Seize the Day

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

Today's post was written by our clerk of session. 

Sieze the day!
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
Make the best of it.
Inspired!
What title shall I give this blog? I had no idea but started writing anyway.
This really was written on the spur of the moment while sitting on the waterfront in Sidney.
It was Tuesday morning and I was out  enjoying a lovely walk, so how is this important? It’s not really but for some reason, something in my head said, write a post for the SPPC blog.

I was enjoying the warmth of the sun, the seagulls squawking and gliding over the sparkling ocean, the blossoms in the gardens and on the trees even the sound of a number of lawn mowers, all busily tidying up the grounds. It was just beautiful.

 I actually had 3 appointments booked for that morning but had caught a cold and was feeling pretty awful, achy, snuffly, runny nose and runny eyes and just felt blah and of course I was infectious too and so I cancelled all my appointments!
Any how, I still had to go out and so off I went to drop off a package and then I decided to go via Tim’s on the way home for a London Fog to take home and enjoy.

Instead, after getting my drink, I went and sat on the waterfront, did my daily puzzles and soaked up the sun. How warm it was, in fact too warm sitting in the car and so I went for a walk, what a beautiful experience it was.
At times like these, hymns come to mind and today was no different, the one that came to me on this occasion was:

  

I sing the mighty pow’r of God, that made the mountains rise,            That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies               I sing the wisdom that ordained  the sun to rule the day.                      The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.

 I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.   

There’s not a plant or flow’r below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;                     And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.

 

Maybe that, something that came into my head, was God talking to me and inspiring me to share this experience with you. Praise God for His awesome creation. 

I came home almost 3 hours later feeling considerably refreshed in many ways and was actually breathing better. God is so good!

Ed. Note: Thank you, Janet, for sharing your soul-lifting experience. "Whatsoever things are lovely" 

It was a Quiet Week at SPPC

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

one half our returned mission team

We welcomed our DR mission team home this weekend. They were all in church on Sunday morning, a bit jet-lagged but glowing from their experience and full of stories to tell. We look forward to hearing their report, once they've settled into home.

For those of us who kept the homefires burning, the week included the company of friends. The Wednesday study group watched Luther on DVD. It is an excellent film. You can watch it on Youtube here I particularly enjoyed Peter Ustinov in the role of Frederick the Wise.

 One of the most powerful scenes is Luther, standing before the church council, who demand that he recant his teachings against church doctrine. He replies "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason and not by Popes and councils who have so often contradicted themselves, my conscience is captive to the word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me."

Protestant churches celebrate the Reformation as a moment when Scripture triumphed over abuses in the Roman Catholic church. Sadly, it also led to violent struggles between Catholics and Protestants throughout Europe as part of the 30 Years War. Millions of people died; a consequence Luther never intended and one he deeply mourned. 

Friendship Coffee on Thursday settled the affairs of the world much more amicably. There was one table of men, another with women and knitting, and another, non-segregated. Thanks to Janet for sharing her pictures. 

 In Paul's letter to the Galations, he wrote: 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

As the country heads into an election, and feelings may run high, gathering around a table, sharing coffee and conversation reminds us that friendship is a gift to cherish.

New Pathways of the Mind

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

Last Sunday, our guest minister, Rev. Grant Wilson, concluded his sermon by reminding us of Phil. 4:8, and urging us to get out of our mental ruts and focus on positive things -- whatsoever things are lovely.

I got off to a good start by going to hear the Victoria Symphony, immediately after church. Along with Vox Humana, the Symphony performed Hadyn's Creation. God's creation is lovely and awesome, but Hadyn's work is impressive, too. 

On Wednesday, there was no Bible Study, since Rev. Irwin is away, but the group met anyway and watched a movie, God's Not Dead. I think it "worthy of praise" that the Bible "students" preferred to meet together rather than take the excuse of Rev. Irwin's absence to stay in bed. This Wednesday, March 26, we'll show another movie, Luther. All are welcome. 

.

Spring officially arrived on Thursday -- it came in with a series of storms and ferry cancellations. The power of wind is certainly honest, but I prefer little pockets of flowers appearing in sheltered corners.

