Summertime and the Livin' is . . .

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

Summer may have finally arrived! We certainly had lovely weather over the Canada Day weekend. I hope everyone got a chance to enjoy the sunshine and the parades and the music and the picnics. 

Even if you're too old for classes, the first long weekend of summer gives us all that "school's out" feeling. Rev. Irwin preached on the need to "remember the Sabbath Day" a couple of weeks ago, reminding us that God intended His children to rest. Most of us don't shut down entirely in the summer, but it is a time to recharge in body, mind and soul. 

We're certainly taking advantage of summertime rest at SPPC. The choir is on holiday until September. Bible Study held their last meeting in June. Even Session is taking a break.

Worship doesn't take a summer holiday but you may find dress a bit more casual and tourists in the pews. That is all good.

But some work continues quietly in the background. 

The prayer chain still receives requests, still lifts our brothers and sisters in prayer. If you have a request for prayer, you can send them by e-mail to prayerchain@saanichpeninsulapc.org  or  fill in the yellow prayer request card in the pew. All requests are confidential. We ask that you get permission from the intended recipient before requesting prayer.

The bottle drive is also an on-going ministry, even over the summer. Our sorter par excellence, Joan, is away on holiday, but others are filling in so continue to bring those drink containers to the church. All the ten-cent refunds add up and increase the total available for the next mission trip to the Dominican Republic. 

In the community, the Sidney Food Bank is putting out an appeal for donations. Soaring prices in the grocery store and at the gas pump have put many households in a financial bind. At SPPC we have collection bins for food bank items. Or, you can drop them off directly at 9586 Fifth St, Sidney, BC V8L 2W5

For a special summertime, event, we send congratulations to Helen on her 100th Birthday, this Friday!