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March 21, 2023

 

 

Dear friends,

 

When do you feel like Spring has finally come?  Earlier this week we experienced the spring equinox, the moment when the sun crosses the equator, the moment the two hemispheres of our earth experience the sun’s rays equally.  In the northern hemisphere, it marks the moment when our days begin to grow longer.  But those of us in Alberta know that even though spring is now official, it is not going to feel like spring for a while yet.

 

For you, what are the signs of spring?  For me, one of the earliest signs is when the snow on our south facing deck has melted, and Percy and I can sit there in the sun to enjoy a drink.  But another sign is the return of Canada geese, which, incidentally, I saw on our way home from church last week.  Our connection to Creation this week focuses on the colour green (remember to bring Food Bank items that are green!) and the bird song that spring brings.  Have you heard the spring call of the chickadees yet?  Or for you, is it seeing the first pussy willow?  Or the first buds on the trees?  If we pay attention, there are already so many signs of spring around us, and we know deep down that no matter how long the snow lasts, spring is just around the corner!

 

This week marks the fifth Sunday in Lent, which means that we are getting much closer to our celebration of the great mystery of Easter, with only Palm Sunday left to go after this week.  Our scriptures are full of imagery that remind us of the new life that God brings.  We hear of Ezekiel’s dream of the valley of dry bones and God’s command to Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones.  We also hear of the raising of Lazarus, a story that contains significant foreshadowing of the Easter mystery.

As Terry indicated last week, this week’s worship is an experiment of the way we will probably be experiencing worship a couple of times a month once Deborah joins us as our minister.  Although I won’t be physically in person with you this week since I am leading worship in Devon, I have prepared the worship service for leaders from Mewassin and Stony congregations to follow.  Later this week I will be recording the reflection (and possibly Theme Time) for you to watch.  So church won’t look much different to those of you in the pews.  Think of it as a sign of the new life that we as a church family are growing into.

May we remember that God accompanies us on this journey through parched valleys and gravestones that are rolled away.

I look forward to seeing you virtually on Sunday!

 

In faith,

Lesley

 

See this week's bulletin for Stony Plain United Church here.

See this week's part of the Lenten Journey here.

CONTACT INFO: Church: 780-963-4745
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; website stonyplainunitedchurch.com 

Details

 

In Church Worship:  

Please join us for worship with us in person on Sunday mornings! Services are at 9:00 a.m. at Mewassin and 10:30 a.m. at Stony Plain. The Stony Plain service will continue to be available on Zoom or by phone.

Virtual Sunday Worship Link:  

Join us at 10:30AM Sunday mornings for worship together.
Sunday Worship Link

We would like to remind our Zoom attendees to please mute your microphones during the service so as to reduce background noise (you are, of course, free to un-mute your microphone if you are reading or leading a prayer, or asking/answering a question).  If you cannot mute your microphone, than we ask that you please be very quiet during the service.  We also ask that, when conversing, you speak slowly and try to avoid talking over anyone else.

See Minister's Message and link to bulletin.  We are still trying new and better ways to provide our worship experience.  Thanks for your patience and support.

 

This Week

 

UCW MEETING WED. APRIL 5, 1:30 PM: We will begin in the Council Room upstairs to watch "The Sacred Relationship", a documentary by Native Counseling Services of Alberta.  It begins by showing how protocol is followed to ask for teachings.  Four Cree Elders will teach us their relationship with water.  If you are interested, join us to consider "The Sacred Relationship".  Our business meeting will follow downstairs.

 

Reminders

 

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 2 AT STONY PLAIN: Palm Sunday at Stony will be a bit different this year, with the group High Level Bridge coming.  There may not be a Palm Parade, but there will be plenty of music!  We hope you will enjoy this special service.

 

2023 LENTEN JOURNEY: This year’s theme is “All Things Bright and Beautiful” – Connecting to Creation Through Lent.  We are asking for donations for the Parkland Food Bank each week (as you are able), based on the theme colour for that week.  Copies of “The Lenten Journey” are on the table outside the Sanctuary.

