Minister's Challenge

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

This week SPPC participated in a game of musical pulpits. Rev. Irwin was at St. Andrew's in Nanaimo, their minister was at Trinity in Vancouver and Byron Knight took over the pulpit at SPPC. Many in the congregation know Byron as a leader of the Dominican Republic mission trips, pie auctioneer extraorinaire, and master chef at Camp Imadene. He also likes to share the gospel from the pulpit. Welcome Byron.

Having a guest preacher is a bit of a wake-up for the congregation. We tend to be so comfortable with our usual routine, we may not even notice its strengths or eaknesses.  

Retailers are encouraged to look at their premises through the eyes of a customer every now and then. They walk down the street and look in the front window. Does it sparkle? Is the display fresh and engaging? Or has familiar clutter built up in the corners and gone unnoticed? We can use the occasion of a guest preacher for a similar review. Are the prayers different? Is the sermon long or short? Who reads the announcements? There are any number of little differences that may catch our attention. And that is a good thing.

On Thursday night, choir practice was cancelled and 3/4 of the choir went to a concert at UVIC. Elizabeth Clarke and Lindsey Hurle both attended SPPC a few years ago and shared their musical talents with us. I especially remember Elizabeth as she filled in at the piano for the Living Flame Choir on occasion. So, when we learned that the two musicians were back in town to give a concert, we had to attend. Elizabeth's skill on the keyboard is remarkable and she had the audience enthralled. 

It was also a bit of an old home week for Fort MacMurray ex-pats. The Cunninghams were there in force, plus we met several people in the parking lot all coming to hear their "home town girls." A testament to friendship.

Stump the Preacher

Just a reminder, we have one week left to meet Rev. Irwin's

challenge of reading the whole Gospel of Luke. He invited us to mark the passages we found difficult and to present them to him. He has promised to preach on the problem passages remarked by the congregation. This is your chance to stump the preacher. Don't miss out. 

New Year 2025

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

This Monday, January 6, marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas. Time to take down the Christmas tree, extinguish the outdoor decorations and blow out the candles. Feels like a gloomy start to what is still a dark time of year!

Now that we are sated with turkey and plum pudding, we turn on the news again and see hunger in so many places. 

We have sung carols about the Prince of Peace and now images of war intrude from our screens.

Disaster after disaster pushes the twinkling lights away from our conscience. 

Maybe we should return to a time when Christians kept Christmas until Candlemass on Feb. 2.

If I've managed to make you feel depressed -- fear not! There is still Light in the world without our glittering trees and houses. If you don't believe me, listen to Rev. Irwin's sermon from Christmas Eve-- the link is here-- reminding us that we each have the Light of Christ within us. In twos and threes, or in a multitude, that light can brighten every dark corner.

Last week, former president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, died and the world mourned the loss of this "good" man. Even those who considered his term as president a failure, were moved by the man who taught Sunday School and swung a hammer building homes for the homeless. 

Unlike a former US president, most of us are not newsworthy, but we still carry the Light of the World. If you want a New Year's resolution, you could do worse than "this little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine."

Happy New Year!

Christ is the World's True Light.

Merry Mayhem!

 

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

Not shown --Bin Sie and Syd 

We have two contributors for today's blog. Jim shared the above picture of the lunch bunch having a get-together at Zanzibar before it closes for good.

Pam wrote about her adventures by plane and taxi. 

Merry Mayhem!

What is it about the month of December that causes normally rational people to go off the rails?

Well, I have a theory about that, but I will tell you my tale first.

I recently took my first ever trip to Calgary with a 48hr. turn-a-round, to deliver an 18^th birthday gift to my granddaughter; this being the only window of opportunity in all our calendars. I congratulated myself on my foresight in purchasing and packing their Christmas gifts to take with me, as Canada Post was about to go on strike.

However, it was a very tight “fit” for me, as I had agreed to sing at the concert at St. Paul’s church on the afternoon of my return.

The trip to Calgary was lovely, I hit a chinook and felt very overdressed in my winter clothes, so I was lulled into a sense that all was well and relaxed for the first time in several busy months!

So the first indicator to the contrary started after boarding the plane for home.

For some strange reason the pilot decided to de-ice the plane before take off. Strange, in that the plane had come from L.A., and Calgary was around 10C and sunny, so a delay of 15mins before take off. Then as we arrived in Victoria the pilot turned off the engines, the reason being that there was an engine issue which needed a cool down before we could dock!

I started to feel my blood pressure rising with stress, as I realised that I may not make the concert on time. But five minutes later we docked, and I flew into action with one last hope to make it in time.

 I had devised a plan when booking, I had the aisle seat on row 10, and immediately retrieved my backpack from the overhead bin and proceeded to excuse myself to get to the front, to get off ASAP.

I ran to the Terminal exit and fell into the first cab! I was determined to do everything possible to fulfil my promise!

Well, Murphy was alive and well! And I found out quickly that in my hurry, I had dropped my small purse, which contained everything! No money, no credit card, no keys for my house or car!

I directed the driver back to the airport right away, and West Jet personnel were able to retrieve my purse in about 15 long minutes, Hallelujah!

So back to the cab…The concert had started late, and I got there about half way through the performance!

