New Parking Lot Season

September is the time for going back to school and getting back into the fall routine. Part of that re-start is the Parking Lot Club.  Ball hockey is our major focus, although food seems to run a close second.  

The first event was this past week and we had a nice turn out with some familiar faces and a few new ones.
The fun continues Thursdays at 4:30 pm until 6:00 pm for the rest of the fall term.
As noted, hockey is our primary focus, but when numbers warrant we have crafts, badminton, or a walk in the woods.  The club is sponsored by the church and welcomes youth ages 6 - 12 from the community.
We had a beautiful day on Thursday, not to hot, not too cold and no rain.  But, if the weather doesn't co-operate, we still play hockey -- indoors.  It gets very loud but that's just part of the game.

Don't wait for an invitation, all are welcome.  Bring your friends.

Creation

Last week's sermon was based on Genesis 1:1-10, Creation.  Rev. Irwin spoke mostly about the great and large things of God's imagination, light and dark, the heavens and the earth, the seas and the dry land. "And God saw that it was good."
During the glorious days of this week, I noted the smaller details of creation.  Not only are they good, they are most wonderfully made.

commissioning Sunday School teachers

     I attended a writers' workshop this weekend.  We had a speaker who made insider jokes and we all laughed.  We tossed around terms like GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict), black moment, hero's journey and Amazon algorithms.  These are all English words, understandable to anyone, but the phrases hold extra layers of meaning for writers of commercial fiction in 2017.

     Similarly, on Thursday night SPPC choir went back into session. Conversation centred on time signatures, staff lines, rests, repeat signs and rallentando.  Again, words that make sense to the layman, but have a wealth of meaning for a musician that others may miss.

     In our culture we use many terms that are based in Scripture -- cross to bear, Eden, David and Goliath, into the lion's den, -- to name a few.  Some children's games use Biblical titles, Jacob and Rachel or Jacob's Ladder, for example.  Yet, for many in our modern world, these terms have lost their power.  Goliath just means "giant."  They have never heard the whole story of the shepherd boy who said "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37  The youth who answered Goliath's boast with trust in God. "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands." 1 Samuel 17: 45-46

  For the Christian, we insiders, these terms are layered with meaning, they remind us of the God we worship, the God who cares for us, who provides for even the lilies of the field.

    On Sunday morning we commissioned our Sunday School teachers.  These faithful servants of the Lord will teach our children and youth to be "insiders" to the language of scripture, to learn the many layers of meaning in a simple story, and to love and trust the Lord, Jesus Christ.  
     The congregation offers its support to our teachers and our gratitude for their willingness to undertake this vital ministry.

Growing Old

     There was a birthday celebration at church last Sunday.  Betty turned ninety.  She had visiting family in church with her and a cake on the table.  And a lovely cake it was!

Isn't it odd that we celebrate birthdays as children and teens, and as seniors, but in the middle-years we are loathe to admit our age? Why are we ashamed of the advance of time after age thirty but embrace it with joy when we are truly old?  Perhaps we've learned wisdom?  That is purported to be a benefit of old age, although I once saw a sign that read "wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone."  

The Bible has some encouraging advice on growing older.  In Ps. 92:12-15, declares that those who walk with God will still bear fruit in old age.  Job 12:12 asserts that "old men have wisdom."  Proverbs  16:31 assures us that "grey hair is a glorious crown."

God designed us to live fully and in His company at all stages of our lives and then, when the earthly body is worn out, to be with Him in glory.  Is. 46:4, 2 Timothy 4: 7-8

Happy birthday, Betty.  May your light continue to shine.  And to all those in the middle years, remember that grey hair is the splendour of the old. Proverbs 20:29