Also, on Thursday our tiny, faithful choir met for rehearsal. Surely that persistence in the face of dwindling numbers shows some virtue.

On Sunday, the congregation was blessed to have Rev. Arnie Alksne return to the pulpit. He is considered a "guest" preacher, but, given his many visits with us, he's more like a favourite uncle. As usual, his sermon challenged and enlightened.

How about you? Did you find new pathways in your mind over the past seven days? Did they lift your spirits? Did they remind you that present troubles are temporary while God is eternal? When the rain lets up, why not go for an awe-walk? You'll be glad you did.

Upset the Apple Cart

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

When I was a kid at school we used to play a game called "upset the apple cart." Everyone sat in a circle and the leader called out for two or three people to change seats, this would go on for a while until the command was "upset the apple cart." Then everyone had to scramble to find a new chair.

This Sunday at SPPC was a bit like that. Our minister, Rev. Irwin, is out of his normal place as he is in the Dominican Republic serving as a missionary at the House Upon the Rock Ministry. Also, Larry, our organist, was not in his usual place. It felt like someone had upset the apple cart. 

In Rev. Irwin's absence, we were delighted to welcome Rev. Grant Wilson to the pulpit.  After serving as fulltime minister for 37 years in Almonte and Kinburn (Ontario), Fairview church in Vancouver and then St. Paul's Church in Ottawa, he and his wife, Grace, retired to our Island.                                                                                                     

I would like to say they made the move so he could fill in at SPPC, but I expect they came west as his three adult children and five grandchildren live in B.C.

He loves music, listening to a variety of artists, and making music himself. His instrument? The drums. He's been playing drums in churches for thirty years and finds it a unique form of prayer. Hobbies include watching a good movie or reading a good book. Lately he has taken up hiking and nature photography. He'll have lots of opportunity to do both here on our beautiful Vancouver Island.

In Larry's absence, we welcomed our friend and former music director, Erik Lythgo to the organ bench. Erik filled in for Larry last week as well. Erik is supposed to be retired from church musicianship, so we are grateful he responds when we ask for help.

At the beginning of this post, I mentioned that Rev. Irwin was in the Dominican Republic. Other members of the team from SPPC are Diane, Jerusha and Joan. 

After weeks of preparation, they finally got to the airport last Wednesday, checking in hundreds of pounds of luggage -- most of it supplies for the House Upon the Rock Ministry -- and began their journey.

Here they are in a moment of prayer at the airport. 

Then it was all smiles and excitement as they were ready to board the plane.

First leg to Calgary, then Toronto and, finally the DR on Thursday afternoon. There were a few tense moments at customs but, in the end, they were all allowed to enter with their luggage and supplies intact. Once safely through the airport, they faced a three hour bus ride to their final destination.  

The wonders of technology allow us to get instant feedback on their trip.

 Jerusha has fallen and bumped her elbow, but will survive.

 Sunday Afternoon at Waterfall Gran Jimenea

 The place for ice cream.

What an adventure. We hold them in our hearts and in our prayers as they offer labour, fellowship, and material goods to the House Upon the Rock ministry, and serve the Lord with love.

Mission and Service

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

Lots of excitement at SPPC on Sunday morning. Our mission team was commissioned for work in the Dominican Republic. They leave on Wednesday, taking with them suitcases filled with medical supplies, children's vitamins, OTC pain relievers and the prayers of the congregation. 

This is the fourth time a team from SPPC has joined with others on the Saanich Peninsula to deliver labour and supplies to the House Upon the Rock Ministry in the Dominican Republic. It would have been our fifth, but for COVID. In 2020 we had a team just days away from travelling with the pandemic hit and international travel was halted. 

For a small and elderly congregation to be able to send so many into a foreign mission field is surely a sign of the Holy Spirit at work. This year's team includes Rev. Irwin, a first for him, and Jerusha, also going for the first time. Joan and Diane are old hands at this, Diane having been on all three previous trips and Joan on two of them.

maternity kits

We can't think about the DR without commending Joan for her bottle recycling committment. Every week she hauls away bags and bags of bottles and cans and cartons to sort, organize and deliver to the recycling centre. The money from this effort has gone a long way to paying for airfare and supplies for our travellers. 