What in the world possessed me to ever think that this was a good plan!

But we do it all the time, especially in December. The worldly pressures are all around us, from without and within! We are propelled into this craziness, the advertising, media hype, deadlines, all the shopping, baking, parties: the deadline being Dec. 24^th!

The only thing all this busyness accomplishes is stress! By the time Christmas rolls around we are exhausted and burnt out. Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!

And yet, we say we do this to celebrate the coming of the Christ child, the Prince of Peace!

Oh how I long for that Peace.

“How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given”

Lesson learned;  I am resolved to resist those pressures that seek to rob me of the coming of the Christ Child.

Ed. Note:  Thanks to Pam and Jim for giving me a week off!

 

Advent Four - Love

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.  The link for the Christmas eve service is here.

Are you ready? Is the last bow tied, the last cookie baked, the last ornament hung?  Good! 

Now take time to kneel by the manger, to look with wonder on the Christ child, to reflect with awe and thanksgiving on the gift God sent. Turn off "Deck the Hall" and listen to "Away in a Manger." 

Turn off the news and read Luke 2-- in the King James Version if you love poetic language, in a modern translation if that fills your soul. Read it aloud with people you love.

Come to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at SPPC. It is a beautiful time, with music and candles, prayer and reflection, and great joy.

Come to our Christmas morning service too. Come in your jeans or jammies. No formality on that morning, but lots of hugs and smiles and more joyful singing. "Come and behold Him, born the king of angels."

Make these last few days of Advent a truly waiting time, filled with anticipation, reverence and holy stillness.

Advent Three - Joy

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

dedication of white gifts and flowers

Joy is the theme of Advent Three, and there was lots of joy around our church this week.

On Thursday, my elder and one other threw a party for their parishioners.

We had great fun, unscrambling the names of Santa's reindeer and remembering our right arm from our left, and singing a few carols.

On Sunday morning, the mission commitee held a bake sale in support of the Dominican Republic.

I dropped into the church on Saturday while preparations were under way. In the midst of work, there was joy. Something about giving lifts the heart of the giver. We hope that those who receive from SPPC will be made joyful. 

The display of goodies and the rush of eager buyers made the narthex a place of joy following the service.

Advent Three is also white gift Sunday. We no longer bring tins of soup or cans of beans wrapped in white tissue paper. Instead, we bring "toonies" and the pastoral care committee buys gifts appropriate for our shut-ins, many of whom require special diets. The gifts are put into pretty bags and personally delivered. For a little extra joy, the committee also delivers pointsettias to brighten a small space.

Rev. Irwin was at Trinity church on Sunday morning, preaching and administering communion. In his place, Rev. Arnold Alksne, all the way from Pender Island took the service. Rev. Arnie has filled the pulpit at SPPC so many times he is like an old friend. Considering the winds and ferry cancellations on Saturday, there was much joy, especially in the worship committee, when he showed up on Sunday morning.  

As Christmas day draws closer, may you know quiet joy, exuberant joy, and the holy joy of Christ in your heart.

Peace of Christ

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

The theme for the second Sunday of Advent is peace.

The daily news reminds us that peace is far from our grasp. Wars rage in Euope, Africa, and the Middle East. Racism, hatred, and anger shout from the pages of our social media. How do we observe "peace" in such an unpeaceful time?

 Jesus was born into a troubled world. His ministry was marked with dispute and rejection. He died a shameful death. And yet, He said, "my peace I leave with you."  As we celebrated the Lord's Supper on Sunday, we reached for that deep, inner stillness (peace) that assures us God is with us. The baby, born in a manger, is the Prince of Peace. God's will is done.

food bank offerings at the communion table

Along with our communion service we welcomed Pat and Pierce into membership at SPPC. They have worshipped at SPPC for some time, but it is always a special time when congregants publicly declare their belief and become official members.

This Sunday we wrapped up our special drive for the Sidney/Lions food bank. The normal collection boxes were filled to overflowing. A welcome gift to the workers at the food bank, as well as to those who use it. 

Just because it's fun to have

prizes, each donation to the food basket gave the donor a chance at a Christmas poinsettia. The draw was made after service, with our newest member, Pat, doing the honours. 

And the winner was . . . . Ann.

Congratulations, Ann, and thank you for your contribution to the food bank.

As we go about our daily lives this week, may we "sleep in heavenly peace."

Welcome to Advent

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

A few weeks ago we held a deep cleaning bee at the church. We scrubbed and scoured and pulled out furniture, looking into every corner for overlooked cobwebs and stray crayons. By the time we were finished, the church sparkled and smelled like fresh air.

Airing out the quiet room.

  

Industrious vacuumer who didn't want

her picture taken.

 Always time for a laugh.

 Shining the pews.

Apart from being good stewardship, all that elbow grease made the place ready for Christmas decorations. So, this week, we held a decorating bee. 

These photos show finished product. Sorry I didn't get pictures of all the helping hands.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

And now that we are into December, there Christmas events are popping up everywhere. One that is of particular interest to our congregation is the Die Mahler Ensemble playing on Saturday, Dec. 7 at St. Paul's United Church in Sidney. Our organist, Larry, is part of that ensemble and our choir, with friends, will sing a short work based on Christmas carols.