The Morning After

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

This is not an ice pack!

These past few days at SPPC have felt a bit like the "morning after." For weeks the congregation has been immersed in preparations for hosting Synod. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday we hosted Synod. We engaged with representatives from all over B.C. We served a banquet. We stood by with coffee and snacks at all hours. We joined in heartfelt worship. Then it was Monday and there was nothing left to do but clean up. What a come down!

Reports are that the members of Synod were thrilled with SPPC's hospitality, so we can preen a little. But what should we do now?

Well, there is no time to rest on our laurels. The cozy toes project wrapped up on Sunday. We had baskets and bags and boxes of warm socks, hats, sweaters and coats to send to the Mustard Seed.

The lunch bunch has plans for this Tuesday. There is another Sunshine Lunch coming up in November. A cleaning bee is planned for November as well, and our Wednesday study sessions continue.

All in all, SPPC is a hive of activity. 

But what does all this busyness have to do with Jesus?

We are commanded to "love thy neighbour."

• supporting the Mustard Seed is active love of our neighbours
• extending hospitality shows love for each other
• fellowship together supports members of the congregation who may be suffering
• visiting the shut-ins spreads the love of God to our lonely neighbours
• offering comfort to those who grieve is an act of Christian love

We are also commanded to "love the Lord with all your heart, and all your soul and all your mind." Matt. 27:37  Our modern culture lauds "love thy neighbour" but the "Love the Lord," part is often overlooked. 

Jesus put love of God ahead of love of neighbour. At SPPC we gather to worship the Father, God Almighty, the Great I Am, and His Son, Jesus Christ, Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Saviour and Redeemer.

On Wednesdays we gather to study His Word, to discuss the hard questions of Christian living, and to grow in knowledge and understanding of our God.

SPPC knows how to throw a great party, we open our arms to our neighbours -- because we love God first.

Come and join us.

Synod at SPPC

 The links for this weekend's worship services are here.

  -- Friday evening 

  -- Saturday morning

 --Sunday morning

Whew! What a weekend. The Synod of B.C. of the Presbyterian Church met at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church this weekend. Representatives of all the congregations in the Presbyterian Church in B.C. send representatives to meet, worship and conduct the business of the church. Pretty straightforward.

What SPPC did, as host congregation was much more colourful and tasty! The hall, sanctuary and narthex were resplendent with flowers. Thanks to Pam, our resident expert, for creating such beautiful arrangements.  

On Friday evening, there was a beautifully arranged table groaning with meats, cheeses, muffins, fruit, chocolate . . . well, you had to be there.

veggies and dip formed as flowers

Of course, the food did not appear by magic-- many, many hands made it happen.

Taking a break

  

Goodie bags - never go hungry!

A little behind the scenes chaos

The finished product was stunning

That's Lorna and Jerusha and Linda and Norma and Darlene and Joan -- some of the heavy hitters in the kitchen.

But, that was only Friday, then there was coffee and snacks on Saturday, culminating with a feast on Saturday evening. 

Our friends from Jesus is Lord Congregation helped serve

A professional chef at work in the kitchen.

probably enough food!

The food came out piping hot.

What a pretty setting

I

On Sunday morning we had a full sanctuary for worship. Many of the presbyters stayed over and the congregation of Knox Presbyterian, Victoria, joined us. You can hear some glorious congregational singing by clicking the link at the top of this page. Rev. Dale Wood was our guest preacher. If he ever seeks a second career, he might consider being a stand-up comic. During a thoughtful, scripture-based sermon, quoting the apostle Paul, he still had the congregation chuckling.

It was a very full weekend, lots of work for many people, especially, Rev. Irwin, Darlene, and Roy at the organizaational level of things. It was great to see their smiling (relieved?) faces during coffee hour on Sunday morning. Praise God for using this building and these people to serve Him.

Thanksgiving and More

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

Thanksgiving Sunday saw the front of our sanctuary transformed to display the fruits of the harvest. Many have noted that this was not a good year for the garden -- mine included. With less bounty to enjoy, I took particular pleasure in what did make it through the cold spring, the heat spell, the marauding deer, the ravenous rabbits and the slimy slugs!

