May 24th, 2026 – Pentecost Sunday
The Church is a Wondrous Thing.
The difference between a big "C" and a little "c" church lies in their scope: "Big C" Church refers to the global, universal body of all Christian believers, while "little c" church refers to a specific, local congregation or the physical building where people gather.
By the time I was fifteen years old, I had lived in three different countries on three different continents, and I had been a part of three different Christian denominations. It was when we moved back to Canada when I was fifteen that our family became a part of the United Church of Canada. This is the church that confirmed me and encouraged me to pursue my call to ordered ministry. The UCC shaped my faith journey by providing me with opportunities to attend global and national events such as being a steward at the World Council of Churches in Vancouver in 1983 and a young adult delegate at the Canadian Council of Churches in 1986; and a participant at The Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2015 in Salt Lake City and again in 2018 in Toronto.
It was at the WCC in Vancouver that I found myself in the large worship tent, surrounded by hundreds of other Christians from around the world listening to different translations proclaiming the Gospel, singing hymns with different rhythms, and all of us reciting the Prayer of Jesus in our own language.
Whenever I think of Pentecost the time in the worship tent always comes to mind. While I don’t remember individual preachers or snippets of sermons, what I do remember vividly is being surrounded by all these Christians from the Church Universal praying and proclaiming their faith aloud in a common prayer. The sentiments expressed in that prayer are universal and speak to the hopes of every individual.
Church is more than just a gathering of people. At its very best the church is all about being a community where inspiration to do greater good takes place, where deeper love is explored, where enriching relationships occur, where authentic living is the goal. Church is supposed to be a community where individuals are cared for, where gifts are used effectively, where people are challenged to grow beyond themselves.
Rev. Deborah
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW OR REVISED
TUESDAY, JUNE 16 SP COUNCIL MEETING: The Stony Plain Council will meet at 7:00 PM in the Board Room or on Zoom.
SP BREAKFAST - MEN'S CLUB: There will be no Sunday Breakfasts until the fall. Thank you to the Men's Club for all the delicious breakfasts this year!
REMINDERS
SUNDAY, MAY 24 CELEBRATE PENTECOST! Our congregations are encouraged to wear Red, Orange or Yellow to celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 24. SP Choir will go out to Mewassin and sing at their service. Mewassin Sunday School will be serving special treats! Stony Plain Sunday School will be hosting the “Sundae Sunday” to celebrate fathers after church.
SUNDAY, MAY 31 MEWASSIN ANNIVERSARY PLANNING: We will be having a planning meeting for our 100th anniversary (August 15, 2026) after church on Sun. May 31.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21 DEVON PICNIC AND SERVICE: Our congregations are invited to join Devon United Church for their Sunday service in the Park on June 21! The service will begin at 10:00 AM with games and then picnic lunch to follow. A reminder to bring lawn chairs is on the invitation. We have lots of kites for the children to decorate and fly after the service, and the parachute games were a hit last year, so that is on the games agenda again 🙂. Potluck items are welcome if people wish: salads or dessert/fruit or finger foods. There is a sign-up sheet available – please add your name if you’d like to attend or talk to Sandra at Mewassin, or Terry or Lesley at Stony – we need to RSVP with our numbers of attendees by June 7.
PASSING ON YOUR CONCERNS: If you know of anyone who would like a visit or needs a card, please contact the Care Committee, Rev. Deborah or call the Church Office (780 963-4745) or email
REV DEBORAH’S SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING SUNDAYS:
Sun. May 24, 2026 Pentecost: Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC
Sun. May 31, 2026 Trinity Sunday: Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP
Sun. June 7, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC
Sun. June 14, 2026 Communion: Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP
Sun. June 21, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC for their picnic service. Mew & SP are invited. More info re services at Mew & SP to follow.
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Ukuleles & Choir: Wednesdays: Ukes 6:00, Choir 7:00 pm
Card Recreators: Thursdays, 10 am
MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS
| SUNDAY, MAY 24 |
Pentecost - all are encouraged to wear red, orange, or yellow. SP - "Sundae Sunday" to celebrate fathers after the service. SP Choir to Mewassin for their service. |
| SUNDAY, MAY 31 |
MEW: 100th Anniversary planning meeting after church. |
| TUESDAY, JUNE 16 |
7:00 PM - Stony Plain Council Meeting |
| SUNDAY, JUNE 21 |
Devon Picnic and Service - SP and MEW are invited! |
FROM OTHER UNITED CHURCHES AND THE COMMUNITY
(Posters on the Bulletin Board and on the table in the Narthex)
Town of Stony Plain Community and Social Development: Several programs are being offered in the next couple of months, including Mental Health Week Events, Sketch Book Club, Women’s Support Group, and many more.
July 1st - The Stony Plain Canada Day Car Show
- Breakfast from 8 to 10:30 AM
- Lunch from 11 AM to 1 PM
- and Concession - Ice Cream, drinks, chips from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.