Thanksgiving and More

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

Thanksgiving Sunday saw the front of our sanctuary transformed to display the fruits of the harvest. Many have noted that this was not a good year for the garden -- mine included. With less bounty to enjoy, I took particular pleasure in what did make it through the cold spring, the heat spell, the marauding deer, the ravenous rabbits and the slimy slugs!

The Bible reminds us over and over that God cares for us and will provide. A glance at this year's Thanksgiving Table offers us reassurance of His love, even in hard times.

Our cozy toes project running through the month of October is a perfect way for us to share that love with others. The warm socks and small treats are sent to the Mustard Seed and distributed to those who in need.

Remember, Synod of BC meets at SPPC next weekend. Meetings on Friday evening, Saturday morning are open to all. Visiting clergy will be part of our service on Sunday morning. 

Just to put the icing on the cake, so to speak, we rounded off our Thanksgiving coffee hour -- with cake!

This week, I'm delighted to share a post written by our own Jim Dallimore. 

This year on Sunday September 29,2024 I attended the British Columbia Police Memorial Parade which took place at the BC legislature in downtown Victoria.

After church, I took the bus from Mctavish to near the Empress Hotel.

I was a Peace Officer, a member of the Criminal Investigations branch of Canada Border Services Agency in Toronto, retiring in October 2007 after serving 34 years. During that time I served alongside with many Police Agencies including the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and United States agencies including Homeland Security, the FBI, Buffalo Police and United States Coastguard.

Although never shot, I faced many unpleasant situations on the job.

This day means a lot to me to honour the men and women in law enforcement who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This year 132 BC Law Enforcement Officers who made the ultimate sacrifice serving the citizens of British Columbia including the Ridge Meadows RCMP Constable Rick O'brian whose name will be added to the Roll of Honor. He was the tenth officer to be killed in the line of duty this year.

The parade started in front of the Empress Hotel at 1 PM. In front there were flag bearers, followed by Police on motorcycles, bands and contingents of Police and Law Enforcement Officers from a variety of agencies including CBSA.

The parade proceeded south on Government Street to the rear of the BC Legislature where the Police memorial is. . 

Here a ceremony took place which included reading of the names of officers killed in the line of duty since 1860, a gun salute, the laying  of wreaths and speeches by the Lt. Governor of British Columbia and the Police Chief of Vancouver.

Below are a couple of pictures

Jim at the memorial

Start of the parade

Ed. Note:  Thank you, Jim. On this Thanksgiving weekend, we can remember our dedicated police, and other first responders, and be grateful for their dedication and service.

 

Our design artist

October 2024

 

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

October is shaping up as a very busy month in the life of our church. Here are a few  highlights.

• Synod meets at SPPC on the weekend of Oct. 18-20, 
• October 12-14 is Thanksgiving weekend
• on Saturday the 12th, at 10:00 am we'll decorate the harvest table. Offerings of produce, flowers and labour most appreciated. 
• Friendship coffee on Thurs. 10th at 10:00 am. 
• Choir meets that day but earlier than usual because the church will be used for an all-candidates meeting in the evening. 
• If you have questions about the people running for election in our area, this is your chance. Thurs. Oct. 10 at 7:00 pm
• On Wednesday, Oct 9, we begin our new season of Bible Study. Whew!

You'll note I've listed the October events in reverse order. That's because I want to focus this blog on the Bible Study. 

Our study uses videos, https://drivethruhistory.com/thegospels/ by Dave Stotts. Many of us are familiar with Stotts' hair-raising drives through the Holy Land and the landmarks he points out, often related to Old Testament events. 

In this series, his focus is on the Gospels and the life of Jesus. The video begins with the question "Who would you say is the most significant person who has ever lived?" For him, the answer is Jesus. Stott  still bounces along in his ramshackle vehicle, raising a dust and running out of gas, but the narration is firmly fixed on the life of Jesus. He references all four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to get a complete "biography" of our Saviour. 

If you click the link above you can view the trailer for the series as well as individual lessons.

We meet in the lounge at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm on Wednesdays. All are welcome. Coffee's on. Discussion is thoughtful, funny, poignant. Bible study at SPPC is a safe place to share your thoughts, your questions, your experiences, your doubts, and to explore your faith with other seekers. Please come.

Rescued Food

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

On Sunday morning, Janice James visited the congregation and made a presentation re the Mustartd Seed Church.

Since 1975 the Mustartd Seed has been the largest and most accessible Food Bank in the region. According to their website, their Food Security Distribution Centre rescues and receives over 10,000 pounds of food each weekday from over 32 local grocery stores and donors. All that food nearing it's expiry date, or looking a little wilted would go to waste, if it weren't "rescued." Imagine all that good, nutrious food going to the landfill when many struggle to put enough food on the table. 