The Bible reminds us over and over that God cares for us and will provide. A glance at this year's Thanksgiving Table offers us reassurance of His love, even in hard times.

Our cozy toes project running through the month of October is a perfect way for us to share that love with others. The warm socks and small treats are sent to the Mustard Seed and distributed to those who in need.

Remember, Synod of BC meets at SPPC next weekend. Meetings on Friday evening, Saturday morning are open to all. Visiting clergy will be part of our service on Sunday morning. 

Just to put the icing on the cake, so to speak, we rounded off our Thanksgiving coffee hour -- with cake!

This week, I'm delighted to share a post written by our own Jim Dallimore. 

This year on Sunday September 29,2024 I attended the British Columbia Police Memorial Parade which took place at the BC legislature in downtown Victoria.

After church, I took the bus from Mctavish to near the Empress Hotel.

I was a Peace Officer, a member of the Criminal Investigations branch of Canada Border Services Agency in Toronto, retiring in October 2007 after serving 34 years. During that time I served alongside with many Police Agencies including the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and United States agencies including Homeland Security, the FBI, Buffalo Police and United States Coastguard.

Although never shot, I faced many unpleasant situations on the job.

This day means a lot to me to honour the men and women in law enforcement who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This year 132 BC Law Enforcement Officers who made the ultimate sacrifice serving the citizens of British Columbia including the Ridge Meadows RCMP Constable Rick O'brian whose name will be added to the Roll of Honor. He was the tenth officer to be killed in the line of duty this year.

The parade started in front of the Empress Hotel at 1 PM. In front there were flag bearers, followed by Police on motorcycles, bands and contingents of Police and Law Enforcement Officers from a variety of agencies including CBSA.

The parade proceeded south on Government Street to the rear of the BC Legislature where the Police memorial is. . 

Here a ceremony took place which included reading of the names of officers killed in the line of duty since 1860, a gun salute, the laying  of wreaths and speeches by the Lt. Governor of British Columbia and the Police Chief of Vancouver.

Below are a couple of pictures

Jim at the memorial

Start of the parade

Ed. Note:  Thank you, Jim. On this Thanksgiving weekend, we can remember our dedicated police, and other first responders, and be grateful for their dedication and service.

 

Our design artist

October 2024

 

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

October is shaping up as a very busy month in the life of our church. Here are a few  highlights.

• Synod meets at SPPC on the weekend of Oct. 18-20, 
• October 12-14 is Thanksgiving weekend
• on Saturday the 12th, at 10:00 am we'll decorate the harvest table. Offerings of produce, flowers and labour most appreciated. 
• Friendship coffee on Thurs. 10th at 10:00 am. 
• Choir meets that day but earlier than usual because the church will be used for an all-candidates meeting in the evening. 
• If you have questions about the people running for election in our area, this is your chance. Thurs. Oct. 10 at 7:00 pm
• On Wednesday, Oct 9, we begin our new season of Bible Study. Whew!

You'll note I've listed the October events in reverse order. That's because I want to focus this blog on the Bible Study. 

Our study uses videos, https://drivethruhistory.com/thegospels/ by Dave Stotts. Many of us are familiar with Stotts' hair-raising drives through the Holy Land and the landmarks he points out, often related to Old Testament events. 

In this series, his focus is on the Gospels and the life of Jesus. The video begins with the question "Who would you say is the most significant person who has ever lived?" For him, the answer is Jesus. Stott  still bounces along in his ramshackle vehicle, raising a dust and running out of gas, but the narration is firmly fixed on the life of Jesus. He references all four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to get a complete "biography" of our Saviour. 

If you click the link above you can view the trailer for the series as well as individual lessons.

We meet in the lounge at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm on Wednesdays. All are welcome. Coffee's on. Discussion is thoughtful, funny, poignant. Bible study at SPPC is a safe place to share your thoughts, your questions, your experiences, your doubts, and to explore your faith with other seekers. Please come.