Merry Mayhem!

 

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

Not shown --Bin Sie and Syd 

We have two contributors for today's blog. Jim shared the above picture of the lunch bunch having a get-together at Zanzibar before it closes for good.

Pam wrote about her adventures by plane and taxi. 

Merry Mayhem!

What is it about the month of December that causes normally rational people to go off the rails?

Well, I have a theory about that, but I will tell you my tale first.

I recently took my first ever trip to Calgary with a 48hr. turn-a-round, to deliver an 18^th birthday gift to my granddaughter; this being the only window of opportunity in all our calendars. I congratulated myself on my foresight in purchasing and packing their Christmas gifts to take with me, as Canada Post was about to go on strike.

However, it was a very tight “fit” for me, as I had agreed to sing at the concert at St. Paul’s church on the afternoon of my return.

The trip to Calgary was lovely, I hit a chinook and felt very overdressed in my winter clothes, so I was lulled into a sense that all was well and relaxed for the first time in several busy months!

So the first indicator to the contrary started after boarding the plane for home.

For some strange reason the pilot decided to de-ice the plane before take off. Strange, in that the plane had come from L.A., and Calgary was around 10C and sunny, so a delay of 15mins before take off. Then as we arrived in Victoria the pilot turned off the engines, the reason being that there was an engine issue which needed a cool down before we could dock!

I started to feel my blood pressure rising with stress, as I realised that I may not make the concert on time. But five minutes later we docked, and I flew into action with one last hope to make it in time.

 I had devised a plan when booking, I had the aisle seat on row 10, and immediately retrieved my backpack from the overhead bin and proceeded to excuse myself to get to the front, to get off ASAP.

I ran to the Terminal exit and fell into the first cab! I was determined to do everything possible to fulfil my promise!

Well, Murphy was alive and well! And I found out quickly that in my hurry, I had dropped my small purse, which contained everything! No money, no credit card, no keys for my house or car!

I directed the driver back to the airport right away, and West Jet personnel were able to retrieve my purse in about 15 long minutes, Hallelujah!

So back to the cab…The concert had started late, and I got there about half way through the performance!

What in the world possessed me to ever think that this was a good plan!

But we do it all the time, especially in December. The worldly pressures are all around us, from without and within! We are propelled into this craziness, the advertising, media hype, deadlines, all the shopping, baking, parties: the deadline being Dec. 24^th!

The only thing all this busyness accomplishes is stress! By the time Christmas rolls around we are exhausted and burnt out. Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!

And yet, we say we do this to celebrate the coming of the Christ child, the Prince of Peace!

Oh how I long for that Peace.

“How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given”

Lesson learned;  I am resolved to resist those pressures that seek to rob me of the coming of the Christ Child.

Ed. Note:  Thanks to Pam and Jim for giving me a week off!

 

Advent Four - Love

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.  The link for the Christmas eve service is here.

Are you ready? Is the last bow tied, the last cookie baked, the last ornament hung?  Good! 

Now take time to kneel by the manger, to look with wonder on the Christ child, to reflect with awe and thanksgiving on the gift God sent. Turn off "Deck the Hall" and listen to "Away in a Manger." 

Turn off the news and read Luke 2-- in the King James Version if you love poetic language, in a modern translation if that fills your soul. Read it aloud with people you love.

Come to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at SPPC. It is a beautiful time, with music and candles, prayer and reflection, and great joy.

Come to our Christmas morning service too. Come in your jeans or jammies. No formality on that morning, but lots of hugs and smiles and more joyful singing. "Come and behold Him, born the king of angels."

Make these last few days of Advent a truly waiting time, filled with anticipation, reverence and holy stillness.

Advent Three - Joy

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

dedication of white gifts and flowers

Joy is the theme of Advent Three, and there was lots of joy around our church this week.

On Thursday, my elder and one other threw a party for their parishioners.

We had great fun, unscrambling the names of Santa's reindeer and remembering our right arm from our left, and singing a few carols.

On Sunday morning, the mission commitee held a bake sale in support of the Dominican Republic.

I dropped into the church on Saturday while preparations were under way. In the midst of work, there was joy. Something about giving lifts the heart of the giver. We hope that those who receive from SPPC will be made joyful. 

The display of goodies and the rush of eager buyers made the narthex a place of joy following the service.

Advent Three is also white gift Sunday. We no longer bring tins of soup or cans of beans wrapped in white tissue paper. Instead, we bring "toonies" and the pastoral care committee buys gifts appropriate for our shut-ins, many of whom require special diets. The gifts are put into pretty bags and personally delivered. For a little extra joy, the committee also delivers pointsettias to brighten a small space.

Rev. Irwin was at Trinity church on Sunday morning, preaching and administering communion. In his place, Rev. Arnold Alksne, all the way from Pender Island took the service. Rev. Arnie has filled the pulpit at SPPC so many times he is like an old friend. Considering the winds and ferry cancellations on Saturday, there was much joy, especially in the worship committee, when he showed up on Sunday morning.  

As Christmas day draws closer, may you know quiet joy, exuberant joy, and the holy joy of Christ in your heart.

Peace of Christ

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

The theme for the second Sunday of Advent is peace.

The daily news reminds us that peace is far from our grasp. Wars rage in Euope, Africa, and the Middle East. Racism, hatred, and anger shout from the pages of our social media. How do we observe "peace" in such an unpeaceful time?

 Jesus was born into a troubled world. His ministry was marked with dispute and rejection. He died a shameful death. And yet, He said, "my peace I leave with you."  As we celebrated the Lord's Supper on Sunday, we reached for that deep, inner stillness (peace) that assures us God is with us. The baby, born in a manger, is the Prince of Peace. God's will is done.

food bank offerings at the communion table

Along with our communion service we welcomed Pat and Pierce into membership at SPPC. They have worshipped at SPPC for some time, but it is always a special time when congregants publicly declare their belief and become official members.

This Sunday we wrapped up our special drive for the Sidney/Lions food bank. The normal collection boxes were filled to overflowing. A welcome gift to the workers at the food bank, as well as to those who use it. 

Just because it's fun to have

prizes, each donation to the food basket gave the donor a chance at a Christmas poinsettia. The draw was made after service, with our newest member, Pat, doing the honours. 

And the winner was . . . . Ann.

Congratulations, Ann, and thank you for your contribution to the food bank.

As we go about our daily lives this week, may we "sleep in heavenly peace."

Welcome to Advent

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

A few weeks ago we held a deep cleaning bee at the church. We scrubbed and scoured and pulled out furniture, looking into every corner for overlooked cobwebs and stray crayons. By the time we were finished, the church sparkled and smelled like fresh air.

Airing out the quiet room.

  

Industrious vacuumer who didn't want

her picture taken.

 Always time for a laugh.

 Shining the pews.

Apart from being good stewardship, all that elbow grease made the place ready for Christmas decorations. So, this week, we held a decorating bee. 

These photos show finished product. Sorry I didn't get pictures of all the helping hands.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

And now that we are into December, there Christmas events are popping up everywhere. One that is of particular interest to our congregation is the Die Mahler Ensemble playing on Saturday, Dec. 7 at St. Paul's United Church in Sidney. Our organist, Larry, is part of that ensemble and our choir, with friends, will sing a short work based on Christmas carols.