I love that word, rescue. In my home garden I "rescue" imperfect fruit and vegetables all the time, cutting off the damaged bits and using the rest. The good half of a bruised apple makes a pie that is every bit as tasty a pie as the one made with whole, undamaged fruit. It feels to me  a bit like hating the sin (the damaged bit) but loving the sinner, (the wholesome part of the fruit.)

All of that resued food is distributed to 75 local social service agencies, easing the burden of food insecurity for approximately 70,000 of our neighbours. These are staggering numbers. No wonder our Sidney Food Bank is grateful for the stream of donated food and cash from SPPC.

Although the food bank branch of the Mustard Seed is its most visible ministry, they also run a hospitality program. This service provides healthy lunches, coffee, snacks and a place to meet and visit and receive spiritual care in their Queen Street location. In the fall they offer free clothing, as well as hair and foot care.

It's that free clothing/foot care part that SPPC supports with our cozy toes project. For the month of October we collect good, warm socks to donate to the Mustard Seed. As the cold weather settles in, a pair of clean, dry socks for someone in need, is a concrete and much appreciated example of Christian love.

Let's fill those donation baskets with warmth.

National Centenarian Day

 

Link to this week's live-streamed service is here

According to Statistics Canada Vancouver Island has one of the oldest demographics in the country. Parksville tops the list with the most people aged over 65. Sidney outdoes our up-Island friend in the over 80 category. If you think you notice a lot of grey hair when you walk down Beacon Avenue, you are correct.

Given our aged population it seems only appropriate that the Peninsula News Review, ran a story on national centenarian's day. Did not know there was such a thing but someone somewhere has decided that we need a day to honour those who have lived for 100 years.

National Centenarian’s Day is observed annually on September 22. It is a day set aside to celebrate and honour those who have reached the age of 100. The day was originally proclaimed as a time to partake in the rich history and wisdom shared by centenarians. Listening to their life stories is ever so inspiring, and this is one day to be cherished by everyone to honour those among us who have seen a century go by.

In our congregation we have two members who have passed the 100 year mark. Happy Centenarian's Day to Emily and Helen.

We don't often celebrate old age. In our culture we are much more eager to embrace youth. If you want to sell a cosmetic, promise that it will eliminate signs of aging. If you want to sell a vitamin, promise that it will restore youthful vigor.

Even in the church it is not uncommon to hear a plea for "more young people," especially when there is heavy furniture to move!

And yet, God intends us to grow old. He has a purpose.

Proverbs 16:31

Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

Companies like Clairol would go out of business if we regarded grey hair as a crown of glory. But scripture says it marks a righteous life.

Isaiah 46:4 reminds us that God doesn't stop caring for us after the age of 21 or 65 or even 80.
Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Some have said that old age is a time of loss--loss of friends and loved ones through death, loss of dreams, loss of strength, loss of health. But, against those losses, old age is also a time to reflect, to pass on to another generation the wisdom gained over a lifetime, and to spend time talking with your God. A time of renewal.

2 Corinthians 4:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

As eyes dim, knees stiffen up, and climbing a set of stairs steals our breath, it may seem like we have outlived our usefulness. But the Psalmist reminds us that the righteous will bear fruit, even in old age.

Psalm 92:12-15

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’

So, happy National Centenarian Day to those who have reached the 100 year mark and to all those who see that milestone on the horizon. Rejoice in the Lord, give thanks for your years and your grey hairs.

For those who think old age is some distant land irrelevant to you, take some time this week to seek out your elders, to listen to them, to share time with them, maybe even to ask for advice.

Are You a Hero?

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

Cast and crew Heroes of the Faith, 2004

While rummaging through the archives at SPPC we came upon a VHS recording from 2004, titled, "Heroes of the Faith." Wow! Twenty years ago the Living Flame Choir (Junior) staged a production of the musical "Heroes of the Faith." I have no idea who recorded it as there was no attribution on the tape or the box but we had a great time watching it and reliving those days.

The kids in the show are all grown up now, some with children of their own. They've scattered across the country and even to Africa, but there they are in 2004 singing their hearts out. 

The story of the play is a group of school kids going to a museum and finding displays of Biblical heroes including Moses, Deborah,(and Barak) Elijah, and David, (and Goliath.)

The theme song declares, "I want to be a true hero, a champion of the faith." The play ends with the question, "what type of hero are you?" Are you a leader like Moses, obedient like Deborah, faithful when you are old like Elijah or having the courage to do what is right when you are young like David?

We can all ponder that question. Who do you see as a hero of the faith? Is it the Old Testament characters like Daniel, and his friends Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego who refused to worship a pagan god? Daniel 3: 16-28. Is it the crafty Rehab who saved her family from destruction when she hid the Isrealite spies? Joshua 2. Long-suffering Job who held fast to his faith despite hardship and trial? Or maybe you admire Mary, a teenager who accepted God's plan for her life, even when it went against everything she'd expected?

