We're Open

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

Good to see the church calendar filling up. 

• The choir has been meeting for rehearsals since the first Thursday of the year. --New members always welcome.
• Worship committee met on the first Friday of January --add your favourite hymns to the list posted in the narthex.
• Session met on the second Wednesday of January -- they crave your prayers.
• Friendship Coffee was held on the third Thursday of January -- bring your friends and enjoy a good visit.
• Bible Study starts next week, on the fourth Wednesday of January -- let Rev. Irwin know if you wish to attend. We need to have enough study books.

After two years plus of limiting our activities, there is a zing of excitement about the building. Seeing the Friendship Coffee sign at the gate, inviting the community to come on in, really lifted my spirits. It is in our nature to welcome old friends and new acquaintances to the church and into our fellowship. 

The months of pandemic attacked that welcoming attitude. We asked for proof of vaccines. We asked that you stay away if you didn't feel well. We asked that you stay away if you'd been in contact with strangers. We sat far apart in the pews. We waved from across the room instead of sitting down together. It didn't feel right. COVID and other viruses are still around but our level of anxiety has eased and church life is returning to normal. Praise God!

Of course, there are many places where people get together -- golf clubs, book clubs, libraries, backyard BBQ's and the hockey arena to name a few. But the busy life at SPPC brings me back to the "community" Pam wrote about last week on this blog. The common thread in the examples named above tends to be horizontal, person-to-person.

The common thread in our church gatherings is not only horizontal, but vertical as well. We are bound together by our love for each other and our love for Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Our joy is fullest and most complete in the loving fellowship that the Father, Son, and Spirit enjoy  John 15: 10-11

John 15:10-12

10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

Keep Reading

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:9 “You were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us  and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Because the Holy Spirit is invited into our fellowship in the church, our time together is precious as it is under the umbrella of God's love.