Summer's End

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

It was good to have Rev. Irwin back in the pulpit on Sunday, after his holiday adventures. Glad he avoided fire and flood as he hiked in the southwest USA.

And speaking of holidays, while Joan was away others filled in on her bottle recycling job. When she returned, all was tidy and the collection bins were empty. But . . . it seems some of her regulars saved their bottles for weeks so they could welcome her home in style. 

This is Darlene's car, packed to the hilt on her first run to the recycle depot after Joan returned. Welcome back!

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And speaking of welcome back, mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 11, when we'll have a hot dog lunch after service, to kick off  the fall term. 

Actually, the first item on the fall calendar is choir practice at 7:00 pm. on Thurs. Sept. 8. Come and join our merry little band. More voices always welcome.

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We're into the last week of August already. Where did the summer

go? Years ago, when I was in a community choir, one of the songs in our repertoire by Irvine Fine included the words, Summer is gone, Summer is ended. It is done. It is gone. It is ended. While I'm glad for some relief from the high temperatures, I hope our summer isn't totally gone. Yet, this coming weekend is the Saanich Fair and that's a sure sign that summer is over. 

As we come back to "work" after the summer season, the Bible is full of encouragement. Here are a couple of my favourite passages.                             

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.

So, as we say good-bye to the season of rest and recreation, let us look forward with hope and know that God will provide the strength we need to run the race that is set before us.