and You-Tube
Saturday morning you’re invited into the Godly Play room for a story and wondering!
Upcoming events
Sept. 21 – 7 pm, Leadership Team meets
Sept. 22 – 10:20 am Prayers and Story and Seasons Retirement
Sept. 25 – Guides are meeting
Sept. 26 – Rancho Vignola orders due
October is Stewardship month “How do you care and connect with God and with others?
Oct. 3 – Communion, Fundscrip orders due
Oct. 19 – Leadership Team
The Holy Family is on the move …
You’re invited to join them on the way, perhaps to Bethlehem, perhaps to wherever love is waiting to be born in you. As the daylight hours begin to shorten again, and routines continue to change, you’re welcome to join this pilgrimage.
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. It’s over 10,114 km from Wetaskiwin to Bethlehem, a journey of several years, if we were to try it on our own. But let’s see how far we can get together. 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 15 Table Talk
Pilgrims on the Way ~ Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrew 13:2
Week 14 Held
Pilgrims on the Way ~ “In the morning light, O God, may I glimpse again your image deep within me, the threads of glory woven into the fabric of every man and woman. Again may I catch sight of the mystery of the human soul fashioned in your likeness, deeper than knowing, more enduring than time.”
J. Philip Newell
Week 13 – Perseverance
Pilgrims on the Way ~
God of the way,
you are the road we travel,
And the sign we follow.
You are bread for the journey,
and the welcome rest of arrival.
Week 12 Sanctuary
Pilgrims on the Way ~
There is much we take for granted, access to clean water, to drink, wash, clean our clothes or splash into with joy, just to name a few. Pilgrims often experience a bit of homelessness, which although temporary, can deepen our gratitude or fuel our commitment to providing safe space for all God’s children.
Week 11 Music for the Soul
To sing is to pray twice … St. Augustine
Week 10 Grieving beyond death
We believe in God, who has created and is creating …
In life, in death, in life after death, we are not alone. “A New Creed”
In life, in death, in life after death, we are not alone. “A New Creed”