Welcome! We are a group of seekers who welcome each other to journey together to explore and better understand what the Spirit is saying to us. We are an Affirming Ministry, acknowledging that God’s love is wider and more inclusive than we can imagine, let alone live out. Affirming congregations commit themselves to sharing that news with others who may have heard a quite different message about what it means to be church. Affirming Ministries are Public, Intentional and Explicit in the welcome extended to all. By accepting the welcome offered to each one of us as individuals, we encounter God’s inclusive love for humankind in all its wonderful diversity. Whether this is one of many or your first time taking part in this faith community, we hope that your Spirit finds rest and renewal and your awareness of the gift of God’s love is deepened.

Welcome to First United Church!

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 rehearses 7 – 9 pm, in the Sanctuary.
 
Tuesdays – Chair Yoga – Contact the office or Donna Bleakney to register.
 
Women In Song – women’s choir rehearses 7 – 9 pm,  in the sanctuary.
 
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 (below).
 
On Facebook and You-Tube
 
Saturday’s Godly Play videos are getting rolling.  You’re also welcome to check out some of the previous weeks’ stories.
 
Upcoming events
Sept. 20 – 7 pm, Leadership Team meeting
Sept. 21 & 22 – 9 am to 4 pm, Community Kitchen cooking
Sept. 24 – Guides are in the building
Sept. 25 – Worship live and live-stream
Rancho Vignola Dried Fruit & Nut orders are due
Sept. 28 – 10:15 am, Worship at Seasons Retirement
Sept. 30  National Truth & Reconciliation Day
Oct.2 – Worship live and live-stream ~ Sacrament of Communion
Fundscrip orders are due
Welcome Back  refreshment time following worship
Oct. 6 – 7 pm worship at Peace Hills Lodge
Oct. 9 – Thanksgiving Worship & Sacrament of Baptism
Oct. 14 & 15 – Northern Spirit Regional Council meetings via Zoom
Oct. 15 – Girl Guides are in the building
Oct. 16 –  Worship live and on-line
Oct. 18 – 7 pm, Leadership Team meets
Oct. 20 – Planning for End of Life Care Workshop – capacity is limited, please pre-register
Oct. 23 – Worship
       Directory pictures following worship
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.  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’re almost 3/4 of the way there (7,080 of the 10,114 km from Wetaskiwin to Bethlehem)  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 64 – Presence
Pilgrims on the Way ~ 
We turn to the north, the place of sweeping winter winds, and northern lights. As the temperatures cool, we feel winter’s touch in the frosty grass. We remember that we ourselves bear witness to “God with us” through the example of love in our lives. We give thanks for the gifts of understanding and strength.
Week 63 ~ Rest
Pilgrims on the Way ~
We turn to the west, the direction of the setting sun. West represents autumn, the time of the spreading of seeds, the bearing of fruit. This direction represents the Aboriginal peoples throughout the world. We remember that there is a time for rest, for looking within, for seeing how we may help to make the world a better place for other children and adults.

Week 62 ~ growth

Pilgrims on the Way ~
We turn to the south, which is sometimes marked by the colour black and sometimes by the colour blue. South represents the season of summer, the time of warm summer winds and growth. We give thanks for the growth in our lives and the wisdom we receive from one another.

Week 61 – Gratitude to the East

Pilgrims on the Way ~
We turn to the east, the place where the sun rises and each new day awakens. Yellow, the colour of this direction is a symbol of life and reminds us that we are connected to everything in creation. East also reminds us of spring a time of new beginnings. We give thanks as we remember that each day of our life is a gift.

Week 60 – Prayerful choices

Pilgrims on the Way ~
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
(Romans 8:26-27)
 
 

Week 59 Letting Go

Pilgrims on the Way ~

A prayer for letting go … God I let go of ….
or God, I give you my/this ….
I wonder what helps you let go and let God?