Ye believe in God
Believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions
If it were not so I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you
And if I go to prepare a place for you
I will come again and receive you unto myself.
It has been a sad week at SPPC with memorial services for two of our members. We shall miss seeing them at Sunday worship. We'll miss them at the coffee hour. We'll miss their helping hands and willing hearts in any number of tasks. One was an elder. We'll miss his knowledge and service on the Session.
Our community will miss them, visiting at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, volunteering for the Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization, serving in their recreational clubs, sharing encouragement and Christian love.
No one will miss them more than the families they leave behind. Those who will witness day after day, the empty chair at the table, the missing note in the music of family life, the silence where once there was laughter.
At times like these the love and care of the congregation shines through the gloom like a beacon, pointing toward the Light of the World. A card in the mail box, flowers at the door, an invitation to coffee, shared tears, music, ritual, food. All these small acts bring comfort and show forth the love of God.
It has been a sad week at SPPC but we give praise and thanks to God for the gift of Jesus. Thank God that grief and sorrow is not the end of life, but the beginning of eternal life. We commend our brother and sister to God's care in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection when all believers will meet again in Christ.
Beautifully written, thanks Alice.
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