In the New Testament we have Peter and the other disciples who gave up home and family and livelihood to follow Jesus. What about Paul who had the courage to admit he was wrong to persecute Christians and became a most ardent and tireless apostle? Barnabas, the encourager? Don't we all need an encourager as we navigate our way through life?

Throughout the ages there have been heroes of the faith. In our times we might point to Mother Theresa, or Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Billy Graham or Martin Luther King Jr. 

Or perhaps your hero is the quiet woman down the street who drives her neighbours to medical appointments. Maybe it is your grandfather who taught Christian love by example every day of your life. What about the Sunday School teacher who told you the stories of those Old Testament heroes?

Use the comments section below to vote for your favourite hero of the faith.

If you want to be a "true hero, a champion of the faith," the Bible offers this advice. "Love the Lord with all your heart . . . and your neighbour as yourself.  Matthew 22: 37-40   

Or this one "What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Micah 6:8

Thank you to the unknown videographer who donated that VHS tape to the filing cabinet at SPPC, and kudos to my husband who never throws away an electronic component. Thanks to him we were able to watch the tape.

Heroes of the Faith  -- Not the SPPC production, but good anyway. 

Back to School

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

Kids went back to school this week. I hope everyone paid extra attention when driving in school zones. The beginning of school also marks the beginning of sports season. More of our congregation is involved in senior-fit classes than playground sports, but we did have one representative on the soccer pitch. Joan's grandson, Miller, aged not quite three, took to the field for his first game on Saturday. Of course, grandma was there to cheer him on!

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We still have some hangover from the end of summer, namely the fundraiser food booth at the Saanich Fair. Plans are underway to send another mission team to the Dominican Republic this spring and that means we need money. As part of the fundraising effort, Diane, Irwin, Joan and Linda took a shift in the food booth.  Irwin on grill building poutine's, Diane on cash, Joan taking orders, Linda doing dishes. I don't know how the others fared, but Linda told me her hands looked like prunes after four hours of scrubbing pots.

Joan is still recycling bottles with the money going into the DR travel fund. Since the last trip in March, she has realized about $2300.00 and has her routine for collecting, sorting and taking to the depot down to a fine art. However, she does urge the congregation to drink more beer and pop, Those bottles have a better return than the wine ones.

So far Diane and Joan are committed to the trip but there is room for more. We hope for more! Anyone interested is encouraged to talk to Diane or Joan for more details.

Back in 2017 SPPC produced a cookbook as a fundraiser for the DR. The book sold out, but I thought I'd offer this recipe for Gingered Zucchini Soup. It will use up those extra zucchini lurking in the garden and can go into the fridge or freezer for quick lunches on busy school days.

1 T vegetable oil, (onion, garlic, salt, ginger, black pepper, to taste) 2c shredded zucchini 4 c. chicken broth.

Saute the onions and garlic in oil. Add spices, stir, add zucchini and saute a few minutes more. Add broth, cover and simmer 45-60 min. Puree. Garnish with chives or dill.

🌿 🌿🌿🌿🌿

We have one last chance to hear a summer concert. The Die Mahler String Quartet performs at SPPC, Sept. 14 (Saturday) at 6:00 pm. Admission by donation.

🎻🎻🎻

One more upcoming event confirms we are truly into autumn. On Thursday, Sept. 12, Friendship Coffee meets in the hall at SPPC. The weather is too unpredictable to plan for the rose garden. But, whatever the weather, the coffee is hot, the talk is engaging and the company is friendly. Come, bring a friend, and welcome the new fall term.                               ☕☕☕☕

For any who look forward to school or a return to work, the Bible offers this encouragement. 

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make  your paths straight.

Bang! It's September

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

And just like that, we're in "back to school" season. Where did the summer go? I remember when the holidays stretched out so far before me that I couldn't see the end. Every day seemed as long as a week. 

Summer visitors poured into our home through all the hot days of July and August. Farm work increased to fill the long daylight hours and Fall was a prospect so far in the future as to be irrelevant. My season of "re-creation" contained abundant time.

I guess I've grown up, because this summer has vanished in a flash. Was it the bad weather in the spring? The reluctant garden? The never-ending list of chores? I can't say. I just know that September is here and we're at the beginning of a new season. Session meets on Wednesday and choir practice starts on Thursday. 

We've fortunate at SPPC that the DieMahler string quartet is providing a bridge from summer to fall. They have played concerts at SPPC on the last two Saturdays of August and will play another on Saturday Sept. 14. You also have a chance to hear them on Sept. 7 at St. Paul's United Church in Sidney. All concerts are by donation and start at 6:00 pm. The program is Beethoven and Mozart. 

Beethoven and Mozart -- I think that's an excellent bridge from summer to fall. In my imagination Mozart's music sounds like summer while Beethoven signals the storms of autumn. 

Thank you Larry and Pablo and Kate and Hollis for bringing your music to our church.

♬♬

Next Friendship Coffee is Sept. 12 at 10:00 am