Joan's back yard on collection day

Vitamins, pain relievers

The team is the pointy end of our mission work. The congregation that supports them with cash, gifts in kind, and prayers is the bow that sends them on their way.

The commissioning service on Sunday morning underlined the community aspect of missionary work. Knowing they carry the good wishes and prayers of the congregation strengthens and encourages our team as they head off into a time of hard, physical labour, new connections, shared goals, and an openness to following God's will.

The choir anthem, Consecration, by John Ness Beck, used the words of the old hymn, "Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee." The poet, Frances Ridley Havergal, offered her all -- her time, her hands, her feet, her voice, her lips, her silver and gold, her intellect, her will, her heart, and her love.  A good summary of what it means to serve the Lord. 

We crave your prayers for our missionaries as they spread the Good News and pitch in as a helping neighbour.

A Week in the Life

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

A social week at SPPC this time. On Thursday, Friendship Coffee gathered in the Ross Lounge. It was crowded and loud but enjoyable.

Thanks to Brian and Vivien, Al and Irene for continuing to host this popular ministry.

On Friday afternoon, the "Out to Lunch Bunch" ten of them, met at the Thai Corner restaurant. They had such a good time, no one remembered to take pictures! No one forgot to eat.

Also on Friday afternoon, about 25 people from the Parkinson's Disease Support group used our building for a meeting and a slide show.

I mentioned that Friendship Coffee met in the lounge instead of in the hall, as usual. The reason for the change was heat. Our brand new heat pump was hooked up using our really old breaker box. Early in the week the breaker box shut off the power. This has happened before and a little judicious jiggling has made the system work. This time, the breaker box was well and truly kaput. 

Old breaker box

Shiny new breaker box

Since the issue with the breaker box had been developing for some time, the replacement had been scheduled for Monday. However, since we had no heat on Thursday, V.I. Electric moved us to the front of the line, expedited the delivery of new parts, and worked all day on Friday to ensure the congregation could meet in comfort on Sunday morning.

Many thanks to Todd, Aaron and Derek for their understanding, expertise and great service. 

Notice the bright red lever -- new breaker switch                                                                        

New breaker box installed along with enhanced railing.

Annual Congregational Meeting 2025

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

Nothing like Canada winning a hockey game over the USA to lift the mood of the country and the mood of the congregation. We approached our 2025 annual congregational meeting with light hearts. 

Actually, the dates are confusing. We held the meeting in 2025 but we were discussing the life of the congregation in 2024.😕

So, in 2024 our fellowship lost three members through death but we added three members through transfer. In addition, we had one infant baptism -- a cause for much celebration -- so we ended the year at +1.

The year had some significant costs on the property side. We replaced our old (32 years) heat pump with a new one. We also did roof repairs and demossing. The money that had been sitting in the property account met its "rainy day." The congregation has been fund-raising to meet those extraordinary costs. 

On the mission and outreach file, SPPC worked hard to support the House Upon the Rock ministry in the Dominican Republic. In a couple of weeks four of our members (including Rev. Irwin) will join a mission team heading to the DR for two weeks of hard work. 

We've also continued to contribute to the Mustard Seed church with our "cozy toes" project. The Blue Bus ministry receives assistance and volunteers from SPPC. We held two food drives for the Sidney/Lions Food bank, in addition to our regular donations to them. Now that the Compassionate Resource Warehouse is open again, we collect useful items for their overseas mission.

Throughout the year, I've reported the many occasions our congregation finds to have a meal together. Not suprisingly, the report from the Fellowship Committee included a long list of parties, meals, cakes, hot dogs, outings and coffee times. And that doesn't include the choir party, or the Sunshine lunch events or the Friendship Coffee meetings. Obviously, we eat well, laugh often, and hold each other close in times of celebration and in times of sorrow.

The annual report highights the "weekday" events of our church life, but Sunday morning worship gets only a brief paragraph. That is a skewed view of our church life. Sunday morning is the centrepiece of our week. We come together to worship because we love the Lord and because He first loved us. Everything else flows from that central truth.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2

 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20