The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.
Amidst bad weather and bad economic news, it is only natural to turn to comfort food. My favourite is cream of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. It tastes good, makes me feel full, is hot (comforting) and easy to make.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at noon, there will be a soup and sandwich lunch on offer at SPPC. I see it as comfort food you don't have to prepare yourself. It comes with the company of other folks. It will help pay for our new heat pump, giving a whole new meaning to "comfort" food.
Our new HVAC system is designed to bring physical comfort to our gathering space, warm in winter, cool in summer.
The term, comfort food, in its current meaning began to circulate in the mid 1960's but the connotation behind it has a long history, including in the church.
During our Wednesday study last week, we talked about Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Luke 9: 10-17) and feeding the 4,000 (Matthew 15: 32-38) In both cases, Jesus offered food and comfort to a multitude because they were hungry. These events were miraculous, pointing to the Divinity and power of Christ, but, primarily, they were examples of comfort food. Christ felt sorry for the people because they were hungry. He had compassion on them and gave them bread.
We also talked about the food from heaven, manna, that fed the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering (Exodus 16). God did not let His people go hungry. He comforted them with manna and quails.
Comfort food is more than just calories. It sparks feelings of security and being loved and cared for. Jesus speaks of Himself as the "bread of life." On Sunday, Feb 9, we will celebrate the Lord's Supper, "in remembrance of Him." We will turn our eyes to Jesus, and receive the ultimate comfort He offers through the remediation of our sins.
All are welcome on Sunday morning -- no reservations required.
If you want to come to lunch on Saturday, cost $20/person, please put your name on the sign-up sheet in the narthex, or call the office, 250-656-2241 to secure your place.
If at the last minute you decide to come to lunch on Saturday & haven't signed up, come anyway, there is always plenty and we'd love to have you join us, there is always room for more!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of food, on Thursday, 27th February we are having our next Friendship Coffee at the church at 10:00 am, all are welcome and then on Friday, 28th February at 11:30am the Out to Lunch Bunch is dining at Thai Corner in Sidney. Please let us know if you'd like to come by Sunday, 21st February so that we can make the reservation.
You've probably realized by now that we love to eat and fellowship here at SPPC and it's a great way to get to know one another and know if we can reach out to one another in any way.
Keep your eyes peeled for more news from the pews
I recommend you read the blog each week, it's always informative and interesting, thank you Alice for all the work you do to write every week. This is how I start my week, Monday morning, I sit down to read the blog! Enjoy!