The link for this week's live streamed service is here.
We first put up a lighted heart on the outside of our church building in 2021. It was our way of saying thank you to the health care workers and others who carried on while the rest of the world shut down for COVID. Now that society is back up and running more or less as normal, we've put put the heart back up.
The symbol can be interrpetted in more than one way. Some will see it as a nod to Valentine's Day. After all, February is full of hearts and flowers for that reason.
Still, COVID is rampant in the community, - both our church secretary and our minister had it after Christmas and there are currently 196 people in Victoria hospitals with COVID-19, 7 of them in ICU. On top of that, our health care workers are at a breaking point. Every day we hear new stories about the failures in our health system. Emergency wards are overflowing. Walk-in clinics have closed. Anywhere from 17% to 20% of Capital Region residents do not have a family doctor, and those who do, have difficulty getting an appointment.
Clearly our health care workers -- doctors, nurses, EMTs, cooks, cleaners, homecare workers, -- are all eunning as fast as they can just to stay in one place. Many are leaving the profession due to burn out. So, even though the Times-Colonist is no longer printing a red heart for us to hang in the window, at SPPC our lights say thank you to all medical staff.
The other half of our February light display is the word 'Peace.' Again, there is more than one way to consider the sentiment. With war top of the news, we can consider the word a plea for the end of fighting -- in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Africa.
For those of us with memories of the '60's, we can see the word as a greeting and a wish for harmony among us all. Remember flower power? So, we could consider that SPPC is saying hello to our neighbours in a gentle way.
Peace is also at the heart of our faith. From the beginning, even before His birth, the Messiah promised peace.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Jesus Himself, when speaking to the disciples about His coming death, promised them peace, not as the world thinks of peace, but the peace of God.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The letters of Paul to the early churches, churches which faced persecution, promised peace.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
A greeting and a blessing from SPPC.
Love and peace to you!
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