Maintenance

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

Just like the public works department paints new lines on the the roads around schools in September, SPPC had fresh paint applied to the lines in our parking lot. They are so bright, they practically glow in the dark!

the "before" curbs 

Men at work

after

Since we're in a "freshen up" frame of mind, the front doors were taken down, sanded, varnished, and re-hung this week as well. We walk through those doors every week without giving them a thought, but close examination shows they were definitely in need of a little TLC.

water damage from many years of rain

a very "open" view

beautiful, but don't touch

And here is someone who is very well maintained! 

Happy Birthday to Emily, who celebrated her 100th with a tea at SPPC on Saturday afternoon.

Congratulations from Rev. Irwin

                              lots of friends stopped by for the party.

And, speaking of parties, if you're looking for fun and fellowship, Friendship Coffee meets this Thursday, 10:00 am at the church on E. Saanich Rd. All are welcome, church member or not.

 I recently read a book where an introvert, not inclined to small talk, wore a badge when he went to parties. The badge read "talk to me about salvation." He was mostly left alone. 

If you do want to talk about salvation, come to Bible Study on Wed. at 10:00 am or 7:00 pm. This term we are studying Proverbs. Last week we talked about being wise when temptation came calling. This week, we seek ways to avoid The Fool. Each lesson can stand alone so feel free to attend even if you've missed the previous ones.

While we're in Proverbs, consider 16:31  Long life is the reward of the righteous; grey hair is a glorious crown.

More cake on Sunday morning.

Living Wisely

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

Bible Study started this week. We are looking at Proverbs--Learning to Live Wisely. 

The introduction to the study points out the numerous books that are published every year teaching us how to "do it yourself" or to practice "self-help." In reality, those books teach wisdom, whether it is the mechanical knowledge of how to fix a sewing machine, or the emotional wisdom to recognize depression and seek help.

The Book of Proverbs, in the Bible, teaches wisdom for living.

The Proverbs is often ascribed to King Solomon, but there were other authors as well. The intent of this Book of Wisdom was to instruct the sons of leaders from different backgrounds on the ways to live and prosper in this world. Thanks to the Bible, that manual of instruction is available, not just to the elite, but to all of God's children. The opening verses lay out this purpose --

for attaining wisdom and discipline/for understanding words of insight . . . for understanding proverbs and parables, /the sayings and riddles of the wise. Proverbs 1: 2-6

Since proverbs are usually one or two lines long, looking at a whole book of them may seem daunting, but don't despair, the study presents wisdom in easily digestible bits.

The first lesson was on Proverbs 9,  a comparison of Wisdom and Folly. Interestingly, the two characters invite "the simple and those who lack judgement" to a feast. They seem to offer comparable opportunities, but a closer look reveals that Wisdom cares for her guests and wants what is best for them. Folly . . . not so much.

Coming up on Wednesday, Sept. 20, is an examination of gullibility vs prudence.

Each lesson in the study can stand alone, so if you missed session one feel free to attend session two. The coffee is hot, the goodies plentiful, and the encouragement of fellow students priceless.

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• Congratulations to Bill and Margaret on the occasion of their 68th wedding anniversary. 
  
  
  
  
• There will be some maintenance work at SPPC in the coming week. Watch out for detours in the parking lot, and missing front doors. Despite that, the church will be open at the usual times for meetings, services, study sessions.

• Next Sunday, Sept. 24, is Food Bank Sunday. Any donations are welcome. Place them in the bins in the Narthex for pick-up on Monday.
• The 24th is also Presbyterians Sharing Sunday, an opportunity to share with our fellow Canadians. Drought and wildfires this summer has placed enormous strain on many communities, in B.C. and across the country.

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Last week we sang "Let All Things Now Living," a hymn of thanksgiving for the wonders of creation. We've had a week of beautiful sunshine, clear skies, and cool evenings. Let us give thanks to our Creator.

Hot Dog!

 This week's live-streamed service is here

It seems the congregation of SPPC loves hot dog day as much as any school class.  On Sunday the sun shone and the temperature hovered in the comfortable range. After service we trooped outside and enjoyed hot dogs, corn, and dessert in the fresh air.

Of course, there is always work to do before and after a meal. Thanks to the kitchen squad for setting up and cleaning up.

We have a "thing" about men and BBQ's. Thanks to Brendan and Tore, our "grillers" par excellence.

Thanks also to the folks who set up chairs and tables, brought salads and desserts, made coffee and shared the fruits of their gardens. What a great way to celebrate "welcome back, Sunday."

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Amidst all this food, fun and fellowship, was recognition of Peter's graduation from Stelly's Secondary School. 

At the beginning of the summer Peter was away at sports tournaments, and, in the last weeks, at Camp Imodene  so we had cake for graduation just as he begins his studies at U.Vic. 

Despite the delayed celebration, we are all very proud of Peter. He has been an engaging addition to our congregation since he was two years old.

Peter is the short one in green in the front row

Peter, as Humphrey the cello in a 2015 Christmas musical

Peter is the tall one in the centre, off on a mission trip to the DR in 2023

We have watched with full hearts as he grew and matured into a charming young man.

We wish you success in your studies, Peter, and much happiness in your life.

Peter falling for hot dogs at SPPC Sept. 2023

Peter ready for University

Name Your Hymn

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

                                                             

                            Summer Hours

It seems like yesterday

That school let out that day.

And summer stretched an endless dream

In which to romp and play.

It seems like only yesterday

We swam and built a raft 

And tracked each other through the woods

With Indian skill and craft

Where have they gone, those summer hours?

They've simply flown away

And now they’re just a memory

For the school bell rings today.

 

by Colleen Bianchi

It feels as though we have crash-landed into the Fall term at full speed. Many years we get a few days of September before the Labour Day weekend. Those few days of the new month ease us into the knowledge that summer has ended and we are headed back to school, work and regular routine. No such warning in 2023. Rev. Irwin was in the pulpit on Sunday morning, Session meets this Wednesday and the choir rehearses this Thursday evening. Whew!

We were recently given a book for our library called How Sweet the Sound - The power and Promise of 30 Beloved Hymns. In the introduction the author, Laura L. Smith, recounts how a familiar hymn transported her away from her present circumstances and back to her childhood church, standing beside her mother, wearing her Sunday dress and holding the hymnbook between them. For a moment, the author could hear her mother's voice singing the words. "How," she asks, "can just a few notes of a hymn do that?"

I expect many of us have had similar experiences. This Sunday we began worship with Holy, Holy, Holy. I didn't need the hymnbook. In my childhood church, every service began with that hymn. Like the author mentioned above, the words and music took me back. I could feel the smooth wood of our shaped, oak pews, smell the lemon furniture polish, and see the jewel-tones of the sun shining through the stained glass. 

Music evokes memory in powerful ways. It also embeds words in our subconscious. Since many of our hymns teach our creed (listen to Sunday's sermon on-line) they are a great way to keep the tenets of our faith before us. An ear-worm may be annoying, but having hymns of praise and faith and consolation entrenched in the memory banks is a good thing.

Our congregation loves to sing and we each cherish particular hymns. Now that we're starting a new term, parishioners are invited to request their favourites from time to time. Look on the bulletin board in the narthex for a sign up sheet. Not every choice will fit every worship theme, but every choice will fit some worship theme, so don't be shy. Even if your dearest hymn is not in our Book of Praise, we'll find a way to include it on a Sunday morning.

Welcome September. Welcome the new term. Welcome to SPPC.