Prayer and Fasting

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

Lovely to see the sun this week reflected in the brilliant daffodils Dorothy brought to church on Sunday. 

Last weekend I was pruning fruit trees and got chased inside by the hail -- and a cat that was really annoyed at being out in that weather. This weekend I finished the job while enjoying the sun on my back.  Let's hope the return of better weather means a return to fewer public health restrictions. 

Also, lovely to see Gladys back at church and walking without a walker. Welcome home, Gladys. And welcome in to the newcomers who have appeared in our midst these last few weeks. There is a hymn by James Manley that starts "Come in, come in and sit down, --you are a part of the family."  Consider this your invitation to be a part of the family at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.

As we are now in the season of Lent our congregation has received a challenge to share. 

"Each day remove 1 item from your closet that you no longer need or wear and put it into a bag. At the end of the 40 days, donate the items to a place than can share them with someone who can really use them."

 Please don't consider this an exercise in de-cluttering, rather, give up each item with an offering of prayer that it may enrich the life of someone else.

Bible Study resumes on Wed. March 16. We will be talking about fasting. In our modern world most people undertake a fast for health reasons, but fasting in the Biblical sense is rare. Yet, this past week I caught the tale end of an announcement on the radio that used the words "fast and pray." On Ash Wednesday, various religious leaders including Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury called for all Christians to "fast and pray" for Ukraine. 

The phrase brought to mind Esther, who, at a time of great national danger, sent for "all the Jews in Susa to fast and pray." Esther 4:16 Tomorrow is International Women's Day, so it seems fitting to remember a strong woman from the Bible who found the courage to disobey the king, and with prayer and fasting, save her people.   

For all the women of Ukraine, may God hear our prayer.