 

EASTER CHOCOLATES: Place and pay for your orders on-line at: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1499006-105541 or by submitting a form to Cathy Yamada-Swan or the church office, with cheques addressed to Catherine Yamada.  Order & Pay by Sat., March 25, (or paper forms to the office on Sun, March 26).  Pickup: April 4, 2023 or earlier at Stony Plain U. C..

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 26 (SP) PANCAKE BREAKFAST: On Sunday, March 26, the Men’s Group will be serving breakfast at Stony Plain UC starting at 9:00 am.

 

REGIONAL UCW CONFERENCE AND AGM, APRIL 27 - 29 IN CALGARY: "We Are One: A Look At Bias And Racism."  Keynote speaker is Adele Halliday, Anti Racism and Equity lead for the United Church of Canada.  See information and registration form on the bulletin board.  Open to all ladies of the United Church.  Deadline to register is March 24, 2023.  If you have questions, call Cathy at 780-963-5021 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

WORSHIP LEADERS: A big Thank-You to all who continue to lead worship!

 

MINISTER COVERAGE: Please contact Reverend Sharon McRann at 780-823-9794.

 

 

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Ukulele Practice Wednesdays, 6:15 pm
‘Regular’ Choir Practice: Wednesdays, 8:00 to 9:00 pm
Card Recreators: Thursdays at 10:00 AM

 

MEETINGS/SPECIAL EVENTS

Sunday, Feb 26 to March 26 Lenten Journey - Donations to Parkland Food Bank
Sunday, March 26 9:00 AM - Stony Plain Men's Group Breakfast
Wednesday, April 5 1:30 PM - UCW meeting at SPUC in the upstairs Board Room.
April 27-29 Regional UCW Conference and AGM in Calgary - register by March 24

 

OFFERING: Note we do not collect the offering during the service, as we used to.  Please leave your envelopes in a plate at the front of the sanctuary.  For those of you worshipping from home, you may mail, drop off or send your donations by e-transfer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).  Thank-you for your continued support.

 

2023 LENTEN JOURNEY – Parkland Food Bank

 

Connecting to Creation Through Lent: As we have done in the past, we ask for donations each week (as you are able) – this year to the Parkland Food Bank.  We have themed each week based on color; have a look at the packaging and see what you can find.  Let the colors symbolize the greatness of God’s creation.  Once again, let us be reminded that “All things Bright and Beautiful.”

Week 3 – March 12: The Purple Headed Mountains - Purple

Week 4 - March 19: The Rivers Running By - Blue

Week 5 – March 26: Each Little Bird that Sings - Green

Week 6 - April 2: Palm Sunday: The Ripe Fruits in the Garden - No collection

Week 7 - April 17: Easter Sunday: The Sunset and the Morning - No collection

For Stony Plain and Mewassin – bring items up to the front. Let’s celebrate with the colors, and know that spring has just begun.

 

Details

 

Sunday Worship - Recordings

Below are links to Zoom recordings of past services  

Video  (available until following Sunday)

Jan 22, 2023 
Jan 15, 2023 
Jan 08, 2023 
Jan 01, 2023 
Dec 25, 2022 
Dec 24, 2022 
Dec 18, 2022
Dec 11, 2022 
Audio  
Jan 22, 2023 
Jan 15, 2023 
Jan 08, 2023 
Jan 01, 2023 
Dec 25, 2022 
Dec 24, 2022 
Dec 18, 2022 
Dec 11, 2022 
Dec 04, 2022
Nov 27, 2022
Nov 20, 2022
Nov 13, 2022
Nov 06, 2022
Oct 30, 2022 
Oct 23, 2022
Oct 16, 2022
Oct 09, 2022 
Oct 02, 2022
Sep 25, 2022
Sep 18, 2022
Sep 11, 2022 
Sep 04, 2022


 

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