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
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 –
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
Jan. 10 – Stewardship Team meeting
Jan. 11 – Worship Team meeting
Jan. 15 – Guides in the building
Jan. 18 – Leadership Team meeting
Jan. 19 – Community Kitchen cooking
Jan. 26 – Godly Play Core Training, Day 1a
Jan. 31 – Annual reports due to the office
Feb. 6 – Sacrament of Communion, Fundscrip orders due
Feb. 9 – Music Committee meets
Feb. 12 – Godly Play Core Training Day 1b
Feb. 15 – Leadership Team meeting
Feb. 26 – 9:30 to 11:30 am Story Circle via zoom
Feb. 27 – Annual Meeting
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. We are heading into TO and getting ready for our overseas journey with a long ways to go! 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 30 Good Company
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.
I am as near and deep in you
as the blood in your veins.
I bring you life with every heartbeat.
My life in you remains.
I am as near and deep in you as you will allow.
I have been here since time’s beginning.
And I am with you now. –
Barbara McAfee “Promise”
Week 29 – Making Room
Pilgrims on the Way ~
Jesus is born in a temporary shelter, reliant on the hospitality of others. Before long he and his family must flee to another country for safety. I wonder where you have found hospitality recently?
week 28 – Wonder and Wisdom
Pilgrims on the Way ~
There were and are others on this journey to Bethlehem. These are the wise ones, the magi, from the East. They know about the mysteries of the universe. They followed a wild star. I wonder what wisdom you have to offer others?
I wonder who or what you will follow in this coming year?
I wonder who or what you will follow in this coming year?
Week 27 Good News
Pilgrims on the Way ~ Mystery is something that cannot be known, unless one is involved in it. Gabriel Marcel
Week 26 – Good News
Pilgrims on the Way ~ There were already people living and working in and around Bethlehem. Shepherds keeping watch over the sheep. Suddenly they saw a bright light. Is it chance that God’s good news comes first to those on the edge? Who watch and wait through the night? The Shepherds hurry to see for themselves, this new thing God is doing. I wonder how you are part of God’s good news?
Week 25 – Hope
Pilgrims on the Way ~
Don’t give up hope. When the sun goes down the stars come out.