Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian

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.